November 3, 2011

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Student Council

Student Council is currently raising money by selling Turkey Grams. This money will be used to purchase flowers for nursing homes and other senior service centers. Students may purchase and decorate Turkey Grams for 25 cents a piece. Parents can also send in notes to be written on Turkey Grams for their children. Please support the Student Council and the elderly.

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Second Step News

For those families new to Stoughton, Second Step is a research based program designed by the Committee for Children to help students to achieve social and academic success. The Guidance Counselors in the five elementary schools teach students in grades k-5 lessons that relate to learning skills, empathy development, problem solving, and coping skills. I am excited to be utilizing a new edition of the Second Step program this year which has many updates, such as the addition of lessons on focusing attention and school readiness skills. Currently I am working in kindergarten and second grade classrooms and students have enjoyed listening to songs about learning that reinforce the skills of focusing, using self-talk and assertiveness skills. In order to learn more about the Second Step Program, visit their website at www.secondstep.org. 

Save the Date! 

Wednesday, December 7, 2011 @ 5:30 

South School room 20

Please join us for an explanation of the South School’s 2011 MCAS results and for helpful tips to support your children when taking this state assessment. Refreshments will be served.

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The second component of Morning Meeting is called “Sharing”. Students share some news of interest with the class and respond to each other, articulating their thoughts, feelings and ideas in a positive manner. Sharing helps develop the skills of caring communication, encourages habits of inquiry and thought important for cognitive growth, strengthens vocabulary development, and provides practice in speaking to a group in a strong voice. After students present, their classmates respond by asking questions and offering comments.

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A reminder to parents: Children dropped off at the DROP OFF ONLY zone on the white curb, should exit from the right side of the vehicle onto the sidewalk. This safety rule is recommended to keep traffic flowing in the narrow passing lane and to prevent accidents when car doors open on the left side. Students are not to be dropped off before 8:00 AM. At that time the front door is unlocked and students enter the cafeteria. The exception is for those students who attend a morning program from 7AM-8AM. They enter the building and are supervised by employees of Stoughton Extended Day. Thanks for all your support and friendly greetings in the morning and for helping to keep our students safe!

From the School Nurse–Mrs. Kaplan

Now that Halloween is over, the big question is what to do with all of the rest of the candy. Remind your children that the fun memories of Halloween will diminish if they eat too much candy and feel ill from it. Candy is a treat and should be eaten in small doses. Allow your children to have some control over their Halloween candy…which pieces they will eat now and which to save for later. After a few days or a week, encourage your children to get rid of the leftover candy by donating it, by using it to decorate gingerbread houses for the next holiday or by having you buy it back from them so they can have some spending money. This shows your children that the candy does belong to them and teaches them responsibility.

Parent Advisory Committee Meeting Dates

December 7, 2011

NO MEETING IN JANUARY

February 1, 2012

March 7, 2012

April 4, 2012

May 2, 2012

June 6, 2012

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Grade 3 Reading 

March 21, 27

Grade 3 Mathematics

May 9, 16

Grade 4 Long Composition

March 20

Grade 4 English Language Arts

March 22, 28

Grade 4 Mathematics 

May 8, 15

Grade 5 English Language Arts

March 23, 29

Grade 5 Mathematics 

May 7, 14

Grade 5 Science

May 17, 18

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Classroom News

Students from Miss Gabriels’ class and Mrs. K's class went on a nature walk (see pictures below) to explore their five senses. The fifth graders helped their buddies to describe what they saw, heard, tasted, smelled, and touched. The students had a great time working together to describe Fall. 

Room 4 is culminating their study of Endangered Animals with the symbolic adoption of a bald eagle! The students earned money by completing household chores and will soon be the proud new "parents" of a high-flying class pet!

Kindergarten and first grade were treated to a special presentation about safety by Officer Holmes, who is a Stoughton police officer and a proud kindergarten parent. He presented the children with safety tips about seat belts, dialing 911 for emergencies, and presented different scenarios and how to keep themselves safe. He also brought his partner Annie, his police dog, in and showed us how Annie helps him on the job.

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Lunch Box Notes

Small love notes tucked inside a lunch box or book bag can really bring a smile to your child's face. In addition to reinforcing reading skills, you're also modeling the power of writing. Download these ready-to-print note papers, featuring whimsical, colorful artwork by well-known children's book illustrators.

Quotable Reading Quotes

“The things I want to know are in books. My best friend is the man who'll get me a book I [haven't] read.” 

“So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall.”