Welcome! This blog was active from 2011-2014, as a place to share educational news and interesting snipets about the Sweetsir School. If this is your first visit, please take a moment to look through the blog archive.
The cafeteria was overflowing with families at our Memorial Day Ceremony on May 24th. Ms. Ramsey, our music teacher, managed to get all k-2 students on stage waving flags as they sang moving patriotic songs. Several second graders also shared special poems they wrote to thank military men and women for their service.
We are grateful to the veterans and the active military men and women who were able to join us. Their presence was a highlight for students who have spent the past few weeks learning about the significance of Memorial Day. A special thank you to American Legion Commander Roger Clark, a U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam, for helping to host the ceremony.
Special guests: Stephen True, Dean Lischke, Roger Clark,
Paul Robbins, James Quinn, and Dudley Farquhar.
Ms. Ramsey assists Joey as he shares
a special poem for his grandfather.
On May 9th, representatives from the MA School Nutrition Association surprised our Kitchen Manager, Mrs. Linda Vienneau, at a school-wide assembly. She is the first school nutrition employee to be recognized as "Super Lunch Hero of Massachusetts" for outstanding food service. For more details about her nomination, view postings on this blog labeled 'kitchen' or the Daily News article: A Show of Love.
Linda Vienneau (center) Principal, Mary Beth Shea; Food Service Director, Bonnie Kitsakos; and Child Nutrition Association Representatives, Janice Watt & Jane McLucas
Thanks to the positive feedback we received from both parents and teachers... "Math Fact Power Hours"are back! Many parents asked us to launch a math initiative for first and second graders again this winter. They found it motivated their children to spend more time at home practicing addition & subtraction facts. This is so important, because research clearly indicates repeated practice with flash cards increases 'automaticity'- the ability to quickly and accurately recall answers. Sweetsir and Donaghue teachers have noticed the students who spent time using the fact triangles last winter, developed greater automaticity. As a result, they are more secure in their math skills and, even a year later, are demonstrating greater success. On Thursday, January 24th, there will be a school-wide assembly for all first and second graders to kick-off this year's initiative. The six week incentive program was design to encourage children to practice with fact cards at home. Each child will be given a math mat, set of triangle cards, and log. For every 5 minutes spent practicing, they will record their time by coloring in a shape on the log. After 60 minutes, the log is complete and should be brought back to school and exchange for a new log.
Like last year, we will tally up all the power hours and graph each classrooms' results on our cafeteria wall. Each week, the class with the most hours documented will be honored with a certificate and will have a group picture taken for our "Power Hour Wall of Fame." This year, students who turn in logs will have an opportunity to enter a raffle and win games. The more logs they complete, the better chance they have of winning! Several names will be drawn each Monday for the next six weeks. Highly motivated students could win more than once.
On the right is a picture of our prize table. We selected games as a reminder to families that most board games are an excellent way to practice math skills (counting, sorting, 1:1 correspondence, etc.). Funding for the prizes and triangle cards came from the company that takes our school pictures. As a thank you, they give us a percentage of their profits each year. That money goes into our activity fund, which is used for field trips and other fun events. The prizes and fact cards are a gift for students to keep (first graders are encouraged to hold on to them for next year).
Parents of 1st and 2nd graders are encouraged to watch this video!
Last year, some of our students helped create the above video to give parents an overview of how to use the fact triangles and mat. Family members are encouraged to help their children practice. To view blog postings with additional information, click on the 'math' label in the right hand column. You will find another math video, photos of last year's gigantic graph on the cafeteria wall, and snapshots of students and teachers wearing crazy costumes. I hope to capture more special moments during this year's event, so be sure to check this blog again soon.
The performers in this photo are all graduates of Sweetsir School!
The Pentucket High School Theatre Group stopped by all four elementary schools to give a preview of their fall show, "Oliver Twist". Sweetsir students were mesmerized by their lively voices, fancy dance steps, and period costumes.
The young girl wearing a red "Oliver" shirt in this photo was also a part of the cast. She, and several other elementary students, had the opportunity to play orphans in the weekend performances.
On Wednesday, March 28th, Leslie Smith and the Theatre of Life Puppets, will be performing a show about nutrition for Sweetsir students. Parents and younger siblings are welcome to join us for the 1:30 show!
We are grateful to Anna Jacques Hospital for securing a grant from the Mosely Foundation. As a result, they will provide the funding for the puppet show along with $1,500 worth of library books and materials to promote healthy eating and exercise! Teachers will facilitate class discussions to help students decide if the snacks they bring to school are healthy choices. Results will be graphed and displayed in the classroom for an ongoing period of time. (Don't worry parents, we will send home hints and ideas for healthy snacks).
Leslie Smith incorporates the 5-2-1-0 program, daily guidelines to fight childhood obesity, in her show: EVERYDAY eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, engage in 2 hours or less of screen time, exercise at least 1 hour, and, consume 0 sugary drinks. For more information about the program visit:5-2-1-0 Healthy orLet's Go.
Brooke Snow, Jonathan Acorn, Olivia Dunn and Melissa Bowden
Wow, Merrimac sure does have talent! The Pentucket High School Theatre group toured all four elementary schools on March 9th. They entertained students with several song and dance routines from their upcoming performance of the Wizard of Oz. Many of the students, including these main characters, are graduates of Sweetsir School. Their voices were amazing!
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