App Recommendation

I am regularly asked for app recommendations for the iPad. The picture above is a group of first graders at center during balance literacy time. The students are using an app called Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App! by Mo Willems. Mo Willems is one on my favorite children's authors. Willems' books Knuffle Bunny, Knuffle Bunny Too, and Knuffle Bunny Free are some of my daughters all time favorite read-a-loud books at bedtime. I find Willems to have an uncanny sense of humor.

I have seen and talked to an ever increasing amount of children's authors who have told me they will likely be releasing their books in the near future in an app format. The authors have told me the reasoning behind this is that not only will students have access to the book on the app but also engaging, higher order thinking comprehension activities. One author told me she is excited to put video in her app showing how she got her ideas and the process steps she followed to publish. In some ways this reminds me of when we saw movies switch from a tape on a VCR to a BluRay Disc or digital download on a variety of playable devices. Don't Let the Pigeon Run This App! is one of may favorite apps and is a preview into the future of children's literature.

This Morning at Pine Glen School

The following pictures are some of the many things I witnessed this morning on my daily walk throughs of classrooms. The first two pictures are of a kindergarten teacher and a kindergarten instructional assistant with guided reading groups. The next picture is of our reading specialist with a fourth grade guided reading group. The other pictures show RTI tutors, instructional assistants or teachers working with primary age students in small groups. One of the reasons we have seen so much progress in our students reading growth is the support we have from instructional assistants, RTI tutors, special needs teachers and reading specialists. These talented instructors are critical to providing interventions and guided reading to all students at their instructional levels.

Lost and Found

The picture below shows the Lost and Found. It is currently located in the school lobby. On March 23, 2012 all items that are not claimed will be donated to good will. Please remind your children to check the Lost and Found if they are missing any items.

Burlington All-Towne Band Concert

I was very proud last night of our fourth and fifth graders. They all did a great job at the Burlington All-Towne Band Concert. I always enjoy this concert. It is so much fun to see the progression of skills from fourth grade to high school.

Thank You to the PTO

The picture below is of some of the books donated by the PTO. These titles will be used during guided reading. Staff and students are very appreciative to the PTO for their continued work on behalf of student literacy and enrichment at Pine Glen School.

English Language Arts

Today I viewed some second graders learning about phonics. Teachers from kindergarten through third grade utilize the Fundations program for phonics instruction. In the first picture you can see second graders using the dry-erase tablets and examining the consonant/vowel magnets on the white board at the front of the room. In the next two pictures you can see a second grader using a Gel Word Board and Magic Pen. The student can write the word and then trace it again to have the word leave the board. These student manipulatives and interactive learning tools not only provide fun instruction they help students to retain the information in their long term memories.

In the final picture you can see a fourth grader using an interactive-white board to practice editing skills while discussing them with her classmates and teacher.

Burlington High School

Burlington High School will present Cole Porter’s award-winning musical, Kiss Me, Kate, on March 23, 24, 30 and 31 at 7:30 pm, and April 1 at 2:00 pm. This riotous comedy with a musical-within-a-musical theme based on “The Taming of the Shrew” will have you rolling in the aisles! Another show you don’t want to miss, tickets are now on sale by visiting www.BurlingtonTickets.org or phoning 781-A-FUN-TIC.

BHS National Honor Society

Indoor Yard Sale: Saturday March 17th from 10am to 1pm at the BHS Cafeteria. Shop for a cause as these HS student groups sell yard-sale items and baked goods to raise money for club activities and other non-profits. Free entry, sponsored by the BHS National Honor Society.

Math

Today during my walk-throughs I took some picture of students at different grade levels working on math. The first picture shows fourth graders learning about probability. The next two pictures show third graders working at math centers. In one center they are using iPads and computers. The other center shows them working with a teacher. Also, included are pictures of of two different first grade classrooms learning about measurement.

MCAS Schedule Spring 2012

Pine Glen
MCAS Schedule
Spring 2012

March

March 20 Grade 4 ELA Long Composition Session 1 and Session 2

March 21 Grade 3 ELA Reading Comprehension Session 1

March 22 Grade 3 ELA Reading Comprehension Session 2

March 23 Grade 5 ELA Reading Comprehension Session 1

March 26 Grade 5 ELA Reading Comphrehension Session 2

March 27 Grade 4 ELA Reading Comphrehension Session 1

March 28 Grade 4 ELA Reading Comprehension Session 2

May

May 7 Grade 4 Math Session 1

May 8 Grade 4 Math Session 2

May 9 Grade 5 Science Session 1

May 10 Grade 5 Science Session 2

May 14 Grade 3 Math Session 1

May 15 Grade 3 Math Session 2

MAAV Presentation to Students

Alice Wadley, M.Ed. from the Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV), a well-respected non-profit agency founded in 1995, spoke to students during different grade level assemblies last week.

Her presentation was titled “Just One”: Empowering Bystanders to Stop Bullying. The focus was on how “Just one” action by “Just one” person can make a significant difference in stopping or countering the damaging effects of bullying.

Topics addressed included:

• Empowering students to take action by knowing what to do when they witness other students engaged in acts of bullying or retaliation, including seeking adult assistance

• Helping students understand the dynamics of bullying and cyber-bullying

• Emphasizing cyber-safety

• Engaging students in a safe, supportive school environment that is respectful of diversity

• Enhancing students’ skills for engaging in healthy relationships and respectful communications and difference

A “Just One” wristband was given to each participant to reinforce the message of the program, prompt conversations at home, and serve as a reminder from teachers and faculty beyond the presentation.

Third Grade Wax Museum

The third graders did a great job on their Massachusetts Historical Presentations. Each third grader learned a lot about a famous person in Massachusetts History and their contributions.

BEF

We Will Rock You! Burlington Education Foundation is hosting the 4th annual Trivia Night on March 9,2012 at 7pm at the Sons of Italy in Woburn. Please join us for an evening of music trivia and tons of laughs! After gathering 4 - 10 friends to make a team, contact Debbie Mungillo at debbie.mungillo@agilent.com. The cost is $150 per team and don't forget this is a tax deductible contribution to the BEF. Hope to see you there!

Girl Scouts

Marshall Simonds Middle School Girl Scout Troop 77245 will be collecting new and gently used pants for sizes newborn to 18/20 from March 1st to 31st at each elementary and middle school lobby. They will be donated to Cradles to Crayons, an organization that will distribute the pants to local children in need. To learn more about them visit cradlestocrayons.org If you have any questions about the drive, please contact Nancy_Kiehl@comcast.net or 781-221-8581.

PTO Information

Hi Members, We hope you all enjoyed the winter break and the mild temperatures with your children. Just a friendly reminder that the next PTO meeting will take place this Thursday evening, March 1st at 7 p.m. We also would like to congratulate the following students who participated in the Winter Box Tops for Education drive by submitting sheets of twenty Box Tops. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents and will be redeemed to purchase books for Pine Glen School. Completed forms were entered into a contest to earn free tickets for the upcoming Pine Glen Carnival that is scheduled for Saturday, March 31st from 9 - 2 p.m. Congratulations to: 1st Place Winner of 25 Carnival tickets: Ashlyn Biundo with 21 sheets 2nd Place Winner of 15 Carnival tickets: Emma Naddaff with 14 sheets TIED for 3rd Place Winners of 10 Carnival tickets: Caroline Macri and Erin Shortell with 8 sheets each. We look forward to seeing you this Thursday evening. Sincerely, The Pine Glen PTO Board

All-Town Band Concert

On Thursday, March 8, the All-Town Band Concert will take place in the gymnasium of Burlington High School beginning at 7:00 pm. All band students and band teachers from Burlington Public Schools will participate in this showcase for friends and family. An event not to be missed! Free admission.