Friday, June 13, 2014

Hello PWS Families,

Did your children tell you yet?  Mr. Mitchell shaved his beard today.  It happened this afternoon at our All School Meeting and the students loved it! The Bedford Public Library came to visit as well to tell us about their Summer Programs.  Please remember to read always!

This week the fourth graders continued the tradition of going to the Flume.  The rain held off and everyone returned with smiles.  It was a successful trip!  In addition, McKelvie administration and guidance counselors came over to answer questions the fourth graders might have about McKelvie.  The fourth graders at PWS are ready for the new adventures that lie ahead!

We got to see our Kindergarteners practice for their recognition day at an All School Meeting this week.  They all had smiles and shared some patriotic and Kindergarten songs with the school.  They are ready for the "real thing" next week. It was endearing to look into the audience at the All School Meeting and watch the previous Kindergarten students mouthing the words.

We are getting to the end of the year and have a couple important reminders.

• Field day is this Monday.  Please remember to have your child dress in their class color.
• Kindergarten Recognition is on June 18th at 9:00 a.m.  If students are in K-Plus they can stay after recognition until dismissal at 2:20 p.m.  The last day of school is June 19th and dismissal is at 12:20. 

Please read this important message from the school nurse.

PTG Survey

Last week the Bedford PTG sent out a 5 question survey.  If you have not had the opportunity to participate, click here.  They would LOVE your feedback.

Please see the pictures below!

                         Mr. Mitchell Before                              

                                                               Mr. Mitchell During

                   

                                                                 Mr. Mitchell After

Have a great weekend,

Cheryl Daley          Dan Mitchell
Principal                 Assistant Principal

Friday, June 6, 2014

Dear PWS Families,

Happy June!  Students are enjoying the end of the school year and getting ready for summer vacation! The energy in the school is amazing!

Egg Drop
The fourth grade Egg Drop was yesterday.  Mr. Mitchell elimated many eggs with his viscous golf swing.  The winner of this was Meghan Hall!

Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast

Today we had the volunteer appreciation breakfast.  A special thank you to all the volunteers that give there time to make PWS such a special community.  A special thank you to Sue Jennato and Missy Pettigrew for being great volunteer coordinators!

5th Grade Parent Volunteer Opportunity

Do you have the skills of a project manager or terrific at organizing information?  If so, McKelvie is looking for parent volunteer(s) to coordinate our school directory for the 14/15 school year.  If you're interested, but want to learn more, please contact Dawne Altemus at daltemus@comcast.net or Vivien Lin at vwlawlin@myfairpoint.net.

Please Help Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is doing a food drive for the Animal Rescue Leauge.  They are looking for food donations for cats and dogs.  Other supplies that are needed; disposable gloves, cat/dog toys, beds, bowls and blankets. Girls of the Run is hoping to reach 110 items because it is there 110th birthday.  There will be a bin in the PWS front lobby unit June 13, 2014.

 
Summer Weed Water Club
Please read the link below about an opportunity to help out with keeping our gardens healthy and sharing produce with the CareGivers Association. 
Weed Water Club

McKelvie Band Night Information

Thank you for attending the Band Information Night on Thursday. If you were unable to attend, please click here for an overview. Please sign up for the 5th Grade Band program using this link. We look forward to having your child in the band program next year. As a reminder, instrument choices are flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone and percussion (snare pad and bell kit). Please email Mrs. Wickham at wickhamc@sau25.net with any questions. Please click on the link below for addition information.

5th Grade McKelvie Band

Important Upcoming Dates
June 12th-Field Day 9:00-11:00 Grade 3/4 12:00-2:00 Grades 1/2
June 17th-4th Grade Cookout-12:30 PM
June 18th-Kindergarten Recognition Day-9:00 AM
June 19th-Last Day of School-4th Grade Clap Out-8:45 AM  

Have a great weekend!  Enjoy the sunshine!

Cheryl Daley                 Dan Mitchell
Principal                        Assistant Principal 

Friday, May 30, 2014

Hello PWS Families,

Student stories of the week....
One Kindergartener came to the office to get a bus note signed and said, "Ms. Levesque said I am awesome!"  Mr. Mitchell and I received letters from third graders this week. One stated that she "knows Mrs. Curran because she was her ballet teacher when she was little and also she is her dentist." Who knew she was so multi-talented.  One first grade classroom is working on impulse control.  When the child was reading a Garfield comic he commented on the fact that Garfield was using impulse control by holding his arm to not eat the cheesecake. 

Fourth Grade Chorus
Congratulations to all the fourth graders chorus participants.  As always their performances were amazing.  A special thank you to Mrs. Curran for all the hard work and bring out the talent out in the students.

Student Workbooks

As the end of the school year approaches many parents begin to ask, "What can I do to keep my child's skills sharp over the summer?"  We are once again offering a resource to help practice skills learned this year. Tri-C Publications publishes workbooks called Summer Skill Sharpeners for grades K-8, in mathematics and language arts.  These workbooks are good, quick ways to review what was learned throughout the school year. Since these books are meant to reinforce skills learned during the school year, it is recommended that your child's current grade level be ordered. 

If you wish to order any of these workbooks please click here to complete the order form. Then, send in a check made out to Peter Woodbury School.  Each book costs $17.  All orders and money are due by Wednesday, June 4th.

If you'd like more information about the books, you can visit Tri-C Publications' website at www.summerskills.com.

Junk in the Trunk Sale

This Sunday from 10:00-2:00 at BHS lower parking lot Mrs. Armstrong's first grade and Mr. Pepper's Leadership Class at BHS are teaming up to assist with this community service project. The Junk in the Trunk sale offers you the opportunity to find cheap treasures out of the trunks of participants' cars.  The event will raise money for The Liberty House, which helps homeless Veterans in Manchester.    Please come join us.  You never know what you might find. 

Camp Invention Summer Opportunity 

We’re lucky enough to be hosting Camp Invention again at McKelvie Intermediate School in Bedford, NH from 7/7/14 to 7/11/14. This program is available to all current kindergartners through 5th graders. This summer’s all-new program, “Morphed”, combines the creation of an insect-themed pinball machine with challenges from renowned National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees and so much more. We promise it’ll be great! Go here to see a video of students from last summer’s pilot “Morphed!” camp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twZim-V4AjA

Sign up at www.campinvention.org. Thanks for being a part of something BIG by investing in your child’s future and believing in the power of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)!

Register Your Future Innovator TODAY!

Wishing you all a wonderful warm weekend,

Cheryl Daley              Dan Mitchell

Principal                     Assistant Principal

Friday, May 23, 2014

Happy Memorial Day,

Student Story of the Week
A first grade student was talking to his teacher about how he going to after school everyday this week.  Then he paused looked up at her and said, "Do they have after school in high school and college?"  

We hope you all have a wonderful long weekend with your family.  PWS students and staff are continuing to be active learners as we move into the month of June.  At the workshop day on Friday teachers reviewed current progress of their students and participated in professional dialogue about best practices to continue moving student learning.  The school seemed quiet without all the little voices and the pitter patter of kids feet.  We look forward to their return on Tuesday.

Diversity Day 
We had a fourth grade Diversity Day this week where parents, with a variety of ethnic backgrounds, came in to talk about traditions, clothing and food from their respective countries.  Each fourth grade class participated in five rotations with each student having a passport to be stamped at the end.  The end of the day activity was students listening to stories about the different countries. 

NWEA Testing
Second through fourth grade students have been participating in NWEA testing this month.  Students take this adaptive test in Math and Reading.  Please help us by making sure your child has a healthy breakfast and gets plenty of sleep. 

SLIME
Don't forget Mrs. Daley is being slimed next week, May 29th, at the All School Meeting.  The fourth grade chorus will first perform for the school then let the SLIMING begin!  All are welcome to attend.

Oh do not worry Mr. Mitchell has his chance to be part of the fun as well.  He is getting his beard shaved on June 13th at the end of the All School Meeting.  All are welcome to attend this as well.

Help Needed: Homework Club
Homework Club is an opportunity for 3rd and 4th graders to complete their homework in a quiet atmosphere.  It is two days a week for 45 minutes (2:30-3:15).  We encourage students to complete homework independently but adults are needed to supervise.  The number of students that attend is typically 15-20. Two adults work well running this club.

Help Needed: Garden Club
There are three, 4-5 week, Garden Club sessions (one Fall and two Spring) which run one day a week from 2:30-4:00.  We would need the help for a minimum of 12 weeks with 25 students each session.  There is flexibility with the day that is chosen.  There would be direction on what to do with the students during this time.  If you have ever enjoyed the experience and excitement of a child finding a bug outside then this job is for you.

PWS End of Year Happenings
May 28th-Spring Concert 7:00 PM
June 6th-Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast-9:00 AM
June 12th-Field Day 9:00-11:00 Grade 3/4 12:00-2:00 Grades 1/2
June 17th-4th Grade Cookout-12:30 PM
June 18th-Kindergarten Recognition Day-9:00 AM
June 19th-4th Grade Clap Out-8:45 AM

Wishing you all a sunny, relaxing, fun weekend!

Cheryl Daley             Dan Mitchell
Principal                    Assistant Principal

Friday, May 16, 2014

Hello PWS Families,

Happy May!  The student story of the week.  The question of the week is, "Is there a number beyond infinity?"  When talking to Kindergarten students during snack there were many great answers.  A couple examples are.  A boy stated, "Yes, there is an infinity plus 1."  Another answer was, "Yes, infinity and beyond."

The fourth graders are getting excited about their new adventures they will have at McKevlie.  Please see the information below about Parent Night for upcoming 5th graders.

Parent Information Night
For Next Year’s Grade 5 Students May 21, 2014
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. McKelvie School Cafeteria 

Parent Information Night is for parents of students who will be transitioning to McKelvie Intermediate School from Peter Woodbury, Riddle Brook, and Memorial schools.  The evening is designed to provide parents with a general overview of McKelvie Intermediate School. The presentation will include:

• A Day In the Life of a 5th grader
• What is a “pod”?
  
• Frequently Asked Questions
  
• Meeting the 5th grade team
  
• A tour of the facility
  
  Prior to attending this meeting, please take a moment and visit the McKelvie Intermediate School web site at www.sau25.net.  Here you will find our Student Handbook that contains information that may be helpful for you and your child as you prepare for the transition from elementary to intermediate school.
  
  For parents/guardians of students who will participate in SUCCESS, who have a 504 plan, or have an Individual Education Plan (IEP), we are offering a time to meet with staff prior to the general presentation. These sessions will provide information about these specific programs. The sessions will begin at 6:00 p.m. and finish by 6:30 p.m. when the general presentation will begin.
  
  Dates To Remember:
  June 4th @ 6pm – Health Night “Growing Up For Boys/Girls” (Letter from Health Teacher to Follow)
  June 5th – Band Rental Night (McKelvie Cafe – 6:00pm – Letter to Follow)
  Tuesday, September 9, 2014 – 5th Grade Parent Night by Pod (Tentative – Confirmation to be sent home via post card in August)
  

Learn to Play Tennis – BHS Senior Project
As part of his senior project, Jon Greiner, a BHS senior, is teaching elementary school children (grades 1-4) how to play tennis on May 17^th at the Legacy courts.  For more information, please see the flyer below.Tennis Flyer
 

 School Supply Drive

Girl Scout Troop 13973 is collecting school supplies for families of the Moore Center
in Manchester. The Moore Center serves people with intellectual, developmental and personal challenges by creating opportunities for a good life.

 Suggestions include:

Backpacks                             Lunch Boxes                          Notebooks

Pencils                                   Crayons                                 Markers

Glue sticks                             Rulers                                    Scissors

Pencil Boxes                          Erasers                                  Folders

 We are also collecting loose change to help purchase supplies. A donation box is located in the hallway of your school. Donations are needed by June 13.
 

 Thanks for your support!

Samantha Avampato, Grace Crowder, Raquel DeLeo, Sydney Grogan, Allison Kissner, Clara Lewandowski, Sophia Macdonald, Emma Malayandy, Susan Munley, Bella Phillips, Maya Vigil, Kaitlyn Wallace and Abby Weidner. 

Volunteer Opportunities
We are excited to announce a couple opportunities for parents to get involved with our school community.  Both of these opportunities offer a small stipened.

Homework Club
This happens two days a week for 45 minutes (2:30-3:15).  This club is an opportunity  for 3rd and 4th graders to complete their homework in a quiet atmosphere.  We encourage students to complete homework independently but adults are there are needed.  The number of students that attend is typically 15-20. Two adults work well running this club.

Garden Club
Garden Club runs one day a week from 2:30-4:00.  There are three sessions.  One in the Fall for 4-5 weeks and two in the Spring for 4-5 weeks.  It is for a minimum total of 12 weeks with 25 students each session.  There is flexibility with the day that is chosen.  There would be direction on what to do with the students during this time.  If you have ever enjoyed the experience and excitement of a child finding a bug outside then this job is for you.

PWS End of Year Happenings
May 19th-4h Grade Diversity Day
May 28th-Spring Concert 7:00 PM
June 6th-Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast-9:00 AM
June 12th-Field Day 9:00-11:00 Grade 3/4 12:00-2:00 Grades 1/2
June 17th-4th Grade Cookout-12:30 PM
June 18th-Kindergarten Recognition Day-9:00 AM
June 19th-4th Grade Clap Out-8:45 AM

Have a great weekend,

Cheryl Daley            Dan Mitchell
Principal                  Assistant Principal

Friday, May 9, 2014

Hello PWS Families,

Grandparents Day
Well, that's a wrap! Grandparents Day 2014 was a great success! Everyone did a fabulous job and I know our guests really enjoyed themselves. We appreciate the time the volunteers took to help make this so successful. 

If you are aware of anything that could be improved upon, please email me (Corinna) at Doughty22@yahoo.com. I'm curious to know whether the grandparents liked the new breakfast format as opposed to lunch in previous years. We'll be putting together a document that will help next year's coordinators. The coordinator spots are open for 2015 so please let Sue Jennato or Missy Pettigrew know if you might be interested in coordinating. 

Thanks, Corinna and Jennifer

A special thank you to Corinna Doughty, Jennifer Villarante, Kathy LaRoche and Lori Cibotti for all the wonderful work they did to make today so successful!

FAMILY FUN NIGHT

Thank you to all of the PWS families for another successful fundraiser. This year's Family Fun Night raised over $7000! We would like to give a special thank you to this year's vendors and donors. . .

Coca-Cola

Shaheen Bros., Inc

Domino's

Walmart

Bedford Cannons

Bedford Jaguars

Bedford Basketball League

Bedford Athletic Club

Bedford Village Inn

Canvas Roadshow

Copper Door

Disney World

Teachers of Bedford Education Associations

Van Otis

Massage Heights

Pats Peak

Pizza Bella

GetAway Gear Inc.

Marcia Blitzer

Thank you to everyone who has filled out the online survey about this year's event. It is great information for next year's planning.  If you are still interested  please click here to participate.

Bedford Historical Society's Essay Contest

Congratulations to Abby Forrester, Delany Goterch and May Zheng for being winners in the Bedford Historical Society's essay contest.  The topic was "How Ancestors Have Impacted My Life." May, Delaney, and Abby all read their essays in front of many members of the Bedford Historical Society and parents. They did a spectacular job representing Peter Woodbury School. Congratulations to you all!

Brownie Troop 13965 

Brownie Troop 13965 did a presentation for the elementary school principals.  They explained how they wanted to ask for donations of old shoes from PWS families.  This is to provide new shoes and give new hope to children in over 125 Countries. We were very impressed.

A Souls for Shoes box is placed in the front lobby until May 23rd for donations.  

Have a great weekend,

Cheryl Daley           Dan Mitchell
Principal                 Assistant Principal

Friday, April 25, 2014

Hello PWS Families,

Happy April Vacation!

Half Spirit Week
This week has been a great week.  We got started a little late on Spirit Day!  Wednesday was Boston Strong, Thursday Spring Color Day and Friday Pajama Day!

Secretary/Administrative Day
This week we celebrated National Secretary Day!  Students made the secretary's cards.  Here are some examples of what they wrote:
Thank you for everything you have done.
You call if it's indoor or outdoor recess.  If you didn't we would be playing in zero degrees.  Thank you for doing your part at PWS.  
I hope you have a great April vacation.  

And one of my favorites: I know you do very hard work so you should get a lot of nice presents!

A special thanks to Alecia Assetta and Susan VanArsdell for making our front office a great place and taking great care of the families at PWS.

Art Show

Dear PWS Families,

Thank you for coming to the Art Show and for your support and enthusiasm for our arts program. I wish I could have chatted with every person. I truly appreciate your feedback and interest. 

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped get it all together: our volunteer coordinators; the people who helped me mount work and hang work; the folks who helped me set up and stayed late to clean up, and of course my art club and all the other students who helped me before, during, and after school.

This was truly a community effort. I am so grateful to be a part of this community who embrace and value arts education.

Many, many thanks!

Mrs. Piantedosi

Family Fun Night Survey
We would really appreciate you filling out our quick Family Fun Night survey.  So far we only have 12 surveys back with mixed reviews.  The more parents that participate in this survey the more it will help us plan accordingly for the future.    Please click here to participate.

Moms Do Not Read
Dads this is a great idea for Mother's Day!
PWS is partnering with The Canvas Roadshow for a fun fundraiser this spring.  Social painting is fun and you are able to rediscover your inner artist in a safe place with simple, step by step instructions.
 
Support PWS and a great local business in a couple of ways.  One way is by painting at The Canvas Roadshow studio, owned by a PWS mom, on May 8th and $20 per painter will be donated to PWS.  The studio is right around the corner from Peter Woodbury on South River Road. The May 8th painting will be The Big Sunflower, a variation on a Van Gogh painting.  You can see the painting and enroll online through their calendar.

Another option is order a Gift Certificate for $45 (to be used on any day), $20 goes to PWS.  Great Mothers' Day or teacher gift idea!  To order, call Debbie at 943.2103 and she will help you.  

Garden Club
Today we were at Garden Club and the students found a grass hopper!  What an exiting moment!  Garden club has been an adventure where students observe, explore and take care of our outdoor learning enviornment.  A previous PWS parent, Anne Southwell has been the leader in running our garden club for many years.  Her children are now in high school.  It is time to hand over this responsibility to a new parent.  We will not be able to run garden club in the future without this parental support.  Please email us if you can help out with this at daleyc@sau25.net or mitchelld@sau25.net.

Grandparents Day Reminders-May 9th
1.Your child may still bring in their drawing of their grandparents.  Please have them in by Monday, May 5th.  The RSVP's are also due on Monday, May 5th. 
2. We'll start checking people in at 8:15am.  Please remind grandparents not to arrive before this.  If they do there will be a lot of traffic and congestion for grandparents to get through.
3. A reminder to parents to get to school for the parent drop off before 7:55 on this day.  This will be really helpful with traffic flow.
4. We are still looking for volunteers and help on Grandparents day!  Please use the sign up genius link (www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4FABA622A75-grandparents1) to volunteer.

4th-5th Grade Parent Information Night
Click here to view Mr. Fournier's invitation to all 4th grade parents.  

Have a great break!  Enjoy your family and have fun!

Cheryl Daley                 Dan Mitchell    
Principal                       Assistant Principal