OCTOBER 2013

VOLUME 2

Columbus News

COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 37 HICKS AVENUE, MEDFORD, MA 02155

WWW.MEDFORD.K12.MA.US

D I S M I S S A L

Mrs. Falvey are excited to report that the district has purchased new webCorner based software for all of its libraries. Thank you for your This means that anyone can access our patience with the bus library catalog from any computer start up this year. connected to the internet. Once training Hopefully, things are running much is completed the district website will more smoothly at this time. I know enable access to this catalog through a from the arrival and dismissal point of link. However, until training and rollover view, conditions have improved. We are completed we appreciate your pathank you for making concerns known tience in waiting to have your children and urge you to keep Mrs. Giombetti, borrow books from the school libraries. Mrs. Sherman-Hudson and me inWe hope to start library classes the formed. Also, please watch for any bus week of October 7th. forms that need to be completed at the October 9th is National Walk to end of this year to make the start of School Day. Students who live within next year more successful. one half mile of the Columbus School For a complete review of the arrival will be encouraged to walk to school. and dismissal procedure for students Students who take the bus will particinot taking the bus, check out the pate as well just before entering the archive of Septembers Newsletter on school grounds. The students will enjoy the website. The information is the benefits of walking along with presented on the first page. Remind- parents and teachers. Walk to School er: Please do NOT get out of, or park, Day events raise awareness of the need your car while in the car loop, DO hang to create safer routes for walking and up your cell phones, and remember, no emphasize the importance of issues dogs allowed on school property during such as increasing physical activity arrival/dismissal. Thank you for help- among children, pedestrian safety, ing us keep your children safe. traffic congestion, and concern for the environment. The events build connecThank you to the PTO for another tions between families, schools, and the wonderful Ice Cream Social last week. A great time was had by all. We broader community. The Medford Board of Health, through the efforts of Syrah thank the many high school students McGivern, donated enough pedometers who came to dish out ice cream and for each Columbus student to use on helped the event to run smoothly. the day of the event. Mayor McGlynn Thank you Mr. Blauch for organizing this portion of the evening. Please be will also be in attendance to congratusure to check both this Newsletter cal- late the students for making healthy choices. endar and the school website for

Principals

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W E D N E S D A Y

Octobers exciting events.

rd

Why not participate along with us?

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On October 3 , people across the country and at the Columbus Elementary School will read the childrens book Otis by Loren Long in support of Jumpstarts mission to work towards the day that every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. In 2012, 2.3 million people participated in Jumpstarts Read for the Record. We hope to break this number. Ask your child to retell the story when s/he arrives home. The Columbus School Library and

Kathleen Kay

T H A T

Dont forget to call the absence line if

your child will miss school. Number below.

N O T E

IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS * TELEPHONE : 781.393.2177 * FAX : 781.393.2187 * NURSE : 781.393.2175 * ABSENCE LINE: 781.393.3503

P L E A S E

October 1 October 2 October 3

Hockmeyer School Photos - See schedule sent home for day/time Hockmeyer School Photos - See schedule sent home for day/time Early Release-1:30pm Dismissal

JumpStart Read for the Record. Columbus Elementary School will try to help break a record for the most people reading the same book on the same day. Ask your child about this years story, Otis by Loren Long.

October 8

Title I Reading Workshop for Families, 8:45am, Columbus Library PTO Meeting. Please join us at 7:00pm to see how you and the PTO help the Columbus.

October 9 October 14 October 15 October 16 October 20 October 22 October 23 October 26 October 31

National Walk to School Day. See article on 1st page for information. Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal NO SCHOOL - Columbus Day School Council Meeting, 7:00pm, Columbus Conference Room Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal Fall School Pride Garden Clean-Up, 1:30pm-4:00pm. Lend a hand beautifying the Columbus Garden Title I Reading Workshop for Families, 6:00pm at Medford High School Library Early Release - 1:30pm Dismissal Harvest Your Energy Festival, 11:00am-2:00pm, Base of the Medford Wind Turbine, Riverbend Park. Spirit Day - Crazy Hat Day. Wear a crazy hat to school today.

Vision & Hearing Screening has started in the nurses office. All children have their vision and hearing checked yearly. Please look for any referral which requires your prompt attention. If your child participated in the Vitamin D study last year, the final portion of the study will begin on October 22nd & 23rd. Elizabeth Olson, the project manager, will start contacting last year's participants to set up their appointment around October 15th. If you have any questions, you may reach Ms. Olson at 1-617-636-0928.

BOOK

REVIEWS

Room on the Broom, by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Ages 4-8. The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch's hat, then her bow, and then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom. But is there room on the broom for so many friends? And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon? ~ Review by Amazon.com

The Giver by Lois Lowry Ages 10 and up. In a world with no

poverty, no crime, no sickness and no unemployment, and where every family is happy, 12-year-old Jonas is chosen to be the community's Receiver of Memories. Under the tutelage of the Elders and an old man known as the Giver, he discovers the disturbing truth about his utopian world and struggles against the weight of its hypocrisy. With echoes of Brave New World, in this 1994 Newbery Medal winner, Lowry examines the idea that people might freely choose to give up their humanity in order to create a more stable society. Gradually Jonas learns just how costly this ordered and pain-free society can be, and boldly decides he cannot pay the price. Publishers Weekly said, "Lowry is once again in top form.... unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers." ~ Review adapted from amazon.com

SHORT NOTES
Ticket, Please! If you want to limit your youngsters TV time, try this idea. Every week, give her seven slips of paper. Each is good for one hour of television. Remind her to plan ahead. For example, if she wants to watch a twohour movie on Saturday, shell need to save an extra ticket during the week. Be there! Regular attendance in elementary school sets up a good pattern for your childs entire school career. Show him that school comes first by trying to keep days off for illness and family emergencies. Also, schedule routine doctor and dentist appointments for after school or over school breaks. Better concentration. Looking for a fun way to improve your youngsters concentration? Try this quick game. The first player makes one motion, like clapping or spinning around. The second person copies him and adds another movement. Continue adding new motions until someone forgets the sequence. The last player to get it right starts a new game.
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Study Smarts
From a history test at the end of each month to a spelling quiz every week, studying is a skill youngsters will need throughout their years of schooling. You can help your child by encouraging these study tips: Start a Habit. Encourage your youngster to treat studying as a daily assignment, not just something s/he does the evening before a test. For example, s/he might study 15 minutes every night for a spelling test that takes place on Friday. After s/he finishes his/her regular homework, s/he can spend a little time reviewing notes and handouts. Tackle Textbooks. When your child has a chapter to study, have your child preview it to increase understanding. S/he should glance over headings, graphics, and photos and go to the glossary to look up bold faced words. Tip: If s/he finds a section hard to grasp, s/he could read a picture book on the topic. For a science unit on matter for instance, s/he could try What Is the World Made Of? By Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld. Mix it Up. If your youngster reviews information in several ways, s/hell be more likely to remember it. S/he might use colored pencils to copy each spelling word or math fact onto a separate index card. Then, s/he can shuffle the cards and study them in a different order each time. For extra reinforcement, suggest that s/he spell each word or recite each fact aloud. Helping your child in this way will help him/her meet increased success in school each day.

A Recipe for Respect

Ava listens quietly when her teacher talks. Ben claps for each performer at his piano recital. These children show respect for others. Heres how you can encourage your child to do the same. Demonstrate Your child will learn respectful behavior by watching the way you treat others. When she makes a mistake, for instance, out of earshot of others, gently tell her what shes done wrong. Also let her see you respect ideas and beliefs that are different from your own. For example, point out that youre happy a friend is voting in an election even though you each favor a different candidate. Notice When you see your youngster acting respectfully, let him know that youve noticed. (I like the way you asked your sister before borrowing her video game.) Your words and attention will encourage him to show respect in the future. Tip: If you see disrespectful behavior on TV (a child rolling his eyes or talking back to an adult), tell your child that isnt okay in real life. Then, ask him to be on the lookout for respectful actions by characters. How many can s/he spot before the program ends?
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