Winter Reading Challenge

Feel free to send me in any photos of your child reading. Refer to the Hot Cocoa paper for ideas or create your own. Students can bring in paper and receive a special note from the Principal and all photos will be shared on our digital bulletin board.

Reading to a Grandparent

Happy New Year Message and January Updates

Good Afternoon,

I wanted to wish families a wonderful and enjoyable break. We have had an extremely busy month for December and I am looking forward to the New Year with your children. School will resume as usual on Monday, January 4th. Mrs. Burke will be returning from her long term leave of absence as our Assistant Principal.
There are many things to look forward to in the New Year at the Shawsheen School. One is our initiative to encourage reading at home and as a school. Some of the ideas were developed  by a team of teachers including having one day a month in school with a special theme associated with reading and other fun ideas to get students excited about reading. We are going to finalize our initial ideas in the next month or so. In addition, a flyer was sent home in your child's backpack today and is attached that will kick off our reading initiative. It is completely an optional and fun paper to do if your child reads over break. They pick a marshmallow from the sheet and read with mittens on or to a pet, etc. If your child does any of these and you would like to send in a photo, I will be creating a bulletin board. This is a no pressure activity that is meant to be fun and can be handed in anytime during the winter months.

Another exciting enrichment program coming up in January is that Ooch is returning. Some families may remember him and his message about kindness and friendship. The students year after year really love his program.

In addition, on January 21st will be a family literacy night to promote digital resources. Barbara Raab, Wilmington Children’s Librarian, will present to parents ideas around new technologies in literacy while Linda Cornell, Elementary Reading Specialist, and teachers engage students with digital apps for education. The evening will conclude with a Winter themed scavenger hunt.
Please register in advance at: http://goo.gl/forms/Y2EwOPEF0f

Please view the principal’s blog for more upcoming dates for January.

Thank you for all that you do for our Shawsheen Staff and Families, we appreciate all your support in so many ways.
Thank you again and have a happy new year!
Mrs. King
Principal

December Updates

Good Evening Families,

This month is going to be very busy and go by fast. I wanted to update families on some staffing changes, upcoming dates and happenings. First, the Festival of Trees was a success and the students contributed by decorating the tree and writing their favorite book on a chain. The teachers donated books with special messages inside them. The tree is in our lobby for all to view as one of our teachers ended up winning it!

We also have some important dates to share. The Second Grade concert is coming up on December 14^th. Please check your child’s folder for your classroom times. In addition, we are having an early release day on Thursday, December 10^th at 12:00 for parent/teacher conferences. No lunches will be served. Please remember to enter through the front door for conferences and the secretary or administration will let you in.

In addition to some events, we have more changes to announce. We were so fortunate to have hired Ms. Gayna Akillian for Ms. Rene’s Maternity leave of absence.. Ms. Akillian has her Masters of Music from New England Conservatory of Music and her BA of music from Boston University. Ms. Akillian has a lot of experience teaching music and most recently just completed a long term leave in an elementary school. We are very lucky to have found someone with such great experience and enthusiasm for her job.

Also, Mrs. Lynn Vik is retired from the Shawsheen Elementary School as our Art Teacher. The children all made her special things from each grade level and we will miss her art expertise and her contributions to the Shawsheen School. However, it is with pleasure that we have hired Ms. Elissa Stopyra for the long term art leave. Many of you may remember Ms. Stropyra when she was here as an aide in the Pathways program. Some of you may not realize that Ms. Stropyra passion has been art and that she has her certification in Art and will be completing her Masters this spring. I am sure you will all join me in welcoming Ms. Stropyra back to the Shawsheen.

I also wanted to extend a special thank you to Mr. Richard Dineen who has done a tremendous job filing in for Mrs. Erin Burke as my Assistant Principal. Mrs. Burke will be returning after the winter break and Mr. Dineen’s last day will be December 23rd. We will be having a special assembly for him so that the children and staff can thank him prior to the 23^rd.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year and enjoyable break. For more up to date information, please view the Principal’s blog at http://shawsheenschool.blogspot.com/

And follow us on Twitter @shawsheenschool.

Thank you,

Mrs. King

Principal