Roderick Review Week 7 (10/12/15-10/16/15)

This week, we welcomed back our sixth grade adventurers!  I am including a few pictures from the Bournedale experience to give you just a small glimpse into the special experience this week-long excursion provides.

Each morning began with a hearty breakfast in the dining hall overlooking the water.

After breakfast, Patrick, the Camp Bournedale director would ask for a few of the students to review the study group assignments for the day.






When I visited on Wednesday, I was lucky enough to join these two study groups to go on the Lobster Tales boat!












Our tour guide showed us how the lobster trap works and helped us to identify male and female lobsters and crabs.








Students were able to hold sand crabs, spider crabs, lobsters, and hermit crabs as our guide removed them from the lobster trap.











Though some of the spider crabs were pretty large and looked a little intimidating, students eagerly held them and observed them closely.











Here students are looking at a tautog or black fish as they are commonly called, similar to cod.

 After the excursions and experiments in the morning, students had some time for recreation and either were on the field, going for a walk together, playing basketball, and even fishing on this particular beautiful day as the evanescent summer passes.

After lunch, students explored how the variations in air pressure can cause unexpected things to happen.








During this experiment, students explored surface tension and saw how water molecules will be attracted to other water molecules.  In this particular picture, students are then "breaking" the surface tension,

While students are in their study groups for a portion of each day in the mornings and the afternoons, there were also plenty of opportunities to come together as a whole sixth grade class.

This group is literally, jumping for joy to be at Camp Bournedale!  (Thank you to photographer, Ms. Haughey for capturing this action shot!)

Roderick Review Week 6 (10/5/15-10/9/15)

This week's topic?  Our new Wellness Policy!

As many of you may recall, there is a new procedure for the Wrentham Public Schools for the 2015-2016 school year.  Recently, there have been some questions about why we are making some changes to a few of our traditions such as the Thanksgiving Feast in fourth grade or why celebrations with food are being discouraged in favor of non-food celebrations.  I encourage everyone to read the short summary below created by the members of the Wellness Committee and approved by the School Committee earlier this year:

Wellness Policy Implementation Procedure, 2015-2016

The Wellness Committee of Wrentham Public Schools is comprised of district and school administrators, school nurses, classroom teachers, PE teachers, students’ families, and members of the community. The purpose of the Wellness Committee is to review and recommend to the School Committee policies and procedures that promote student health, protect students with food allergies, and are consistent with federal and state laws. Please contact your building principal or nurse if you have any questions about the Wellness Policy Implementation Procedure outlined below.

·         Foods and beverages that are offered to all students (not individual snacks or lunches brought from home)  must meet the following criteria as outlined by Massachusetts General Law c 111 223 “An Act Relative to School Nutrition”:

o   Water, low-fat milk, and 8 ounces of 100% juice

o   Fresh fruit and vegetables

o   Snacks made of at least 51% whole grain, 200 calories or fewer per serving, and pre-packaged

o   No artificial sweeteners or trans fats

·         The principal and school nurse will approve the foods offered to all students at least 2 weeks prior to the event with the WPS Wellness Policy Food Event Request Form. Accommodations will be made to ensure all students can participate safely in classroom events that involve food.

·         Foods and beverages will not be used in the classroom as rewards or incentives.

·         Students are not permitted to share their food with other students.

Parents are encouraged to contact the school nurse or principal if they have any questions or feedback about the Wellness Policy Implementation Procedure. The Wellness Committee meets throughout the school year to update the Wellness Policy Implementation Procedure. Please let your nurse or principal know what works well and what we can improve.

This new implementation plan means that we need to change some traditions such as bringing in cupcakes for the class for birthdays or bringing in bags of candy to share.  In addition to needing to adhere to the nutritional requirements, we want school to be safe for everyone and for some students, exposure to certain allergens can be life-threatening.  Therefore, even though the offers to share snacks with one another are well-intended and generous, students may hear those supervising at snack and lunchtime reminding them that they cannot share food.  

We will still be able to share in meaningful celebrations within our school community even without some of the traditional edible treats.  In fact, by removing the "treat" element from the celebrations, the larger value is exposed such as school pride, achievement, accomplishment, strength of character, appreciation for one another, and so much more.  

 

For those with questions about the plan for this year, you are welcome to contact Dr. Beauchaine or our nurse, Mrs. Cashman.

NEXT WEEK...Delaney and Roderick Parents are invited to join the principals at the first Principal Coffee event for the year on Friday, October 16th in the Vogel Auditorium at 8:30 a.m.  During this time, we will be sharing a summary of the Spring 2015 MCAS results for students in grades 3-6.  We hope to see many of you there!

 

Roderick Review Week 5 (9/28/15 - 10/2/15)

Parent Meetings - Thank you to those who attended the Grade 6 Parent meeting last Tuesday evening!  If you were not able to attend, but would like to share with me what you feel has been working well at Roderick School in the past as well as what we may want to look at to enhance the Roderick experience, please feel free to contact me this coming week.  Next week, I will be holding forums for grade 5 parents and grade 4 parents.  (Please read your email for more information.)  Again, I would like to reiterate how helpful it is for me to have this time to hear from parents and I look forward to learning more this coming week as well!

World Smile Day!
Today, the Roderick School community celebrated World Smile Day, a day to focus on doing acts of kindness for one another and going the extra mile! In addition, all throughout the day today there were bursts of sunshine turning this dreary rainy day into a celebration of all that is good within each one of us.  Compliments, holding the door for one another, helping someone carrying a heavy load, picking up items that dropped, asking someone to join in are all examples of the acts of kindness I saw today. 

Students and staff participated in showing their positive, giving spirit by wearing yellow today!

 There is a song called the Ballad of Harvey Ball (The Smiley Face Song), that tells the story of Harvey Ball, the creator of the famous "smiley face" who was born and raised in Worcester, MA.  The lyrics explain the following:

"The moral of this story is to help the world to smile.

You do an act of kindness; you go the extra mile.

What you do comes back to you in a just a little while,

'Cause goodness is contagious and it's never out of style."

These are good reminders not only for the first Friday in October, but everyday.  Remembering these words will help us to live out our core values of respect and responsibility.  Many students also brought in goods to reach out beyond themselves and donate to the Wrentham Food Pantry, helping those within our Wrentham community.  Thank you to Mrs. Marazzi's fourth grade class for collecting the goods and our parent volunteers for delivering the items to the Food Pantry! 

More Roderick Acts of Kindness Coming...

We will be participating in the annual New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's Winter Coat Drive.  In cooperation with Cradles to Crayons, the foundation is hoping to fulfill approximately 32,500 requests this year!

From October 1st through November 1st, we will be collecting new and gently used coats, mittens, gloves, and NEW hats.  There are collection bins located in the entrances of both the Roderick and Delaney Schools. 

Classroom Visits This Week:
6H...Students were learning about the different parts of a fish and labeling diagrams to help them during their studies at Camp Bournedale.

6D...Students rotated to different literacy centers continuing their study of Old Yeller, reading A Dog's Life, and reviewing the different genres of writing (narrative and expository) in preparation for their writing assignments in conjunction with their upcoming Bournedale adventure.

5K...students were deeply invested in their small book groups, working cooperatively to read the various texts gleaning additional information from the text about weather, the atmosphere, and the instruments that help us learn more.  During this time, students worked together to come up with a collective understanding of what they had learned.



4Y...Students were "reading like writers" and identifying how the author of Winn Dixie, Kate DiCamillo, was able to create such vivid descriptions in just one paragraph of something that can be so hard to define-"war."  Analyzing the author's craft as they are reading will help to strengthen the students' writing as well.

Roderick Review Week 4 (9/21/15-9/25/15)

REMINDER:  Grade 6 Parents are invited to meet with Dr. Beauchaine in the Library from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. this Tuesday, September 29, 2015! 

LEARNING VIEWS FROM RODERICK :

 This week, students from 4K were working hard in the courtyard to welcome fall!

Students are enjoying the story steps as they begin their journeys reading in their new library selections.

Students in 4M are learning about the various regions of the United States and are preparing their own maps as references as they study each region.

Students in 5D are viewing 16 different scenarios to determine the "cause" and the "effect" in each one.

Dr. Cameron has been busy visiting 5th and 6th grade classrooms this week to share his love for reading.  Here he is sharing a favorite story STUCK with the students in 5P.

Students are working with Ms. Fox to create their "All About Me" files.  Here they are able to integrate the various skills to create a well-formatted document incorporating a variety of different text and picture tools.

Ms. Yelle's class took a test via Google Drive today!  They each take it individually on a Chromebook and submit it online where Ms. Yelle can view results and use that information to guide instruction soon after the administration.

CONGRATULATIONS TO...
all those involved in the 4th Annual Charity Softball Game yesterday, September 24th, between the Wrentham Teachers and Wrentham Police.

Our two spirited teams from this year's game on September 24, 2015!

Dr. Beauchaine at bat at last night's Charity Softball Game.  While she did connect with the ball, it was caught and she was out.  (More training is advised prior to next year's game--tips for Dr. Beauchaine's training regimen are welcome!)

The score was 11-10 and your TEACHERS won the game!  However, the true "winners" will be the students who benefit from the scholarships thanks to the generous donations to the WTA!  Thank you!

PTO REMINDERS:

Don't forget...it's not too late!  Register for the Halloween Hustle 5K, 1 Mile Kids Run, or Kids Monster Dash on October 25th to raise money for the new playground - here is the link to the online registration:     http://www.northshoretimingonline.com/reglivecb.aspx?eventyear_id=1276.

Roderick Review Week 3 (9/14/15 - 9/18/15)

This week, we had our first five-day week!  It always feels good to have a solid week's routine under our belt!

On Tuesday, September 15th we had a visit from Mr. Paul Molla on behalf of the Random Smile Project.  Mr. Molla presented a check to Mrs. Maloney's class on behalf of the RSP to support FIVE scholarships to the 6th Grade trip to Camp Bournedale!

If you would like to learn more about the Random Smile Project's mission you may visit www,randomsmile.org.  There is also a fundraiser coming up:

We are very grateful for the Random Smile Project's kindness and generosity!  Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

Visiting Classrooms this week:

Over the course of the week throughout different classroom visits, I saw students working on a newspaper article all about the students and what is important to them.  Other students were creating maps for their binders in social studies or using Chromebooks for an on-demand writing assignment.  Still others were reading in small groups with their teachers or completing some online fall assessments in reading and math so teachers could gather current information about what students already know in order to plan just the right instructional opportunities to bring students further along towards their potential.

Students in 5D with Ms. Downing and Dr. Ribeiro were able to analyze student thinking and discover which method(s) students were using to solve problems as well!

A Glimpse Inside the Art Studio:

4th Graders in the Art Studio experimenting with different
strategies to create depth and perspective!

Ms. Lovely pointing out how Wyeth and Homer
create perspective

OPEN HOUSE - SEPTEMBER 17, 2015

Many families came to learn what was in store this year!

Ms. Kelley shared a new favorite story, YOU!

Cast One of Autumn Talks

RODERICK THESPIANS CREATE OWN SCRIPTS!

         

Cast Two of Autumn Talks!

Cast Three of Autumn Talks!

Fifth Graders in Action in P.E. class!

THE BIG DAY IS AMOST HERE! 
4^th Annual Charity Softball Game – 9/24/15! (RAIN DATE 10/1/15)

Show your Wrentham Wildcat pride by coming to cheer on your teachers as they take on the Wrentham Police Department.  GO WRENTHAM STAFF!  We hope that many of you will join us at the McMorrow Field at 6:00 p.m. on September 24^th.  Tickets cost $5.00 per person and can be purchased ONLY at the field entrance.  All proceeds benefit the WTA (Wrentham Teachers’ Association) scholarship fund!  PLAY BALL!   

PTO REMINDERS:

Our first Family Movie Night is next Friday, September 25th.  At 6:00 p.m. WPS families are invited to bring a picnic dinner, lawn blankets, and chairs to the Delaney Back Field and then at 7:00 p.m., they will show the Dreamworks Movie:  HOME.  (Drinks and snacks will be available to purchase for $1.00 each.)

The PTO Meadow Farms Fundraiser is going on right now until September 25th.

Don't forget...it's not too late!  Register for the Halloween Hustle 5K, 1 Mile Kids Run, or Kids Monster Dash on October 25th to raise money for the new playground - here is the link to the online registration:     http://www.northshoretimingonline.com/reglivecb.aspx?eventyear_id=1276.

Enjoy your weekend with your family and friends!
-Dr. Beauchaine 

Roderick Review Week 2 (9/8/15 through 9/11/15)

This week, we progressed to a four-day week after the long Labor Day Weekend!  After two days with record-breaking temperatures, it finally started to cool off, just in time to have a fire drill yesterday.  The students did a fantastic job following their teachers' instructions and left the building safely, quietly, quickly, and cooperatively.  It was very smooth and students will know exactly what to do in the future if the alarm sounds.

Take a look at a few images capturing some of the events from this week:

On Friday, September 11th, the entire WPS student body gathered in the Gym for the second annual convocation with our Superintendent, Dr. Cameron.

Dr. Cameron reviewed the five core values:  Respect, Responsibility, Communication, Collaboration, and Continuous Growth and Learning.  Students shared examples of what it looks like when WPS students exhibit these core values.  Mrs. Wagstaff introduced the new staff this year and Dr. Cameron talked about how each one of us, the students, all of the teachers, and  administrators within the WPS community, all have a job to do.   He reminded us all that we are here to help and support one another to live out the vision of WPS for our students to become, "Reflective, life-long learners who are respectful and responsible contributors to a global society."  

Speaking of core values, we have brand new banners in the lobby providing visual reminders of our core values, complete with the Wrentham Wildcat mascot.  

4H models the core value of Respect as they walk through the corridor quietly, being considerate of their peers who are working hard in nearby classrooms.

5O'C explores latitude and longitude in the cafeteria, getting ready to use the coordinates to locate specific objects.

Mrs. Moon's 6th graders also used the cafeteria as an extension of the classroom.  In this photo, the students are all holding their papers quietly (almost silently) as their peer reviews them and gets ready to move the students from their spot.  

During other classroom visits this week, students were sharing more about themselves.  Some students have been writing about some summer memories, infusing humor at times, using descriptive language, and some were also writing in a poetic form, which captured the mood and feelings they had at that time.  Others shared more about themselves incorporating mathematical concepts so others have to "figure out" more about them.  Many of these assignments are displayed in the hallways or classrooms and families will be able to view them during the Open House event this week!

REMINDER:

Roderick's Open House will be on this Thursday, September 17, 2015.  Please look at the schedule below:

Grade 4:

6:00 - 6:05 p.m.Dr. Beauchaine addresses 4th grade families in the Cafeteria

6:05 -7:00 p.m. Parents visit their child's classroom.

Grade 5:

7:00 - 7:05 p.m.Dr. Beauchaine addresses 5th grade families in the Cafeteria

7:05 - 8:00 p.m. Parents visit their child's classroom

Grade 6:

6:30 - 6:35 p.m. Dr. Beauchaine addresses the 6th grade families in the Cafeteria

6:35 - 7:30 p.m. Parents visit their child's classroom.

Specialists will have a table in the front hallway that families are welcome to visit to find out more and there will also be an informational table for the PTO and WEST.  We hope to see many of you there!

COMING SOON!  4^th Annual Charity Softball Game – 9/24/15! (RAIN DATE 10/1/15)

Show your Wrentham Wildcat pride by coming to cheer on your teachers as they take on the Wrentham Police Department.  GO WRENTHAM STAFF!  We hope that many of you will join us at the McMorrow Field at 6:00 p.m. on September 24^th.  Tickets cost $5.00 per person and can be purchased ONLY at the field entrance.  All proceeds benefit the WTA (Wrentham Teachers’ Association) scholarship fund!  PLAY BALL!   

Roderick Review – Week 1 (9/1/15-9/3/15)

What a great first week of the 2015-2016 school year!  Students eagerly entered the school on Tuesday, excited to be with their classmates and learn all about what was in store for them this year!  

On the first day of school, I had the chance to meet with each grade to introduce myself and to help students to know that I am here to be sure students feel safe, happy, able to learn, and open to challenging  themselves to give their best each day.  We briefly reviewed our core values of respect, responsibility, collaboration, communication, and continuous growth and learning and I shared some of the exciting things they can look forward to this year in their grade.   

As I visited classrooms this week, I saw students practicing new routines, organizing their supplies, and getting to know where their learning resources were in the room.  Teachers and students were spending some time to introduce themselves and get to know each other to begin to build what will be long-lasting, supportive relationships. Students were involved in new learning from day one and have already been sharing what they have learned so far as they were getting introduced to new books, showing what they know in math and some have even published poems already that are now hanging in the hallway ready to be enjoyed by others passing by.  I have been impressed at the students’ focus on their learning and their active participation throughout the classes I visited.  It has been a fun, exciting week full of learning! 

News You Can Use:

9/11

Next Friday, will be the anniversary of the events that occurred on September 11, 2001.  For those of us who recall the events that day, it is a day of remembrance, a day to pause and reflect on the many lives so deeply affected.  Please be advised, however, that we will not be doing anything as a district to commemorate this day.  The students in our schools currently were not alive at the time and due to the ages of our students, we will not be discussing this within the classroom setting.  However, should a student express concern that day, support will be available.

SAVE THE DATE - 4^th Annual Charity Softball Game – 9/24/15! (RAIN DATE 10/1/15)

Show your Wrentham Wildcat pride by coming to cheer on your teachers as they take on the Wrentha, Police Department.  GO WRENTHAM STAFF!  We hope that many of you will join us at the McMorrow Field at 6:00 p.m. on September 24^th.  Tickets cost $5.00 per person and can be purchased ONLY at the field entrance.  All proceeds benefit the WTA (Wrentham Teachers’ Association) scholarship fund!  PLAY BALL!