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) 

 

4 Days Left!

I wanted to take a moment to recognize our Lego League team who competed last weekend. After months of preparation and practice, they brought their presentation and their robot to WPI to compete. I am so proud of them and all the missions they completed, the perseverance they showed, and the adjustments they made throughout the day. Leading up to the competition, I was able to sit and see the presentation that went along with their work. I was blown away! They created a website, a video with a green screen, and a model. Everyone had a part and they worked seamlessly together. That is part of why it was not a huge surprise to me that they won the judges' award last weekend and were invited to participate in States this coming weekend. You can check out their trophy on our trophy shelf in the lobby. Best of luck to them! 

If you do swing by to check out the trophy, you'll also have an opportunity to check the lost and found. This is the last call before we make donations with what is remaining. There are some really nice sweatshirts/jackets, a bin full of water bottles, and plenty of hats and mittens. Come on by and encourage your student(s) to do the same. 

The Student Council has decided to make next week a Spirit Week! I'm happy I won't feel like I need to wear a tie all week. Remember that Spirit Days are optional and meant to be in good fun. They also made a concerted effort to keep it inclusive. On Monday, kids can wear their ugliest sweaters (although some insist they are beautiful). On Tuesday, we will celebrate Summer in December and dust off our beach wear (please encourage students to wear long pants under shorts, etc so they are still warm during recess). Wednesday is a student favorite, Pajama Day. We'll round out the week with a Holiday Character Day on Thursday. 

Electronic Folder 

The Week Ahead: 

• Monday (12/18) Day A
• Ugly Sweater Day
• Tuesday (12/19) Day B
• Summer in December Day
• Grade 6 Field Trip
• Wednesday (12/20)  Day C
• Pajama Day
• Thursday (12/21) Day D
• Holiday Character Day
• Monty Tech VIP
• Friday - Monday (12/22-1/1) 
• No School for Winter Break

 

The countdown to break begins!

The Holiday Shop was a huge success! It was great to see so many kids with smiling faces and all walked out with something. It's nice to have kids shopping and thinking of others. The PTA did a great job stocking the shelves and decorating. We had so many crafty donations from people in the community, too. We also couldn't have done it without the numerous volunteers helping kids shop and managing the register. 

The PTA is also excited to announce that we once again be participating in the Worcester Bravehearts reading program. Even though it is typically billed as a K-5 program, Middle School students are encouraged to participate. We are expecting some guests from the Braveheart to visit next week to help kick off the program for kids. You can learn more about the program and submit logged books here. 

We are looking for YOU! Have you ever thought about working with children? Were you a teacher at one point and would like to slowly reenter the classroom? We are currently hiring two paraprofessional positions (I jinxed us a few weeks ago when I announced we were fully staffed). The job isn't glamorous and the pay isn't stellar, however, the benefits come in children's smiles and gratitude from parents and teaching staff alike. You get the opportunity to work with a stellar team. I actually began my career as a paraprofessional and it was one of my favorite jobs of all time!

You may have noticed a trailer full of water in the parking lot this week. It was nothing to be concerned about so I figured I'd wait until now to fill everyone in. The well pump failed Monday evening. This is separate from the work done over the summer. The trailer filled our water tanks in the snack shack so there was no impact on our water supply. This water was tested just as our wells are regularly tested. The town worked pretty quickly to get a company in and replace the well and I am so appreciative of their quick action. We should be all set for Monday. 

If your student has been coming home without everything they left the house with, I have an idea where these missing items can be found. The lost and found is loaded! We haven't even gotten into the lost snowgear season yet. Besides clothing, there is a basket full of water bottles. Over the upcoming winter break, we will be clearing space in lost and found by donating what is currently there. I'd encourage you to swing by the lobby or ask your student to do so before the break. 

Students worked on a project entitled "I See You " in the grade 7 advisory. Students filled out a survey and a random classmate made them a collage based on their answers. Today was the big reveal and students loved their collages.

A note from Nurse Karina: 

With cold and flu season fully upon us, please review this list noting when to keep your

child at home. If ever in doubt about sending your child to school who is feeling unwell, please reach out to the school nurse at (978)464-5507 or karina_abbascia@wrsd.net for guidance. We aim for a healthy environment to increase learning and academic success here at TPS!

Physical Examinations: Massachusetts regulation 105 CMR 200.000 requires each student attending public school to have a physical when entering grades 4 & 7. If you haven’t done so already, please provide your school nurse with a record of your child’s most recent physical exam. Your school nurse can give you more information about what documentation your child may need to meet this requirement. Thank you for your cooperation!

A reminder that the electronic folder below is a great way to keep up with what is happening at TPS and in the community. The link brings you to a Google folder with flyers and other information. I try to keep it up to date and take down things after the fact. I also try to keep a note with a direct link when I add a new flyer. 

The electronic folder

The Week Ahead: 

• Saturday (12/9) 
• Lego League competition at WPI
• Monday (12/11) Day D
• Tuesday (12/12) Day A
• Wednesday (12/13) Day B
• Thursday (12/14) Day C
• Monty Tech VIP
• Friday (12/15) Day D
• Worcester Bravehearts mascot during lunch 
• MS Dance

Here comes December!

And just like that, it is December! The student council has asked me to share with folks that they are beginning a collection for old legos. They are encouraging kids to dig through their old play bins and pull together those discarded legos for someone who would truly appreciate them through the Lego Replay Program who promotes sharing and sustainability. It seems like a good time to remind you that we also have a Toys for Tots box in the main lobby.  

Mrs. Finkler has asked me to share that our SquareOneArt order deadline has been extended! The NEW order deadline for TPS is Monday, December 4th. However, please keep in mind that today, 12/1 is the last day for Holiday Delivery items. 

Next week, the PTA reopens the Holiday Shop! It is such a fun tradition here at TPS. If you remember, last year was such a hit, the store ran out and needed to resupply several times. This year it is stocked in anticipation of our shoppers.  Regardless of what holidays you celebrate, there are universal lessons for students. It's great to see them shop for others and focus on what someone else would like. It is also great math and money skills for some of our younger students.  

 

The schedule is below: 

• Tuesday: Hacket, Gibbons, Kristoff, Kurzanski, Chapalonis, St. Pierre, Zielinski
• Wednesday: 8th grade, Jensen-Fellows, Dolat
• Thursday: 7th grade, Hacket, Zielinski
• Friday: Kristoff, Gibbons, McClure, Roczniak, Keough, Andre, Santello, Jensen-Fellows, Dolat

A share from Spanish class today: In Spanish class, we are practicing the verb "to go" by learning a story about a young student who leaves class and does not have an appropriate pass. When asked repeatedly "Where are you going" by the principal, we discover that she has been missing for an HOUR. The principal then asks the student a series of questions to determine what she was doing instead. Today in Ms. Loughlin's Perú class, students asked if they could be Ms. Loughlin and spontaneously act out the story. Ms. Loughlin was delighted to spectate while they were AMAZING teachers and actors. Great job, Perú!

Electronic Folder

New: December Letter Day Calendar,  Lego Drive

The week ahead: 

• Friday (12/1) 
• Lights in Common at 6:30
• Monday (12/4) Day A
• Tuesday (12/5) Day B 
• Holiday Shop
• Wednesday (12/6) Day C 
• Holiday Shop
• Thursday (12/7) Day D 
• Holiday Shop
• Monty Tech VIPs
• Friday (12/8) Day A 
• Holiday Shop