Note from Physical Education Department

Scoliosis Testing

To Parents/Guardians of 5th Grade Students,

The Burlington Public Schools will be doing an annual Postural Screening starting the first of the New Year.

The purpose of this is to find early signs of possible spinal problems in children in grades 5 – 9. It is not a diagnostic service, but a program to identify young people who should have a further medical evaluation.

If your child has any unusual findings, you will be notified and asked to take the child to a physician as a precaution. The majority of students exhibit no findings. If nothing is found, we will NOT be contacting you again till the screening next year.

Female children are asked to either bring a ONE OR TWO PIECE SWIMSUIT, to school the day of the screening or to wear it under their regular clothes. This type of clothing permits a more accurate observation of the back.

The exact date of the screening is below.

If you have any questions, please give Mrs. Ferrick or me a call at:

Mrs. Ferrick-—781-270-1713
Ms. Govoni----781-273-7037

Sincerely,

Ms. Govoni

Room # 209—-Ms. Marcus ---------Monday JAN 4th
Room # 215—-Mrs. Fitzpatrick----Monday JAN 4th
Room # 208—-Mrs. Beaulieu-------Tuesday JAN 5th
Room # 109—-Mrs. Theirrien------Wednesday JAN 6th

ADOPT-A-CLASS 2016

Are you looking for a great holiday gift? The Class of 2016 published a wonderful cookbook last spring. It features everyone's favorite recipes. The cost is $10.00. Please contact Michelle Tigges tigges@burlington.mec.edu or Jennifer Jankowski jbjtwins@aol.com.

Tea For Teachers hosted by the Teach India Project

This is a networking event for teachers and educators who teach about India in different kinds of schools and for all those interested in Global studies. There will be a presentation by Jane Hundley, a curriculum specialist from the Burlington, MA school district, about her experiences in India this summer on a six week Fulbright-Hays Fellowship. She visited schools and met with educators all over India. This will be followed by a short presentation about the teaching resources offered by the Teach India Project. There will be an opportunity to network with others with similar curricular interests and to discuss ways to engage with the Teach India Project and other community resources. Location: Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, MA 02420 Phone: 781.862.6288 on Saturday January 9th, 2010, 10:30 a.m. - 12.

NOTE FROM BHS MUSIC

The BHS Music Boosters Association will hold a YOUTH MOVIE NIGHT, on Friday, January 22, 2010, from 6-9 pm in the Fogelberg Auditorium of the high school. Parents enjoy a night out, kids watch the movie “UP,” games and prizes, snacks & drinks. Benefit for BHS Marching Band trip to DisneyWorld. $10/child, $20 max/family. Babysitting by band students and adult chaperones. Flyers and registration forms will be sent home in January. Info: lmkash@verison.net.

NOTE FROM PTO – WINNERS AT PINE GLEN!

Congratulations to the Shea Family for winning the Bruins tickets donated by the Chutes for the winter raffle! The raffle ticket was drawn during Tuesday evening's holiday concert. The Shea Family was also awarded the $100 cash prize for selling the winning ticket. This raffle raised $2,160 to purchase non-fiction books for Pine Glen School! Again, many thanks to everyone who participated. Your generosity will add important resources and enrich our children's learning experience.

A big thank you to The Giusti Family who won the 50/50 raffle held during the winter concert and then generously donated their entire winnings back. The 50/50 Raffle raised $295 for the Family Fund which helps Pine Glen families in need. The Meadow Farms fall fundraiser raised $4031.62 and the new Scrips Program raised $1,016.94 for the Pine Glen PTO. These funds will be used to sponsor a variety of enrichment programs and supplies throughout the school year. Thank you to everyone who participated. Pine Glen School certainly has a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. The continued generosity of the entire community is a wonderful example of the level of support for our children's education. In the end, we are all winners!

Again, thank you for your continued and steadfast support of the Pine Glen PTO and by extension the entire Pine Glen community.

Happy Holidays and a Joyous New Year to all!

December 18, 2009

Dear Pine Glen Community,

I am very proud of all the talented musicians at Pine Glen Elementary School. It was wonderful to see the joy on the students faces as they sing. Their youth, hope and optimism speaks to what the holidays are truly all about. I would like to thank our band instructor Mark Napierkowski, music teachers Jennifer Agati and Jennifer Rzasa for putting together a magnificent concert. I also would like to thank Akiko Coram for volunteering her time to accompany the students on piano.

This week I also had the pleasure of reading the Polar Express to the kindergarten students while we were all in our pajamas. The hot chocolate was delicious. Several of the older students told me how much they remembered this event in kindergarten and what a special memory it held. The older students also had shown great concern in asking me if I had forgotten to change that morning for work as I was wearing my pajamas. At the end of the Polar Express, on the last page the narrator and main character informs the reader that now that he has grown older many of his friends do not hear the “sweet sound” of the bell. The bell is symbolic and does not just represent the traditions of Christmas but, childhood. The author states, “Though I’ve grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe.” Sharing this wonderful day with the kindergarten students in particular and all days with the students at Pine Glen allows me the opportunity to still hear that bell ring in all its sweet sound.

I hope everyone has a safe, happy and joyful holiday season.

Sincerely,

John Lyons
Principal
Pine Glen School

Note from the Principal

Congratulations to the Student Council. The student Council organized and ran a Math-A-Thon.  The 4th and 5th grade students that participated in this event at Pine Glen Elementary School raised $590.00 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Thank you to all that participated in the Math-A-Thon.   Also, thank you to Mrs. Beaulieu and Ms. Hayes the Student Council Advisors.  The work that went into this evident will make a difference in the lives of children suffering from cancer and other diseases.

To learn more about St. Jude Children’s Hospital please feel free to visit their web page at www.stjude.com.

FROM THE PTO:

Thank you Pine Glen Family and Friends!  We sold a total of $13,676.60 worth of gift cards and earned a profit of $1,016.94!!!  Your gift cards have arrived and were delivered to the school, on Monday, December 14th!  Please watch for your gift cards in your child's backpack.  Please review your order for accuracy and contact me rmacmunn@msn.com with any questions.

For those parents that are picking their orders up at the school, please sign the gift card sheet to confirm you have received your order.  Julie Gosselin has also volunteered to be at the Grade 4 & 5 Concert on Tuesday, December 16th at 6:30 p.m., and also at the Grade 1,2 & 3 Concert on Friday, December 18th at 9:00 a.m.

A Special thank you to Nicole Hillis and Lauren Terranova who devoted many hours tallying, assembling and distributing the gift cards!  I could not have done it without them!  Also, thank you Julie for the copying, emails and your help with the program. 

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!

Kathleen MacMunn
Scrip Coordinator - Pine Glen PTO/Volunteer

P.S. We may run the program again in the Spring for Mother's, Father's Day, Graduation and Birthdays----please let me know your thoughts via email! 

Note from Girl Scouts

Girl Scout Cookies on sale this weekend at L.L. Bean:
 
It's that time of year again.  Girl Scout cookies are back.  Pine Glen's 3rd grade brownie troop #77321 will be selling cookies at L.L. Bean located at Wayside Commons, Burlington on Sunday December 20th from 1:00 - 5:00.  Getting together with friends and family to celebrate the holiday season?  Come on down and pick up some delicious cookies to bring to your gathering.  We will have all varieties at $4.00 per box.  Hope to see you there.

NOTE FROM PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Parents of 5th grade students: Our 5th grade physical education ice skating program will be starting Jan 7th...... Please return the parent volunteer forms..... The more the merrier. Also: CORI forms will have needed to have been processed prior to any volunteering.

Exciting News!

I am pleased to announce that the BEF has awarded Mrs. Agati a grant to bring an Artist-In -Residence to Pine Glen this winter. His name is Jeremy Cohen and his expertise is in the African Drumming of Ghana. He will be instructing 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students throughout the winter months. The residency will culminate with a drumming, and singing performance at the Spring Concert. If you would like to learn more about the program and Mr. Cohen, please visit his website at www.thisworldmusic.com.

A Note From the Music Room:

I am currently looking for parent volunteers to help out by watching students during the Winter Concert. If you are interested please contact Mrs. Agati at ext. 7766.

Note from PTO

The Meadow Farms merchandise has arrived and is available for pick up immediately!  The boxes are located in the foyer.  The boxes are sorted by teacher/room number and by student.  Boxes with yellow labels will contain the order of one student and will be clearly labeled with that student's name.  Boxes with white labels contain orders for more than one student from the same class.  The individual orders within the box are separated and clearly labeled with each child's name.  Please feel free to contact Katherine Swan if you have any questions.  Cell: 617-448-7253, email: kanialem@gmail.com.

NOTE FROM BYL

 Registration for Burlington Youth Lacrosse’s spring season is underway. Boys and girls in grades 1-8 are encouraged to participate (boys and girls play on the same teams). Registrations are accepted via internet (www.burlingtonlax.com). Deadline is January 2, 2010. Team sizes are limited, so register early to ensure a spot. For more information, email info@burlingtonlax.com or visit www.burlingtonlax.com.

NOTE FROM THE DRAMA CLUB

The Burlington High School Drama Club will present Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” this Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5 at 7:30 pm in the Fogelberg Auditorium of the high school. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for seniors/students. Tickets can be purchased at 781-A-FUN-TIC, online at www.BurlingtonTickets.org or at the door.

NOTE FROM PTO

The SCRIP/GIFT CARD Dead line Dec 8, 2009. Please support our school while enjoying the convenience of shopping for gift cards without traveling from store to store! The retailer list was condensed....so if you are looking for a particular gift card, go to www.glscrip.com and add the retailer to your order. Any questions please feel free to contact Kathleen, at rmacmunn@msn.com.

MENU----------WEEK OF December 7, 2009

 Full Lunch $2.50 Milk $.50

MONDAY---------No School
TUESDAY---------French Toast & Sausages, Fruit Slushie, Juice/Milk
WEDNESDAY ---Meatball Subs, French Fries, Fresh Fruit, Juice/Milk
THURSDAY-------Pasta w/meat sauce, Fruit Slushie, Juice/Milk
FRIDAY----------- Pizza, Tossed Salad, Fresh Fruit, Juice/Milk
AVAILABLE DAILY—Pizza, Bagels, Peanut Butter & Jelly/Fluff, Cereal & Yogurt, Assortment of Snacks & Ice Cream

Coming Attractions

NO School Dec 7, Professional Development


Grade 4 & 5 Concert Dec 15, @ 6:30 P.M.

Grade 1, 2, 3, Concert Dec 18, @ 9:00 A.M.

PTO News

Pine Glen PTO Scrip Fundraiser (Gift Card) deadline has been extended until TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8th due to No School - Professional Day on Monday! 
All orders must be in on that date, so they can be processed!  Unfortunately, any orders received after that date will be returned to your child's classroom unprocessed.  Thanks for your cooperation.  Any questions, contact Kathleen at 781-229-1805 or rmacmunn@msn.com. If you have lost forms, email me and I will forward (Microsoft Word Documents).

 Enjoy the long weekend to review the condensed retailer list or visit www.glscrip.com for an extensive list.  You can also let your fingers do the walking and shop on-line at www.shopwithscrip.com.  Please remember if you shop on-line you still need to complete the enrollment form and send check to school by the 8th.

Happy Shopping & Happy Holidays

Bus

I will on occasion randomly travel on one of the school busses. This does not mean there was a past problem. This offers me a terrific way to see the bus routes. In addition, while on the bus I can remind students about the importance of obeying bus rules (being respectful and safe) and the importance of listening to the bus driver. I have enjoyed the opportunity to talk to students on the bus and hear the many interesting details and stories they like to share.