Pelham Press

Vol. 19,  No. 9    October 23, 2008

http://www.arps.org./pe/

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Saturday,  October 25                                                                SAFE Pancake Breakfast,

                                                                                                Church Buffet, 6 PM

Monday,  October 27                                                                  Kindergarten Field Trip

                                                                                                Pelham School Committee, 7 PM Rhodes Bldg.

Tuesday,  October 28                                                                 SAFE Graduation, 6:30 PM

Thursday,  October 30                                                                Amherst Trivia Bee, 7 – 9 PM

Friday,  October 31                                                                    Halloween Party, 5:30 PM

Monday,  November 3                                                                 Pelham PTO, 7:00 PM

Thursday,  November 6                                                               Pelham School Committee, 7 PM

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From the Principal:

            The past few days have been hectic ones for Pelham students, staff, and parents.  For the first time, the Amherst and Pelham Elementary Schools had two additional early dismissal days for parent-teacher conferences.  Thanks to everyone who helped make these days successful, and particularly to Mrs Scott for keeping track of all the early dismissal plans, Ms. Ware for setting up childcare for the afternoons, and Pelham parents and teachers for being flexible during this first year of implementation.  Next year these days will be included in the initial development of the district-wide calendar. 

I often have the opportunity to observe math classes in our school, and I am amazed at the variety of units, approaches, and activities going on.  This week as I walked through the building, I could see the progression of skills students are learning and how the math program progresses from K to 6.  In the 2nd grade, Mrs. Corey was guiding a discussion of tens and ones.  Each day as part of their morning meeting, the students count the days they have been in school for the year in anticipation of their 100 day celebration.  Third Grade was working on wizard packets and math facts as part of their “snack math.  One student made it a point to show me that she had the wizard on her desk for the day.  This computational math program allows students to succeed at their level of math skill, so every student at some point gets to earn the wizard for the day.  Fourth grade students were working in pairs to compare the heights of first and fourth grade students and decide how to represent their data on a graph.  The fifth grade was continuing their algebra lessons, learning about the difference between expressions and equations, the need to keep equations balanced, and how to solve for a variable.  Margaret Light tells me that the sixth grade has just completed a Hands on Algebra unit is now busy making Bumper Cars.  You’ll need to read the 6th Grade News to find out what that means.  Each class was using different materials, but all of the students were actively engaged in the study of math. 

            Doing well in math is a goal for many of the students in Pelham School, and several of our classrooms set aside time for students to reflect on their goals for themselves at school.  You might want to ask your children about their goals, and you might also want to discuss with them a few goals that your have for them.  Are your goals similar?  Are they the same ones that your child’s teacher mentioned at the parent-teacher conference?  You may want to share your findings with your children and their teachers.                                                                                                                                               Rena Moore

 

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Church Buffet:  The United Church of Pelham at 142 Amherst Road will hold a buffet meal on Saturday, October 25 at 6 PM.  The menu includes appetizers, home-baked beans, kielbasa, casseroles, and salads.  The charge is $6.00 for adults, children under 12, $3.00, and preschoolers—free.  To reserve a spot, call 253-3792 or 253-2616.

 

 

TRICK OR TREAT For UNICEF

wE HAVE COLLECTION BOXES FOR THE “TRICK OR TREAT FOR UNICEF” PROJECT.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE FOR YOUR CHILD TO PARTICIPATE, PLEASE STOP BY THE SCHOOL OFFICE TO PICK ONE UP.  oR, YOU CAN CALL or SEND A NOTE TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE, AND WE WILL PUT ONE IN YOUR CHILD’S BAG.

 

 
Enchanted Forest

Creatures of the Forest

 

The Hitchcock Center, Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25, 5:00 – 8:30

Don’t miss the Hitchcock Center’s Enchanted Forest!  This non-scary Halloween family event takes place Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25 from 5-8:30p.m.  Adults and children of all ages will enjoy meeting our magical “Creatures of the Forest” as you are guided along the pumpkin-lit trail.  Walks leave the Center every 15 minutes and last 45 minutes.  Enjoy crafts, games, and snacks for sale.  Pre-registration required. Register early as this event fills fast!  Call 413-256-6006.

 

 

 

 

 

Quinlan’s Quill

 

 

     By the time the Pelham Press comes out, I would have met with most of you at your parent teacher conference.  This year is different for me because I am experiencing the other side of the table, going to my sons’ first parent conference.  I have a better understanding of the concerns, questions, and hopes you have when you meet with me as your child’s teacher.  I hope we all had good conferences and you walked away feeling that we were all on similar pages: we all wanted the best for your child  I hope you feel that your children are being well taught and that I truly care about your children and their progress. 

     By now we are immersed in our Revolutionary War unit.  Students are reading books, writing, and learning about this important time in our history.  We have studied some aspects of government due to the presidential election, but we will connect a lot of the dots during our study of the Constitution.  It is evident that many of you talk about the world, and your kids are listening because I hear their comments during discussion.

     Our math unit is a combination of multiplication and algebra.  The students understand the process of multiplication, but they still make lots of mistakes.  I am stressing that accuracy is as important as conceptual knowledge.  We are also learning new vocabulary and how to follow sequential steps.  The students need to analyze and think while they are doing math which is not easy. 

     As a class, the structure and expectations are becoming clearer for many students.  I have changed some things in my classroom, so that all kids can be successful. 

     Thank you for the continued support you give your children and me.

Suzanne Quinlan

 

 

 

6th GRADE NEWS

 

We’re in the middle of the Election Unit in 6th grade.  We’ve been gathering information about the process and the candidates, their political parties and issues as we get ready for the Mock Election in school (to be held Oct. 30) and the real thing Nov. 4.  In language arts, we are reading biographies about people who have changed the world in a positive way, working on time lines, and finishing skill packets focusing on time sequence.  In our measurement unit in math, we are moving from linear measurement to calculating area.  This week our book, Covering and Surrounding, has us designing bumper car tracks for carnivals.  We’ve finished writing our personal narratives, and you will see them at parent conferences.  After that we’ll post them on the board outside our classroom.  Our next writing project is linked to our biography work, and will include writing well-developed paragraphs and preparing monologues. Things are humming along in 6th grade, and I appreciate the support you’ve given your children and our classroom.  If you haven’t already sent in a box of tissues, we are still eagerly accepting donations.  Thank you!

 

Margaret Light

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMHERST TRIVIA BEE *

 

Thursday, October 30, 2008, 7:00-9:00pm

 

Middle School Auditorium

 

What a great family evening out.

 Only $3 admission per audience member.

Baked goods and lots of fun for all ages.

Come join us, the bigger the crowd the more fun!

All proceeds benefit Amherst Education Foundation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING PTO EVENTS  

 

 

Friday, October 31st , 5:30 – 7 PM   HALLOWEEN PARTY !!!       

 

 

The PTO provides free cider and donuts. Pizza is on sale for $1 per slice.

 

Don’t forget your FLASHLIGHT!

After enjoying the games and activities families venture out to trick-or-treat together on the South Valley/Jones/Cadwell loop around the school.

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, November 4th – Election Day BAKE SALE

 

Donate a baked good to support the 6th Grade end-of-year trip to Cape Cod - while making voters happy! 

 

Simply bring your donation (home made or store bought) to the library on the day of voting. (You can just drop it off, and 5th and 6th grade representatives will sell the treats.)

 

moorer@arps.org

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