September 17, 2021 - Week 3

Dear Dale Street Families, 

We had a great week here at #beproudbedale.  The students are totally knocking it out of the park. I am so proud of their efforts all the way around.  Take a look at some of the awesomeness that happened at Dale Street this week...

Check out the great work from Mrs. Ross' and Mrs. Seaver's fifth-grade class - students have been working on sketchnoting as a purposeful and creative way to represent fiction story elements. Well done, young learners!

On Tuesday, Dale Street participated in its first pool testing of the school year.  I have to say that the students were awesome!  Special thanks to our amazing school nurse, Kathy Thompson (who has been at work until 10:00 p.m. some nights!) for facilitating our pool testing.

In Art class with Mrs. Delaney this week, Dale Street students started creating handmade sketchbooks.  Check out these samples from Abby, Lucy,  Owen, and Anika.  Great work!   

After receiving positive feedback from families last year, we will again be hosting a virtual meet the staff presentation.  On September 22nd, I will be sending out a virtual slide deck link of pre-recorded presentations from each staff member at #beproudbedale introducing themselves and sharing a little bit about them. Classroom teachers and Special Subject teachers will also outline the curriculum and expectations for the content students are working with here at Dale Street.  This will be done asynchronously so families can view it at a time that is convenient for them or view it in smaller chunks.  

Caution...Scientists at Work! This week, students in Mrs. Scott's grade 4 class participated in a mechanical weathering experiment.  

Many classes around the school took time in our first 10 days to partake in an activity (Build Your Own Medal) to explore and celebrate their individual strengths.  Students and staff were asked to reflect on at least three of these questions: Who do you want to be?  What are you proud of?  What are your strengths? What is a hobby or interest?  What are you currently learning?  What do you want to bring to the table? Great job, everyone! 

 

This week Ms. Johnson's fifth-grade class had a 'book tasting'.  Students had the opportunity to sample different genres they have within their classroom.  Who better to invite to a book tasting than Dale Street's Library Media Specialist, Ms. Sweeney! 

 

We are very excited to announce that again this year all 4th and 5th-grade students will have the opportunity to complete biweekly math challenges. This program will begin on September 24th.  Math challenges will be available to print at home from the website linked below.

Students will be free to solve as many problems as they can and will have about a week to turn in their work. We hope that all students and families find these problems to be a challenging and fun activity.

More information, including a calendar of important dates and a link to download and print the challenges and solutions, is available here. Any questions regarding the math challenge program can be directed to Dale Street math specialist, Ms. Perachi.

 First Challenge begins 9/27 and is due on 10/6

I have had the best time visiting classrooms and reading the book How to Solve a Problem by Ashima Shiraishi.  It has been great talking with students and highlighting the importance of Continuous Growth, reflecting on your decisions, and continuing to persevere.  

School picture day is Tuesday, September 21st.  

Congratulations to Dale Street 5th Graders Maddie, Elizabeth, Kacey, Lily, and Katie (The DI Donuts) for placing 3rd (out of 935 teams from 14 countries) at the DI (Destination Imagination) Global Finals! In addition, they were recognized for the highest Fast Flex Challenge score in the Elementary Service Learning division. Bravo, ladies!

So great to have small group music lessons back at Dale Street this year.  In the photos below, Mrs. Tumbleson's fourth and fifth-grade trumpet students were excited to make music! 

Be sure to label all items: clothing, water bottles, etc.!  All unclaimed items in the Lost and Found will be donated to charity periodically throughout the year.

Enjoy your weekend with your family and friends!

Steve

Respect * Compassion * Collaboration * Continuous Growth

September 10, 2021 - Week 2

 Happy Friday Dale Street!

Week 2 was another fabulous one here at #beproudbedale.  A lot of project-based learning, the start of instruments, and our first fire drill.  It has really been a great start!

Yesterday, grade four students in Ms. Isaacson's class worked through place value by physically creating numbers. Bravo to this awesome group of mathematicians!

Ms. Plympton's fourth-grade class had the opportunity to 'taste' a lot of different books from different genres in their Room 1 library!

Positive Sign Thursday! 

'YOU ARE IMPORTANT!'

It was brought to my attention today that there were some rumors swirling about regarding comments Dr. Marsden made at last night’s School Committee meeting. To clarify, there was a leak discovered in the band/Mandarin room (located behind the stage in the gymnasium) at the beginning of the summer. The building and grounds department was notified immediately and individuals were brought in to see how to resolve the leaking issue.  It was determined that an area of that section of roof needed to be replaced.  Once the company can get to Dale that section of roof will be replaced. 

There have not been any students or staff in that area this year.  Band and Mandarin students have been using various spaces around the building when they have class.  Because of space limitations, Dale Street will be getting a temporary modular classroom next week that will host our Mandarin students and some of our small group instrument lessons moving forward. 

      

Dale Street is looking for volunteers (one representative and one alternate from each classroom) who would like to talk with their classmates about concerns/initiatives in their classroom or the school.  These concerns/initiatives are discussed and tackled at our meetings in an effort to make our school a better place.  If your child is interested, here is the information they need to know.   All completed letters of interest are due by Friday, September 17th, and should go to the student's classroom teacher.   

Dear Parents, If you have not already done so, please complete the 

Student Emergency Health Form for each of your children. Thank you!

After positive feedback from families last year, we will again be hosting a virtual meet the staff presentation.  On September 22nd, I will be sending out a virtual slide deck link of pre-recorded presentation from each staff member at #beproudbedale introducing themselves and sharing a little bit about them.  Classroom teachers and Special Subject teachers will also outline the curriculum and expectations for the content students are working with here at Dale Street.  This will be done asynchronously so families can view it at a time that is convenient for them or view it in smaller chunks. 

During the first 6 days of school, staff has seen a small uptick in students wearing electronic watches.  As a reminder, the handbook states use of any electronic devices including cell phones, iPods, handhelds, Nintendo DS, Kindles, etc…is prohibited without the express permission of the principal.   

It was so great to have small group and ensemble lessons begin this week at #beproudbedale.  Students received their instruments on Wednesday evening and there were a lot of happy students on Thursday and Friday. 

Students in Ms. MacDonnell's fourth-grade class used the website blooket.com during their math block to work on some multiplication fact practice.  Learning + Fun = Happy! 

Please see the attached flyer for an event sponsored by Medfield Coalition for Suicide Prevention and Medfield OUtreach.

Check out this new quote board in Mrs. Bassett's and Mrs. Callahan's literacy room!  

Over the first few weeks Dale Street Library Media Specialist, Ms. Swweney has been hosting classes for a library introduction/orientation.  In the photo below, Ms. McKenzie's fifth-grade class enjoyed their visit and can't wait for all of the reading they will do this year!

On Wednesday, our fabulous PTO provided some cool and refreshing treats! Thank you for your continued support and generosity.  

Parents dropping off children at Dale Street should drop students off in the parking lot between Dale Street and the Pfaff center after 8:10 a.m.  There is no supervision prior to 8:10 a.m.  Students should not be dropped off at the door located on Adams Street unless they are arriving late to school (after 8:25 a.m.).

Be sure to label all items: clothing, water bottles, etc.!  All unclaimed items in the Lost and Found will be donated to charity periodically throughout the year.

Thank you for reading this week's blog.  Please check back again next Friday.

Steve

Respect * Compassion * Collaboration * Continuous Growth

September 3, 2021 - Week 1

Hello Dale Street! 

The 2021-2022 school year started this week with energy, enthusiasm, and positivity.  What a way to begin!  The #beproudbedale students were met with a super greeting upon their arrival on Wednesday.  In case you didn't see it, here is a video celebrating our first day. 

Last Saturday members of the PTO and parent and student volunteers came to Dale Street to participate in a clean-up day.  This group was amazing! They did everything from weeding, to mulching, to trash clean-up, to planting flowers. Special thanks to Alice Jreige for planning this great event and the Distefano, Bills, LaForte, Harney, Griffin, Heffernan, and Eagles families.  We were also very fortunate to have received donations from Shady Tree Landscaping, Lovell's Nursery, Will's Hardware, and Shaw's Supermarket.  We are very appreciative.  

This year, Dale Street has two, new, and fantastic Administrative Assistants.  Mrs. Anne Gilberti and Mrs. Lynne Malmquist are here to assist you and your child should you need anything.  Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Gilberti and Mrs. Malmquist.   

This is week students in Ms. Johnson's fifth-grade class and students in Mrs. Scott's fourth-grade class participated in a collaborative activity called 'Can you save Fred?' which focused on teamwork and problem-solving.  Students worked hard and had a lot of fun!  

This year, Dale Street will join many schools from around the world and celebrate #positivesignthursday.  Yesterday, was our first one - take a look...

Daily Dale - Again this year, Grade 4 and 5 students will have the opportunity to be our school's newscasters.  Information went out to students yesterday.  This is a voluntary activity and all the information you need to know can be found here.  

Students in Ms. Condon's fifth-grade class learned about the Kindness Rock Project, a grassroots kindness initiative that began a few years ago with Megan Murphy. The intent is to spread joy and kindness “one rock at a time.” Students selected a rock, brainstormed a positive message to leave for others, and enjoyed painting the rocks. Next step: leave them for others to enjoy!

Room Parents Wanted!

We are recruiting two Room Parents per class to serve as primary points of contact for teachers and the PTO. Room Parents will be essential in helping communicate information to parents, regarding PTO initiatives and teacher needs. Room Parents will also be responsible for coordinating all class parties and teacher gifts. Registration is open through September 10th, so sign up today!

 https://docs.google.com/a/email.medfield.net/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemmLHLr-wEXM4y-kIP0rHahJwh1zlmKP1Jeohv8behV2kLMw/viewform

On Thursday, students in Ms. DiPesa's and Ms. Plympton's fourth-grade classes TRIED to escape the lava. Although they weren’t successful… YET… they still learned some good lessons in teamwork, communication AND had some fun!

Arrival and dismissal worked out really well this week.  As a reminder:

• Students should not arrive at school prior to 8:10 a.m. 
• Parent/family drop of at arrival is in the staff parking lot between the Dale Street School and the Pfaff Center.  Please pull all the way forward and do not have students exit their vehicle until they arrive at the Dale Street staff member (picture below).  
• When necessary all families should consistently monitor School Dismissal Manager to update students' dismissal plans.  

This week, grade 5 students in Mrs. Kaplan's class worked with World Language teacher, Señora DellaMonica to have a conversation about where students went this summer.    

Students may bring a lunch from home or purchase a meal from the cafeteria. Lunch is prepared daily by our cafeteria staff.  Meals prepared in the cafeteria will be free for all students.  Snack/breakfast, served daily from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., is also free for all students this year. 

 Teamwork makes the dream work - This week, Ms. MacDonnell's fourth-grade students used verbal clues and helped one blindfolded group member complete a puzzle! 

Monday, September 6th - No School - Labor Day

Tuesday, September 7th - No School in observance of Rosh Hashannah

Wednesday, September 8th - Instrumental Rental Night - 4-6 p.m. (High School)  

Friday, September 10th - Daily Dale auditions due 

Thursday, September 16th - No school in observance of Yom Kippur

I am so proud of the work our students and staff are doing. Thank you again for your continued support and hard work.

Have a wonderful long weekend,

Steve

Respect * Compassion * Collaboration * Continuous Growth

August 6, 2021 - Summer Update

Greetings Dale Street Community!  

I hope that you are all having a relaxing and enjoyable summer vacation.  Don't worry - we still have several weeks left until school begins but we have a few events coming up in August for students and families.  

Dale Street Meet & Greet - On Monday, August 30th, Dale Street students will have the chance to visit their new classroom, drop off any school materials they have, and meet their new teacher in person.  We will be sending out a Sign-Up Genius for each student and one parent/adult to visit between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on August 30th.  There will be three sessions of 8 slots each lasting 15 minutes in length.  These sign-ups will be sent out the week of August 23rd so be sure to check your email for the sign-up   We are asking all families to respect the time allotted for our Meet and Greet.  As a reminder, this time is not a time for a conference with the teacher.  Parking is expected to be tight so please plan accordingly.   We understand that every family may not be able to attend this scheduled Meet and Greet.  Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate those families that can not make it on this day. 

Site Council Openings - With the new year comes new opportunities to be involved with Dale Street. We are looking for Site Council members that will collectively help advise the principal on the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the school's overall site plan and school budget. The dates of the meetings can be found here.  Please email me at sgrenham@email.medfield.net if you are interested.

Grade 4

Grade 5 

News From the Nurse - Just a reminder, physicals are required for entrance to fourth grade. If you have not already done so, please either fax to 508-359-1415, email: kthompson@email.medfield.net, mail to: Dale Street School, 45 Adam Street, Medfield MA 02052 Attention: School Nurse, or send into school with your child. A physical completed within the past two years is acceptable.

Kathleen Thompson, MS, RN

Nurse Leader, Medfield Public Schools

Dale Street School

45 Adams Street

Medfield, MA 02052

kthompson@email.medfield.net

Office: 508-242-8573

Fax: 508-359-1415

School starts for students on September 1st.  Please see the District Calendar for other important dates throughout the school year.  

Interface Mental Health Information 

Summer is a great time to focus on family and spend time with those we love.  Please enjoy every minute of it. I sincerely look forward to working with each and every one of you to provide an amazing experience for all of our kids!

Best,

Steve

Respect * Compassion * Collaboration * Continuous Growth