During our January school-wide assembly, we learned about Dr. King's message and life. Below is a video that I created to show the students and then we sang a Martin Luther King song and "This Little Light of Mine."
Monday, January 31, 2011
School-Wide Assembly
January's school-wide assembly to address our core values was on the value of RESPONSIBILITY. I read the book The Berenstain Bears' Report Card Trouble by Stan and Jan Berenstain. Then, our Kindergarten students sang two songs about Responsibility and I presented students with core values awards. 
Cultural Arts: Bach2Rock
WEF Grant Funds Musical Program for Woodville Students
Students at the Woodville School were treated to a delightful presentation by Caryn Lin in her Bach2Rock program. The program presented the simplicity of the solo acoustic violin and its origins demonstrated by performing a simple Bach minuet. Whisked into present day, Caryn used the five string electric violin and sound effects to transcend that "solo" sound by doing what is called "looping" creating sound loops live that she added to and embellished, playing in essence, live duos and trios with herself. This 3 dimensional sound magic was performed right before our students' eyes!!
The goals of the program are:
• To provide a basic history of Johann Sebastian Bach, the acoustic violin, and electric violin.
• Cover new developments in music using electronics and modern technology.
• To inspire children to always search for new and better ways to satisfy their own creative needs and to realize their own dreams without rejecting the wisdom of history.
Principal Brian Middleton-Cox wishes to thank the Wakefield Educational Foundation for their generous support of this cultural arts program for the Woodville student body.
Students at the Woodville School were treated to a delightful presentation by Caryn Lin in her Bach2Rock program. The program presented the simplicity of the solo acoustic violin and its origins demonstrated by performing a simple Bach minuet. Whisked into present day, Caryn used the five string electric violin and sound effects to transcend that "solo" sound by doing what is called "looping" creating sound loops live that she added to and embellished, playing in essence, live duos and trios with herself. This 3 dimensional sound magic was performed right before our students' eyes!!
The goals of the program are:
• To provide a basic history of Johann Sebastian Bach, the acoustic violin, and electric violin.
• Cover new developments in music using electronics and modern technology.
• To inspire children to always search for new and better ways to satisfy their own creative needs and to realize their own dreams without rejecting the wisdom of history.
Principal Brian Middleton-Cox wishes to thank the Wakefield Educational Foundation for their generous support of this cultural arts program for the Woodville student body.
Food for Thought
Students on Woodville's 4th grade student council recently met with Mr. Ben Sladowsky, the Whitson's Food Services Director, and me to talk about the school lunches. Mr. Sladowsky wanted to talk to the students about what foods they really like in the cafeteria and food that aren't as popular. In addition, we talked about creative programs to get kids excited about school lunches. I was very pleased with the input that the students provided to Mr. Sladowsky.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
This Week's Principal's Award Winner
This week's Principal’s Award goes to Jacob in Mrs. McCarthy’s 3rd grade class. This week's principal's award winner makes his teacher so proud everyday as she watches him working and playing with his peers. He is someone who comes into school with a bright smile and a cheery attitude. He does his best to please his teachers in every way possible. He is always sensitive and kind to the needs of others. This student has many friends. He is the true example of the saying, "To be a friend, you must be a friend!"! He is a role model for other students, especially when the Core Values need emphasis. He is Cooperative, Caring, Respectful, Honest, and Responsible at school and at home. This child is a great brother. He cares for his baby brother with love and care! He is a wonderful student and a fantastic friend. If anyone deserves this award it is Jacob. Congratulations from your teacher and classmates!
Good Nutrition Begins with Breakfast
All of us have heard this, and now there is research supporting the premise that breakfast is THE most important meal of the day. A nutritious breakfast provides approximately one-fourth of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for key nutrients such as protein, vitamin A, vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. In addition, educators agree that hungry or undernourished children tend to be irritable, apathetic and lethargic, conditions that interfere with learning. Children's hunger has both physical and psychosocial symptoms. Physical consequences of hunger include stomach pain, headache, muscle fatigue, and sleepiness. Psychosocial complaints such as anxiety, nervousness, anger, fidgety, hostility, indecisiveness, confusion, and unhappiness are also common.
In a 1990 Carnegie Foundation study, more than half of the teachers surveyed report that poor nourishment among students is a problem at their school. Recent research has shown that children who skip breakfast have trouble concentrating at school and become inattentive and restless by late morning. A 1989 Tufts University study found that children who eat school breakfast perform better on standardized tests and are late or absent from school less often than children who do not eat breakfast at school. In addition, a 1996 Hebrew University study found that children who eat breakfast at school -- closer to class and test-taking time -- perform better on standardized tests than those who skip breakfast or eat at home much earlier. Other studies in children have shown that consumption of a nutritious breakfast results in:
• improved attention in late morning task performance
• quicker and more accurate retrieval of information (i.e. working memory),
• fewer errors made in problem solving activities, and
• better concentration and ability to perform complex tasks.
Nutritionally, children who eat breakfast are much better off than those who skip it. Studies have shown that children who eat breakfast have higher 24 hour nutrient intakes when compared to those who skip breakfast. Breakfast skippers do not make up for the lost nutrients later in the day, and average less than 2/3 of the RDA for many nutrients.
In a 1990 Carnegie Foundation study, more than half of the teachers surveyed report that poor nourishment among students is a problem at their school. Recent research has shown that children who skip breakfast have trouble concentrating at school and become inattentive and restless by late morning. A 1989 Tufts University study found that children who eat school breakfast perform better on standardized tests and are late or absent from school less often than children who do not eat breakfast at school. In addition, a 1996 Hebrew University study found that children who eat breakfast at school -- closer to class and test-taking time -- perform better on standardized tests than those who skip breakfast or eat at home much earlier. Other studies in children have shown that consumption of a nutritious breakfast results in:
• improved attention in late morning task performance
• quicker and more accurate retrieval of information (i.e. working memory),
• fewer errors made in problem solving activities, and
• better concentration and ability to perform complex tasks.
Nutritionally, children who eat breakfast are much better off than those who skip it. Studies have shown that children who eat breakfast have higher 24 hour nutrient intakes when compared to those who skip breakfast. Breakfast skippers do not make up for the lost nutrients later in the day, and average less than 2/3 of the RDA for many nutrients.
This Week's Staff Spotlight
Sara Wallner, Social Worker
This is Miss Sara's third year at the Woodville School. She possesses over 10 years of experience in the field of social work and found working in an educational setting to be the most rewarding. Miss Sara reports the favorite part of her job is watching the students grow and progress through the years. In her spare time, Miss Sara enjoys running, outdoor activities, spending time with friends and family, and loves to cook.
This is Miss Sara's third year at the Woodville School. She possesses over 10 years of experience in the field of social work and found working in an educational setting to be the most rewarding. Miss Sara reports the favorite part of her job is watching the students grow and progress through the years. In her spare time, Miss Sara enjoys running, outdoor activities, spending time with friends and family, and loves to cook.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
This Week's Principal's Award
This week's Principal’s Award goes to Colin in Mrs. Foley's 4th grade class. Colin is a true representative of the Woodville School's core values. He comes to school ready to learn and always has a smile on his face. He is a very responsible and respectful student. Colin puts forth his best effort in whatever he does. Colin is a wonderful 4th grade role model and his teacher is proud to have him in her class!
Technology Update from Mrs. Hughes
I’m happy to report that all classes have all finished their first project in the TechnoKids computer curriculum. We now are starting the following:
• Kindergarten- TechnoLetters using a great reading website called www.starfall.com and also Microsoft Paint.
• 1st and 2nd Grade-TechnoBook using MS Word students will write an “All About Me” story.
• 3rd Grade- TechnoAuthor using MS Word student will write their own fairy tale.
• 4th Grade- TechnoReport using MS Word students will write their own factual article about an endangered species.
Thanks to all our wonderful volunteers that have come in to assist in technology, you make a huge difference!
-Mrs. Hughes
• Kindergarten- TechnoLetters using a great reading website called www.starfall.com and also Microsoft Paint.
• 1st and 2nd Grade-TechnoBook using MS Word students will write an “All About Me” story.
• 3rd Grade- TechnoAuthor using MS Word student will write their own fairy tale.
• 4th Grade- TechnoReport using MS Word students will write their own factual article about an endangered species.
Thanks to all our wonderful volunteers that have come in to assist in technology, you make a huge difference!
-Mrs. Hughes
This Week's Staff Spotlight
Tammy McDonald, Grade Two Teacher
This is Mrs. McDonald’s eleventh year teaching second grade in Wakefield. She grew up in Wakefield and went to the Franklin Elementary School. She got her first teaching job at the Franklin School from Principal Jim Boyd who was also her fifth grade teacher at the Franklin. Tammy has two boys, Matthew (2) and Christopher (3) and is married to Bobby, who she met from her junior year in high school. She enjoys spending time with her family, walking, and running.
This is Mrs. McDonald’s eleventh year teaching second grade in Wakefield. She grew up in Wakefield and went to the Franklin Elementary School. She got her first teaching job at the Franklin School from Principal Jim Boyd who was also her fifth grade teacher at the Franklin. Tammy has two boys, Matthew (2) and Christopher (3) and is married to Bobby, who she met from her junior year in high school. She enjoys spending time with her family, walking, and running.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Giving to the Community
Our January spirit day was held this week. Students were invited to wear their pajamas to school and bring loose change in for our coin drive. The money raised will be used for our Community Benefit Committee (CBC) branch of our PTO. The CBC helps Woodville and Wakefield families in need. In addition, through the CBC, our students send care packages to our troops overseas. These kinds of activities support the core value of CARING at the Woodville School.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Musical Talent
This student in Mrs. Foley's class was entertaining his fellow classmates during indoor recess by playing his guitar and singing.
Collaboration
At the Woodville School, we pride ourselves on working collaboratively in teams. Here, Mrs. Tedeschi, Ms. Wallace, and Mr. Bouchard work together to plan some intervention strategies for a student.
"TH" Words
As part of their word study unit, Mrs. Shea's first graders were generating a list of "th" words. They sure came up with a lot of words! Ms. Coldewey, one of our paraprofessionals proudly shows the class' work.
Listening Center
This second grade student was enjoying a her listening center for her reading period.
Trumpet of the Swan
Students in Mr. Bouchard's 4th grade class are enjoying the book Trumpet of the Swan.
Math Time
Mrs. Lacey (Mrs. Ferguson's maternity leave sub), is seen here with a group of students working on their math.
Division Work
Students in Mrs. Foley's 4th grade class were displaying their knowledge about long division on their slates.
Excel Spreadsheets
Students from Mrs. McCarthy's third grade class were finishing up their projects in the computer lab with our Technology teacher, Mrs. Hughes. The students were to open a fictional candy store and use excel to graph data.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Woodville School student council members worked hard on making pictures to honor the life and messages of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in observance of his birthday. The pictures will be used to decorate the school and Principal Brian Middleton-Cox will invite the students to share their pictures in the next school-wide assembly.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Learning the Continents
Students in Mrs. Ryan's 2nd grade class were busy creating models of the Earth as they are learning about the continents.
Friday, January 14, 2011
4th Grade Art Project
In preparation for our school's community outreach effort in February to provide gift bags to local residents in nursing homes, our fourth grade students were decorating the gift bags in Mr. Marino's art class.
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