Friday, December 21, 2012

Mr. Callahan and Mr. Lyons 20 Favorite Apps

During the holidays two things happen, many children receive gifts from parents and pop radio stations do countdowns of the greatest hits of that year. I would take a guess that many children will be receiving a device that can facilitate the use of Apps such as an iTouch, iPad or iPad Mini and/or a gift certificate to purchase Apps for an already existing device.   I would also guess that Carly Rae Jepsen’s song “Call Me Maybe” might be the top song of 2012 as I heard it everywhere this summer.

Mr. Callahan and I are constantly asked what are some Apps we think are great to have on a device such as an iTouch or iPad for the home.  As a result, Mr. Callahan and I have teamed up to make our own list of our 20 favorite Apps for primary and intermediate students.

  • Book Creator for iPad
  • Dexteria
  • Don’t Let the Pigeon Run This App!
  • Dragon Dictation
  • Drawing Pad
  • Easy Chart HD
  • Explain Everything
  • GarageBand
  • Google Drive
  • Google Earth
  • iMovie
  • Math Blaster
  • Mathmeteer
  • Popplet
  • Skitch
  • Stack the States
  • Star Walk
  • Strip Designer
  • Toontastic
  • World Book World of Animals

For more information on the apps we use at Pine Glen, check out the Pine Glen LTC blog!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Polar Express

This morning I enjoyed reading "The Polar Express" to all the kindergarten students.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Message from Burlington PAC

Dear Friends,

The Burlington PAC would like to invite everyone to come and join us for a very informative event, "Meet the Experts".
 
Burlington Special Education PAC will be holding an Open House on Monday, January 7 from 7pm - 9pm in the Burlington High School Library, where you will have the opportunity to consult with a wide variety of special education experts. These experts include Special Ed Attorney Lillian Wong, Neuropsychologist Kaaren Bekken, Special Ed Consultants Sue Terzakis and Melody Orfei and Marilyn Weber, Advocate/Transition Specialist. Dr. Conti, Superintendent and Louise D’Amato, Special Education Director will also be available to speak with parents. This is a unique opportunity to have your questions answered in a low-key, informal environment, and will prove useful for parents of general education students as well!  After brief introductions in the library, the professionals will be available for private, 1:1 consultations. Take advantage of this informal, free opportunity to meet highly qualified professionals.

Recently added expert: Joyce Gillis, Program Director for the Children’s Dyslexia Center- Boston North. The Children’s Dyslexia Center provides intensive tutoring for children with dyslexia using the Orton-Gillingham approach with the latest cutting edge research based methods.

For more info on this event or the Burlington PAC please emaildandmmccarron@hotmail.com or phone 781-273-5663.

 Happy Holidays,
 Dennis McCarron, Chairman
 Burlington PAC

Fundraiser for Cradles to Crayons



Flatbread Pizza 
213 Burlington Road
January 1st  5-9 PM 
Celebrate the New year with friends, family, 
RAFFLES and pizza! 
Proceeds benefit Cradles to Crayons (www.cradlestocrayons.org
If you have any questions please contact Emily Kiehl at 781-221-8581   

Message from Burlington Public School Lunch Program


It is the policy of the Burlington Public Schools Lunch Program to limit the amount of money a child can owe the Burlington School Lunch Program.  When the limit is reached the child is given a cheese sandwich and a carton of milk for a charge of $1.50 for lunch for the duration of their negative balance. 
 
To enable your child to continue to receive a full school lunch you must deposit the missing funds into his/her lunch account.  This can be done either online through the PayPams System or by sending in a check to your child's school cafeteria made out to 'Burlington Public Schools Lunch".

Monday, December 17, 2012

Walk Throughs Today 12 17 12

These are some pictures I took during my daily walk through of the classrooms this morning. One kindergarten student told me all the kindergarten students are so looking forward to me reading the "Polar Express" to them latter this week. I told the student I am really looking forward to it as well.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut


Our thoughts and prayers go out tonight to the many families in Newtown, Connecticut who are dealing with the terrifying events that happened today.  I know this area of Connecticut well having family that live in the state.  These events are very close to home.  I imagine that like me you gave your young children a big hug when arriving home today. 



Senseless violence is very difficult for adults to understand and even more the case for young children.  One of the best things we can do for our children this weekend is maintain a normal routine and follow our regular family structure.  Children love having structure and being around friends and family.  When we provide structure, we help children to not worry and lessen the chance of anxiety.  Furthermore, structure promotes physical health through regularly scheduled sleep, exercise and meals.  It is important that adults don’t show our anxiety about the events and stress that violence is never a solution to a problem.



My wife and I are doing a media blackout for our two young daughters this weekend.  The limiting of television viewing is helpful for all children and particularly will be helpful this weekend.

If children do gain access to information about the tragedy in Connecticut, it is vital to have conversations as these events can quickly be misunderstood and anxiety producing in young children.  In such cases it is critical to monitor children’s emotional state.  During times of tragedy it is very important that we reassure children they are safe.  If children ask questions, it is helpful to have answers that are simple and brief.   



If your children become aware of this tragedy and have concerns, please let them know that they are safe at Pine Glen Elementary School in Burlington, MA.  Please let them know that Mr. Lyons and their teacher(s) will keep them safe.  If you feel that your child needs more reassurance, our guidance counselor, Ms. May, school psychologist, Ms. Garneau and I will be available to meet with him/her on Monday to talk about how hard we work to make our school a safe environment for life-long learning.



John Lyons, M.S. Ed.
Principal 
Pine Glen Elementary School

Pine Glen Winter Concert 2012

I would like to thank Akiko Corum for volunteering her time to play the piano at last night's concert. Also, I would like to say bravo to all the fourth and fifth graders who did a great in band and chorus! We are so fortunate to have such talented music instructors as Mr. Napierkowski, Mrs. Agati and Mrs. Rzasa to instill a love of music in their students hearts and minds.

FLS Rule

Mrs. Guanci and Ms. Smith are providing multi-modal instruction to their first grade students on the FLS Rule. Knowledge of the FLS Rule helps students with spelling and reading.

Lights

Today N-Star and staff from our facilities department came to help provide more light for the Pine Glen Campus at night.

Gutter Boat Races

Today the 5th Graders created Gutter Boats as part of their Technology and Design Unit in Science. The students designed and built their own boat. Students love hands on learning.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Lost and Found

Please make sure to check the Lost and Found.  Next week items still in Lost and Found will be donated to the charity Cradles for Crayons before we leave for the Holiday Break.

Message from PAC

Burlington Special Education PAC will be holding an Open House on Monday, January 7 in the BHS Library, where you will have the opportunity to consult with a wide variety of special education experts. These experts include Special Ed Attorney Lillian Wong, Neuropsychologist Kaaren Bekken, Special Ed Consultants Sue Terzakis and Melody Orfei and Marilyn Weber, Advocate/Transition Specialist. Dr. Conti, Superintendent and Louise D’Amato, Special Education Director will also be available to speak with parents. This is a unique opportunity to have your questions answered in a low-key, informal environment, and will prove useful for parents of general education students as well!  After brief introductions in the library, the professionals will be available for private, 1:1 consultations. Take advantage of this informal, free opportunity to meet highly qualified professionals.

Coats for Kids

Cub Scout Pack 105 of Burlington is collecting Coats for Kids as part of a national program lead by Anton's cleaners. Anton's will dry clean all donated coats prior to distribution to families in need. Please place coats you wish to donate in the collection box just outside the main office at Pine Glen School. Coats can be donated through January 10th, Pack 105 appreciates your support.

Art & ELA Inegration

Ms. Fallon and Mrs. Hayes are working on a project integrating English Language Arts and Art in first grade. The students are making murals to show comprehension of the book "Snowmen at Work." Students are showing higher order thinking by using the details from the book and applying them to a different setting.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Book Creator

Mrs. Fitzpatrick's Fifth Graders are using the Apps Book Creator, Pages and iBook to make publishable books of their poetry. The students have learned a great deal about personification. I am so proud of the students and the beautiful works they have created.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Toys for Tots

There is a donation box in the lobby for Toys for Tots.  Please feel free to send in an unwrapped toy for a boy or girl to help with this campaign.  

Snoopy Pajama Day

Snoopy Pajama Day

Growing Older, Growing Together Program: Volunteers Needed


We are looking for grandparents and other older adults in the community to participate in a special program called Bridges:  Growing Older, Growing Together. Volunteers are invited to spend one hour per week for six weeks in an [elementary school classroom], interacting with children under the direction of a classroom teacher in ways that lead to mutual understanding, respect, and friendship.

Volunteers do NOT need to live in Burlington. Classes begin in January with volunteer training taking place on January 3, 2012 at 10:30.  Winter weather and safety is always a concern; please know that even if the schools are open, the Bridges:  Growing Older, Growing Together program might be cancelled.  For more information, please contact Myrna Saltman at 781-272-4430.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Online Book Fair is Still Open!



In case you didn't find what you were looking for or forgot to bring your money,

 the Pine Glen Book Fair is still open online until the end of the day Friday, December 7.

All orders will ship free to Pine Glen before the winter break.

Visitors

Today teachers from Topsfield Public Schools came to see all the great instruction happening at Pine Glen Elementary School. They were very impressed by the technology particularly the use of iPads. They told us the school was amazing.

3rd Grade Art Class

Third grade students in Ms. Fallon's art class are studying the relationship among the different colors.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Winter Concert Reminders

Here are the dates and times to remember:


4th and 5th Grade Chorus and Band Concert: Thursday December 13th @ 6 p.m.

Students should arrive at 5:45 p.m. wearing black and white.

1st, 2nd and 3rd Grade Concert: Thursday December 20th @ 9 a.m.

Students should come to school wearing their dress-up outfit for the concert.

Additional information is available on the Pine Glen Music Blog:

We are looking forward to seeing you all there!

Mrs. Jennifer Agati

Sunday, December 2, 2012

New Date and Time for Parent Tech Night!

We're very excited to announce (again) our very first Parent tech Night for parents of 4th and 5th grade students on

Wednesday, December 5 at 5:45 PM

Please see the below flier for more information!