|
A Note from School Administration Manager Jodie Darnell
February 24th marked the 100th day of school for the 2014-2015 academic year. Most elementary schools in our country make the 100th day of school a celebratory occasion, and Graham and Parks is no exception. Read more >>
Staff Appreciation Lunch: March 25!
Once a year our entire community comes together to honor the school’s staff – from our extraordinary educators to our dedicated cafeteria and custodial staff, all of whom make life at G&P so great for our kids. We are putting on a potluck lunch for the staff with make-your-own sandwiches, salads, cheese, desserts and drinks. Thanks to an extremely generous gift from Whole Foods Alewife we have all the cold cuts and cheese taken care of. In addition, Trader Joe's is supplying flowers and Iggy's is supplying the bread. We will need your help with the rest! A flyer will go out by backpack express in early March with food assignments by grade. We will also need volunteers to help on the day. AND we will have a 'Thank You' banner for everyone to sign starting the week of March 16th. This is a great community event that our educators look forward to every year – we hope you will be able to participate and thank you in advance for your help!
Are You New to MCAS State Testing?
Wednesday, March 18, 8:30 - 9:15 AM, in the library: Preparing Your Child for MCAS, the State Test, with academic coaches Kathy Greeley & Claire Dahill
While everyone is welcome, this informational session is especially geared to parents of 3rd graders or of students who are taking the MCAS for the first time. Come see what the test looks like, how it is administered, and discuss ways you can support your child.
Help your student be at their best on MCAS test days! Some simple advice that really makes a difference in outcome: Plenty of sleep and a good nutritious breakfast coupled with a good organized start to the day. For example: laying out clothing and preparing lunches the night before, or leaving a little early to walk to school or the bus stop. Whatever it takes to have a calm, orderly and stress-free entry into the school day is a great investment of parental time everyday and particularly on test days.
We Need Your Help
1. Many of our faculty and staff drive long distances to get to G&P. It's important that there are parking spaces for them when they get here and that they are able to leave promptly after school. Over the last few weeks, cars belonging to parents have been parked in or have blocked exit from our lots during arrival and dismissal. Please don't park in the staff parking lot at any time.
2. On a related note: The area in front of the school is FOR BUSES ONLY. Please do not pull up or park in front of the school on Linnaean Street. Please park your car elsewhere and walk your child into the building. Alternatively, our wonderful crossing guard Dawn can assist children crossing the street at the crosswalk directly in front of the school.
Parent Focus Groups
Tuesday, March 10, 5-6 PM
Community Room, 364 Rindge Ave (middle building at Fresh Pond Apartments, a.k.a. Rindge Towers)
Wednesday, March 18, 10-11 AM
Community Room, 364 Rindge Ave (middle building at Fresh Pond Apartments, a.k.a. Rindge Towers)
MAXIMUM of 6 participants in each focus group. Please sign up via: doodle.com/kthgu8da9r5g7976 or contact family liaison Judy Amendola at [email protected] or 617.349.6577 x115.
Mad Hot Cambridge
Fifth Grade Ballroom Dancing Showcase
Please join us as the 5th grade students from Baldwin, G&P, King Open, Morse, Kennedy-Longfellow, and Tobin schools showcase their ballroom dancing talents and abilities through a variety of dances. Tuesday, March 10 at 7PM at the CRLS War Memorial Building.
Summer Camp Planning
If you attended summer camps last year, many camps will send out "EARLY BIRD" registration info. TAKE ADVANTAGE of these opportunities to both reserve a space AND apply for financial aid. Some camps take state vouchers for summer camps. NOW is the time to inquire at camps and to apply for Massachusetts state subsidies. (To be added to the state's childcare waitlist, contact: Jayne Cantor at 617.349.6086 or [email protected] OR Childcare Choices of Boston (which serves Cambridge) at 617.348.6641.) Flyers and camp info will start coming out in February and March.
Don't miss the city's Camp Info Night!
March 5 | 6:30 - 8:30 PM (Snow date March 12)
CRLS, 459 Broadway, Main Cafeteria
Come meet with representatives for Cambridge Community camps and other private and public camps, including programs for children with special needs. Entertainment and art activities for children. Light supper provided. Parking is available in the school garage. For additional information, call Liz Lewis at 617.349.6283.
Friends of Graham & Parks News
Due to the repeated snow days, our March meeting will take place on Monday the 16th. Please join us as we'd love fresh perspectives on how we can help our school community thrive. All are most welcome!
To those of you who've donated to our annual fund drive, we are so thankful for your generosity. Due to the many snow days, we are behind on our thank you notes, so we appreciate your patience. If you need the receipt that accompanies the note for tax reasons, please send an email to [email protected].
|
|
|
G&P CALENDAR
MARCH
Thursday, March 5 | 6:30-8:30PM
CPS Camp Information Night. Snow date 3/12. CRLS Main Cafeteria, 459 Broadway
Friday, March 6 | 8:45-10:30AM
FCEP First Friday Coffee, Bourbon Cafe in Porter Square.
Tuesday, March 10
EARLY RELEASE DAY - Dismissal at 12:25PM
Tuesday, March 10 | 7PM
Mad Hot Cambridge
5th Grade Ballroom Dancing Showcase, CRLS War Memorial Building.
Tuesday, March 10 | 5-6PM
Parent Focus Group, Community Room at 364 Rindge Ave (middle building at Fresh Pond Apartments, a.k.a. Rindge Towers)
Thursday, March 12 | 5:30-7:30PM
Steering Committee Meeting, 1st floor conference room. Childcare by advance reservation. Contact Judy Amendola at [email protected] or 617-349-6577 x115.
Monday, March 16 | 8:30-9:30AM
Friends of G& P Fundraising Meeting, in lobby or health suite
Wednesday, March 18 | 8:30-9:15AM
Preparing Your Child for MCAS, the Massachusetts State Test. An Informational Parent Coffee for parents of third graders and those unfamiliar with MCAS, in the library.
Wednesday, March 18 | 10-11AM
Parent Focus Group, Community room at 364 Rindge Ave (middle building at Fresh Pond Apartments, a.k.a. Rindge Towers)
Saturday, March 21 | 1-3:30PM
G&P students at All-State Treble Chorus at the Boston Seaport Hotel
Tuesday, March 23—Monday, April 6
MCAS ELA Reading Comprehension Test window, grades 3-5
Wednesday, March 25
Annual Staff Appreciation lunch
Friday, March 27 | 8:45-9:30AM
Grades 1/2 Concert, in the auditorium. Please note: Date changed from original date.
Looking ahead...
APRIL
Friday, April 3
NO SCHOOL: Good Friday observed
Tuesday, April 7 | 5-7PM
Family Night of Poetry – SAVE the DATE. Details in next month's newsletter.
Thursday, April 9 | 5:30-7:30PM
Steering Committee Meeting
Wednesday, April 15 | 6-7:30PM
4th Grade & FCEP Families – Mark Your Calendars! Pot Luck Dinner & American Dream Expedition Interactive Activities. G&P Cafeteria. Note: siblings of FCEP & 4th grade students are invited, too.
Monday, April 20—Friday, April 24
NO SCHOOL: April Vacation
MAY
Monday, May 4—Tuesday, May 26
MCAS Math & STE Test window, grades 3-5
Wednesday, May 13
Early Release Day, dismissal at 12:25PM
Thursday, May 14 | 5:30-7:30PM
Steering Committee Meeting
Wednesday, May 20 | 6-8PM
Art Show, in the cafeteria
Friday, May 22 | 6:00PM
Family Folk Dance, in the Auditorium
Monday, May 25
NO SCHOOL: Memorial Day observed
Friday, May 29 | 8:45-9:15AM
Kindergarten Concert, in the auditorium
JUNE & SEPTEMBER
Thursday, June 25
Projected last day of school, PROVIDED there are no additional snow days
Tuesday, September 8
First day of school fall 2015 for grades 1-5
Thursday, September 10
First day of school fall 2015 for JK/K
SY2015-16 is posted online at www.cpsd.us >>
See details & full school calendar:
G & P Calendar
|
Graham & Parks School
44 Linnaean St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
School's Website
Main Office: 617.349.6577
School Cancellation Line:
617.349.6513
Tardy/Late Line: 617.349.6577 x125
Contacting G&P Staff
For time sensitive messages, call the main office at 617.349.6577. While staff cannot take phone calls during the day, you can leave a voice message by calling 617.349.6577 and using the classroom number as the extension. Staff members have email addresses as follows: First initial and last name as one word, followed by @cpsd.us. For example, Jane Smith would be [email protected]. Staff members also have mailboxes in the front office where you may leave a note.
Communicate with the G&P Community
Email lists:
ParentLink for official school announcements; these are sent to email addresses on emergency cards.
gp21:
This is a parent-run Yahoo group with discussions of school matters as well as sharing of information and resources. Visit groups.yahoo.com/group/gp21
Steering Committee
Minutes can be viewed on the school website.
|
| |
|
|