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A Note from Principal Tony Beyers
A recent blog post has been circulating on social media about what first grade readiness looked like in the United States in 1979, as described by the Gesell Institute’s series on human development. Among the key readiness indicators were... Read more >>
A Terrific Staff Appreciation Lunch!
Staff Appreciation Lunch 2015 was a huge success with so many amazing and delicious dishes for the teachers to choose from. Thank you all for being so generous with your food donations! This event gives the teachers a parent-infused boost of support to energize them for the spring and they tell us over and over again how much they cherish this day.
This event could not have happened without the planning and pre-lunch work of Lisa Birk, our flower lady; Erin Miller, our advisor on all things culinary; Nick Bennett, our delivery guy; and Mary-Ann Matyas and Nora Grodzins, our ‘Thank you Banner’ makers! For the lunch we had so many great volunteers! Thanks to Deb Morse, Connie Chen, Julia Zhu, Sue Tierney, Violet Mullin, Nora Grodzins, Corolina de Sola, Sharon Mombru, Stephanie Groll, Sarah Smith, Gaini Yussupova, Mary-Ann Matyas, Johanna Wendelin, Evelyn Brogan, Ismartilah Drummond, Shani Padou, Elad Shelly, Lijie Zhu, Aniko Baconyi, Kris Dickson, and Emily Newmann. Some parents came early and gave us an hour before work, others came late and tackled dish clean-up and others stayed all day and then came back to help with leftovers. G&P parents are awesome and when we work together we have a great time getting a lot done!
Finally, many thanks to our sponsors—to Whole Foods who gave us a generous gift of $250 for all our cold cuts and cheeses, to Iggy’s who gave us bags of their fresh bread, and to Trader Joe’s who supplied the flowers. This was a community effort that celebrated our community and we appreciate everyone’s participation. Thank you!
Parent Focus Groups
A great opportunity to speak with Principal Tony Byers and share your experiences at Graham & Parks.
DATES:
Monday, April 6 | 10:00-11:00 AM
Wednesday, April 15 | 6:00-7:00 PM
LOCATION:
Graham & Parks School, in Principal Tony Byers' Office
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.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Begin in April
Your child's teacher will be contacting you to make an appointment. If you attended Judy Lazrus' "Getting the Most out of Parent/Teacher Communications" parent coffee this past October, this is a great time to review your notes. If not, check out this link: http://bitly.com/PT_Conferences. It is from the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and has tips for how to prepare for and follow up on parent/teacher conferences.
Summer Camp Info
From seeing what's out there to getting help with registration forms to helping fund summer camp for a child in need – we've got it all here. Read more >>
Around Our School
Friendly Reminders
Please Enter G&P Using the Front Door
For the safety and security of our students and staff, please do not ask students or staff to open the side doors. Enter through the front door, and...
Please Check-in!
All parents and visitors, please check into the main office before you go anywhere in the building.
Thank you!
G&P Steering Committee Elections!
Elections for the five parent representatives on the G&P Steering Committee will be held in May. Please consider running! This is your chance to have an impact on the educational and social experience not only of your child, but of all students at G&P. The Steering Committee is the governing body of Graham and Parks and functions much like the Board of a corporate or non-profit organization. It is composed of 5 elected parents, 5 elected teachers/staff, the administrative leadership of our school, and a community member. It is empowered to make decisions on policy issues that affect the school directly. The Steering Committee’s goal is to promote the continuous development of G&P as a progressive, child-centered school and to provide both parents and staff a voice in the governance of the school.
Role of the Steering Committee (SC):
- Monitors student achievement and school environment and culture;
- Provides feedback on the School Improvement Plan;
- Provides feedback on the allocation of School Improvement Funds;
- Oversees selection of hiring committees;
- Votes on significant changes to school policies and operations (which are not governed by the district);
- Addresses school and district related issues as they affect Graham and Parks;
- Solicits parents’ opinions in important topics and keeps parents informed about issues coming before the Steering Committee.
For more information visit the Steering Committee web page under Parent Activities on the G&P web site. If you are interested in getting involved please contact Family Liaison Judy Amendola by April 17th. Email [email protected] or call 617-349-6577 x115.
Lost & Found is OVERFLOWING!
Please come collect your coats, boots, hats, mittens before end of day on April 15th. After this date, we will be donating remaining items to charity.
Spring FCEP Family Pot Luck &
"American Dream" Celebration
for all G&P 2nd & 4th Grade Families
Wednesday, April 15 | 6:00-7:30 PM | G&P Cafeteria
The 4th graders of G&P have been studying the regions of the United States, immigration to the United States, and the American Dreams of people in the U.S. throughout history. They look forward to sharing their studies and learning more about the American Dreams of FCEP participants during a night of art, dance, stories, games, and food!
Please bring a dish to share based on your last initials.
A-F: Side Dishes | G-P: Main Dishes | Q-Z: Desserts
This event is for all FCEP families and G&P 2nd & 4th graders and their families.
Friends of Graham & Parks News
Find out what we've been up to lately...and how you can get involved. Learn more >>
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G&P CALENDAR
APRIL
Wednesday, April 1: Street cleaning resumes. Be sure to read parking signs!
Learn more >>
Friday, April 3: NO SCHOOL: Good Friday observed.
Monday, April 6 | 8:30-9:30AM: Friends of G&P Fundraising Meeting in the front lobby.
Monday, April 6 | 10-11AM: Parent Focus Group. In Principal Tony's office at G&P.
Tuesday, April 7 | 5-7PM: Poetry & Pastry — a family night of poetry in various locations throughout the school. Signs will be posted in the front lobby.
Wednesday, April 8 | 8:30-9:15AM: Parent Info Coffee: 5th Grade Transition with Principals Jamel Adkins-Sharif and Tony Byers. Following at 9:15 - Information on summer camp for parents of 5th graders rising to 6th grade.
Thursday, April 9 | 5:30-7:30PM: Steering Committee Meeting, all parents welcome.
Friday, April 10 | 8:45-10AM: FCEP First Friday Coffee (a week later than usual) Bourbon Cafe in Porter Exchange Building. Mass Ave., Porter Sq.
Wednesday, April 15 | 6-7:30PM: 2nd & 4th Grade & FCEP Families — Pot Luck Dinner & American Dream Expedition Interactive Activities. G&P Cafeteria. Siblings are invited.
Wednesday, April 15 | 6-7PM: Parent Focus Group, in Principal Tony's office at G&P.
Friday, April 17: Deadline to let family liaison Judy Amendola know you are interested in running for Steering Committee.
Monday, April 20—Friday, April 24: NO SCHOOL: April Vacation.
Looking ahead...
MAY
Monday, May 4—Tuesday, May 26: MCAS Math & STE Test window, grades 3-5.
Friday, May 8: Steering Committee Candidates Statement due to family liaison.
Friday, May 8 | 6-8PM: TRIAD Party for rising 5th graders from G&P, Haggerty, and Tobin Schools. Russell Youth Community Center, 680 Huron Ave. Details to come in flyers.
Monday, May 11 | 2:50PM: JK/K Open House by invitation to newly enrolled parents and JK/K students. Printed invitations will be sent out two weeks prior.
Wednesday, May 13: EARLY RELEASE DAY, dismissal at 12:25PM.
Thursday, May 14 | 5:30-7:30PM: Steering Committee Meeting.
Friday, May 15 | 8:15-9:15AM: Steering Committee Candidates Coffee, in the lobby.
Wednesday, May 20 | 6-8PM: Art Show in the cafeteria.
Monday, May 25: NO SCHOOL: Memorial Day observed.
Friday, May 29 | 8:45-9:15AM: Kindergarten Concert in the auditorium. Families invited. Coffee/tea will be served in the lobby prior to concert.
JUNE
Tuesday, June 2 | 6:30PM: Grade 5 Instrumental Concert - Evening performance at CRLS! Grade 5 Instrumental students from G&P, Haggerty, MLK, and Morse will perform in an evening concert. Students rehearse 6-6:30PM.
Monday, June 8AM-12PM: BOOK FAIR. Family Night date to be determined.
Thursday, June 25: Projected last day of school, PROVIDED no additional snow days.
SEPTEMBER on...
SY2015-16 is posted online at www.cpsd.us >>
See details & full school calendar:
G & P Calendar
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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.
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