September Newsletter 2014

September 3, 2014 First Day for Students Grade 1 - 5

September 4, 2014 Kindergarten Open House 10:00 am

September 5, 2014 First Day for Kindergarten Students

September 5, 2014 Instrumental Demonstration 1:30 pm

September 8, 2014 Instrumental Pick up at BHS Café 6:00 pm

September 10, 2014 Back to School Night

September 17, 2014 P.T.O. meeting 7:00 pm

September 26, 2014 Picture Day

Happy Back to School! I am so excited about school being back in session. Of course, I love the summer;

however, beginning a new year of school is exhilarating! The rested teachers and students, the brand new notebooks and pencils, crayons with points, markers that work, clean backpacks, beautiful new clothing and of

course the smiling faces that greet me each and every day make ending summer and moving back into work mode easy. We are excited about welcoming your children right back

into the swing of things and already they are being extremely productive and working hard. We are happy to welcome a few new staff members to Flaherty this year. Jessica Brewer is our new fifth grade teacher. Jessica was teaching in Randolph last

year and comes to Flaherty with lots of creativity and structure for our large fifth grade. She is going to be teaching our Social Studies Curriculum, ELA and also helping our grade five students prepare for the new PARCC assessment. Tiffany Smith is our new music teacher. Tiffany was working at Morrison last year and will now come to Flaherty 2.5 days a week. Tiffany is excited to be part of our school and equally excited that we have cleaned up the stage and turned it into a beautiful music room. Most classes, not all since we have a cafegymatorium, will have music on the stage, some will still be in their rooms. Elizabeth Wroblewski is our new special educator. Liz was a teacher in Canton, MA last year. She is going to be servicing not only students on IEPs but also working with smaller RTI groups as an interventionist. She is enthusiastic and excited to be a part of your child’s education! Kara Coady is a new paraprofessional in Mrs. DeMarco’s first grade. She was also a super substitute at Flaherty last year and we are thrilled to have her join the staff. Bethany Doherty and Stephanie Slattery are both new paraprofessionals in our ABA program with Suzanne Williams. Bethany is a former Flaherty parent and Stephanie has been a substitute in Braintree. Adriann Flint is a new paraprofessional in Developmental 2 with Jean Doucette. Adriann was a teacher in Randolph and is very experienced with differentiation and inclusion. Dorrie Furness has been a substitute teacher in our programs throughout the year last year. Julie Clark, the teacher in the ABLES program had a baby boy this summer so Jessica Studley, a para in the program, is stepping up to be the lead teacher and Dorrie is the para sub while Mrs. Clark is on maternity leave. They are already working as a cohesive team bringing our ABLES program into its’ second year. Jane Foley is the Monatiquot paraprofessional that will ride the bus with our Flaherty kindergarteners. She will be working with the kindergarteners at Monatiquot during the day. Mrs. Foley is a Flaherty parent. She will be here each morning and afternoon ensuring all the little ones get to and from their new school.

We welcome them all into our family!

Speaking of new Flaherty family members, we welcomed two new babies this summer. Julie Clark (ABLES) had a beautiful baby boy, William James Clark was born on 8/1 and Kristina Solimini (ABLES para) had a precious baby girl,

Gabriella Louise on 8/7. Congratulations to our little Flaherty babies!

We also have one wedding; Danielle Tower, our much loved math specialist, is now Mrs. Molinari. So if your

child tells you they worked with Mrs. Molinari during math, you know it is our one and only Ms. Tower. Congratulations!

The Monatiquot Kindergarten Center (MKC) is open and running smoothly on day 1. Our Flaherty students

that attend MKC have all had their first day with the arrival and dismissal procedure and saw first-hand

how safe and carefully planned the transition from school to school is. We are so excited about the

kindergarten center and know that it is going to be great for Braintree. The new principal, Mrs. Anderson,

Flaherty’s very own Mary Stru and the entire MKC staff have worked tirelessly all summer to be sure the school is ready for our beloved five year

olds. It looks great and is very warm and welcoming. CORI Forms

Thank you all for sending in your CORI forms to be able to volunteer. Please remember that forms will not be accepted after 10/15. If

you want to volunteer at any point in the year please be sure to fill out the CORI AND send in a copy of your driver’s license. We will be filling out CORI’s at our Back to School night as well. Thank you!

Coming UP:

Parking

As many of you can see we are getting a large parking lot! We are very excited about adding these much needed parking spaces for our staff and families. This lot is going to be a big help during the cold winter months.

September 17, 2014 at 7:00 is our first PTO meeting. We hope you all come to hear about the exciting year we have in store.

Remember the class that has the most parents come each month earn an extra recess with Mrs. Soto!

October 8, 2014 is National Walk to School Day. Flaherty will be participating this year! We will have a meeting spot for the parents

and a separate one for the buses. All staff will meet the kids and walk to school. Parents are welcome to walk with us! Look for information in the next few weeks about this event.

Back to School Night Schedule

September 10, 2014

Each year, we invite parents to A Back to School Night. We look forward to having you

come and visit us on Wednesday, Sept. 10 for all students. Parents may attend the

appropriate grade level presentation.

Please keep in mind that the purpose of the evening is introductions to your child’s

teachers for this year. It does not offer you the privacy to share important information

or concerns about your child,. If you need to speak privately with the teacher, please make

an appointment so that the teacher will be able to give you his/her undivided attention.

Since this meeting focuses on curriculum and expectations, it is an evening designed for

adults only.

Back to School Night Schedule

Grade Grade level Presentations

Room Visit Classrooms

Kindergarten 6:30 and 7:30 Mrs. Dewey’s

Room 2

6:00-6:30

7:00-7:30

Grade 1 One Presentation 6:00

Cafegymatorium

6:30—8:00

Grade 2 6:30 and 7:00 Mrs. Foster’s

Room 8

6:00—6:30 7:30-8:00

Grade 3 6:30 and 7:30 Mrs. Quigg’s

Room 3

6:00-6:30

7:00-7:30

Grade 4 6:30 and 7:30 Ms. Silveira’s Room 11

6:00-6:30

7:00-7:30

Grade 5 One Presentation 7:00

Cafegymatorium After Grade Level Presentation

Please don’t forget to visit Mrs. Hulke in the office to fill out a Cori

form before you leave.

Mary E. Flaherty School

2014-2015 Staff List

Principal Stacey Soto Secretary Gail Hulke

Psychologist Krista Nashawaty

Nurse Judy Sellon Kindergarten Victoria Dewey First Grade Sharon DeMarco

Michelle Gaffney Deborah Toma Second Grade Courtney Cupo

Katherine Foster Lorraine Liston

Third Grade Sarah Hazell Kathryn Pilalas Mary Quigg Fourth Grade Melanie Chiles Diane Silveira Ellen Varone Fifth Grade Jessica Brewer

Sandra Hasseltine Kimberly Keaney Laura Riordan ABLES Julianne Clark Developmental ABA Suzanne Williams Developmental 2 Jean Doucette Developmental 3 Tina McCasland Resource Room Lora Mullin Elizabeth Wroblewski Math Specialist Danielle Molinari Reading Specialist Marissa Peluso Sheila Thompson Art Leigh Anne Champagne

Ellen Pompeo Music Tiffany Smith L isa Herrman Instrumental Zoran Rebrovic Physical Education Kevin Leahy

Richard Ellis Media Specialist Canice Thynne Speech/Language Ashley Harmon

Laura Larkin Leaf Maggio

ELL Jean Witt PT Corinne Fennell OT Tracey Goodwin BCBA Annie Davis CNA Diane Norton Special Needs Para Maria Bomba Jordana Botsolis Kara Coady

Bethany Doherty Linda Doucette Sarah Hale Mary Haggan Sharon Illingsworth Debra Joyce Mary Lutz Manley, Lauren Christine McQuillan Cynthia Moore Katherine Ponder Stephanie Slattery Gail St. Germain Jessica Studley

Supervisory Para Cynthia Caruso-Scott Carolyn Graham

Monica Howe Mildred Yeung Cafeteria Donna Sloan Mgr. Yvonne Breault Custodians Karl Kramer Michael Oliveri Scott Wagner

From the Office

K – 5 School Hours – 8:45 – 2:50 Students should plan on arriving at school no earlier than 8:35. They should not be dropped off before that time. Always make sure there is a staff member there to greet them before leaving the area. Kindergarten morning session is 8:50 – 11:20 Kindergarten afternoon session is 12:00 – 2:30 All AM Kindergarten students must be at the school by 8:40 to take the bus to Monatiquot School Kindergarten Center. Attendance Students need to be present to gain skills, understanding and study techniques required to master the curriculum. Unnecessary absences and tardiness interrupt the continuity and consistency of the learning process. A child entering the building after 8:45 will need to go to the office to check in with Mrs. Hulke. Notes are required for every absence. If tardiness and absenteeism becomes a chronic problem, a conference with the principal will be scheduled. Please call the absentee phone line 781-380-0153 if your child is absent. Dismissal If your child is to be dismissed before the end of the school day, a note should be sent to the teacher that morning informing the school of the time of dismissal and the name of the person who will be picking your child up. The adult who picks your child up must come to the office with identification and sign the dismissal sheet before any student is released. After School Programs If your child is attending and “After School Program” or has special arrangements for pick-up after school at any time throughout the school year, please indicate your wishes in writing to your child’s teacher. Students will be put on their regular bus home or if he/she is a walker, sent home as usual unless the parent has written a note to the teacher to the contrary. Many students mix up the days, special arrangements, etc., and thus become confused after school not knowing what to do. Please help us avoid phone calls home at the last minute and the unpleasant moments for your child. No child is permitted to ride any other bus except the one he/she is assigned to. School Security All visitors must report to our school office immediately upon entering the building and sign in.

Breakfast Served upon arrival. $1.00 Reduced $.30 Lunch Children order their lunch at the beginning of the school day. If only purchasing milk or ice cream, they may purchase it at lunchtime in the cafeteria. Students cannot charge ice cream and are not allowed back to their classroom should they forget their ice cream money. It helps a great deal if your child has the correct change. Complete paid lunch $2.50 Reduced $ .40 Milk or orange juice $ .50 Ice cream $ .50 Health Room Notes Mrs. Sellon is our school nurse. She will be in the health room daily. If you have any questions regarding your child’s health, please feel free to call her at 781-380-0153. In order to take any medication in school (over the counter or prescription) written permission from the physician and the parent (with the original prescription bottle) is required and arrangements must be made with the school nurse to receive said prescription. The nurse is the only person allowed to receive medication from the parent or guardian. Under no circumstances should a child be allowed to carry his/her medication to school. We cannot accept it.

A doctor’s note is required for any student returning to school for the following reasons: 1. Any prolonged illness (5 days or more) 2. Any operation 3. An accident 4. Any restrictions on activity, including the use of crutches

Please send these notes to the nurse.

Bus Transportation The bus that your child has been assigned to is the only bus that your child may travel to and from school. Children are only allowed to get off at their assigned stop. They cannot get off at any other stop. If your child misses the bus, he/she may not ride another bus to school. If your child has made plans to go to a friend’s house after school, he/she cannot ride on any other bus than their assigned bus. Parents must make arrangements to pick them up at school. Both children will need a note. Specialists Each week, students have classes in music, art and physical education with a specialist. You will be notified by his/her teacher of “GYM DAY” so that your child can dress appropriately and wear sneakers.

BRAINTREE PUBLIC SCHOOL

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Braintree Schools, in preparing students to become responsible and contributing members of a changing society, is to provide a challenging and rigorous educational program which motivates and enables each student to develop intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally in an atmosphere nurturing creative thinking, the development of values and lifelong learning.

BELIEFS

In support of our mission, we are committed to the following beliefs:

Excellence in instruction and student achievement is our primary objective. All students should acquire, and use wisely, a basic core of knowledge in an environment that promotes higher level thinking skills across the curriculum. Teaching students to become life-long learners is essential to preparing them for a changing society. All students posses unique talents and gifts and should be encouraged to reach their maximum individual potential. All students should be encouraged to attain high standards of achievement. Parents, in partnership with schools, are an integral part of their child’s learning. Students should acquire the knowledge, skill and motivation necessary to achieve and maintain lifelong fitness. Student learning is promoted through a safe and orderly environment, free of prejudice, drugs, violence, and harassment. Ongoing opportunities for the professional growth and development of staff and essential for continued school growth and improvement. Community involvement should be actively solicited, encouraged and developed. All students should understand, respect and appreciate the racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of our society and the democratic principles upon which this nation was built.

Homework Policy (K-5)

Introduction Homework in the Braintree Public Schools is an essential part of the school program. Assignments will vary in accordance to the needs of the class and will relate to classroom instruction. Homework assignments are intended to reinforce and extend learning initiated in the classroom and serve as a tool for teachers to assess student understanding of classroom instruction. Completion of routine homework can motivate students to develop good work habits, while increasing the opportunity for individual initiative and responsibility. Homework can also stimulate creativity, critical thinking and awareness that learning can take place outside of the classroom. The guidelines below indicate how students, parents, teachers and administrators all have a responsibility for the success of homework.

Homework Policy Guidelines for Students

Always do your best work

Record directions for homework in an assignment notebook

Understand assignments clearly before leaving class

Bring home the proper materials to complete the assignments

Hand in completed assignments on time

Budget time properly for long-term assignments

Complete any work missed due to absence from class

Understand how homework will affect your class grade

Talk to your parents and teacher if you are having difficulty with homework

Homework will not be assigned during school vacation except for the completion of previously assigned long-term projects

Homework Policy Guidelines for Parents

Be familiar with the philosophy and guidelines of the homework policy

Check your child’s assignment notebook

Provide a time and place to do homework assignments with limited interruptions

Actively supervise homework completion, assisting, but not doing the work

Oversee completion of long-term assignments to assist in understanding time management

Contact the teacher with questions or concerns especially if your child exceeds the allotted time frame

Homework will not be assigned during school vacation except for the completion of previously assigned long-term projects

Homework Policy Guidelines for Teachers

Assign homework on a regular basis in keeping with the homework policy

Assignments may be on a daily basis or of a long-term type, such as a report

Students are to understand clearly all homework assignments

Require that each student have an assignment book

Homework may take the form of class, group, or individual assignments

Group projects should not be assigned as homework, unless students can work on their individual parts independently

Teachers should coordinate assignments, tests, and projects with other teachers, as appropriate, to avoid overburdening students

Assignments should be discussed, checked and when appropriate, corrected and returned to students

Specific policies/practices of teachers are to be submitted to the principal and clearly communicated to students and parents

Teachers have the responsibility to communicate with parents of students who are falling behind in completing homework assignments

Homework will not be assigned during school vacation except for the completion of previously assigned long-term projects

Homework Policy Guidelines for Administrators

Include this homework policy in all teacher, parent and student handbooks

Require teachers to communicate homework policy to students and parents

Make certain that teachers are implementing the homework policy consistently and uniformly

Assist teachers, when necessary, in implementing this homework policy

Observe use of homework during classroom visits

Review homework samples and assignments periodically

Give suggestions to teachers, when necessary, on how assignments could be improved

Develop homework incentive programs/practices with teachers and parents to assist and enhance homework completion

Time Frame of Homework Assignments

While it is understood that the time it takes to complete homework assignments may vary with each child, the times below are the general guidelines for each grade level. If your child is having difficulty on a consistent basis completing assignments within the time frames established, please contact your child’s teacher for assistance.

Homework Time Frame

Kindergarten Up to 15 minutes of reading* per night Monday through Thursday

Grade 1 15 minutes of reading* per night 15 minutes of homework four nights per week, Monday through Thursday

Grade 2 15 minutes of reading* per night 15 minutes of homework four nights per week, Monday through Thursday

Grade 3 15 minutes of reading* per night 20 minutes of homework four nights per week, Monday through Thursday

Grade 4 40-45 minutes of homework four nights per week, Monday through Thursday Students may be required to spend time on the weekends for any long-term assignments and required reading

Grade 5 45-60 minutes of homework four nights per week, Monday through Thursday Students may be required to spend time on the weekends for any long-term assignments and required reading

Approved: Braintree School Committee – August 13, 2007

Braintree Public Schools

School Committee Meeting Dates

1. September 8, 2014 7:00 p.m. Monatiquot School Kindergarten Center

2. September 22, 2014 7:00 p.m. Colbert School

3. October 6, 2014 7:00 p.m. East Middle School

4. October 20, 2014 7:00 p.m. Colbert School

5. November 17, 2014 7:00 p.m. Highlands School

6. December 8, 2014 7:00 p.m. Ross School

7. January 2, 2015 7:00 p.m. Colbert School

8. January 26, 2015 7:00 p.m. Morrison School

9. February 9, 2015 7:00 p.m. Colbert School

10. February 23, 2015 7:00 p.m. South Middle School

11. March 9, 2015 7:00 p.m. Colbert School

12. March 23, 2015 7:00 p.m. Flaherty School

13. April 13, 2015 7:00 p.m. Braintree High School

14. May 4, 2015 7:00 p.m. Colbert School

15. May 18, 2015 7:00 p.m. Liberty School

16. June 15, 2015 7:00 p.m. Colbert School

The agenda for each meeting may be viewed two days prior to the meeting date at www.braintreeschoools.org

Picture Day

Picture Day is September 26th

More information to follow.

First P.T.O meeting is at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 17th.

Students should be encouraged to read for pleasure on weekends and vacations.

*Reading also includes having adults reading to children.

If a student is experiencing difficulty, parents/guardians have the option of signing off at the upper time limit for completing homework, if the student has worked studiously and has produced quality work.