October 26, 2012

Hello Roderick Families:

On Friday, November 2nd, students in the Roderick School will have the opportunity to participate in a mock election.  In preparation for this mock election, Mrs. Fox (technology teacher), Mrs. Panchuk (librarian), and students in the Roderick School have been working hard to simulate an actual election.  Our sixth graders have been responsible for designing the layout of the gym for election day, created campaign ads for the candidates, and will be fulfilling the various duties involved in the voting process while students vote.  Our fifth graders have been creating PowerPoint projects representing the candidates.  Our fourth graders have been creating signs to promote the candidates and advertise the mock election day.  We are excited to see the results!

Members of Mrs. Cederbaum's sixth grade classroom are busy on the rock wall during PE class this week.  The rock wall was used as one of the centers during this PE class.  The rock wall was generously funded  with a WEST grant 2 years ago.  What a great opportunity for the students! 

As a connection to our mission statement (Opportunities will be provided for students to make connections between their actions and the world around them.), students at the Wrentham Public Schools will be joining the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation and participating in a community service program.  Beginning on Monday, November 5th, the Wrentham Public Schools will be assisting Cradles to Crayons in gathering items for local families.  Students at the Wrentham Public Schools will be collecting new or like-new winter essentials such as coats, clothing, footwear, hats, gloves, and mittens.  Families who would like to donate to our community service project can send in items between Monday, November 5th and Tuesday, November 20th.  Cardboard bins, provided by the Patriots, will be located in the foyer of our school for collections.    

We are very fortunate to have such a great group of Positive Referrals this week at the Roderick School.  Positive Referrals this week were kind, compassionate, cooperative, respectful, and responsible.  Thanks to each of you for modeling such great characteristics! 

  

Members from Mrs. McGee's fifth grade class received a class Positive Referral.  Students were awarded a Positive Referral for the assistance in packing up the book fair.  Thank you for your help and displaying our Core Value of Responsibility! 



Halloween is fast approaching.  Hopefully, the weather will cooperate next Wednesday and the kids will have an awesome night.  I recently located a website that included some very important tips on Halloween safety.  I wanted to share it with all of you.  Happy Halloween!

Thank you for checking in and be sure to come back and visit next Friday.

Best,
Stephen S. Grenham, Principal



October 19, 2012

Greetings Roderick Families:

On Friday, October 12th, our fourth graders went on a field trip to Old Sturbridge Village.  Our fourth graders were able to visit this living history museum during its harvest.  Students experienced firsthand what New England life was like from 1790 - 1840 (sawmill demonstration, pottery making, shoe making, musket firing) .  Authentically costumed staff carried out the daily activities of an early 19th century community.  Students had a great time and staff is thrilled that they were able to attend Old Sturbridge Village in the fall as it coincides with their classroom study of the New England Region.



Congratulations to our Positive Referral this week.  This student has been caught multiple times this year being kind and supportive.  What a great characteristic to model.  We are very proud of her!

Members of Ms. Frizzell's fifth grade class recently completed their Fantasy Football Challenge.  During this project, students cooperatively use computation, estimation, and planning skills with their partner to build a fantasy football team and track their success.    

2nd Annual Halloween Spooktacular

On Thursday, October 25th, the King Philip High School Student Council will be hosting a Halloween Spooktacular for all students in Pre-K through 6.  This event will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the high school and is free of charge.  Students will be able to play games, do crafts, and enter a costume contest.  Members of the KP School Council are pictured below with some of our fifth and sixth grade students.  They visited our school on Thursday to share news of the Spooktacular with our students.



Special thanks to Diana Zeller and members of the PTO for their assistance with our recent Fall Book Fair.  Successful fundraising activities take time and organization.  The success of this year's Fall Book Fair is clear evidence of Diana's and the PTO's outstanding work.  On behalf of the students and the staff of the Roderick School, thank you!



From the Nurse's Office

Beginning next week, Mrs. Prew will be conducting the state mandated screenings for all students in grades 4, 5, and 6.  These screenings include vision, hearing, height, weight, and scoliosis (for grades 5 and 6 only).  For scoliosis screenings: female students will be screened individually by Mrs. Prew in the Health Office on their classroom screening day and male students will be screened individually by Mr. Maguire or Mr. Moon on the day of their scheduled Physical Education class.  If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Prew at 508.384.5435 or prewk@wrentham.k12.ma.us.

Congratulations to some of our grade 5 students.  After spending many days out at recess practicing, they started a "Flash Mob" out at recess on Wednesday.  The girls should be commended for their hard work and initiative with this project.  Great job! 



School Pictures......Friday, October 26th
No School - Tuesday, November 6th  



Have a wonderful weekend,

Stephen S. Grenham, Principal

  

October 12, 2012

Dear Roderick Families:

Although the children were in school for only three days this week, there was a lot happening at the Roderick School.  Please take a few minutes and look at some of the events from the week as well as some important upcoming events.

Teachers were very busy during our school's October 9th Professional Development Day.  Teachers began the day attending a technology workshop entitled Gizmos by Explore Learning.  Teachers had the opportunity to be hands on with this technology program that will assist them with interactive, online simulations in math and science. 



During the afternoon, teachers met with math consultant, John Ribeiro to discuss the Standards of Mathematical Practice.  During this portion of the professional development day, teachers had the opportunity to dive deeper into the mathematical standards of the new Common Core.  Our staff left the day energized and excited to bring the ideas they worked on back their classrooms.  

Congratulations to our Positive Referral this week.  This student was caught being thoughtful to a classmate and helpful during an event.  What a great way to demonstrate our Core Values of Respect and Responsibility.  We are very proud of him!

Reading to the Finish Line.......Closing Ceremonies!

On Wednesday of this week, our school got together to celebrate the closing ceremony of our Summer Reading Olympics reading program.  As it is in the Olympics, our students came together to celebrate the reading that took place over the summer and recognize the great efforts made by the students.  I am thrilled to announce that 93% of the students in the Roderick School fully participated and completed the program requirements of the Summer Reading Program!  Students who fully participated and completed the program requirements were rewarded with an extra recess and a certificate of achievement this week.  Thank you to all who participated!  I would like to especially thank Mr. Cederbaum, Ms. Frizzell, Mrs. Cederbaum, and Mrs. Garozzo for spearheading the program and for doing such an amazing job!  We look forward to having even more readers join us next summer.

Wanted: School Council Member

The Roderick School Council is looking for a community representative to sit on our School Council.  This member needs to be a Wrentham community member without any children in the school.  Our School Council meets on the first Wednesday of the month from 3:00 - 4:00 PM.  If you know of anyone who would be interested, please have them contact the Roderick office at 508.384.5435.  Thank You!

The Fall Scholastic Book Fair is coming! The Book Fair will be in the Vogel Auditorium from Tuesday, October 16th through Thursday, October 18th.  The Book Fair will be open from 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM, and 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday and from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM on Thursday.

Grandparent's/Special Person's Day 

Our school will host Grandparent's/Special Person's day on Thursday, November 8, 2012.  Buses will be available beginning at 8:30 AM from Luciano’s at Lake Pearl Park to the Delaney/ Roderick School bus circle.  Grandparents/Special People are welcome to visit classrooms between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM.  We ask that all guests sign in with a PTO volunteer before moving throughout the buildings.  Buses will return visitors to Luciano’s at Lake Pearl Park starting at 10:30 AM.  Although there will be volunteers to assist on this day, it will be helpful for guests to know their school designation and child’s teacher’s name before arriving at the school. We hope that you can join us on this very special day.


Thanks for reading and please be sure to come back and visit next week.

Stephen S. Grenham, Principal

October 5, 2012

Hello Roderick Families:

The first full week of October is behind us and it was certainly another busy week.  The school seemed a little quieter this week seeing our sixth graders were off in Plymouth for the week (see below).  As we move through the month of October, please be on the lookout for information regarding the PTO's annual Fall Book Fair (October 16 - 18) and Roderick School pictures (October 26th) that will take place a little later in the month.   

Camp Bournedale

Our sixth grade students have recently returned home from their excellent outdoor environmental education program at Camp Bournedale in Plymouth, MA.  Students in grade six left on Monday morning to experience enriching and rewarding educational and social experiences for the week.  Although this is truly a trip that you need to experience first hand to fully appreciate, I have included some pictures that highlight many of the things our students are involved with throughout their week away.  A very special thanks to the numerous chaperones who stay in the cabins and our wonderful grade 6 staff who take time away from their own families to ensure the students have the times of their lives!

Rocketry Class

Marine Lab

Shark Dissection

Daily Wildlife Presentations

Recreation Time!

Thank you to all the parents who assisted in loading the luggage buses.

Adventure Class!

On Wednesday, I walked through Mrs. Farrell's class and saw her class working hard on their classroom newsletter. Students selected one of the many activities they have been working on in class and summarized it into paragraph form.  Each student then created a slide that highlighted their topic. 

Attendance 

Research shows that the amount of time spent in school with instructional materials directly correlates to achievement.  We continue to implement changes within our school day to accomplish this.

How can you assist us at home?

· Send your child on the school bus or drop them off at the school between 8:07 a.m. -8:15 a.m.  Children must be in the building prior to 8:20 a.m. or they will be marked tardy.  Any child being dropped off after 8:20 a.m. must be signed in at the office by an adult.  Instruction and learning begins immediately.  Students who are tardy are missing valuable learning experiences.

· Please do not dismiss your child before 2:45 p.m.

· Avoid scheduling or extending vacations while school is in session.  Plan your trips during school vacation weeks or days off. 

See the school calendar available on the Wrentham Public Schools’ website.

Thank you very much to AJ and the students in Mr. Cederbaum's fourth grade classroom for their World Smile Day thank you letter.  Students in Mr. C.'s class composed thank you letters to individuals around the building and accompanied them with poems and certificates.  It was very nice to receive such a thoughtful, well-written letter! 

October 8th - No School (Columbus Day)

October 9th - No School (Staff Professional Development Day)

Thanks for reading and best wishes for a great, long weekend,

Stephen S. Grenham, Principal