Hello Alden Families

Alden Update April 4, 2016

Hello Alden Families:

It’s that time of the year when we begin to think about next year and the placement of students. There is so much that goes into this process. If you are a parent of a current third or fourth grader please take a couple of minutes to view the video explaining the process. http://touchcast.com/alden/placement/

Placement Information - Parents of current third and fourth graders: If you wish to provide information regarding your child's learning style, we will be gathering that information electronically this year. To access the electronic link, please click on the link http://goo.gl/forms/khhnvIlgZv This link will be available April 4-29.

Fifth grade science MCAS dates are May 18 and 19.

Thank you to all who participated in the Science Fair – it was incredible to see all of those wonderful science experiments. I had so much fun talking with so many students and learning new things. Thank you. For a list of the winners and some wonderful pictures, please visit the curriculum website. Parents of 5th graders are invited to attend a Course Selection Information Night on Wednesday April 13, 2016 at 7:00 pm in the PAC and fifth graders will have a Course Selection Assembly on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 9:00 am in the Presentation Hall at DMS. Duxbury Middle School staff will present information on the courses that 5th graders will be taking next year and to explain the sign up process on Aspen. A letter will be sent home in early April with Aspen student login and password information. Fifth graders will be able to select their courses on the student portal of Aspen from April 15-29, 2016. Bus Registration 2016-2017 Students going into grades 1-6 that are more than 2 miles from the schools are automatically registered (parents don't need to do anything). Students that need to register and pay should go to www.duxbury.k12.ma.us click on District Services tab, click on Transportation Services and choose "2016-2017 Bus Registration: Applications and Online Payments" on the left hand side.

Newly registering students (Kindergarten, new to Duxbury (any grade)) must fill out an application if they are taking bus transportation whether they owe or not. Students approved for Free & Reduced Lunch must also complete an application if they would otherwise owe the bus fee in order to register under the waiver. March Curriculum Newsletter from Dr. Hunter is attached. Upcoming Dates: April 6 – Early dismissal 10:35 for conferences/Battle of the Books/Book Fair April 7 – Early dismissal 10:35 for conferences/Book Fair April 11- Fourth grade swim program begins for 6 weeks April 13 – Fifth grade parent meeting at DMS at 7pm regarding course selection April 18-22 – No school, spring break April 25 – Alden School Council 3pm April 27 – PTA meeting 9:30am

PTA Update ~The Book Fair is in the school Library this week! We are in need of volunteers for many shifts this week – during school or during the early release days. Today is the deadline if you wish to buy your teacher(s) vouchers for the Book Fair (but we will accept straggler orders tomorrow morning.) Check the website for the schedule of class visits, link to the sign- up genius, and teacher voucher order forms. ~Kids Care Club is partnering with Project 351 to hold a clothing and shoe drive this week. Collection boxes will be placed in the school lobby all week and volunteers will be at the drop-off circle on Wed, Thu, and Fri if you have clothes or shoes to donate. Click here to see a list of the most-needed items. ~We are holding a Luncheon for Alden teachers on Thursday and could use a few more crocks of soup. Click here to sign up. ~Battle of the Books is finally here! We’ll be celebrating all that reading on Wednesday with three events: 3rd graders at 11am, 4th graders at 12:15pm, and 5th graders at 1:30pm. Contact your Team Parents with questions about timing or to see how you can help. Email Betsy Gillis with additional questions.

Community News: Check out the Alden Website for more information about: DSU Upcoming Programs DEF – Program on April 7 – Help Your Kids Become Organized and Independent Camp Invention SEPAC “Fun”raiser Duxbury Softball Clinic

Have a great day, Karen