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Ocean Avenue School and PTO April 2015 Newsletter
Coffee Talks at Ocean
Avenue Elementary
School
Our Parent Advisory Council (PAC) and our School Leadership Team
share our meaningful parent engagement goal. As an outgrowth of tracking
parent engagement and asking parents what types of engagement they are
interested in participating, one method has been refined for this school year.
Beverly Coursey, the school principal, hosts monthly Coffee Talks. The
purpose is to engage parents in conversation about how we pay attention to
our students and what we are doing to continually improve our educational
practice. The PAC picks the topics each month. This year we have focused on staff professional development, positive
behavior interventions and supports for students, and Common Core 101.
Emily Bruce, PAC member, supports the monthly talks by soliciting coffee
and getting the word out about the event. Coffee Talk is the second
Wednesday of each month. We start at 8:00 with informal chatting and
socializing. At 8:30 we have the formal 10 minute talk and then open up the
discussion to the group. Here are some top-line learnings from parents at
the March talk: • Common core is a set of outcomes expected, not a curriculum
• It was developed by governors across the US to unify the educational
standards across the nation to ensure students have the skills and
knowledge they need to be successful
• (Previously there was great variety across states and teachers were left on
their own to prioritize what could be addressed. Standards also weren't
realistic to actual teaching time, for instance Maine standards would have
taken 27 years to teach completely.)
• Common core covers only Math and English Language Arts
• Common Core has only been implemented in Maine since the 2013-2014
school year.
Continued on page 2
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April Calendar
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Metro Presentation Grade 1• April 1 | 10AM
Nutrition Workshops Grade K-1
• April 2 | 10AM Math Night • April 2 | 5:30-6:30PM
USM Physic Show, Grades 4-5 • April 3 | 9AM
Bike Safety in PE• April 6 and 7
Maine Historical Society
Reception, Grade 3 • April 6 | 5:30PM
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Coffee Talk with Dr. Coursey•
April 8 | 8:00AM
Nutrition Workshop, Grade 2 •
April 9 | 11AM
CMP Presentation, Grade 4 • April 10 | 10AM Math Meet• April 14
Early Release• April 15 | 2PM
PTO Meeting• April 16 | 6-7:30PM Maine Academy of Modern Music
Performance• April 17
School Vacation Week • April 20-24
Early Release• April 29 | 2PM
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MEA Testing Begins, Grade 5 • April 30
School and Classroom News
Continued from page 1
This website is helpful for more information:
http://www.corestandards.org/ The Common Core
App (the green one) is also a useful resource.
Mark your calendar for future Coffee Talks, all from
8:00-9:00 AM: Wednesday, May 13 and
Wednesday, June 1.
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Kindergarten News
Kindergarten students had a very busy and
productive month of March - celebrating the
birthday of Dr. Seuss, launching several new
units of study, and growing as learners in many
ways. During Dr. Seuss week, students enjoyed
numerous special activities such as dressing
up, wearing “Cat in the Hat” hats, reading Dr.
Seuss books, and having fun with rhyming
words and word families. We are starting a new IB unit of inquiry
called SHARING THE PLANET: Reducing
Human Impact. The central idea of this new
unit is: Things that people do to live
comfortably can affect the world around them,
but we can make choices that reduce our
impact. The key concepts emphasized within
this inquiry are responsibility, connection, and
reflection. Students have been engaged in
activities and class discussions related to
pollution (air, land, and water) and choices that
we can make to reduce pollution and to “make
the world better.”
As students write “to make the world
better,” they are learning to express their
opinions about problems that they see –
whether these problems are in the classroom,
in the school, or in the world. In their writing,
they are describing the problem, explaining
why they think it is a problem, and persuading
their readers to make a change! !
March conferences were a wonderful time
for students to share recent work with parents
and demonstrate how much they have grown
as learners. !
First Grade
As part of their new IB unit on
transportation systems, First Graders
welcomed speakers from the Bicycle Coalition
and Metro Bus to speak about ways to get
where you need to go, cut down on pollution,
and learn more about transportation right here
in Portland.
Bridgette Kelly from the Bike Coalition of
Maine talks to Grade 1 students
Fourth Grade
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4th graders in Mrs. Winship’s class were
immersed in an engaging and interactive
learning experience as part of a cumulative part
of our Energy Unit. Students conducted a
Project Based Learning assignment imbedded
in the Next Generation Standards and
developed on the STEM scopes website where
they had to apply the science they were taught
in the unit. Students were divided into groups
where a project manager, structural engineer,
materials engineer and design engineer were
posed with a task – build a sturdy
School and Classroom News
posed with a task – build a sturdy home for the
third little pig to withstand the hurricane force
winds of ‘Hurricane Wolf!’ The students
started by learning information about how
residents of Texas deal with difficult weather
situations such as hurricane and strong
tornadoes. A sturdy
house made
out of
lasagna ad
tongue
depressors.
A team from Mrs. Winship’s Fourth grade
presents their house to the judges.
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Students were provided with their job roles
and a controlled amount of materials and time
to complete the project before they presented
their homes to the third little pig. The
acceptable materials included: lasagna strips,
masking tape, rubber bands, Styrofoam plates,
tongue depressors, coffee stirrers, tooth picks
and cotton balls.
On our presentation day, we invited our
kindergarten buddies from Mrs. Boyd’s class to
rate the students’ design and structure. mrs.
Winship’s husband, a project manager from
AMEC, was invited to judge the students’
presentations, as well as my role as the third
little pig. Each group presented their homes
and persuaded the panel of judges. At one
point, Mr. Winship asked one of the groups
about the ‘kite-like’ roof their house had saying,
“when you have pockets of space on a roof, it
acts like a kite and can take the roof off.”
Brayden Shaw, the project manager, replied,
“Well, we figured that if we poked holes in the
styrofoam walls it would release the pressure.” The house withstands the blast of
Hurricane Wolf test!
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After the judges’ comments or
questions, the fan was turned on and
students’ houses were put to the test! All 5
groups houses survived the force of the fan
and enjoyed the challenge of working as
group to complete a science project.
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Lost and Found
Reminder
Items in Lost and Found not
picked up by April 22 will be
donated to Good Will. 3
School News
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Art News
Random Acts of Kindness
Tree
You are invited to
attend the Portland
Public Schools art show
at City Hall April 30
through May 20.
Opening reception is
Friday, May 1 from 3 6:30 with a performance by Lincoln Middle
School Select orchestra playing at 4PM.
A few students from all classrooms at
Ocean Avenue have been selected to
represent our school. Everyone is invited to
attend and view the wonderful art that is
being created from kindergarten through
12th grade in all of the Portland Public
Schools.
Students that will show their art work will
be given an invitation to bring home. I hope
that you can join us for this wonderful event.
- Mrs. Mitchell !
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Nurses Notes
Have you notice the colorful leaves in
bloom in the school lobby? The leaves have
been blossoming throughout the months of
March and April on our Random Acts of
Kindness Tree. Staff, parents and students
have been writing on paper leaves examples
of whenever they notice someone doing
something kind for someone else. The tree
is covered with leaves that show many acts
of kindness happening throughout our
school this spring!
All students in middle school need
documentation of a doctor’s physical exam
to participate in ANY school sport. Please
make an appointment for your fifth grade
child who is going to middle next year to
have a well child physical exam before
September. Talk to your doctor about vaccines for
your child. Ask for copies of any shots s/he
receives and a “sports clearance” note.
Provide these copies to your middle school
nurse. Your child will need a physical exam
every 2 years to participate in sports in
middle and high school. Feel free to contact me if you need help
finding a doctor or making an appointment.
Thank You, Laurie Hesselink, RN School Nurse, OAES
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PTO: What’s Happening
Staff of the Month
challenged and wants to do her best.” And the
Lannons add, “We feel so fortunate that both
Colin and Jack have had Mrs, McGhie. She has
been integral part of making them confidant
learners and is a true example of a teacher who
loves to teach, therefore her student love to
learn!”
During the March PTO Meeting, we
recognized all of the Grade 2 teachers for
their hard work and dedication to our
children! !
Volunteer Shout Out!
Thank you to Alison Gorman, Erin Macey,
Aysun Simpson, Aviva Shaw and Jenny
Carrigan for making soups during Parent
Teacher Conferences so our teachers and staff
had a warm and healthy lunch option during a
very long day! !
April PTO Meeting
Join us on Thursday April 16 for the next
PTO Meeting where we’ll welcome guest
Sally MItchell, Art Teacher at OAES talk to us
about the art curriculum at Ocean Avenue.
We’ll get school updates from Dr. Coursey,
have a chance to celebrate the Staff of the
Month, and hear about the Spring Fair and
Bike Rodeo and other fun events. FMI
contact Nanette Dyer Blake at
[email protected].
Miss Partridge, Mrs. Serio, Mrs.
McGhie and Mrs. Nogar
Parent Erica Sabatino shared, “Mrs.
Nogar has a calm, relaxed teaching style that
the kids really respond to. She helps students
stay on task by using simple non-verbal cues.
It is a lot of fun watching her and Mrs. Serio
lead writing workshop. They are both very
expressive and positive and give the kids lots
of encouragement.”
According to Nick, Miss Partridge makes
the classroom fun by saying things like,
“Touch your head touch your toes, touch your
elbows touch your nose but don't pick it!”
And if someone gets a hard problem right she
says, "Mr Ramsdale, open the door, come on
everyone, can I get a loud woop woop!” And
William explains that, “Miss Partridge is a
really good math teacher - she explains
everything really well and makes learning
fun.”
Gilda Bryand says, ”We love Mrs. McGhie.
The stories I get always let me know that she
values each child and makes them all feel special.
Vivian loves being in her class. I love that Viv is
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Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee invites you to
nominate yourself or someone you know for
various PTO Board and Committee positions
for the 2015-16 school year. At this point,
they are taking nominations for Vice
President, Community Director,
Communications Director, Auction Chairs Heads - and Committee members, and Cross
Cultural Committee. FMI or to submit a
nomination contact Julie Lannon at
[email protected].
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PTO: Updates
Save the Dates!
Be sure to mark your calendars for the
following PTO sponsored events:
Spring Fair and Bike Rodeo
May 31, 11AM-1PM at OAES
We’ll have the Bike Coalition of Maine help with:
bike safety course, helmet check, bike safety
and maintenance, slow rides and a mountain
bike course. In addition we’re planning to have
the Rock Wall, juggling, face painting, an art
table, field games, food and a visit from the
local fire station. If you’d like to volunteer for
this great event, contact Tobin Scipione at
[email protected].
Portand Sea Dogs Game
June 18, 6PM at Hadlock Field
What better way to celebrate the beginning of
summer and the last day of school (which is
June 19) than enjoying a baseball game with
other OAES friends and families.
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PTO Enrichment Programs and
Updates
Thank you to all our wonderful instructors
who have offered after - school opportunities for
students at OAES. Here are the programs, and
some important dates, that the PTO has offered
this semester:
ART: with Artists for Social Change
instructor, Jodi Ferry. Be on the look out for the
art display in the lobby! This class will finish on
Thursday, May 14.
YOGA: with OAES parent and yoga
instructor, Nicole Gordon, Yoga class will finish
on Monday, May 4th. Thank you Nicole!
DANCE: with Bruce Tracy, Hip Hop Class
will finish on Friday, May 1. Thank you to
instructor Bruce!
GREEN CLUB: with David Kuchta, PTO
Grounds Committee Chair has held this club for
Grades 4 and 5 on the second and fourth
Mondays. The Green Club continues through
June. FMI or to join, contact David at
[email protected]
UKULELE CLUB: for Grades 3 to 5, has
been meeting every Monday with Dr. Mac and
will continue through June. Thank you, Dr Mac!
DOLPHIN PRESS: with parent, originator
and instructor, Gibson Faye-Leblanc has been
meeting Tuesdays to produce
the sixth edition of this OAES
Magazine. Be on the lookout
for this original student
publication filled with artwork,
photography, comics, stories,
and more - coming to OAES
sometime in May. the program
will finish up on Tuesday, April
28. Thank you Gibson Faye - Leblanc!
Parents and families, please contact PTO
Enrichment Director Lisa Hicks with ideas for
future after - school enrichment classes and
activities at [email protected].
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Classroom Enrichment
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On April 10, Grade 3 students from Mrs.
Brewer and deCarlo’s classes performed
following a week of workshops with Gretchen
Berg. Gretchen performs with Portland based
dance company, Berg, Jones & Sarvis and has
taught courses at Bowdoin College and Bates
College, University of Southern Maine and the
Harvard Graduate School of Education. She
received the Maine Alliance for Arts Education
2007 Bill Bonyun Award for her contribution to
the arts in Maine schools.
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PTO: Enriching Our School
What We Do
• Dr. Martin Luther King Day Celebration with • Marita Kennedy | Dance
• Annagreit Baier | Drumming
• Jodi Ferry | Artists for Social Change
• Namory Keita | Drumming
• Math Night: PTO contributed funds to help
support this great event.
The Ocean Avenue PTO is about
engaging people, building community and
supporting learners. Here are of some of the
ways this year that the OAPTO has helped
make OAES one great school:
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• Watermelon Welcome: August open house
and welcome to all new and returning OAES
families
• Artists in Residence for both Classroom and
After-School Enrichment
• Bruce Tracy | Dance
• Nicole Gordon | Yoga
• Lisa DiFranza | Theater
• Annagreit Baier | Drumming
• Gretchen Berg | Physical Theater
• Artists for Social Change
• Class Field Trips: Transportation
• Maine State Ballet
• Merrill Auditorium
• Victoria Mansion
• Music and Classroom Supplies
• Drums - contributed to Dr. Mac’s new
drum set
• Ruth’s Reusable Resources - paid
membership for OAES teachers
Board
Contacts
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Nanette Dyer Blake,
President [email protected]
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Allison Ayan, Vice
President
vicepresident@oapt
o.org
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Thank you to the PTO Board and
Committee members (especially Lisa Hicks,
Enrichment Director who made many of these
programs possible), to our many volunteers,
the students, and the generous donations of
the OAES community!
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On April 29, the PTO will hold our second
Annual Call Banking. This is our last major
fundraiser of the year. The PTO Board and
friends will dial for dollars to raise funds to
continue offering enrichment and community
building activities for all OAES students. If
you’re interested in participating or
volunteering please contact John Gordon
Funding Director at [email protected], Nanette
Dyer Blake President at [email protected],
or Tobin Scipione, Volunteer Director at
[email protected]. Chip Gavin, Treasurer
[email protected]
Jeannette Wycoff,
Community Building
Director
[email protected]
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Erica Sabatino,
Secretary
[email protected]
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John Gordon,
Development Director
[email protected]
Katharine O’Neill,
Communication
Director
communication@oapt
o.org
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Lisa Hicks,
Enrichment Director
[email protected]
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Tobin Scipione,
Volunteer Director
[email protected]
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Julie Lannon,
Nominating
Committee Director
[email protected]
School Updates
5210 Update
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At the April 1st assembly, Mrs. Hanna and Mrs. Cohen introduced
the new focus for the month on the IB Learner Profile of
“Balanced”. Balanced means being able to get your mind and
body ready for learning, and knowing how to take care of yourself
to be safe and healthy. To help introduce this attribute to the
students, Mrs. Cohen reminded students about our 5210 initiative
and interviewed some “guest” fruits and vegetables to share their
ideas of what it means to be healthy. !
Pictured: Peas, Apple, Carrot and Broccoli were guest speakers
at our recent assembly. (aka Dr. Coursey, Mrs. Sprague, Mr. Spinnraker and Ms. Demers)
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Math Night at OAES
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Thank you to all the families that came out to Family Math Night at Ocean Avenue School. The math games
and activities were fun and informative and enjoyed by all. !
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Second graders Brielle and July
play a math game about money
at Math Night
Fen and his mom, Tobin, play a
dice game at Math Night
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Superintendant’s Note
It Takes a State to Support Education
by Emmanual Caulk, Portland School
Superintendant
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One of my core values is
that it takes an entire
community to ensure the
success of our public
schools. As our legislators
work in Augusta to decide
how much to allocate in
state funding to local school
districts, I’d like to point out
that we are all part of one
community: the state of Maine.
Education plays a vital role in that state
community. Maine’s schools and businesses are
closely linked. Our schools educate the
workforce of tomorrow, ensuring today’s
students have the knowledge and skills to
prepare them for 21st century careers. But if
Maine schools don’t get the funding they need
to do that, the skills gap will widen. Without an
educated workforce, we won’t be able to attract
businesses to our state and our economy won’t
be able to grow and prosper.
Our state Legislature is in the midst of
making decisions about General Purpose Aid to
local school districts. Back in 2005, Maine
voters said the state should pick up 55 percent
of the cost of education. However, the
education budget that Gov. LePage has
proposed calls for funding only about 46
percent.
If passed, that budget would do a disservice
to students, parents and local property
taxpayers by failing to adequately fund the true
cost of education in Maine.
The cost of education in the budget
proposal has increased by $68 million, but state
aid to local districts is only going up $20 million,
according to the Maine School Management
Association.
At the local level, that means an
unreasonable and unsustainable cost shift to
property taxpayers to cover the cost of
educating our state’s young people.
My proposed budget for fiscal year 2016
simply maintains current resources and staffing
while investing in our employees. Yet under the governor’s budget proposal,
Portland stands to lose more than $900,000 in
GPA in the new fiscal year, according to the
latest state numbers. Without that hole, the 2.3
percent tax hike that my proposed budget
entails would drop to just 1.1 percent.
Furthermore, the state has shifted teacher
retirement costs onto local districts. At the
Portland Public Schools, the cost of teacher
retirement creates a $1.3 million to $1.5 million
hole in our budget. If the state restores full state
responsibility for funding teacher retirement
costs, and Portland didn’t have a decrease in
GPA, my budget proposal would require a zero
tax rate increase or even lower.
Another one of my core values is: Students
come first. That is why I have asked state legislators –
the leaders of our state community – to help
Maine schools succeed by increasing state aid
to education. I urge you to also ask your elected
representatives to fully fund Maine’s educational
needs and not shift that burden onto local
taxpayers. Meeting the full educational needs of
Maine students is the fair, equitable – and
community-minded – thing to do.
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