FW Students Reach the Accelerated Reader Principal's Challenge!

At our school-wide CARES Assembly on November 21, I challenged the students in grades one through five to try to reach the goal of reading 1,000 books through our Accelerated Reader ( AR) program by February 15, the Friday before February vacation.  This challenge is based on the "A" in our CARES motto which stands for "Accomplishment". Each Friday morning, I announce the names of every child who  successfully completed an AR quiz that week. The students come down to the office and receive a CARES coupon in celebration of their accomplishment. The number of students participating has been increasing steadily each week as the students have been participating with "Enthusiasm" (the "E" in the CARES motto). I am happy to announce that the students met the 1,000 book challenge on Friday, January 25 which is three weeks ahead of schedule. The students are now going to show me how many books they can read beyond my original challenge.  At our next CARES Assembly on Friday, February 15, we will celebrate this accomplishment. Be on the look out for future announcements regarding the progress of our students on AR and our upcoming celebration of their accomplishment!

January 25 Bulletin

FRANCIS WYMAN SCHOOL - WEEKLY BULLETIN

January 25, 2013

Important Dates:

February 4, 5, 6 – Incoming Kindergarten Registration

February 4 – 15 – Jump Rope for Heart, see below

February 18 – 22 – Winter Vacation, No School

March 9 – 11th Annual Francis Wyman Family Carnival, 10:00am-2:00pm

FW Safety

We will be conducting a Code Blue practice drill sometime next week.  We want you to be aware of this because the teachers will be discussing the procedure with their students. In addition,  the police department will be involved and on-hand for the practice.  Please do not be alarmed if you see a police car in our parking lot.  As usual, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the office.

“Wee Deliver”

Neither rain nor sleet nor dark of night will interrupt Francis Wyman’s “Wee Deliver” mail service.  Students throughout the grades write letters as our third graders deliver them in a small-scale simulation of a postal system. This activity encourages student writing in an authentic setting.   While students learn to properly write and address a letter, “Wee Deliver” encourages a sense of community between the grades.  “Wee Deliver” will begin Friday , February 1 and run through Thursday, February 14.  Each room will have its own address so if you would like to mail a letter to your child (no packages or food please), drop it off in the mailbox by the office.  It must be properly addressed and must include a make-believe stamp, such as a sticker or a drawing.  School room addresses will be ready next week. “Wee Deliver” is more than a slogan – it’s a guarantee!!

Jump Rope for Heart

The Francis Wyman School and Physical Education Department is proud to announce the Jump Rope for Heart event to raise funds for the American Heart Association will take place February 4-15, 2013.  The money our school raises will help fund potentially lifesaving research into heart and blood vessel disease and stroke, which are our nation’s number 1 and 3 killers, according to the American Heart Association. It will also fund the development of materials that teach the importance of heart health and staying fit. Please contact our PE teachers if you have questions:

Neil Rebelo, 781-238-6847 or   Pat Magee 781-238-6837

Francis Wyman Elementary School’s 2013 Family Carnival

Save the Date! The Carnival will be held Saturday, March 9^th from 10am-2pm. Be sure to join us for Francis Wyman Elementary School’s biggest social event of the year! We’ll have games and prizes for the kids, raffles, refreshments and a whole lot more!

The Carnival Committee Needs Your Help. Please Volunteer to Help at the Carnival, Donate a Gift Basket or Prize for the Raffle, Bake or Buy a Cake for the CakeWalk, or Make Some Goodies for the Bake Sale…

Visit http://www.franciswymanpto.org/carnival/ to sign up and find out more about this year’s Carnival!

Scouting for Food

Scouting for Food is coming to your neighborhood doors, so be on the lookout. The scouts from Pack 555 will be dropping off plastic bags on neighborhood doorways with a special request to collect Boxed Cereal donations for the food pantry.  If you know a scout in your neighborhood and you would like to contribute, let them know.  This philanthropic event is something simple but extremely rewarding to our scouts. Your grateful contributions keeps them participating every year. So if you get that friendly bag on your doorknob, please help them assist the needy families in our community with their most demanded commodity--Boxed Cereal! Thank you in advance.

Burlington PAC

Burlington Special Education PAC invites you to join the upcoming meeting on “Transitions Between Schools” on Monday, February 4^th 7pm -9pm in the school committee room at Burlington High.  Parents will have the opportunity to discuss the transition process for each school with representatives from special education staff members.  Team chairs from various schools will be hosting tables where they will provide parents with information regarding their respective schools and programs.  Tables will include transitions from Early Intervention to Preschool, Preschool to Elementary School, Elementary to Middle School, Middle to High school and High school to post secondary. Also available for families will be Danielle Flaccavento, Guidance Memorial, Kim Settelen, Psychologist at Fox Hill, Joe Attabato, Director of Guidance at BHS, and Chrissy Robinson, Social Worker at BHS. This is a great opportunity to learn what is in store for your child as well as gain information about the various departments in schools that take part in special education programming. For more information on this event or the Burlington PAC please contact Lisa DeRosa at lmderosa@yahoo.com or 781-365-0124

PTO Meeting Wednesday January 23 at 6:30pm

The winter PTO meeting is this Wednesday, January 23 at 6:30 in the FWS school library. Come to the meeting to learn about the success of the fall events and hear about the upcoming spring events. Parent involvement matters!

Today at Francis Wyman Elementary School

Third grade students complete Accelerated Reader quizzes in the computer lab. Students read books independently and complete a short quiz to check on basic comprehension. Students may also complete quizzes on books that are read aloud to them in class.

Students are closing on in the school-wide goal of reading 1,000 books by February vacation.  As of today, the tally for the school is 967 books. Every Friday Principal Astone announces the names of every student who successfully completed at least one quiz that week. The students go to the office to receive a CARES coupon from Mrs. Astone in recognition of their  "Accomplishment".

Kindergarten students are learning to read. Guided Reading lessons  occur in small groups.

Kindergarten students visit the library to listen to stories and  choose books to take home.

Fifth grade students are busy using the new "Reflex" math program aimed at developing basic fact understanding and fluency. This is a new program currently being piloted in some classrooms in the district. Students are completing lessons at school and at home.

Fourth grade students attended a presentation about chick hatching with  Wendy Pavlicek from the Science Center.

Student enjoy the multi-faceted presentations from the Science Center that brings science topics to life.

Ms. Mason's class created this display in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Weekly Bulletin

FRANCIS WYMAN SCHOOL - WEEKLY BULLETIN

January 18, 2013

A note regarding Valentine cards:

Please be aware that Valentine Cards should be food-free.  No candy should be brought in to school. Thank you!

Kindergarten Registration 2013/2014

Registration of children entering Kindergarten in September 2013 will be held the following dates and times at the elementary school they will be attending:

·        Francis Wyman School - February 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

·        Fox Hill School – February 7^th and 8^th - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

·        Memorial School – February 11^th, 12^th, and 13^th – 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

·        Pine Glen School – February 14^th and 15^th – 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

If you are unable to attend registration for your child, at the above dates and times you may register your child at The Student Information Office located at the Burlington High School beginning Monday, February 25, 2013 thru Friday, March 1, 2013 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  We will also have the evening of February 27, 2012 between the hours of 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Please refer to the link http://j.mp/UJTx9b for a list of street address and elementary school listings.

A child entering kindergarten must have attained the age of five by August 31, 2013.  At the time of registration, parents are required to bring:

·        Original birth certificate for your child.

·        Two proofs of residency need to be provided in the Town of Burlington.  This requirement can be satisfied with:  settlement document on a new home, presentation of a lease, a recent utility bill, bank statement, payroll records, insurance bill,  DTA benefit verifications.

·        Medical forms with current physical and up-to-date immunizations must be completed by your physician and returned to school two (2) days prior to the opening of school.  Children will not be able to attend school in September 2013 unless a complete medical form is provided.   Your family physician must detail that your child has been given the following immunizations and also indicate the dates the immunizations were given:

5 doses Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus (DTaP)

                              4 doses Polio

                              3 doses Hepatitis B

                              2 doses Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

                              2 doses of Varicella Vaccine or Chicken Pox disease

                              Proof of Lead Screening

                              Vision and Hearing Screening

Community Invited to Open House at Marshall Simonds Middle School

     Parents and members of the community are invited to tour the “new” Marshall Simonds Middle School at an Open House scheduled for Saturday, January 26 between the hours of 9:30 and 11:30a.m.  All classrooms and instructional areas will be available for public viewing. 

     The renovated building and addition features 9 well-equipped science labs, updated technology, student lockers, one large cafeteria, 3 connecting corridors that improve pedestrian flow, a new kitchen, computer rooms, special education facilities, a main entrance with a large skylight to utilize natural lighting, outdoor courtyards and a 5,000 square foot library.

     The 32 million dollar construction project is the first major renovation of the middle school in fifty years.  Students and teachers are expected to benefit from the increased space and modern educational resources.

     Hopefully, many Burlington citizens will take advantage of this opportunity to visit M.S.M.S. on Saturday, January 26^th.

Class of 2020 Fundraiser

Save the Date!  Class of 2020 Fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, February 9, 2013 from 7:30pm - midnight at the Wilmington Knights of Columbus, 112 Middlesex Avenue, Wilmington, MA.  Entertainment and DJ provided by Jim Plunkett (www.jimplunkett-music.com).  Tickets are $25/person and includes admission, appetizers, and music.  Raffles, silent auctions, and cash bar also.  Please visit http://www.adoptaclass2020.blogspot.com/ to purchase tickets using PayPal.  Questions - please call Linda Norden at (781)272-2726.

5th Grade Yearbook

Parents of Francis Wyman 5th graders - If you have any Camp Bournedale pictures (or any others) you would like to share, please submit them to the Yearbook Committee.  As a reminder, photos must be from a Francis Wyman School event. Examples include: field trips, performances (school shows and concerts), candid pictures, Halloween parade, classroom parties, field days). We cannot accept pictures from birthday parties, the bus stops, cub/girl scouts, or sports.  You can send pictures into the school on a CD in an envelope marked 5th Grade Yearbook or drop them off at the Main Office at Francis Wyman.  Please contact Sandy Calandrella at bugofloo1@verizon.net if you have any questions.

Yard Sale for Education

On February 2, 2013 from 9-2 the ACC 2021 will be hosting a Yard Sale for Education. Rid yourself of items taking space and make some money, while helping support our local students. Table space is on sale now $25.00. For more information or to purchase a table, please conact: Jacki Pazzia 781-272-0912 or domandjacki@verizon.net

The medical forms can be picked up at registration or by referring to the following links:

http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph/com_health/school/health_record_form.pdf http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph/cdc/immunization/record_certificate_of_immunization.pdf

AAC 2021

AAC 2021 is putting the FUN in fundraising!! Shopping? No time to cook? Rest your feet and have a bite to eat. On Thursday, January 24th Pizzeria Uno's in the Woburn Mall will donate up to 20% of your check to AAC 2021 just for dining in or taking it home!. It's a WIN WIN . . .no cooking for you=TIME SAVED and it's Scholarship MONEY SAVED for Burlington students of the class of 2021! Reward yourself this holiday season with time saved, good food and the great feeling of helping the class of 2021!

Relay For Life of Burlington Kickoff

Please be our guest for the 2013 American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Burlington Kickoff Celebration on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 7 pm. Join us in the fight against cancer and help create a world with less cancer and more birthdays! Kickoff will take place at the Temple Shalom Emeth, Social Hall, 16 Lexington Street, Burlington. Please join us to start off another great year of Relay in Burlington! There will be lots of information about Relay For Life. If you are at all curious about our community event, please stop by. Feel free to bring friends to join in the fun! Light refreshments will be served. For more information, or to RSVP, contact Cheryl Shafman at 781-771-6410 or cheryl.shafman@verizon.net, or visit our website at www.RelayForLife.org/Burlingtonma. The theme for 2013 Relay For Life is Dream Big, Hope Big, Relay Big – we hope you will come and help us to RELAY BIG!

Second Reading of the Draft of the Life Threatening Allergy Guidelines

Dr. Conti has posted the draft of the Life Threatening Allergy Guidelines on his blog. The School Committee will be having the second reading of these guidelines. If you have any questions or concerns you may contact a School Committee member or leave a comment on his blog.

http://ericconti.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/first-reading-life-threatening-allergies-guidelines/

Parent Coffee at True North

Thank you to True North for allowing us to have the Parent Coffee at this wonderful venue. We discussed the Bullying Procedures as well as topics about our RtI program. Our next coffee will be Tuesday, February 5 at 9:00. Mark your calendars now!

January 11, 2013

Today's bulletin has been posted.  Have a terrific weekend.

January Parent Technology Night

Parent Technology Night

January 22, 2013

Marshall Simonds Middle School

Learning Commons

7:00 PM- 8:00 PM

The Burlington EdTech Team will be hosting our first Parent Technology Night of 2013 on January 22 at Marshall Simonds Middle School. The topic for the discussion will be Google Apps for Education in Burlington schools. Please join us for an opportunity to learn about some of the powerful technology tools being used by Burlington students. The session will highlight how our students are beginning to use Google Apps during the 2012-2013 school year. Time during every session is also dedicated to technology related questions and support.

The session will be held in the new MSMS Learning Commons on the second floor.

Dennis Villano, Director of Technology Integration

villano@bpsk12.org

Weekly Bulletin

Happy Friday!! The weekly bulletin has been posted.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Parent Coffee at True North Coffee Shop

Mark your calendars! I am having the first "Parent Coffee" of the year on Friday, January 11, from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM at the fabulous True North Coffee Shop. It will be an open agenda with a casual format. Feel free to stop by and stay for whatever time works into your schedule. I am planning to have a Parent Coffee about once a month on different days of the week so if you can't make this one hopefully another one will work for you. See you there!

Our 1:1 First Grade Classroom

Welcome to our 1:1 first grade classroom ! Within several minutes you can see a number of our  current initiatives and instructional practices occurring.

The students are participating in a Fundations lesson for phonics instruction. They work on their individual iPads to write words and vowels sounds. 

The Touch-It interactive white board is used for both teacher directed instruction and for sharing student responses. The teacher's articulation of the phonemic sounds is clearly heard by all thanks to the Light Touch sound system in the classroom. The teacher awards CARES coupons to students who are demonstrating appropriate learning behaviors as she has the coupons conveniently in her coupon pouch. 

Students have the opportunity for individual attention from our RtI tutors who assist in the classroom. 

The students were completely engaged as a result of being able to fully participate throughout  the entire lesson and  get the personal attention and immediate feedback that they need. The lesson focused on research based approaches for reading instruction and learning behaviors. The technology utilized effectively supported the primary educational goals.

Winter Procedures for AM Drop-off and PM Pick-up

Happy New Year and welcome back to school! Winter is really here in full force as the ice and snow is now upon us! I would like parents to know about the winter procedures for morning drop-off and afternoon student pick-up. If the sidewalks are icy or too snowy in the morning, we will have students enter the building through the gym. Students who are being picked up at the end of the day will be dismissed through the kindergarten doors as the parking lot area can be too icy or snowy for anyone to walk on. These winter procedures will be in place until the weather is better.