Kindergarten Art Gallery Breakfast
Our annual Kindergarten Art Gallery breakfast was held on Friday, May 1st. What an amazing sight it was to see so many inspiring and creative sculptures displayed in the Kindergarten wing!

It all started in Ms. Kelley’s class in the early spring. Each kindergarten child was asked to explore a variety of recyclable materials (donated by our wonderful KO families) and then they were asked to imagine what they could create with the pieces. Over several weeks the children worked diligently to attach the pieces together, apply paper maché and then paint their creations. They even gave their projects unique titles!

Our Art Gallery opening was a tremendous success! Families, staff and friends roamed the hallway admiring the creative and unique artwork. Rich and exciting conversations filled the air as our guests explored the work of our Kindergarten artists!

Families were then invited back into the classrooms were they could eat, mingle and observe more colorful artwork displayed in individual rooms. Some classes also decided to sing songs and dance to celebrate the event. It was a fantastic time and we couldn’t be more proud of the amazing Kindergarten artists we have at King Open!

Over the next several weeks more visitors came down the K wing to experience the art. We received so many wonderful compliments. Kindergarten teachers even coordinated special times with their Reading Buddies to explore the sculptures. Our Kindergarten friends felt an extreme sense of pride and truly considered themselves talented artists!

Written by Sonia DaRosa



4th Grade Immigration Breakfast
On Thursday, April 21, families, friends and Social Studies coordinators were invited to the Immigration Breakfast hosted by the fourth grades of Amy Monkiewicz and Caleb Dubofsky. After a gathering in the library to enjoy food and company, guests were seated in Room 112 or 114 to enjoy a variety of plays that reflected the students’ understanding of Who Came to America, Why They Came, and What was it like. Students used historical fiction, non-fiction and primary sources as inspiration for writing their plays. The plays reflected the diversity of the people of America. The scenery was drawn by Anne Read (King Open parent whose daughters were in Amy’s class in ‘91 and ‘92) and painted by students. The songs were quite beautiful and moving. The students were proud of their work and their performance!

3rd Grade Colonial Breakfast
Recently King Open 3rd Graders celebrated their Colonial Breakfast. Turning our River Tables into Colonial Villages, students created models of Colonial buildings and other important features of a Colonial village. Additional projects, blending art and writing, invited visitors to imagine what life was like during Colonial Times. Students also shared with visitors their self-designed maps of Colonial villages. In addition, students celebrated their published informational texts. Congratulations to all the 3rd graders and their respective families!

KO Mission & Vision Statement
KO staff with the help of parents on the KO School Council have worked together to revise the school mission statement. The new mission statement captures in more detail who we are as a school and what we are here to do. The new mission statement is documented below and will inform our work together as we move forward. Thanks to everyone who offered commentary.

KO Mission & Vision Statement
Endorsed by the ILT on 5/14/15
Endorsed by the School Council on 5/20/15
Endorsed by the Full Staff on 6/8/15

The mission of the King Open School is to build an inclusive learning community that supports academic achievement and addresses learning gaps through culturally responsive learning experiences in our monolingual, dual language and specialized classrooms. The principles of social justice guide our work. To advance diversity, equality, and fairness, we confront our varying perspectives of social justice to allow these principles to guide decisions, practices, curriculum and relationships.

Toward this mission, we use the knowledge and expertise of staff, students, and families to create curriculum informed by the Massachusetts State Standards. We coplan differentiated instruction. We include in-depth themes and projects that integrate subject areas and culminate in community events. We strive for the social and emotional growth of each student. Above all, we seek to empower students as active change agents in their communities while developing a lifelong love of learning.