Friday, November 22, 2013

Dear Parents,

We have had some exciting events going on at PWS this week.  Today, the Kindergarten students had their traditional Thanksgiving Feast.  Two of the many highlights were how one student thought carrots were cheese puffs, while another student said to us that he did not think he was going to eat lunch because of all that he had eaten at the feast.  In first grade, some classes had colonial days.  Some of the centers consisted of students weaving, making butter, cross stitch, corn husk dolls and making lanterns.  The students were so excited and wished they could have Colonial Days everyday.  Other classrooms expressed the celebration of Thanksgiving in other ways.

The Peter Woodbury mission:
We are community of that inspires and develops, engaged successful learners every chance, every day.

This week we met with each grade level to discuss our mission statement and the three important words out of the mission we decided to focus on Community, Inspiration and Engagement. 
During this meeting we had pictures to represent each one of the words.  Students at Kindergarten and grade one were interesting because these are big words for them.  As the students got older they gave us answers like, "A community is a group of people that helps each other."  "Inspiration means when you are excited to do something new." "Engagement is when you get married."  We explained that there are different meanings to engagement.  Another student said, "Engagement is when you are really focused on something."  This was a great way to end our week.

We would like to let you know that we have a nursing student named James Ndirangu who is from Kenya.  We have learned so much from him and are excited to have him talk about his childhood to our fourth graders.  Please tell your students to say hello to James and welcome him. 

Last call for Ski and Skate Sale
Saturday, November 23rd
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
 Save time this year using our new online system to price and print scannable tags for your consignment merchandise conveniently from home.
Visit www.bedfordptg.org to access our online system and get your gear tagged and ready for the sale.
Drop Off items to sell before the sale Friday, November 22nd.
For More Details:  www.bedfordptg.org

The PTG is looking for volunteers to take part in a focus group to discuss the school board's goal "to improve and expand options for high-achieving learners."  The district wants to ensure that it provides all students the opportunity for typical or better growth.  The purpose of the focus group is to listen to the range of experiences and ideas among parents, to gather feedback on current practices, to accelerate and expand student learning, and to incorporate that feedback into a report for the school board.

The PWS meeting is scheduled for December 18th from 8:00 am-9:00 am.  Please RSVP Brenda Clark-Price at clarkprice@comcast.net.  We will include in this meeting the first 10-12 parents who respond. 

We want to wish you a a Happy Hannukah and a Happy Thanksgiving!

Cheryl Daley            Dan Mitchell
Principal                  Assistant Principal

Friday, November 15, 2013

Hello PWS Families,

We had an exciting day on Thursday morning when one of our second graders, Emily Lyon, was dropped off by a fire truck at school.  Emily won a coloring contest at the Fire Prevention Open House.  The second graders in her class along with teacher Mrs. Nunnally came out to meet her and got to walk through the fire truck.  

It has been great seeing so many parents and families come in for parent teacher conferences. If you haven't had yours yet, we look forward to seeing you in the next few weeks.

Now, a brief note from Mrs. Beltramo:

We want to thank all of you for the donations for the Veterans.  It is wonderful to see such support for our Armed Service men and women.  From the beautiful cards to the much appreciated products and monetary donations, it is so humbling to be part of such a generous community.

Please read about the BHS/PWS collaborative project that happened in October between the BHS World Religions class and Mrs. Correia's 4th graders:

• BHS students rewrote a Jataka tale so younger students would understand it
• PWS students visited BHS - learned about Jataka tales and acted out the stories in the theater (also got tour of the school)
• PWS created images for each scene of the stories with iPads
• BHS students visited PWS - created an ebook together (also got a tour of the school)
• **NEW this year** Fourth grade assembly so that all 4th graders could learn about experience and watch one of the Jataka tales
• BHS and PWS students reflected on the experience in a Google Doc
• eBooks published to iTunes for people to download for FREE

Check out the related blog:  linkyy.com/bhspws (here you will have access to download ebooks if you wish from iTunes, as well as read responses from students on their experience.  There is also a slideshow of pictures documenting the experience.) On behalf of all teachers involved, thanks again for giving both schools an opportunity to participate in this experience.

Please read below about the upcoming High School play.

Celebrating the always wonderful message about the importance of being yourself, Bedford High School’s performance of Legally Blonde is enormously entertaining and fun.  Embracing everything from jumping ropes to spoofing Riverdance, Legally Blonde takes cliche expectations and merrily dances all over them.  Its showcasing of stereotypes in an attempt to shatter them is utterly enjoyable, but there is a fair amount of mature innuendo intended for older audiences and the show is rated PG.  Best described as perky, energetic and bright, with a pop score and dance numbers that will leave you feeling exhausted on the kids’ behalf, the show is an absolute hoot.

To snag the best seats for Legally Blonde, you can purchase tickets online at www.seatyourself.biz/bedfordhigh and are always welcome to purchase them at the door forty minutes before a show.  The show is on Thursday, November 14th; Friday, November 15th; Saturday, November 16th at 7pm and Sunday, November 17th at 2pm.  It is also playing on Friday, November 22nd and Saturday, November 23rd at 7pm.  Hope to see you there!

Please see below about a project by a BHS student.

Gather Up ALL your retired sports equipment! 

Project PLAY will be at the Bedford Ski and Skate Sale on Saturday and at drop off on Friday collecting ALL the sports equipment that has been taking up space in your garage and basement. Bring in cleats, gloves, balls, shin guards, bats, helmets, dance shoes, you name it!  All donations will go directly to kids in inner city Manchester. Project PLAY is a non profit founded by Bedford's HOBY Leadership Ambassador Courtney Pederson and 2 other HOBY Alum. Project PLAY is committed to Promoting the Lives of Active Youth. Please visit their website  http://projectplaynh.wix.com/projectplaynh or find them on Facebook by searching Project PLAY NH for details. E-mails never go unanswered! projectplaynh@gmail.com

Have a great weekend,

Cheryl Daley             Dan Mitchell
Principal                    Assistant Principal

Friday, Novemeber 8, 2013

Hello,

PWS students and staff have been enjoying the outside during the beautiful fall weather.  Please come by and enjoy our school yard whenever you get a chance.  There is so much for the students to explore.  During morning recess we observed students running and following the path of birds flying to the south for the winter.

Superintendent Tim Mayes had the state of the district presentation today.  He shared highlights from each of the schools.  I am sure you will not be surprised to hear he highlighted our Halloween parade.  There is a fun picture on the website representing this event.  

We want to let you know about the upcoming Bedford High School Play Legally Blonde. To snag the best seats for Legally Blonde, you can purchase tickets online at www.seatyourself.biz/bedfordhigh and are always welcome to purchase them at the door the night of a show.  The show is on Thursday, November 14th; Friday, November 15th; Saturday, November 16th at 7pm and Sunday, November 17th at 2pm.  It is also playing on Friday, November 22nd and Saturday, November 23rd at 7pm.  

The notices that went home last week stated the retake picture day was Thursday, November 5th. We had the right date but wrong day. We have rescheduled another picture retake day because of this mistake. The retake picture day will be Monday, November 18th. If you missed Nov. 5th and want your child's picture retaken please send the original pictures on this date. Thanks. 

If you ordered Frozen food in the Gift Wrap Fundraiser, Pick Up will be Nov. 14th from 2:00 pm-6:00 pm on Nov. 15th from 7:30 am-11:00 am at McKelvie. Please make arrangements to pick up during those times. Items can only be stored for that period of time.

Bedford PTG Ski & Skate Event – Saturday, November 23^rd

The annual Ski & Skate sale is quickly approaching.  This sale is the PTG's biggest fundraiser. Proceeds are used to provide a variety of wonderful programs in our schools.  Please consider supporting this important event in any way that you can by SELLING EQUIPMENT, PURCHASING EQUIPMENT, DONATING, OR VOLUNTEERING!

  Click here for more information about volunteering.
  Click here for more information about making a donation to the Super Raffle - prizes are needed. Don't wait!  We need your donation by Monday, November 18^th!

Mrs. Beltramo has created a hallway wall of all the Veterans in our families.  It has been touching to watch the students stop to look at all the pictures of our relatives.  A reporter from the Bedford Bulletin came yesterday to check it out.  In addition, Mrs. Beltramo is assisting the MooreMart project to support our troops by collecting items for the holiday care packages.  Items needed include: supportive letters and cards, drink mixes (individual size packages), Ramen Noodles (packaged), Power Bars, Hot Chocolate Mix (individual size packages), Oatmeal (individual size packages).  There is a bin by the Veteran Wall to collect these items.  All donated items are due by November 13th.

Happy Veterans Day!

Cheryl Daley               Dan Mitchell
Principal                     Assistant Principal

Friday, November 1, 2013

Hello PWS Families,

We had a great Halloween parade yesterday!  We had a variety of costumes including: Ninja turtles, princesses, football players, minions, Elvis, jockeys, Cindy Lou Hoo and many others.  We were Ketchup and Mustard and were lucky enough to get pictures with the hot dog and french fries.  We had Halloween music playing outside during the parade thanks to Mrs. Cassamassino.  Thanks for the many families that came to join us for the festivities.

We want to remind you all of the ski and skate sale.  Please see below.
 
Bedford PTG Ski & Skate Event – Saturday, November 23^rd

The annual Ski & Skate sale is quickly approaching.  This sale is the PTG's biggest fundraiser. Proceeds are used to provide a variety of wonderful programs in our schools.  Please consider supporting this important event in any way that you can by SELLING EQUIPMENT, PURCHASING EQUIPMENT, DONATING, OR VOLUNTEERING!

  Click here for more information about volunteering.
  Click here for more information about making a donation to the Super Raffle - prizes are needed. Don't wait!  We need your donation by Monday, November 18^th!


If you are interested in purchasing PWS Gear, the deadline for Hanukkah gifts is 11/14 and the deadline for Christmas gifts is 12/10.  The website is http://www.pwswearandgear.com.

Mrs. Vitagliano has started her new secretary position at RBS.  We are excited to announce that Phyllis Marshall will be working with Mrs. Beecher as the new Kindergarten paraprofessional.  She is like one of the PWS family already.  Three of her children have gone through PWS and she was a volunteer throughout those years.  Mrs. Marshall has substituted for the past three years and is familiar with the staff and students.  We welcome her into this new position.

We hope you all have a restful weekend,

Mrs. Daley                     Mr. Mitchell
Principal                        Assistant Principal