October, 2016 Newsletter Charles G. Taylor Elementary School 196 South Street, Foxborough, MA. 02035 T: 508-543-1607
Page 1 of 12 From the Principal:
With today being the official first day of autumn, it is clear that we are fully immersed in the school year here at Taylor. Thank you for your warm welcome to the community. I’ve enjoyed getting to know your children and continue to be impressed with their eagerness and willingness to take risks at school. This is supported by a group of talented, dedicated teachers who arrive each day ready to tackle new challenges. Edna Fuller is a major support to students (and the principal) for all things health related. A big thanks to custodians Wayne Devens and Jorge Jardim for the top notch work they did all summer, and every day, maintaining the school’s appearance and keeping the school looking so welcoming. And I would be remiss if I did not recognize the unending efforts of Beth Bayuk, our school secretary, who has been indispensable in providing the knowledge and history of Taylor School. I am well supported!
With the school year underway, routines are more fully established and you are likely hearing stories about lessons and activities that your children are learning from their teachers and each other. There is a conscious effort for the adults to speak less and engage students more through techniques such as “turn and talk” and having students “share their thinking” rather than just giving a correct answer. Research shows that when teachers talk less, students not only learn from each other, but “learn to listen to one another, how to ask a question that moves an idea forward, and how to position their ideas in relation to others’ ideas.” We anticipate seeing some long term benefits from the use of these strategies and hope you will too.
Mark your calendars for the town-wide Family STEM Night on Tuesday, October 27. This is an opportunity to highlight some science, technology, and engineering activities that you and your children can share. Look for more details as we get closer to the event.
More Important News:
From The Secretary:
Page 2 of 12 Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please remember to call the school at 508-543-1607, before 9:00 AM , to report that your child will be absent or tardy. It is important that we hear from home when a child is not at school so that we can ensure that each student is safe and accounted for daily. Thank you for your continued cooperation.
Beth Bayuk
From The Nurse:
What a wonderful start to the new school year! I want to remind you of some rules in place to keep your children safe and healthy.
Per Massachusetts Department of Public Health, each child needs certain medical information on hand for the school nurse. These include: a current physical exam for students entering kindergarten and grade 4, and students new to the district. All students needs to be up to date with their immunizations. Kindergartners also need to have a lead screen and Massachusetts vision with stereopsis screen. Notes went home in backpacks of students with missing medical information.
I need to have the student emergency form completed and returned. This is a quick reference for the nurse of telephone numbers, medical information parents would like me to know, and who to contact if parents/guardians are not available to pick up a sick/injured child.
Medications need a doctor’s permission form and parent permission form completed and on file in the nurse’s office. An adult needs to bring the medication to the nurse. With the exception of an epi pen, diabetic materials, and medication for cystic fibrosis, NO medication can be carried by students in the elementary level. This is a safety issue for ALL students. Any medication brought to school by a student, including but not limited to creams, nose drops, pain/fever reducers, homeopathic, etc. will NOT be administered and a telephone call to the parents/guardians will be made.
If your child has a cast, sling, or other immobilizing device applied by an MD, please bring in a note stating limitations to physical activity. This limitation is for both wellness and recess. If a student/parent/guardian applies a device, including ace bandages and splints, the child will not be allowed to participate in wellness/recess that day.
Cough drops can be brought to the nurse by the students, for use during the day.
Snacks need to adhere to allergy guidelines in the classroom. Please remember to pack a snack; apples are available from the nurse if needed.
Wearing proper footwear is important to safe work during wellness and play during recess. Flip flops, shoes with heels, and improper fitting shoes are injuries just waiting to happen.
Page 3 of 12 As the nurse I am here to support the educational process of your children. By keeping the children safe and healthy, I can ensure the children are able to learn at their best level.
Thank you for helping me.
Edna Fuller, RN
From The Wellness Teachers:
Please remember to send your child to school with sneakers on his/ her Wellness days.
Thank you,
Mrs. Aucoin and Mr. McManus
From the Music Teacher:
We are off to a great start in Music class this year! Everyone is singing, moving, and playing instruments already. Kindergarten students are learning our class routines rather quickly and are impressing me with their bravery in trying new things. 1st and 2nd graders are getting right into singing songs and adding rhythm instruments as an accompaniment. Next week they will review how to play xylophones and metallophones. 3rd graders are reviewing our routines as well, but our focus is on learning rhythms and eventually how to read music on the staff so that we can begin playing recorders in the next few weeks. 4th graders are doing a quick review of rhythms and music reading before we pick up where we left of with Recorder Karate from last year.
I look forward to the year ahead, making music with your children!
Sincerely, Mrs. Noonan
From the Spanish Teacher:
Page 4 of 12 ¡Hola!
We have had a wonderful start to the year in Spanish class. We have been practicing daily greetings, useful phrases, and classroom “commands.” We have also been practicing each other’s Spanish names. My goal this year for ALL students in the Taylor school (grades 1-4) is to be using as much Spanish as possible in the classroom (and maybe even outside of the classroom!). My instruction will be 90%+ in the target language and as my students’ confidence and comfort in the classroom grows, my hope is that 90%+ of their output will also be in Spanish! There is so much FUN to be had in Spanish class, I am excited to see what the year brings!
“Juana” Higgins, grade 4, using our whiteboard
to help with “el calendario” MUCHAS GRACIAS…
A big heartfelt ¡GRACIAS! to our amazing Taylor School PTO for funding an interactive whiteboard for the Spanish/Music Room (room 3). The use of this technology will be instrumental in helping us achieve our district goal of 90%+ target language use in the classroom. Visuals and interactive games galore!
Saludos, Señora Silva
Page 5 of 12 Dates to Remember
September 2016:
9/26 Grade 1 Field Trip to Wards Berry Farm, Sharon 9:00-11:15
9/28 Bus Evacuation Drill at Front of Taylor School 8:40- 9:00
October 2016:
10/3- 10/4 Rosh Hashanah
10/4 Kindergarten Field Trip to Tangerini’s Farm, Millis 9:00-12:00
(1/2 day Kindergarten students will be dismissed at 12:00)
School Council Meeting 3:15-4:30
10/10 Columbus Day (No School)
10/12 Yom Kippur
Karate 3:00-4:00
10/13 PTO Meeting 7:00 PM
10/25 BIT Title1/ Reading Support Information Night at Igo School 6:30 PM
10/27 Kindergarten – Grade 4 Family STEM Night at Ahern School 6:30 PM
Page 6 of 12 Taylor Made News Information
In a continued effort to be environmentally conscious we make the Taylor Made News available on our website. By signing up at the website listed below you will receive an email notice with a link to the Taylor Made News each month. http://fps.foxborough.k12.ma.us/mailman/listinfo/foxborough_taylor
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