December 23, 2015

Dear Memorial Families,
On behalf of the entire Memorial School, I would like to wish you and your family the happiest of holidays.  Enjoy the break. We'll see you on January 4th.

PTO Holiday Luncheon
Thank you to all who contributed to the amazing staff luncheon on Tuesday, December 22nd.  Everything was delicious and very much appreciated.  We are beyond grateful!

On Friday, December 18th, the entire Memorial School met to learn about Whole Body Listening from our friends in Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. DeGeorge's preschool classes.  The boys and girls showed us pictures of what Whole Body Listening looks like, sang a song to help us remember and played a great video that they had worked hard to create.  Everyone did a great job listening!

Thank you to Mr. Olsen and the entire Jazz Band for visiting the Memorial School on Friday.  We loved hearing the music and learning all about the different instruments.

Box Top Raffle Winner
Congratulations to Noah Smith!  Noah was the winner the Box Tops raffle for December winning a Park Street Books gift certificate.  Thank you to the PTO for their ongoing support. Please keep sending in those box tops!

Fa la la la la! 
The holiday sing was so much fun!  350 + happy voices all singing together is one of the greatest sounds!  Thank you to Mr. Ruggerio and Mrs. Pollock for leading the sing-a-long and to Mrs. Ravinksi, Mrs. Salamone, and Mrs. Paget for accompanying me on vocals.

Thank you for reading and have a wonderful break!
Sincerely,
Missy Bilsborough

December 17, 2015

Greetings Memorial Families and Happy Holidays!

It has been a busy week here at Memorial.  The anticipation is growing as we look forward to several upcoming events.

Teacher PreK-5 Professional Development Day

PreK-5 teachers participated in a mini digital learning day at Wheelock on Wednesday afternoon.  With five different offerings to choose from, teachers were able to differentiate their own learning based on their individual and student needs.  Check out some of the great workshops from which the Memorial staff was able to choose.

App Challenges - Debby Fromen

A hands-on opportunity to investigate K-5 creativity iPad apps.  Bring your iPad and chose your challenges:  Camera, PicCollage, Skitch, Popplet, Adobe Voice, Chatterpix, Sock Puppets, Book Creator, Explain Everything, iMovie, iMovie Trailers, Stick Around.  Then work collaboratively with colleagues to create integrated centers/lessons to take back to your classroom.  End products will be shared K-5.

Already an app expert on these apps?  Take it to the next level - app smash and create some new integrated lessons/centers.

Raz-Kids Webinar - Jamee Callahan

Gain knowledge and confidence to flexibly and seamlessly use Learning A-Z to supplement your core reading, writing, and science instruction, target key literacy skills, and move your students to new levels of reading proficiency!

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Managing Student Work with Seesaw - Bethany Robertson

Collecting student work from various iPads, computers, numerous worksheets, etc. can be overwhelming.  Seesaw is a digital portfolio that lets students easily send you all kinds of learning artifacts to one place.  Additionally, rather than use multiple apps, you can take pictures, video, draw, type, and record voice all within Seesaw.  Although it can access your camera roll for all of you app smashers!  Seesaw is simple to use for both students and teachers while still offering lots of options.

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Google Classroom and Google Apps - Jason Garverich

Excited to use this platform but just haven't had the time to get started?

Started already but feel like you're not getting the most out of it?

Come and get hands on with the technology with a Google employee who will help you take the next step in your journey (whatever that may be).

Will involve active use of the products, interacting with your peers in a real-world setting.

Chrome: The Browser with Superpowers - Neal Sonnenberg

Most of us use Chrome everyday and think of is as just a browser to get onto the Internet; however the Chrome Browser can do a whole lot more.  In this session you’ll learn many tricks to make your time on the Internet more efficient - from bookmarks, to extensions to managing multiple accounts, to making your holiday shopping easier, you will learn something new in this session.  

Thank you to our amazing presenters!

Safety Drill
Students and staff did a wonderful job today during our unannounced safety drill. Please see the email that was sent earlier on Thursday for additional details.

We are all looking forward to our school wide assembly tomorrow on Whole Body Listening as well as the Jazz Band concert in the afternoon. Next week, we will have our 2nd Box Top raffle drawing, the Holiday Sing, visiting carolers, and classroom parties. Check out next week's blog for a recap and pictures of the fun.


Have a great weekend and thank you for reading. Sincerely,
Missy Bilsborough
Memorial Principal

December 10, 2015

Dear Memorial Families,

It is with mixed emotions that I share that Mrs. Policella,  Memorial School secretary for the past 22 years, has announced her retirement.  While we are very happy and excited for her as she embarks on the next phase of her life, we will all miss her terribly!  Her kindness and ever-present smile will be greatly missed. Lynn's final day at Memorial will be December 23rd.  

Early Release Day - Professional Development
On Wednesday, December 16th, students in Preschool, Kindergarten and Grade One will be dismissed at 11:40 a.m.  The elementary staff (PreK-5) will be involved in professional development centering around various technology apps and programs designed to enhance student learning.

Thank you to MCPE for approving over $3800 for a recent grant requesting Brain Break Boxes for all 18 preschool, kindergarten and grade one classrooms.  These funds will be used to purchase sensory tools such as finger fidgets, move and sit seat cushions, weighted lap bean bags and other tactile materials.  In addition, we will be incorporating a sensory break station into each of our three hallways to provide the opportunity for structured supervised breaks as needed. "Brain Breaks are a quick and effective way of changing or focusing the physical and mental sate of learners. They are also a useful tool for student to use to help activate, energize and stimulate their brains.  Research indicates that brain breaks also improve students' concentration and relieve stress." (Incorporating Brain Breaks": http://www.pgsd.org/cms/lib07/PA01916597/Centricity/Domain/43/Brain%20Breaks.pdf

We are so grateful for MCPE's ongoing support.  Thank you!

This week, Kindergarten and Grade One teachers each spent a half-day on Tuesday working with math consultant Shephali Fox. Together, they planned a lesson that Mrs. Fox modeled in one Kindergarten and one Grade One classroom. The teachers then returned to chat about the lesson; noting strategies and activities that they can then carry over into each of their classrooms.

From the P.E. Department
Mrs. Gelinas and Mr. Grace have developed a Memorial School Physical Education Blog to highlight all the great learning that is happening during Physical Education classes.  Please take a minute to check it out!   http://memorialschoolpe.weebly.com/

Did you know that twenty Memorial staff members are participating in a monthly book group?  
Each month, our group gathers to discuss the chapter that we have read in Mindset by Carol Dweck. We look at our current practices and brainstorm ways that we can foster growth mindsets in ourselves and our students.  For more information visit: http://mindsetonline.com/whatisit/about/ or http://alexvermeer.com/why-your-mindset-important/


As always, thank you for reading.
Enjoy your weekend.

Sincerely,
Missy Bilsborough

December 4, 2015

Dear Memorial Families,
Please enjoy this week's blog.

Math Night
On Wednesday, December 2nd, a K-5 Math Night was held for parents at the Dale Street School. Shephali Fox, the district's math consultant, provided the audience with a general overview of the reasons behind the shift in math instruction.  Participants were then invited to visit five different stations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and enVision support materials) to hear about the learning trajectory from K-5, see the various strategies that our students are using to solve math problems and review the tools that are available to parents.  Within the next few days, all presentations and materials from the evening will be posted on the district/school website.  Please check them out.

Welcome to Lisa Maguire!
Lisa joined the Memorial staff on Monday as a long term substitute for learning specialist, Christine Dardia.  We are thrilled to welcome Lisa to the special education team.

November Box Top Winner
Congratulations to Joseph Callender.  Joseph won the PTO November Box Tops Collection raffle prize, a gift certificate for Brother's Marketplace Ice Cream and Soda Fountain Bar! We currently have collected 728 Box Tops. Thanks to all who contributed.  Please keep them coming! 

Mark Your Calendars

12/16: Early Release Day 11:40 Dismissal
12/22: Progress Reports Go Home
12/23: Holiday Classroom Parties
12/24 - 1/3: Winter Break
1/4: School Re-Opens

MCPE MESSAGES

MCPE’s on line auction of “Treasured Experiences” is NOW LIVE. Featuring over 100 unique opportunities for students to spend time with their favorite teachers, this online auction will run until 5 PM Friday, December 4th. Be sure to start your holiday shopping medfieldcoalition.org.

As always, thank you for reading.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Missy Bilsborough

November 24, 2015

Dear Memorial Families,

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving.  I feel so grateful to be able to work with the amazing children and families of Medfield.  Thank you for your ongoing support of the Memorial School.  Enjoy the holiday.


Sincerely,
Missy Bilsborough

November 19, 2015

Greetings Memorial Families,
It's been a great week at the Memorial School and we have many things to look forward to.  Please enjoy this week's blog.

Did you know that once a month our teachers participate in professional development focused solely on math instruction?  This week, teachers in Kindergarten and Grade one met with math consultant, Shephali Fox, to discuss the enVision 2.0 math program and specifically look at instruction and assessment.  Learning is then brought back into the classroom to directly impact student learning.


Important Dates to Remember
Thanksgiving Break - November 25, 26, & 27 (No School)
Elementary Parent Math Night (K-5) - 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Welcome Ken the Music Man!

Thanks to the Memorial PTO, Ken the Music Man, will be making monthly visits to our preschool classrooms.  Ken DoRosario is a certified music therapist and musician who specializes in working with pre-school and elementary school aged children.  He will be joining each of our preschool classes one time per month to bring music and movement to the students.  Check out these photos from his first visit.

Math Night is Coming
On December 2, 2015, we will be holding a K-5 parent math information night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Be on the lookout for the more information coming soon!

Hour of Code is coming back to Memorial for Grade 1!

We will be joining the largest learning event in history when tens of millions of students around the world celebrate Computer Science Education Week. Our HOC will take place over the course of two weeks in December.

MCPE MESSAGES:

Many thanks to those students and community members who turned out for MCPE’s Student Trivia Challenge and Community Trivia Night. They were fun-filled successful events, the proceeds of which will be used to enrich Medfield students' curriculum.

Mark your calendars for the return of MCPE's outstanding and much anticipated online auction of “Treasured Experiences”. Featuring unique opportunities for students to spend time with their favorite teachers, this online auction will run from Monday, November 30-December 4th. Be sure to start your holiday shopping on Cyber Monday at medfieldcoalition.org.

Are you looking for a way to let your child's teacher, a school staff member, a coach, a bus driver or an administrator know just how much you and your child appreciate them? Consider MCPE's Blue Ribbon Program. It is an easy and thoughtful way to recognize the efforts of a member of our school community during the holiday season. Each person recognized with a donation will receive a card, customized with a thank you note from you, indicating that a donation was made in his or her honor. To thank a school member with this Blue Ribbon recognition, please go to the MCPE website: medfieldcoalition.org. Blue Ribbon requests submitted by Friday, December 18th will be delivered byDecember 23rd for the 2015-2016 holiday period.

A message from the Memorial PTO…

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM SCRIP

Scrip will be placing one last online order for the holiday season!  The program is closing, but one last online order will be placed at noon on Friday November 27th!  If you are interested in placing an order for holiday gifts, teachers, etc., you may do so online at www.shopwithscrip.com no later than 12 noon November 27th.

You may pay for your order by check or online payment. If you choose to pay by check, please drop your check of at Park Street Books prior to November 24th.  Any check not received for an order will result in the order not being placed.  If you choose to pay with online payment through your existing account, the order may be placed up until 12 noon on November 27th.  SCRIP cards are still available at the Park Street Books Box. Please stop buy and purchase cards on hand for the holidays.  We would like to thank all of you who have supported the SCRIP program over the years!

MEDFIELD SPIRIT WEAR

Customize everything yourself or see what your kids can create!  Choose from t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, pants, bags, hats, blankets & more.  Spend $85 or more and get a free customized t-shirt.  12% of proceeds from each order will go to your school’s PTO.    This is all you have to do:

• Go to http://www.shop.mylocker.net
• Enter your school locker number  - MEMORIAL CR198  
• Use promo code nxMS4jcT to receive $10 off every order you place

NOTE: Due to different branding sizes, make sure to check all size charts when ordering to ensure you get a great fit for each product.  Use MyLocker to create apparel for your teams, clubs, service groups, and more.  The possibilities are endless!  Please contact Laura Zaher SPIRITWEARMEDFIELD@gmail.com with any questions.

ZEBRA’S FLATBREAD FRIDAY FUNDRAISER

No need to cook on a Friday night after a crazy week!  Enjoy a delicious flatbread from Zebra’s and support the Medfield Public Schools at the same time.  10% of the proceeds from flatbreads sold via take-out or in the restaurant on Friday evenings will be donated to the Medfield Coalition for Public Education (MCPE) and Medfield K-8 PTO.

Please contact Kim Price kimprice73@me.com with any questions.

WINTER CARNIVAL

The winter carnival committee is looking for creative and enthusiastic volunteers to work as part of the Booth Committee. This involves coming up with new and exciting games and prizes.   We are also looking for a Treasurer.  We would like to have the new Treasurer shadow the current Treasurer this year to learn the ropes and be ready to take things on in 2017.  The carnival will be held this year on March 12, 2016.  Please reach out to Janie Boylan at janie.steel@totalise.co.uk or Meghan Glenn at theglenns2005@hotmail.com if interested.

BOX TOPS

The November raffle will be held on Tuesday November 24th, so send those Box Tops in!  Reminder - be sure to label the Collection Sheet or baggie with your child's name. 10 Box Tops= 1 raffle entry, 25 Box Tops= 3 raffle entries! Check out this week's Thursday Packet for the Box Top collection sheets. If you have any questions, please contact Memorial's coordinators Maria Puglia mpuglia79@gmail.com or Lindsay Rogers uflindsay@gmail.com.

MEMORIAL PTO MEETING: Our next meeting will be held on January 13^th @ 9:00 am.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Please like us on Facebook Medfield K-8 PTO , follow us on Twitter MedfieldK8PTO and check out our website http://medfieldpto.weebly.com

Thank you for reading.
Have a great rest of your week.

Sincerely,
Missy Bilsborough

November 13, 2015

Greetings Memorial Families,

Thank you to all who joined us for Parent/Teachers conferences this week.  For those who have yet to visit, we'll see you next Thursday.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR NOVEMBER

November 19^th:          Early Release/Conferences 11:40 Dismissal

                                   AM K will be dismissed at 11:40 not 11:10

                                   No PM Preschool

November 16th:        Picture Re-Take Day- See Flyer on the Thursday Packet

November 25^th-27^th:  Thanksgiving Break

Monday, Monday
Next week, the district will be following a Monday schedule on both Monday, November 16th and Tuesday, November 17th.  The switch is due to having a number of Monday holidays which result in repeatedly missing the same special subject.  Memorial students will have the same special subject class on Monday and Tuesday (i.e. if they typically have music on Monday and art on Tuesday, they will have music both days and miss their art class on Tuesday).


Welcome!
Welcome to substitute teacher Mrs. Mynanhan.  Mrs. Mynahan is filling in for a few weeks until long-term substitute Mrs. Maguire takes over for Mrs. Dardia for the remainder of the school year.

Welcome to Mrs. Young.  Mrs. Young is filling in for Mr. Grace.

Spanish Lessons

The Spanish Honor Society students from Medfield High School are offering Spanish lessons for kids.  Lessons will be held at the Medfield Public Library.  Be on the lookout next week for more information in the Thursday packet.

A message from the Memorial PTO…

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM SCRIP

After many successful years of fundraising, the SCRIP program is retiring from Medfield. This program raised thousands of dollars over the last several years and many volunteers put in countless hours to help make this program work. The participation in SCRIP has diminished to a place where it no longer makes sense to run the program. Thanks to ALL those who helped make it work, we appreciate all you did!

Park Street Books still has SCRIP cards available until we sell out....so visit soon before they are all gone!

As always, thanks for reading.

Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Missy Bilsborough

November 5, 2015

Hello Memorial Families.

It was so wonderful to see so many of you last Friday for our Halloween parade.  I would to offer a huge thank you to Chris Allan for donating his services.  As a result of his generosity, Memorial's preschool, kindergarten and grade one students were able to march around the building while listening to a great compilation of spooky and fun Halloween music.I would also like to thank the many volunteers including our head room parents and all who contributed goodies for the classroom parties.

Please enjoy a few pictures from the day.

Trasher Dash
Thank you to the many volunteers who worked to make Saturday's Trasher Halloween Dash a huge success!

Mark Your Calendars

Parent/Teacher conferences - November 10th

Early Release - 11:40 a.m.  (No p.m. preschool)

Veterans' Day - November 11th

No School

Picture re-take day - November 16th

If your child was absent on picture day or if you are interested in having retakes, please check out the Thursday packet where you will find a flyer with specific instructions.

Veterans' Day Assemblies
On Thursday, November 5th, students in kindergarten and first grade attended a Veterans' Day assembly sponsored by the PTO.  The children talked about the meaning of liberty, freedom and sacrifice. They also learned about symbols of freedom and the five branches of the military.  Thank you to Chief and Cadet Wilson for visiting our school and for their service to our country.

Important Safety Reminder
Within the past few weeks, there have been several instances of cars driving from the North Street parking lot (MAP) through the playground and out onto Adams Street.  This has been occurring both during school hours and after school as well.  These areas are gated off for our students' safety and are for emergency use only.  Thank you for your cooperation and help in keeping the children safe.

Have a wonderful weekend and as always, thank you for reading.
Sincerely,
Missy Bilsborough
Memorial School Principal