Timeline:
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
New Principal Input Sessions and Timeline
On Wednesday, April 27th Dr. Smith and Ms. Yando will be conducting two focus groups in the Woodville School library to gain input on the qualities that staff and parents are looking for in a new Principal. The staff focus group will be held at 8:00 a.m. and the parent group at 5:00 p.m.
Timeline:
Timeline:
Woodville Principal Search Committee
Woodville Principal Search Committee
Paul Simpson, Parent
Colleen Guida, Parent
Kim Margolis, Parent
Tricia Clark, Parent
Michele Ferguson, Teacher
Shannon Lyman, Woodville Assistant Principal
Lorraine Devine, Paraprofessional
Cathy Crispo, Nurse
Muriel Campbell, Teacher
Donna Cushman, Technology
Kevin Piskadlo, School Committee
Kim Smith, Principal & Co-Chair
Beth Yando, Principal & Co-Chair
Paul Simpson, Parent
Colleen Guida, Parent
Kim Margolis, Parent
Tricia Clark, Parent
Michele Ferguson, Teacher
Shannon Lyman, Woodville Assistant Principal
Lorraine Devine, Paraprofessional
Cathy Crispo, Nurse
Muriel Campbell, Teacher
Donna Cushman, Technology
Kevin Piskadlo, School Committee
Kim Smith, Principal & Co-Chair
Beth Yando, Principal & Co-Chair
Coordination in PE
Mr. Feldman was working with Mrs. Greatorex's class on balance and coordination while they were doing a dance.
Monday, April 25, 2011
1 if by land, 2 if by sea
Students in Mr. Verge's 3rd grade class were happy to recite the poem Paul Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in my office.
Revolutionary War Battle
Each year, Mr. Verge encourages his students to get up very early on Patriots day to see the reenactment of the First Battle of the Revolutionary War in Lexington. This year, a few Woodville students were interviewed for the short video clip below.
Click here to see the NECN video clip.
Click here to see the NECN video clip.
Friday, April 15, 2011
This Week's Principal's Award
This week’s Principal’s Award Winner is Joshua in Mrs. McDonald’s second grade class. Joshua exhibits the Core Values of the Woodville School each and every day. When the bell rings at the end of recess, Joshua is the first one in line with his hand up and his eyes front. He is also a good role model when waiting for the bus. He sits quietly and follows all directions given to him. Because of his good example, the other children are now starting to line up quickly and quietly.
Make Quality Time Out of Everyday Activities
You hear a lot about “family time,” but what does it really mean, and why is it important? Learn the essentials by reading these tips:
TV time, surprisingly, can be turned into family time. You wouldn’t think that watching a TV show or movie with your children could be counted as family time but, with a little bit of creative effort, it can be. Use commercial breaks to mute the sound and talk about what you’re watching. Share your feelings about whether the story is believable. Ask their opinions about what they think will happen next. See if they can compare what you’re viewing with the story plots in other movies or books.
Turn everyday chores into a time to bond. The key to making quality time out of the most ordinary everyday chores (like cooking, picking up, cleaning, and doing laundry) is to turn them into opportunities to talk with your children. Folding your child’s sports clothes together can lead into a conversation about how the team is doing and how he or she feels about the activity. Grocery shopping can spark an interest in teaching your child to prepare a meal. Even good-natured griping together about how messy a pet is, or how much trash there is to take out that day, can create a kind of quiet kinship and bond between parent and child.
Remember to chat, rather than interrogate. The quickest way to shut down good family time is to turn it into a type of police interrogation. Certainly there may be times when you need to prod your child for answers about things that are concerning you, but make sure that during casual family time together you keep the “interviewing” to a minimum and concentrate on relaxed conversations.
Homework time can be a time to bond, too. Try to schedule your bill-paying and other household paperwork for when your children are doing their homework. Give them a sense that you’re all in it together—it’s just that each of you has a different kind of work. You’ll be providing encouragement just by being with them while they work, and being available if they have questions or need extra help.
One-on-one time is extra special. If you have more than one child, try to find time each week to do something special alone with each of them. It can be as simple as a walk after dinner or an out-of-the ordinary errand (you’d be surprised how many children find it fascinating to go along to the auto mechanic, for example). Just showing them that you value them as individuals can mean the world to them.
Split households need to unite in their commitment. If you and your child’s other parent live separately, try to make an agreement that each parent will work on spending quality family time with each child each week. Discuss how quality time means interacting with the child, not just being in the same household.
Games never go out of style. Board games and card games are ideal ways to get families together to relax and have fun as a group. Look for games that appeal to your child’s interest and age level (garage sales can be goldmines for inexpensive games that kids have outgrown), and set aside a bit of time every week to play a few rounds.
Yes, you’ve got a lot to do—and so do your children. But when you think about it, there’s really no better way to spend your time than by strengthening the bonds between your family members. The pay-off is priceless.
Source: NAESP
TV time, surprisingly, can be turned into family time. You wouldn’t think that watching a TV show or movie with your children could be counted as family time but, with a little bit of creative effort, it can be. Use commercial breaks to mute the sound and talk about what you’re watching. Share your feelings about whether the story is believable. Ask their opinions about what they think will happen next. See if they can compare what you’re viewing with the story plots in other movies or books.
Turn everyday chores into a time to bond. The key to making quality time out of the most ordinary everyday chores (like cooking, picking up, cleaning, and doing laundry) is to turn them into opportunities to talk with your children. Folding your child’s sports clothes together can lead into a conversation about how the team is doing and how he or she feels about the activity. Grocery shopping can spark an interest in teaching your child to prepare a meal. Even good-natured griping together about how messy a pet is, or how much trash there is to take out that day, can create a kind of quiet kinship and bond between parent and child.
Remember to chat, rather than interrogate. The quickest way to shut down good family time is to turn it into a type of police interrogation. Certainly there may be times when you need to prod your child for answers about things that are concerning you, but make sure that during casual family time together you keep the “interviewing” to a minimum and concentrate on relaxed conversations.
Homework time can be a time to bond, too. Try to schedule your bill-paying and other household paperwork for when your children are doing their homework. Give them a sense that you’re all in it together—it’s just that each of you has a different kind of work. You’ll be providing encouragement just by being with them while they work, and being available if they have questions or need extra help.
One-on-one time is extra special. If you have more than one child, try to find time each week to do something special alone with each of them. It can be as simple as a walk after dinner or an out-of-the ordinary errand (you’d be surprised how many children find it fascinating to go along to the auto mechanic, for example). Just showing them that you value them as individuals can mean the world to them.
Split households need to unite in their commitment. If you and your child’s other parent live separately, try to make an agreement that each parent will work on spending quality family time with each child each week. Discuss how quality time means interacting with the child, not just being in the same household.
Games never go out of style. Board games and card games are ideal ways to get families together to relax and have fun as a group. Look for games that appeal to your child’s interest and age level (garage sales can be goldmines for inexpensive games that kids have outgrown), and set aside a bit of time every week to play a few rounds.
Yes, you’ve got a lot to do—and so do your children. But when you think about it, there’s really no better way to spend your time than by strengthening the bonds between your family members. The pay-off is priceless.
Source: NAESP
This Week's Staff Spotlight
Margaret Hoar, Special Education Teacher
This is Margaret’s fourth year at the Woodville School. She graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and certifications in Elementary and Special Education. She is currently working towards her Master’s Degree in Reading from Wheelock College in Boston. Margaret truly enjoys working with her students and making a difference in their lives. In her free time she enjoys reading good books, watching new movies and trying new food!
This is Margaret’s fourth year at the Woodville School. She graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and certifications in Elementary and Special Education. She is currently working towards her Master’s Degree in Reading from Wheelock College in Boston. Margaret truly enjoys working with her students and making a difference in their lives. In her free time she enjoys reading good books, watching new movies and trying new food!
Celebration of Learning
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. These students are very respectful of the school rules, the teachers, and other students. They are responsible and take their academics very seriously. They always are prepared for school – ready to learn. It is my pleasure to recognize and honor the following students ----
Congratulations to:
Emily Norton-Hughes
Carter Margolis
Kelly Hughes
Anthony Forziati
Shoshanna Cohen
Ryan MacNevin
Joanne Tedeschi
Joanne has been teaching since 1979 and has been in Wakefield since 1980. During her tenure, Mrs. Tedeschi has taught at 7 schools in Wakefield and has always been a Special Education Teacher in grades K-5. Joanne really loves figuring out ways to support students who have difficulty learning --- and she’s good at it!! Her proudest memories of her teaching career are the times that she received notes from graduating seniors that she had as students in elementary school who were struggling learners. They were going off to college and going into special education because she had made a difference in their lives. Mrs. Tedeschi is a positive force on our staff and goes out of her way to support students and families. (ex. Coming in early to help students with homework, transitioning families to new programs.)
Mary Siafakas
Mrs. Siafakas also began her teaching career in 1979 and came to Wakefield in 1986. She has taught in 4 of Wakefield’s public schools: Greenwood, Yeuell, Dolbeare, and Woodville. She has been a Moderate Special Needs teacher, and Kindergarten and Transitional First grade teacher, and a grade 2 and 3 teacher. In addition, she served as the Assistant to the Principal at the Greenwood School. Mary loves to see the excitement of her students coming into the school each day and their natural love of learning to be enhanced. One of her proud moments in teaching was when a former Kindergarten student wrote a tribute to her when he was in sixth grade in the Wakefield Daily Item. This happened in 1996 and the newspaper article is still proudly displayed on her window sill of her classroom. Mary takes on many leadership roles within the school and the teacher community. She has served on many committees over the year to help strengthen curriculum, assessment, and teaching. In addition, she has served on search committees to help select the very best staff for Wakefield. Mary also served on the negotiating team for the teacher’s contract which also shows her dedication to her colleagues.
Lorraine Devine
Ms. Devine is in her 5th year as a Paraprofessional at the Woodville in the Special Education department. She has worked with students in grades PreK through 4. Lorraine has emotional ties to Wakefield as she and her siblings and her husband and his siblings all attended elementary schools in Wakefield. She has also been a substitute teacher and currently teachers youth ministry to 7th and 8th graders. She loves really getting to know the students that she works with. In her role, Ms. Devine gets to be in all settings with the students – academics, special subjects, and recess. She gets to see the children both socially and academically. Lorraine cherishes the times that she gets unexpected thank you cards or pictures from students expressing how she’s helped them to be successful in school. She has a positive spirit and is very caring to the staff at school. Lorraine is currently finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and will be looking for a full-time teaching job in the future.
Kelli Parece
Kelli has been a long time Woodville volunteer who is moving up to the Galvin School with her youngest child. She started volunteering in 2004 and continues through today. She has volunteered by coordinating the Woodville library schedule and volunteers --- not an easy task!, chairing the cultural arts program, chairing the guest reader program, being a room parent, lunch duty, car door opening and a field trip chaperone. Also, at the Galvin, Mrs. Parece has been a field trip chaperone and participated in the kickball tournament and field day. Kelli loves having her children enrolled in public school and loves to be involved in their children’s education. The admirable thing about Kelli is that she volunteers to benefit ALL the students at the school. She had learned so many things about herself as a person from both the students and the type of work that she’s been doing in the schools. She is very grateful to the staff and PTO colleagues for entrusting her with the roles that she’s held. In my opinion, our schools are a better place because of Kelli’s selfless involvement.
Jeff Wardwell
Jeff is a mentor with the Wakefield Adult Mentoring program based in Wakefield. WAM trains mentors to link with students in our schools to provide positive adult influences on our students. Jeff has been a mentor to one of our students and has created such a wonderful bond with him. In addition to visiting the child in the school and touching base with the academic team regarding how he can help support the student, Jeff takes the child to weekly basketball practices and games along with other community events. His dedication to this student and the student’s academic and social well-being is to be honored!
Congratulations to:
Emily Norton-Hughes
Carter Margolis
Kelly Hughes
Anthony Forziati
Shoshanna Cohen
Ryan MacNevin
Joanne Tedeschi
Joanne has been teaching since 1979 and has been in Wakefield since 1980. During her tenure, Mrs. Tedeschi has taught at 7 schools in Wakefield and has always been a Special Education Teacher in grades K-5. Joanne really loves figuring out ways to support students who have difficulty learning --- and she’s good at it!! Her proudest memories of her teaching career are the times that she received notes from graduating seniors that she had as students in elementary school who were struggling learners. They were going off to college and going into special education because she had made a difference in their lives. Mrs. Tedeschi is a positive force on our staff and goes out of her way to support students and families. (ex. Coming in early to help students with homework, transitioning families to new programs.)
Mary Siafakas
Mrs. Siafakas also began her teaching career in 1979 and came to Wakefield in 1986. She has taught in 4 of Wakefield’s public schools: Greenwood, Yeuell, Dolbeare, and Woodville. She has been a Moderate Special Needs teacher, and Kindergarten and Transitional First grade teacher, and a grade 2 and 3 teacher. In addition, she served as the Assistant to the Principal at the Greenwood School. Mary loves to see the excitement of her students coming into the school each day and their natural love of learning to be enhanced. One of her proud moments in teaching was when a former Kindergarten student wrote a tribute to her when he was in sixth grade in the Wakefield Daily Item. This happened in 1996 and the newspaper article is still proudly displayed on her window sill of her classroom. Mary takes on many leadership roles within the school and the teacher community. She has served on many committees over the year to help strengthen curriculum, assessment, and teaching. In addition, she has served on search committees to help select the very best staff for Wakefield. Mary also served on the negotiating team for the teacher’s contract which also shows her dedication to her colleagues.
Lorraine Devine
Ms. Devine is in her 5th year as a Paraprofessional at the Woodville in the Special Education department. She has worked with students in grades PreK through 4. Lorraine has emotional ties to Wakefield as she and her siblings and her husband and his siblings all attended elementary schools in Wakefield. She has also been a substitute teacher and currently teachers youth ministry to 7th and 8th graders. She loves really getting to know the students that she works with. In her role, Ms. Devine gets to be in all settings with the students – academics, special subjects, and recess. She gets to see the children both socially and academically. Lorraine cherishes the times that she gets unexpected thank you cards or pictures from students expressing how she’s helped them to be successful in school. She has a positive spirit and is very caring to the staff at school. Lorraine is currently finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and will be looking for a full-time teaching job in the future.
Kelli Parece
Kelli has been a long time Woodville volunteer who is moving up to the Galvin School with her youngest child. She started volunteering in 2004 and continues through today. She has volunteered by coordinating the Woodville library schedule and volunteers --- not an easy task!, chairing the cultural arts program, chairing the guest reader program, being a room parent, lunch duty, car door opening and a field trip chaperone. Also, at the Galvin, Mrs. Parece has been a field trip chaperone and participated in the kickball tournament and field day. Kelli loves having her children enrolled in public school and loves to be involved in their children’s education. The admirable thing about Kelli is that she volunteers to benefit ALL the students at the school. She had learned so many things about herself as a person from both the students and the type of work that she’s been doing in the schools. She is very grateful to the staff and PTO colleagues for entrusting her with the roles that she’s held. In my opinion, our schools are a better place because of Kelli’s selfless involvement.
Jeff Wardwell
Jeff is a mentor with the Wakefield Adult Mentoring program based in Wakefield. WAM trains mentors to link with students in our schools to provide positive adult influences on our students. Jeff has been a mentor to one of our students and has created such a wonderful bond with him. In addition to visiting the child in the school and touching base with the academic team regarding how he can help support the student, Jeff takes the child to weekly basketball practices and games along with other community events. His dedication to this student and the student’s academic and social well-being is to be honored!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Visual and Performing Arts Day
Our entire school travelled to the Galvin Middle School to take part in the district's Visual and Performing Arts day. The students had a good time, were able to celebrate the arts, and they were well-behaved.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Learning About Disabilities
The Woodville PTO sponsored the Learning About Disabilities (LAD) program for our 3rd and 4th grade students.
Reader's Theater in 4th Grade
Mrs. Foley's students performed Reader's Theater based on books they have read.
Go Sox!
Last Friday, we had a Red Sox spirit day to send the boys of summer some good luck on Fenway's opening day!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
This Week's Principal's Award Winner
This week’s Principal’s Award Winner is Nathan in Mrs. Russell’s 1st grade class. Nathan puts to use all of the school's core values with never needing reminders. He is one of the most caring children in the class. There have been times that children have needed help with something. Whether it is a missing crayon, help with a paper, cheering up when they are having a bad day, Nathan hops right up to make things better. Even when others don't notice, Nathan has a unique way of noticing things that need to be done! He is someone that the Woodville School should be proud to have as part of their school community, and strive to be like him!
This Week's Staff Spotlight
Karen Morrison, Permanent Building Sub
In 1974, Karen began her teaching career in Tewksbury had taught sixth grade for seven years. She also worked as a contracts administrator for Wang Labs in the early eighties. For the past twenty years Karen has worked as a building sub and also as an instructor in the after school program. Karen and her husband John live in Wakefield. Their two daughters graduated from Wakefield Public Schools. Erin is an occupational therapist in Somerville public schools and Caitlin is a speech therapist in the Springfield school system. In her spare time Karen cares for her 86 year old mother. She also enjoys walking her dog “Buddy” around town.
In 1974, Karen began her teaching career in Tewksbury had taught sixth grade for seven years. She also worked as a contracts administrator for Wang Labs in the early eighties. For the past twenty years Karen has worked as a building sub and also as an instructor in the after school program. Karen and her husband John live in Wakefield. Their two daughters graduated from Wakefield Public Schools. Erin is an occupational therapist in Somerville public schools and Caitlin is a speech therapist in the Springfield school system. In her spare time Karen cares for her 86 year old mother. She also enjoys walking her dog “Buddy” around town.
Visual and Performing Arts Day
This spring is a very exciting time at our school for the students and staff. Next week, on Thursday, April 14th, all of our students will be travelling to the Galvin Middle School for an in-town field trip to see the Visual and Performing Arts Show. This is a town-wide event in which the elementary, middle, and high school students share art and music with one another. The Woodville School busses are due to depart our school for the Galvin at 8:45am. Therefore, if any students are tardy to school on the 14th, they will not be able to travel to the Galvin with the school. There will be supervision at Woodville for them until we arrive back in the building. We expect to be back at Woodville by morning snack time and then the rest of the day will operate as usual.
On Wednesday, April 13th the Wakefield Visual Arts Department is hosting Arts Night. This evening event is held at the Galvin Middle School, in the Gym from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and the public is invited to attend. Every school in town participates in the celebration and high school students will be present to demonstrate painting, drawing, computer graphics, ceramics, video and photography.
On Wednesday, April 13th the Wakefield Visual Arts Department is hosting Arts Night. This evening event is held at the Galvin Middle School, in the Gym from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and the public is invited to attend. Every school in town participates in the celebration and high school students will be present to demonstrate painting, drawing, computer graphics, ceramics, video and photography.
Spring Pictures
Spring Portrait Day will be held on Friday, April 15th at the Woodville School. Those families who wish to purchase portrait packages may do so using the forms that were sent home this week. At the end of the day, there will be the opportunity for siblings who attend the Woodville School to get their photos taken together.
Recorders in 4th Grade
Mrs. Barry has been teaching our 4th grade students how to play the recorder. Here are some pictures and a short video clip of the students playing a song. 
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