A review of events and happenings that have taken place at LPES throughout the month of October 2009:
I. ATTENDANCE
Elementary School
Attendance has been very much normal throughout October. No noticeable spikes in fevers or flu-like symptoms.
II. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Wilson Fundations Reading Program
All K - 3 practitioners met as a group on 10/23 Superintendent’s conference day to discuss our collective progress with the program this far. Discussion centered around what is working well, what difficulties we are experiencing with implementation, and what we need to do to solve these problems.
Curriculum Mapping
After a brief introduction, K - 5 teachers met in grade level teams to map out their mathematics curriculum. Phase 2 of the mapping endeavor will be to meet across grade levels to compare and scrutinize math curriculum maps looking for gaps, redundancies, and areas for modification to ensure consistency and continuity of the curriculum across grade levels.
Specials teachers mapped the curricula for their areas across K - 5 grade levels. Phase 2 for them will include looking for opportunities for integration with the academic curricula at each of the grade levels.
Dr. on Staff
Mrs. Julie Bausman, first grade teacher, has been awarded her Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) through Walden University. The focus of her thesis was the efficacy and implementation of remedial math at primary grade levels.
III. HEALTH WELLNESS
Mind Body
A CD being is produced for classrooms is almost ready for distribution. The program is being called BASE which stands for Breathing and Stretching Exercises.
Daily Cleanliness
In addition to their regular maintenance routine our custodial staff has taken on the daily practice of wiping down all kinds of common surfaces such as desks, tables, doors and doorknobs, railings, water fountains, keyboards etc. to keep the spread of bacteria at a minimum. Hand washing with warm water and soap as well as the use of non-alcohol based hand sanitizers is being encouraged throughout the day. Additional hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed in many locations throughout the building.
IV. F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
Playground Committee - Following is a note from F.R.I.E.N.D.S.:
As many of you may know FRIENDS has been exploring playground options for the replacement or renovation of the current play structure at LPES.FRIENDS has come across a concept that they are really excited aboutexploring!
FRIENDS would like to invite you to attend a Natural Playground presentation on Monday, November 9 at 6pm in the LPES cafeteria. We have asked Ron King, President of Natural Playgrounds to come and give us a presentation on what a Natural Playground is and why it could be beneficial to the development of our children.
I hope that you will consider joining us for the presentation on Monday, November 9 at 6pm! The more people that attend and ask questions the better educated we will become about a Natural Playground and whether it is a good option for LPES. All of your input is welcome and paramount!
Here is the link to a video to see a Natural Playground in action at a school in VT.
http://www.naturalplaygrounds.com/multimedia/NPWebclipfinalLoRes.mp4
Natural Playgrounds web address: www.naturalplaygrounds.com
A portfolio of their projects: http://naturalplaygrounds.com/portfolio.php
Playground Fundraising Idea - Following is a note from Katrina Kroes, looking for feedback:
What do you think of "playground" night on Sunday nights (throughout the winter/spring season except for Christmas, Martin Luther King weekend and Presidents week) at the Lake Placid Club Boat House?
The Boat House would donate 25% of the food sales to the "Playground fund" from those who say they are coming for dinner for the playground promotion. We would also offer this on take out items and come up with a "family meal" that can be taken out.
Please let me know if you do not think this is a good idea or if the Board has reservations about this idea.
V. FIELD TRIPS
LPCA
Kindergarten through grade 3 students attended the LP Center for the Arts for a performance of The Wizard of OZ.
VI. LITERARY MAGAZINE
A new club has been formed specifically for third graders who are interested in writing. Titled Third Grade Magazine Magic, the club meets every Tuesday afternoon during activity period, with Mrs. Laura Coffin and Ms. Anne Cooney as faculty moderators.
Different types of poetry have been introduced to the student participants, and their first assignment is to create their own poetry using a fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving theme. All members have a writing journal which they can take home and write in at any time the muse moves them, then bring their writing into school to be considered for publication.
The next phase will be story writing. Students are given a “story starter,” then let their own creative juices flow and write their own stories. Once stories are completed students will meet in small groups to read one another’s stories and comment on them. Then the editing and revising process begins.
VII. TEACH CHILDREN TO SAVE
On 10/16/09 Jackie Roy from Champlain National Bank visited 5th grade math classes. She presented to students the concepts of a national program called Teach Children to Save. This is a program in which volunteer bankers nationwide go into schools and use their knowledge and skills to inspire students to become life-long savers.
The lessons presented by Ms. Roy covered the basic concepts of saving, including the following:
a. Reasons to Save - saving is the best way to get the things you want and achieve security and peace of mind. People save for short-term goals, such as a vacation, and long-term goals, such as a house or a college education.
b. Budgeting to Save - budgeting is the key to finding out how much you can afford to save based on how much you spend now. Understanding the difference between needs and wants is the first step in decreasing spending and increasing savings.
c. Where to Save - the bank is the safest place for your money. Banks offer different types of accounts to help you make the most of your savings.
VIII. EMERGENCY PLANS
Fire Drills
To date all eight required fire drills have been practiced.
IX. MATH
Family Math
The annual Family Math night was held on Tuesday, October 20 in the Elementary School cafeteria, and was hosted by Mrs. Szwed. About a dozen families attended, and many positive comments about the games and tasks were forwarded to Mrs. Szwed.
X. ACADEMIC INTERVENTION
Academic Intervention Services (AIS) Annual Meeting
On Wednesday, October 21 the annual meeting for AIS (Title 1) math and reading was held at the Elementary School. This is an informational session for parents regarding the remedial services their children are scheduled to receive. Mrs. Laura Coffin presented the specifics of the AIS reading program, and Mrs. Beryl Szwed and Mrs. Marilyn Rosen gave information about remedial math services.
XI. BOOK FAIR
The Elementary library hosted the Scholastic Book Fair from October 13 through the 22nd, Two evenings were scheduled when parents could come in with their students and leisurely shop at the book fair.
XII. COSTUME PARADE
The annual costume parade down Main Street took place on Friday, October 30 at 12:45 pm. All K - 5 students participated.
Sincerely,
Richard Retrosi, Elementary School Principal
