Weekly Bulletin

FRANCIS WYMAN SCHOOL - WEEKLY BULLETIN

May 31, 2013

Student Council Update – Book Drive

The Student Council is conducting a used book drive.  Please donate your used books to the main office before June 14.  If your child brings in a book, they are eligible to participate in “Sports” Day on June 14. 

Last Bookstore of the Year:  The last bookstore will be June 12 in the school cafeteria beginning at 8:35.  Parents are invited to this last bookstore to help your child pick out books for summer reading.  If you are coming with your child, be sure to have them go up to their classroom and check in first with their teacher.  Hope to see everyone there.  I just got 300 new (used) advanced chapter books for your 3rd through 5th grade students.  Remember, all books are 25 cents or bring a few books to trade.  We do not take board books, adult books or falling apart books.  Thanks for your cooperation.

Weekly Bulletin

FRANCIS WYMAN SCHOOL - WEEKLY BULLETIN

May 24, 2013

Important Dates: 

May 27 – No School, Memorial Day

May 30 – Grade 5 visits MSMS, 9am

May 30 –Grade 5 parents visit MSMS, 7pm

June 6 – Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

June7 – Field Day

June 11 – Grade 5 Goes to the Beach

June 20 – Grade 5 End of Year Celebration, 6 – 8pm

June 25 – Last Day of School, EARLY DISMISSAL

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

This week we celebrated our Francis Wyman Volunteers! Thank you to all who came to our Annual Pizza Party on Wednesday night.  We certainly appreciate all the hard work of EVERY single volunteer.  Whether you chaired a committee, helped at a fundraiser, chaperoned and field trip, worked the Used Book Store, or ANYTHING here… the teachers and administration are grateful for everything you do!  Thank You!

BHS Post Graduation (all-night) Party

PLEASE HELP CONTINUE THE TRADITION: Will you be a chaperone at the BHS Post Graduation (all-night) Party?  It’s tradition for the parents of underclassmen to chaperone the party for our graduating seniors.  We still need chaperones (both men and women) for the early morning shifts on Monday, June 10.  We have a few spots open for 2nd shift which is 12 am - 3 am and we have a lot of spots open for 3rd shift which is 3am -5am.   You don't need to have a child in the high school- any adult that does not have a senior at the party is welcome.  This is a great way to "pay it forward."  Help us this year and when your child graduates, the parents of underclassmen will be there for you!  To volunteer, or if you have any questions, please contact Michele Shields at Michele_Shields@verizon.net or 781-270-5142

Parent Coffee for Tuesday

Unfortunately, tomorrow's Parent Coffee with the Principal has been cancelled.  Stay tuned for another date in the near future.  As always, if you have any questions regarding Francis Wyman School, please do not hesitate to call the main office, 781-270-1701.  Thank you.

Bulletin - May 17, 2013

FRANCIS WYMAN SCHOOL - WEEKLY BULLETIN

May 17, 2013

Important Dates: 

May 19 – BEF 5K Road Race, BHS

May 21 – Parent Coffee at True North, 9:00am

May 22 – Used Book Store Open

May 22 – Pizza Party for all FWS Volunteers

May 23 – Grade 2 Concert for parents, 9am

May 27 – No School, Memorial Day

May 30 – Grade 5 visits MSMS, 9am

May 30 –Grade 5 parents visit MSMS, 7pm

June 6 – Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

June7 – Field Day

June 11 – Grade 5 goes to the Beach

June 20 – Grade 5 End of Year Celebration, 6 – 8pm

June 25 – Last Day of School, EARLY DISMISSAL

Burlington Education Foundation 5k Road Race and Fun Run

Is this Sunday, May 19!!  Please come join the fun.  Registration opens at 8:00am at the BHS cafeteria.  There will be a ½ mile Fun Run and a 5K race for walkers and runners beginning at 9:00am. There will be raffles, a moon bounce, and some giveaways too!  All the proceeds will benefit the Burlington Public Schools and go directly toward fulfilling teacher’s grant requests for academic growth.  

Parent Coffee with the Principal

Would you like to have coffee with the principal?  Please join us at True North on Tuesday, May 21 at 9:00.  See you there!

The "Comfort Dogs" Visit Francis Wyman Elementary School

I received a phone call Thursday afternoon from one of our parents, Mr. Lantz, calling to find out if we would be interested in a visit from the "Comfort Dogs". He is working with the organization and the dogs had a little time in their schedule on Friday. I learned from him that these are the dogs that are visiting  Boston hospitals to provide comfort to the victims of the Boston Bombing. They are also the dogs that provided support to the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown CT. The purpose of the dogs is therapeutic  in that people respond so positively to their gentle manner. Whether child or adult, a short time visiting with the dogs, and perhaps petting them, evokes warmth, comfort and general happiness. The dogs were visiting Spaulding Rehab on Friday and they had a little break in their schedule which they could give to Francis Wyman Elementary School.

My immediate thought was of  Mrs. Maria Cormier, the special education teacher of our LABBB Collaborative's IDEAL program.  A couple of years ago she had approached me about her interest in being trained in a "Therapy Dog" program.  To implement a therapy dog program, one must commit to many months of extensive training. The handler and the dog participate in extensive training, resulting in compliant, docile, dogs who are ready for their mission to provide comfort. She had researched the program and had learned of its positive benefits and felt that a therapy dog would have an  important influence on her students. Because of Maria, I knew the value of the dogs and knew that this was a terrific opportunity.

Students who are allergic to dogs were my first consideration. After consulting the school nurse and Dr. Conti and learning of the guidelines the Comfort Dogs program has in place in consideration of dog  allergies, the invitation to visit Francis Wyman Elementary School was accepted. We would have about one hour with the dogs.

On Friday afternoon, five "Comfort Dogs" and their handlers arrived at FWS at about 1:30. Our goal was to find a way to share these special dogs with as many students as possible within the last hour of school. Our first visit was to Maria's IDEAL program. Maria's class was ready and waiting for this special visit. It was truly a touching experience to witness the students responding to these gentle dogs. They were highly motivated to connect with the dogs and their engagement allowed them to connect in ways that had never been seen before. All of us felt privileged to experience this special interaction.

After visiting with the IDEAL program, the dogs visited with students from our other LABBB Collaborative special education program as well as students in our Burlington School District special education programs. Students were delighted to engage with the dogs and experience their soothing ways. The dogs visited our first graders in the auditorium as they practiced their upcoming Dinosaur show. Students who wanted to could  visit with them in small groups. Some of our third and fourth grade classes had a visit with the dogs as the classes were passing through the front lobby area. After  a week of MCAS testing, the visit was a nice break for them. Our last stop was going to be our biggest challenge - bringing the dogs to  bus dismissal in the gym. It was our best opportunity to provide access to the dogs to the most students.  The students were so excited to see the dogs but the dogs were nonplussed. They remained cool, calm and collected in the hub-bub of the bus dismissal.

The visit ended after the last bus left, about 2:50. The dogs were heading back to Boston to continue their visits to Boston hospitals. It was but a brief visit, but we tried to provide as many students as possible the opportunity to visit with the dogs. Many students were able to experience their positive impact and the enthusiasm was electric wherever the dogs went.

For a school whose motto is "Francis Wyman School CARES", this was a very special afternoon. Yes, the "E for Enthusiasm" was evident, but our first value, "C for Compassion", was ever-present throughout the visit.  We did not emphasize to our students the fact that these are the same dogs that have been  bringing comfort to the victims of the Boston Bombing and Newtown CT. We continue to be sensitive to protecting our young students from exposure to these horrific events. However,  it was a moving experience for the adults in the building. As we observed the impact of the Comfort Dogs on our students,  we could not help but imagine how these same dogs have been working to provide a little respit for those victims and their families for whom our hearts have ached.  As we pet the dogs, we knew that we were now connected to the hands of those who have touched the dogs before coming to us and the hands of those who will touch the dogs after they leave us. Compassion encompassed us that Friday afternoon as our hearts were so deeply touched.  Thank you to the Comfort Dogs for taking time out of your busy schedule to spend time with us at Francis Wyman Elementary School. Thank you for bringing comfort to the students, teachers and families of Sandy Hook Elementary School. Thank you for supporting our very own Boston Strong!

Summer Counts Workbooks

Research shows there is learning loss over the summer months.  With Summer Counts, students will be sure to retain what they've learned and be ready for the next year in reading, language arts, and math.  Not only will students review all the key skills from the previous grade, they will also get ahead on the next year!  Each workbook is only $10.  Order forms went home in backpacks this week. Be sure to place your order by May 24.  If you would like another copy, please call the office at 781-270-1701.

May 10 Bulletin

FRANCIS WYMAN SCHOOL - WEEKLY BULLETIN

May 10, 2013

Important Dates: 

May 11 – PTO Plant Sale at FWS, hard top 10am – 2pm

May 13, 14 – Grade 5 Math MCAS

May 13 – Camp Bournedale Info Night for Parents, FW Auditorium 6pm – 7pm

May 14 – Incoming Kindergarten Orientation, 1:45pm

May 15, 16 – Grade 5 Science MCAS

May 17 – Dinosaur Show for Grade 1 parents, 9am

May 19 – BEF 5K Road Race, BHS

May 21 – Parent Coffee at True North, 9:00am. 

May 22 – Pizza Party for all FWS Volunteers

May 23 – Grade 2 Concert for parents, 9am

May 27 – No School, Memorial Day

May 30 – Grade 5 visits MSMS, 9am

May 30 –Grade 5 parents visit MSMS, 7pm

June 6 – Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

June7 – Field Day

June 11 – Grade 5 goes to the Beach

June 20 – Grade 5 End of Year Celebration, 6 – 8pm

June 25 – Last Day of School, EARLY DISMISSAL

Mother to Mother

Children who will be entering Kindergarten this fall are invited to join the monthly Pre-K socials being organized by Mother-to-Mother.  You do not need to be a member of Mother-to-Mother to participate.  The first social will be held on Sunday, May 19^thfrom 3:30 to 4:30 pm at the Francis Wyman school playground.  Please email Sharleen Davis at sharleendavis@hotmail.com to RSVP.

Relay for Life

Students, teachers, and staff: It is not to late to start a team and fundraise for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of BURLINGTON!! The Relay For Life of Burlington will held June 1st, 6:00 pm - June 2nd 6:00 am at BHS track. The Relay for Life of Burlington is an overnight event that celebrates cancer survivors, remembers those who lost their lives to cancer, raises money for cancer research and cancer patients. It also unites a community. If you are interested in starting a team, joining a team, would like to volunteer for the event or would like more information, please visit the website at www.relayforlife.org/burlingtonma or emailcheryl.shafman@verizon.net

Child ID event

On Saturday, May 25 the Burlington Police D.A.R.E. program in conjunction with Simonds Masonic Lodge will be hosting a Child ID event commemorating  National Missing Children’s Day at the Burlington Police Station from 10AM-1PM. All are welcome to attend for FREE ID packages for children accompanying their parents as well as information on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as well as the radKIDS program offered by BPD’s D.A.R.E. Program to prevent child abduction.

Weekly Bulletin May 3, 2013

FRANCIS WYMAN SCHOOL - WEEKLY BULLETIN

May 3, 2013

Important Dates: 

May 7, 8 – Grade 3 Math MCAS

May 9, 10 – Grade 4 Math MCAS

May 11 – PTO Plant Sale at FWS, hard top 10am – 2pm

May 13, 14 – Grade 5 Math MCAS

May 14 – Incoming Kindergarten Orientation, 1:45pm

May 15, 16 – Grade 5 Science MCAS

May 17 – Dinosaur Show for Grade 1 parents, 9am

May 19 – BEF 5K Road Race, BHS

May 21 – Parent Coffee at True North, 9:00am. 

May 22 – Pizza Party for all FWS Volunteers

May 23 – Grade 2 Concert for parents, 9am

May 27 – No School, Memorial Day

May 30 – Grade 5 visits MSMS, 9am

May 30 –Grade 5 parents visit MSMS, 7pm

June 6 – Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

June7 – Field Day

June 11 – Grade 5 goes to the Beach

June 20 – Grade 5 End of Year Celebration, 6 – 8pm

June 25 – Last Day of School, EARLY DISMISSAL

Summer Reading and Writing Clubs

Space is still available for the Summer Reading and Writing programs starting July 8.  Families can register for 1 two-week session (July 8th – 18^th or July 22nd – August 1^st) or all four weeks.  Please call Rosemary at 781270-1689.

PTO News 

Last chance to place Scrip orders for this year. Place your order, send in your payment/or pay online by Tuesday May 7^th and receive your gift cards on or before Friday, May 24th.

Visit the Francis Wyman PTO Website (http://franciswymanpto.org/forms/Order%20Form.pdf) for an order form.  Great ideas for year-end teacher gifts, graduation gifts, gifts for coaches as well as Mothers Day and Fathers Day gifts. Don't miss out on the opportunity to help Francis Wyman School!!

Adopt – a –Class

The Adopt a Class programs for grades K-3 are looking for parents to help get involved!!!   The Adopt a Class program involves a class (corporate) sponsor and a committee of parents with a Parent Coordinator.   Each class decides what activities or events they would like to have for their class to raise money for a scholarship fund for that class.   When a parent volunteers, they earn points for their child.     You can spend as little or as much time as you like on it – ideas are welcome for events and activities.    If you have any questions please contact Adopt a Class Coordinator Debbie Keene (dkeenebcsf@aol.com) or 2019 Parent Coordinator Denise Griffin (denisegri@alumni.tufts.edu).