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Although it’s almost a week ago, I’m still smiling when I think of Erica’s class musical, Alice in Wonderland on Trial! Each child shone and, as a class, they supported each other magnificently. Many thanks to Charlene, who gave untold extra hours to this performance, to Terence Purtell, who volunteered his time to come from NYC to play the keyboard, to Paula Lavender, who made the costumes, to Erica, who pulled it all together, and to all you wonderful parents, who supported your children in so many ways.

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A belated THANK YOU to families who helped on our first annual Spring Spruce Up. We weeded the flower garden, moved dirt and wood chips, trimmed bushes, rototilled a new area for the garden, and mounted the weathervane on the roof of the ramp. Tim Burns does a great job tending our outdoor spaces and your efforts support his.

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Well, we were almost blown away on Hogback Day but at least we weren’t pelted by hail – and the wind made kite flying very exciting. Students participated in activities of their choice in the morning and then divided into multi-age groups to pursue a Quest, hike to the fire tower, walk the labyrinth that had been created in the morning, play nature games, and eat lunch. Thanks to older students for helping the youngers have fun and stay safe. This is our third annual Hogback Day and we feel as if we are really getting to know the area. One of our goals in this activity is for students to grow up to be stewards of the natural environment and Hogback, in particular. During the year almost every class has gone to Hogback and used its resources, from vernal pools to cellar holes, to enhance student learning.

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It was good to see so many of you at the Learning Fair! I particularly appreciated the level of engagement as you asked students about their work, listened to their answers, and tried out some of the activities they’d prepared for you. Your interest in their learning is the best support we can ask for.

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As parents you often feel that you’re doing at least two jobs at once, right? Well, this time of year in school it is that way, too. We have a million things to do to finish up the school year and we are planning for next year. And that’s the focus of this week’s note.

Class size and make-up for next year require us to think creatively. In the past two years we’ve hired co-teachers to work, first Emma with Erica in 3rd/4th and, this year, Jen with Judy in Primary. Next year we anticipate 28 students in 5th/6th – 14 in 5th and 14 in 6th. For one year we will split this group by grade level and hire a co-teacher to teach 5th grade. This co-teacher will work closely with David using much of the current 5th-6th grade curriculum. When the new person is hired, we will hold a parent meeting for parents of next year’s 5th graders.

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What a fun Family Bingo Night! We had a good turnout and great calling by Dori Martin. Thanks, Dori! I’ve never played so many different kinds of bingo. As a follow up to the March Reading Challege, Bingo Night was a great alternative to screen time.

Thanks to Jess Weitz for joining the Action Plan committee. Our first meeting included an orientation and a review of our current plan. At our next meeting on Wednesday, April 27, we will focus on math and look at released items from last fall’s NECAP test. Although we have many concerns about the accuracy and usefulness of these assessments, there is information that can help us look at our math program and students’ math learning.

After predicting that there would be snow on the Primary playground until May 1, I am delighted to say that I was wrong! And now that the snow is gone, the cleanup begins.
The first annual Spruce Up Our School event will take place on Saturday, May 14, 10-12. Please mark your calendars.

As part of our ongoing focus on School Social Climate, the staff has been working on clarifying playground rules, the ways in which we support students in following these, and the consequences when they don’t. More will come home about this after vacation. In addition, P&F is sponsoring a parent discussion on “Friendships” on May 10th. Included in this note is some excellent material to further your thinking about this important topic.

Have a great Spring Vacation – and when we return it will be full speed ahead to the end of the school year. Barring unforeseen events, out last day of school will be a half day on Thursday, June 16th.

Francie

BINGO! Tonight you can bring the whole family for P&F sponsored bingo fun and tomorrow you can support the Marlboro Fair by attending the Mudfling, 7pm at the Meetinghouse.

Spring fever has hit. The playground has been taken over by jump ropes. Wall ball started up again. There is too much mud for soccer so that game still takes place at the snowy end of the field.

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I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at the Basketball Jamboree tonight.  As always, this will be a relaxed and fun way to end the season.  Please remember to bring in basketball jerseys and, if you did not send in a check or money in advance, bring $5 per person or $15 per family to cover the cost of pizza and drinks.

Check out Pam’s program on Our Kids Online!  Join her on March 21^st at 7pm for an informative discussion.  As part of the March Reading Challenge, Pam surveyed David’s class and the Junior High to see how they spend their after school time.  The results are presented in a graph in the front hall.  When students are spending 2 hrs and more a night online, it’s important for parents to be tuned in to what they’re doing.

Next Friday, classrooms will hum as your children share their work with you at Student Led Conferences.  There will also be a display of the artwork and photo documentation from Winter Workshops.  Be sure to stop by the library to see this either before or after your conference.

Francie

Welcome back! What a snowy, icy winter we’re having! The MES playground is a bit of a frozen wasteland with students sliding on their tummies like penguins on an iceberg or breaking through the thick crust to softer snow beneath. We’re not sure yet what the conditions will be on Monday for our last day of Winter Sports. If it’s not raining, the skiers, boarders, and cross country skiers will go for their lessons. The ice skaters will go to either Marlboro College for sledding and skating (bring your own skates) or to the Marlboro Town Park for sledding. Please send your children prepared for all of the above.

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Happy Valentine’s Day (on Monday)! The Junior High is hoping you’ll start your celebration early by coming to the Valentine Dance in the Outback this evening. Should be fun!

I’m sending today’s note from Cambridge, MA where I’m attending the first two days of a four day class on literacy learning and instruction in K-8 schools. There are two other principals from our Supervisory Union and other administrators from all over the East Coast and eastern Canada. I believe it’s important for educators to continue to improve their teaching abilities and my participation in this class is one way that I do this for myself.

As many of you know, Celena is expecting a baby and will be leaving us after the April Vacation. On Tuesday, she and I will be interviewing several people to run the Healthy Snack Program. Please feel free to send me your ideas for making this program as good as it can be. The program is in a great shape
under Celena’s well organized and creative guidance. This will be such a help to our new person. Thank you, Celena!

Celena has also been working as an assistant in David’s room during the hours she’s not in the kitchen. We will be hiring another person for this part of her position and it will become a full-time 35 hour/week job. David and I will interview applicants after the February Vacation. Please pass this on to anyone you know who is well qualified!

This week we welcomed Charlie to the 3rd/4th grade. Sam G, his brother, started right before the holiday vacation and we’re delighted to have both boys at MES. Next Tuesday Brooke will start in Erica’s room, joining her brother Sam B who came into David’s room several weeks ago. Please welcome these new students to our MES community.

Francie

Thank you for your patience on Monday as we decided whether or not to send the kids to the mountain in the bitter cold. We will make up the missed ski day on March 7. The forecast for next Monday has the temperature at 13 degrees at 1pm. Please send your child with lots of warm clothes.

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Be careful of what you ask for… When I wrote “let it snow!” several weeks ago, the ground was almost bare. Now we have so much snow that, with the icy crust, kids are crawling on all fours in order to get down to the woods. Today we’re starting off with more snow – thanks for getting your kids to school with all the appropriate clothing!

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Happy New Year to you all and welcome to 2011 at Marlboro School!

We started the year with a bang – Winter Workshops and Winter Sports.  Thank you for sending your children with everything they needed for a great day.  Special thanks to parent volunteers who are leading the workshops:  Kate Morgan, Paula Lavender, Heather Sperling, Saint Rosner, Gretchen Webber, Kathy Pell, Patrick Johnson, and Julianne Mills.  And special thanks to Winter Sports chaperones headed up by Rob Shapiro for downhill skiing, Adam Gebb for cross country skiing, and Heather Estrella for ice skating.  Winter Sports, basketball, and, this year, Winter Workshops are activities that are jointly run by parents and the school.  We supply logistical support (thanks, Gail and teachers!) and you make it happen.

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Hats off to Charlene and your children for a wonderful Holiday Concert! Some of the comments I heard afterwards: “Christmas in the Trenches had me in tears.” “The Primary play was so cute – amazing acting, great costumes, and what an orchestra!” “The dancers’ teamwork and support for each other really made the sword dances and the Morris dance.” “The audience was so impressed by the bells that they let the final notes linger before breaking into applause.” “Kindergartners on stage are just plain cute!” Thanks to you for being such a good audience.

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The first deep cold of the winter!  Thank you for sending your child with appropriate clothing.  I think everyone had on her/his winter jacket this morning.

Safety first!  Please remember to accompany your child across the parking lot.  We’ve had a couple of scary situations recently with little ones darting across while cars and buses are moving.

Be sure to take a look at the descriptions of the winter workshops being led by parents this year.  When you see the one that’s right for you, please volunteer to help out for one or two mornings (or more!)

The Holiday Concert is one of my favorite events and this year should be just as wonderful as past years.  If you have an older child who attended MES or you know any other alumni, please invite them to attend.  You can look forward to a great variety of song, dance, theater, and music making.  Note that we are starting earlier again this year – 6:30pm.  See you then!

Francie