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Below is a chronicle of news items from the current school year; for more news coverage, you may also want to link to our "PES In The Press" page.
Susan Copley
Principal, Peterborough Elementary School
June 14, 2004
Dear Parents,
As you may know, there was a bus accident Friday afternoon. Mrs. Blackburn’s and Mrs. Manning-Osborn’s second grade classes were returning from a field trip to Concord’s Christa McAuliffe planetarium where they had enjoyed a tour and an astronomy show called “Tonight’s Sky.”
Just south of the Monadnock Paper Mill on Route 202, a young man from Deering, driving north in a 2002 Nissan Sentra, crossed over the center line into the path of our school bus. The bus driver, Amy Ogert, quickly pulled over to the breakdown lane to avoid the car, then turned to the right to avoid a head-on collision. Both staff members and parent chaperones on the bus reported that the driver reacted calmly and with tremendous skill and quick thinking.
The oncoming car hit the side of the bus, and the bus came to rest in the ditch where it was leaning at an angle but kept upright by some large trees. Our students were thrown or slid around a bit, and some of the adults on the bus were jostled and bruised from the impact. Staff immediately called 911 (and the school) and emergency personnel were quickly on the scene.
Students, parents, and PES staff members were moved on to another Laidlaw bus and transported to Monadnock Community Hospital where they were assessed, treated if needed, and released. The hospital staff was ever so kind and helpful, even providing milk, juice, and fresh cookies for everyone waiting to be seen by the doctors. As parents arrived, they were relieved that everyone was OK, and waited patiently if they wished their children to be examined.
The driver of the car that crashed into the bus was flown to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, but was not seriously injured and was due to be released Sunday evening. So although this was a very scary event, it was fortunately not the tragedy that it could have been.
We are deeply appreciative of the outpouring of support and concern visibly expressed by so many people during and after the accident. You can certainly be proud of our incredibly competent and caring staff who helped out in a myriad of ways, the resilient parents on the bus and at the hospital who reached out to help everyone involved, and our amazing students who calmly listened, followed directions, and dealt with an unexpected event with uncommon grace and courage.
Thank you all for your caring and support. It is at times like these that I am vividly reminded what a special blessing it is to be part of the PES/ Peterborough community.
All the best, Susan Copley, Principal
June 11, 2004
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon. Thanks to Gloria Schultz for organizing a splendid PTO Teacher Appreciation Luncheon! We are also grateful to the dozens of volunteers who cooked, set up/ cleaned up, volunteered in classrooms and at recess – and in a myriad of ways made this such a special event. Thank you all!!
School Beautification. Have you noticed the new “student courtyard” behind the school? Thanks to grant funding and district support, this barren area is developing into an attractive space with new trees and pavers. Our goal is to install new tables and benches around the trees before opening day in September.
Curriculum Spotlight: Library, Art, Music and Phys. Ed. PES is alive with June performances at every grade level! Our specials teachers (Library, Art, Music, & Phys. Ed.) work closely with classroom teachers to enrich and personalize district curriculum. Our teachers provide students with a plethora of opportunities to recite, sing, dance, act, and perform for parents and other children. Students are incredibly motivated and enthusiastic when they are involved in active learning that honors many different talents and learning styles.
Focus on: Reading. This week third graders were involved in a very successful day-long Readathon. Teachers creatively organized the day to offer students a wide variety of books and other print materials, while parents volunteered to read aloud to small groups throughout the day. It was a special treat to have long stretches of relaxed, uninterrupted reading time!
Changes for Next Year: Beginning September 1st, game boys/ hand-held electronic games will not be allowed at PES. We want students to enjoy the many opportunities to enjoy healthy, fun activities on the playground. There is also increasing concern about the violent content of these games. The other change is that, due to Fire Codes prohibiting personal items on top of lockers or in hallways, backpacks will need to fit inside school lockers. For instance, most backpacks with wheels or large ‘hiking backpacks’ do not fit in our modest-sized school lockers. Thank you for your help with these changes, and please let me know if you have any questions.
Upcoming Events:
Next week: Mon, 6/14, 9-11 AM – Field Day (volunteers welcome!)
Thurs., 6/17, 1:30 PM – 4th Grade Graduation, followed by PTO Ice Cream Social for 4th Grade students
Friday, 6/18, 12:30 PM – Dismissal of all students for Summer Vacation
June 4, 2004
Focus on : Library Enrichment. Second graders recently enjoyed a Library Enrichment performance by songwriter and folk singer Ken Sheldon. They enjoyed his witty songs and the way he includes children in many of his songs. We thank Nancy Richards for bringing professional writers and illustrators to our school and hope many of our students will be inspired by such visitors.
Artist in Residence. Have you seen the new Sound Sculpture designed by our Artist in Residence Miguel Luna? Students learn more about sound as they create music on the large PVC pipes.
Curriculum Spotlight: Language Arts. Many classes are sharing their language arts projects with parents and other students. It’s great to see our students demonstrate such varied skills and talents before a live audience. Thanks to the initiative and generous contributions of PES parents and the PTO, we have a stage extension with new skirting and new stairs, new spotlights, and a new sound system. While some classes practice on the new stage, others are busy preparing performances in the Deb Geer Library and our multi-purpose room/ cafeteria. We appreciate our teachers’ willingness to once again devote long evenings and week-ends to help organize these kinds of special enrichment activities. I love to see students’ pride in ‘learning their lines’ and becoming confident performers and public speakers!
Lost and Found. Before the end of the school year, please do stop by our Lost and Found (outside the gym) to see if any of the many articles of clothing might belong to your child. Thanks!
Library Books are due back by June 11th. Please help us out by searching for missing books; we want them all available for students to read in the fall!
Upcoming Events.
June 8th – Life Skills to Odiorne St. Park
June 10th – First grade to Adams
June 11th – Third grade to Adams
June 14th – K - 4th grades Field Day (Please call the office if you would enjoy helping!)
June 15th – Fourth grade to visit SMS (10:30 – 1 PM)
June 16th – Fourth grade to Adams
June 17th – Second grade to Adams; 1:30: Fourth grade graduation 1:30 PM
June 18th – 12:30 PM dismissal (last day for students) – Happy Summer!
May 21, 2004
Focus on: Children and the Arts Festival. Thank you for your support of all the preparations for this coming Saturday’s Children and the Arts Day festival! Parents have helped numerous classes prepare special curriculum-related (and very beautiful) pop-up books and incredible puppets. Some First graders will be doing Line Dancing on Grove Street. And all PES students are invited to participate in singing with Mrs. Compton on the steps of the Town Hall at 11 AM, and making a Maypole at 1 PM after the parade. Warm thanks to Terry Reeves and all the volunteers that make this festival such a special day for the entire Monadnock community.
Artist in Residence. Students are enjoying their time with our guest AIR, Miguel Luna. They are designing colorful musical instruments from recycled materials and learning a few words and phrases in Spanish. Children will also help decorate the new sound sculpture.
Notice - May 28th – Please note that ALL students, K-4, will be released at 12:30 on Friday May 28th. This means that Kind. students will arrive home later, and 1st – 4th graders will arrive home much earlier than usual. All staff will be involved in a professional development activity at the high school.
Congratulations to Cyndie D’Andrea for completing her Master’s Degree at Leslie College, and to Meredith Sumner for earning her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from UNH. Also, Jenny Dark completed a year-long Leadership Teacher program and other staff members have become certified in specialized reading programs. It is fun and exciting to be part of a community of motivated, enthusiastic, and committed life-long learners!
May 14, 2004
It’s been great outdoor weather! I hope you enjoy seeing all the PES gardens and new flowering trees coming alive once again. Last fall students planted the bulb gardens with help from members of the Peterborough Garden Club, and this spring students have been helping Mrs. Compton mulch the Butterfly Garden. In a few weeks they’ll enjoy new shade trees that will be planted near the basketball area, and help build a sound sculpture near the gazebo. Thanks to your support, the entire PES campus is becoming more welcoming and more attractive -- and more inviting for teaching, learning, and relaxation.
Notice: Change in Calendar. Please note that Friday, May 28th is now a 12:30 Dismissal day for all Kindergarten through Fourth Graders. Teachers will be attending a professional development activity.
Focus On : Children and the Arts Festival. May 22nd is the annual Children and Arts Day in Peterborough, with numerous free exhibits, demonstrations, concerts, and special activities for children. The PES PTO will be selling popcorn and cotton candy, and there will be an international food court near the Historical Society. When you watch the Giant Puppet parade, look for the many participating PES students, including the third graders who are making colorful wing-flapping NH birds as an extension of their current Science unit. The Children and the Arts Day has inspired many similar events across the country – and we can be proud that it all started at PES!
Other upcoming events:
May 28th – 12:30 Dismissal, K-4
June 2nd – Life Skills to Greenfield St. Park
June 8th – Life Skills to Odiorne St. Park
June 10th – First grade to Adams
June 11th – Third grade to Adams
June 14th – K - 4th grades Field Day (Please call the office if you would enjoy helping!)
June 15th – Fourth grade to visit SMS (10:30 – 1 PM)
June 16th – Fourth grade to Adams
June 17th – Second grade to Adams; 1:30: Fourth grade graduation 1:30 PM
June 18th – 12:30 PM dismissal (last day for students) – Happy Summer!
May 7, 2004
Testing of 2nd to 4th graders. This week 2nd through 4th graders were involved with district and state testing. Students are also involved in a variety of creative, activity-based learning experiences. Kindergarten students have learned about how to make beautiful felt collages, while a class of First graders shared what they had learned about ancient Egypt. Third graders trekked out to the lovely Fremont Conservation Land to identify birds, listen to various toads and frogs, and sketch blue bird houses and beaver dams. Our group also found a mysterious large egg shell and two handsome, slithery garter snakes!
Focus on: Placement. I appreciate the feed-back about the process for placing students in next year’s classes. PES parents have a long and proud tradition of support and involvement at this school, which ranges from volunteering in classrooms and on field trips to coordinating special events and extensive fund-raising. We are a far better school because of parental/ community support for teachers and quality education! Regarding placement for next year, written parental input will be taken into consideration as part of the overall process. However, the school must make final placement decisions based on the goal of creating classrooms that are balanced in respect to factors such as gender, learning styles, and students’ needs and strengths. Thank you for your support and understanding.
Better Together. At a recent ASCD international Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, I had the pleasure of hearing Harvard’s Robert Putnam speak about the issues outlined in his books Bowling Alone and Better Together (co-authored with Hancock’s Lew Feldstein). Putnam, who summers in Jaffrey, described the deterioration of community connections since the early 1970’s and the negative results. He also highlighted creative, powerful ways that schools and civic organizations can generate the ‘magical benefits’ of bonding and bridging connections. I came away feeling so blessed to live, work and serve in “Our Town”!
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April 9, 2004
Holistic Approach to Academic Excellence at PES. Our students continue to make remarkable progress with their learning in both academic areas and the visual and performing arts. Our talented teaching staff members provide challenging, stimulating learning experiences in a multitude of areas! Fourth graders are involved in studying poetry, recorders, a science unit about land and water, and increasingly challenging math units. They are also involved in extensive research reports, which involve a wide range of reading, writing, organizational and presentation skills.
Music Teacher Honored. Lynn Compton, our talented PES Music Teacher, has just been selected as Teacher of the Year by the Hillsborough County Conservation District for her outstanding leadership in our garden and campus improvement projects. She will be honored at their annual dinner on Wednesday, April 21st. Congratulations, Lynn!
Upcoming Events.
April 26th – 30th – Spring Vacation
May 22nd – Children and the Arts Day Festival
June 14th, 9-11 AM – K-4 Field Day
June 17th, 1:30 PM – Fourth Grade Graduation
Reading Notes. Recently I read an interesting article, "The Best Thing We Can Do for Children? Let Teachers Act as Professionals" in the March 31st issue of Education Week. The author, Lynn Stoddard, describes schools that have made a priority of "developing great human beings who are valuable contributors to society." She describes the schools’ mission in three areas:
•Identity. Helping students develop their unique gifts, talents and abilities to form a vision of personal worth.
•Interaction. Helping children to learn healthy social skills, and developing their powers of expression and of thoughtful, caring communication.
•Inquiry. Expanding children’s curiosity, passion for learning, and the ability to ask penetrating questions, and helping children learn how and where to search for truth and wisdom.
Like Lynn Stoddard’s schools, PES provides daily instruction in academic skills while also teaching the importance of the personal qualities, social skills and work habits that promote "identity, interaction, and inquiry." We believe that these kinds of qualities, skills, and habits are essential to one’s resourcefulness, happiness and success in life. Please feel free to share your own thoughts on this topic when you see me at school or in the community!
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April 5, 2004
Kindergarten Registration Evening. This is an "extra edition" of the Principal's Newsletter that I'm sending as a reminder that this Wednesday evening, April 7th, at 6:30 PM we will be hosting a Kindergarten Registration Evening at PES. All children living in Peterborough and Sharon who turn five on or before September 30th will be eligible to attend the PES Kindergarten program.
The Registration Evening is an enjoyable opportunity to learn more about this vital program, to meet PES Kindergarten teachers and other staff members, and to have the opportunity to visit Kindergarten classrooms. We certainly enjoy meeting the incoming children (who will have special activities in the cafeteria), and answering any questions you as parents might have.
Please do pass on information about this Kindergarten Registration Evening to any neighbors or friends who may have an eligible child. It is crucial for us to have an accurate count of incoming Kindergarten students so that we can plan for the appropriate number of Kindergarten classrooms. Thank you for your help!
Also, I want to thank all the families who participated in the "First Annual" PTO Movie Night Friday evening. It was an incredibly innovative, fun, and highly successful evening in every regard. The food was excellent, the movie entertaining, and the sense of community was incredible. My thanks to the PTO leadership and to everyone who made it all happen. Our school is blessed by such remarkable, caring, and supportive staff and families!
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April 2, 2004
PTO Makes New Stage a Reality. Have you seen our new stairs? Thanks to PES parent Peter Mazzone, we now have two handsome and sturdy sets of stairs that will be used to access the risers &/or stage in the gym. Also thanks to Kevin Carne and the PES PTO, we now have brand new specialized lighting for the stage. And new blinds for the windows are on order so that we can darken the gym for performances – that we'll truly be able to hear through the excellent new PTO sound system! Thanks to PTO President Lauren Broder and her remarkable leadership team for all the support for teaching, learning, and enrichment at PES this year. We are truly thankful!
Focus on: Arts Enrichment. Third graders have been making beautiful bird journals and special pop-up books with the support of parent volunteers and arts enrichment coordinators Jeannie Connolly and Terry Reeves. They have also been working hard learning about various fractions and their equivalents.
PTO News: Tonight, Friday April 2nd, please come to the Family Fun Night in the PES gym. Come and see "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" on a big screen for just one dollar! Chili, hot dogs and baked goods also available. Profits support enrichment opportunities and field trips.
PTO meetings next week: Mon., April 5th at 9AM; Tues., April 6th at 6:30 PM (same agenda).
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March 26, 2004
PTO Pancake Breakfast and Book Fair a Big Success. Thank you for your support of the PTO Pancake Breakfast and Book Fair. Together these fun and worthwhile events raised over $2,000. that will provide educational field trips and exciting enrichment opportunities for PES students. Special thanks to our local businesses for their support, and to all the parent volunteers who organized these events and invested countless hours to make it all happen!
Focus on: Music Education. Thanks to the support of Monadnock Music, our Third grade students recently enjoyed visits from various musicians, including these enthusiastic trombone and tuba players. Students learned about the history and musicality of the instruments, their versatility, and what is involved in playing each one.
Portfolios: In preparation for the end of this second trimester, students throughout the school have been organizing samples of their daily work and various projects to share with parents. These work samples are an important key to understanding your child's growth and learning over time. Thank you for taking the time to review these with your child!
Curriculum Spotlight: Math. Second grade students are working on a new math unit that involves understanding how numbers up to 100 can be taken apart and put together. The math activities include hands on building of patterns of 100 and playing many challenging mental math games. Other children are working on time and money skills, which always benefit from practice at home. As always, thank you for your generous support of teaching and learning at PES.
Friday, April 2nd, 6 – 9 PM – PTO Family movie night in PES gym!
Wednesday, April 7th, 6:30 PM Kindergarten Registration in the PES Library
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March 12, 2004
Dancing Kindergarteners. We are thoroughly enjoying our NH Dance Institute residency with Kindergarten students. Students are learning to have fun stretching, jumping, stomping, and moving to the music of magical songs. The instructors, Jess Lawler and Angela Achilles, are highly motivating!
Focus on: Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska. Third graders are enjoying a math, science and language arts enrichment unit on the Iditarod Sled Dog race in Alaska. Ask a PES third grader about his/her own musher, and how that particular team is doing in the race. Students are learning about the history of the race, the care of the dogs, the geography of Alaska, and the many challenges of the race itself. They are calculating distances, speed, and ranking as the race continues. The internet has been a helpful resource!
Curriculum Spotlight: Math. In math, second graders are working on a unit on symmetry, and fourth grade students are learning about fractions and fraction equivalents. Our outstanding teaching staff presents this challenging material in a variety of engaging ways that help students visualize "what it looks like," and then how to create and manipulate concrete representations of these abstract concepts. We also appreciate all the volunteers who help with math activities.
Upcoming Events.
7:30 – Noon, Saturday, March 13th – PTO Pancake Breakfast at PES
Friday, March 19th – No School (Teacher Workshop Day)
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February 13, 2004
Happy Valentine's Day week-end! Students throughout the school have been enjoying special valentine's projects that are fun, but also address learning goals in the area of fine motor skills, math and language arts.
Focus on: Monadnock Healthy Teeth Program. The Tooth Fairy is visiting PES! Pam Delahanty, RDH, is visiting Kindergarten through Third grade students as part of Monadnock Healthy Teeth, a school dental health program sponsored by Monadnock Community Hospital. This program involves a fun and interesting classroom presentation about good nutrition and keeping teeth clean and healthy. The second part of the program will be dental screenings for children whose parents have given permission (at no cost to parents). This will be followed by the opportunity for further dental care for children who do not have a dentist. Permission slips will be sent home soon.
Library News: Visiting Authors and Illustrators. This year marks the inauguration of the "Visiting Authors and Illustrators" program coordinated by our librarian, Nancy Richard, with support from the Superintendent and ConVal School Board. We have been truly enjoying the nationally known Peterborough illustrator (and PES parent) Beth Krommes sharing the long and demanding process of creating accurate yet stylized pictures for various children's books. Our students love Beth's vivid scratchboard illustrations for books such as Grandmother Winter and The Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat Called Fish. We hope many of our young artists will be inspired by this famous illustrator!
Early Release Information. Thank you for your flexibility during last Friday's snow/ice storm and early release. Please do be sure that the PES office has current information about how we can reach you during the day, and where you want your child to go in case there is an early dismissal due to a storm or other emergency. I was on the "sign out" table in the foyer, and really appreciated everyone's patience and good will during the uncertain weather conditions. C'mon spring!!
Upcoming Events.
Mon., Feb. 23rd - Fri., Feb. 27th - School Vacation
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February 6, 2004
Reading Success. Our students continue to make considerable leaps forward in their reading skills - and their pleasure in sharing books with friends and family members. Thank you for taking time to read with your children on a regular basis!
Curriculum Spotlight: Social Studies. In social studies, third grade students are studying Martin Luther King, Jr., and the history of our nation's struggle to provide "liberty and justice for all." Children read a biography about Dr. King's life and contribution, make time-lines, and practice choral readings to share with parents. As students ponder their own hopes and dreams for a better world, please do share your own ideas for "I have a dream"...
Focus on: Research Projects. Children in every grade are involved in various research projects throughout the year. This month students are learning about topics ranging from local weather and Antarctic penguins to dinosaurs and NH mammals. Children generate questions, research facts, and present their findings in forms ranging from dioramas and written reports to oral presentations to parents. We believe that learning how to answer our questions at any age is a key skill!
"It's no winter without an ice storm... One February morning we look out at a world turned into one diamond, a dazzle of cold brilliance attacking our eyeballs! The snow itself takes on a crust of ice that sends us swooping and sliding. We marvel at the altered universe, knowing that midday sun will strip ice from tree and roof and restore our ordinary white Winter world." Donald Hall, Seasons at Eagle Pond (1987), p.14.
Upcoming Events.
Thurs., Feb. 19th, 6:30 PM - Kindergarten "Mitten Night"
Friday, Feb. 20th, 9:30 - Cool Day Assembly in Gym
Mon., Feb. 23rd - Fri., Feb. 27th - School Vacation
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January 29, 2004
PTO Family Night. Snow angels and great sledding! As winter continues here in Peterborough, it's a perfect time to think about coming to the PTO Family Night from 6 to 9 PM on Friday, February 6th. For an inexpensive night out, come and see "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (in the gym) and enjoy a delicious chili and hot dog supper (in the cafeteria). It promises to be an excellent mid-winter break with friends of all ages!
Curriculum Spotlight: Physical Education. Students in Physical Education are continuing to improve their strength, balance, and aerobic fitness through a variety of activities. I know I'm always amazed to watch students zip up to the ceiling on a climbing rope, walk across a balance beam with their eyes closed, or challenge themselves to learn new gymnastic moves. Our P.E. teacher, Mr. Szep, works with students to develop personalized fitness goals. Students know how they are progressing towards these goals as we move through the school year. Our students thoroughly enjoy the many opportunities to have fun while exercising in P.E.!
School Vacation: Feb. 23rd -Feb. 27th. A wide array of children's programs for vacation week are available through the Mariposa Museum , the Peterborough Recreation Dept., Sargent Camp, and the Harris Environmental Center.
Upcoming Events.
Monday, Feb. 2nd, 9 - 10:30 AM – PTO meeting in the school conference room.
Monday, Feb. 2nd, 2 PM "The Lorax" dance assembly (All welcome).
Tuesday, Feb. 3rd, 6:30 - 8 PM - PTO meeting (same agenda as 2/2/04)
Wed., Feb. 4th, 7 PM at ConVal High School, School District Mtg., Part I to finalize the March 9th school district warrant. Free child care provided.
Friday, Feb. 6th - PTO Family Night
Tues., Feb. 17th - Citizen of the Year Dinner at the Mon. Country Club to honor Dr. Michael Gordon. Dr. Gordon served on the PES Renovation and Construction building committee, and has been instrumental in the planning (and planting) of our school entrance gardens! Call 924-7234 for tickets.
Thurs., Feb. 19th, 6:30 PM - Kindergarten "Mitten Night"
Fri., Feb. 20th, 9:30 AM - Cool Day Assembly
Mon., Feb. 23rd - Fri., Feb. 27th - School Vacation
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January 23, 2004
Curriculum Spotlight: Math. After four days away, students are tackling challenging tasks with considerable energy and motivation. In math, students are working on topics ranging from fractions to geometry. Our district's Math curriculum expects Second graders to learn the following skills in Geometry: Analyze characteristics and properties of two and three-dimensional shapes and develop mathematical arguments about geometric relationships; specify locations and describe spatial relationships using coordinate geometry and other representational systems; apply transformations and use symmetry to analyze mathematical situations; and use visualization, spatial reasoning, and geometric modeling to solve problems. Our teachers do an outstanding job of addressing these kinds of expected student outcomes with thought-provoking, hands-on activities from the Investigations Math program. Students enjoy using concrete materials to explore quite advanced concepts!
Focus on: Habits of Mind. How do we help students to "behave intelligently" when they don't know the answer to a given problem or situation? There are some ways of thinking and acting that help us all respond to challenges and situations that have no easy answers. One of my favorite educators, Art Costa, expresses these values as "Habits of Mind." At PES we nurture many of these on an on-going basis, including the "habits" of persisting; thinking and communicating with clarity and precision; managing impulsivity; gathering data; listening with understanding and empathy; thinking flexibly; taking responsible risks; striving for accuracy; responding with curiosity, caring, and creativity; and applying past knowledge to new situations. These are "essentials" to me, though they certainly are difficult to measure on any standardized test. What other "habits" do you see as essential in your own life, and the lives of young children?
Life Skills News. Congratulations to Jane Glines, one of our Life Skills/ Intensive Learning Center teachers, who was recently invited to give an in-depth special education workshop presentation to teachers in Amherst. Also good luck to Life Skills students who are practicing for their Special Olympics competitions at Waterville Valley in early February!
Upcoming Events.
PTO meetings: Mon., Feb. 2nd at 9 AM and Tues., Feb. 3rd at 6:30 PM
PTO Informal Family Supper and Movie in the Gym: Friday, Feb. 6th
NO SCHOOL: Fri., Jan. 30th (Teacher Workshop Day)
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January 16, 2004
Student Writing on Display. This frigid weather is quite a challenge for everyone - but it is also an opportunity to listen to and read stories about cold weather, and to enjoy the outdoors whenever we can! Students learning about the Picturing Writing process have also created beautiful pictures that in turn help generate powerful descriptive writing. When you are in the school, please do stop by and read a sample of Second graders' visual and written descriptions of the four seasons (on display in the hallway just past the Library). They are quite incredible!
Curriculum Spotlight: Student Research. Students at many grade levels are involved in January research projects. For instance in one First grade class children are studying dinosaurs. Students are reading a variety of books about specific dinosaurs and then work in pairs to discuss what they discover. They are also learning to use their dictionaries to help with standard spelling. These young children are motivated to write quite lengthy, interesting reports about subjects that intrigue them!
Focus On: The Harris Center's Family Activities. Looking for some fun and educational outdoor activities this winter? The Harris Center in Hancock offers an array of programs for children and families, including after school programs, "Snow Safari Saturdays," and nature-focused programs during school vacations. For more infor., call 525-3394.
PTO News. Thank you for bringing your used printer cartridges to the school for re-cycling. These cartridges have in the past year generated over $1,000 that will be used towards the purchase of two stoves for PTO events and classroom projects. Also thanks for leaving your "box tops for education" labels in the fishbowl in the main foyer. Last year these generated $500 for PTO support of field trips, special projects, and arts enrichment. Please contact PTO President Lauren Broder for further information about how you can become more involved in PTO meetings, events, and activities.
Upcoming Events.
PTO mtgs: Mon., Feb. 2nd at 9 AM and Tues., Feb. 3rd at 6:30 PM (child care provided)
PTO Informal Family Supper and Movie in the Gym: Friday, Feb. 6th
NO SCHOOL: Mon., Jan. 19th (MLK Day) and Fri., Jan. 30th (Teacher Workshop Day)
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January 9, 2004
Need for Proper Winter Clothing. Thank you for sending your children in to school with a complete set of cold weather outdoor clothing. I'm outside for 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th recesses on most days, and when we are dressed for New England winters, we can really enjoy ourselves with everything from sledding and "rolling down the snowbanks" to playing "snow soccer" and "snow football." During this frigid spell, mittens and hats are as important as snowpants, boots and a warm winter jacket!
Curriculum Spotlights: Math and Science. .Hands-on math and science activities help students think like mathematicians and scientists, and improve understanding of basic skills and concepts. It is exciting to see students experience the "Aha!" of new insights and conclusions based on their own investigations!
Focus On: F.A.C.T.S. Program. Peterborough Elementary School has a proud tradition of providing enrichment in the academic subjects through the integration of the arts. Students continue to explore Picturing Writing activities and delight in learning more about the artwork of each month's F.A.C.T.S. (Famous Artists Come to School) which is taught by parent volunteers. In January, many of our students are introduced to Hokusai, the Japanese painter and printmaker, and even make "fish prints" in his style.
PES Website Continues To Grow. Our school website (go to http://www.conval.edu then click on "PES" or enter http://www.conval.edu/Schools/pes directly) continues to be expanded and up-dated. I use this site to check on current weather, no school/delayed opening information, links to the district's curriculum pages, upcoming PTO events, the school calendar, and so much more. For instance, look under the events page and you can read more detailed information about each month's F.A.C.T.S. artist. We are grateful to our technology coordinators, Helfried Zrzavy and Kevin Carne, for all their help!
Upcoming Events.
PTO meetings: Mon., Jan. 12th at 6 PM; Tues., Jan. 13th at 9 AM.
NO SCHOOL: Mon., Jan. 19th (MLK Day) and Fri., Jan. 30th (Teacher Workshop Day)
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December 19, 2003
Holiday Projects. Thank you for all your support of the PTO Food collection for the local food pantry, and for your incredible help with special December activities and projects! Fourth grade students and their families prepared hundreds of home-made cookies for needy families, and students in all grades made beautiful presents for loved ones. We hope you enjoy their lovingly created gifts!
New Guidance Counselor. After the holidays, we will be welcoming our new Guidance Counselor, Barbara Belak. Mrs. Belak is a certified school counselor who has worked in the Amherst, NH, schools; she brings tremendous warmth, enthusiasm, and a great love of children to this important position. She was the unanimous first choice of our Interviewing Committee that included teachers, school staff and administrators, and a parent rep., Paula Stewart. Although we will certainly miss Mrs. Shumway, we are delighted to welcome Mrs. Belak to our school!
Change in January Calendar. Please note that the January Teacher Workshop date has been re-scheduled from January 26th to Friday, January 30th. Thus there will be no school for students on January 30th.
Focus On: Economics. Third grade students learned about debt, inflation, supply and demand as they participated in class auctions. Students purchased stuffed animals, educational toys, and a variety of other items with dollars/tickets earned for academic effort and responsibility, and for being kind, helpful, safe, and polite.
My warmest best wishes for a holiday full of wonder and special family celebrations. My daughter, Heather, and son-in-law, Henry, will be visiting from Huntsville, Alabama - that's a very special gift!
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December 12, 2003
Winter is here! Thank you for sending in warm outdoor clothing for your children. It’s always more fun to have snow pants, boots, etc., and be able to “play in the snow,” and it is much safer if every child has a hat, warm coat, and thick gloves or mittens!
If you have access to the internet and wonder if there is a delayed opening or no school on any given school day, just go to www.conval.edu and click on pes – there’s a link right at the top of the page that connects to the wmur listing of winter weather/ school delays and closings. Look for ConVal Schools. If there is a delayed opening, school for 1st through 4th graders starts two hours later than usual, and Kindergarten is canceled for that day.
Goodbye Mrs. Shumway! Mrs. Shumway, our dear and wonderful Guidance Counselor, is leaving PES. She has decided to stay home with her young son, Max, for the next few years. We will be hiring another counselor who will start as soon as possible after January 1st. I will let parents know this person’s name and background as soon as he or she is hired. We are grateful for Mrs. Shumway’s incredibly compassionate and skilled support for students over the past few years, and we will all miss her very much indeed.
Focus on: Food Chemistry. Fourth graders in Mrs. Elwell’s class are now in the midst of their Food Chemistry unit. It is quite amazing to see these young students carefully organizing and conducting experiments, as well as recording their predictions, observations, and results. It’s equally impressive to see how well they work together in small groups! (Also, do ask any Fourth Grader about the exciting challenges out at Sargent Camp on the chilly Wednesday!)
Focus on: NH Fauna. Second grade students are working with our Harris Center teacher-consultant to learn more about local mammals, including black/brown bears, which seem to be quite numerous around Peterborough and Sharon.
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November 25, 2003
Happy Thanksgiving! We’ve been thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to help children prepare and enjoy holiday meals and other special Thanksgiving activities here at school. It’s a fine time to remember all the blessings of our lives here in Peterborough. Parents volunteers have been essential and dearly appreciated. We hope you all enjoy your family celebrations over Thanksgiving!
When we arrive back next week, it will be December… so here are a few dates to keep in mind. Parents are welcome at all these events!
Upcoming Events:
Dec. 3rd, 7 PM, at the SAU – Public Hearing on the 2004 – 2005 District Budget
Dec. 5th, 9:30 AM, at PES – Assembly in Gym: Motivation Productions
Dec. 8th, 7 PM, at the SAU – Bd. Education Comm.; agenda includes Guidance
Dec. 12th, 9:30 AM, at PES – Cool Day Assembly & PTO Food Pantry Collection
Dec. 19th, 9:30 AM, at PES – Assembly in Gym: ConVal High School Chorus Holiday Concert
[Dec. 22nd – Jan 2nd – School Vacation]
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November 21, 2003
A Season to Give Thanks. Thank you all! At this special time of the year, I want to express my own warm thanks for our superbly skilled and caring staff, and the support our school receives from the Superintendent, the ConVal School Board, PES parents and the Peterborough-Sharon community. Every day as I visit classrooms I am inspired by the quality of teaching and the ways our students are so motivated to learn new skills. PES is indeed a remarkable school!
Focus On: Specials. Music, Art, Library and PE specials are an integral part of each student’s week, offering different ways of learning and honoring various learning styles. Recently our music teacher, Mrs. Compton, and our art teacher, Mrs. Fox, presented a workshop at the New England arts education conference. Our teacher-librarian, Mrs. Richard, recently participated in the recent KSC Children’s Literature conference; this year a children’s author/illustrator will be visiting PES!
Emphasis on Social Skills. Social Skills continue to be an essential component of this school’s program for strengthening behavior and a positive attitude towards peers and learning. We work hard to have clear schoolwide expectations for ‘kind, helpful, safe and polite’ behavior, with appropriate consequences for specific types of problems. Although teachers are certainly the guiding presence in our classrooms, this school also emphasizes the importance of students’ responsibility to make safe and respectful choices. Our goal is to help students self-monitor and demonstrate self control and a sense of responsibility so that everyone can enjoy learning, working, and playing together throughout the day.
Book Notes. We want children to feel comfortable in school and to truly love learning! One of my favorite authors, Regie Routman, notes, “If we are to create a thirst for knowledge and learning in our students and ourselves, we must put the joy back into our lives, savor the small victories, cheer our students on… Do whatever you need to do to guarantee that each and every student not only can learn but also savors learning” (Reading Essentials: The Specifics You Need To Teach Reading Well, Heinemann, 2003, p. 221).
All the best for a joyous time together over the Thanksgiving vacation Wednesday - Sunday next week!
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November 14, 2003
Wintry Weather is here! We are already getting a taste of the winds and cold temperatures of the months to come! Thank you for being sure your child has appropriate outside clothing for recess as winter approaches. If it is likely that there will be a two hour delayed opening or a “no school” day due to inclement weather, please check for the status of “ConVal Schools” on WMUR TV (or on the web at http://www.wmur.com/closings) to see what is happening. Also, as the snow starts to fall, classrooms would certainly appreciate donations of new “roll up” plastic sleds for kids’ enjoyment on our PES hill!
Assessment. PES teachers have a long tradition of thoughtfully observing and analyzing students’ progress. The federal No Child Left Behind Act certainly increases the necessity of learning from student assessment results and using qualitative and quantitative data about how each child is doing compared to grade level expectations. We are interested in all kinds of data so that we can understand individual differences and modify instruction for different children or groups of children.
As one of my educational mentors, Richard Allinton, has said, “Good teachers know their students well – they know where to begin appropriate instruction and how to recognize growth. An instructional starting point requires relevant information about students’ skills, abilities, and knowledge…” (quoted in Educational Leadership, Nov. 2003, p. 62).
On Wednesday I was privileged to sit in on a district-wide grade level discussion of student math assessments, and was once again so impressed by our teachers’ insightful comments about the ‘skills, abilities, and knowledge’ of different children – and what these results implied for further instruction.
Over the next few years, our faculty will continue to collaboratively discuss the student data generated from observations as well as curriculum-based, district-developed, and nationally normed assessments. Although we will continue to look carefully at the numbers generated by standardized testing, we want to be sure that the most important data continues to be whatever helps teachers to provide more individualized, meaningful, and engaging instruction – so that students are enthusiastic and successful readers, writers, and mathematicians!
In future newsletters I will provide more up-dates on school, district, and state plans for assessing/ reporting student growth. In the meantime, enjoy your parent-teacher conferences. We value your interest in discussing observations and information about your children, and your willingness to work with the classroom teacher to develop students’ social and academic goals for the remainder of this school year.
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November 7, 2003
Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences. November 10th through December 5th is this fall’s window for Parent-Teacher conferences. This year we will be using an up-dated Progress Report card, which includes changes based on input from staff and parents. Our goal is to provide information that is more closely linked to district curriculum, school goals, and the need for a more helpful, efficient way of communicating information to parents.
The fall conference is an important time for parents and teachers to share insights, concerns, and appropriate social and academic goals for the rest of the year. Thank you for your support and interest in this school’s commitment to helpful, meaningful communication.
New Progress Report Forms. We have made some important changes in the forms that are used for progress reports. Please click here to view a sample of our revised, two-page report form.
One of the more substantial changes is the way students’ performance is reported. Performance is evaluated as a 4 if it exceeds grade-level expectations, a 3 if it meets grade-level expectations, a 2 if it approaches grade level expectations, and a 1 if performance is below grade-level expectations. An N/A designates not yet applicable or the skill has not yet been introduced; an SR means support is required; and a * refers to special education IEP goals.
Another change is that narratives are replaced by the teacher’s option of noting one or more comment codes. Comments refer to specific strengths and/or challenges a student may demonstrate here at school. Often they are helpful as a catalyst for conference conversations about a student’s needs, growth, and progress. As always, the Progress Report is only one component of school/family communication. It is also important to read the news in teachers’ classroom letters, and to review and discuss children’s actual work samples.
In the late spring we will re-visit this year’s progress reporting system to reflect on feed-back from staff and parents.
Conference Features Dr. Perri Klass. On Saturday I attended an excellent conference on Health Care and the Examined Life sponsored by the NH Humanities Council. One of the speakers was Dr. Perri Klass, a practicing pediatrician in Boston and the author of several books, mostly about medicine. Her most recent publication, Quirky Kids: Understanding and Helping Your Child Who Doesn’t Fit In – When to Worry and When Not to Worry (2003) is fascinating. I highly recommend it!
“Quirky children, as you know, can be frustrating, inspiring, puzzling, delightful, devastating, and highly entertaining. Our goal in writing this book [is] to offer some practical help and some general philosophy about the always hard and always different parental job with these children… The world needs it quirky children, its quirky adults, its quirky minds, and its quirky sensibilities. For all the challenges they face, quirky people enlarge and enhance life for us all.” (p. 360).
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October 24, 2003
Focus On: F.A.C.T.S. Thank you for your support of the integration of the visual and performing Arts, the Famous Artists Coming to School (FACTS), and the Arts Enrichment program here at PES. Parent volunteers have shared imaginative presentations with students on our October FACTS artist, the impressionist painter Berte Morisot; in November we will be studying Rembrandt, the famous 17th century Dutch portrait painter. Last week our school hosted Pablo Paedres Goche and his wife in the Art Room. Students listened to them describe their lives in Mexico, and how they used local clay for their ceramic folk figures. “Picturing Writing” is a supplemental program that many PES teachers are exploring. Students use advanced water color painting techniques, while at the same time strengthening their writing skills.
Halloween Parade. Next Friday, Oct. 31st, 1st through 4th graders will be participating in a walk through the down town Depot Square in their costumes. This Halloween Parade will start at 1:15 PM. Students who are not participating need to have a note sent in by Wed., the 29th, so that we can prepare an alternative activity in the gym. Students need to bring costumes to school, and can change into them after lunch. Please remember that PES does not allow weapons or toy weapons – and that we strongly encourage families who are contributing to any classroom parties after the parade to bring in low sugar, healthy (but fun!) snacks.
Also, the Family Center at 44 Concord Street will be hosting a pumpkin lighting at 4:30 PM on Oct. 31st. Carve your own or pick up a free one at the Family Center to contribute for this event. Call 924-6306 for details.
Dark Selected Leadership Teacher. Peterborough Elementary School is proud to announce that Third Grade Teacher Jenny Dark has been selected as a participant by the New Hampshire Leadership Teacher program. Mrs. Dark meets monthly with other NH educators who visit sites all over New England to study ways to strengthen the connection between school-based learning and the skills and knowledge students will need in the workplace. Topics studied include Biotechnology, Engineering, History, Communication, and the Arts. We very much appreciate the ConVal Superintendent and School Board’s support of the Leadership Teacher program!
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October 17, 2003
Holiday Weekend Reflections. I hope you all enjoyed your holiday week-end. We traveled down to Valley Forge, PA, for my nephew’s wedding which was just great. Alex and his new wife are both physicians completing their residencies at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Since Cindy is Chinese-American and Alex’s mother is Hawaiin, the beautiful ceremony included a traditional hula, songs in Chinese, and even fireworks!
Website Updates. Have you seen the newly up-dated and expanded PES web site? Thanks to Helfried Zrzavy for working on this imaginative, well organized and helpful site – which has numerous links and detailed information about the school. Check it out at www.conval.edu then click on PES. General tech support for teachers is now provided by both PES parent Kevin Carne and “Dr. Z.”
Focus On: Mathematics Instruction. Investigations Math continues to engage and challenge our students. By the end of this year, our Third graders will be expected to compute fluently, including the memorization of basic multiplication facts, make reasonable estimates, understand patterns, create real-life problems and translate them to number sentences, use spatial reasoning and geometric modeling to solve problems, apply appropriate tools to determine measurements, work individually and as a member of a group to solve problems, and communicate mathematical thinking coherently and clearly to peers, teachers, and others… and those are just a few highlights! Thank you for supporting your children as they also learn about money, telling time, and how to think mathematically.
Focus On: Social Skills. Along with our rigorous, hands-on science and math programs, children practice how to be a friend and solve social problems throughout their day at PES. This fall we have the Quit It! Program for second graders, and Bullyproofing for fourth grade students. In the spring, Kindergarten students learn personal safety in the Kids and Company program taught by our Nurse and Guidance Counselor. Many of our staff members have also taken a course in Crisis Prevention, ably taught by our Assistant Principal, Meredith Sumner.
Parent-Teacher Conferences. The window for this fall’s parent-teacher conferences will be November 10th to December 5th. This year I’m pleased to say that we will be piloting a new ‘report card’ that has been developed by the staff with input from parents. Thanks to Progress Reporting Committee members Janice Hughes, Margaret Blackburn, Jenny Dark, Lori Groleau, and Marylou Elwell who have contributed immense creativity, diligence, patience and good humor throughout this long process! We believe the new progress report card will provide more concise, useful information about “How’s my child really doing in school?”
Upcoming Events: School Board Meeting at PES. Next Tuesday, Oct. 21st, at 7:30 PM, PES will be hosting the ConVal School Board’s bi-weekly meeting. Before the board’s business meeting, there will be a brief tour of the Library, Art and Music Rooms, Health Office, and Gym. Parents and community members are always welcome at school board meetings!
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October 9, 2003
PES-PTO Fall Fun Fair. The PTO Fall Fun Fair last Saturday was a terrific success, with children and families thoroughly enjoying the chance to play creative games (my favorite was the race with brooms and pumpkins!), make their own scarecrows, try out the bouncy castle, and fill up on all manner of delicious treats. Thanks to all the parents who helped!
Focus On: ADD/ADHD. On Friday, October 3rd, I attended an excellent conference in Vermont on ADD/ADHD. The presenter, Dr. Ned Hallowell from Harvard Medical School, spoke eloquently on this attentional syndrome that is marked by impulsivity, distractibility, and restlessness. He reminded us that although school and work life can be challenging for people with this condition, those with ADD usually have many positive qualities, including high energy, creativity, warm heartedness, a trusting attitude, easy to forgive, loyalty and a good sense of humor. Dr. Hallowell believes that once the person gets proper treatment, the negative aspects of ADD recede and the positive qualities are more likely to flourish. I recommend his books, particularly Driven to Distraction (1994) and Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness: Five Steps to Help Kids Create and Sustain Lifelong Joy (2002). This school also has a copy of Dr. Hallowell’s videotapes on ADD which you are welcome to borrow.
PES Volunteers. Volunteering is in full swing here at PES. Thank you for offering your time and support to our students at every grade level. Please contact your child’s teacher or specialists if you are interested in contributing a few hours each week here at school or helping to chaperone on field trips. Also, thanks to parental support, the PTO Baked Goods and Pizza Sale at last week’s Open House yielded over $300 for student enrichment, field trips, and special projects!
Calendar Notes:
Fri., Oct. 10th – NO SCHOOL
Tues., Oct. 14th – School Photo Re-Takes
Fri., Oct. 17th, 9:30 AM – Cool Day Assembly
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October 3, 2003
Parent Volunteers Welcome. We love our parent volunteers! With your help, students are provided with additional 1:1 and small group support – and teachers are able to offer more field trips and other enrichment activities. If you are not yet a PES volunteer, and are interested in helping out at school (or doing “at home” tasks), please talk with your child’s teacher. There are also opportunities to volunteer in Art, Music, P.E., and the Library programs.
PES PTO Fall Fun Fair. Tomorrow -- Saturday, October 4th -- the PTO will be hosting its second annual Fall Fun Fair on the playground and “recess blacktop.” Please drop by for games (some of these are free!), a bouncy castle, pony rides, a cake walk, and even the chance to make your own scare crow! If you have some extra time, you may also want to help out with one of the many fun activities. It’s guaranteed to be fun for all ages! Next PTO meetings: Oct. 6th, 6 PM and Oct. 7th, 9 AM.
PES Open House a Success. Along with a very successful Open House last night, this week also marked the Third graders’ annual field trip to Ruggles Mine where students chipped out and collected their own samples of many of the NH rocks and minerals they had been studying in class. Thanks to the teachers for organizing this exciting trip, to the students responsible participation, and to the PTO and parental support that made it all possible. If you know a PES Third grader, do ask them about this memorable field trip!
“When children know and feel connected to others, they treat one another better… The sense of belonging, caring, and trust developed during morning meetings is a foundation for handling every lesson, every transition time, every lining-up, every upset and conflict, all day and all year. The Morning Meeting is a microcosm of the way we want our schools to be: communities that are filled with learning and caring, classrooms that are safe and respectful and challenging for all.” – Roxann Kriete, Educational Leadership (Sept. 2003), p. 70.
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September 26, 2003
Renovated Harris Center Reopens. Recently my husband and I visited the Harris Center, one of our favorite places to hike year-round. We enjoyed seeing the beautiful new addition and the many “green renovations” throughout the building. There were even new bear-proof bird feeders (designed and built by Peterborough’s Carl vonMertens). The Harris Center, located in Hancock, is dedicated to environmental conservation and outdoor education. PES students and teachers are fortunate to work with Harris Center teacher Janet Altobello who helps enrich and extend our natural science curriculum.
Here is a small sampling of upcoming Harris Center activities that your children and family might enjoy in the coming weeks of fall in New England. [For more information, call 525-3394 or log on to www.harriscenter.org]:
Sunday, Sept. 28th, 10 to 3 PM – Kayak/canoe exploration of the Contoocook River, Lake and Mountain Stream Reservoir in greater Jaffrey.
Sunday, Oct. 5th, 1 to 3 PM – Easy hike, Norway Pond Nature Preserve in Hancock.
Saturday, Oct. 25th, 10 to 2:30 PM – Easy hike through Casalis State Park in Pet./Sharon.
Thursday, Oct. 30th, 7 PM at the Harris Center – “Into the Hidden World of Black Bears” with ‘the Bearman’ Dr. Lynn Rogers. Multi-media presentation and stories about NH black bears. Learn about bears’ hibernation, intelligence and special abilities!
Reading Notes. I’ve been reading a fascinating book, Developing More Curious Minds (ASCD, 2003) by John Barell, a teacher who now works as a consultant for the Museum of Natural History in NYC. The author is very interested in how schools encourage children to pose and answer their own questions. This is an important aspect of reading comprehension, an instructional focus this year. We believe that kids develop their abilities to be inquisitive and reflective when inquiry and “good questions” are integrated into every aspect of the school day. When volunteering at PES, you’ll hear teachers asking questions such as “How did you figure that out?” “Tell us about what strategy you used…” “Tell us more… Can you explain your thinking?” “What are you curious about – what do you wonder about [in this story; science experiment; math pattern, etc.]?” With this kind of modeling, students learn to ‘ask good questions,’ see more connections, seek additional information, and think of multiple ways to solve problems. In 1751 Samuel Johnson wrote “Curiosity is one the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous mind” – and it is a great joy to see this quality alive and well in classrooms throughout our wonderful school!
Upcoming Events:
October 2nd (6:30 to 7:30 PM) - PES Open House, Book, Bake and Gift Wrap sale
October 4th (10:00 to 2:00) - PES PTO Fall Fun Fair
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September 19, 2003
Kindegartners Join PES. It’s wonderful to have our Kindergarten students here at school! They are working hard to learn the daily routine, make new friends, and explore new materials and fun challenges. It’s an exciting time in their school careers.
Class Rules. Most of our classrooms start the year by working together to develop a few simple rules which will guide students’ behavior for the year. This is part of developing the values of respect and cooperation, so that learning can take place in a safe and supportive environment. In the September, 2003, Educational Leadership, there is an interesting article entitled “When Children Make Rules.” The authors discuss how involvement in rule making promotes children’s moral and intellectual development. Of course adults need to have control of the classroom, but we are constantly looking for ways to help students to make good choices and learn to regulate their own behavior. For more information about this school’s expectations for kind, helpful, safe, and polite behavior, and the consequences for “not making good choices,” please consult the PES Student-Parent Handbook.
Calendar Notes:
6:30 – 7:30 PM, Thursday, October 2nd – PES Open House. Please plan to come and meet your child’s teacher, along with specialists such as the School Nurse, the Librarian, EST’s, the Guidance Counselor, and the Art, Music, and P.E. teachers. During the Open House there will also be a PTO Scholastic Book Sale, a PTO Bake Sale, and the opportunity to order Innisbrook wrapping paper as part of the PTO fall fund raisers. We look forward to seeing you all on October 2nd!
10:00 AM – 2 PM, Saturday, October 4th – Second Annual PTO Fun Fair at PES. Come and enjoy a creative selection of great kids’ games, a ‘bouncy castle,’ pony rides, a cake walk, the chance to make your own straw stuffed scarecrow, and many other fun surprises!
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September 12, 2003
Shared Reading. Shared reading is one important component of our Language Arts program. Children enjoy reading together both fiction and informational books that are designed to stimulate their curiosity and interests. Teachers use both the content and the structure of shared reading books to teach phonics, word analysis skills, and – our focus this year – reading comprehension skills.
Focus On: Comprehension Skills. Here are just a few examples of comprehension skills that you can help reinforce when reading with your child at home:
• Determining what is important (What are the main ideas or themes?)
• Using prior knowledge and experience (How does this connect and build upon your child’s background knowledge/ experience?)
• Drawing inferences (What do you think will happen next and why? Why do you think the character acted in a certain way?)
• Asking questions to confirm understanding (What questions will help the reader clarify meaning, themes, the author’s point of view, etc.)
• Synthesizing information (How does this connect to other books, yourself, or the world at large? What is the sequence of events in the story? Can you re-tell this story in your own words?)
• Using sensory images (Describe the picture that came to your mind as you read this part of the story/ book – what do you see, smell, hear, etc.?)
• Using strategies to monitor comprehension (Does this make sense? Does it sound right? Did you try re-reading the part that’s harder to understand?)
Throughout the year you will be hearing more from the school about how teachers at each grade level help students to understand more clearly and in greater depth the meaning of what they are reading. In the meantime, thank you for taking the time each day to enjoy reading with your child.
Teachers of Tomorrow at PES. PES has been selected by Keene State, Franklin Pierce and Antioch as a site for their ‘pre-service’ education majors to learn from our master teachers. We hope you enjoy meeting these energetic, motivated college students when you visit school!
Calendar Notes:
Tuesday, Sept. 16th -- School Picture Day
Friday, Sept. 19th, 9:30 AM – Assembly on Respect
Thursday, Oct. 2nd, 6:30 – 7:30 – PES Open House
Saturday, Oct. 4th, 10 to 2 – PTO Fall Fun Fair
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September 5, 2003
Focus On: School Motto. Our teachers are continuing to reinforce how PES students can be kind, helpful, safe, and polite throughout their school day. We have been emphasizing the importance of saying “Please” and “Thank You,” and remembering to have good eye contact when greeting adults and other children. We practice these skills in classrooms and the cafeteria, in specials, and even at recess!
Academic Content Areas. This district uses the Investigations in Numbers, Data, and Space math program which stresses mathematical thinking and problem solving. Students do need to learn their addition and multiplication facts, and many Investigations activities will help them do so. However, we want students to truly understand number relationships and patterns as well as memorizing the facts. Children learn to count and skip count forward and backward, and use materials and models to visualize math situations. They learn to look at the whole problem and make reasonable estimates of the result. They use numbers, pictures, words, and objects to record and keep track of their work. I’m always impressed by the many strategies our students can use to solve math ‘problems’! In Investigations, students have the opportunity to experience, appreciate, and be fascinated by the structure, relationships, and patterns of our number system. Future newsletters will describe other strands in the Investigations program.
PTO Supplies New Sound System. Have you noticed the four new speakers in the PES gym? Thanks to visionary PTO leadership and the generous parent-community support of PTO events and fund-raisers, the school now has a much needed new sound system for assemblies and other performances. It sounds terrific! At 9:30 AM next Friday, September 12th, we will dedicate the new sound system and officially thank the PTO for this important gift that will be used and enjoyed for many years to come. You are welcome to join us for this Sept. 12th “Cool Day” assembly!
Calendar Notes:
Friday, Sept. 12th, 9:30 AM – Cool Day Assembly
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August 29, 2003
New School Year Starts at PES. It’s exciting to have the new school year underway! PES looks terrific, inside and out; have you noticed our new stone walls and plantings outside the main entrance?
Our outstanding staff has carefully planned engaging, meaningful activities to help students become more familiar with their new teacher and classmates. First through Fourth graders are involved in numerous community building activities as well as “beginning of the year” academics. In the photo to the left, Third grade students are creating a web of string to illustrate their connectedness to one another. It is a good example of our staff’s commitment to creating a caring and respectful school environment where students help one another -- and feel safe enough to take risks as they learn new skills. As Anna Quindlen wrote in A Short Guide to a Happy Life, “All of us want to do well. But if we do not do good, too, then doing well will never be enough.”
“It is critical that our classrooms provide safe, warm, and supportive learning environments. As we meet our students’ academic needs, we must also concern ourselves with who our students are going to become. If we ultimately want caring adults, we must nurture that tendency in our children. It is essential that we build classrooms that foster positive relationships among all students and give students activities and responsibilities that foster personal accountability, kindness, and respect for others. We need to give students opportunities to care...” -- Julie Dermondy, 2003.
School Forms. Thank you returning the myriad of “first day” forms – and for your help with the new No Parking fire lane regulations in the parent drop off loop.
Calendar Notes:
Monday, Sept. 1st – No School (Labor Day)
Friday, Sept. 5th, 1-2 PM – Kindergarten Open House
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