Pelham School Press

Pelham Press

Vol. 19, No. 2 September 4, 2008

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

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Thursday, September 4 Pelham School Committee, 7:00 PM

Monday, September 8 Principal Open Office Hour, 5 – 6 PM

Tuesday, September 9 Pelham Parent Council/PTO, 7:00 PM

Tuesday, September 16 Sixth Grade Field Trip

Friday , September 19 to Friday, September 26 BOOK FAIR

Wednesdsay, September 24 First Grade Field Trip

Fall Curriculum Night, 7:00 PM

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From the Principal:

There are several groups and committees who work many hours to help make Pelham School an enriched educational environment for your child. The minutes of the meetings of the school groups are sent home in the Pelham Press. It is easy to get all these committees and groups confused, but I will try to clarify them for you.

The Pelham School Committee members are elected by the Town of Pelham to set policy for Pelham School. They approve the school budget, approve the school curriculum, and establish general policies for the school. School Committee meetings are usually the first Thursday of each month during the school year. There is time on each month’s agenda for open discussion. The School Committee members are Tracy Farnham—Chair, Maureen Ecclestone, and Michael Hussin. The Committee’s next meeting is tonight, September. 4, at 7:00 PM at the Pelham Library.

The Pelham School Parent Council/PTO usually meets each month in the Community Room at the Pelham Library from 7:00 – 8:30 PM. All parents are members of this organization. The PTO plans community events for Pelham School and raises funds for Pelham School activities. Some Parent Council members serve as “room representatives” for the classrooms; while others organize the Halloween Party, Pelham School Fair, gift wrap sale, playground maintenance days, and other events for the school. The direction for the group is set at the monthly meetings. Come and share your energy! The next meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 7:00 PM at the Pelham Library.

The Pelham School Council was established by the Educational Reform Act of 1993 to serve as a support for the school principal. This elected group advises the principal, develops the School Improvement Plan, creates and collates the Parent Survey, and reviews the school budget and school handbook. The School Council consists of a teacher representative—Paul Lipman; Deb McLean, parent representative; and Pat Cahill, community representative. We will review the Parent Survey and the MCAS data for Pelham School at our next meeting in October.

Other committee meetings you may want to attend are the Pelham Finance Committee and the Pelham Select Board. All of these meetings are open to the general public, and parents are encouraged to attend. I usually attend Pelham School Committee, PTO, and the School Council. I also attend Pelham Select Board and Finance Committee Meetings if there are items on the agenda that pertain to the school. If you have any questions about these meetings, please do not hesitate to call me. Rena Moore

Reminder: Some members of our staff suffer from chemical sensitivities that can cause serious health issues. When they are exposed to chemical fragrances in shampoos, detergents, soaps, lotions and perfumes, they can become physically ill (asthma attacks, migraine headaches, etc.) and are debilitated for hours and even days. We all can be aware of this issue and try to make Pelham School as “fragrance-free” as possible. Please help us create an environment where each staff and student can participate fully in all of the activities at school. Thank you for your consideration.

AGENDA FOR THE PELHAM SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING, Sept. 4, 2008, 7:00 PM, Pelham Community Room

1. Welcome, Announcements, and Public Comment—7:00 PM

2. Superintendent and Principal Update—Opening of School, Staffing, and Vandalism

3. Unfinished/Continuing Business—FY08 and 09 Budget; Enrollment and School Choice Update

4. Adjourn

Pelham School Phone Book

Each year the Pelham Parent Council distributes a phone book for Pelham students. Please call the school office (253-3595) by September 17 if you do not want your name or number included in this phone book. If your name, address, or phone number was incorrect in last year’s phone book, please let us know. Also, let us know if you would like a second copy of the phone book. We are also thinking of adding email addresses to the phone book. Please let us know your

Parents, please observe the speed limit on South Valley Road. There are many students who walk on this street, and there are no sidewalks. Please drive carefully and watch for children

CLASSROOM NEWS

Kindergarten: Wow! It is time to start again. I hope that you all had some time to enjoy your family this summer. Our room is all ready to go, and a new year of learning is about to begin. Even though I have been teaching for a very long time, I still get butterflies in my stomach the first day of school. I am so excited about helping your children learn and grow. I look forward to a year of partnership with you and your children. See you soon, Debbie Jacque

Grade 1: 20 monarch butterfly eggs and 40 monarch caterpillars met 14 first graders on their first day of school! The monarchs didn’t show their enthusiasm but the children were delighted to begin studying life cycles and metamorphosis. We are off to a great start for a year filled with fun and learning. Please stop by sometime to witness nature at its best.

Paul Lipman

Grade 2: Welcome back. It has been great meeting new parents and reconnecting with some past parents. The second graders have done a good job trying to transition from summer to school. We are beginning the year with our bubble unit. During this unit the children will design an experiment and test for results. I also have an intern from UMASS this semester, Ms. Adams. Finally, I would like to welcome our new student Kyle. I know we are gong to have a great year and I look forward to meeting all of you at the Curriculum Night. Cindy Corey

Grade 3: I am so pleased with the start of this new school year. The students are friendly, curious, good natured, and willing to try new things. Ms. Leanne Hasbrouck and Ms. Dawn Hibbard are working in third grade, and I welcome their creativity, calm demeanors, and skill. Mrs. Jill Orro has joined our team this year. Her expertise and wonderful sense of humor combined with positive thinking make her a valued and appreciated addition to the staff. A special heart felt thanks to all third grade families for helping to provide a fragrance free environment. Your efforts are extremely appreciated. I am also very impressed with the quality of healthy snacks that I have seen the students eating at 10:00 am. This has helped them be able to keep up their hard work right until the 11:45 lunch time. I look forward to working with all of you this year to provide the best learning experience we can for your children. Meg Gallagher

Grade 4: School is off to a great start in the fourth grade! I am very happy with the enthusiasm of this new group. We have already begun our explorations in math and science. Children have been learning about arrays, factors, and dimensions in preparation for work in multiplication and division. Additionally, students have made simple circuits and are learning about light bulbs. We are also getting used to our new routine which includes daily practice in cursive, proofreading skills, and staying organized. Our regular homework schedule will begin after September 15. If you have questions or concerns you can contact me at the school or email me at: ShawA@ARPS.org. Tony Shaw

Grade 5: The fifth grade class is off to an incredible start. The students are learning the routines of the new class and are rising to the expectations that are being set. They are a great group of kids whom I look forward to getting to know this year. The support from the families has been great, planners are getting signed and home work is completed. Students will begin the year with a unit The Real Me along with the study of the Human Skeleton. We will then proceed to the American Revolution and the Constitution, which we will briefly study on Constitution Day. These units should take us through January. Next, we will study Ecosystems, Explorers, Astronomy, and review other units to get ready for the MCAS. As you can see our curriculum is quite full. Along with the units of study, we will be reading, writing, and learning new math skills. Fifth grade is a time for exciting learning both academically and socially. I am looking forward to working with all the students and parents this year. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to stop by. The best time to catch me is in the morning—I am here before 7:30 every morning. I truly feel we are a team when it comes to teaching your child, and I hope we will all work together to make this year a great one for everyone. Suzanne Quinlan

Grade 6: We’ve started the sixth grade curriculum with the Real Me unit, a focus on who we are and how to take care of ourselves. We’ve already talked about our learning styles, and will learn more about nutrition, exercise, and stress management through various projects, including building ourselves three dimensionally in paper, reading novels, and visiting the Norman Rockwell Museum. We’ll start weekly spelling and vocabulary groups on September 8th. Our writing program has begun with sentence work, to be followed by writing paragraphs, and then various process pieces. Our math curriculum is ready to start with a review of place value. This year we’ll tackle many topics, including algebra, ratio and proportion, percent, geometry, and probability, and we also have on-going problem solving books. The reading program includes both fiction and nonfiction work, sometimes in groups and other times individually, as we build reading and comprehension skills. We will read biographies and write reports during the Election Unit, which will start at the end of September. After the election in November we’ll study Maps and Globes for several weeks, to be followed by our first science unit, Measuring Time, in January. In February we’ll grow plants and conduct various experiments, and this will coincide with writing research reports. In the spring we’ll read and write poetry, and learn about health and safe behavior. In June, I expect we’ll perform the annual 6^th grade play, and visit Nature’s Classroom in Rhode Island. In addition to the subjects we study, we address organizational and social skills. Our sixth graders are training for the greater independence that will be required of them in the following years. Our goal is that each Pelham student is a successful learner, with the skills and knowledge they need for the next step in their education. Margaret Light

Reminder: You may send in a “standing note” to let us know your child’s after school plans, particularly if they change on a daily basis. This will help us develop our dismissal lists.

String and Band Programs: Over the next week, Laurie Rabut, String and Orchestra Teacher, and Juli Holmes Sansoucy, our Band Instrument Teacher, will meet with new students in the upper grades to tell them about these music programs at Pelham. They will also have additional forms for any other students who may want to sign up for orchestra or band. If you would like more information, please contact the school office (253-3595). If you are unable to buy or rent an instrument, the school has some available to loan.

Make Sure You Child Doesn't Get Left Inside

The Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club is starting up hikes and other events to get kids outdoors. Our first outing will be a short hike at Buffam Falls in Pelham on Saturday, Sept. 27.

The goal is to have at least one kid-friendly event every month of the year. Possibilities include scavenger hunts, building fairy houses, and letter boxing. Anyone interested in attending family events or helping with the program can contact Nancy Weld, Family Programs chair at (413) 256-8728 or at

familyprograms@amcberkshire.org.

The Sept. 27 event will be a short hike at a slow pace, with plenty of opportunity to throw rocks and sticks into the water and explore nature. We may get a snack, lunch or ice cream afterward. We’ll start at 10 a.m.

Our second event, on Oct. 12, will be a hike up Rattlesnake Knob which is a smaller peak just east of Mount Norwottuck, part of the Holyoke Range in Amherst. We will meet at 10 a.m. and may gather for lunch afterward.

Contact Leader Nancy Weld for more information (413) 256-8728 or at

familyprograms@amcberkshire.org.

Minutes of Pelham School Committee Meeting

June 17, 2008

Present: Michael Hussin, Chair Tracy Farnham Maureen Ecclestone Supt. Jere Hochman

Rena Moore Fred Vanderbeck—Pelham Finance Committee James Huber, Selectman Dave Golden

Rob Detweiler

Call to Order

Michael Hussin called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM to go into Executive Session.

Executive Session

Contract Negotiations

Call to Order

Supt. Hochman called the general meeting to order at 7:07 PM.

Election of Officers: Tracy Farnham was elected Chair of the Pelham School Committee, Vote 3-0

                                 Maureen Ecclestone was elected Vice Chair, Vote 3-0

                                 Michael Hussin was elected Secretary, Vote 3-0

Minutes

Minutes of May 1, 2008 were approved as written.

Announcements & Public Comment

Maureen Ecclestone said she heard from the community that the Sixth Grade Play was outstanding and thanked the staff for their work. She also recognized Pelham staff members, Cathy Neale and Judy McNamara, who are retiring this year. Michael Hussin said that he enjoyed participating in the ARHS graduation. Michael thanked Supt. Hochman for his work with the district and the legacy that he is leaving. Committee members wished him well in his new position. Supt. Hochman expressed how much he had enjoyed working in the district, especially with Pelham School Staff and School Committee.

Superintendent and Principal Update

Hiring Update: Margaret Light accepted the sixth grade teacher position, and staff and community response has been very positive. The Hiring Committee has recommended a new special education teacher, but the candidate has not signed a contract.

Unfinished Business

School Policy Update: The following policies were approved as written by the Pelham School Committee, vote 3-0:

     600.01 Goals of Instructional Program

     600.05 Instruction: Enrichment

     500.01 Financial Management: Fiscal Management Goals

     500.02 Fiscal Accounting and Reporting

     500.04 Purchasing

     500.05 Revenues from Investments

     500.06 Audits

     700.05 CORI

Responses to Regionalization Questions: Supt. Hochman, Kathy Mazur, and Rob Detweiler met with Stan Rosenberg to discuss models and options. School districts can be Individual (one town), a Union (two or more towns that join together for Central Office staff, but with separate school committees), or a Region (one regional school committee and Central Office staff). Some major considerations are the quality of education in the school, the governance of the school district, Central Office support, and fiscal efficiency. Supt. Hochman summed up the models by saying that he thought the Union #26 model serves Pelham well, and school choice is a financial boost for the town. Phasing out school choice would be a huge financial loss for the town that may also bring educational losses; and regionalization also looks to be a financial loss to the town. Jim Huber said that he wants to keep the lines of communication open between the school committee and the Board of Selectmen. Tracy Farnham thanked him for trying to establish a more positive relationship. Jim also wants to get more people involved in town government. Rob Detweiler presented the financial breakdown for two of the three options for the school district—phasing out school choice and regionalization—and he found that both options would cost the town from $63,000 to $270,000 more than the current model. Rob also looked at forming a new union, which would probably increase central office costs substantially. Tuitioning out students may also cost the town money depending on the per pupil expenditure of the town that students are joining.

New Business

Reports

None

School Committee Planning

A. Calendar Review—Meetings for FY09 Sept. 4; Oct. 2, Nov. 6, Dec. 4, Jan. 8, Feb. 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4—(May need to reschedule, depending on graduation/award night dates)

B. Items for Upcoming Meetings: FY08 Reconciliation, School Choice Update, Beginning of School Planning

C. Sub Committee Reports

Adjournment

Michael Hussin adjourned the meeting at 8:50 PM.

Next Meeting

Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 7:00 PM in the Pelham Community Room.

Amherst

Call to Order	Michael Hussin called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM to go into Executive Session.
Executive Session	Contract Negotiations
Call to Order	Supt. Hochman called the general meeting to order at 7:07 PM. Election of Officers: Tracy Farnham was elected Chair of the Pelham School Committee, Vote 3-0 Maureen Ecclestone was elected Vice Chair, Vote 3-0 Michael Hussin was elected Secretary, Vote 3-0
Minutes	Minutes of May 1, 2008 were approved as written.
Announcements & Public Comment	Maureen Ecclestone said she heard from the community that the Sixth Grade Play was outstanding and thanked the staff for their work. She also recognized Pelham staff members, Cathy Neale and Judy McNamara, who are retiring this year. Michael Hussin said that he enjoyed participating in the ARHS graduation. Michael thanked Supt. Hochman for his work with the district and the legacy that he is leaving. Committee members wished him well in his new position. Supt. Hochman expressed how much he had enjoyed working in the district, especially with Pelham School Staff and School Committee.
Superintendent and Principal Update	Hiring Update: Margaret Light accepted the sixth grade teacher position, and staff and community response has been very positive. The Hiring Committee has recommended a new special education teacher, but the candidate has not signed a contract.
Unfinished Business	School Policy Update: The following policies were approved as written by the Pelham School Committee, vote 3-0: 600.01 Goals of Instructional Program 600.05 Instruction: Enrichment 500.01 Financial Management: Fiscal Management Goals 500.02 Fiscal Accounting and Reporting 500.04 Purchasing 500.05 Revenues from Investments 500.06 Audits 700.05 CORI Responses to Regionalization Questions: Supt. Hochman, Kathy Mazur, and Rob Detweiler met with Stan Rosenberg to discuss models and options. School districts can be Individual (one town), a Union (two or more towns that join together for Central Office staff, but with separate school committees), or a Region (one regional school committee and Central Office staff). Some major considerations are the quality of education in the school, the governance of the school district, Central Office support, and fiscal efficiency. Supt. Hochman summed up the models by saying that he thought the Union #26 model serves Pelham well, and school choice is a financial boost for the town. Phasing out school choice would be a huge financial loss for the town that may also bring educational losses; and regionalization also looks to be a financial loss to the town. Jim Huber said that he wants to keep the lines of communication open between the school committee and the Board of Selectmen. Tracy Farnham thanked him for trying to establish a more positive relationship. Jim also wants to get more people involved in town government. Rob Detweiler presented the financial breakdown for two of the three options for the school district—phasing out school choice and regionalization—and he found that both options would cost the town from $63,000 to $270,000 more than the current model. Rob also looked at forming a new union, which would probably increase central office costs substantially. Tuitioning out students may also cost the town money depending on the per pupil expenditure of the town that students are joining.
New Business
Reports	None
School Committee Planning	A. Calendar Review—Meetings for FY09 Sept. 4; Oct. 2, Nov. 6, Dec. 4, Jan. 8, Feb. 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4—(May need to reschedule, depending on graduation/award night dates) B. Items for Upcoming Meetings: FY08 Reconciliation, School Choice Update, Beginning of School Planning C. Sub Committee Reports
Adjournment	Michael Hussin adjourned the meeting at 8:50 PM.
Next Meeting	Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 7:00 PM in the Pelham Community Room.