All around Mark's Meadow १०/२६/07

All around Mark’s Meadow:
The Principal’s view
Last week I had the opportunity to present the progress on our School Improvement Plan goals to the Amherst School Committee. I was joined by parent/guardian representatives from our School Governance Council and John Keins, our reading/language arts teacher. This update was included in the Family Handbooks that we sent home recently. I hope that you have an opportunity to look over the description of all of the collective efforts of the Mark’s Meadow staff.
As I reflected on our work of the past year I was reminded of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development’s (ASCD) recent call for a new compact to educate the whole child by putting “students at the center of the educational system and aligning resources to their multiple needs to ensure a balanced education for all”. The ASCD encourages schools to maintain their focus on all of the conditions that have been proven to be necessary for learning. These include a feeling of connectedness to the school community, a sense of safety and trust, and a broad, challenging and engaging curriculum. At Mark’s Meadow we strive to get to know each child as an individual with unique strengths and interests. As we work to ensure that each child has a solid foundation in the core academic skills, we also teach our students ‘habits of mind’ that will help them face new learning challenges throughout their lives. We want to make sure that our definition of a successful learner continues to be an expansive one. Our goals for our students are to not only be knowledgeable, but emotionally healthy, with empathy for others and the ability to express themselves creatively. As parents/guardians your insights are essential to our understanding of your ‘whole child’. Please continue to share them with us.
Nick

Important Events in November
You can call our special events line at 362-1308
for updates and cancellations.
November 6 - Parent Guardian Group 6:30 p.m.
November 8 – School Governance Council, 3:30 pm
November 12 – No school, Veterans’ Day
November 13 –School Committee, High School 7 pm.
November 20 – Diversity Committee, 3:30 p.m.
November 22-25 – Thanksgiving Vacation
November 30 – No School, Curriculum Day

Thank-you!
Thank-you to our PGG for buying mini-soccer goals for our playground! Seeing a ball go into a real net is very satisfying for the children and sure does cut down on arguments at recess।

Parent/Guardian Involvement
Our Parent Guardian Group (PGG) is sending home today a volunteer ‘sign-up’ describing the many different ways that families can support our school। Please take the time to consider one or more ways that you can help. Thanks.

Welcome Sarah!
Welcome to our new recess monitor, Sarah Tutun! She is a graduate student at UMass। Sarah has worked in a variety of programs for children including summer camps in Northampton, a third grade classroom at the Whately Elementary School and as a ‘big sister’ for teenage girls in the Boston area.

Treating everyone respectfully
The drawing at the top of the page was one of many that were done by Kirsten Lindblom’s fourth grade students to illustrate the Mark’s Meadow Code of Conduct.

Featured Wish List This Week।

Mrs.Schreiber's class would like any of these items you have
laying around the house or want to donate to her class। Check
out other requests by clicking on "Wish List" to the right
of this posting।

Some of the items are for specific projects (plays,
presentations, etc।) that the students are planning,
others are books I'd would love to share with students,
and others are general things that would be great to have
around the room throughout the year to students to use.

*google eyes
*white poster board
*4 lab coats
*white wigs (i.e.George Washington wigs)
*fake microphones
*sponges
*any sort of craft stuff (stickers, letters, clothespins,
glitter,
etc.)
*Inches and Miles: a journey to success by Coach
John Wooden
*The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns
*Getting to KNow Ruben Plotnik by Roz
Rosenbluth
*Bad Ideas by Laura Huliska-Beith
*Bamboozled by Bavid Legge
*The Storm by Marc Harshman
*The Keeping Quilt By Patricia Polacco
* Any book by Patricia Polacco
*Players in Pigtails by Shana Corey
*A bean bag (to sit in)
*Anyone knowledgeable about weather, geography,
mapping, animal adaptations, or motion and design
who would like to come in and be a guest speaker
at some point during the year।


I know that my list is long but any help finding
these items,especially the first five, would be great। 

Diversity Committee Meeting Dates

Diversity Committee Meeting
All Mark’s Meadow Families are welcome to attend the

Scheduled meetings to date for 2007:

October २३ 3:30

November 20 3:30

December 18 3:30

Meetings take place at Mark’s Meadow

Arrangements are being made for Child Care

Parent Gaurdian Group (PGG) Minutes

Mark’s Meadow Parent Guardian Group (PGG)
Purpose: Monthly Meeting
Date: Monday, January 5, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Venue: Marks Meadow Library
Co-Chairs: Meg Rosa and Tracy Hightower
Secretary: Katie Schendel, Treasurer: Stephanie Burbine

In attendance: Tracy hightower, Meg Rosa, Nick Yaffe, Katie Schendel, Stephanie Burbine, Ana Paranhos, Adrian Durlester, Prentiss Austin, Daniel Kramer, Deborah Timberlake, Shannon Borrell, Alvie Borrell, Val Cooley, Lori Goldner, Derek Shea, Jean Kosha

Introductions: Round table introductions and greetings
AmherstopolyUpdate: Presenter: T. Hightower:
Amherstopoly, have sold $4000 worth of property, Have four weeks left to sell property.
Update on Brown Envelope: Presenter: T. Hightower:
Have raised $1700. Includes $755 posted online from AEF not yet received. Have until January 30th to reach goal of 2500
Financial Report: Presenter: S. Burbine:
Stephanie handed out report on expenditures and revenue.
Passive Fund Raising Update: Presenter: T. Hightower:
Idea of setting up in Stop n Shop discussed to register shoppers (highschool did this)
Atkins is expanding to all schools, not just Wildwood and Marks Meadow
Big Y points can be redeemed for items in catalog
Debbie Timberlake reported $80 from Box Tops
Funding Requests: Presenter: T. Hightower
Math Carnival: $150.00 approved. Will cover prizes and renting of popcorn machine.
Community Breakfast: $250.00 approved
Families in need: $500.00 approved via e-mail.
Volunteer Forms: Presenter: T. Hightower
5 forms returned, will send out reminder, Tracy will work with Ana to follow-up on forms
Yearbook Volunteer: Presenter: T. Hightower
Need someone to organize, Ana Paranhos would be in charge of Photos.
Recycling Date: Presenter: T. Hightower
Saturday, 24 at 10-1:00
Diversity Committee Update: Presenter: N. Yaffe
Possibly creating parent event as offshoot of workshop that staff attended
Nick’s Report: Presenter: N. Yaffe
Assembly this Friday the 9th
Possibly reintroducing helping hands, Community Service Idea
Inauguration Day, possibly showing inauguration in auditorium
Modular Classroom will be used as project room
New after school clubs starting-“Thinking Games” Club, Lego Creations Club
Registered four new students this month
Parking, spoke to UMass, no tickets during pick-up and drop-off
Concerns expressed over pick-up and drop-off safety, some students being dropped off in middle of parking lot. Procedures will be reviewed.
Reorganization of Schools: Presenters: Jean Kosha and Derek Shea
Several views expressed. Some sought clarification of time frame, would restructuring occur next year, and others wanted to know if other alternatives to the ones could be explored.
Derek and Jean stressed that no decisions have been made.
For more information, please attend School Committee meeting January 13 at High school, 7:00

Next Meeting, February 2 2009, at 6:30
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Meeting minutes submitted by: Katie Schendel, PGG Secretary

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mark’s Meadow Parent Guardian Group (PGG)
Purpose: Monthly Meeting
Date: Monday, December 1, 2008
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Venue: Marks Meadow Library
Co-Chairs: Meg Rosa and Tracy Hightower
Secretary: Katie Schendel, Treasurer: Stephanie Burbine

In attendance: Meg Rosa, Nick Yaffe, Katie Schendel, Stephanie Burbine, Ana Paranhos, Trevor Morris, Prentiss Austin, Sarah Kinney, Alvero Borrell, Stacia Ferro, Donna Stetson, Jarrett Saunders

Introductions: Round table introductions and greetings
Thanksgiving Feast Debriefing: Presenter: Meg Rosa and Ana Paranhos
Comments: Huge amount of clean-up-Need Better System.
Maybe Buffet Style-may alleviate seating issue.
More oversight of kids
People wanted to eat the food they had prepared,
Broader Introduction, Agenda Needed, Give a General Thanks at the beginning.
Leadership Roles: Presenter: Meg Rosa
Only two classrooms have Room Parents. Include Room Parent in the Volunteer Form.
Recycling: Lynn Wientraub Heather David and Nina Brand have volunteered to help. Need someone to follow shipping.
Passive Fund Raiser Update: Presenter: Meg Rosa
Need someone to oversee and track passive fundraising efforts. (Donna Stetson volunteered during discussion).
Debbie Timberlake doing Box Tops
Amherstopoloy Update: Presenter: Meg Rosa
Will get sponsor to pay for production of game.
Would sell games at $20 per game.
Funding Request: $100 approved for cost of mailing.
Principal Update: Presenter: Nick Yaffe
Community Breakfast-January 12
Teachers and Staff are attending Diversity Workshops
Basketball to start in January
Financial Report: Presenter: Stephanie Burbine
Stephanie has created a Funding Request Form
Handed out Financial Report on PGG.
Math Games: Presenter: Alvero Burrell
January 28th
Ten Tables, Need help
Next Meeting, January 5, 2009, at 6:00
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Meeting minutes submitted by: Katie Schendel, PGG Secretary

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark’s Meadow Parent Guardian Group (PGG)
Purpose: Monthly Meeting
Date:Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Venue: North Village
Co-Chairs: Meg Rosa and Tracy Hightower
Secretary: Katie Schendel, Treasurer: Stephanie Burbine

In attendance: Tracy Hightower, Celine Dassatti Meg Rosa, Nick Yaffe, Katie Schendel, Stephanie Burbine, Ana Paranhos, Linda Gianesin, Shannon Borrell, Jean Kosha

Introductions: Round table introductions and greetings.

Brown Envelope Fun Raiser: Presenter: Celine Dassatti
Suggestions included: Putting large envelope in Office, Penny War, Have visual to measure progress, Try to track number of families (might be difficult to do). Start date in Early December. A Backpack reminder will be sent out in January. Ends by January 31st.

Recycling Update: Presenter: Tracy Hightower
Looking for leader to take on administration of efforts. Try to do four times per year.
Passive Fund Raiser Update: Presenter: Meg Rosa
33 sign-ups for Stop n Shop (Already earned $88.00)
Big Y has earned 36,400 Points
Target has earned $40.00
Don’t need to show card at Atkins, they have a generic at the checkout. This will change in January.

Amherst for Education Shopping Day: Presenter: Tracy Hightower
Tracy met with Wildwood Crocker Farm and Chamber of Commerce. Waiting to hear back from Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds would go to Amherst Education Foundation.

SGC Update: Presenter: Nick Yaffe
Looking at Safety Issues. Trying to get people to sign in when they enter the building. Conducted Safety walk with UMass Police. Safety Plan posted in every room. Drill in Place.

Principal Update: Presenter: Nick Yaffe
Community Breakfast-January 12
Rock n Read March 2nd
Multicultural Fair April or May
Title 1 Event (Maybe Math Night)
Math Plan: _ of Professional Development will be on Math.
Racism Workshop, 3 afternoons on “Undoing Racism”
Thanksgiving Feast Update: Presenter: Ana
45 Families have thus signed up
PGG will supply paper goods as much as $200
$150 to for approved for Art Supplies,

Other: Shannon Borrell handed over documentation on Espinoza Family Fundraising. Her efforts and help were noted.

Second Step Presentation: Linda Gianesin showed video on the basics of the Second Step Dispute Resolution Method that is being used at Marks Meadow. She would like to offer a series of Workshops for Parents. Discussed four or six weekly workshops in January.

Next Meeting, December 1, 2008, at 6:00
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Meeting minutes submitted by: Katie Schendel, PGG Secretary

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark’s Meadow Parent Guardian Group (PGG)
Purpose: Monthly Meeting
Date: Tuesday, October 6th, 2008
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Venue: Marks Meadow Library
Co-Chairs: Meg Rosa and Tracy Hightower
Secretary: Katie Schendel, Treasurer: Stephanie Burbine

In attendance: Ana Paranhos, T. Hightower, D. Kramer, Donna Stetson, M. Rosa, N. Yaffe, A. Melnick, K. Schendel, Stephanie Burbine, Celine Dassatti, Valerie Cooley

Introductions: Round table introductions and greetings
Passive Fundraiser: Presenter: Meg Rosa
♦ Looking for someone who will oversee passive fundraising efforts.
♦ Making sure all parents enrolled.
Other schools’ PTO’s Report: Presenter: Tracy Hightower.
♦ Tracy met with parents of PGGs at other schools; they discussed the possibility of an Amherst Education Day when a percentage of profits from area businesses go to schools.
Parent Information Room: Presenter: Tracy Hightower
♦ Now clean thanks to Christine Gray-Mullen, Meg Rosa
♦ Contains informaton of passive fund raising, camps and room activities.
Class Directory: Presenter: Tracy Hightower
♦ Approved printing of Directory and funds --$100
Financial Report: Presenter: S. Burbine
♦ Reimbursement to Tracy for stickers
♦ $500. for Espinoza Memorial Fund Approved
♦ Received check for Diversity Committee, must be used by February; Stephanie will come up with protocol for funding request for use of grant award.
Volunteerism: Open Conversation
♦ Looking for Volunteer Coordinator
♦ Celine will be 3rd Grade Room Parent.
♦ Raffle will be held to encourage parents to return volunteer form (those who return have opportunity to win raffle.)
Recycling update: Presenter: Tracy Hightower
♦ Not as many places taking certain cartridges. Tracy would like someone to take over.
Open conversation Annual Fundraiser:
♦ Brown Envelope needs to be earlier. (Who was interested in running this?)
♦ ACH forms may not be cost effective because of fee charged.
Thanksgiving Feast: Presenter: Ana Thomas
♦ November 14th. Need to have all contribute.
♦ Meg, Tracy, and Ana will meet to discuss.
Espinoza Family, how we can help: Presenter: A. Melnick
♦ Family has asked if dinners could be dropped off
♦ Dinners would be dropped at Timberlake/Kramer house 180 Summer
♦ One person would deliver.
♦ Discussed possibility of delivering groceries, Katie and Celine would shop.
Principal’s Report: Presenter: Nick Yaffe
♦ Second Step Workshops will be held at North Village, Wednesday, November 5th at 6:00 along with the PGG Meeting.

Meetings Set for First Monday of every month except November. ( see above), December 1, January 5, February 2, April 6, May 4, June 1,
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Meeting minutes submitted by: Katie Schendel, PGG Secretary

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mark’s Meadow Parent Guardian Group (PGG)
Purpose: Monthly Meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 16 2008
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Venue: Marks Meadow Library
Co-Chairs: Meg Rosa and Tracy Hightower
Secretary: Katie Schendel, Treasurer: Stephanie Burbine

In attendance: D. Timberlake, T. Hightower, D. Kramer, L. Luciano-Burnett, M. Rosa, N. Yaffe, A. Melnick, K. Schendel, Stephanie Burbine S. Borrell, D. Stetson, L.Gayle-Brissett, N. Brisett, I. Varhromeera, A. Melnick, A. Paranhos, L. Wilkerson, C. Baily, N. Yaffe

Introductions: Round table introductions and greetings
Financial Report : Presenter: S. Burbine
♦ Current balance in PGG account is $7838.36.
♦ Dan Kramer handed over PGG Bank Statements from previous year to S. Burbine. The previous account will be closed and Stephanie will be opening a new account with $7000. (Some checks have not been cashed and from old account, thus the necessity of keeping out $838.36. Stephanie will follow up with those who have not chased checks.)
Principal Report: Presenter Nick Yaffe
♦ 50 new students this year, 22 K, 28 spread out Grades 1-6
♦ Modular Building will be installed within two months.
♦ Parent Handbook revised over summer, now includes a piece on internet
♦ Curriculum Night on the 24th.
Funding Request: Presenter: T. Hightower
♦ Nick requested funding for Sixth Grade Trip to Morris Hill ($700-800). Two sixth grade classes this year. There is enough in NIck’s Gift account for the cost of one class. Funding approved, along with push for fund raising by Sixth Grade to support costs.
♦ Request funds for $85 dollars to pay for stickers from Copy Cat to put on Parent’s Credit/Debit cards. The sticker says “Remember Mark’s Meadow”. Approved
♦ Tracy requested the purchased of Quicken (upwards of $100 approved) for incoming Treasurer. Approved.
Curriculum Night: Presenter: T. Hightower
♦ Discussion of ways to encourage parents to sign up as volunteers for events during Curriculum night.
♦ Tables will be set up outside classrooms to solicit parent participation.
Superintendent Search Report: T. Hightower
♦ Open meetings being held; Looking for right fit.
SGC Nominations: T. Hightower
♦ Looking to fill positions of one parent and one community member for Committee. Taking nominations.
Fund Raising: M. Rosa
♦ Passive Fund Raising—Big Y, Stop n Shop, Atkins are just some of merchants who are participating.
♦ Discussion of Recycling, Brown Envelope, Volunteerism tabled until next meeting.
Blog Spot: Presenter: T. Hightower
♦ What is included:
Community Activities
MM News
Teachers’ Wish List
Not a discussion Blog
Goals for PGG: Presenter: T. Hightower
♦ Possible Events-Fall Festival, Carnival (Will continue discussion next meeting).
♦ Confirmed Events-Community Breakfast, Multicultural Fair, Rock n Read
Next Meeting:
Monday, October 6 2008 6:00 p.m. Mark's Meadow Library
Agenda Items will include:
♦ Discussion of Recycling, Brown Envelope, Volunteerism
♦ Possible Fall Festival or Carnival
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Meeting minutes submitted by: Katie Schendel, PGG Secretary

_________________________________________________

Fire Prevention Week Celebrate at Amherst Fire Station

Saturday October 13 from 10am until 3pm
Central Fire Station

Everyone is Invited

There will be fire safety displays; apparatus and equipment; Smokey
the Bear; fire prevention information; paramedic equipment; and
information from the Amherst Police, Senior Center, Cooley
Dickinson Hospital and UMASS Health & Safety Department.

Cider, coffee and donuts too.

All Around Mark’s Meadow:

The Principal’s View
The photo above shows an enthusiastic all-school wave to kick-off the new school year after our annual First Day parade. During the month of September we have established the tradition of having two assemblies that express fundamental values of our school. Our Welcome Assembly focused on the importance of welcoming and inviting everyone into our community. During the assembly we asked our students and staff to remember that we were all new once. Then the children shared what helped them feel comfortable at Mark’s Meadow during their own first weeks.
Our second assembly of September was devoted to the school’s Code of Conduct. Our Code of Conduct provides a framework that outlines the rights and responsibilities of being a student at Mark’s Meadow. During the assembly we emphasized the first principle in the Code of Conduct: 1) Everyone has the right to be treated with respect. The students shared their ideas about the meaning of treating others with respect. Giving children the opportunity to discuss their own viewpoints is an essential aspect of moral development and character education. We invited the children to join us in the goal of creating a school where every person can be him/herself and have his/her own interests at school without any fear of being teased. Throughout the year we will use ‘real-life’ situations in school as opportunities to learn and grow. As parents/guardians you can help us establish this respectful environment at school by discussing with your children the importance of appreciating differences and seeing the similarities that we all have in common. You can also join us in encouraging your children to speak up whenever they feel uncomfortable about the words or actions of others. Nick

Important Events in October
October 2 - Diversity Committee, 4 p.m.
October 3 – Curriculum Night, 6:15 – 8 p.m.
October 4 –School Governance Council, 3:30 pm
October 5 – Photo Day
October 8 – No School, Columbus Day
October 9 – Parent-Guardian Group, 6:30 pm,
all invited, childcare provided
October 16- School Committee, High School, 7pm

Wednesday, October 3rd, from 6:15-8:00 pm We invite all families to our annual Curriculum Night। It is a night for you to meet your child’s teachers, visit the school, and hear about the scope and sequence of the curriculum. You will also have the opportunity to set a date for your fall parent-teacher conference. During the conferences you will be able to talk to your child’s classroom teacher in more depth and set goals together for the upcoming year. A detailed schedule will be sent home soon.

Parking Alert for School Events!
Please use the meters (they are free after 5p.m.) or UMass parking lots (66 or 44) on the side or behind the school for parking. Do not park alongside the driveways leading up to the school or next to the curb in front of the school.

Setting goals with your children
The start of school is an opportune time for parents/guardians, children and teachers to talk about their hopes and dreams for the upcoming year together। Many classrooms have set aside time for the children to reflect on their goals for themselves at school. When asked, what do your children say to you about this topic? You might also want to discuss a few goals that you have for them. Try to be as specific as you can. Then you could share the content of these conversations with your child’s teacher during your Fall Conference.

Thank-yous!
- Thank-you to all of our families for making the effort to ensure that your children arrive to school on time. We have had a record low number of late arrivals for the month of September!

- Thank-you to Ilene Lacey, our Intervention Paraprofessional, for taking all of the library ‘backjacks’ home over the summer for mending. She sewed the ripped seams by hand so expertly that they should last another five years.

- Thank-you to the River Shark Café for providing a generous discount to the Mark’s Meadow staff on their catered Welcome Back lunch on the day before the first day of school.

- Thank-you to Lynne Weintraub, Crystal Ives and all of the people who helped with our Welcome Back Potluck. Thank-you to our PGG for providing the drinks, desserts, plates and utensils.

A Few Reminders:
Absent Line
Please call the special school number, 362-1301, before 8:30 AM if your child will be absent.

Electronic Toys, any kind of collecting cards, IPODS, CD players, and cell phones
Game boys, CD players, IPODS, other electronic devices and collecting cards are not allowed in school (or in the after school program). They have the power to distract children even if they are in backpacks. They also can get lost during the course of the school day. If they come to an adult’s attention he/she will confiscate the item and it will remain in the office until picked up by the parent. Cell phones represent the same risk and distraction. However, if you feel that your child needs to have a cell phone to contact you after school hours please send a note giving him/her permission.

‘Heelies’
Shoes with wheels represent a safety risk at school. If children own these shoes they must take the wheels out when they worn in school.

Saving Makes Cents!
The Saving Makes Cents program at Mark's Meadow will resume in October. Information and enrollment materials will be sent home with children in grades 1-6 in the next couple of weeks. Children who have previously participated in the program will not need to enroll again.
If you have any questions, please contact Jackie Churchill at 549-1786 or via email at ajchurch1@verizon।net.


Dear Mark’s Meadow Families,

Here at Mark’s Meadow, there are numerous staff that suffer from fragrant/chemical induced odors. These reactions can cause a multitude of symptoms including severe migraines, respiratory difficulty, asthma episodes, vomiting, red itchy eye, etc. These reactions are serious to the sufferer. Some reactions constitute very strong prescription drugs in order to control or stop the symptoms. It may take the sufferer hours or in some cases days to recover, only to be susceptible to another exposure in the building.

Often we are misled and believe the culprit must be an offensive odor. A reaction can be triggered from exposure to the softest scent or to a combination of multiple scents. Each individual responds differently. What we do know is that the reactive person can become very ill.

We don’t realize the multitude of perfumes, colognes, lotions and hair products that come into the building any given day from our staff and our visitors. Please join us in an effort to keep our school environment symptom free.

Thank you,
Nick



HEARING SCREENING

The UMass Audiology Department will be at Mark’s Meadow on Monday, October 29, 2007 to do the annual hearing screening for all students. If you have any questions, you may call Bonnie in the Health Room – 362-1314.



APPLE HARVEST CRAFTS FAIR & CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

The Apple Harvest Crafts Fair and Children’s Festival will be on Saturday, September 29th on the Town Common, 10:00am – 5:00pm. The Festival raises money for the Amherst Family Center. This year we will also have guest artisans from Katrina ravaged, Bay St Louis, Mississippi. The Children’s Festival will include our homemade games, crafts, a jumpy castle, pony rides, a petting zoo and hayrides (in the afternoon)!!!