Friday, November 30, 2018

November 30, 2018 - Week 14

Dear Dale Street Families,

I am not sure about you, but I can't believe that tomorrow is December 1st.  What a fantastic last week of November here at #beproudbedale! It was certainly a week full of Respect, Compassion, Collaboration, and Continuous Growth.  Take a look..... 


On a visit to Mrs. Foley's fifth grade classroom, I saw and heard students' excitement as they 'traveled' to the Solar System, Mars, and the International Space Station using our MCPE funded Google viewfinders.  What a terrific experience!




Students in Ms. DiPesa's class used a hands-on approach as they created designs that represented one of the vocabulary words.  Can you guess their words?   






Check out this update to catch up on all the PTO happenings.



PTO Movie on the 1/2 Day - Incredibles 2

When: Wednesday, Dec 5
Location: Dale Street School Cafeteria
Time 11:45-1:45

Permission slip and payment due by Tuesday, Dec 4.  Be sure to bring a bag lunch and drink.  The school will not be providing lunch.  Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase for $1 each.

If you are able to donate snack/drink items or volunteer at the event, please sign up here.


On a visit to Mrs. Ross' fourth grade class this week, students collaborated using the 'somebody, wanted, but, so, then' strategy to summarize stories using the big ideas from the text.  Great work, everyone!  




Congratulations to our Positive Referrals this week.  Thank you for making our school such a great place!   We are very proud of you!

This student has been very focused and really respectful.


This student displayed extremely considerate and helpful behavior.


This student was very helpful and kind.


This student demonstrated very respectful behavior and compassion in a recent PE class.  
Next Friday, December 7th, students and staff are encouraged to dress in festive holiday attire.  Pull out those holiday hats, t-shirts, and maybe even ugly sweaters.  It will be a really fun day.   



Mr. Mason's fifth grade class, with help from Library Media Specialist, Mrs. Cowell, spent some time this week learning more about coding http://www.grinchhourofcode.com/ 






Our Guidance staff has scheduled a parent coffee on Mindfulness on Friday, December 14th at the Memorial School.  Please check out the flyer below.  


I was able to participate in an awesome science lesson today with Mrs. Lowerre's class.  Students worked in groups to participate in a Lunar Phase Escape.  These fantastic young learners worked hard to crack codes to "escape" out of a locked spaceship.  #funlearning 



Term 1 Report Cards
On Tuesday, 12/4, students will bring home their report cards for the first term.  If you have any questions about your child's work or the report card, please start by having a conversation with your child.  If questions still exist, please contact the teacher directly to gain more insight.


The Dale Street Student Advisory Council met this morning.  The Student Advisory Council initiated the idea of creating holiday cards for individuals in the military, residents of the Thomas Upham House, and patients at Children's Hospital.  Dale Street students are encouraged to create cards for one, two, or all three of these groups.  Students may create as many cards as they wish.  The specifics for the cards are:
*Written on 8 1/2 x 11 paper
*Just include first name (no personal information)
*Some possible ideas: draw holiday items, thank you for your service, get well soon, stay strong, stay safe, happy holidays, happy New Year
*Students can make more than one card if they want

*Cards are due back to school by Wednesday, December 12th   

Congratulations to our Wire Craft raffle winners for 2018!  Special thanks to Ms. Sager and her class for organizing this event and all of the Dale Street community who donated to Coalition for Courage.

Mr. Douglas' fourth grade classroom welcomed a visitor this week.....math specialist, Mrs. Wells.  Mrs. Wells challenged students' critical thinking by presenting numberless word problems.  These students are wonderfully talented!    


Thanks to Jordan in Mr. Douglas' class for reading today's book recommendation.  Jordan recommended Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova  for "someone who likes books that play out in your head like a movie."  Jordan rated this book '5 stars'  Thanks Jordan!
This week students in Ms. Costello's fifth grade class participated in a Detective Hunt to gain a deeper understanding of the divisibility rules. 



Do you know a Medfield teacher, staff member, coach, or administrator who has played an extra special role in your child's life? In this season of giving, consider donating to MCPE in their honor, and those individuals will be personally thanked and acknowledged in MCPE's annual newsletter. Go to www.medfieldcoalition.org for more information or to donate today.


Where is that sweatshirt? Can't find the lunchbox?  Check the Dale St Lost & Found.  It is overflowing!  Unclaimed items will be donated on Dec 21st.


Happy Hanukkah!


Hanukkah begins this Sunday, December 2nd. We want to wish everyone who celebrates a wonderful and festive holiday!




December 4 - Report Cards Sent Home
December 5 - Early Release Day (11:40 Dismissal) - Staff 
PD Day
December 5 - PTO Movie on the Half Day (Dale Street cafeteria)
December 5 - Spaghetti with Santa
December 6 - Early Release Day (11:40 Dismissal) - Student Led/Family Conferences
December 11 - Early Release Day (11:40 Dismissal) - Student Led/Family Conferences
December 21 - Early Release Day (11:40 Dismissal)
December 24 - January 1 - Winter Break
January 2 - School Re-Opens 

Thank you for taking time to read this week's blog.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Warm regards,
Steve


Respect • Compassion • Collaboration • Continuous Growth 



Wednesday, November 21, 2018

November 21, 2018 - Week 13

Greetings Dale Street Community,


Last Friday, the fourth grade students had a blast at the Grade 4 Kids' Night Out.  The students participated in games and dancing during this wonderful PTO sponsored event.  A big thank you to all of the parent volunteers for organizing and supervising this fantastic night. Here are some snapshots of the evening.....



Ms. Bertschmann's fifth grade students created their own hot air balloons to showcase in the annual Thanksgiving Day parade.  The class read Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet and created "balloons" using their wonderful imaginations. Great job!   


Students in Mrs. Crable's fourth grade classroom went on a 'virtual' field trip to Ellis Island this week thanks to our MCPE funded Google viewfinders.  So cool!  






Congratulations to our Positive Referrals this week.  Thank you for making our school such a great place!   We are very proud of you!

This student showed great collaboration.

This student (a two time recipient!) has demonstrated continuous growth.  

This student was extremely respectful and compassionate.  

We are moving closer to winter and it sure has been a little colder.  Please be sure that your children are wearing appropriate, seasonal clothing and have coats, hats, mittens, etc….as they will be going outside for recess on most days.  Students will need snow boots and snow pants if they would like to play in the snow.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.



If you have a minute, check out this awesome podcast "Book Love" created by reading specialist, Mrs. Bassett and two talented #beproudbedale students.

Book Love Podcast

Mrs. Ross' fourth grade students took time this week to create a Thanksgiving menu.  These young learners did a fabulous job budgeting and planning wonderful Thanksgiving meals!  









The Dale Street student body will continue its Global Giving initiative after Thanksgiving with our Collation for Courage Craft Sale (11/27-11/30).  Crafts will cost between $3-$20. Check out the student-created episode 2 (link below) giving students and their families more information about Global Giving and the Coalition for Courage. 



Thursday, 11/29 - Marimba Benefit Concert (Heights Elementary School, Sharon, MA
Monday, 12/3 - School Committee Meeting (HS) 
Tuesday, 12/4 - Term I Report Cards Sent Home
Wednesday, 12/5 - Half day of school (Teacher PD) - 11:40 a.m. dismissal
Wednesday, 12/5 - Spaghetti with Santa (HS)
Wednesday, 12/6 - Half day of school (Parent/Teacher Conferences) - 11:40 a.m. dismissal
Tuesday, 12/11 - Half day of school (Parent/Teacher Conferences) - 11:40 a.m. dismissal

From the Dale Street School family to yours, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.  
Enjoy the break! 

Sincerely,


Steve

Respect • Compassion • Collaboration • Continuous Growth 


Friday, November 16, 2018

November 16, 2018 - Week 12

Hello Dale Street!

Thank you to all the Dale Street families who came out to Family Literacy Night last evening.  There were so many amazing opportunities for the students and their families. Special thanks to Jamee Callahan for organizing such a great event, our fabulous PTO, the wonderful volunteers, and the many, many families who attended!  


Congratulations to these Dale Street students who won Park Street gift certificates as door raffles last night! 










Pennies for a Purpose/Silver Sabotage Tally 
Our final collection total for Pennies for a Purpose/Silver Sabotage was $1,378.18!  We cannot thank our students, their families, and Dale Street staff enough for their continued generosity! Stay tuned for Global Giving Video #2.  It will come out before Thanksgiving.  

On Thursday, grade 5 students in Mrs. Foley's and Ms. Condon's classrooms participated in a scavenger hunt.  Students worked on science, ELA, math, and social studies.  
What a fun way to learn!   






Check out the PTO update for information about the Movie on the Half Day, Holiday Fair and more!


2019 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 - Next Generation MCAS
    • Who:  Grade 4 (computer-based)
    • April 9th and April 10th
    • Who: Grade 5 (computer-based)
    • April 24th and April 25th
    • ELA Make-ups for grades 4 and 5 will take place on a rolling basis as needed


  • Math - Next Generation MCAS
    • Who:  Grades 4 (computer-based)
    • May 1st and May 2nd
    • Who: Grade 5 (computer-based)
    • May 13th and May 14th
    • Math Make-ups for grades 4 and 5 will take place on a rolling basis as needed  

  • Science, Technology and Engineering
    • Who:  Grade 5 (computer-based)
    • May 16th and May 17th
    • STE Make-ups for grade 5 will take place on a rolling basis as needed  

Thanks to Alex in Mr. Douglas' class for reading today's book recommendation.  Alex recommended Level Up by Thien Pham for "someone who likes graphic novels."  Alex rated this book '10 stars'  Thanks Alex!

Ms. Isaacson's fourth grade students spent time comparing two texts in reader's workshop this week.  What a great skill to learn!  




Today, students in Mrs. Lowerre's fifth grade classroom used literature, birthday party ideas, and music to better understand theme!  These young learners are so talented! 


On a visit to Ms. Laughna's fourth grade health class this week, students used the MyPlate guidelines to identify responsible food choices for breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner.  




Students at Medfield High School are coordinating a coat drive.  We have a bin in our main foyer should you decide to donate to this Coats for Kids initiative.  
Reminder: The cut off time for early release days is 10:30 a.m.  It is extremely helpful to have accurate information added to School Dismissal Manager on all days, and particularly on early release days.  Please remember that you can input dismissal preferences days/weeks in advance.  If you have any questions about School Dismissal Manager, please contact Mrs. Barrett or Mrs. Infantino in the office.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.    

Next week there will be a half day of school on Wednesday, November 21st (11:40 a.m. dismissal) 
and no school on November 22nd and 23rd due to Thanksgiving break.

Thank you for reading!  Have a relaxing weekend!


Warm regards,


Steve

Respect • Compassion • Collaboration • Continuous Growth