First Grade

Today first graders participated in a Fall Scavenger Hunt, designed scarecrows, and built trees.

Owl

Miss P. from the Burlington Science Center talked to kindergarten students today about owls.

Halloween Dance and Haunted House

I would like to thank the PTO for a great Halloween Dance and Haunted House on Saturday Night! Thank you very much to all the volunteers! I would especially like to thank the Keddy Family for their many years of volunteering on the Haunted House. Congratulations to Sofia Grinnell on winning the estimation jar!

Tomorrow Monring

Tomorrow Morning, 10/30/12, Burlington Public Schools will have a two-hour delay.  I hope everyone in our Pine Glen Community is safe and look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday.

Science Night

I would like to thank Mr. Musselman, Miss Pavlicek, Mrs. Welch, the Burlington High School Volunteers, Mr. and Mrs. Papadonis, and the Pine Glen PTO for a great Science Night last night. It was so wonderful to see over 200 students and their families attend.   The Burlington Science Center's Blog has additional information on last night (Burlington Science Center).

Cub Scouts Charity Event

PACK 555 really ROCKS the pies!!!
Help needy Burlington families this thanksgiving by supporting the local Cub Scouts charity event. Come to Shaws at 180 Cambridge Street on November 17th from 9am to 1pm and purchase a pie for a needy family. Cub Scouts from Pack 555 will be waiting outside the door to collect your donation. These pies will be combined with donations from the local food pantry to create a complete thanksgiving meal for the near 200 needy families in Burlington. Support Cub Scout pack 555 as they participate in the "people helping people" community feeling that is alive today in Burlington. Thank you in advance for your support.

Grade 5 Math

While I was doing my daily walk through today, I watched 5th grade teacher Ms. Marcus instructing her students on decimals.

Bus Safety Evacuation Drill

Today, our Safety Officer, Bernie Schipellti, conducted a Bus Safety Evacuation Drill with students at Pine Glen Elementary School.

Science Night

Visitors

Today we had a team of educators from Arlington Public Schools come to visit Pine Glen Elementary School. The team included the Arlington Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent. The team wanted to see some of the great instruction and learning taking place at Pine Glen Elementary School. The Team had a lot of praise. As the team was leaving one member put it simple words to me, "This is a great school!"

Pine Glen Science Night

TED Talk on ST Math

This year we are piloting with some students a math program that teaches math concepts with visuals alone.  ST Math instructional software is a research-proven, comprehensive, grade-level math program that is align to the Common Core.  Spatial- Temporal (ST) reasoning is the innate ability to visualize and manipulate images through a sequence of steps in space and time.  Through visual learning each student can problem solve and formulate mathematical understanding.  It is a self-paced learning program that engages students who struggle to learn with traditional materials and methods.  It also extends the learning  for others with challenging activities.

The program is designed to complement our core program -Investigations.  If your child is part of the pilot he or she will be using ST Math for about 60 minutes a week this school year.  You may hear your child talk about JiJi, the penguin,  Jiji is part of ST Math.

We are very excited and fortunate to have ST Math in our classroom!

A TED Presentation is posted below to learn more about the program or please go to  www.mindresearch.net.

Burlington Youth Wrestling

Burlington Youth Wrestling is now accepting registrants for its 2012-2013 wrestling season. The first practice is on Monday, November 26^th from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm in the Burlington High School wrestling room. The program is open to children in grades 2^nd-8^th (no experience necessary). Practices are Monday & Thursday evenings, cost is $150.00 per child. The regular season runs through early March. We belong to the MVC dual meet league and compete in regular scrimmages, meets and tournaments in and around Mass and N.E. Give us a try!  Wrestling provides a great opportunity for all size athletes. You only compete against opponents that are your own weight. Send questions to burlingtonyouthwrestling@gmail.com.

Registration and payment is made through our League Lineup website at http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?cmenuid=1&url=burlingtonyouthwrestling&sid=42273286

Candy for Troops Overseas

Pine Glen Elementary School is once again joining other Burlington schools in collecting Halloween Candy for our troops overseas.  Over the last few years we have been able to send over 6000lbs of candy to troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Please join in again and donate some of your Halloween candy or pick up and extra bag at the store and help us send a little Halloween cheer overseas!  Soldiers love getting cards and letters from kids back home.  If you would like to send a special message to a soldier overseas, please put your letter in the Orange Collection box along with your candy and we will make sure it gets to a soldier!  If you know of a soldier stationed overseas who would like to receive a box, please email their info to treatsforourtroops@gmail.com Thank you!

DARE

Officer Cross, our DARE Officer, works with fifth graders about making good choices and being safe.

Math and Science

Amanda Lane, RTI tutor, is helping fourth grade students build their rockets in anticipation of the upcoming Rocket Day. This project is in cooperation with the Burlington Science Center.

Art and Science

Today I stopped by Ms. Fallon's Art Class. Students are studying range of motion and the human body. Students are incorporating this knowledge into their art work.

Google Docs

Mrs. Gover is watching her third grade students setting up their Google Docs.

Burlington Science Center

Yesterday, Wendy Pavlicek, Director of the Burlington Science Center and responsible for the Center's Live Animal Collection, introduced me to a red tailed hawk. We are so fortunate have such amazing resources like the Burlington Science to enrich student learning in Burlington.

Kindergarten

Today I saw Megan Rafferty, one of our instructional assistants, working at a center in Mrs. Babajtis' Kindergarten Classroom. Students were completing a summary of what they had learned this week.

Sight Word Singing

Today I saw Ms. Smith and Ms. Parziale have first grade students singing, dancing and finger typing their sight words. This is a great way to store knowledge of how to encode and decode words into student's long term memory.

Kindergarten

This morning I saw Mrs. Potts' kindergarten students practicing reading strategies. The strategy I witnessed was framing.

Note From the Burlington PAC

  Dear Burlington Parents,
 There are times when we, as parents, have concerns about our children. The Burlington PAC is there for you, to listen, to share information and to advise. If you, as a parent have concerns about how your child is doing in school socially, emotionally and or educationally. Or if you have concerns about educational supports, how your child is being taught, both in general and special educational classes. Please join the Burlington PAC for it's first morning coffee event of the school year. The meeting place has been changed to allow anyone attending to actually have coffee, tea or some other delicious treat which will be available for purchase at True North Coffee House at 204 Cambridge St on Tuesday morning at 10:00 A.M. on October 16, 2012. Come out and feel free to chat with other parents. Share your experiences both positive and otherwise. We are the group that can help. 
 For more information on the Burlington PAC, contact Dennis McCarron at dandmmccarron@hotmail.comor at 781-273-5663

Box Tops

The fall Collection Contests for Box Tops and Campbell's Labels have begun at Pine Glen.

The contest will run for two weeks, deadline for submission is October 19th.  Collect and paste as many Box Tops or Campbell's Labels to the contest sheets.  Additional sheets are available in the front office and will be available shortly on the PTO Blog. 

Prizes will be awarded to the student who submits the most sheets.

1st Place
$15 iParty gift card and admission to the Halloween Dance

2nd Place 
$10 iParty gift card and admission to the Halloween Dance

3rd Place
$5 iParty gift card and admission to the Halloween Dance

For questions regarding the Box Top Collection Contest, please contact Lillian Mahoney at lilpad12@yahoo.com.  For questions regarding Campbell's Labels Collection Contest, please contact Adrienne Mattson at adrienne.mattson@verizon.net.


Last spring's Collection Contest winners were:
1st Place - Ashlyn Biundo (7 sheets)
2nd Place - Sean Derochers (5.5 sheets)
3rd Place - Taylor Girouard (5 sheets)

A big congratulations to our past winners! 

Helping Your Child at Home

There are many ways to support your child's learning at home. One of the best is to read to your children and have them read to you. Another great support is to practice math facts. An additional fun activity is to visit a museum.

Museums allow children the means to learn and play in an empowering environment. Although the Harvard Museum of Natural History is not a children's museum, museums in general help children transcend time and various places through the many exhibits.

During the Columbus Day Weekend, my family visited The Harvard Museum of Natural History. The museum is free to Massachusetts residents on Sunday morning from 9:00 am to noon with proof of residency.

My preschooler and third grader have been to this museum many times and always want to go back. In addition to this being a great learning experience, it is also a great family experience.

Note from Adopt-A-Class

Are you looking for a fun night out with friends and would like to support the Class of 2016?

Join us for:

Adopt-A-Class 2016 Wine Tasting Fundraiser
11.17.12 
Sponsored by: The Liquor Cabinet 
Appetizers, Cash Bar, Music, Raffles, Silent Auctions
$25 per adult
American Legion, Burlington 
7:00 - 11:00 pm

Reserve tickets or questions email: adoptaclass2016@gmail.com
Purchase tickets using PayPal
http://adoptaclass2016.blogspot.com/

Also, if you are a parent of a 9^th grader and would like to help with the Wine Tasting or just find out more about Adopt-A-Class, please contact Michelle Tigges and Jennifer Jankowski at:

 adoptaclass2016@gmail.com

Cafeteria Positions

"Help Wanted - In need of 3 hour subs for the school cafeteria.  Must be willing to work in ALL schools.  If interested please apply at www.bpsk12.org Click on ADMINISTRATION, then click HUMAN RESOURCES, then click AVAILABLE POSITIONS."

Want More Harry?

On Thursday, October 11, J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, is hosting an exclusive live webcast where she will talk about her new Harry Potter fan club web site, Pottermore, and answer questions live from children all over the world.

Pine Glen students in 4th and 5th grade have been learning about Pottermore in library class and will participate in this webcast during lunch on Thursday in the cafetorium. Watch the video below to hear J.K. Rowling explain what you will find on Pottermore.

 Students under age 13 are legally allowed to sign up for an account on Pottermore with parent’s permission.  Ask your child about it!

 

CVC Words

Today I observed first graders in Ms. Smith's classroom working at centers during English Language Arts. Students were making consonant vowel consonant (CVC) words at one center using the interactive white board.

Kindergarten Centers

Today I observed Mrs. Babajtis' kindergarten students working at different centers during English Language Arts.

English Language Arts

Today I walked through Mrs. Visocchi's class and heard her class having a great discussion about pattern writing. Students had just finished a book that featured this style of writing and were going to begin writing their own written pieces incorporating this new knowledge.

Math

Today I saw fifth graders working in cooperative groups problem solving possible answers to math questions.

Burlington Science Center

The Burlington Science Center would like to remind all students that the deadline for the "Largest Pumpkin Contest" is this coming Monday, October 1st.  Please have your pumpkin weighed at the post office and send in your entry form asap.  There will be a group photo  on the town common for anyone who grew a pumpkin.  Be sure to take a picture of you and your pumpkin for the Science Center.

Pumpkin Fair

FANTASTIC PUMPKIN FAIR ... Friday night, October 19, 2012, from 6-9 pm at the Fox Hill School. Come join in the fun of our annual fall tradition. Great games, fall crafts, fabulous prizes and a few good scares. The ever popular Haunted Hallway will be sure to fright, along with many old favorites: Moon Bounce, Cake Walk, Pumpkin Painting, Spin Art, Face Painting, Duck Pond, Pizza, Hot dogs, Cupcake Decorating, Popcorn, Cotton Candy, Raffles, plus lots more games and activities. Admission is free; tickets for each activity/game can be purchased at the door. Open to the public. For additional information, contact Julie Quinn at quinns@rcn.com.

BHS Boosters Club

CRAFT FAIR Press Release

The Burlington High School Athletic Boosters Club will host their annual Craft Fair, Saturday, October 20th.  The fair will be at the BHS cafeterias from 10 - 3. 

This year, 100 crafters will offer lovely jewelry, holiday items, doll clothes, home decorations, cards, books, and more.  Our new cafe section will feature unique sauces, jellies, chocolates, and other gourmet items.  Our bake sale table will feature delicious snacks.  Enter the HUGE raffle including a wide variety of our crafters creations.  Enjoy lunch at our concession stand and dining area.  Visitors are encourage to park in the Student Lot and ride the shuttle to the cafeteria-entrance.

Admission is only $2, and includes a FREE raffle ticket.  This event is a major fundraiser to help our club support all of the BHS sports teams.

Common Core

On my Blog in the lower right hand corner under the category Favorite Links and Great Parent Resources is a link to the Common Core.   Forty five states and three U.S. territories have adopted the Common Core Curriculum.   Massachusetts was one of the states that adopted the Common Core.  

The Progress Reports sent home last year in our pilot year and being sent home this year again to parents are aligned with the National Common Core Curriculum.   The Common Core Standards outline knowledge and skills that students will learn in school.  

Note from PAC

Dear Burlington Parents and school staff,
 The PAC meeting scheduled for Monday October 1 at 6:30 has been moved once again. Thanks to the cooperation of the PTO Chairs, we now have the use of the School Committee Room at Burlington High School. I sincerely apologize for the confusion. So, here we go, for anyone interested in special education in Burlington, the Burlington PAC is holding a meet and greet with Louise D'Amato and staff members. This will be Monday October 1, 2012 in the School Committee Room at Burlington High School. The room opens at 6:30 P.M. for social networking for parents with the meeting beginning at 7:00 P.M.
 For more information on the Burlington PAC or this location contact Dennis McCarron atdandmmccarron@hotmail.com or via phone at 781-273-5663.

Music

Today I saw our music teacher Mrs. Agati instructing first grade students about rhythm.

Art Class

Today I saw fifth graders in Ms. Fallon's Art Class learning about the artist Andy Warhol.

Notice from PAC

Dear Burlington Parents,
 Are you wondering what services are available to help your child succeed in school? Would you like to meet the new Director of Special Education in town as well as the staff who work with your children? Come out on Monday evening October 1, 2012 at 6:30 P.M to the Burlington High School Lower Library. This is a change in location due to a scheduling conflict.
 The Burlington PAC is hosting a meet and greet event to introduce Louise D'Amato our new Director of Special Education. Ms. D'Amato will present staff members and will be able to address questions about Burlington's Special Education programs.
 For more information about this event or any other PAC sponsored events, or questions about how to advocate on your child's behalf, please contact Dennis McCarron atdandmmccarron@hotmail.com or at 781-273-5663.

PAC Meeting

When: Monday, October 1^st

^{Time: 7 to 9}

Where: School Committee Room (Burlington High School)

What: Meet and Greet Special Education staff

Come meet Louise D’Amato, our new special Education Director!

This year brings many changes to the Burlington special education staff.  Louise, along with Team Chairs from each schools will discuss the various special education programs available in Burlington.

Please join us for this informative meeting.

New Resource TumbleBook

During my walk through I saw Mrs Hayes showing her first graders a new resource we have added called TumbleBook.  Please feel free to learn more about at TumbleBook at this link TumbleBook Library.  The Pine Glen Library and Technology Center link, Library and Technology Center (LTC), also has more information on other great resources for students at Pine Glen Elementary School.

Area

Today when I stopped by Ms. Marcus room I saw students learning about the math concept area. Mr. Musselman, our science specialist, from the Burlington Science Center, was assisting as the students were doing hands on experiments to grasp the concept of area.

5th Grade

Mrs. Fitzpatrick was teaching her fifth grade students about rounding and place value on the day I walked through her room.

Back to School Night for Grown-Ups

Back to School Night for Grown-Ups is scheduled for this Thursday, September 27th from 6:00 to 7:30.  The night will begin in the cafeteria at 6:00 with opening remarks from the principal.  At 6:10 we are going to ask 4th and 5th grade parents to stay for a quick presentation.  We will leave the back doors of the cafeteria open to parents in order that they can enter and exit the building through the cafe.  At 6:10 parents are free to proceed to classrooms.  We will continue to have two informational sessions.  The first session will be held from 6:20-6:50.  The second session will run from 7:00-7:30.   Parents are welcome to attend either session.

This is a great evening when teachers and parents can discuss expectations, curriculum, classroom procedures and establish a partnerships between home and school.   We regret that we are unable to provide child care.  We appreciate parents making arrangements with their children in order to attend this important evening.

One of My New Favorite Apps

One of my new favorite apps for the iPad and for my iPhone is Star Walk.  This app is a Parent's Choice Gold Award Winner, 2012 Webbie Award Nominee, and winner of the Apple Design Award for 2012.  Mr. Musselman, our science specialist, from the Burlington Science Center introduced me to it this summer as the two of us were talking about our love of astronomy.   When I was teaching fifth grade, one of my favorite units to teach was the solar system.   The touch-screen control on it allows the viewer to identify constellations, planets and stars.   My daughters (now in third grade and preschool) greatly enjoyed using this app during the summer to learn the names objects in the night sky.    

Music Class

In this picture, Mrs. Agati, our music teacher, is instructing fifth grade students in reading music and playing instruments.

Kindergarten

In this picture, Mrs. Parnell is working with her kindergarten students.

Reading Specialist

Mrs. Salvador, our Pine Glen Reading Specialist, takes a very active role with students.  Also visible in this picture is one of the new iPad Cases being piloted with first grade.

Guided Reading

Ms. Parziale, an RTI Tutor, is instructing first grade students in a guided reading lesson. RTI tutors greatly help provide more opportunities to have small group instruction.

iMovie

Mrs. Finn's classroom is using the app iMovie as an engaging tool. This is very different from when I was in school and we used poster board for our presentations.

Camp Bournedale

Attention Fifth Grade Families!

The NEW Camp Bournedale dates have been chosen.

Pine Glen and Francis Wyman students will be going on

Wednesday November 14 - Thursday November 15

•         If your child was already signed-up you will NOT need to sign up again.

•         If your child WILL NOT be attending the rescheduled trip please contact Mrs. Fitzpatrick ASAP.  You will be able to receive a refund.

•      All chaperones were already chosen. If chosen chaperones cannot attend this rescheduled trip please let Mrs. Fitzpatrick know ASAP.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding throughout this process. Please contact Mrs. Fitzpatrick by email with any questions or concerns.

      

                                        Mrs. Fitzpatrick and the 5th grade team

                                        Pine Glen School

                                        dfitzpatrick@bpsk12.org

P.S - All cabins are heated!!!