Weekly Bulletin Sept. 26, 2014

Principal's Notes
The students have all strapped on their "thinking caps" here at Francis Wyman and have gotten down to the serious business of reading and writing within all subject areas.  Students are engaged in telling their individual stories, adding details, and writing personal narratives.  Editing and rewriting are also part of this process with many final products being published on student IPads.  The effort displayed by all students is evident in their published written work and I am impressed with the development I see in their writing every day!   See this weeks pictures below!  I hope you get the chance to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend and take in the New England fall festivities!

School News:

Due to scheduling conflicts this school year (4th and 5th grade lunch/recess does not overlap) , student council will be a Grade 5 activity.  We apologize for the change.  

Burlington Parent Advisory Council welcomes you to the 2014-2015 school year!

PAC is a resource providing support and education to parents and families on Special Education issues and services.

Mark your calendar for our first event:

PAC and Special Education Department Open House

October 1, 2014

6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Marion Tavern*, Burlington MA

Join us for a night out in your community and kick off the new school year at the newly restored Marion Tavern. Come and meet this year's PAC board and hear what the PAC has planned for the 2014-2015 school year. Also in attendance will be Louise D’Amato, Director of Special Education as well as special education staff from various schools. Hear about new developments in special education including new and improved programming, added staff positions and where we are headed as a district.  There will be a brief discussion of special education programming, time for question and answers as well as the opportunity to speak with some of our special education staff. Don’t miss this informative night out! Refreshments will be served.

*Marion Tavern is located on Center Street next to the Burlington Recreation Department

This year the PAC has a variety of informative topics and speakers planned so keep an eye out for our calendar of events. Be sure to check our website for updates at www.burlingtonspedpac.org

or visit us on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/BurlingtonParentAdvisoryCouncil

PTO EVENT  -- ZUMBA FUN!

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Help fight breast cancer through dance, music and community while you raise funds for global research that could ultimately save millions of lives worldwide.

Join us for the Party in Pink!--Zumba for Breast Cancer! Grab a friend, wear your pink & come join the fun while supporting a wonderful cause!

Mark your calendar!
When:  October 17th 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Where:  Francis Wyman Gym
What:   Zumba class taught by certified Zumba instructor and Francis Wyman mom, Elise Abbott
How much: $10.00 cash at the door.

-75% of the proceeds will go to Zumba Global Research Grant for Breast Cancer Prevention (in partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation)
-The remaining 25% will go to the Francis Wyman PTO.

Registration is limited, so don't delay! Email  info@franciswymanpto.org  to reserve your spot today!

***This event is for adults only****

FANTASTIC PUMPKIN FAIR at Fox Hill ... Friday night, October 17, 2014 - 6-9 pm at the Fox Hill School. Come join in the fun of our annual fall tradition. Great games, fall crafts, fabulous prizes and a few good scares. 
The ever popular Haunted Hallway will be sure to fright, along with many old favorites: Moon Bounce, Cake Walk, Pumpkin Painting, Spin Art, Face Painting, Duck Pond, Pizza, Cupcake Decorating, Popcorn, Cotton Candy, 
Raffles, plus lots more games and activities. Admission is free; tickets for each activity/game can be purchased at the door. Open to the public. For additional information, contact Julie Quinn at quinns@rcn.com.

Pictures of the week!

 

Weekly Bulletin

It has been another exciting week at Francis Wyman School.  The new Kindergarten class, which will graduate in 2027, has settled right in and is already fully engaged in many fun letter and number activities.  We enjoy sharing their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning every day! 

The 1st, 4th and 5th grade classes have received their classroom IPads and here the 4th grade classes, along with many teachers and support staff, assist the students in downloading the essential learning apps that will help support classroom instruction throughout the year.  The 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their new technology tools which will be introduced shortly!

Here's a cute pic...
First graders harvesting beans in the FWS garden.  Last Spring, with the support of Mr. Peter Coppola, the 1st grade classes began planting vegetables in the new Community Garden located behind our school.  It is a wonderful opportunity to build school/community connections while teaching students first hand about science and nutrition.  We are looking to expand our gardening opportunities this year and would love to have additional parent volunteers to help "grow" this project.  Please let Julie know if you would like to help. 

And today at Francis Wyman we celebrated "National Talk Like a Pirate" day with Captain McDonald and Pirate Schultz greeting students with a hearty "Aaaargh" as they entered school this morning.  We invited all students to talk like pirates today as they set sail for an adventurous day of learning!

Back to School Night for Grades 3 - 5

Parents, please join us for an informational evening back to school on September 23rd from 6pm - 8pm. Mrs. McDonald will be available for a Confidentiality Meeting at 7:45 for any parent who would like to volunteer in our school this year.  

Music Notes

A new strings program will be introduced to 3rd graders at Francis Wyman School this fall. Similar to the instrument program in 4th and 5th grade, our third graders will have an opportunity to rent a string instrument, take lessons, and perform in school.  More information will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.

Principal's Coffee

All parents are welcome on October 2nd from 8:30am to 9:30am to have coffee with our new Principal, Mrs. Nicole McDonald.  This will be a wonderful opportunity to get your questions answered and enjoy time with other parents.

We're looking for Cafeteria Subs!

Here are some details:

Must be available on an as-needed basis to work in any school building.  Hours are generally 10am-1pm, but can vary depending on school.  Must be reliable, flexible, and able to work in a team environment.  Apply online by October3rd at: https://bpsk12.tedk12.com/hire

Weekly Bulletin

Bridges Program

We would like to introduce you to a program taking place at Francis Wyman this year.  BRIDGES:  Growing Older, Growing Together is an award-winning intergenerational program that promotes mutual respect, understanding, and friendships between elementary school students and older adults in the community.

In this program, adult senior volunteers from the community visit students once a week for six weeks. Working in small groups under the guidance of the classroom teacher, the students and seniors discuss and compare life experiences, share their thoughts and observations about themselves, and enjoy learning from one another.

For this program to be a success, we need volunteers from our community. We have found grandparents of students attending the school are particularly wonderful!  We are asking all parents of Francis Wyman students, (not just fourth graders) to ask grandparents, neighbors, or friends over 55 years of age if they would be willing to participate. This program is fun and rewarding for all. 

Below are the dates for the sessions.  To register,  volunteers should contact Marge McDonald, Director of the Burlington Senior Center, at 781.270.1950, or sign up online at: http://tinyurl.com/bridgestogether, by September 29, 2014.

Bridges Together • Francis Wyman Elementary • 2015

Thursday afternoons from 1:00-2:00 PM at Francis Wyman Elementary School

Six consecutive weeks: October 16, 23, 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20.

Reunion with students at Burlington Senior Center on a Monday morning, date t.b.d.

Thanks very much for your support!

The Bridges Together Leadership Team

Truck Day

A & F Bus Company invites you to help us FILL THAT BUS with non-perishable, unexpired food to benefit the Burlington Food Pantry.

Please bring your donation to Burlington Truck Day on Sunday September 14th between 10am & 3pm.

Look for the A&F school bus parked on the Burlington Common! 

Donations are also accepted at Shaw’s Supermarket - there will be a school bus at Shaw's too!

Items most needed at this time:

Peanut Butter, Jelly

Cereal and oatmeal

Pancake syrup, 

Beef soups, clam chowder

Personal hygiene items: razors, bars of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes

Canned veggies: corn, peas, sliced potatoes, beets, mixed veggies, carrots, etc.

Snacks: crackers, granola bars, cake mix, brownie mix, raisins, trail mix, etc.

Baked beans, kidney beans, black beans, etc.

Coffee, tea, and cocoa

Juice (100% juice)

Mac-n-cheese

Spaghetti sauce

Adopt-A-Class 2019

Sunday, October 12^th at Burton’s Grill – private Patriots football viewing party from 11:30-4:00 PM. Tickets are $25 and include appetizers, cash bar, and the chance to participate in raffles/silent auctions.Mail check to Denise Griffin c/o Adopt a Class 2019 (payable Adopt a Class 2019) or purchase at door.

Credit card info coming soon!

For more information:  adoptaclass2019.blogspot.com

An Exciting Start to a New Year!

The students arrived to a new school year on Tuesday bringing with them a high level of energy and excitement!  They were eager to show off their back to school outfits and share their summer adventures with friends and teachers.  As the new Principal of Francis Wyman I am  looking forward to working with famililies, teachers, and support staff to ensure a great year for every student, and share in their enthusiasm as they learn and grow.   I would also like to express my gratitude to the school secretaries, Julie and Donna, for their amazing skill at coordinating all the tasks necessary to get families and staff off to the right start.  They are amazing and I am truly grateful.  Also, another big "thank-you" to Bob Marsh and his custodial staff for working tirelessly all summer to get the entire school cleaned, polished, and looking brand new in time for the morning bell on Tuesday.  This is an amazing feat considering the amount of people that travel through here on a daily basis.  The students returned to a beautiful, safe school environment thanks to their tireless efforts.  Again, thank-you to all the staff that make Francis Wyman the amazing school that it is!

Friday Tidbits of INFO

4th and 5th Grade Instruments -

If you have questions about renting an instrument this year, please visit Mrs. Gendron's blog at http://kerrygendron.wordpress.com/

Sunflower Questions?? - Please visit the science blog at http://bsciencecenter.wordpress.com/

**FWS starts our dismissal process at 2:15pm. Students will be ready for pick-up and buses at 2:25pm

Have a wonderful weekend!