February 3, 2016

2/4/16 Daily Bulletin

Shout Out

Shout out to Waverly Kidd for coordinating and organizing ACCESS Testing for K-8. This is a HUGE job and responsibility. We appreciate her regular communication, organization and support during this challenging testing window. Thank you for going above and beyond the call of duty to support our English Language Learners!

Shout out to Melanie Bourgeault and the students from Heide Signes and Nelly Rivera's classes for putting on a great performance yesterday. They are truly loving participating in music instruction. Here is a clip for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!


Uniform Survey

Our yearly uniform surveys will go home with students tomorrow in both Spanish and English. We are asking staff to collect these forms and encourage students to return them. We are also asking staff to complete these forms for feedback as well. Please bring all completed forms to Madeline or Kathy by 3/3/16.

Teach Plus Course

Teach Plus course are returning this spring and we strongly encourage staff to participate. The course being offered at the Curley specifically focus on areas we are discussing with the ILT and align with our school goals and the Instructional Focus (Teachers will vary demands and resources to optimize challenge in writing task to support students in expressing a clear, organized idea). Curley staff will get preference on seats in these course and we hope you take advantage of this either individually or as a team.
Course offerings are listed below. Visit our website for course descriptions.
Interested in facilitating a course in May? Click here to apply now.

Dates: Thursdays from 4:30pm - 7:30pm, March 10, March 24, March 31, April 7, and April 14. Dinner provided.  
  • Harnessing the Power of Centers and Student Choice in the Early Childhood Classroom
  • UDL: Varying Demands and Optimizing Challenge (Grades 1-5)
  • Empowering Students to Speak: Text Based Discussions and Debates in the Secondary Classroom
  • Breaking Down the Standards for Mathematical Practice to Make the Shift (Grades 5-8)
  • Strategies for supporting English Language Learners and Special Education Students in Writing 
  • Critical Thinking and Writing Through Non-Fiction Literature: A Methods and Materials-Sharing Course
Dates: Tuesdays from 4:30pm - 7:30pm, March 8, March 15, March 22, March 29, and April 5. Dinner provided.
  • Effectively Teaching English Language Learners
  • Determining Student Mastery of Math Content Standards (Grades 3-8)
  • Revitalizing ELA Instruction Through Cognitively Demanding Tasks (Grades 3-8)
  • Implementing Project-Based Work and CCSS in the Early Childhood Classroom
  • Applying the Common Core to Diverse Learners: Differentiating to Include All Students
    TBD starting the week of March 7, 4:30pm - 7:30pm, Dinner provided. 
    • Making Students Rational - Helping Students Develop Robust Understanding of Fractions (Grades 3-8)
    • Implementing Cognitively Demanding Math Tasks in the Secondary Classroom
    Questions?
    Please contact Sasha Zuflacht, Massachusetts Program and Policy Coordinator, at szuflacht@teachplus.org with any questions.

    Jumpathon

    Mr. Righini will lead the Jumpathon on Feb. 23rd from 10:30-11:30am in lower gym, students in grades 1-6 can raise money for the American Heart Association. This year we are being sponsored by a company called ARCLIGHT.  They are donating $250 for Physical Education supplies. See Mr. R for forms and details.

    Staff Social

    The Climate Team has decided to hold the staff social NEXT FRIDAY (pay day AND the day before February vacation). It will be at Costello's Tavern, 723 Centre St, at 3pm. The Climate Team will be purchasing some appetizers with left over party money! Bring cash as they do not take cards. We look forward to seeing you there on February 12th. 

    Curley Shares

    We will hold our February Curley Shares on Thursday, February 4th. Below is a reminder of the schedule for the day:
    • 2nd/7th 8:45-9:30 - Redden, Silverstein, Higginbottom, Burke, Mountain, DaSilva, Clark, Mylett, 7A, 7B, 7F, 8F
    • K0&K1/4th 10:10-10:40 - Cullen, Goldstein, Merdkhanian, Maiden, Mitchell, Chisholm, Guzman, Pradas, Tefera, Wright, Javaloyes
    • 1st/6th 11:15-12:00 - Ciardi, Banks, Craman, Kidd, 6A, 6B, 6C, Quarterson
    • K2/5th 12:00-12:40 - Solimini, Cronin, Smith, Shea, Rand, Daly, Moran, Quatrale, Davis, Iatrou, Mundo
    • 3rd/8th 1:25-2:10 - Ferguson, Petmezis, Signes, Rivera, 8A, 8B, 6G, 7G, 8G

    Middle School Dance

    Valentine's Dance for Curley students in grades 6-8 on Friday, February 12, 2016 from 1:05 to 2:10 pm in the gym. Cost: $3.00.  Homeroom teachers will get wristbands on Wednesday, February 10.  Each team must send at least one chaperone per 30 students. Chaperones will supervise the students in the gym. The proceeds of the sale of wristbands will be used to pay for the buses for the end of the school year trip to Canobie Lake. Each team will keep the money. Each team will determine which students will attend the event. Feel free to contact Maria Amy-Moreno for questions and/or suggestions.

    Bulletin Boards

    All bulletin board have been installed!!!! (FINALLY). All bulletin boards must be updated across the school by Friday, February 5th and must have this attached document displayed describing what is posted. We are giving a one week extension to accommodate time for the new boards to be installed. Thank you for all your patience around this matter.

    Term 2 Grading Window for 6-12

    The term 2 grading window for students in grades 6-12 will open from January 21st to February 4th. Reminder: After entering or editing term grades in the scores tab, teachers must click Post Grades to write the grades to the report cards. Grades will be saved as you enter them but they will not appear on the report cards until you click Post Grades.

    BAS Testing K-2

    The winter benchmark window is now open through February 26th.  Teachers in K2-2 should administer the BAS for students who are reading below the current grade level instructional expectations.  Instructional level expectations for the middle of the year are as follows: Kindergarten - C, Grade 1 - G, Grade 2 - L.  It is expected that teachers will change the data board at the end of this window to assure it reflects the most up to date data.

    February 2, 2016

    2/3/16 Daily Bulletin

    Shout Out

    Shout out to Rane Baldwin for leading the Curley Debate Team. She helped to coach 6th grader Georgia Kogut to a 3rd place win in the Novice Division at last weeks meet. Thanks!

    Shout out to Alissa Ferro, Adrian Ward-Jackson, David Diaz and Sue Trotz for helping a student in need. We appreciate your team approach and willingness to do whatever it takes to support our students. Thanks!

    Teach Plus Course

    Teach Plus course are returning this spring and we strongly encourage staff to participate. The course being offered at the Curley specifically focus on areas we are discussing with the ILT and align with our school goals and the Instructional Focus (Teachers will vary demands and resources to optimize challenge in writing task to support students in expressing a clear, organized idea). Curley staff will get preference on seats in these course and we hope you take advantage of this either individually or as a team.
    Course offerings are listed below. Visit our website for course descriptions.
    Interested in facilitating a course in May? Click here to apply now.

    Dates: Thursdays from 4:30pm - 7:30pm, March 10, March 24, March 31, April 7, and April 14. Dinner provided.  
    • Harnessing the Power of Centers and Student Choice in the Early Childhood Classroom
    • UDL: Varying Demands and Optimizing Challenge (Grades 1-5)
    • Empowering Students to Speak: Text Based Discussions and Debates in the Secondary Classroom
    • Breaking Down the Standards for Mathematical Practice to Make the Shift (Grades 5-8)
    • Strategies for supporting English Language Learners and Special Education Students in Writing 
    • Critical Thinking and Writing Through Non-Fiction Literature: A Methods and Materials-Sharing Course
    Dates: Tuesdays from 4:30pm - 7:30pm, March 8, March 15, March 22, March 29, and April 5. Dinner provided.
    • Effectively Teaching English Language Learners
    • Determining Student Mastery of Math Content Standards (Grades 3-8)
    • Revitalizing ELA Instruction Through Cognitively Demanding Tasks (Grades 3-8)
    • Implementing Project-Based Work and CCSS in the Early Childhood Classroom
    • Applying the Common Core to Diverse Learners: Differentiating to Include All Students
    TBD starting the week of March 7, 4:30pm - 7:30pm, Dinner provided. 
    • Making Students Rational - Helping Students Develop Robust Understanding of Fractions (Grades 3-8)
    • Implementing Cognitively Demanding Math Tasks in the Secondary Classroom

    Questions?
    Please contact Sasha Zuflacht, Massachusetts Program and Policy Coordinator, at szuflacht@teachplus.org with any questions.

    Jumpathon

    Mr. Righini will lead the Jumpathon on Feb. 23rd from 10:30-11:30am in lower gym, students in grades 1-6 can raise money for the American Heart Association. This year we are being sponsored by a company called ARCLIGHT.  They are donating $250 for Physical Education supplies. See Mr. R for forms and details.

    ILT

    ILT meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 3rd from 3:00pm-4:15pm in room 111 in the Upper School. All staff are welcome to attend.

    Staff Social

    We will host our monthly staff social this Friday at 4pm at Canary Square. We hope to see you there!

    Curley Shares

    We will hold our February Curley Shares on Thursday, February 4th. Below is a reminder of the schedule for the day:
    • 2nd/7th 8:45-9:30 - Redden, Silverstein, Higginbottom, Burke, Mountain, DaSilva, Clark, Mylett, 7A, 7B, 7F, 8F
    • K0&K1/4th 10:10-10:40 - Cullen, Goldstein, Merdkhanian, Maiden, Mitchell, Chisholm, Guzman, Pradas, Tefera, Wright, Javaloyes
    • 1st/6th 11:15-12:00 - Ciardi, Banks, Craman, Kidd, 6A, 6B, 6C, Quarterson
    • K2/5th 12:00-12:40 - Solimini, Cronin, Smith, Shea, Rand, Daly, Moran, Quatrale, Davis, Iatrou, Mundo
    • 3rd/8th 1:25-2:10 - Ferguson, Petmezis, Signes, Rivera, 8A, 8B, 6G, 7G, 8G

    ACCESS

    Tomorrow we will continue with ACCESS speaking in all grades. All people who are testing need to complete the speaking assessment by Wednesday February 3rd. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Waverly. Attached you will find the list of students whose homeroom they are in and who will be testing them. Thank you again.

    Middle School Dance

    Valentine's Dance for Curley students in grades 6-8 on Friday, February 12, 2016 from 1:05 to 2:10 pm in the gym. Cost: $3.00.  Homeroom teachers will get wristbands on Wednesday, February 10.  Each team must send at least one chaperone per 30 students. Chaperones will supervise the students in the gym. The proceeds of the sale of wristbands will be used to pay for the buses for the end of the school year trip to Canobie Lake. Each team will keep the money. Each team will determine which students will attend the event. Feel free to contact Maria Amy-Moreno for questions and/or suggestions.

    Bulletin Boards

    All bulletin board have been installed!!!! (FINALLY). All bulletin boards must be updated across the school by Friday, February 5th and must have this attached document displayed describing what is posted. We are giving a one week extension to accommodate time for the new boards to be installed. Thank you for all your patience around this matter.

    Term 2 Grading Window for 6-12

    The term 2 grading window for students in grades 6-12 will open from January 21st to February 4th. Reminder: After entering or editing term grades in the scores tab, teachers must click Post Grades to write the grades to the report cards. Grades will be saved as you enter them but they will not appear on the report cards until you click Post Grades.

    BAS Testing K-2

    The winter benchmark window is now open through February 26th.  Teachers in K2-2 should administer the BAS for students who are reading below the current grade level instructional expectations.  Instructional level expectations for the middle of the year are as follows: Kindergarten - C, Grade 1 - G, Grade 2 - L.  It is expected that teachers will change the data board at the end of this window to assure it reflects the most up to date data.

    February 1, 2016

    2/2/16 Daily Bulletin

    Shout Out

    Shout out to Meg Nason, Laura Shea, Cara Hins and Genet Mehari for organizing the Curley Holiday Party! It was great to mingle with colleagues and catch up on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness! We appreciate how much you value the important of a positive adult climate at our school! Thanks! (This is a reprint shout out because we missed some of the organizers names. We are sorry for that and it was unintentional. Thanks to the staff for letter us know!)

    Shout out to Charles Tewksbury for his support of our middle school students. One 8th grader reported today that the best part of his week is intervention with Mr. Tewksbury and followed up by saying, "He is one cool dude." Thanks for caring about our students!

    Shout out to Kristen Mitchell for supporting a family as they transition their 3 year old to school. The mother reported that she was scared to send her son to school however after meeting with Ms. Mitchell and observing her class she knows that her son will excel here! She went on to mention that she did her homework about this school and heard only positive feedback however, after today, we have exceeded those expectations! Thanks for caring about our families!

    Health and Wellness

    Health and Wellness meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 2nd from 7:30am-8:15am in room 208 in the Upper School. All staff are welcome to attend.

    ILT

    ILT meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 3rd from 3:00pm-4:15pm in room 111 in the Upper School. All staff are welcome to attend.

    Staff Social

    We will host our monthly staff social this Friday at 4pm at Canary Square. We hope to see you there!

    Curley Shares

    We will hold our February Curley Shares on Thursday, February 4th. Below is a reminder of the schedule for the day:
    • 2nd/7th 8:45-9:30 - Redden, Silverstein, Higginbottom, Burke, Mountain, DaSilva, Clark, Mylett, 7A, 7B, 7F, 8F
    • K0&K1/4th 10:10-10:40 - Cullen, Goldstein, Merdkhanian, Maiden, Mitchell, Chisholm, Guzman, Pradas, Tefera, Wright, Javaloyes
    • 1st/6th 11:15-12:00 - Ciardi, Banks, Craman, Kidd, 6A, 6B, 6C, Quarterson
    • K2/5th 12:00-12:40 - Solimini, Cronin, Smith, Shea, Rand, Daly, Moran, Quatrale, Davis, Iatrou, Mundo
    • 3rd/8th 1:25-2:10 - Ferguson, Petmezis, Signes, Rivera, 8A, 8B, 6G, 7G, 8G

    ACCESS

    Tomorrow we will continue with ACCESS speaking in all grades. All people who are testing need to complete the speaking assessment by Wednesday February 3rd. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Waverly. Attached you will find the list of students whose homeroom they are in and who will be testing them. Thank you again.

    Middle School Dance

    Valentine's Dance for Curley students in grades 6-8 on Friday, February 12, 2016 from 1:05 to 2:10 pm in the gym. Cost: $3.00.  Homeroom teachers will get wristbands on Wednesday, February 10.  Each team must send at least one chaperone per 30 students. Chaperones will supervise the students in the gym. The proceeds of the sale of wristbands will be used to pay for the buses for the end of the school year trip to Canobie Lake. Each team will keep the money. Each team will determine which students will attend the event. Feel free to contact Maria Amy-Moreno for questions and/or suggestions.

    Bulletin Boards

    All bulletin board have been installed!!!! (FINALLY). All bulletin boards must be updated across the school by Friday, February 5th and must have this attached document displayed describing what is posted. We are giving a one week extension to accommodate time for the new boards to be installed. Thank you for all your patience around this matter.

    Term 2 Grading Window for 6-12

    The term 2 grading window for students in grades 6-12 will open from January 21st to February 4th. Reminder: After entering or editing term grades in the scores tab, teachers must click Post Grades to write the grades to the report cards. Grades will be saved as you enter them but they will not appear on the report cards until you click Post Grades.

    BAS Testing K-2

    The winter benchmark window is now open through February 26th.  Teachers in K2-2 should administer the BAS for students who are reading below the current grade level instructional expectations.  Instructional level expectations for the middle of the year are as follows: Kindergarten - C, Grade 1 - G, Grade 2 - L.  It is expected that teachers will change the data board at the end of this window to assure it reflects the most up to date data.