Think Spring?

The weather has been crazy and winter is definitely here but believe it or not, this is also the time we start to think about Spring. To this end, I have a few notes: 

For 5th through 8th graders: Coach Pistrang is already starting the recruiting process for Spring Track and Field. For those who don't know him, he's been coaching TPS cross country and track and field for over 20 years and his teams are responsible for several banners hanging in our gymnasium. Track and Field is a great way for kids to get involved and be active. There isn't a ton of pressure to perform and Coach does a great job of encouraging kids to progress and improve against their own standards. But don't read it from me, read his own words here. 

In keeping with the theme, we have a wonderful partnership with the Town Open Space Committee and they're already thinking about Spring access to our trail system. Here is Mrs. Santello (Kindergarten teacher and building lead) to share more:

Dear TPS Friends and Families, We are fortunate to have Annie Charette (a TPS grandparent) from the Town Open Space Committee and Deb Cary from Audubon working on a grant to make the trails around TPS more Universally Accessible. Last week we learned that we can help by writing letters about why and how the trails are important to us. If you are interested in helping out, letters can be directed to Massachusetts Trail Grant. and staff, parent, or student letters can go into the box on top of the office mailboxes. The last day to drop letters in the box is Monday, January 29, by 3:30 PM, please.  Questions can be directed to Elaine Santello at elaine_santello@wrsd.net. Thank you! 

Electronic Folder

New: Sterling Softball, Night Sky Fest, Updated EVO, February Days Calendar,

The Week Ahead: 

• Monday (1/29) Day C
• Basketball Home Game
• Tuesday (1/30) Day D 
• Basketball Away Game 
• Wednesday (1/31) Day A
• Early Dismissal 11:55 - PD Day 
• Thursday (2/1) Day B
• Basketball Home Game
• Friday (2/2) Day C
• Basketball Away Game

Winter is here!

The week started off a bit dicey with the weather, but ended much more smoothly. I want to thank you all for your support in rough weather. I saw some parents helping to brush off staff cars at the end of the day. Please know that was seen and appreciated. Calling snow days is a tough job and one I don't envy the superintendent in making. Regardless of the decision, you are prone to be second-guessed and to second-guess yourself. Please remember though, the staff here don't have any say in these decisions. It's not Tracy's fault. They all have to drive those same roads home at the end of the day too. I'm just glad we got everyone home safely.  Looks like more weather is on the horizon so keep your phones on in the mornings. 

Speaking of weather, 2nd grade found some inspiration in it this week and Mrs. Hacket agreed to share:

"Inspired by the snow and cold weather, second graders experimented with making snowflakes following a read-aloud and Scholastic News magazine about Wilson " Snowflake" Bentley.  Bentley lived in Vermont in the 1800's and was known for his magnified photographs of snowflakes and love for snow! Guided by this inspiration, the second graders embarked on a hands-on experience using glue, salt, and watercolors. Through this creative process, they observed the fascinating phenomenon that salt wants to be near water and pigment molecules. This attraction led the watercolors to gravitate towards the grains of salt. As a result, some of the water was absorbed into these salt grains, while a portion remained, generating a unique and textured outcome.The children were in awe, just as Snowflake Bentley must have been when he first looked at a snowflake under a microscope.

This project is easily done at home with only a few simple supplies! What will you create?"

It's great to be such a small school and it is great that we have a focus on STEAM. They both provide us great opportunities such as the one 3rd grade and 5th grade shared this week. Mrs. Chapalonis agreed to write about it. "Grades three and five had the opportunity this week to join forces in completing a Project Lead the Way unit together, all about the very important and vital honeybee! Fifth graders led the way with their knowledge about the life cycle of a honeybee, the various jobs that bees have within a hive, as well as Colony Collapse Disorder. Both third and fifth graders worked within a small group to gain knowledge of the honeybee and from there, created a honeybee “hotel” to help attract honeybees to build their hives within our own local ecosystem. Finally, with the help of Canva, students created a Public Service Announcement together promoting the importance of the honeybee to the world as a whole and how we as humans can help increase their overall population. It was a terrific collaboration between grade levels!

The 8th-grade parents have asked me to let folks know that they are hosting a Movie Night on Friday1/26! Staff and students alike are invited to come watch Elemental in the TPS cafeteria. Specifics and Venmo can be found on the flyer. There is a reduced rate for reserving in advance and for large families. Families are welcome to drop their students off to be supervised by 8th graders and their parents. Please return promptly at 8:30 to pick them up. The arrival and dismissal procedure will have parents park in the lot and walk their students into the building. At the end of the event, we ask that you park and walk in to retrieve them as well. It promises to be a fun night with all proceeds going towards the 8th grade graduation celebrations (Dance, Trip, etc.) 

Electronic Folder

New: Movie Night! 

The Week Ahead:

• Monday (1/22) Day B
• Tuesday (1/23) Day C
• Basketball Home Game -Central Tree
• Wednesday (1/24) Day D
• DESE ST Math Visit
• Thursday (1/25) Day A
• Friday (1/26) Day B
• Basketball Home Game -Mountview

Tuesday was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and I want to recognize the support that the entire Princeton Police Department gives. Chief Patrucarca has always made himself accessible and we meet regularly to discuss school safety concerns. Sargent Thebeau is equally accessible and has been great to work with. We are also fortunate to have our SRO Officer Doyle and sidekick Officer Cruiser. Word is Officer Cruiser will officially be sworn in on January 18th at 10:00 in the Annex. Community members are welcome to attend. 

Last night, I had the privilege of attending our Concert at WRHS! We talk about being a STEAM school and I think it is important to remember that A stands for Arts. The auditorium was packed to listen to our students perform. The Orchestra, led by Mrs. Haynes, played beautifully. The Chorus, led by Mrs. LeMay, filled the auditorium with joyous sound. And the band, conducted by Mrs. Brais, made boisterous music. The culminating act had the band playing Auld Lang Syne before the chorus joined in and eventually the audience as well. It was a great evening! 

The annual TPS Reading Challenge is back! The student recording sheets for the January challenge were sent home this week. Every student who participates will receive a small prize at the end of the month and will be entered into a monthly raffle. One lucky student will win a larger prize each month. Every month brings with it a new challenge and a new chance to win a prize!  Students are excited and have already started turning in their completed recording sheets! This program gets our students excited about reading and provides a way for them to practice goal-setting each month. Our terrific library volunteers display the monthly challenges in our library and display books that fit the prompts. Classroom teachers also highlight appropriate books in classroom libraries. This can also give families structure for developing regular at-home reading habits and give purpose to public library trips. Reach out to Mrs. Dolat with any questions. 

Stay tuned for a separate challenge to roll out for our Middle School Students beginning next week! 

Electronic Folder 

New: Wachusett Day at the Railers,  PTA -EVO flyer

The Week Ahead: 

• Monday (1/15) 
• No School - MLK Day
• Tuesday (1/16) Day B 
• Basketball Home Game 
• Wednesday (1/17) Day C 
• Thursday (1/18) Day D
• PTA meeting
• Friday (1/19) Day A 

New Year!

A new year and the first real snowfall is in the forecast! Apparently, we can expect anywhere between an inch and a foot so who knows what will greet us on Monday. Please remember that we try to get the kids outside every chance we get. Once snow is on the ground, the DPW does a great job of plowing the playground. However, if kids want to play in the snow, we do require snow pants, boots, gloves, etc.. Without these things, students will be limited to the plowed hardtop so they don't spend their afternoons wet and cold. 

I am sad to share with you that Lady, the therapy dog that visits on Thursdays and Fridays, passed away over the break. She passed quickly of natural causes, but it was unexpected. Lady lived a long life and brought tremendous joy to students and staff alike. I am sure you will all join me in offering Beth Foley, our school psychologist, and Lady's handler, condolences for her loss. We all miss Lady tremendously already. Many of the middle schoolers have already begun creating condolence cards. The elementary schoolers have varying levels of knowledge and understanding. If they are talking about Lady though, here is a resource from the Humane Society when talking to children about the loss of a pet. 

Periodically, the folks up at Central Office send out communications and I like to reiterate them here. Recently, Maria Letasz (Director of Student Services) shared out a virtual parent/guardian workshop, "Narcotics: The Drugs, Health Risks, Educational Needs and Emergent Care." I thought it was a good resource for middle school parents especially. You can register and find more information through this link. She also shared the updated website which I thought was a fantastic resource for all parents. 

Electronic Folder

The Week Ahead: 

• Monday (1/8) Day A
• Tuesday (1/9) Day B
• Basketball Game (Mountview)
• National Law Enforcement Day 
• Wednesday (1/10) Day C
• Thursday (1/11) Day D
• TPS Winter Concert at WRHS (6:30)
• Friday (1/12) Day A 
• Basketball Game (At Home vs. Paxton)