A Note from Principal Tony Byers
Jodie and I stand at the front door of Graham and Parks at arrival from 7:45 until 8:25, long enough to greet every student who arrives at school by bus, car, bike, or on foot. It’s important for both of us to see every student everyday, even if it’s only for a few seconds. These few seconds are important for welcoming students and families, but they also allow us to get a sense of a student’s general mood and check in with those who might have had a difficult morning or may need help transitioning to school. Hear more from Tony >>



Get Connected!
There are many ways to stay in touch with the G&P Community!! Choose whatever is best for you – or all of them! Learn more >>



November Assembly:
Attitude of Gratitude
Hear how our buckets were filled at our recent assembly! Read more >>



G&P Market
Our first ever G&P Market was a huge success! Our front lobby was filled with gorgeous fresh fruit and vegetables and important staples like pasta and beans. Families left with a hefty bag of free food and smiles on their faces. A big thank you to the Mayor’s Office, Food for Free, and all of the staff and parent volunteers who helped out.

The next market will be Thursday, December 10th from 2:30-5PM. All are welcome. Please stop by! Call Mildrid with any questions: 617.349.6577 x120.



Teacher Spotlight: Jared Lindh
Meet Jared Lindh, our super new third grade teacher, with this Q&A! Read on >>



Staff Spotlight:
Dominique Jean, School Nurse
Take a moment to get to know Dominique, our lovely new school nurse! Learn more >>



Fun with Fundations
You drive up to a stop sign, and your child shouts out, “S, snake, sssss!” What does it mean? Find out >>



Turkey Trot is Tough to Beat
Led by Mr. K, G&P students and teachers celebrated fitness and Thanksgiving with a Turkey Trot in the school yard. Every grade (including Special Start!) ran a circuit for 12 minutes around the G&P playground. There was amazing spirit, perseverance, and support. Huge thanks to all the parents who came out to help: Kris Dickson, Sue Tierney, Suk Hing Lau, Julie Ducar Bennett, Nick Bennett, Lea Lortie, Liza Tague, Missy Holbrook, Barry Unger, Hyung Gau Kim, Shruti Malu, Shirlin, Anne-Marie Fournier, Joanne, Graciela, Helene Sandvad, Eric Andersen, Steve Biel, Ena Valenzuela, Sarah Smith, Chienjung Wang, Shigeki and Shoko Kato, and Samuel Kahsai. Your enthusisam and clapping made all the difference! Special thanks and apologies to parents who kept to the original plan and went to Raymond park and missed the event. The run was such a success that Mr. K plans to hold it in our playground from now on. Fitness fans, see you at Field Day at Raymond Park in June. Thanks!

Hour of Code is Coming!
The third annual Hour of Code is coming to Graham and Parks! During the week of December 7 - 12, students and teachers will celebrate Computer Science Education Week by participating in the Hour of Code, a nation-wide effort to bring more computer science into classrooms. Students at all levels will engage in lessons designed to teach the foundations of computational thinking and encourage them to become creators rather than consumers of media. The tutorials and activities students will begin during these lessons are available for free online and are great opportunities for students to explore the field of computer science. See https://hourofcode.com/files/hoc-one-pager.pdf for more details, and explore activities with your students here https://code.org/learn.



Family Breakfasts Rock!
Family breakfasts are a celebration of G&P's learning community. This is the way that the teachers and students share the work they have completed with the parents and caregivers. Read more >>



G&P Parent Coffee Talk
See these handy tips on successful parent-teacher communication. And, be sure to mark your calendar for the next Parent Coffee Talk on December 11. Read more >>  

Tough Topics – Important Conversations
Given the current climate both globally and in the U.S., we realize many of us will be having difficult conversations with our children. Here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics >>



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 >>



JK/Kindergarten Registration
for G&P Siblings
Do you have a younger child who is ready to start school in Cambridge? If your child was born between September 1, 2011 and March 31st, 2012, your child is eligible for Junior Kindergarten in September 2016. If your younger child will be 5 years old by August 31st, 2016, she or he is eligible for Kindergarten in 2016.

The sibling registration process has been simplified this year. Please contact G&P Family Liaison Lauren Morse to begin the process. Flyers about how to register were sent home in backpacks last week, so let me know if you need one but didn’t get it. Thank you!

Lauren Morse
G&P Family Liaison
617.349.6577
[email protected]