February 17, 2017 - Week 24

Hello Dale Street Families,

As a reminder, there will be no school for students on Monday, February 20th through Friday, February 24th. Students will return to school on Monday, February 27th.

Ms. Paula Vogler recently published a story in the Medfield Press highlighting Dale Street's Makerspace.  If you would like to view this story, you can read it here.  

Thank you to all who participated in today's Spirit Day.  We are in the process of collecting and delivering all the items for the Medfield Animal Shelter.  A special thank you to all who participated, members of the Dale Street Student Advisory Council for their help preparing the donations for delivery, and Student Council Advisor, Mrs. Vancura for volunteering to drop off all donations.

Positive Referrals!!!

These students received Positive Referrals this week for being inclusive, helpful and showing extraordinary character.  Tremendous job!

Students in Mrs. Flynn's fourth grade class used opinion prompts this week to develop persuasive essay topics.  

Click here for the PTO update, including information on the Box Top Fundraiser and open board positions. 

SAVE THE DATE

FOURTH GRADE KIDS' NIGHT OUT

   

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

7:00PM - 8:30PM

DALE CAFETERIA

Join your friends for games, dancing, trivia, guess how many, snacks and more!

Come dressed in your favorite luau attire!

See the permission slip on the Thursday packet for more information

Thank you to Sophie from Ms. Burnham's class from reading this week's book recommendation.  Sophie recommended The Unwanted Series because it is very suspenseful and it has many twists and turns.  Sophie rated this book 5 stars!  Thanks Sophie!  

On Tuesday, students in Ms. Condon's and Mrs. Curran's classes presented their WWII reports to families and guests.  Their 'Research Share' included topic presentations as well as artifacts that symbolized their topic.  Great work young learners!  

Thank you to Katherine and her family for bidding on 'Lunch with the Office Staff.'  This raffle was part of MCPE's Auction.  We are so excited to share lunch with Katherine and some of her friends!   

Reviewing fractions and decimals with Quizmo in Ms. Bertschmann's class!  

Please click here for information on the upcoming MCPE Spelling Bee and Left-Center-Right Tournament.

Fostering A Safe Learning Environment for Our Students and Community - Monday, March 13 at 7 p.m.

Please join us for an introductory parent presentation and discussion with Colby Swettberg and Blake educators as we discuss how to best foster a safe learning environment for our community, specifically our LBGTQ youth and families.  See links below to read more information about the evening and to RSVP for this event.

Safe Learning Environment Evening 3/13/17 - Blake Communication

Safe Learning Environment Parent/Community Evening RSVP Form (3/13/17)

On Friday, March 10th, I will be hosting our second term Principal's Coffee.  During this time, we will talk about the process we will use for placing students in classrooms for 2017-2018 school year and we will detail some of the technology we use here at Dale Street. The coffee will begin at 8:45 a.m. in the Library Media Center.  Click here to RSVP.  Please note that if you are stuck for child care, please feel free to bring your little ones.  I hope that you will be able to stop in after you drop off your child(ren) on this day.  We will be providing refreshments for this presentation.

Save the Date for the Dale Street Talent show which will be held on Friday, March 17th.  More information will be available after February vacation.  

Seniors from the Counsel on Aging were very excited to receive Valentine's Day cards from our students at Dale Street this week!
What a fantastic community connection!  

Thanks to these wonderful students for making Dale Street a Winter Wonderland!  

I hope that you and your family enjoy the vacation time next week.  Looking forward to seeing everyone on the 27th!

Sincerely,

Steve

February 10, 2017 - Week 23

Greetings Dale Street Community,

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable snow day yesterday.  We had a great week here at #beproudbedale.  Take a minute and check it out.....

Positive Referrals!!!

These students received Positive Referrals this week for being very inclusive and extremely helpful.  Awesome job!

Students in Ms. Walunas' fifth grade class spent time today in the makerspace.  Students collaborated to stop the 'Weather Wizard'.  They were certainly up to the task.  Great work, young learners! 

Click here for the PTO update, including Town-wide PTO open volunteer positions for 2017-2019.

This week, students in Señora DellaMonica's Spanish class played ¿Quién es quién? and collaborated to improve their Spanish proficiency.

Click here for the MCPE update, including information on the 12th Annual Spelling Bee and the 2nd Annual Left-Center-Right Tournament.


Students in Miss Hayes' class worked with Technology Specialist, Mrs.Fromen and practiced @GoogleForEdu skills.  They even celebrated the Patriots Super Bowl win too!

Please return any borrowed clothes to the nurse's office as soon as possible.

We are running low!

Thanks to Will from Ms. DiPesa's class who shared this great math riddle this week: What did Michael Jackson say to the bully?  JUST BEAT IT  Great job, Will!

The students at Dale Street have been very active in Health and Physical Education during the past month!

In Health Education, fourth grade students have been busy learning about a variety of drugs and the different categories for those drugs. 

 

Fifth graders have been involved with our Adolescent Changes Unit.  This unit gives students information related to body changes that occur during puberty and a basic outline of the human reproductive system.  

In the gymnasium, both grades have participated in a yoga unit, fitness stations, and scooter basketball.  We are in the process of starting a volleyball unit right now.  So fun!  

Valentine's Day is fast approaching....very exciting! In an effort to ensure safety for all of our students and staff, we are requesting that no food/candy be sent in with Valentine's cards. Teachers will be sending out information in the coming week to detail specific classroom celebrations. The Head Room Parent will be coordinating this effort.  Please keep food and drink to these four categories: something crunchy, something sweet, healthy fruit, and water.  Additionally, please be sensitive of allergies within classrooms.  The snack time and the Valentine's themed activities will take place at different times depending on students’ schedules. Thank you in advance for your assistance to help create a fun and safe day at Dale Street!

The Dale Street School has decided to dedicate its second Spirit Day to collecting donations to support the Medfield Animal Shelter. Our school is doing this as way to connect to our community. We will be collecting items to donate to the shelter beginning Monday, February 13th through Friday, February 17th. The Medfield Animal Shelter rescues lost or abandoned animals and provides shelter until they find new homes. They depend on donations of food, cleaning supplies and cat litter.  For more information, refer to medfieldshelter.com.  Thank you in advance for your continued support.

As a way to promote spirit, Dale Street students and staff will participate in 'Color Connections' on Friday, February 17th. Each class will select a color and students and staff are asked to wear a shirt or a sweatshirt that has that color. The class at each grade level with the highest participation will be the winner for that grade!

The Price of Privilege by Madeline Levine, Ph.D. 

Join us for an elementary parent discussion of the book The Price of Privilege, by Madeline Levine, Ph.D. The book discussion is open to all elementary parents/guardians K-5. We look forward to your joining us for one of the two discussion groups: Wednesday, March 1, 2017, from 9:30-11:00 am @ Wheelock School Thursday, March 2, 2017, from 6:30-8:00 pm @ Dale Street School.

Space is Limited - ​Please RSVP here​ by 2/27/17.

Kathleen Bockhorst, Memorial and Wheelock Guidance Counselor, KBockhorst@email.medfield.net

Lindsey Warner, Dale Street Guidance Counselor, LWarner@email.medfield.net

Parent/Teacher conferences are coming soon.  March conferences are scheduled for Thursday, March 16th and Tuesday, March 21st.  Please be on the lookout as conference information was sent out today.  

Thank you for reading this week's blog.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Warm regards,
Steve 

February 3, 2017 - Week 22

Hello Dale Street!

What an amazing week at Dale Street!  Take a look.....

On Wednesday, some of the Dale Street staff along with Superintendent Marsden and School Committee member, Maryanne Sullivan ventured into the State House. Dale Street was one of only 51 schools in the Commonwealth to be recognized as a 2016 Massachusetts Commendation School.  Dale Street's philosophy is that state assessments are important, but are only one measure of a student’s understanding and growth.  However, we are very proud and honored to have been recognized by the Department of Education. 
   

This week, Dr. Sahr and Dr. Bless visited Mr. Mason's fifth grade class to teach a lesson on beach erosion.  Students were grouped together and had the chance to use the engineering process to collaborate on how to best assist the stakeholders of the beach.  What in super hands-on experience!

Congratulations to Mrs. Oxholm and our phenomenal Grade 4 & 5 Chorus!  Your performance at this week's Choral Extravaganza was outstanding!  

  

The Dale Street Intramural program is offering one additional club to the Winter/Spring 2017 session.  If you are interested in participating, please sign up online at the Dale Street website. Sign up will be open from today until Feb 8th. Thank you.

Science Squad (limited to 15) Ms. Schroter and Ms. Long (HS seniors) & Mrs. Frazier Why can you hear thunder but can never see it?  What gives a tornado it power to destroy?  What’s it like to be in the eye of a hurricane? You can find out the answers to these questions and many more when you join Science Squad.  Science Squad is a supplement to the 5th grade science curriculum as well as an introduction to new topics that relate to the material that is taught through experiments, so it will always be a blast!  5th grade material but all are welcome to join the fun!

Wednesday UNTIL 4:15 p.m. Meet in Ms. Condon's classroom

Activity Fee is $64 8 Classes Mar 15, 22, 29 Apr 5, 12, 26 May 3, 10

Click here for the PTO update, including information on the 1/2 day movie day and open volunteer positions.

The Dale St PTO is sponsoring another fun filled 1/2 day movie event on February 7th. However, we need volunteers! We had over 80 students attend the last 1/2 day movie event and we can't run it without your help. Please refer to the link below to sign up to volunteer or donate snacks (nut free) and drinks. Thank you!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054aaea82eaa8-movie

Please contact Patti Kelly at pattikelly48@hotmail.com if you have any questions.

The Price of Privilege by Madeline Levine, Ph.D. 

Join us for an elementary parent discussion of the book The Price of Privilege, by Madeline Levine, Ph.D. The book discussion is open to all elementary parents/guardians K-5. We look forward to your joining us for one of the two discussion groups: Wednesday, March 1, 2017, from 9:30-11:00 am @ Wheelock School Thursday, March 2, 2017, from 6:30-8:00 pm @ Dale Street School.

Space is Limited - ​Please RSVP here​ by 2/27/17.

Kathleen Bockhorst, Memorial and Wheelock Guidance Counselor, KBockhorst@email.medfield.net

Lindsey Warner, Dale Street Guidance Counselor, LWarner@email.medfield.net

Thanks to Lucie and Yara for reading book recommendations today.  Lucie recommended Black Beauty because it is about life from a horse's view.  Lucie gave it 5 stars!  Yara recommended Hour of the Bees because it is full of surprises.  Yara recommended this book for all people and gave it 5 stars!   Thank you ladies!

News From the Makerspace....

Mrs. Cowell's updated website can be accessed here.  As you have seen from a lot of the photos on past blogs (and below), there is a lot of great things going on in Dale Street's makerspace.  In an effort to keep the makerspace stocked appropriately, Mrs. Cowell has added a 'wish list' to her website.  Thank you in advance for any support you can lend.  

This week, Grade 5 students were asked to 'Save the World!'

The Dale Street School has decided to dedicate its second Spirit Day to collecting donations to support the Medfield Animal Shelter. Our school is doing this as way to connect to our community. We will be collecting items to donate to the shelter beginning Monday, February 13th through Friday, February 17th. The Medfield Animal Shelter rescues lost or abandoned animals and provides shelter until they find new homes. They depend on donations of food, cleaning supplies and cat litter.  For more information, refer to medfieldshelter.com.  Thank you in advance for your continued support.

As a way to promote spirit, Dale Street students and staff will participate in 'Color Connections' on Friday, February 17th. Each class will select a color and students and staff are asked to wear a shirt or a sweatshirt that has that color. The class at each grade level with the highest participation will be the winner for that grade!

Congratulations to Evan in Mr. Mason's class for making the Jr. US swim team!

Students in Mrs. Flynn's fourth grade class worked with Technology Specialist, Mrs.Fromen to better familiarize themselves with our Chromebooks.  In this activity, students dragged, dropped, saved, and posted on Padlet.  #cool

2017 TESTING SCHEDULE

As a reminder, our testing schedule is set for the spring.  As always it is most important that students attend school on the days of testing, so please plan appointments in a way that does not interfere with your child being in school on the following testing dates:

• English Language Arts MCAS 2.0 now known as Next Generation MCAS
• Who:  Grades 4 (computer-based)
• April 11th, April 12th, April 13th
• Who: Grade 5 (paper-based)
• April 26th, April 27th, April 28th
• ELA Make-ups for grades 4 and 5 will take place on a rolling basis as needed

• Math MCAS 2.0 now known as Next Generation MCAS
• Who:  Grades 4 (computer-based)
• May 16th and May 17th
• Who: Grade 5 (paper-based)
• May 18th and May 19th
• Math Make-ups for grades 4 and 5 will take place on a rolling basis as needed  

• Science, Technology and Engineering
• Who:  Grade 5 (paper-based)
• May 22nd and May 23rd
• STE Make-ups for grade 5 will take place on a rolling basis as needed  

Click here for information on MCPE's Treasured Experiences Auction, LCR Community Event and Annual Spelling Bee.

Valentine's Day is fast approaching....very exciting! In an effort to ensure safety for all of our students and staff, we are requesting that no food/candy be sent in with Valentine's cards. Teachers will be sending out information in the coming week to detail specific classroom celebrations. The Head Room Parent will be coordinating this effort.  Please keep food and drink to these four categories: something crunchy, something sweet, healthy fruit, and water.  Additionally, please be sensitive of allergies within classrooms.  The snack time and the Valentine's themed activities will take place at different times depending on students’ schedules. Thank you in advance for your assistance to help create a fun and safe day at Dale Street!

February 7 - Early Release Day (11:40 Dismissal)

February 7 - PTO Movie on the Half Day

Have a great weekend and GO PATS!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Steve