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A. Ward Spaulding School | April 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||
945 Mountain Road | West Suffield, CT 06093 | 860-668-3826 | https://www.suffield.org | |||||||||||||||||||
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Upcoming Events:Autism Awareness DayThursday, April 2nd No SchoolFriday, April 3rd BOE MeetingTuesday, April 7th Ag ExpoWednesday, April 8th Partnering With Parents Open ForumWednesday, April 8th Family Game NightFriday, April 10th No SchoolMonday, April 13th - BOE MeetingTuesday, April 21st Star AssemblyThursday, April 23rd
"In books I have traveled, not only to other worlds, but into my own." - Anna Quindlen Virtual Backpack: 2014 - 2015 Special Services Tri-fold Flyer 2014-2015 Suffield Elementary PTO Information Family Game Night Brain Challenge at MIS April 10th Miss Amazing Pageant - April 18th Windsor Locks High School NCCC - Parent and Sibling Support Groups NCCC - Recreational Family Activity Group Calendar Partnering With Parents Open Forum - April 8th School Lunch and Breakfast Payment Information Suffield Parks and Recreation Spring Programs
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SFES Supports the Spaulding | |||||||||||||||||||
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In addition to these changes, a new reading nook was created out of office space. This space was funded in part by the Suffield Foundation for Excellent Schools (SFES) and has become a main focal point for students. The reading nook was designed to encourage independent reading in a natural and comfortable environment, as well as for projects, partner work, and research. Thanks to the generous contributions of SFES, the nook space was painted by Mrs. Fitzpatrick with a navy blue background and soft, silver trees that create a calm and relaxing environment. There are trees that arch over the nook, inviting students into the cozy room and matching décor to enhance the space. With the support of the SFES, students at Spaulding School can now use this alluring space to enhance their learning experience. The SFES mission is to provide support for innovative and exceptional education programs and opportunities beyond the tax-supported budget for the benefit of Suffield students. We thank SFES and Sherrie Fitzpatrick for their contributions and impact. | |||||||||||||||||||
Providing Positive Reinforcement at Spaulding | |||||||||||||||||||
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Box Tops for Education | |||||||||||||||||||
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Wilma’s Scoop Du Jour Continues Shining Partnership | |||||||||||||||||||
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Mrs. Baranauskas’s Math Minute | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mathematics is all around us! The following activities represent just a sampling of the many everyday situations that involve mathematics and ways that you can nurture your child’s mathematical development through these activities (Parentheses indicate appropriate grade levels).
For more information about reinforcing mathematics in everyday life, see the following websites: Math at Home: https://www2.ed.gov/pubs/parents/Math/mathhome.html | |||||||||||||||||||
Library Media Center - Dr. Seuss Spirit Week | |||||||||||||||||||
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Friendly Reminders | |||||||||||||||||||
| During these muddy days, please be sure to pack an extra set of socks, pants, and underwear in your child’s backpack. Occasionally students get wet while playing outside. Thank you! If your child is going to be a pickup, please remember to send in a note that morning with your child’s name, teacher’s name, date, and who will be picking up your child.
Thank you for our partnership in providing your children with a safe and productive learning experience at Spaulding. To that end, relative to family drop-off in the morning, automobiles should advance to the orange cones closest to the flagpole. This will ensure a smooth and efficient drop-off procedure for all. Children should be ready to exit the automobile (coats on and unbuckled). If a child exits the vehicle before the wrapping around of cars in the front of the school, cars should remain in the car line to exit the parking lot. Please do not pull forward to exit the parking lot. Thank you for your kind attention to this matter that ensures safety for all. | |||||||||||||||||||
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Our young Spaulding Stars continue to shine with respect, responsibility, and kindness. They continue to exhibit expected behaviors that impact our school culture and we remain proud of their efforts.
Christine Phillips and Kendra Wiesel were honored at the Connecticut Association of Schools Recognition Banquet on Wednesday, March 4th at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington. Principals Scott P. Dunn and Karen Carpenter-Snow nominated Ms. Phillips and Mrs. Wiesel for their lasting contributions to both A. Ward Spaulding and McAlister Intermediate Schools as the co-presidents of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Their dynamic leadership, inclusive manner, and never-ending energy are acknowledged and appreciated. They impact our schools in meaningful ways.
Thank you to our parents and guardians for their partnership at Parent Teacher Conferences last month. Only by collaborating together in a consistent manner do we impact students and their education in meaningful and productive ways.
Last summer the A. Ward Spaulding School Library underwent extensive renovations to update its physical space, text collection, and technology in an effort to impact and enhance student learning. These changes included new carpeting, bookshelves, and a new layout to promote learning spaces that accommodate various learning styles. The purchasing of over $15,000 worth of new texts allowed for a more diverse collection both in topic and text complexity. The library also infused new technology including iPads, Chromebooks, televisions to project lessons, and a SMART board to help students become 21st century learners. Perhaps the most noticeable change was the addition of murals depicting many famous literary characters to the walls of the library. These murals were designed and painted by artist Sherrie Fitzpatrick, who worked tirelessly throughout the summer to craft this warm and inviting space. Her artwork has allowed students to connect with characters and identify new ones to read about with excitement and engagement.
At Spaulding, two grades are currently piloting a consistent reinforcement system that supplements the Spaulding Stars program. This reinforcement system provides high frequency praise for expected behaviors in the 
classroom. While the Star program celebrates exceptional examples of expected behaviors, a high frequency reinforcement system is used to reinforce and shape the everyday behaviors we expect from students. The classrooms in these grades are using pom-poms to reinforce specific behaviors so students are more successful throughout the day. Teachers may use pompoms to promote expected behaviors during transitions in their classroom or during instructional groups. Individual classes are working together to collect a given amount of pom-poms to exchange for a group reward. Some class rewards have included pajama day, a dance party, and dress up day. This is a fun way for students to celebrate their success together. Reinforcing expected behaviors helps to solidify the behaviors that are essential for academic, social, and emotional growth.
Box Tops for Education is one of America’s largest school earnings loyalty programs in which over 80,000 K-8 schools participate in the United States. Each Box Top is worth 10¢ for the school, and can be redeemed to purchase items that support students and their learning. A. Ward Spaulding and McAlister Intermediate Schools collected over 10,000 box tops. At Spaulding, the Kindergarten students collected the most Box Tops and earned a popsicle party for their efforts!
For the second consecutive year, Wilma’s Scoop du jour continues to partner with Spaulding School in celebrating our Spaulding Stars program. They will offer one free baby cone of ice cream to the Spaulding students who bring their earned stars to the store located at 122 Mountain Road in Suffield. We continue to be grateful for the kindness that Mona Mastalisz and her staff exhibit to our students who display the expected behaviors of respect, responsibility, and kindness at Spaulding and to other members of the local community who support this program that impacts student achievement and well-being.
Count, count and count! Young children love to count and will count everything and anything. Encourage your child to count out loud the number of blocks she has, steps climbed, or crackers on her plate. (PreK-1)
Let your child sort the laundry. Before washing, have your child sort the piles by colors or family members or pants or shirts. (K-1)
Spaulding School kicked off a week-long celebration honoring the life and work of Theodore Seuss Geisel, famously known as Dr. Seuss, on March 2, 2015. This date, which marked the 111th birthday of the beloved writer who authored and illustrated forty-four books, is also known as National Read Across America Day. To honor some of Dr. Seuss’ work, students and staff at Spaulding School participated in a spirit week, with each day correlating to one of Dr. Seuss’ books including pajama day, hat day, and wacky Wednesday.
In the library, students learned about the life of Dr. Seuss and read some of his most popular books including Oh, The Places You’ll Go, If I Ran the Zoo, and The Sneetches as well as watched the video Green Eggs and Ham. They discussed the important messages found in Seuss’ work and how important it is to be yourself. Students also learned that a recently discovered manuscript by Dr. Seuss, entitled What Pet Should I Get, complete with illustrations, will be released July 28, 2015.
If your child purchases breakfast, lunch, or snacks at school, please access the site: 