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March 4, 2015 Volume XI, No. 16 Emily Gaberman, Principal – emily_gaberman@needham.k12.ma.us Karen Bourn, Assistant Principal – karen_bourn@needham.k12.ma.us Dates To Remember: DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION Wed. Mar 11 6:30pm Introduction to High Rock School High Rock Gym Wed. Mar 11 7:30pm Introduction to METCO Middle School Programming High Rock Media Center Thu. Mar 12 Needham “UNPLUGGED” No Homework Night Thu. Mar 12 6:30-­‐8pm Gr. 4 & 5 Spelling Bee Performance Center Sun. Mar 15 3pm NEF Spelling Bee NHS “A” Gym Mon. Mar 16 2-­‐2:30pm SPED Coordinator Finalist #1 Parent Forum Media Center Tue. Mar 17 6:30pm Introduction to Special Education at High Rock School High Rock Media Center Wed. Mar 18 2-­‐2:30pm SPED Coordinator Finalist #2 Parent Forum Media Center Thu. Mar 19 6-­‐8pm Needham Science Center’s STEAM Night Newman Elementary Tue. Mar 31 12:15pm Early Release Day -­‐ NO AM KINDERGARTEN DUE TO KINDERGARTEN PARENT CONFERENCES REVISED MCAS English Language Arts Testing Dates: Grade 3: April 8, 9 Grade 4: March 24 (Long Comp) March 30, April 1 Grade 5: April 6, 7 MCAS Math & Science, Technology & Engineering Testing Dates: Grade 3: May 6, 8 Grade 4: May 11, 12 Grade 5: May 4, 5 (Math) May 13, 14 (STE) PRINCIPAL’S NOTES CLASS PLACEMENT Although it is hard to believe that spring will ever get here, we are beginning to think about the class placement process for next fall! The primary goal of our class placement process is to construct balanced classes. The process for developing new classes is a complex, sensitive, and challenging activity that involves the entire Broadmeadow staff. The system-­‐wide guidelines which drive the 1
process state that we must make classes that are balanced by many factors including: gender; social, physical and academic potential; peer relations (social and emotional development); and equitable student/teacher ratio. Current teachers, guidance counselors, specialists, building administrators and I all consider each child in order to create an optimal learning environment for the group. Once class lists have been formed, Mrs. Bourn and I assign a teacher to each class. Class placement is a collaborative process that involves a great deal of time and a lot of thought and care on the part of the Broadmeadow staff. In order to complete the placement process on time, we will observe the following timetable. If you believe there are special or unusual circumstances that should be considered in terms of your child’s placement with peers, please be sure to let me know in writing (hard copy only -­‐ not by email) by Thursday, April 2, 2015. Please note, this deadline is BEFORE spring conferences. The intent is two-­‐fold: to allow us more time for the placement process; and to allow you to focus on your child’s achievement during your spring conference. Since children change over the course of a year, we do not automatically carry forward requests from previous years. While we value your ideas and will make the very best effort for your child’s placement, there are no guarantees that every request can be honored. As in the past, we are unable to honor requests for (or not for) specific teachers. Finally, and most importantly, I urge you to trust the process and wish to assure you that our teachers and specialists know and care deeply about your child, and have spent the whole year developing an understanding of how your child learns best. They have had multiple opportunities to observe your child working with peers in the school environment and to consider all of those factors when creating classes. We appreciate your support in our efforts to construct the best possible classroom communities as we plan for the 2015-­‐2016 school year! SPELLING BEE On March 12 at 6:30 PM, Broadmeadow will hold our first student Spelling Bee with about 78 fourth and fifth graders taking part! Teacher judges will include Ms. Collings, Ms. Dow, Ms. Flax, Ms. Hamel, Mrs. Hwang, and Mrs. Lunetta. Thank you to all students and teachers who are participating. This event is open to all and we invite everyone to come and cheer on our students. Next Thursday’s Bee is a precursor to the NEF Spelling Bee which takes place on Sunday, March 15 @ 3:00 PM where the winners of the Broadmeadow student bee will compete with teams from the other elementary schools. Ms. Flax, Ms. Camhi and I will be representing the Broadmeadow School staff in the grown-­‐
up Bee. Wish us luck! Think Spring! Emily SCHOOL NEWS TO FAMILIES WHO ARE MOVING OR TRANSFERRING TO PRIVATE SCHOOL Please notify the office as soon as possible if your child (ren) will not be returning to Broadmeadow or the district in the fall. SCIENCE CENTER STEAM NIGHT! Needham Science Center's STEAM Night -­‐ Thursday, March 19th, 2015 6-­‐8pm. Please see the attached flyer, and share this event! Thank you! 2
Elise K. Morgan, Elementary Curriculum Specialist -­‐Science Center Manager -­‐ 781-­‐455-­‐0475 UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FIFTH GRADE PARENTS Introduction to High Rock School March 11, 2015 6:30 pm High Rock School Gymnasium Hosted by Jessica Downey, Principal of High Rock School This parent/guardian orientation meeting is for any 5th grade parent/guardian whose child will be attending High Rock School in the fall of 2015. This program will give a broad overview of the High Rock School program including: • the cluster model th
• a typical day in 6 grade • methods of communication • course selection process • transition process Introduction to METCO Middle School Programming March 11, 2015 7:30 pm following larger presentation High Rock School Library Hosted by Joanne Allen-­‐Willoughby, Director of METCO and Leslie Smart, METCO Coordinator at High Rock and Pollard This parent/guardian orientation meeting is for any 5th grade METCO parent/guardian whose child will be attending High Rock School in the fall of 2015. Introduction to Special Education at High Rock School March 17, 2015 6:30 pm High Rock School Media Center Hosted by Judith Murphy, Grade 6 Special Education Coordinator This informational session is for parents/guardians of students who receive special education services and will be attending High Rock in the fall of 2015. This program will be in the High Rock Library/Media Center and will give a broad overview of the special education program including: • what is a learning center • how services are delivered • a typical day for a special education student • support services and personnel • method of communication *All parents/guardians of current 5th grade special education students are strongly encouraged to attend both the March 12 and March 17 introductory sessions. COMMUNITY NEWS CELEBRATE 25 YEARS WITH NEF ON MARCH 14-­‐15! Did you know that the Needham Education Foundation (NEF) funded the first classroom SmartBoard in the Needham Public Schools? The Graphic Arts Center at Needham High 3
School? Learning gardens at every elementary school? NEF is celebrating 25 years of "making learning come alive" in Needham Public Schools and wants you to join in the fun! Eat pancakes, check out the 3D printer at the new DaVinci innovation lab, or cheer on our youngest spellers at the Bee -­‐ there are lots of ways to celebrate and support the NEF! • Family Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, March 14, 8am-­‐12pm, Needham High School Cafeteria. Mini spelling bees with prizes every half hour, balloon artist, face painting, FREE giveaways and raffle prizes from Fuji Steakhouse and Learning Express! $5/person, $20/family. • Reception at the Da Vinci Workshop, Sunday, March 15, 1:30-­‐2:30pm, Needham High School, Room 101. Short program and Robotics, 3D printer and Let's Build Engineering demonstrations. • 24th Annual NEF Spelling Bee, Sunday, March 15, 3pm, Needham High School "A" Gym. NEW elementary school round with Superintendent Dan Gutekanst as pronouncer, FREE admission and refreshments, and raffle prizes after every round (King's Bowling, HYP, Kids Place, to name only a few!). Raffle $5/ticket, $20/5 tickets. CHEER ON YOUR TEAMS AT THE 24TH ANNUAL NEF SPELLING BEE! Join friends, neighbors, local businesses and civic leaders at the NEF 24th Annual Spelling Bee at 3pm on Sunday, March 15th in the Needham High School “A” gym. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to cheer on your school’s teams competing in this year’s spell-­‐off, particularly the students participating in our NEW elementary school round! (Ask your child about the NEF Word of the Day Challenge!) ·∙ Admission and refreshments are free, thanks to the generous support of many sponsors including Needham Bank, Roche Brothers and Veryst Engineering. ·∙ Support the NEF at the Bee by purchasing tickets for one of our many raffle items donated by local businesses or by purchasing a custom "Bee" cupcake donated by Treat Cupcake Bar. ·∙ Can’t make it to the Bee, but would like to support our mission? “Eat for Education” by dining or ordering takeout at Not Your Average Joe’s on Tuesdays in March and the restaurant will donate 15% of your purchase to the NEF. Download a certificate at www.nefneedham.org to show at the time of purchase. The star-­‐studded roster of celebrity word pronouncers features Gary Gillis, Partner at Last Minute Productions and WHDH-­‐TV Alumnus; Kathy Curran, WCVB Investigative Reporter for 5 Investigates; and State Representative Denise Garlick. Superintendent Dan Gutekanst will be the pronouncer for the NEW elementary school round. For more event information, go to www.nefneedham.org. SATURDAY, MARCH 28TH -­‐-­‐ NEEDHAM GIVES BACK VOLUNTEER AND COLLECTION DAY FOR CRADLES TO CRAYONS! Gently used or new clothing, toys, equipment, coats and books can be left in the box in the Broadmeadow lobby or on the front porches of Jen Robins (781) 400-­‐5442 at 25 Bradford St, or Donna Trabucco (617) 828-­‐7259 at 45 Coulton Park. See link for more details or to 4
volunteer. https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/boston/CCSVolunteer OR emailNeedham@cradlestocrayons.org. NEEDHAM YOUTH SERVICES PRESENTS….QPR SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING What can you learn in 90 minutes? Maybe enough to save someone’s life. Needham Youth Services (formerly the Needham Youth Commission) and the Needham Coalition for Suicide Prevention are offering a QPR Suicide Prevention Training for Adults/Parents. This is a FREE program, and hundreds in Needham have already been trained. Space will be limited to 25 participants and pre-­‐registration is mandatory Tuesday, March 10th, 2015 (7:00-­‐9:00pm) Learn more at www.needhamma.gov/youth/qpr SPRING INTO SPRING WITH KIDS’ FUN NIGHT! Games, dancing and crafts for boys and girls ages 4 and up on Friday, March 13th,6:00-­‐9:00 PM (registration starts at 5:30 PM), $20 per child, at the Needham High School B Gym. Sponsored by and under the fun supervision of the Needham High School Varsity Cheerleaders, this season’s Division 1 Regional Champs! To pre-­‐register and for more information, email the NHS cheer coaches at nhsvarsitycheer@gmail.com. LIBRARY EVENTS Children's Supervisor, Paula Dugan, will tell tales of Ireland on Monday, March 16th at 4:00 p.m. Children ages 6 and up are invited to listen to tales of Banshees, Pucas and other creatures magical and mortal. This participatory program will get children on their feet with the opportunity to play a traditional Irish game. Just drop-­‐in. Jan Drake will explore aspects of the natural world through stories, science and craft activities for children 5-­‐8 on March 17th at 4:00 p.m. Sign up at the library or call 781-­‐455-­‐7559 to register starting March 10th. Saturday Seedlings for children 3-­‐7 is a story-­‐time with read alouds, crafts and other activities with a nature theme on Saturday, March 21 at 10:30 a.m. Just drop-­‐in. NEEDHAM UNPLUGGED -­‐ NO HOMEWORK AND NO MEETING NIGHT -­‐ THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015 On Thursday, March 12th, the Needham community will honor the no-­‐homework, no-­‐sports, and no-­‐
activities night for all Needham Public School students. In addition, there will be no town-­‐related meetings and virtually no community, school, or religious meetings held on that night. Learn more about Needham Unplugged at: www.needhamma.gov/youth/unplugged 5