Summer Family Reading

 

Longmeadow Elementary Schools…ONE BOOK , ONE COMMUNITY

Dear Families,

Through the generosity of our PTO, we are once again excited to offer One Book, One Community Family Read this Summer!  From the onset, our goal in this activity has been families reading together.  Once again, we are asking your help in achieving this goal.

Finding the perfect book that will appeal to all of our students, kindergarten through fifth grade, is a huge task. We realize our selection of Tony DiTerlizzi’s book Kenny & the Dragon may be a stretch for some of our younger readers.  So we are reaching out to you as parents, to find a few minutes each day, to sit with your child and share this terrific book.

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents. – Author Emilie Buchwald

Kenny & the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi is a charming tribute to Kenneth Grahame’s children’s classic The Reluctant Dragon, which most people are familiar with through the Disney short film adaptation. In this beautifully illustrated volume, DiTerlizzi tells the story of a small, bookish rabbit named Kenny who learns that a dragon has been spotted on his family farm. Armed with a bestiary, he goes to investigate, and instead of a fearsome fire-spouting dragon, he finds Grahame, a dragon much more interested in poetry, crème brulee, and rearranging the rocks around his cave than in anything as savage as fighting. Kenny and Grahame become fast friends, but trouble rears its head when the villagers find out about the dragon and demand his extermination. (Fantasy Literature)

A bestselling retelling of Kenneth Grahame’s short story, “The Reluctant Dragon” marked Tony’s first solo venture as a middle-grade novelist.

Why retell a classic? Clearly, I am no Kenneth Grahame, but I adored this story so much when I was a kid that I wanted a new generation to enjoy this wonderful tale. -Tony DiTerlizzi

Local Author/Educator Jim Trelease states reading aloud to your child –- no matter what their age — is the magic bullet for creating a lifelong reader.  We hope as a family you find Kenny and Grahame’s adventure together an enjoyable read aloud.

         ★★★Author Tony DiTerlizzi will be visiting the 3 elementary schools on September 11, 2014★★★

Please pick up a copy of the book at Central Office or at Center School if your family did not receive it at the end of the school year.

 

Congratulations Mrs. Fritz and Ms. Manna!!

When we honor a teacher for excellence,

we honor our entire teaching profession.

A committee of administrators and teachers across the district met yesterday to share the honor of selecting Longmeadow’s recipients of  the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards.  Teachers nominate their  colleagues for extraordinary excellence in teaching practices and enthusiasm for teaching and working with children. Ms. Manna is the recipient of the honor in the new teacher category; and Mrs. Fritz the recipient in the “veteran” teacher category. Our teachers will be honored at a dinner at the Log Cabin in May. Well-deserved honor for two exceptional educators…

Reminders…

The snow around our school is lovely, but presents safety issues during drop off and pick up times. Please help us with the following:

• The snow bank on the corner of Longfellow creates a blind spot on the carline. Students should not  be dropped off at any area around the school except directly in front where I wait with the safeties.
• Please do not enter/ cut into the carline from Longfellow Street. This practice is frustrating to families who follow the carline procedures AND importantly, it increases the risk of an accident.
• Longfellow Street drop offs/pick ups  in the winter (and throughout the year!) are unsafe. Students should not be climbing snow banks and crossing the street where there is no crosswalk.
• Please please refrain from cell phone use while you’re in the carline. Our children’s safety depends on your full attention.
• Dress your child warmly for outdoor recess. Hats, gloves, snow pants, and boots please, so your child may enjoy the snow with friends.

Thank-you for adhering to the school’s procedures. The carline may be a bit longer, but our students will remain safe!

February so soon…

5th Grade Chorus performing for all our students.

Bravo  to Mrs. Drysdale and to our talented musical ensembles: Chorus, Band, and Orchestras!!  The Winter Concert at the high school was absolutely spectacular!! I have heard from many many families who were impressed and awed by the performances of our young musicians. Mrs. Drysdale is described as a ‘treasure” and a “gift” to our school community.  I couldn’t agree more!!

Happenings…

“Mystery Reader” in kindergarten was Hayden’s Dad, an EMT, who read a playful book about ambulances and brought the students outside for a big surprise…

Yes, there was dancing in the ambulance!

Our very special visitor from the Japan Exchange Program at LHS –
Mr. Hori-sensei, sharing with Mrs. Mclean’s class.

Mr. Hori enjoying
Ms. Drysdale’s music class.

 

Spectacular day….Spectacular fun!!

Our students LOVE their new playscape!  The project was complete on Friday, and today’s weather  was perfect  for both morning and lunch  recess.  The students explored the many choices for active play and the triple slide. The unanimous opinion from the students is  -“Awesome!!”

Families are invited to join  the PTO on Friday after school for a community “play date” on the new play ground. More information will be sent via PTO email.

PLEASE help us ensure our beautiful new field will be lush and green for many years to come.  The fence will remain on the perimeter of the field for many months and the field will be off limits.  If you enjoy our playscape after school hours, children should remain off the field at all times. You can help us enforce this critical rule with gentle reminders to all.  Thank-you for your full cooperation in the coming months!

Halloween Hustle-10th Anniversary!

 

Congratulations to Amy Higgins for her phenomenal coordination of the 10th annual Halloween Hustle!! Amy and Simon were up with the sun to get things going the morning of the race.

Sam and Dad warm up before the race.

Chris Regan organized the Krazy Kids Races on the Green-so much fun for our students!!

Mrs. Brydges with her children before they ran the 5K.

Hooray for Sam and Jack!!

Mrs. Cummings and Mrs. Griffiths -invaluable help!

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Mrs. Higham : Our Queen of Halloween

Teachers planned a fun-filled day for our students…pumpkin  book characters, owl pellets, bone study, class celebrations, costumes, mystery readers, make believe…and so much more!

TEAM 3

 

 

 

Center School Helping Hands-344 Sandwiches!!

In the spirit of teaching students about the importance of Community Service, Center School began a yearlong effort this month to feed those in need of assistance.

Center School “Helping Hands” is a school –wide effort to provide students an opportunity to work as grade level teams to make a difference by making sandwiches to help feed the hungry.

Each grade level will be assigned a month and will  meet in the cafeteria before school to make sandwiches with their team. The first effort was a huge success. The 5^th graders made 344 sandwiches, which were delivered to Loaves and Fishes in Springfield by parent Amy Nedwed.

Each 5^th grader voluntarily donated sandwich meat, cheese, and bread to make sandwiches. Big Y supplied the condiments and gloves and CVS in the Longmeadow Shops supplied the baggies.

 

Parent Mrs. Amy Nedwed spearheaded and coordinates the Helping Hands effort.  The students came in early and many brought along their siblings from younger grades. They got right to work making the sandwiches and there was a wonderful sprit of excitement and joy as they worked. Several parents came as well to lend a hand.  Amy Nedwed is representative of the special individuals at Center School ; and the effort represents the heart of our community!  Helping Hands will be a powerful learning experience for our students.

Hooray 5th Grade!! Heartfelt thanks to each individual who make efforts such as this a huge success …Together WE Achieve More!

Our Fall Carnival-HUGE Success!!

The Fall Carnival is a community favorite and we were fortunate to have perfect weather.  The afternoon was filled with family fun…games, food, bounce house, and for the first time-a dunk booth! Amy Higgins chaired the carnival and once again this year the coordination was extraordinary!  Cheers to Amy and her team of volunteers, including the Key Club students from LHS-they are awesome!

Each year our 5th graders work in teams to develop  games for the Carnival.  Congratulations to our 5th graders…they  demonstrated leadership and teamwork running the games and innovation with their creations. You can see from the pictures how much fun they created for their Center friends!

Mr. Bradshaw in the dunk tank!

Mr. Allentuck…taking a turn in the tank.

Mrs. Bannon…braving the cold water! What good sports!!

School Committee Chair Michael Clark enjoying the Carnival and supporting Center School.