Pelham Press

Vol. 20,  No. 23    February 4, 2010

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

February is

Black History Month

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                                Thursday,  February 4                                                                         Pelham School Committee Meeting, 6 PM

                                Friday.                                                                                                    100 Day Celebration led by 2nd grade

                                Monday,  February 8                                                                            Fine Arts Center, Grades K – 3

                                                                                                                                                Principal Open Office Hour, 5 – 6 PM

                                                                                                                                                Pelham PTO, 7 PM

                                Thursday,  February 11                                                                      ARMS Counselor Visits 6th Grade

                                                                                                                                                Pelham Orchestra and Band Concert, 7:30 PM

                                Friday,  February 12                                                                            Pelham Orchestra and Band Concert, 9:15 AM

                                                February 15 – February 19                                NO SCHOOL                        WINTER BREAK

                                Monday,  February 22                                                                         Principal Open Office Hour, 5 – 6 PM

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From the Principal:

            I was surprised and honored by the “Ms. Moore Dance” at our annual Valentine’s Day Dance last Friday.  I never dreamed that I would get to dance with so many students and lead a “Conga Line” around the gym in my pajamas!.  This is a memory that I will cherish forever.  How fortunate I am to work with so many wonderful students, parents and community members. 

            This week, I have attached a copy of an article we have received from the Hampshire County District Attorney’s Office on Internet Safety for Students.  Internet Safety and Cyberbullying are two issues that have been in the news frequently over the past few months including Tuesday night’s edition of the Daily Hampshire Gazette, and the influence of these issues has a direct effect on student behavior.  I urge parents to read the article carefully and discuss it with your child.  Please call me if you would like more information.

At Pelham School we study the history of all people, but each year during February we take time to note the history and accomplishments of African-Americans in our country and the harm that racial prejudice brings to everyone.  In 1912, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Father of Black History Month, became the second African American to receive a PhD. from Harvard University.  He found history books covered very little of the history or accomplishments of African-Americans.  Dr. Woodson believed that Blacks should know their past because, “(t)hose who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”  In 1926, Dr. Woodson established Negro History Week during the week in February with the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.  As part of the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial Celebration, Negro History Week was expanded into "Black History Month.”  Now, Black History Month is also known as African American History Month, but no matter what we call the month of February, the focus remains the same.  Dr. Woodson hoped that the need for a special week or month would eventually be eliminated—when African-American history would be fully integrated with American history.  At Pelham, we continue to work towards this integration as part of our social justice commitment.                                                                                                     Rena Moore

 

REMINDER:  Please sign the report card envelope and return it with your comments.  This will let us know that you received the report card and also allow us to use the same envelope for the June report card.

 

 

AGENDA FOR REGULAR Meeting of PELHAM School Committee

6:00 PM, THURSDAY, February 4, 2010 in the Community Room

1.  WELCOME:    Call to Order and Minutes—6:00 PM

2.  Announcements and Public Comment

3.  Principal & Superintendent Update

4.  Unfinished/Continuing Business:  FY11 Budget, Principal Position

5.  New Business:  5 year forecast

6.  Reports –

7.  School Committee Planning      Calendar Review;   Items for Upcoming Meetings;   Sub-committee reports

8.  Adjournment             This is an open meeting; all parents and community members are invited to attend.

 

 

SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR GUATEMALA

 

Pelham School graduates Alex Light and Jessica Duda are going to Guatemala during February break with Opportunities for Communities.  They are collecting school supplies (notebooks, pencils/pens, etc.) to bring with them to give to children.  If you can help, please bring donations to the box outside the school office. Thank you!

 

Third Grade News

Meg Gallagher

 

            Third graders are busily reading, enjoying, analyzing, and writing poetry.  We are looking at the themes, structure, and elements of various poems.  We are using evidence from the poems to support our understanding.  This unit emphasizes strong word choice.  I am very impressed with the students’ enthusiasm around this subject.

            In Math we have begun our multiplication and division unit entitled Equal Groups.  The benchmarks we will cover are:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of multiplication and division as involving groups of equal groups.
  • Solve multiplication combinations and related division problems by using skip counting or known multiplication combinations.
  • Interpret and use multiplication and division notation.
  • Demonstrate fluency with multiplication combinations with products up to 100.

            Students are using good problem solving strategies to find the answers to word problems.  We are working hard at finding organized ways to state what those strategies are.  (That’s the hard part!)

            With much enthusiasm we have begun our science unit on simple machines.              So far we have covered levers and inclined planes.  Students enjoy the experiments and activity centers involved in this unit.  So far they have cracked nuts, pulled nails out with a claw hammer, used a “fishing pole” to raise a bottle of water off the ground, and experimented with finding the best place to put the fulcrum on a first class lever in order to make the work easy. ( If today’s lesson went well,) we also explored ramps, how a screw is really an inclined plane wrapped around and around, and how a helicopter is related to an inclined plane.

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Minutes of Pelham School Committee Meeting                     January 12, 2010

 

Present:                 Tracy Farnham, Chair                         Debbie Gould                       Kathy Weilerstein                                Supt. Alberto Rodriguez

Rena Moore                          Fred Vanderbeck—Pelham Finance Committee          Assistant Supt. Maria Geryk

 

Call to Order

Debbie Gould called the meeting to order at 6:49 PM and reviewed the one agenda item--Race to the Top.

Minutes

Minutes of November 5 and 23, 2009, December 10, 2009, and January 7, 2010 were not available.

Announcements & Public Comment

None

Superintendent and Principal Update

None

Unfinished Business

Race to the Top Decision:  Pelham parent Michael Sugarman sent the Pelham School Committee a lengthy email.  He is concerned that Pelham may not be able to get out of Race to the Top if they decided to leave the program.  The Memorandum of Understanding does not have information about dropping out of the Race to the Top Initiative, but the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) does.  Assistant Supt. Maria Geryk talked to Heidi Guarino at the DESE, and Heidi said that there was not a problem.  Supt. Rodriguez also talked to Attorney Gini Tate, who was skeptical that getting out of Race to the Top would be that easy.  The Memorandum of Understanding is legally binding, but not the FAQ.  However, Supt. Rodriguez feels that the Committee should sign the Memorandum of Understanding because the district is working on many of the Race to the Top items.  Maria Geryk discussed her conversation with Heidi Guarino.  She did not see an additional expense for Pelham.  The district is charged with writing a work plan for Race to the Top, and Central Office will not write a work plan that costs Pelham more money.  Both Maria Geryk and Supt. Rodgriguez recommended that the Pelham School Committee sign the Memorandum of Understanding.  Tracy Farnham expressed concern that the Committee may sign the Memorandum, not get money, but still be expected to do the work.  The Pelham School Committee approved the motion to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the expectation that the Pelham School Committee would be able to back out at a later date.  Motion carried 2:1.

New Business

None

Reports

None

Policies 

None

School Committee Planning

A.  Calendar Review—Meetings for FY10   February 4, 2010; February 24, 2010, March 4, 2010; April 8, 2010; May 6 2010; June 3, 2010 

B.  Items for Upcoming Meetings:  Five Year Plan for Pelham School; FY11 budget

Adjournment

Tracy Farnham adjourned the meeting at 8:05 PM.

Next Meeting

Thursday, February 4, 2010, at  6:00 PM in the Pelham Community Room

Amherst

 

 

Fourth Grade Pelham Press

 

 

Students come in first thing in the morning, put their things away, and sign up for lunch.  After that, we get right to work.  It's a great start when everyone is present and on time.  Usually there is class work from the day before to be completed.  Students who are finished may use Study Island, work on their creative writing, or silently read.  Your child needs to be on time whether he or she walks or is dropped off.  It reinforces good habits that will last a lifetime.

 

We have spent a good deal of time on our first of two geometry units.   Right now we're immersed in angles.  Children have firmed up their understanding of acute, obtuse, and right angles, and are now learning about degrees.  We are using special shapes called power polygons to serve as benchmark measurements and to construct new angles by putting two or more together.  Angles are useful in describing different shapes.  For example, acute triangles are triangles where all three angles are acute.  In other math news, students are beginning an inquiry into area.  Students are building designs with the power polygons and determining how many small equilateral triangles it takes to cover the same area. Then they figure out how many rhombuses, trapezoids and hexagons it takes.  I mentioned Study Island earlier.  It is a set of learning programs that focus on math and language arts.  There are mini lessons that explain each concept before they begin answering questions.  They then complete a bank of approximately 30 questions and get feedback on how they are doing.  There is even a mini game vignette which I will occasionally throw in for fun.  The children have been doing very well with the program and are taking it seriously.  Our next math unit is called "Landmarks and Large Numbers" and focuses on addition subtraction and the number system.  We will most likely be done with it shortly after February break.

 

At the beginning of the year our cultural focus revolved around Native American culture.  We then examined the next wave of permanent settlers: colonists from the Old World, specifically the Pilgrims.  Their early interactions with the Native Americans are considered in a generally positive light, and the cultural exchange between the two groups was initially constructive.  Our Martin Luther King celebration essentially kicked off our studies of African heritage in the New World. The stories Mildred Taylor's father told her as a child serve as the backdrop for our look into race relations, and give a beautiful look into the rich culture of the Deep South.  We are looking closely at the development of the main characters: four children, with their own unique personalities that guide the direction of the story.  The books are set in the Great Depression, which also plays a significant role in how the story takes shape.  Along the way we make note of challenging words and idiomatic phrases, as well as dig for deeper meaning.  The unit will continue for about a month, at which time we will begin studying Alaska and the Native American tradition of dog sledding. 

 

We are expecting eggs in the classroom in the early part of March.  It's salmon season again.  We've been raising them in the classroom for the past two years.  As a favor, I am asking if families could help out with the water.  Salmon are somewhat fussy about the purity of the water in which they live.  That's why they are a good indicator for healthy rivers and streams. If you are able, we need about 25 gallons of spring water to fill the tank.  The fish will thank you for it!

 

Dress warmly!  Winter is not over. Before school recess is generally outdoors unless it is raining or the temperature goes below zero with the wind chill.  The same goes for "during school" recess.  Students are expected to be outside during those times.  Thanks!

 

                                                                                    Mr. Shaw

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monte Carlo Night 2010

March 13, 2010

6:30 PM

Valentine Hall, Amherst College

 

Tickets $25

 

Sample foods from over 30 local restaurants and dance away to the sounds of 4 on the Floor.

 

Tickets are now on sale and may be purchased through the Hurricane Boosters.  For more information, contact the Athletic Director, Karen Keough-Huff at 362-1747 or email huffk@arps.org.  For more information please visit  www.amherstmontecarlo.com   or you can find the Amherst Hurricane Boosters on Facebook.

 

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Nature School Vacation Camps

Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Amherst.
www.hitchcockcenter.org

Call 413-256-6006 to register.

WINTER VACATION CAMP
Young Naturalists, ages 6-8               Nature Explorers, ages 9-11
Monday-Friday, February 15-19, 8:30am-3pm
Members: $45 per day/Non-members $55 per day
Pre-registration required; please call 413-256-6006.

Join us for your choice of from one to five days of winter exploration. We’ll spend time indoors focused on animal tracks and signs, snow geology, evergreens or winter weeds. And we’ll go outside every day to experience both the excitement and peace of nature in winter. Songs, crafts, games, & live animal observations will be a part of our days.


SPRING VACATION CAMP
Young Naturalists, ages 6-8                 Nature Explorers, ages 9-11
Monday-Friday, April 19-23, 8:30am-3pm
Members: $45 per day/Non-members $55 per day
Pre-registration required; please call 413-256-6006.
Join us for as many days as you wish and enjoy nature discovery at its finest. We’ll go outside every day and experience the changes and excitement of spring (be prepared for varied weather). Songs, crafts, games and live animal observations are all part of the learning experience. Just choose the day(s) to participate and pre-register.

 

 

 

 

 

     YOU CAN HAVE YOUR PIZZA AND EAT IT TOO but act quickly …

 

For a good cause you can: eat healthy and delicious; support a local business; and help raise money for the 6th Graders’ annual end of year trip to Nature’s Classroom. 

WHAT?  

Buy ready to bake (or freeze) pizzas and tubs of cookie dough from Hillside Pizza - a locally owned business that makes delicious pizzas and cookie dough using fresh, organic, natural, and whenever possible, locally grown ingredients -- no preservatives, additives, hydrogenated oils, or GMOs. 

Up to $4 from the sale of each pizza or cookie dough tub will go to help our students. 

HOW?

On the order form below: write the number of each item you want, the total amount of your order and your name.  Return it to school with a check payable to “Pelham 5th & 6th Grade”.  Your child can turn the form and check into their teacher.

Or: every 6th Grader will have order forms, and forms will be available in the office.

Call or e-mail Elaine Fronhofer at 253-6381 fronlaw@yahoo.com with any questions.

WHEN & WHERE?

Pick up your Pizzas & Cookie Dough tubs THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2010 at the school Cafeteria from 3:00 to 5:30 P.M. – in time for your March Madness Party.

 

*February 25th is the last day you can place your order.  So, before you forget, detach the form below and send it in!   Thanks for helping out.

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ORDER FORM  FOR HILLSIDE         PIZZA            and              COOKIE DOUGH

16” Cheese (add toppings at home) $13.00 _____

(Enough to make 3 dozen

16” Cheese and Pepperoni...............$14.00 _____

 1 ounce cookies)

16” Basil Pesto..................................$14.00 _____

Choc. Chip…….$12.00 ____ 

16” Sundried Tomato .......................$14.00 _____

Oatmeal Raisin..$12.00____

16” Asiago Almond...........................$14.00 _____

Maple Sugar.....$12.00 ____

16” Organic Veggie Medley..............$14.50 _____

Lemon sugar.....$12.00 ____

16” Pesto with Mushrooms ..............$14.50 _____

_______________________

16” Pesto with Organic Veggies ......$14.50 _____

 

Gift Certificate...................................$15.00 _____

Order Total: $ ___________

Party Pack - 3 - 13” cheese..............$28.00 _____

 

Pesto Party Pack - 3 - 13” Pesto…...$30.00 _____

Your Name:

Asiago Party Pack - 3 - 13” Asiago...$30.00 _____          

 

Gluten Free Pack - 3 - 13” cheese....$28.00 _____

_______________________
Orders must be placed by February 25, 2010

 

 

moorer@arps.org

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