A Note from Principal Tony Byers
As improbable as it might seem, November is already upon us. And with it, we welcome brilliant fall foliage, a bracing chill in the air, and parent-teacher conferences. Hear more from Tony >>



C.A.R.E.S Assembly
The theme of this month's assembly was our Graham & Park’s school values, known as C.A.R.E.S. Each first and second grade classroom presented their own unique take on what it means to show our C.A.R.E.S. values throughout the day. Learn more >>



Students Make Fresh Cider
In late October, we had a wonderful week of apple cider pressing in the garden! The apple cider press, apple masher, and many bushels of apples lived at the G&P garden all week. Classes came out to the garden for a thirty minute time slot to wash, cut, and mash apples. Each student had the opportunity to work at each station, to fully see how apple cider is made. As a whole class, we made a big circle around the apple cider press, and took turns cranking the press lower and lower to push all of the juice out of the apples. Classes watched in awe, sometimes cheering, sometimes silently listening, as apple cider dripped out of the apple press and into a pitcher. Everyone politely waited until their whole class had a cup of cider before tasting it. We said a toast together, for something we are thankful for, and then all tasted the cider we made together. It was delicious!



Teacher Spotlight: Wilda Randolph
Dig this Q&A with one of our wonderful kindergarten teachers. Meet Wilda >>



Teacher Spotlight: Jennifer Lavelle
Get to know our super new instructional technology specialist a bit more with this Q&A! Meet Jennifer >>



Get Involved at G&P!
Hear about the different ways to get involved at Graham & Parks – and get updates from our parent groups. 
Read more >>



G&P Coffee Talk: Nov. 13th
Each month, we gather on a Friday morning to exchange information, warm up over coffee and tea, and get to know other G&P parents and staff. Hear more about G&P Coffee Talks >>



Join Us for G&P Market: Nov. 12th
On Thursday, Nov. 12th from 3-5pm, Graham & Parks will team up with the Mayor's Office and Food for Free to offer a free food market! We will stock the G&P Front Lobby with fresh, healthy foods for you and your family to choose from for NO COST!! There will be fresh fruits and veggies, rice, beans, pasta, sauce, cereal, milk, eggs, and more! All you have to do is sign-up, bring grocery bags, and SHOP FOR FREE!

The G&P Market is open to all G&P and K-Lo families! Please look for the flyers in your child's backpack for how to sign up. See you there!

Any questions or to volunteer to help, please contact G&P Family Liaison, Lauren Morse at 617.349.6577 x115 or [email protected].



What is Mix It Up at Lunch Day?
Hear what it is and how we celebrated this special day at G&P! Learn more >>



Bedtime Math:
Five Minutes of Number Fun
Have fun with math at home! Check out Bedtimemath.org for engaging math problems to ponder over with your kids! Parents play a major role in their child’s success at school, just 5 quick minutes of number fun can have enormous benefits for your child’s attitude and aptitude with math. Best of all, each problem has three levels of engagement: Wee Ones, Little Kids, and Big Kids, so families can engage in mathematical thinking and talking together.

Bedtimemath.org also has a free app for iPhone/iPad or Android devices. A new study by the University of Chicago reveals that “within just one school year, kids who did Bedtime Math improved their math achievement on average by three months more than children who didn’t.”

So get your math on!! And stop by the Math Coach’s office (Claire Dahill, Rm. 101A) to share how it’s going.



Family Folk Dance Night! 
Friday, November 6 | 5:30-7:30PM
Marcie Van Cleve will lead us in a culturally diverse set of folk dances that will make you smile and get your blood pumping. The event is completely free and open to all in our wonderful G&P community, thanks to a grant from the Friends of G&P!

–We will be selling pizza for $2/slice, or you can bring your own dinner to eat. 
–There will be a potluck dessert table at 7PM, so please bring a dessert to share!
–The event will be held in the G&P cafeteria and gymnasium.
–Volunteers are needed to help set-up and clean-up for the event! Please contact [email protected] or call/text her at 617.910.6847.
–Are you a musician? Please bring your instrument to play along with Marcie! Give Nora a heads up at the contact info listed above.

One of the things we will be celebrating at this event is the completion of the Friends of G&P Winter Weather Clothing Drive. So please remember to bring in your gently used and outgrown winter clothing items between now and November 6.



In Our Community

Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay is currently enrolling youth in Cambridge, ages 7-12 years old for the Community Based program. With over 60 years of experience fostering professionally supported one-on-one friendships between young people and adult mentors. The organization is working to ensure every child has the support from caring adults that they need for healthy development and success in life. With more than 2,000 kids currently being served, we’re dedicated to being an organization you can trust. 

Support your child’s healthy development and success in life. Enroll your child today. To learn more about finding a Big for your child, visit www.BBBSMB.org or call 617.956.0282.

Leapin' Lizards! Menotomy Musical Theater proudly presents Annie Junior!
Performances will be held at Belmont town Auditorium on Friday, November 20th at 7PM, Saturday, November 21st at 2PM and 7PM and the final performance will be Sunday, November 22nd at 2PM. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2375699

Annie is the perfect family-friendly musical!

19th Annual Cambridge Family Literacy Fun Day
Saturday, November 7 | 10:30AM-2:30PM
Cambridge City Hall, Central Square, 795 Mass Ave.
617.349.6492

FREE event for Cambridge families!
For children pre-K through grade 3.

Children’s activities; free books; Bonaparte the Magician (shows at 1 and 2PM; first come, first serve); sing-a-long; face painting; and more!

Sponsored by: Cambridge Family Literacy Collaborative, which includes: Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge Public Schools – Title 1 Program, Center for Families, and City of Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs.