Museum of Science at the Woodville

Thanks to the generosity of the Woodville PTO, our 4th graders were treated to a program on designing windmills. The experiments were interactive and students used their knowledge to build their own windmills.

Continent Project

Mrs. Ryan's second grade class recently completed their continent projects. They researched facts about the 7 different continents (Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, Australia) and created this excellent posters. Great job second graders!

Jerry Pallotta Visits the Woodville!

Today, Jerry Pallotta visited our 460 students at the Woodville. The author of many books, Jerry gave a wonderful and very funny presentation for our students about the writing process and challenged the students to become authors.

Taken from his website:

"While speaking in schools, teachers also told me they were looking for simple non-fiction nature books. It gave me the confidence to write more. My next book, "The Icky Bug Alphabet Book", has sold more than 1 million copies. My third book, "The Bird Alphabet Book" was voted one of the best books of the year by Birders World Magazine. I now have over twenty alphabet books. My goal has always been to write interesting, fact-filled, fun to read, beautifully illustrated color children's books."

Our students and staff really enjoyed his visit. Thanks, Jerry!!!

Celebration of Learning

Last Tuesday, Woodville students, a faculty member, and a volunteer were recognized for Celebration of Learning awards at a dinner sponsored by WEF at the Wakefield High School. I was so pleased to see so many people involved in the Wakefield Public Schools at the event.

Students:

At the Woodville School, our 6 student award recipients were chosen by their very own classmates. They were chosen based on our schools core values --- respect, caring, cooperation, honesty, and responsibility. These students have found ways to connect with their peers and live the values of our school. When speaking with some of their classmates, it became quite clear to me why these students were chosen for recognition. They are described as very respectful of the school rules, the teachers, and other students. These students always include everyone (for example when playing a game) and they do not exclude anyone. They are friendly to everyone and if a fellow student is sad, these students check-in with that student to cheer them up. This supports the Woodville’s Compassion Value. These students are also responsible. They always are prepared for school – ready to learn. They complete their homework in a timely fashion. These students also display positive behavior in and out of the classroom. It was my pleasure to recognize and honor these students.

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Our staff award recipient was Ms. Shannon Lyman. Shannon is the “spirit” of the Woodville School. One of the things I admire most about Shannon is that she always has the best interest of students in mind with anything she does at the school. She supports students in a calm demeanor with such compassion. I am in awe of her strength and clear-thinking during a crisis situation. In speaking with staff members about Shannon, many shared that she has taught them strategies in dealing with challenging behaviors and situations. She gives great suggestions and, through example, she has taught many of her colleagues how to reach all students.

In addition to all the support for students and student learning, Shannon has been the assistant to the principal for the past several years. She is the “go to” person in the school for staff and parents when there is a question or assembly to arrange. She happily takes on extra projects be it a teacher social event, a fundraiser, the IST team, the crisis team, professional development workshops, and I could go on and on… She brings all her knowledge back to the Woodville team.

Speaking of teams, Shannon is also the Wakefield High School varsity girls softball coach. She transfers her day talents to her after school talents to make her an admired coach throughout the Middlesex League.

On a personal note, she and I work so well together and it’s not easy working for a workaholic principal. There have been many times when we’ve had to speak in the evening or on the weekends if I get a “brainstorm” and I want to run it by her, or to get an update if I was out of the building. Shannon is a pillar of strength for the Woodville School and the Wakefield Public School system is so lucky to have her on our team. I have learned so much from her about how to deal with students and I am honored to call her a colleague.

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Our volunteer recipient, Steve Gates, also affectionately known at the Woodville as Dr. Gates, began his love affair with the Woodville School before the new school was even built. In fact, he was instrumental in the building of the Woodville School. When giving tours, he would proudly point out all of the important facts about the school.

Steve has remained a very important and visible part of the Woodville School. In fact, Steve comes to the school each and every single day to volunteer. Every morning --- sunny, rainy, snowy, or windy --- Steve is there to open car doors for our students as they arrive to school. He always has a smile on his face to greet the students and start their day off right. Since the school opened in 2003, he has only missed a handful of days and that’s because he was caring for others (Hurricane Katrina disaster relief, or family). He volunteers for family night, field day and this year he has volunteered to be on the Woodville School Council as well. He genuinely cares for the students of the Woodville School – their education and well-being. Steve stays in the office in the morning to assure that all students are accounted for during attendance. In addition, each morning, Steve greets the students from our Intensive Special Needs Preschool class. It is so heartwarming to see Steve holding their hands and he helps walk them to class. He encourages the students to say “Hi” and praises each accomplishment as he gets them settled into their classroom.

Steve’s devotion to the Woodville doesn’t end with the students. Every single day, he makes coffee for the teachers and brings our secretary her coffee just the way she likes it. He’s willing to hang pictures in our offices and do anything to pitch in to help. Steve is the picture of true volunteerism.

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I was incredibly surprised and honored to be recognized with an award from the Woodville Staff. Superintendent of Schools, Joan Landers, was approached by my staff to be able to honor me with an award. I am humbled and truly grateful. Becoming the Principal at the Woodville has been such a wonderful experience for me this year. I truly enjoy working with the students, staff and parents!

The Birds Have Hatched!

The bird's nest that Ms. Christine's PreK class has been watching has been full of action. The baby birds have hatched from their eggs!!! It looks like mother bird and baby birds are doing well!!

Ms. Martin's Second Grade Continent Project

Ms. Martin's second graders have been working very hard on learning about the continents in our world. After their research, they wrote a newspaper about the continents. Please click here to view the project. Great job, second graders!!

Thank you Wakefield DPW and Earth Tones!

Today, thanks to the Wakefield DPW, our third grade students had the opportunity to listen to the "Earth Tones" to learn about recycling. Their songs were interactive and filled with messages to support our environment. In addition, the DPW provided all 3rd graders with coloring books and pencils to help promote recycling.

Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

Our 1st grade students presented a program this morning for their parents with the help of their teachers - Mrs. Russell, Mrs. Shea, and Mrs. Burdick and music teacher, Mrs. Barry. We are so proud of them for the wonderful job they did on their songs and poems. Kudos for the teachers also for creating a beautiful powerpoint presentation.

Tweet, Tweet!

Miss Christine's preschool class found a bird's nest tucked inside of one of our lights on the school. This is a great learning experience for our preschool students. They will monitor the nest and keep us posted to see if we have new Woodville birds that hatch.

Are Your Smarter Than A 4th Grader?

As Mrs. Ferguson's Class was preparing for the MCAS exam, she set up a game show atmosphere in the classroom in which students compete against their parents in "Are Your Smarter Than A 4th Grader?" Using questions that relate to the Massachusetts State Frameworks for Grade 4, students and parents are asked questions and they answer as best they can. In addition to the content, Mrs. Ferguson also weaves in test taking strategies. A fun time was had by all.

Parent Author

As I was walking through the school this week, I entered Ms. Bedrick's second grade classroom and one of our parents, Paul Simpson, was talking to the students about his book - "The Only Game That Matters." We have so many talented people in the Woodville community. Thanks so much to Paul for sharing his talent with his son's classroom.

Literacy Week - Day 5

On Friday, our students in grades 3 and 4 heard from the author Kathy Blasi. Ms. Blasi is the aunt of one of our Woodville students and it was wonderful to make that connection. She shared her love of writing with our students and let them know about her journey to write her book "A Name of Honor."

Author Kathy Blasi, Mr. Middleton-Cox, and Superintendent Joan Landers

Literacy Week - Day 4

Today our students in grades K-2 hear from Judith Jango-Cohen talked to the children about the writing process and showed many pictures about how to research information to write books. Mrs. Jango-Cohen is a very knowledgeable person who taught the children about the value of researching their subject.

Literacy Week - Day 3

Today, the students in grades PreK-4 got to meet with author Barbara McGrath. Mrs. McGrath is the author of the very popular "The M&M Brand Counting Book" series. In addition, she has written "The Baseball Counting Book" and "Pepperedge Farm Goldfish Counting Book." As she met with our students, she spoke to the children about the writing process and shared many pictures with them. Thank you, Barbara!!!

Mr. Middleton-Cox, Principal; Mrs. Barbara McGrath, Author; Mrs. Forsythe, Woodville School Reading Specialist and Literacy Week Coordinator

Literacy Week - Day 2

Today, our students in grades K-4 enjoyed a visit by Jeff Nathan, poet and author. The students really enjoyed his presentations. He had a wonderful way of infusing humor into his presentations, while teaching important elements in language arts such as: similies, metaphors, and alliteration among other things.

Literacy Week - Day 1

Today, Robert Rivest came to the Woodville school to kick off Literacy Week. Robert Rivest has presented over 5,000 performances in 11 countries in Europe, Africa, and across the United States. A student of Marcel Marceau, Robert trained for over 10 years with internationally renowned masters of mime, dance, theater, and improvisation. Along with his training in Paris and NYC, Robert received his BA from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Today Robert Rivest is one of the most prolific mime artists in the world. He has created over 120 original works for television, symphonies, dance & theater companies, hospitals, science & art museums as well as schools, libraries, churches, and nature centers. In 2001 he founded The Rivest School of Mime Theater where he teaches and directs beginners through professionals. Robert Rivest resides in Springfield, Massachusetts with his wife Amelia, and their twin daughters.

He used humor through miming to get students excited about literature and reading.

Welcome to Literacy Week

May 11-15 is Literacy Week at the Woodville. I am so pleased to be able to offer our students this live interaction with "real life" authors. I remember as a student in elementary school when I met an author, I thought he was such a "celebrity." To this day, I view children's authors as celebrities. It's is a HUGE talent and gift to write and engage students with a book. Due to the wonderful support of our PTO (Cultural Arts) and Mrs. Forsythe and her team, we will have a total of 6 authors in our school to talk about the writing and reading process. This is truly a very exciting week!

Recycling in Kindergarten

I had the pleasure of visiting Mrs. Campbell's kindergarten class yesterday to see the students' recycling projects. It was so wonderful to see the children's creative and inventive projects as they learn to reduce, reuse, and recycle! These children are our future and learning to recycle at a young age will help our environment.

National Stop the Bullying Day

Last Friday during our morning exercises, we had two special visitors. Ms. Cindy Addeo from the Wakefield Alliance Against Violence (WAAV), and Officer Michael O'Connell from the Wakefield Police Department. Ms. Addeo presented me with a WAAV tee shirt and a video about bullying in schools. Officer O'Connell spoke to the children about the impact bullying has on the victim. We also announced a collaboration between the Wakefield Public Schools and the Wakefield Police Department --- Officer Leary will be coming to each Woodville classroom either later this year or early next year to address the issue of bullying. At the Woodville, we use the Second Step curriculum. This will enhance our curriculum.