TPS Principal's Page: June 2024

This week was full of celebrations and the start of goodbyes. However, it was dominated by our farewell celebrations for our 8th graders! Regardless of whether the student has been with us for 6 months or 9 years, they have become family. On Wednesday, we celebrated with a Commencement at the High School. A special thank you to the parent volunteers who decorated and to the PTA for a banner that will surely become a staple at events to come. There were awards, certificates, and a ton of smiles. We followed it up on Thursday by "clapping out" our 8th graders before they attended their semi-formal dance at Harrington Farms. Again, this was made possible by the 8th-grade parent planning committee and their fundraising. And finally, today, the 8th graders attended Six Flags! What a week! This class will definitely be missed!

It wasn't all about 8th grade though. On Wednesday, we also said goodbye for the summer to our youngest learners, the kindergarten. We sent them off in style thanks to Mrs. McDonald's efforts in planning and implementing a super fun field day that had something for everyone. This is no small feat for a K-8 school. Thanks also, to our 6th graders who created and managed our field games, and our student volunteers who painted faces. I cannot forget to thank the parents who came out and supported the fun as well. The bounce house was epic! And I think we may have started a new tradition with our Mario Kart tricycle race. I can't wait until next year's field day!

A note from Nurse Karina:

With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, here are some reminders from the Health Office:

All medications must be picked up by an adult at the end of the school year. If possible, please let me know if you will be coming prior to picking up the medication(s) so that I can have everything prepared.

All medication orders must be renewed each school year. New Medication orders and medication should be brought in the day before or on the first day of school. Students are not allowed to transport medications to school with the exception of EpiPens or rescue inhalers that a student carries in their backpack. Nurses must be notified of any self-carry medications. Medication order forms can be downloaded off the school website using the Health Services tab.

ALL medications administered at school must have a physician's order and parental permission. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications. Please see the medication policy on the school website.

All students must be fully immunized by the first day of school. The only exceptions are written documentation from a doctor for medical exemptions or a written document stating that due to religious beliefs, your child has not been vaccinated. The exemption forms must be renewed at the beginning of each school year.

Students entering the 4th grade and 7th grade must have an updated physical and immunization record on file in the health office. Please send these updated documents in as soon as they become available to you.

Please call or e-mail me with any questions or concerns. (978)464-5507 karina_abbascia@wrsd.net

The FIRST Lego League Challenge program is being run for students entering grades 5th through 8th this coming fall. It introduces kids to STEM using legos and lego robotics. The program focuses on creativity, fun and teamwork. Each year there is a theme. This year's theme is SUBMERGED, which focuses on the ocean. The program is multi-faceted and has three main components: the Robot Challenge, the Innovation Project and demonstration of FIRST Core values.

In the FIRST Lego League Challenge program the kids will
Build and program Lego Spike Prime robots to complete autonomous missions.
Select a real world problem related to the yearly theme, do research on it, design a solution to the problem, prototype the solution and create a presentation.
At the end of the program they will attend a local tournament, where they will present the research project and compete with other teams on the robot missions.

Below is a great video that shows a sampling of the robots, projects and core values of the program.
First Lego League Introduction Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=FZsvSVz673g

The program is not just about building and programming robots although it is a significant part. The team benefits when the members have a diverse set of skills and interests. The project component draws heavily on being creative and artistic. Teamwork relies on good communication and leadership. The team needs a variety of talents to be successful.

The program runs two days a week from after school to 5:00 starting the first week in September to mid December. The program cost is $160 which includes registration, tournament fees, tee shirts, project materials, incentive prizes and snacks. If this poses a financial hardship let me know, the fee can be waived or reduced.

Jennifer Stander will be coaching the Lego League teams. She is an Electrical Engineer working in the field of Robotics and also an Adjunct Professor at WPI teaching electrical and computer design courses. To help the students reach their goals, it is important to have additional volunteers to help at the meetings. If you are interested in registering your child for the program and/or volunteering, feel free to email Jennifer at legofirst@js.mxpark.com.

Team selection will be done at the end of June, if your child wishes to participate please let her know by June 18th.

The electronic folder

New: Potential Biatholon exploration,

The Day and a Half Ahead:

Monday (6/17) Day C

Grade 4 Celebration of Learning - students only

Tuesday (6/18) Day D

Last Day of School 11:55 Dismissal - Step-Up Day

The highlight of our week was definitely our "Drop Everything and STEAM Day" followed by our equally exciting "STEAM Night!" It was a great celebration of STEAM and community. The kids did a wonderful job on their projects, it was great to see so many families come out, and the representation of STEAM in the community was inspiring. Thank you to the STEAM night planning committee and to Mrs. Chapalonis for chairing the committee!

Congratulations to our Basket winners!

K Basket - Pam Grimaldi
1st grade - Jules Moynihan
2nd grade - Crystal Courville
3rd grade - Mike Lynch
4th grade - Betsy Chase
5th grade - The Burwell family
6th grade - Jake Roczniak
7th/8th grade - Dan Hollis
Staff basket - Kelsey Riberio
Cruiser ride with cruiser - Melissa Finkler

I want to remind everyone that Tuesday the 11th is the town meeting. I would never dream of telling

people how they should vote, but, in case you aren't a fan of long school committee meetings or budget presentations, I thought I could share some cliff notes. This year's budget is really driven by state funding (aka chapter 70). While in the past, the district has received millions, this coming year we are only earmarked for a few hundred thousand. This puts a large strain on towns to finance the schools. Given this information, the district has worked to maintain what I would call a "level service" budget (no new costs, additional staff, etc.) but there is still a significant impact on the towns' tax rates. Heading into Princeton town meeting, all but one town has voted to approve the budget and the district needs a 4/5 success rate to move forward. Any changes to the budget would require cuts and require a step back from the progress made last year. It may never be more important for informed families to be at town meetings. I am also being told that we will have National Honors students from WRHS coming down to provide babysitting services if you could use the help. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

A note from the Running Clinic

"Dear TPS families,
Summer is just around the corner, and we would love for you to join us for our 3rd annual, 4-week running clinic from June 20th through July 12th. It will occur in the backfield at TPS 1-2 times a week. There is no charge, and children of all abilities who are rising from 1st through 6th grade are welcome, even if you can't make it to all of our sessions. We hope you can join us!"

Update from the cafeteria regarding alternative lunches

Monday - Bagel Meal
Tuesday - Cereal Meal
Wednesday - Pizza
Thursday - Hamburger on a bun
Friday - Chicken Enchilada Empanada

Week of June17

Monday- Cereal Meal

Extended day: Registration for the extended day for the '24-25 school year has not opened yet. Once registration becomes available this summer, notification will be sent home. For your planning purposes, there is no change planned for the fee structures and we will create space for any families that require the service.