Pelham Press

Vol. 20,  No. 15    December 3, 2009

http://www.arps.org./pe/

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Monday, December 7                                                     Principal Open Office Hours, 5 – 6 PM

                                                                                    Pelham PTO, 7 PM

Thursday,  December 10                                     Pelham School Committee, 6 PM

Thursday, December 17                                                  Field Trip, grades 1 and 6

                                                                                    Third grade field trip

Wednesday,  December 23                                             Pelham School is dismissed at 1:20 PM

                                                                                      (After School is dismissed at 5:30 PM)

School reopens on Jaunuar 4, 2011

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From the Principal: 

            Attached to this week Press is the Pelham School Phonebook.  Please let us know if you would like another copy or if there is an error in your address, email, or number(s).

            Friday, November 20, was a “holiday” for students, but a Teacher Curriculum Day for all teachers in the Amherst and Pelham school districts.  In the morning all staff members participated in workshops and grade level discussion groups about the reading/writing workshop model of instruction.  It is always exciting for teachers from the different elementary schools to share ideas and strategies for working with students. In the afternoon Pelham teachers focused on the specifics of using this instructional model across the grades and began to plan necessary accommodations and modifications to meet the needs of all students within the model.  Sometimes you may hear these accommodations called differentiation or individualization, and at Pelham School it means that teachers take each child’s strengths and weaknesses into account when they make their plans for classroom lessons and units.  Differentiation will be the primary focus of the Spring Curriculum Day. 

            During this busy time of the year, we try to remember that this is a season for giving as well as receiving gifts, and we are continuing the tradition of giving that we have followed over the years.  On this page and throughout the Pelham Press, you will find opportunities to support a variety of worthy causes.                                                                  Rena Moore

 

 
 

Wreath and Poinsettia Pick Up

Thursday, Dec. 3, at 3:00 PM

 

 

Toy and Food Drive for the Amherst Survival Center Continues:  You may drop your donations in the boxes outside the school office.  Thanks for your support and generosity. 

 

 

   NOTICE:  The Gift wrap order will be distributed next Wednesday, December 9.  Please let us know if you are missing items or did not receive your order.     Diana Zahradnik

 

 

 

Staff News:  I want to let the Pelham School Community know that two Pelham School staff members, Leanne Hasbrouck and Debbie Jacque, will be out for medical leaves.  Richard Corey will substitute for Leanne as the Before School Coordinator and 4th grade paraprofessional.  Starting Monday, Adienne Goldman, who taught kindergarten at the Wildwood School for many  years and who has worked in the Pelham Kindergarten, will substitute for Debbie Jacque.  Ms. King is working with students in both classrooms to answer student questions, address their feelings, and help them find ways to keep in contact with thier teachers.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Deb King or Rena Moore (253-3595).

 

 

5/6 Bake Sale:  The fifth and sixth grade will hold an Election Day Bake Sale, Tuesday, December 8, at the Pelham Town Library.  Donations of baked goods are welcomed. 

 

 

Mr. Lipman’s Class

 

Fall Interns   Sadly, we must say “good-bye” to some very special people in our classroom.  Kent Brennick, Laura Swanson and Grace Ribeiro will be completing their university work with us in the very near future.  They have all done a fine job but Mr. B. will leave the largest hole having spent so much time with us and having been such an important part of our classroom this semester.  I wish them all the best of luck and hope that they will stay in touch with us.  There is some good news, however.  Grace will continue on in her part-time capacity during her January Term and Laura may be doing her fulltime internship in another Pelham School classroom.  We are also scheduled to have a new intern from either Mt. Holyoke or Hampshire College join us at the end of February.  I will keep you posted.

 

“Festivals of Light,” our new social studies unit, will begin right after the Thanksgiving Holiday Vacation and will take a look at the many cultures that use light as part of their winter celebrations.  Christmas around the world, Hanukah, Divali (India), St. Lucia (Sweden), Loy Krathong (Thailand), and Kwanzaa (United States) are among the many holidays we will examine.  I am especially excited to include our sixth grade reading buddies in viewing a Hanukah film entitled “Zlateh the Goat” followed by the dreidle game.  Hanukah “gelt” (gold-wrapped chocolate coins) and peanuts will be enjoyed by all.

 

Paul Lipman       

 

 

Second Grade News

 

          Second grade has rocked through November.  Our science unit study was learning about and experimenting with all types of rocks.  We studied bigger rocks called pebbles, down to the smallest rock called clay.  We used what we learned about the properties of rocks (color, weight, luster, hardness, texture, and cleavage) to describe our own special rock.  In reading groups, we looked at nonfiction books on rocks to help us find information by using the Table of Contents, Index, and Glossary.

We took advantage of the lovely fall weather in November to take a leaf walk. We each chose a special leaf which we pressed and described using many adjectives.  We also finished our barebones stories (just noun or subject, and action or predicate).  The children did a great job coming up with many powerful predicates to create a vivid scene.

Our math unit for November was Shapes, Blocks, and Symmetry.  The children enjoyed the many hands on activities using 3-D blocks, pattern blocks, and tiles to create shapes and learn about their attributes. We have just completed this unit and are moving on to more addition lessons and story problems.  The children are also working on learning their facts. So far I have tested +0, +1, +2, and doubles.  This month I will test the partners to make 10 and the doubles plus 1 facts.

Finally, our class has started a community project.  After I read to the children a story about a group of second graders who decided to help homeless people by painting and selling rocks, the class unanimously voted to start their own Rock Club to help needy people.  The class has been collecting rocks, painting rocks at After School, and selling rocks.  We will continue this project through the rest of this month and have a big rock sale during the lunch hour for all students and adults at Pelham to purchase rocks and help our cause.  The money will mostly go to the Amherst Survival Center with a portion to the Dakin Animal Shelter.  So save up your money. We will publish our sale date through signs and the Pelham Press later on this month.

Cynthia Corey

 

 

 

 

Holiday Wish List

 

Would you like to make a teacher’s wish come true?

 

Each year around holiday time, the PTO asks Pelham School’s teachers to create a list of items for their classrooms to enrich curriculum and enhance every child’s learning experience.  This is a wonderful way to show your appreciation to the staff in a way that will benefit all.  Please contact your child’s classroom teacher if you need more information regarding a specific purchase.

 

Kindergarten: white Model Magic clay, foam and regular stickers, craft items for art projects, black Magic Markers – thick and thin, small wood pieces for projects, small paper clips, balls of string, yarn

 

First Grade: bath dust for chinchillas (Dave’s Soda and Pet Food City), timothy hay for chinchillas (Dave’s Soda and Pet Food City), Crayola Classic markers, soccer ball, Ziploc bags – gallon size to hold books

 

Second Grade: hacky sacks, small fun items for prize box

 

Third Grade: sheet protector – heavyweight top load (for 3-ring binder), Crayola Classic markers – thick, fun stickers for worksheets, non-perishable snacks (no nuts) to have on hand

 

Fourth Grade:  Kleenex tissues, dice

 

Fifth Grade: gift cards to Big Y for breakfast items/popcorn/fruity treats, pencils for rewards, stickers for planners, fun items (small inexpensive) grab bag, gently used books for book bag

 

Sixth Grade: gift cards to Target and Stop and Shop for snacks (these kids are hungry all the time!) and for supplies.

 

Ms. King: gift cards for families that need help during the holidays

 

moorer@arps.org

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