The Center Mile
Center School News from Lenore Zavalick, Principal
March 31, 2024
Dear Parents and Guardians:
As the days grow slowly longer, I wonder more and more where our missing Spring weather is hiding. Our thoughts and "to do" lists have turned to all things Spring, such as field trips, Field Day, Grade 5 Graduation, and the end-of-year PTO picnic. Now all we need is a little more warmth and a lot less rain!
On another note, our third, fourth, and fifth graders have started the ELA MCAS, as of last week, with Grade 5 starting the process. Our staff has reinforced the message that trying your best and using the many skills and strategies that students have been taught over the years is the most important part of this work. Across our PLC meetings in these grade levels, we have examined student writing and put practices into place with students that require them to look critically at their own work and implement strategies to improve it. This is not just a result of the MCAS assessments, but a productive and practical way to encourage students to identify their strengths and growth areas as writers, and improve on them. All of our grade level teachers have been working cooperatively as teams in PLCs, which has been very exciting to be part of.
It was so great to see many parents and families attend the All School Meeting on Growth Mindset that our students from 2We and 4M organized and put on recently (please see the large photo at the end of the newsletter)! This topic is such an important one to discuss with students, because we ALL can grow our learner's mindsets and learn new ways to reach our goals. From this process, the hope is that students create new goals once they realize that they do not have to be experts at everything the first time they try something. Because this is part of our School Improvement Plan Goals, and something I feel is essential for students to learn about, I am working with teachers to collect feedback from all students, K-5, on how they perceive their own growth mindset status presently. I have created a form for feedback where students can share personal accounts of instances this year that required the ability to work through challenges and overcome obstacles.
I hope you enjoy the upcoming April vacation, whether you are traveling elsewhere or staying right here. Thank you for your continued support of our students and school!
Fondly,
Lenore Zavalick
Principal
March 2024 Spirit Day
Our counseling and related service providers staff showed their Favorite Book Character pride on our recent Spirit Day! Based on the social-emotional book and games, "A Little Spot of Emotion", staff showed their "spots" with emotion!
Where's Mrs. Carrara?
Many teachers and staff members showed their book character favorites on our Spirit Day. Mrs. Carrara is a true team player!
Grade 5 Kicks off Chorus Concert Season
Earlier in March, the fifth grade kicked off the season of concerts with their Chorus concert performance for families. The schedule of remaining Chorus and Band concerts is below. All are welcome to attend and listen, even if your child does not play in the band!
Between the Miles: All the News you Need to Know
Literacy Curriculum Update, K-5
The second of the two chosen curriculum options for K-5 students, Wit and Wisdom, will begin to be field tested by the same teachers who field tested the previous possible curriculum (Jenn Carrara, Julie Ryan, Kate Narita, and Laura Sabra). Our classroom teachers who have field tested the first option, EL Education Curriculum, have reported their impressions to the Literacy Committee, and will do the same with Wit and Wisdom. Teachers are encouraged to give feedback based on what they notice and wonder about the curricula, and will have the opportunity to work with the other members district-wide of the Literacy Committee to share feedback about the two tested options. In addition, field testers will be able to make a site visit to another school system that currently uses the Wit and Wisdom curriculum in order to see it in action by other educators.
As this process winds down this Spring, I will continue to share information related to not only the process in which we are engaged to implement a new Literacy curriculum, but of course, the final outcome. I am looking forward to learning about this new endeavor for our students alongside the Center teaching staff.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Wednesday, April 3: Nashoba Sings! 6:30-8 pm, NRHS
- Thursday, April 4: Dr. Larry Epstein (Calm, Compassionate Teaching) seminar for parents, 6:30-8 pm via Zoom (more details below)
- Friday, April 5: 12:15 pm early dismissal: Teacher PD afternoon
- Tuesday, April 9: Grade 3 Chorus Concert at Center, 7-7:30 pm
- Wednesday, April 10: School Committee Meeting, 6:30-8:30 in Bolton/Superintendent's Conference Room
- Thursday, April 11: Grade 2 field trip to Tower Hill
- April Vacation: April 15-April 19
- Monday, April 22: Return to School
- Wednesday, April 24: School Committee Meeting, 6:30-8:30 via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84130275172?pwd=dHRhNUFneGg3Tk8xTXRGT25WYjlJQT09
Remaining Music Concerts for the 2023-24 school year
As noted above, the Grade 3 Chorus concert will be held on Tuesday, April 9 at Center, beginning at 7 pm. Ms. Cohen will be in touch with families as the event draws closer. On Wednesday, May 29, the Grades 4 and 5 culminating Band concert will be held at Hale Middle School from 7-8 pm. Ms. Wrathall will be in touch with more detailed information regarding that concert as it gets closer as well. We hope to see you there!
Dr. Larry Epstein: Calm, Compassionate Parent Presentation this Thursday
As noted in Friday's edition of the Superintendent's Common: On April 4, 2024, Dr. Larry Epstein will host a virtual session for parents and caregivers from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. As a licensed clinical psychologist with a wealth of experience in both clinical and educational environments, Dr. Epstein has dedicated the last 28 years to assisting families, educators, and mental health professionals in supporting children facing various social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Having previously engaged with our Nashoba families last year, Dr. Epstein will once again share his insights on effective strategies for aiding children experiencing behavioral difficulties.
Next Thursday's presentation will address the impact of the pandemic on children's development of key skills such as emotional regulation, flexible thinking, and problem-solving. For some, the impact of the pandemic has led to an uptick in challenging behaviors, including non-compliance and difficulties in managing emotions. Dr. Epstein will offer problem-solving strategies that address these behaviors and bolster essential life skills.
Having worked with Dr. Epstein for two years, I can attest to his wisdom, practical advice, and useful tips for parents and educators. See below for access to the Zoom link.
When: April 4th, 6:30-8:00 PM
Where: Virtual, Zoom Link
Solar Eclipse Information
In case you have not heard, there will be a solar eclipse in our area on Monday, April 8. The path of totality will pass through the Northeast beginning at 2:00 pm, and wrapping up around 4:30 pm. As a school, we are fortunate enough to have received assistance from a member of the PTO to acquire glasses for viewing, and we have a pair for each student and teacher. We are extremely grateful to PTO member Jackie Spataro for her assistance with this. endeavor
Not only are the glasses useful for our schoolwide viewing (more details in the next paragraph), but they will also be worn by students and staff during dismissal from 3-3:20 pm that day, since the path of totality occurs during our regular dismissal time.
This week, I will share resources with teachers to use in order to inform students about the basics of the eclipse - what it is, why it occurs, and what to expect. I will also create a map for staff in order to organize where students and staff will stand during our eclipse viewing. There will be a basic eclipse recording/sketching sheet for students to use when viewing; this will allow them to catalog the process of the eclipse, and also provide focus for students.
Fingers crossed there is no rain!
Current Covid Updates from our District Nurse Leader
Below is an update about our current COVID-19 practices. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has aligned with the updated CDC recommendations for the general public to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. In response, Nashoba Regional is adopting this guidance, effective immediately.
The full explanation of the changes can be found HERE. If the hyperlink does not work, here is the actual link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LjVG34eVDf5W2_0GtnpwirykWNqU87nOmfZ3dIaaSTU/edit?usp=sharing
Brief Overview:
People with respiratory virus symptoms should stay home until they:
- Show and feel an improvement of overall improvement of their symptoms AND
- Have remained fever free for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen (e.g. tylenol, advil, motrin, aleve, ect.)
Once returning to work and life after respiratory symptoms improve, people should take added precautions for the next 5 days including cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.
People diagnosed with COVID-19, or any other respiratory virus return to regular activities based on their improved symptoms, and no longer have to remain in isolation for 5 days.
Please reach out to the District Nurse Leader, Myriah Zwicker or your school's nurse if you have any questions or concerns.
MCAS Dates, 2024
Please find the Grades 3-5 MCAS Schedule below:
Grade 3:
- ELA: April 2 - April 3
- Math: May 7 - May 8
- ELA Make-up days: April 11, 12, 23, 24
- Math Make-up days: May 15 - May 17
Grade 4:
- ELA: April 9 - April 10
- Math: May 13 - May 14
- ELA Make-up days: April 11, 12, 23, 24
- Math Make-up days: May 15 - May 17
Grade 5:
- ELA: March 26 - March 27
- Math: May 9 - May 10
- ELA Make-up days: April 11, 12, 23, 24
- Math Make-Up days: May 15 - May 17
- Science, Tech, and Engineering: May 20 - May 21
- STE Make-up days: May 22, 23
Center School DESE 2023 Report Card
A reminder that the yearly DESE-published report card for Center can be found under the Family Resources tab of our website: https://center.nrsd.net/.
This report card is published for every school statewide, and encompasses several categories of information about Center, such as the demographics of our staff, our MCAS scores from the previous year, and our school accountability targets. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions at all about this report card.
Spirit Days 2023-24 at Center
April 26: Sports Day - wear your favorite team gear, your own personal sport gear, or just look sporty! No accessories such as baseball bats, gloves, or balls, please.
Smart Watch Reminder
Per the Center School handbook, they are not allowed to be used for any purpose other than a time-telling device during the school day in our building. This requires the watch to be put on "school zone" mode, which disables the aforementioned features and makes it only a time-telling device. Additionally, students are encouraged to keep the watches in their backpacks during the day, and they can be put back on once students arrive home or get in their parent's' cars. If students feel unsure about leaving watches in backpacks, teachers can hold them until dismissal.
The possibility of a student being filmed, or even recorded, during the school day poses a safety and privacy issue for all. We want all students to feel safe and secure at school, and know they are able to connect in real time with trusted staff if needed. School is a place we value to ensure this level of safety, as well as a place to reduce anxiety for all of our children. In addition to this, the onset of students taking the MCAS assessments creates another layer of care we need to take as a school community with regards to devices.
Some students and families have expressed a desire to have the watch for safety purposes, or to allow students to communicate with them in case of an emergency. Please be assured that we are working harder than we ever have before to ensure student safety - we have additional cameras in and around our building this year, the Raptor system for visitor entry, and our Safety Committee meets monthly and works closely every day with our law enforcement officials in Stow. Our staff is trained and up-to-date in crisis management and response. I work with district level staff regularly to ensure Center is aligned with all schools in the district when it comes to safety.
Lost and Found Clean Out - Next Date
The monthly clean out of the Lost and Found has been effective in keeping things under control, as well as maintaining the clean look in our lobby. The next Lost and Found clean out will occur on Monday, April 1. Thank you!
Early Release Dismissal Changes
Generally speaking, the sooner we are aware of pickup changes, the better! You can call us anytime at 978-897-0290, as well as email your child's teacher and Mrs. O'Brien/Mrs. Laster. Thank you!