A Note from Principal Tony Byers
Over the weekend, my family and I went for a toddler-paced walk around Walden Pond. It was a beautiful, bright day, and Walden was in fine winter form, with soft white sheets of ice covering much of the pond. As we walked along the shore, I noticed that the ice was littered with rocks, from pebbles to small boulders, tree branches, and even a railroad tie. The debris spread from the edge of the water to about 30 yards out onto the pond, probably the collective result of individual efforts to break the ice. And who could resist such an activity? Not me. Within minutes of arriving, my daughter and I were hunting up rocks of steadily increasing size to hurl out onto the ice in the hopes that we might succeed where others had failed. Hear more from Tony >>



January Assembly: Changemakers
By Jodie Darnell, School Operations Manager
Last month Graham & Parks celebrated people who join together to fight for change and equal rights for all people. Students and teachers shared their knowledge of the Civil Rights, Labor, and Environmental Movements through poems, songs, and video clips. Third graders also shared persuasive essays, providing an example of how we all have the power to promote change with our words. And as each grade filed out of the gym to head back to class, everyone sang "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round" in unison.



Expeditions at G&P
The word “expedition” conjures up an image of a bearded explorer with a heavy backpack full of instruments and tools needed to explore an unknown territory. Wondering how we go on expeditions at G&P? Read on >>



Spotlight on Ann Niederkorn
Get to know our wonderful library media specialist with this handy Q&A! Read more >>



Spotlight on Debra Gadsden-Holiday
Find out all about our amazing first & second grade teacher Debra. Learn more >> 



Grades 3 & 4 Music Concert
The grades 3 and 4 concert on January 22 was a great event! Nora Grodzins and Ismartilah Drummond served coffee in the lobby before the concert began. They deserve a big “thank you!” for being so supportive of the Arts at Graham and Parks. Third graders got things started by singing a song from Kenya. Then they sang rounds, folk songs, and ended with a fun partner song from Trinidad called: “I Let Her Go-Go.” The grade 4 group sounded fantastic! They sang several challenging rounds, a rousing gospel tune, and a song from Liberia. They wrapped up the concert with the very moving “Our Song of Peace.” There was a hush over the audience when the song ended. The singing groups were accompanied by Zerlina Devi on piano and Oscar Suchanek on drums. Music teacher Debbie Sullivan was assisted by two wonderful student interns: Stephen Raman and Rachelle Tam. All four of these young musicians are Berklee College of Music alumni. Thank you, Berklee! Congratulations to the third and fourth graders for an inspiring concert!



G&P Market
Every month, we gather in the lobby for our G&P Market. Everyone from the G&P community is welcome and encouraged to stop by! This market is meant for EVERYONE – families, teachers, local neighbors – everyone leaves with a bag of free food and maybe even a recipe idea too! Hear more (and get a tasty recipe) >>  



Math & Technology Corner
A shout out goes out to parents that were able to attend the Kindergarten Math Curriculum Breakfast in December! As I wandered through the rooms I heard kids asking their parents, “so how do you know?” The kids were pushing their parents to explain their thinking, just as our teachers strive to promote students in explaining or describing their thinking to each other. We call this: “Making Thinking Visible.” Many parents/guardians were also able to stay for a brief discussion about ways they can help their children at home. I shared how playing games (like Yahtzee, Set, Candyland, Battleship, Legos and Simon, and card and dice games, just to name a few) helps students improve their cognitive skills, including reasoning, problem-solving, sequential processing, and numerical fluency. These are all important fundamental skills in the development of mathematical thinking. Please enjoy an evening or afternoon playing games with your kids. They won’t know they’re learning, but they will know they’re having fun! Winter is the perfect time to cozy up with some good games, so get your game on! Best, Claire Dahill, Math Coach



Physical Education Corner
K-3rd: This month students in grades K-3 will be participating in rhythmic and creative movement activities designed to teach students how to dance to a rhythm, identify the beats of a song, and create their own dance routine.
4th Grade: The 4th graders will be participating in our 8 week swimming unit at the War Memorial Pool. Students will learn and practice swimming skills and how to be safe in and around a pool.
5th Grade: The 5th graders will be participating in our ballroom dance unit. Students will learn how to dance five different ballroom styles and the unit will culminate with a dance showcase at the CRLS gym in March.



Around Our School...
Room 103 (SEI-JK/K) listened to a presentation by Officer John "JJ" Jones.



Get Involved at G&P!

Friends of G&P Update: 

Join us Friday, February 26th from 5:30-7:30PM for Family Movie Night in the cafeteria. Kids are encouraged to wear pajamas, bring their favorite stuffed animals and blankets to sit on. We will be selling pizza, popcorn and other delicious movie snacks. Movie night is free with a suggested contribution of $10 per family. We are showing those lovable little guys, the Minions. So grab a friend to come watch together for an evening of laughter and hilarity. See you on the 26th!

Save the Date: Staff Appreciation Lunch is March 16th. Our annual staff appreciation lunch is Wednesday March 16th. You will get flyers sent home about what foods to bring, and we will have sign-ups for volunteers. We will need volunteers on both the 16th and the 17th (the lunch gets extended with left overs!). Mark your calendars for this great event that means so much to our teachers, volunteers, administrators and staff!

FCEP Update:
 
Come to the Family Cultural Exchange "First Friday Coffee" on Friday, February 5th. Parents, please meet us at 8:30AM in the school lobby or at Bourbon Coffee at 1815 Mass Ave, at 8:45AM. Come and share conversation with other G&P parents, exchange ideas, meet new friends.