March 25, 2015 Volume IX, No. 20 Emily Gaberman, Principal – [email protected] Karen Bourn, Assistant Principal – [email protected] Dates To Remember: DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION Tue. Mar 31 12:15pm Early Release Day -‐ NO AM KINDERGARTEN DUE TO KINDERGARTEN PARENT CONFERENCES Wed. Apr 1 7-‐8:15pm PTC Parent Forum – Technology Technology Center Fri. Apr 3 No School – Good Friday Thu. Apr 9 7-‐8:30pm NEF Parent Lecture Series – Robert Brooks Newman School Sat. Apr 11 7-‐11pm PTC Spring Social and Fundraiser -‐ FLASHBACK! Village Club Tue. Apr 14 10:20am Delayed Opening (Town Elections) NO AM KINDERGARTEN OR AM KASE Fri. Apr 17 2:45pm Schools Close at End of Day for April Recess Mon. Apr 27 8:20am Classes Resume Thu. Apr 30 7-‐8:15pm th th PTC Parent Forum – 4 &5 Parent/Child Math Night Performance Center REVISED MCAS English Language Arts Testing Dates: Grade 3: April 8, 9 Grade 4: March 24 (Long Comp) March 30, April 1 Grade 5: April 6, 7 REVISED MCAS Math & Science, Technology & Engineering Testing Dates: Grade 3: May 13, 14 Grade 4: May 18, 19 Grade 5 Math: May 11, 12 Grade 5 STE: May 20, 21 PRINCIPAL’S NOTES CULTURAL PROFICIENCY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT One of the goals we’ve been working on as a faculty and school community this year is to grow our understanding of Cultural Proficiency, and how we can use this framework to help us be more inclusive and sensitive to all the cultures and communities that make up the Broadmeadow and Needham communities as a whole. As part of this initiative, we have welcomed consultants, Elli Stern and Leslie Smart from IDEAS (initiatives for Developing Equity and Achievement for Students through the EDCO Collaborative), in a series of professional development sessions. We’ve examined 1 the precepts of cultural proficiency through videos, readings, and discussions and we’ve begun to look at how this connects with our curriculum and how we might use the lens of cultural proficiency to grow and improve our teaching practices. Next week during our early release professional development session, Elli and Leslie will join us again. We will be looking at the concept of “equality vs. equity” and how we give kids what they need -‐ which may mean that every child does not need or get the same kinds of support. We will be examining curriculum materials and working together to think about our lessons through a culturally proficient lens. This is exciting and important work that both strengthens our faculty community and grows our instructional practice. MCAS MCAS season is upon us. Yesterday, fourth grade students took the Long Composition component of the MCAS and they tackled the task with excitement. I am so proud of how students used what they have learned about the writing process to draft, edit and finalize a short piece of work. Many thanks go out to the staff that proctored and supported the students yesterday. In the next two weeks, we will administer the reading portion of the MCAS to students in grades 3-‐5 and once May rolls around, those same students will take the Math MCAS tests and fifth graders will take the Science, Technology and Engineering test. (Please see MCAS dates in the calendar section above.) SPECIAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR NEWS I am sorry to report that we have not found the right person to fill our Special Education Coordinator position. We will continue the search and will invite interested parents to meet any upcoming candidates in the near future. Best-‐ Emily Gaberman SCHOOL NEWS TO FAMILIES WHO ARE MOVING OR TRANSFERRING TO PRIVATE SCHOOL Please notify the office as soon as possible if your child (ren) will not be returning to Broadmeadow or the district in the fall. COMMUNITY NEWS WANT TO BE A TUTEE? The Peer Tutor Program matches students in grades 3-‐8 with a high school tutor. Tutors provide one hour of tutoring each week throughout the year at designated sites. The cost of the program is $45. Applications are available at the Needham Youth Services office in Town Hall or online at www.needhamma.gov/youth/peertutor. Available tutee slots are limited and they fill up quickly – apply now! Applications will be accepted until June 1st. Contact Liz Loveless at [email protected] SATURDAY, MARCH 28TH -‐-‐ NEEDHAM GIVES BACK VOLUNTEER AND COLLECTION DAY FOR CRADLES TO CRAYONS! Gently used or new clothing, toys, equipment, coats and books can be left in the box in the Broadmeadow lobby or on the front porches of Jen Robins (781) 400-‐5442 at 25 Bradford St, or Donna Trabucco (617) 828-‐7259 at 45 Coulton Park. See link for more details or to 2 volunteer. https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/boston/CCSVolunteer OR [email protected]. THIRD ANNUAL FRENCH NIGHT Help the Needham High School French Club celebrate their third annual French Night on Friday, March 27, 2015 from 7-‐8:30p.m. in the Needham High School Auditorium. The event is free to the public and open to all ages. There will be free French and Francophone food, education, and entertainment including a cappella, dance, poetry, and musical performances. For any additional information please contact Jacqueline Brinhkaus at [email protected] Maurice Louis at [email protected] LIBRARY PROGRAMS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 30TH Monday, March 30th at 4:00 p.m. Circus Crafts for children up to 6 years old. Create circus-‐themed crafts to take home. All materials provided. Tuesday, March 31st, 4:00 p.m. Lucy the Read Dog. Children who are learning to read or who would like to practice their reading can sign up for a 10 min. time slot to read to Lucy the R.E.A.D. Dog. Lucy is a trained therapy dog who will pay attention and listen to you as you read. To sign up call 781-‐455-‐ 7559. Friday, April 3rd, 4:00 p.m. Elementary, My Dear Readers. This is an after-‐school story time for children in grades K-‐2. We will read several books together, enjoy a related activity such as searching for pirate treasure or solving a mystery, play creative games and create a craft project. Register by calling 781-‐455-‐7591. All library programs are free. For more information please call 781-‐455-‐7559. NEEDHAM YOUTH SERVICES SUMMER REGISTRATION Starting on Monday, May 4th, Needham Youth Services will be accepting registrations for all of their summer and early fall programs. Most of the services/programs are offered free of charge to Needham residents, and most regularly sell out. Hard copies of the Summer Brochures are available at our office in Town Hall, or online at:www.needhamma.gov/youth/summer2015/brochure. For additional information please contact Maria Papantoniou at [email protected]. The Fringe Theater presents Rapunzel: A Mangled American Mashup This Weekend! If you're interested in introducing your child(ren) to theater in a fun and kid-‐friendly setting -‐ this is the show! There are 4 shows this weekend: Fri, 3/27 @ 7:30 pm, Saturday, 3/28 @ 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm, and Sunday, 3/29 @2:30 pm at the Christ Episcopal Church at 1132 Highland Ave in Needham. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to http://thefringetheatre.org. 3