APPLE DAY - $1.00, THURS., 4/26

MCAS Testing

Grades 3 - 5

May 14^th – 31st

Please arrive to school on time after having a GREAT breakfast.

Homework Help

Be specific when it’s homework time.

Your child says she finished her homework, but she actually still has to study for a history test.  Did she lie?  Not necessarily.  Instead, she may think of “homework” as something concrete like copying spelling works or completing math problems.

  “Studying,” on the other hand, is less clear-cut.  To avoid misunderstandings, be specific when setting homework-related rules:  “Your work isn’t done until you’ve studied quietly for 15 minutes.”

On Placement Next Year

  It is that time of year again; we will begin the process of constructing classes for the 2007-2008 school year very soon.   We regard the task of student placement as one of the most important things that we do to ensure what we hope to be a quality learning program for every child. 

  In constructing a class, we strive to balance many factors to achieve an ideal classroom for your child. Some of the factors are the following: girl-boy ratio, active students with more passive ones, leaders with followers, quiet students with talkers, students who like to work alone with those who do well in groups and independent workers with those requiring more direction.  We also strive to have all levels of performance and development represented.  We recognize that some children contribute to their friends’ learning while others may inhibit it.  Hence, some children should be together, while others need to be separated.

  Your child’s present teacher has a year’s worth of current, rich information and insight that is very important to this process.  The teachers at your child’s grade level, the remedial and support service personnel, and specialist team, compile all the information we have about each child and make recommendations about placement.

  While we feel that we are in the position to know your child’s learning needs, we recognize that parents may have additional insights that may help us in this process. 

  If you have information about your child’s learning needs beyond what we’ve described above, please share it with the grade level placement team, and the JRB Office, by Friday, May 18, 2007.

  Please understand this is not an invitation to choose your child’s teacher and therefore, we ask that you do not specify a teacher in your letter. 

  We are continually looking for ways to work with parents as true partners in the education of their children.  We want to make parents aware of the depth of thought that goes into planning a sound learning program for every child.   

  This year we have expanded the opportunity of participating in a looping classroom beyond the 1^st – 2^nd grade level, and will pilot looping classrooms in the 4^th and 5^th grade.

   Again we remind you that the deadline for these requests is Friday, May 18, 2007.  Questions:  978-827-5750.

Health Class News

  Carol Sylla, our new Health teacher, joining the Briggs staff in January.  She is a certified teacher in both health and dance and has vast experience in the health field, as well as dance.

  Students in grades K – 4 have recently finished body centered studies.  K-2 looked at the whole body in a Head to toe unit, with grades 1 & 2 making their own bodies to take home.  During this time, we looked most carefully at the digestive system.  The 3^rd and 4^th graders studied the skeleton and actually made and labeled model skeletons of their own.  We also did an experiment showing the skull’s protective role and the need to wear helmets when biking, etc.  The 5^th grade has been exploring Adolescence and its jobs of learning responsibility, becoming independent and developing one’s own identity.  We role played “I” statements and other constructive ways of negotiating with parents around issues of conflict that naturally arise during this time.  We looked at the role good or bad decisions making plays in all of the above.

  Presently the Kindergarten is beginning a unit of personal safety, grades 1 – 4 are exploring issues of environmental health and the fifth grade is looking at male/female roles and stereotypes along with tackling the Endocrine System and hormones.  Prior to introducing the reproductive system/puberty unity to the fifth graders, letters will be sent home to inform parents/guardians.

SUMMER SCHOOL

  The John R. Briggs School will be running a Summer Academy program for eligible students currently in first, second, third and fourth grade.  A student’s eligibility is determined by previous MCAS scores and teacher recommendation.  If your child is recommended for this program you will receive an enrollment letter by the end of April.

  The main focus of this program is to support and review the grade level Language Arts and Math skills that were addressed throughout the year.  The Briggs Summer Academy will run from June 19^th-July 12^th on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.  This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to benefit from additional academic support in a small classroom setting so please consider enrolling your child if you received an informational packet about the Briggs Summer Academy.

Lost and Found

It is happening already.  Please label your child’s clothing.

Music News

 Last updated 5/4/07  by Tiffany Davis.