September 28, 2018
PWS Families,
Last week we shared with you the topics that were covered during the principals' portion of Open House. Many of you asked for a bit more detail about the topics, so here is a short description of each section:
Morning Meeting and Responsive Classroom- During this portion we demonstrated the components of Morning Meeting, which takes place in every classroom. Greeting, Activity, Share, and Morning Message were the components demonstrated.
The District Attendance policy- The District Attendance Policy was clarified to explain that up to 10 absences are excused for any reason. After 10 the only absences that are “excused” are for medical reasons or bereavement. Medical reasons need to be documented by a medical professional. Once a student reaches 15 absences parents will be notified and a meeting may be called. The reasoning behind this policy in based on how attendance issues can sometimes grow into larger issues as a student progresses through the school district.
Homework Expectations- It was clarified that Peter Woodbury School is NOT a no homework school. However, homework comes in many forms. Teachers may assign actual pages to work on, worksheets, or homework may look as simple as working on math facts and quietly reading. The teachers use their discretion when assigning homework but they follow the district guidelines of 10 minutes per grade level.
Administration Communication with Parents- The administration sends out a weekly blog at 5:00 pm on Friday. This is where the bulk of communication will come from. In rare instances, we may utilize the Power School Messenger, but we try to limit this as to not overburden your inbox and therefore take away the importance of our notifications.
Building Independence in Students- Parents were shown this video and then we had a discussion about building independence with the students. We do what we can here at school but also respect the rights of parents. A simple example that was used was when a child forgets their homework. As a parent, you may choose to let them learn the consequences of this, or you may choose to bring it in to school for them. As a school, we will ask that you leave it at the office as opposed to bringing it down to them. Therefore they learn the responsibility of at least having to come to the office to get it. In the end, we do not want to create students who are “stuck on an escalator.”
If you attended this session and haven't had a chance yet, we ask that you take a moment to fill out this Feedback Form, so we may plan for the future.
Thank you to our amazing PTG Volunteers for coordinating today's Room Parent Luncheon. The conversations were informative and the food was delicious.
Tuesday is picture day. We look forward to seeing all the smiling faces on Tuesday.
Have a Great Fall Weekend,
Cheryl Daley (Principal)
Dan Mitchell (Assistant Principal)
Upcoming Dates to Remember
| Tues., Oct. 2 | Picture Day |
| Mon., Oct. 8 | No School - Columbus Day |
| Sun., Oct. 14 | Schoolyard Clean up Day |
News from PWS
Grade 4 Art Club
It's time to sign up for Art Club!
Art Club offers extra creative time for fourth graders after school. Students may be involved in contests or community projects.Art Club will be held Thursday afternoons. Pick up time is 3:30 p.m.
Art Club Session 1 runs October 11- December 13.
Session 2 runs February 7 - April 11.
Click to access sign up forms:
Session 1
Session 2
Sign up will be on a first come, first served basis. Deadline is 10/8 for session 1. Students may only sign up for one session at this time to allow for more students to participate.
Deadline for session 2 is 1/4. If spots are open for session 2, sign up for session 2 will re-open to session 1 students whose parent made a request to me via email before the 1/4 deadline in January.
Garden Club News
Garden Club is working hard after school on Fridays to harvest the garden and tidy up the school yard. We will need adult assistance on Sunday, October 14 between 9:00am and 3:00pm. Please join us for our School Yard Spruce Up!! We will need help with painting and deconstructing the gardens so we can begin anew this spring. Pick a shift and let us know you are coming by completing this form. If you have questions, please contact Mindy Beltramo, beltramom@sau25.net
Many hands make light work!
Mrs. Gibbons and the kitchen staff prepared some delicious breakfast potatoes to accompany the french toast at hot lunch today. These potatoes were grown in the PWS garden and harvested just last week by the garden club. The produce growing season is done for this year and we would like to give a special thank you to Mrs. Gibbons for all of her delicious recipes that incorporate fresh and healthy ingredients grown here at school. Garden Club is busy making our school yard a beautiful and delicious space to learn and grow! We look forward to more yummy recipes in the spring.
1st and 2nd Grade Fire Department Visits
On Friday, October 5, the Bedford Fire Department will be coming to PWS to do a developmentally appropriate demonstration for the first and second graders. The firefighters make the experience engaging and interactive. Students will have an opportunity to sit inside the trailer to hear about home fire safety and prevention. As part of the demonstration, students crawl from a room with “pretend” smoke right to the friendly firefighters.
From the PTG
ONLINE VOLUNTEER FORM:
Would you like to be informed of volunteer opportunities at PWS as well as with the Bedford PTG? Please fill out the online Volunteer Form located HERE and you will be notified of the many wonderful opportunities to support school and district-level events. Please note that a new form must be filled out each year and a form must be filled out in order to volunteer within our schools.
COFFEE AND CONVERSATION with Interim Superintendent Mike Fournier: Hosted by the PTG, Interim Superintendent Mike Fournier invites you to “Coffee and Conversation”, Thursday, October 11th, 9:30am at BCTV (10 Meetinghouse Road)…LIMITED SEATING-RSVP REQUIRED.
This will be a small, informal gathering to discuss Bedford School District happenings.
In order to be more interactive and personal, seating is limited so you must RSVP here… Coffee And Conversation if you wish to attend.
This will be a discussion based gathering, so questions and comments will be encouraged.
Additional get-togethers with Mr. Fournier will take place throughout the school year if you are unable to attend or seats are no longer available.
MEADOW FARMS GIFTS, WRAP AND MORE: Looking for quality gift wrap, everyday gifts, tote bags, and gourmet mixes? Our popular Gifts, Wrap & More fundraiser starts Friday 9/28! Brochures, with ordering details, should have come home with elementary students this week.
Families, students, and staff at McKelvie, RAL and BHS will be able to order online via this link McK-RAL-BHS Order LinkAll orders are due by Friday 10/12 and product will ship direct to you. 40% of sales goes back to our schools.
NEW FAMILY WELCOME: If you recently moved to Bedford or are sending your first child to a Bedford School, you’re welcome to attend Bedford School District’s New Family Welcome hosted by the Bedford PTG on October 4th, from 9:30-10:30 am or 6:30-7:30 pm, at the Bedford Public Library.
Representatives from each school will be available to answer questions, provide school and town information, share opportunities on how you can be involved, and welcome you into our community.
Please RSVP to psvdm617@gmail.com and specify if you will attend the morning or evening session.
NEW DISTRICT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: PTG is seeking a District Event Coordinator. This person will work with all 6 schools to organize how PTG will solicit support from local merchants for district wide events. This role is designed to help create and build strong working relationships with our local merchants and schools. ContactbedfordNHPTG@gmail.com if interested or for more info.
MANCHESTER MONARCHS OPENING NIGHT: Join the PTG and McKelvie Chorus for Opening Night at the Monarchs…Friday, October 19th 7pm. Click HERE to order tickets. Enjoy a fun, family night out and support McKelvie Chorus as they sing the National Anthem!
From the Community
Crotched Mountain Ski Program
Join old friends and new ones at Crotched Mountain for some after-school skiing this winter! Sign up by November 15 and your student will hit the slopes on five Fridays after the New Year for just $129 – and they’ll also get a Peak Pass on February 19 which will get them out at seven more mountains for no additional cost for the rest of the season! Email Loren Foxx at lofoxx@gmail.com or visit bedfordski.com for more details.
Bedford Education Foundation (BEF) Annual Fall Fundraiser
Buy Your Tickets Now
Saturday, October 20, 2018, 7 PM @ Noah's Event Center in Bedford
This event features the RAL Jazz Band!
Tickets are limited and sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Event will include a variety of live auction items! As we lead up to the event, we will be adding some exciting items to our online auction as well! Currently, we are auctioning a BHS Parking Spot! Check back often to find out about more items!
Find more information about the Bedford Education Foundation on our website, or follow us on Facebook. If you have questions or would like to get involved, please email info@befnh.org.
Repeated News & Messages
Hannaford Helps Program
Once again you have the opportunity to help our school by simply buying your groceries. The Hannaford Helps program will donate a portion of sales back to our school. All you have to do is shop at either of the Bedford Hannaford locations, and insert your Hannaford Helps Slip into the tower. A flyer is available at school with more information on how you can participate along with a list of eligible products or you can visit http://www.hannaford.com/helpsschools
School Yard Spruce Up
Our Daly Garden and school yard are in need of an update. The beds will be reconfigured in the spring in honor of our anniversary, the cottage needs to be painted, loam needs to be moved, shrubs planted, and other projects. If you have a tractor or BobCat that could assist in the heavy lifting and movement of loam it would be appreciated. Please plan to join us Sunday, October 14 for a day of community!
The school yard was created through private funding and grants, and the wonderful collaboration of teachers, parents, and community members. It is the only School Yard of its kind in New England. We look forward to your help in sustaining it. Watch for more information regarding times.
Please contact Mrs. Beltramo (beltramom@sau25.net) if can help with equipment or if you have any questions.
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