Friday, June 18, 2021

June 18, 2021 - Week 35

Good Afternoon Dale Street Families,

It has truly been one heck of a year! I hope that everyone takes a moment and reflects on all we have accomplished under these unprecedented times. We worked together and tackled some unique and difficult situations. Although not perfect, I do believe we have emerged stronger and together we went from 'Together We CAN' to 'Together We DID!' Thank you again!

Congratulations to our 5th graders!

Yesterday, our Grade 5 students participated in Dale Street's Grade 5 Celebration. It was a great event - our first one outside!  Special thanks to Mr. Mike Mason - your message was fabulous. Grade 5 students, best wishes to you as you move up to middle school! Here are a few snapshots from the day.






This week students in Mrs. Fox's fourth-grade class were challenged to create an amusement park together with their reading groups that represented the various books they read.  Amusement parks included a map, rides/games, merchandise, food that showed the theme, characters based on character traits from the stories, signposts, and settings.  Students collaborated together to create slide shows, designed rides through brush.ninja., and created posters. Well done! 


Dale Street School's Reading Specialists, Mrs. Bassett and Mrs. Callahan worked with small groups of students on a project called “Stones for the Soul.” 

Students collaborated to create a theme for a book they have collectively read. They wrote and decorated their message on a series of beach stones, using outdoor paint. The messages are inspirational life lessons that will uplift your soul. They have been placed around town.  Can you find them?



Click here to read a really great article highlighting Dale Street's Stones for the Soul project.  

Just because we're taking a break from school for the summer doesn't mean you need to take a break from reading!  Check out our Medfield Summer Literacy Website for resources and information to keep your family reading, writing, and talking all summer long! 


On Wednesday, students in Mrs. Ross' and Mrs. Seaver's fifth-grade class participated in a fun STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) activity.  The class loved this cooperative, Marble Roll Bucket Challenge!  





Today, our Grade 5 students had some time outside with classmates to sign yearbooks.  Thank you, PTO!


On Monday in World Language with Senora LeVangie, students in Mrs. Fox's fourth-grade class took time to write about their favorite season…¿Qué tiempo hace y qué ropa llevas? 


Like in past years, the PTO is partnering with 1st Day School Supplies to get all your supplies for your student for next school year. 

The teachers have given us the supply list for each grade and 1st Day School Supplies will assemble and deliver them for your child.

All name-brand supplies will be packaged individually for your student.  Items will be shipped to the school and ready for your child on their first day.  

Sign up now.  The sale closes July 1st!


This week all of our Grade 4 classes participated in an Academic Summer Olympics.  The students and teachers had so much fun!  



To all the wonderful fathers and father figures who stand by us, guide us, and extend a loving hand, thank you for your generosity and care. 

Again, I want to reiterate how much I appreciate the patience, flexibility, and dedication of all involved.  This year has presented many challenges, and the Dale Street community has risen to them time and time again.


I hope you all have a wonderful summer!  Good luck to the rising 6th graders as they begin a new adventure at Blake and we look forward to seeing our rising 5th graders next year!!

With gratitude,

Steve

Respect * Compassion * Collaboration * Continuous Growth

Friday, June 11, 2021

June 11, 2021 - Week 34

 Hello Dale Street Families,

Wow-what a week!  It began with some very hot temperatures and ended with an incredible Field Day.  It is amazing that we only have four and a half days left in this most unique year.  We anticipate a very busy week ahead with many more exciting activities! I hope everyone gets a chance to rest up this weekend as we head into the final week!  Please take a minute to review the awesomeness that occurred this week.

On Tuesday, Dale Street staff honored 2 amazing Dale Street employees. We were able to thank Music teacher, Barbara Oxholm and Administrative Assistant, Megan Infantino for everything they have done for our students, their families, and our staff. Barabara is retiring and Megan and her family are relocating out of state.  We will miss both of them greatly.




Community Invited to Learn About New School

The School Building Committee (SBC) is inviting all residents to attend a public forum for the proposed new elementary school on the Wheelock campus. The forum is scheduled for Sunday, June 13 at 4:00 at Dale Street School.

Community members may participate in-person at Dale or may choose to watch the forum live on Medfield TV. Either way, the SBC is encouraging the community to come or tune in and learn more. One of the main topics addressed at the forum will be the site selection of the Wheelock campus and will include a discussion of both the advantages and disadvantages of the campus model.

Other items to be addressed are costs, resources spent to date, timelines, and the impact of a recent citizen's petition to keep the project at Dale Street. There will be ample time to answer residents' questions and for community discussion.

Just because we're taking a break from school for the summer doesn't mean you need to take a break from reading!  Check out our Medfield Summer Literacy Website for resources and information to keep your family reading, writing, and talking all summer long! 

Congratulations to this week's Positive Referral!  Thank you for making Dale Street such a great place! 



On Wednesday, Mrs. Vancura and I got to have a closeout meeting (and share cold treats) with Dale Street's Student Council to thank them for all of their efforts this year.  We are so proud of these leaders and know that they will continue to do great things!  



This week, grade 4 Cohort D students participated in some end-of-the-year math review with Mr. Davanage. Congratulations to Cameron who solved the mystery picture! 



We had an awesome Field Day on Thursday!  Special thanks to Wellness teachers, Mrs. Nawrocki and Ms. Laughna for organizing a wonderful, fun-filled day for our students. 









This week, Grade 5 students in Ms. Condon's class shared their research topics and the artifacts they created as part of their 'History & Me' project. You can read the Room 6 History & Me book here. They did an awesome job! 



On Thursday, Library Media Specialist, Ms. Sweeney and I facilitated a Summer Reading Assembly over Zoom to talk about Dale Street's Summer Reading expectations.  We sent out these communications today: 



Check out the Grade 5 Egg Drop! Students played the role of design engineers to create contraptions that would safely hold an egg.  We have very talented students with such creative ideas!






Ms. MacDonnell's class had a 'day at the beach' to help battle the hot days we had this week.




The Grade 5 Celebration will be Thursday, June 17th, and Friday, June 18th (this will be a rain date) at 9:30 a.m. for Dale Street's Grade 5 Celebration.  This year, the Grade 5 Celebration will take place on the basketball court outdoors and we are hoping for dry and nice weather.  Grade 5 families are welcome and we are asking that all guests bring a lawn chair for seating in an area off the pavement.  The health and safety of our students, their families, and the staff continue to be our number one priority. Therefore. we are asking that there are only 2 guests per student and that you refrain from bringing children.  In addition, if you are not seated more than 6 feet apart from a non-family member you are expected to wear a mask.      



Current Grades K-4 Transition - On Friday, June 18th, at or around 1:00 p.m., teachers will be sending out an email welcoming incoming students and their families to their class for the 2021 - 2022 school year.  Along with the introductory email, there will be a link to a Flipgrid of all of their classmates for next year - including their new teacher.  At the end of August (before students return to school), students will have the opportunity to visit their new classroom, drop off any school materials they have, and meet their new teacher in person.  The exact day and time of this ‘Meet and Greet’ visit is still being worked out and building principals will be sending out information over the summer with more detailed information.     

Current Grade 5 Transition - Current Grade 5 students will participate in a transition afternoon visiting the Blake Middle School on Thursday, June 17th.  Students will board a bus at 12:10 p.m., travel to the Middle School to participate in meetings with Blake staff, and return to Dale Street around 2:00 p.m.  Grade 5 teachers will be accompanying students on this trip.  Blake will be sending out an email on Wednesday, June 16th to inform students of the cluster they will be in and the advisor they will have next year so they can head up to the Middle School knowing this information. 


To begin the week, Grade 4 students in Ms. Plmpton's class worked with solar cells. Students had great conversations about renewable energy.  






In the afternoon of Tuesday, June 15th all Grade 4 classrooms will head outside for a whole grade recess and some refreshing treats.  Our amazing PTO has graciously donated watermelons and popsicles for the students to enjoy.    



Grade 5 students will receive their yearbooks (Thanks PTO!) on Friday, June 18th at 9:30 a.m.  Students will have an opportunity to have peers sign their yearbooks during this time.  We also have a special PTO treat planned!    



On behalf of the students and staff at Dale Street, I want to thank all the families and our incredible PTO for everything you have done this year.  You have treated us amazingly!  There have been some questions regarding end-of-the-year events and classroom celebrations.  Although it looks like we are certainly heading in the right direction, we are not fully out of the COVID woods yet.  Therefore, Dale Street will not be having any classroom celebrations that parents will be attending. 

Grade 5 has a plethora of end-of-the-year activities and is super excited for Field Day, the Egg Drop, Grade 5 Celebration, Transition to Blake, and Yearbook Signing.  Grade 4 is also excited for Field Day, their Summer Reading assembly, Popsicle/Watermelon event, and learning their new teacher and classmates for next year.  Grade 4 is asking if Room Parents want to help out by creating a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) activity for the students in the class and send in the activity by Monday, June 14th.

We are a school that prides itself on having parents in and around the building.  As much as we would love families to be involved in our year-end activities as in previous years, unfortunately, this will not be possible this year.  Thank you for your understanding.     

Please send students to school with a refillable water bottle with their name on it so that they can stay hydrated throughout the day. We have a large number of unclaimed reusable water bottles in our lost and found that may belong to your child- please tell them to stop by and look if you are missing one.  Putting your child's name on it will ensure that it is returned if found. Students may refill their bottles using one of our two bottle filler stations. We hope to be outdoors as much as possible for the remainder of the year so students may wish to have a hat and sunscreen moving forward as well. 

Is your child missing a sweatshirt? A lunch box? A water bottle?  All of the above?? 

Please ask them the check the overflowing lost & found!  Tables with lost and found items have been placed in the lobby.

Unclaimed items will be donated at the end of the school year.

Like in past years, the PTO is partnering with 1st Day School Supplies to get all your supplies for your student for next school year. 

The teachers have given us the supply list for each grade and 1st Day School Supplies will assemble and deliver them for your child.

All name-brand supplies will be packaged individually for your student.  Items will be shipped to the school and ready for your child on their first day.  

Sign up now.  The sale closes July 1st!

https://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/list.php?school_zip=02052

Please make sure all Dale Street Library books are returned to school ASAP.  Thank you for your cooperation in making sure our library is ready for next year's students.


Student Transfers

Any students transferring to another school district or attending a private school, please make sure to contact the office before the end of the year.

Dale Street Timeline

Tuesday, June 15th - All Grade 4 Recess with Cool Treats

Thursday, June 17th - 9:30 a.m. - Grade 5 Celebration  (Rain Date - June 18th), 

Thursday, June 17th - 12:15 p.m. - Grade 5 Transition Day 

Friday, June 18th - 9:45 a.m. - Gr 5 Yearbook Signing

Friday, June 18th - Last day of school for all students, dismissal at 12:00 p.m. - Please update School Dismissal Manager

Friday, June 18th - Report Cards sent home and Incoming Grade 5 Transition Letters emailed in the afternoon


Have an awesome weekend!

Steve

Respect * Compassion * Collaboration * Continuous Growth