What's Up @ G&P: May 2016
Published on May 10, 2016 16:58

  May 2016
Need this newsletter translated? Please contact the Bilingual/World Languages Dept. at 617.349.6468. Questions about the G&P newsletter? Please contact [email protected].
flowers rain

A Note from Principal Tony Byers
April showers bring May…well, more showers, I suppose. May has gotten off to a gloomy start, at least in terms of the weather. But while the skies are gray, things remain sunny inside Graham and Parks, even in the middle of PARCC testing. Hear more from Tony >>

poetry

Celebrating National Poetry Month at G&P
Graham and Parks students and staff love poetry! During the month of April, our whole school community listened to, wrote, and read poems together. Learn more >> 

heather

Spotlight on Heather Elgin
Find out more about our wonderful literacy interventionist at G&P! Read on >>

chef

Spotlight on Chef Glenn
Get to know our awesome chef/manager with this Q&A! Read more >>

market

G&P Market
The G&P Market received special help in April from some very enthusiastic volunteers from Room JK105! Every month, our G&P Market is getting bigger and better. Please stop by the next market to see for yourself! All are welcome, regardless of need. The food is free, fresh, and helpful for everyone! Have an hour or two on Thursday, May 12th to help out? Please let us know! We need help setting up the market, welcoming families, and cleaning up. Plus, it’s fun! Contact Lauren to sign up: [email protected] or 617.349.6577 x115.

reading

Reading Fiends!
MCBA – the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award program – is always a big deal at Graham & Parks. Every year, our 4th and 5th graders join others across the state, reading from a varied list of 25 books and voting for their favorite. The winning book is announced at a pizza party in the library. Fourth grade participation was strong – 18 students – but this year’s 5th graders were complete reading fiends. 34 kids – over 70% of the 5th grade – read at least five books and voted. Even more amazing: 12 students, two 4th graders and TEN 5th graders, read all 25 books on the list! It was so exciting to witness students’ enthusiasm about reading and discussing all these books. Congratulations, everyone. See more photos >> 

dance

Dance in the Schools
March is the month of dance. Many classrooms at our school participated in dance in the schools during the month of March (and some in April). We focused our time on body awareness and teamwork. We love working with our dance in the schools instructor each year! As part of the Dance in the Schools program, the 4th graders got to learn about Chinese Dance (see photo above). This connected nicely to their expedition on the American Dream and their study of Chinese migration to the West. 

origami

How-To Books
The launch of Room 108’s procedural writing unit: “How-To Books” included visits from four parents who came in to run workshops, teaching the students how to do different things. The workshops were origami, bracelet making, making chocolate balls, and thinking like an architect. The children experienced the type of clear and specific directions that make for good learning experiences, so that they could apply this knowledge in their writing. The children are now writing books about drawing, riding a horse, reading a word, making a snowman, making a pizza, brushing your teeth, playing chess, playing basketball, and making an ice cream sundae. Room 108 would like to thank Eva Ferreras, Naomi Darom, Eunji Bang, and Belinda Tato.

coffee

G&P Coffee Talk
Please join us for our next G&P Parent Coffee Talk on Friday, May 13 at 8:30AM in the Library. This month, we will hear from ELA Coach Kathy Greeley and Math Coach Claire Dahill about how YOU can help “Support your Summer Star and Stop the Summer Slide.” Summer is an exciting time for kids and families. It is a time to get outside, spend time with family and friends, and a have a change of routine. Even during this break from school, however, kids can still be learning! In fact, students who continue to use their minds well during the summer return to school with a real advantage - they’ve beaten the Summer Slide! On the other hand, students who do not read and practice math skills can lose two to three months in their achievement. These students often come back to school and have a hard time keeping up with their schoolwork. As a parent or guardian, your role in supporting their reading and practicing math over the summer is crucial! We hope you can join us to get some tips on expanding learning over the summer. Together we can help students continue to grow and learn over the summer and return to school ready to keep shooting for the stars!

volunteers

Get Involved at G&P!

G&P Steering Committee Elections are Coming Soon!
This is a quick update on the Steering Committee Elections. In order to encourage more parents to get involved, we have pushed the elections back a few weeks so that anyone considering getting involved can attend the May 12th meeting to see what it is like. This is a great opportunity for YOU to come by and see it for your yourself. We are a friendly committee of parents, staff and the administration who talk about our budget, the School Improvement Plan, parent concerns and questions and much more. Please stop by if you have any interest! The meeting is Thursday, May 12th from 5:30-7:30PM. Pizza and childcare provided, just let Lauren know if you need childcare.

What do I have to do to become a candidate for the Steering Committee?
–Contact Lauren Morse, G&P Family Liaison to discuss your interest in becoming a candidate by MAY 13TH. You can contact her by email ([email protected]), phone (617.349.6577 x115) or stop by her office, next to the Nurse’s office. 
–If you can, attend the next Steering Committee meeting on Thursday, May 12th at 5:30PM to see what they are like. 
–Write a very short statement about why you are running, due May 13th. If you have any concerns about writing the statement, don’t worry, parents volunteers have offered to help!
–Come to a Candidate's Coffee Talk on May 18th at 8:30AM so other parents can meet you.
–Elections will be May 23rd through 27th. 
–On Thursday, June 2nd, the last Steering Committee Meeting of the year will include current and newly-elected representatives.

Any questions, contact Lauren Morse at 617.349.6577 x115 or [email protected] or current G&P Steering Committee co-chair, Mary-Ann Matyas at [email protected].

G&P Art Show Volunteers Needed! 
G&P is holding its second annual art show, featuring the artwork of all its students! We need parent volunteers to help mount, label, and set up the show in the days leading up to the event, and most importantly, on the day of the show itself. Thank you for considering this volunteer opportunity. It is much appreciated by Liana Trail (G&P Art Specialist) and the G&P Arts Committee! To volunteer, please go to: http://doodle.com/poll/4mqtndvqr2iannna

FCEP Update 
Family Cultural Exchange Program (FCEP) will be having a picnic in Raymond Park (corner of Upland & Raymond St) on June 4 from 4 to 6PM. Everyone is welcome. Please bring your own picnic meal, or just come and play. Rain date will be June 5th from 4 to 6PM.

Linnaean Community School Updates 
–Looking forward to our annual Piano and Drumming recital: Everyone welcome! Thursday, June 16th, 7PM. 
–Early Release: Wednesday, May 18th: 12:25-3:15. Curious Creatures will be the event. 
–Continuing to register for Camp Seafaring! Openings for ages 7-11. June 27th-August 12th, minimum of 2 weeks. For information, call 617.349.6267.

Graham & Parks Elementary School Trivia Night
Saturday, May 14 | 4-6:30PM | G&P Gymnasium
Trivia: 4-5:30PM; Pizza for Sale: 5:30-6:30PM

 The Friends of Graham and Parks is organizing a Trivia Night! Trivia Night is a fun and educational activity that is free and open to all G&P families. Kids will play on teams answering trivia questions designed especially for our G&P children, and read aloud by our own Principal, Tony Byers. Trivia participants will enjoy competing with their friends in a relaxed environment, and the winning teams will go away with a small prize for their efforts. Bleacher seating in the gymnasium will be available so that families can come and cheer on the participants. The Trivia game will take place from 4-5:30. Pizza will be available for sale afterwards from 5:30-6:30. Families can buy pizza or bring their own picnic dinner to enjoy while gathering to chat and congratulate all of the teams for their participation. Trivia questions will be fun, engaging, educational questions that highlight information our children are actively learning in their classrooms. Questions will also reflect cultural trivia in acknowledgement of the diverse community of Gen Ed and SEI families represented at G&P, as well as popular trivia the kids should find entertaining. If you have any questions about this event, please feel free to contact Kris ([email protected]) or ask any of the other Friends of Graham and Parks members (Sarah Smith, Trevor Dickie, Anna Henchman, Ena Valenzuela, Liza Tague & Mary-Ann Matyas).

All the best, 
Kris (Mom to JKer Adam and 1st grader Makenzie)
on behalf of the Friends of G&P
 
You're Invited!
5th Grade Beginner Strings and Band Concert
Tuesday, June 7 
The Fitzgerald Theatre @ CRLS
REHEARSAL: 6-6:30PM 
PERFORMANCE BEGINS: 6:30PM
–Schools participating: Morse School, Haggerty School, Graham and Parks School, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School.
–Concert dress required: Black or white on top, black on bottom.
–Please plan to have students arrive 10-15 minutes early for REHEARSAL so that they have time to set up.


G&P CALENDAR
See full calendar online >> 

G&P Market
Thursday, May 12; 2:30-4:30PM
  
All are welcome! Please stop by for FREE vegetables, fruits, and helpful staples like pasta, cereal and more. This market for all G&P families, staff and community! If you are able to volunteer, please call Lauren at 617.349.6577 x115.

G&P Steering Committee 
Thursday, May 12; 5:30-7:30PM
  
Considering being a candidate for the Steering Committee? Want to see what these meetings are all about? Please come by and see for yourself! Each month we talk about school policies, our School Improvement Plan, the budget and more. Childcare and dinner provided - just let Lauren know if you need childcare. 617.349.6577 x115.

Parent Coffee Talk
Friday, May 13; 8:30AM
 
Preventing Summer Slide - What you can do to support your student over the summer! Join us for coffee and stay for the conversation. Hope to see you there!

G&P Trivia Night!
Saturday, May 14; 4-6:30PM
Please join us in the gymnasium for a fun and educational activity that is FREE and OPEN to all G&P Families! Kids will play on teams answering trivia questions designed specifically for G&P students, or read aloud by Principal Tony Byers. The Trivia Game will be from 4-5:30PM and pizza will be available for sale from 5:30-6:30PM. Families can also bring their own picnic dinner. More info on left.

Candidate Coffee Hour 
Wednesday, May 18; 8:30AM

Please stop by the Main Lobby during drop off to meet the candidates for Steering Committee!

Early Release Day 
Wednesday, May 18

Students will be dismissed at 12:25PM. Students who ride the bus will arrive 2 hours prior to their normal bus stop time.

JK/Kindergarten Music Concert 
Friday, May 20; 8:45-9:15AM
 
Parents invited! Please join us for this sweet event in the Auditorium!

G&P Art Show 
Wednesday, May 25; 4-7PM


NO SCHOOL: Memorial Day
May 30


Save the Dates: 
Mark these in your calendar for June!


–FCEP will be having a picnic in Raymond Park (corner of Upland and Raymond St) on Saturday, June 4 from 4 to 6PM. Everyone is welcome. Please bring your own picnic meal, or just come and play. Rain date will be Sunday, June 5th from 4 to 6PM.

–The LAST Friends of G&P Meeting of the year will be Monday, June 6! Please join us if you can!

–5th Grade Beginner Band and Strings Concert will be on Tuesday, June 7 at the Fitzgerald Theatre at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. Join families from the Graham & Parks, Morse, Haggerty, and King Schools. More info on left.  

IN OUR COMMUNITY
Get the scoop on what's going on in Cambridge! Learn more >>
 
THE BOOK FAIR IS COMING!
Book Fair: June 7-10
Family Night: June 9

The annual Graham & Parks Book Fair is just around the corner. Our very own pop-up children's bookstore in the school lobby! The book fair raises money for the school library, buys books for every classroom, and provides every student with at least one new book to take home for summer reading. Your support makes it all possible. Watch for further details coming soon.

THANK YOU!!
Thank you to everyone who participated in raising funds for Pennies for Patients. We received $1400 - thanks to everyone who donated!

PARKING REMINDERS
Families should NOT park in the Staff parking lots of Avon St and Walker St. There are very limited parking spots for G&P staff, many of whom do not have a Cambridge Parking Permit. Also, if your car gets blocked in by a teacher, we cannot have them leave the classroom to move their car - so you don’t want to get blocked in! We know parking is tight in this neighborhood but please take the extra minute to find a spot on the street. We would greatly appreciate it. Also, a reminder that Street Cleaning in Cambridge began April 1st! Be careful when parking throughout Cambridge to check the street signs to see when street cleaning will occur. Cars will be towed if they are parked on a street during street cleaning day! For Graham & Parks, Street Cleaning will be on the Odd side of the street on Friday May 20th and on the Even side on May 22nd.

A NOTE FROM THE NURSE
This spring has been tough for anyone with seasonal allergies. Some kids are especially sensitive to the pollen, and the symptoms can distract them from their school work. The health office cannot supply allergy medications (antihistamines, eye drops, nasal sprays). If your child needs medication for his or her allergies, make sure that you give the medication before s/he leaves for school. These medications work best when given regularly. Please do not give your child Benadryl to relieve allergy discomfort. If your child feels especially uncomfortable, talk with your doctor or nurse practitioner about the best way to treat allergy discomfort.

READ AROUND THE WORLD AT G&P!
During the month of May, students at Graham and Parks will be traveling the world through stories! Each student has a passport and a goal of reading at least one book from every continent on earth. The purpose of this initiative is to engage students in stories that provide windows into other people’s lives, and mirror some of the linguistic, geographic, and cultural diversity of the G&P community. All families, particularly international families, can help by sharing books from various countries. We look forward to using windows and mirrors to travel the world!

REMINDER ABOUT PARCC/MCAS DATES
Mark your calendars for this year's testing dates.
Read more >> 


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 >>
  
 
REMINDER FROM THE MAIN OFFICE
Please remember to check in at the Main Office every time you enter the school during the school day (after the second bell rings at 8:25AM and before 2:25PM). This helps ensures everyone's safety. Plus, Mrs. D always loves to say hello! 

Baldwin

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.

 
 
grahamandparks.cpsd.us
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