How are you? I hope you are doing well.
I was just looking up some environmental news and saw this link from the World Wild Life Foundation: https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/which-everyday-products-contain-palm-oil I was wondering if you are still interested in the environmental work you started last year? You know it's not too late to keep working to stop deforestation from Palm Oil. In any case, I will be in touch. We should have a reunion. Ms. S. Greetings,
In case you have not heard, Brookline educators have been working without a contract since August 31, 2015. Negotiations with the Brookline School Committee have not been going well. There was a large School Committee meeting on February 4th at Town Hall where many parents and teachers spoke during the public comments section. For more information you can read an in-depth article by Brookline High School reporters for the Sagamore Newspaper.- You can click here to read the article and the comments made by teachers and parents: Beginning Monday, February 22nd, you should know that Brookline teachers are cutting back on the work we do above and beyond what is required in our expired contract.
Greetings, 5S students have a hard copy of the latest HSC, but if you want to download a copy, you can click here or or go to the Calendar and HSC pages. This is the last week before February Vacation. It will be busy and fun. All week we will be involved in happy, sneaky training as we do the Secret Amigo project. BE PREPARED FOR SECRET AMIGO'S. In lieu of commercial Valentine's Day, 5S will participate in something called Secret Amigos. Please make sure all 5S Secret Amigos get their clues, compliments and the tchotchke for our Friday ceremony. For the Secret Amigo guidelines and information CLICK HERE CHINESE NEW YEAR ASSEMBLY:- Thursday, 2/11/16 You are invited to come join Driscoll as we celebrate Chinese New Year. It's the year of the Monkey. According to tradition, the year of the monkey means a year of innovation and following one's heart's desires. MATH LEAGUE: If your child is in math league, there is a meet this Thursday, 2/11 GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT: Beginning February 12th is the Great Backyard Bird Count. It happens throughout the world! I am hoping that everyone or almost everyone will be able to participate as we focus on birds throughout the year. I realize many of you will be away, but you can still join in. HERE IS a recording of our BIRD OF THE MONTH-The Northern Red Cardinal LINCOLN AND GETTYSBURG:
CCC DAY- Friday, 2/12/16: CCC day stands for Cozy, Completions and Choice. On all Fridays, before a week-long vacation, if 5S students want to wear something cozy to school (like pajamas) that is allowed. We will have a chance to work on the river table, read, and complete projects in a leisurely way before heading into vacation. BIRD OF THE MONTH: 5S February Bird of the Month is the red cardinal. Why is that? It's because throughout the winter, one can usually see flashes of a red bird go by and close by will be a mate. I (Ms. Stark) shared a little story about a brave male cardinal chasing a cat away from his injured mate. It was right in front of Driscoll. I think they both survived. IOWA CAUCUS AND PRIMARIES: 5th graders study U.S. history and government. Monday, 2/1/16 is the Iowa Caucus. Next Tuesday, 2/9/16 is the New Hampshire primary. As we keep our eyes out for birds, we can also watch this rather wild election season. It is a great way to learn more about politics, citizenship, economics, history and government. I have shown 5S some articles and videos about how the Iowa caucus and primaries work. It's complicated but something to be learned if we want active and well informed citizens. MONDAY, 2/1/16 is the grades 4-8 band concert at Driscoll. TUESDAY, 2/2/16 is the grades 5-8 orchestra concert at Devotion WEDNESDAYS: Beginning this Wednesday, from 4-7 pm. Ms. Hawkins, Mr. Kirdahy and I will be taking an intensive 12 week course required by the state called RETELL. If you are interested, click here for a guide from the state. THURSDAY: 5S will find out about the Secret Amigo project for next week. FRIDAY: 5S should arrive by 7:50 to do their recycling. We start morning meeting at 8:05, so it's important that students arrive in time to get the recycling done. THIS WEEK: 5S will listen to each other's persuasive essay drafts of what environment or animal to protect. We will vote soon. Stay tuned.
BELOW ARE UP AND COMING EVENTS Tuesday, January 26, 2016 6:30 - 8:00pm- LGBTQ Parent Forum: Bringing More Awareness to Driscoll Please join us in learning how to move the Driscoll School community toward being a more inclusive, supportive and affirming learning environment for all students ...This forum will unpack LGBTQ terminology, explore the issues LGBTQ students face in schools and include a discussion on what a Gay-Straight-Trans Alliance (GTSA) is and why it is important in the middle school setting. The workshop will be followed by a brief speakers panel and Q&A featuring LGBTQ youth.. Friday, January 29, 2016 Grades 3-5 Community Meeting: 8:15 am in the Driscoll Theatre- 3S Hosts! Monday, February 1, 2016: Band Concert at 7 pm in the Driscoll Theatre: Students should report to the music room by 6.45pm. The concert begins at 7pm. Dress for the concert is white tops and black bottoms. If you have questions, email Mr. Stone at [email protected]. Tuesday, February 2, 2016: Stringd- Orchestra Concert at 7 pm at Devotion School. Thursday, February 11, 2016 Chinese New Year Celebration Grades 1,3, 5, 7 from 9:45-10:00 am DR. KING: This year, in honor of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Driscoll is focusing on empathy and getting in other people's shoes. This aligns perfectly with the theme we have in room 302 all year. For more information about Dr. King and his work, go to our social studies link. I am not sure if you have seen the photo on the left, but it was taken of the thousands of shoes that were left by people in Paris after the attacks and during the Climate Change Summit. They were put there as a symbol of peaceful political action. SHOES: The photo inspired us. We decided that along with thinking about what it's like to get in the shoes of others, it would be great if Driscoll School brought in gently worn or new shoes as a symbol of empathy AND of walking the walk (not just talking the talk). We are hoping that every Driscoll family will check and see if they have any gently worn or newish shoes to bring in to school sometime Tuesday or Wednesday. If you do not have any shoes to donate, that is not a problem. On THURSDAY, January 14th, in honor of Dr. King, we will line all the shoes up in the main hall of the school. Children will then march through the halls and sing some peace movement songs. They will also look at displays children in the school have made about empathy. The shoes will then be donated to Cradles to Crayons for families in need. STATE OF UNION: Also, today 5S learned about the up and coming State of the Union address that President Obama will give tomorrow (Tuesday) night. All About the State of the Union?- for Google C... Tomorrow, I will give a State of the Union in 5S. It will not be as long as Obama's or George Washington's. See below for more up and coming events. Happy New Year!
|
| Bird of the month - The Crow Tree of the month - Pine Idiom of the month- As the crow flies Quotes of the month: “My bursting heart must find vent at my pen.” ― Abigail Adams UP AND COMING Field trip to the Franklin Park Zoo Monday, December 21st, Shortest Day of the year and if the sun appears, 5S will measure shadows. Tuesday, December 22nd, 7:50 am: 5S Invites you to a Cup of Poetry and a Solstice Cookie - More info soon. Wednesday, December 23, Cozy, Completions and Choice - Full day of school. Thursday, December 24-January 3rd- Winter Break SEE YOU IN 2016! |
CAR FREE SCHOOL DAY - This Wednesday is also Car Free Day- Click Here for more information! The weather should be perfect - |