Roderick School Blog

Thanks for visiting the Roderick Elementary School Blog! Blogging is a great way to share some of the exciting things happening in our school with families and the greater school community. The Blog will be updated weekly with pictures and news from the school. Come back and visit often!

Friday, May 31, 2013

May 31, 2013

Hello Roderick Families:

It is hard to believe, but tomorrow marks the beginning of June and the last month of school for the 2012 - 2013 school year.  I am so very proud of the students and teachers for all they have accomplished this year.  And although we have accomplished a great deal, there is more to get done before June 20th arrives.  Please take a minute to look through this week's blog to see some of the great activities that took place this week and make note of some important dates listed below.


Our 5th grade DI team (Thomas, Faye and Melanie) set a goal to be in the top ten this year at Global Finals.  They met their goal.  They placed 8th out of 60 teams from across the country and around the world.

We are so happy and proud of them in all they have achieved!  Here they are on their way to the Duct Tape Ball.



  

 Congratulations to the following students who received Positive Referrals this week.  Great job everyone!  We're very proud of you and thank you for making the Roderick School a better place!






Thank you to Ms. Shaw's third grade class for inviting me in to be their Mystery Reader on Monday.  We read the book One by Kathryn Otoshi.  It was great to spend some time with some "soon to be" fourth graders.



 
Field Day is scheduled for Friday, June 7th.  Mr. Maguire and Mr. Moon, our Physical Education teachers, are planning an exciting day of activities for all of the students in Kindergarten through Grade 6.  We have found it to be helpful to: 
  • have students wear comfortable clothes and sneakers on this day 
  • apply sunscreen before coming to school.  Please provide more sunscreen for re- application.  
  • send children with a hat and extra water on this day.

Today our school held its last Principals' Coffee of the year.  School Superintendent, Dr. Marsden was our guest speaker.  Dr. Marsden outlined the most up-to-date information regarding FY '14 budget. Thank you to all of the parents who took time out of their busy schedules to attend today's coffee, Dr. Marsden for presenting at the coffee, and our food service department for supplying the delicious refreshments.   

  


Our school will begin collecting canned goods and dry goods to donate to the Wrentham Food Pantry.  Donations will be collected each morning in the classrooms starting on Wednesday, June 5th and ending on Friday, June 7th.  As a reminder, donations are strictly voluntary.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.


On Thursday many parents of current third graders attended the annual Welcome to the Roderick Coffee.  Parents learned about the fourth grade curriculum, toured the building, and had time to ask questions about the Roderick School.  Thank you to all of the parents who took time out of their busy schedules to attend and special thanks to our food service department for supplying the refreshments.    


On Tuesday Ms. Phipps’ class and Mrs. Kane’s class ventured to Salamander Valley to extend their studies with local ecosystems.  This hands-on experience enabled them to make several discoveries which included a wood frog, a spring peeper, an American toad, worms, and many salamanders.  The students were able to make connections with their vernal pool studies.





Congratulations to the Beginning Band, the Advanced Band, and the Jazz Band for their wonderful concert on Thursday night.  The students sounded amazing!  Special thanks to our fantastic music instructor, Ms. Tracy Salazar for creating such a great concert!












June 5th - Staff v. Police SWISH charity basketball game
June 7th - Spirit Day
June 7th - Field Day
June 13th - Positive Referral Breakfast
June 14th - Grade 6 Science Fair
June 18th - Roderick Awards Day
June 19th - Grade 6 Graduation 
June 20th - Move Up Day - Noon Dismissal


Enjoy this first weekend of June, and as always, thanks for reading the Roderick School Blog.

Best,
Stephen S. Grenham, Principal

Friday, May 24, 2013

May 24, 2013

Hello Roderick Families:

Congratulations to the following students who received Positive Referrals this week.  Students were recognized for being caring, kind, considerate, and helpful.  Super job!



Grade 5 teacher, Ms. Sheena Frizzell was selected as the 2013 United Regional Chamber of Commerce Teacher-of-the-Year.  A parent at the school nominated Sheena about a month ago.  She was in a pool with educators from 16 communities.  Letters of recommendations and a site visit were included in the process.   President of the United Regional Chamber of Commerce visited the Roderick this week to announce Ms. Frizzell’s selection as Teacher-of-the-Year.



Fourth grade students Lauren, Elizabeth, Angie, and Lindsey recently completed a community service project here at the Roderick School.  These four ladies spearheaded a project that included collecting socks and t-shirts for soldiers serving overseas.  Through their efforts the girls collected 348 items!  Thank you to all who donated items and special thanks to the four ladies who got this project off the ground!



Although the inclement weather forced us inside this morning for our Memorial Day assembly, the students did a remarkable job.  Each grade level presented a song or poem, the Advanced Band played the Star Spangled Banner, Grade 6 students Ryan and Tyler recited the Gettysburg Address, Ryan (Grade 5) and Colby (Grade 6) played Taps.  All of the Roderick students were terrific.









 Congratulations to Grade 4 students: Brianna, Peyton, Lillian, and Keelin for have their menu creation selected as the winning submission in this year's Menu Contest.  These four ladies created a menu item titled "Camper's Cookout."  It will be served on June 19th. (Keelin was absent for the photo) 




Our fifth graders rocked the house on Thursday night as they performed "At the Movies" for the Grade 5 Gym Show.  The routines, the music, and the props were all truly amazing!  Congratulations to all of our fifth graders and physical education teachers Mr. Moon and Mr. Maguire for their spectacular performance.











 
Thank you to the PTO and all of the volunteers who treated the Wrentham Public Schools' staff to a delicious Mexican Fiesta on Friday, May 24th.  It was absolutely delicious and we can't thank you enough for your generosity.



Dr. Chris Martes was appointed the Interim Superintendent earlier this week. Dr. Martes has been a superintendent in Medfield, Framingham, and Foxboro until his retirement a couple of years ago. He is currently the Interim Superintendent in Norton. In addition, he has a strong elementary background as a former elementary teacher and principal. Dr. Martes is one of the most respected superintendents in Massachusetts and will bring a wealth of experience to Wrentham.

 
Please come and join us for our final Principals' Coffee on Friday, May 31st in the Vogel Auditorium.  Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey J. Marsden will be presenting the budget forecast for the 2013 -2014 school year.  The meeting will begin at 8:30 AM.  Please feel free to bring younger children if you are stuck for daycare.  


Thank you for taking the time to read this week's blog.

Best wishes for a great Memorial Day weekend!

Stephen S. Grenham, Principal