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Artwork by Annie McDonnell, Maddie Ledbury, & Maggie Rosenberg
April 10, 2015! !
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Mike Schwinden, Principal
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Heidi Meagher, Editor
Dear Mitchell Families,
This has been a very exciting week at Mitchell School! Here are just a few of the highlights:
The State Fair Program
On Thursday and Friday, April 9th and 10th, third graders celebrated their knowledge of our United
States with songs, whole-class projects, and individual state research reports and projects. The
songs were fun and enjoyed by everyone. At the school assembly, Dr. Schwinden said, “After this
performance, I feel proud of Mitchell students and proud of our country.” The state projects, on
display in the classrooms, demonstrated extensive research, well-edited writing, and brilliant
creativity! There is nothing like the feeling of excitement and pride one can feel following this level
of hard work and achievement. Way to go third graders and third-grade teachers! We are all proud
of you!
The Food Pantry
In response to the PTCʼs Food Pantry Recess Contest, Mitchell students brought in over 2,200 food
items on Tuesday, April 7th. Thatʼs more than we typically get in an entire year! Ms. Griffethʼs third
graders transported three carloads of food to the Needham Food Pantry. Ms. Spinneyʼs secondgrade class earned ten extra minutes of sunshine for bringing in the most food items. Everyone is
so excited and proud of this very-successful, school-wide, charitable event! Thank you to Jennifer
Muroff for organizing this fantastic food drive!
I hope you all have time to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend!
Sincerely,
Barbara Hayden, Assistant Principal (at the helm while Mike is in China)
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MITCHELL
DATES TO REMEMBER
Tues., Apr. 14!
Apr. 20 - 24!
Mon., Apr. 27!
Delayed Opening!
No School ! !
Classes Resume
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Tues., May 5!
Thurs., May 7!
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Fri., May 8!
4th & 5th Grade Spelling Bee!!
Early Release, 12:15 p.m.! !
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PTC Meeting!
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10:20 a.m. start, No AM KG
April Vacation Week
6:45 p.m., Cafeteria
No AM or PM KG - Conferences
No PM KASE
8:30 a.m., Cafeteria
MAY MCAS DATES:
Mon., May 18!
Grades 3, 5 math
Tues., May 19!
Grade 3 math
Wed., May 20!
Grade 4 math
Thurs., May 21!
Grade 4, 5 math
Fri., May 22!
Grade 5 science
Tues., May 26!
Grade 5 science
Thurs., May 21!
Mon., May 25!
Wed., May 27!
Thurs., May 28!
Food Pantry Collection
No School ! !
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5th Grade Writers Celebration!
5th Grade Visits High Rock! !
Mon., Jun. 1!
Wed., Jun. 3!
Thurs., Jun. 4!
Fri., Jun. 5!
Tues., Jun. 9!
Fri., Jun. 12!
Fri., Jun. 19!
Mon., Jun. 22!
Mon., Jun. 22!
Grade 4 Concert for Parents! !
Mitchell Art Show!
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Early Release, 12:15 p.m.! !
Mitchell Family Picnic!
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Food Pantry Collection!
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5th Grade Rocket Launch
Incoming KG Jump Up Day! !
Jump Up Day!
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Fifth Grade Graduation!
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Wed., Jun. 24!
Last Day of School (if no more snow days), 12:15 p.m. dismissal
Memorial Day
6:45 p.m.
During school hours
7 p.m., Cafeteria
5 to 7 p.m., lobby and hallways
No AM or PM KG - Conferences
6:30 to 8 p.m., playground
PM KG pls bring day before
9 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.
During school
1 p.m., Gym
Happy Summer!
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MUSIC NOTES
Upcoming Concerts:
String Thing Festival - Tuesday, April 7th at 7:00 PM - Needham High School A Gym Just the Guys III - Tuesday, April 14th at 7:00 PM - Needham High School Auditorium (This group
is made up of a select group of boys from grades 4-12, but the concert is open to anyone.)
Band, Band, Bands - Thursday, April 16th at 7:00 PM - Needham High School A Gym
ARTʼIFACTS FROM THE ART ROOM
by Mr. Walek
Mitchell art students are working very hard on the following art projects:
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First Grade - Clay Pinch Pots and Georgia OʼKeeffe Flowers
Students are learning... how to create their first clay sculpture using a simple pinch and pull
technique. Clay pinch pots are enhanced using acrylic paint. Students learn to mix new colors and
how to apply paint to a three-dimensional artwork.
Second Grade - Masks of African Animals and Latin American Maracas
Students are learning... about different ways people create art throughout the world. In this world
cultures unit, we are visiting Africa and Latin America while learning about mask making and
instrument making. Students are creating construction in both art lessons.
Third Grade - Dinosaurs: Drawings and Clay Modeling
*District Wide Common Assessment - Elementary Visual Arts
Create a free-standing clay sculpture of an animal using pinch and pull technique. Students will
learn how to balance the weight of clay to create a three-dimensional artwork that stands on legs/
tail.
Fourth Grade - Clay Animation (Digital Photography and Computer Video Art)
Students are learning... about stop action clay animation. In this lesson, students are working in
small groups on a storyboard for their animation. This storyboard acts as a graphic organizer to
show a sequence of events. Afterwards, students work with plasticine (malleable) clay to create the
objects for their stories. Using a digital camera students will shoot 100 photographs as they
manipulate/move the clay pieces across a board. And, with the help of our wonderful computer
teacher, Mrs. Martell, students will learn how to create a digital animation. Thank You Mitchell PTC
for the funding of this wonderful project.
Fifth Grade - Linoleum Plate Making and Printmaking
*District Wide Common Assessment - Elementary Visual Arts
Linoleum Printing - Students are learning... how to create a linoleum plate with gauging tools and
print a series of color contrasting prints from it. Students will learn how printmaking differs from
other art media.
RAINBOWS MATTER RECIPE CONTEST
Needham Nutrition Services is happy to be holding the Second Annual
Recipe Contest. Our goal is to inspire the students to think about new and
different ways to incorporate healthy foods into their diet and to get in the
kitchen and cook! Please see the “Mitchell Rainbow Recipe Contest Rules!”
document for all the details!
PTC NEWS
MESSAGE FROM THE PTC
Congratulations to Ms. Spinney's class for winning the Food Pantry Recess Contest!!! Thank you
to everyone who donated. Mitchell collected over 2200 items in one day!! That's more than we
collect most years!!
Don't forget to order your yearbook! Deadline is next Friday, April 17th.
If you are interested in getting more involved, sign up to head a PTC committee or event! Contact
Sarah Mesnik sarah@mesnik.com or Marcy Hirschen marcyhirschen@gmail.com for details.
Delayed Opening Event!!! Come decorate goodie bags with your children for the kids at Walker
School. Sign up at:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d49acaf2eaa8-walker
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Mark your calendar for our next PTC Meeting, Friday, May 8th. Jon Mattleman from the Needham
Youth Commission is our guest speaker. He's one not to miss.
Have a great weekend!
Debbie Berger and Amy Simeone
CAFETERIA VOLUNTEERS – April 2015
HOURS: 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
13 Monday
14 Tuesday
15 Wednesday
16 Thursday
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Friday
Kathy Cooper
Anne-Marie
MacDonnell
Virginia Gomez
Sharon Faibish
Amy Simeone
Gina Auger
Emily Schuller
Tracy Murphy
Val Gorman
Karen Morales
MEDIA SCHEDULE
Monday, April 13th through Friday, April 17th - Shift B.
BIRTHDAYS AT WALKER - THIS TUESDAY
On Tuesday, April 14 (delayed opening) the Mitchell Community Service Committee will be helping
the Walker School here in Needham. The Walker School transforms the lives of children and their
families who are facing complex emotional, behavioral and learning challenges. This event is for decorating goodie bags and posters for the children at Walker for when they
celebrate their birthday. We will gather in the cafeteria at 9 AM to put together the goodie bags and
decorate posters.
Please click on the following link to RSVP for the event:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d49acaf2eaa8-walker This is not a drop off event. Parents please join us and feel free to bring children of all ages. Also for the event, we are asking parents to contribute to the party favor bags by purchasing items
on our Amazon Wish List. You can purchase the items directly from Amazon or if buying
somewhere else you just tick that item off the registry. Not to worry if an Amazon item is not delivered by the 14th as we will not be delivering the party
bags to Walker until April 21st. Please click here for our Amazon Wish List: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1D2XSGJ945UWV/ref=cm_wl_rlist_go_v?
For more information contact Karen Murray at kmtjm@verizon.net ORDER YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES NOW - NO WORRIES LATER!
Many Mitchell families have already taken advantage of this convenient, cost effective and time
saving way to shop for school supplies. We will be unable to accept any orders after the end of the
day today, Friday, April 10th.
To order, simply click,www.shopttkits.com, code 64800.
Be sure you are ordering for your child’s grade in September. Please note, this is an optional program and is not a fundraiser! If you would prefer to buy your own
school supplies, a list will be provided by your child's teacher over the summer. Questions?Contact Magda Schmalz at mkschmalz@yahoo.com Page 4
CRADLES TO CRAYONS THANKS YOU
Thank you to all the families that took time out of their busy schedules to volunteer! Your amazing
impact: over 485 children served in just one morning of service. This is the power of community!
4TH AND 5TH GRADE SPELLING BEE
Calling all 4th and 5th Grade Spellers -- It's time for the Mitchell Spelling Bee!
Mark your calendars for this fun, annual event which will be held on Tuesday, May 5th at
6:45 pm in the Mitchell Cafeteria. Registration forms went home to all 4th and 5th graders this
week. The deadline to sign up was Monday, April 6th. The spelling guides will be distributed on
Monday, April 13. For complete details and registration instructions see the attachment to this
newsletter. If you have questions, please contact: Lisa Relich (relichfamily@aol.com), Kathryn
Mortimer (kathryn@mortimerhome.com) or Kerstin Thommes (kerstinthommes@gmail.com)
MITCHELL YEARBOOKS ON SALE NOW!
Orders due by Friday, April 17th. Order your yearbook online at www.coffeepond.com. Password:
mitchell. Any questions please contact Maryann Black at maryannblack@comcast.net.
DONʼT WAIT…ORDER YOURS TODAY!!
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OTHER
NEEDHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Needham Historical Society has a new History Walk App! Bring your Smartphone and join us Saturday, 4/11 at 2 p.m. at the Y at 380 Chestnut Street for a
tour of the Chestnut Street Loop. Among other sites, we will highlight the Hospital, Trip Advisorʼs
Headquarters, Roche Bros. and even see the inside of the Needham Jail! www.needhamhistory.org
NEEDHAM WOMENʼS CLUB
On Sunday, April 12, 2015, from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., in Powers Hall at Needham Town Hall, the
Needham Women's Club (NWC) will hold its 4th Annual Needham Grand Tasting. Tickets are $45
and are available for purchase online on The Needham Women's Club's website:http://
needhamwomensclub.org/wordpress1/events/needham-grand-wine-tasting/
SUMMER ANIMAL ADOPTION PROGRAM - NEEDHAM SCIENCE CENTER
Summer Animal Adoption Program – Needham Science Center
Enrich your summer with a cuddly or cool Science Center animal. Weʼll teach you how to care for
your summer guest and give you a starter supply of food. To learn more about summer adoptions,
call the Science Center: 781 455-0475.
NEEDHAM HIGH SCHOOL H.O.P.E CLUB
Needham High School H.O.P.E. Club (Helping, Offering, Providing, and Empowering) will be
hosting a supply drive at Needham elementary schools from April 27 to May 8. The supplies
collected from students will be donated to Birthday Wishes, an organization dedicated to providing
birthday parties for homeless children. Students and parents are encouraged to donate wrapping
paper, paper goods (napkins, plates, etc.), vinyl table tops and other goods traditionally used at
birthday parties. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the leaders of the club
at hannahfagan14@gmail.com and sophia.korostofflarsson@gmail.com.
NEEDHAM OPEN STUDIOS
Artists all around Needham will be displaying and demonstrating their work during the annual
Needham Open Studios tour on May 2 from 10-4 and May 3 from noon-4. This is a great
opportunity for students to meet working artists, see demonstrations, and learn about their
inspirations and methods. Throughout the weekend there will be special demonstrations and
hands-on activities at some locations. For more information, to see all the participating artists, and
to view a map of the locations, please visit www.needhamopenstudios.com, or look for brochures at
the library, Town Hall, and many local businesses.
PACK 8 NEEDHAM CUB SCOUTS ROCKET DAY
Pack 8 Needham Cub Scouts invites boys entering 1st to 5th grade in September to Rocket Day
on Saturday, May 2nd, 9am to noon at Olin College, off Great Plain Ave, parking lot C. Try
launching one of our rockets or bring along your own rocket to launch. For questions about scouts
or Rocket Day contact us at membership.pack08@gmail.com or visithttp://
www.pack8needham.com.
10TH ANNUAL NEEDHAM PITCH HIT AND RUN
Registration for the 10th Annual Needham Pitch Hit and Run. Softball and baseball players, ages
7-14 compete in pitching, hitting and running skills Sunday, May 3 at 12 noon at DeFazio Field.
Registration and information at www.Smileboston.com/PHR. There is NO FEE to participate in this
event.
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Rainbows Matter Recipe Contest!
Needham Nutrition Services is happy to be holding the Second Annual Recipe Contest. Our goal
is to inspire the students to think about new and different ways to incorporate healthy foods
into their diet and to get in the kitchen and cook!
This year, we will be focusing on eating a variety of colors of fruits and vegetables by creating
an original dessert. The recipe should contain at least one or more of the following, the total
fruits and/or vegetables in the recipe should total at least ¼ cup per serving (so if the recipe
serves 4 – you will have used 1 cup of fruits/veggies):
Strawberries
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Carrots
Sweet Potatoes
Pineapple
Banana
Kiwi
Honeydew
Zucchini
Blueberries
Purple Grapes
Students who are interested in participating will be expected to bring in their recipes
(ingredient list and instructions), as well as 4 servings of the prepared food. The winner at
each school will have his/her fruit and/or vegetable dessert served on June 3rd. There will be
one winner at each elementary school.
Drop off your recipe and food sample before school in the Mitchell Cafeteria
On this date:
Mitchell – May 1, 8:00-8:20
Nutrition Services and your school’s staff will conduct judging the same day. The winners will
be announced the first week of May. Recipes will be judged based on taste, creativity, visual
appearance, healthfulness and potential popularity among classmates. Each winner will receive a
Grand Prize (to be announced).
Fruits and vegetables are very versatile so we encourage students to get creative! We want
students to show us what they can do and create a recipe that will excite their classmates and
themselves into trying something they wouldn’t normally try!
Contact Jen Tuttelman with any questions: 781-455-0400 ext. 237
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