Book Characters

Many interesting book characters greeted students on Dr. Seuss's birthday. Among them were Viola Swamp (Ms. Caproni), Teacher from the Black Lagoon, Thing One (Ms. Vienneau) from The Cat and the Hat and the Conductor (Ms. LeGrow) from The Polar Express. This special day was earned by our first and second graders amazing efforts to master math facts.  On Thursday, March 8th, we will also be celebrating with a school-wide "Pajama Day".


I had a blast seeing students react to my costume from  Have You Filled A Bucket today?.  Many responded with giggles and surprised looks upon recognizing the character from the book our school-wide theme is based upon.

Real Life Science

This week interns from the Massachusetts General Hospital Health Institute will be
at Sweetsir School conducting research on language development.  Selected students will have an opportunity to experience "real life science" by spending about 15 minutes answering questions on a computer. Helping with this research is extremely important since the data collected may be used to help future teachers and health professionals understand more about autism and other communication disorders. This is the third year the Sweetsir School has helped MGH speech and language pathology students with their graduate studies.  To view the article printed in the Daily News about their first visit go to:  http://bit.ly/wTyH32

Participation in this research project is completely voluntary and requires parental permission.  If your child is in one of the selected classrooms (Belmont, Rowley, Hitchcock and Caproni), consent forms need to be returned by this Monday, March 5th. 

May 12th PTO Auction

These items will be up for bid at the PTO's upcoming auction. Staff Members on the second grade team donated this movie theme basket, which includes gift certificates.  Each classroom will be donating unique items created by students. Ms. Rowley's second graders decorated this bag of goodies using their thumbprints to make a garden design (picture to right).

For more information about donating items or obtaining tickets contact Jen Marden, PTO President, at Jen.shane@verizon.net.

High Five

Students were thrilled to see snow flakes at dismissal time today! We've had such a mild winter, it was a welcomed sight. Last year, the snowbanks behind the building were so big children could slide down them.  The view from the teacher's lunch room was priceless. It's a beautiful sight to see eighty children climbing on mounds of snow, making snowmen and building forts together.

The "high five recess rule" goes into effect when snow is on the ground.   Please make sure your child brings in the five requirements to play in the snow: 1- coat, 2- hat, 3- snow pants, 4- boots, and 5- mittens/gloves.

Brownies in the Kitchen

Mrs. Linda Vienneau, Kitchen Manager and former girl scout, gave Brownie Troop 63140 a special behind the scenes tour of the Sweetsir kitchen. The girls wore hair nets and gloves while discussing healthy food choices. They said their favorite things to see were the jumbo cooking utensils and funny looking potatoes Mrs. Vienneau had set aside to show them.

I love math!! It is my third favorite subject.

I received this letter from a second grade student.

Students' Fact Power Off the Chart!!

Sweetsir Students exceeded expectations by logging in so much time practicing math facts, they went off the chart!  As you can see from the graph on display in the cafeteria, each first and second grade class had substantial participation.  The second graders in Ms. Hitchcock's class logged in the most time.  Ms. Rowley's students came in second and showed the most overall class participation.  The picture below was take during the final week of  'Math Fact Power Hours', when Ms. Rowley's class earned a special visit from the 'Fact Triangles'.

To celebrate their efforts to master math facts, there will be several school-wide theme days.  On Dr. Seuss's birthday, March 2nd, all students and staff members may come to school dressed as a favorite book character.  The following week there will be a 'Pajama Day'.

Ms. Rowley's class with Fact Triangles (Ms. Joyce and Ms. Grimes)

Thank you to Margaret Grimes, Title One math teacher, for helping organize this initiative to encourage practice of math facts.  Sweetsir teacher have already noticed an improvement in many students 'fact automaticity.'  The ability to quickly add and subtract numbers is essential for later academic success.  It is important students continue to practice facts at both school and home. As they move on to the Donaghue School, this should also include practice of multiplication and division facts.  Students were given passwords earlier in the year for the Everyday Math website which features games that align with our math curriculum.  It does not matter whether students use fact triangles, traditional flashcards, website games or other methods as long as they feel a sense of achievement.  Children will be more motivated to learn if they find it fun and rewarding.