June Updates

Dear Families,

We have had such a busy month. The concerts and projects were great that our students worked so diligently and thoughtfully on. Thank you to all the staff and families for helping to make all these special moments possible with the students. As we enter Memorial Day weekend, I wanted to remind families about some of the upcoming events that will be occurring at the school. June will certainly pass us by quickly.  I wanted to remind families that report cards and placement will go home the last day of school.

Lastly, within the next week I will be sending home a parent survey in an effort to receive feedback and be reflective on our current practices here at the school. When you receive the survey, please take the time to fill it out. It will consist of less than 10 questions and should approximately take three minutes. We really appreciate it.

Upcoming Dates:

Monday, May 29^th-No School

Thursday, June 1^st- Seniors walk through the school 10:30 a.m

Thursday, June 1^st- Grade 2 Young Author’s Day 2:00-2:45 (families visit)

Friday, June 2^nd-Grade 3 field trip to Odiorne Park (arriving back after dismissal)

Friday, June 2^nd- Jr. Jazz Band Performance for grades 1 and 2

Monday, June 5^th-Field day grade 3

Tuesday, June 6^th-Field day grade 2

Wednesday, June 7^th-Field day grade 1

Tuesday, June 13^th-West Allergy Transition Meeting

Barbara Raab from Wilmington Library discussing at lunches about the library program Volunteer Breakfast hosted by Shawsheen Staff

Move Up Day at West for Grade 3

Thursday, June 15^th- Hawaiian Day/Kona Ice Coming (wear Hawaiian gear)

Friday, June 16^th- Last Day of School ½ day!

Thank you and have a wonderful long weekend,

Mrs. King

Believe In Boston--Show Celtics Pride

Let's show some Boston Spirit Tomorrow!

Feel free to wear the color green, Celtics Wear, hats or any other favorite team!

May Updates

Good Morning Families.

We have about 5 weeks of school left! I can’t believe how fast the year has gone by and how much the students have grown academically, socially and physically. First grade students learned Fundations and will continue on with this phonemic awareness program for second grade. Also, first grade students worked on the Envisions math program and began reader’s workshop. Students are doing great with this and have improved on their sustained reading time and comprehension. I love going into the classrooms and talking to students who are reading independently on what they are reading or about the characters in the story. Second grade students are also implementing Fundations this year and have started planning lessons and trialing a few to begin reader’s workshop for next year. Third grade is also implementing Readers Workshop and the students are participating in sustained reading time, mini lessons, and conferring with the teacher. This will continue in all grades for next year. Third grade students also just completed the ELA MCAS test and will be taking the Math MCAS on May 16^th and 17^th. Teachers will be completing their end of the year assessments in the upcoming month in reading and math.

Next week students have an early release day on Friday, May 12^th and the teachers will have a curriculum improvement afternoon. Teachers will begin the first of many placement phases. Please note that many factors go into placement such as class size, girl/boy ratio, students on an IEP, students with reading services, students on a 504, relationship mapping/social skills and much more. Teachers consider all aspects and try to formulate the best class group as a whole so that all students have a successful year. We review these lists several times before finalizing placement which will appear on your child’s report card the last day of school.

Some last minute reminders about entering and exiting the school especially with all the upcoming projects. If the projects are in the cafeteria or we have a concert someone will be standing at the back door to let parents in and out. If you are dismissing your child and it is the end of the day, the teacher will have a sign out sheet available. Also, please be mindful when pulling in and out of the parking lot at arrival and dismissal to exit the exit only. It is very dangerous if cars exit while the buses are pulling in. We appreciate your cooperation with this.

Here are a few more upcoming dates:

Thursday, May 4^th-Dinosaur Showcase Grade 2 in Cafeteria

Thursday, May 11^th-Incoming first grade orientation 9:30 and evening for parents at 6:00 p.m

Tuesday, May 16^th-Grade 3 MCAS

Wednesday, May 17^th-Grade 3 MCAS

Tuesday, May 23^rd-Grade 1 Field Trip to Davis Farm

Thursday, May 25^th-Grade one parent viewing of projects at 2:15

Friday, May 26^th-Grade 3 concert and project viewing, Grade two field trip to Museum of Science

Thank you all and have a wonderful week,

Mrs. King