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Greenfield, MA 01301, 413.772.1300 (voice),
413.774.7940 (fax)
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Gr. K-3
Associate Principal: Maureen T. Ryan, M.Ed.
Administrative Assistant: Tami Silk
Senior Elementary Principal: Joan Schell, Ed.D.
2013-2014 Registration
Enroll for Grades 1-3; Enroll for Kindergarten
Newton Newletter-May 2013
(pdf)
Integrated Arts (Music, Arts, Physical Education, & Technology) Newsletter
(pdf)
News from Ms. Ryan
Hello Newton Families,
I want to tell you about our new, FREE program in Greenfield. The program is designed for 4-year-old children (and other children who might come with them) and it is called the Story Hour program. Families with young children are invited to join others at the Newton School library at 9 a.m. every Monday. Please see the information below for times and other locations for the Story Hour program in Greenfield.The children entering kindergarten will benefit greatly from this program by having books at home, being read to by adults, learning vocabulary, and learning to listen. We have wanted to expand our preschool services to families in our community and this is a good place to start. Please tell your neighbors and friends!
Every family takes home a free book every week!
Mondays
9:00 Newton School
10:15 Four Corners School
Tuesdays
9:30 Leyden Woods
Community Center
11:00 Greenfield Gardens Community Center
Thursdays
9:30 Oak Courts Learning Center
11:00 Federal Street School
1:30 Leyden Woods Community Center
Reminders
Newton School PTO
Yay for nice weather (finally)! Earlier this month PTO members and their families spent an afternoon cleaning up the grounds around the circle. It was a lot of work cleaning out all those leaves that wintered over in our shrubs and flower beds! Thanks to everyone who helped out!On May 17th please come to our Spring Dance and Bookfair!
We hope you’ll take advantage of the BUY ONE GET ONE FREE offer on all books so you’ll be prepared for reading over the summer to help prevent the Summer Slump. We will be offering time during the school day for children to shop if they are unable to attend after school.The dance this year will be hosted by Tammy Thompson of Mountain View Dance. Ms. Tammy provides Fun & Fitness classes to our students during the ELT enrichment blocks. It will be a BLAST and hope that you can join us!
On June 1st we will be doing a fundraiser at the Garden Cinemas showing “EPIC.” We hope that you can enjoy this movie with us. More information and fliers will be sent home soon.
On June 14th, we will have our annual Field & Fun Day, and need volunteers! Please consider helping us during this fun event please contact us at newtonpto@gmail.com.
Our final PTO meeting will be June 5th @ 6:00pm. We hope to see you there!!
As always find us online www.newtonpto.weebly.com or call 413-376-8666 to listen to our announcements/leave us a message.
Please turn in your Boxtops by the end of May. The end of the year is coming quickly. Don't forget to continue to clip over the summer! Thanks for your help!
Kindergarten–Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Encarnacao & Ms. Swist
This spring, many of our classroom discussions will focus on seeds, plant growth and how our world changes during this season of rebirth. In an attempt to observe nature more closely, and to appreciate its wonder, all three of our kindergarten classes will be taking field trips to Northfield Mountain. The program called “Where the Sidewalk Ends” provides hands-on activities and sensory exploration using the outdoors as a classroom. Please see the calendar for trip dates.We are very excited and most grateful to the Newton School PTO for funding these trips!
Grade 1– Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Hayes & Ms. Warren
Happy Spring! Did your child do the vacation math challenge and read every day over April vacation? We hope so. We are in the last push approaching the end of the school year. Please remind your child that he/she needs to come to school every day ready to look, listen, and learn! We have so many exciting things planned for a fabulous first grade finish!In language arts, we continue to learn new vowel team patterns, three-letter blending, and increasing reading fluency. In math, we are identifying and learning the values of coins. Coins are an easy and fun thing to practice at home. Looking at and identifying coins while noting their value will support our work at school. All first graders are beginning to work on their end of the year special presentation. We are planning this for May 30th. Details soon...
Grade 2- Ms. Horton & Ms. Weissman
Second grade students are so excited for our upcoming field trip to beautiful Northfield Mountain. We are having fun learning as much as we can about frogs and pond insects to prepare for this trip. If you pass by a pond this spring, explore it with your child! Your son/daughter will be happy to show you around.In math, we are studying clocks and telling time. Students enjoy the satisfaction of learning how to read a clock and are usually willing to show off their new skills. So, instead of checking your watch or phone for the time, ask your child! Ms. Horton's class is in need of materials for an art center. If you have egg cartons, boxes, paper towel tubes, or any interesting and clean materials in your recycling bin at home, please send them in to school.
Grade 3– Mrs. Iacuessa & Mr. Stone
Recently, the third graders took a trip to meet up with their pen pals and to spend a morning at the Greenfield Middle School. Upon returning to Newton School, students were asked what they liked about the trip. Most students said they liked that they had many choices for lunch!! Many students liked meeting their pen pals and now have a connection to the GMS!Currently in math, the third graders are working on fractions and measurement skills preparing for the district test on Chapter 1 – 9. Third graders are sharpening their math skills preparing for Math MCAS on Tuesday, May 14th and Thursday, May 16th. Remember please…get a good night sleep, eat a good breakfast, take your time and do your best!!!
Congratulations to tutors in Mrs. Iacuessa’s class who tutor Ms. Cloutier’s class in math skills….Samra, Lilly, Emmy, Leira and Daniel!!
Congratulations to Mr. Stone’s third graders who received Student of the Week from Tai Kwon Do…Emma, Shadaiah, Tashanique, and Tyler! Students from Mrs. Iacuessa’s class…Felicia and Samra!
Grade 2/3– Ms. Cloutier
I am so pleased to be a member of the Newton School community.I have been the Learning Specialist, serving special needs students in a therapeutic boarding school.
Before that, my husband and I were the founding faculty for the International School Ponte-Noire, in Ponte-Noire, Congo in Africa.
I have also taught in Shutesbury and for Hampshire Educational Collaborative.
I have two sons, who are 2nd and 3rd graders in Deerfield.
I love to spend my time travelling, swimming, boating, hiking and especially cooking. This summer I am going to the Canadian Rockies to hike and swim.
I am thrilled to be the new 2/3 teacher here at Newton School!
A Note from the Nurse:
It is a wonderful thing to donate your old clothes to help others. Please consider donating old, gently used pants, socks, and underwear to the nurse’s office.Also, if you have a student missing any clothing, our lost and found is full of lost items needing to be found. Stop by and check for lost items before they are donated to the nurse.
End of Year Update
June 10th through June 14th. We have a full week of school
June 17th is an Early Release day 11:55 dismissal
June 18th is the last day of school it is an Early Release day 11:55 dismissal
Field Trips
May 2nd
Kindergarten Ms. Swist
Northfield Mountain 8:45-11:15May 3rd
Kindergarten Mrs. Encarnacao
Northfield Mountain 8:45-11:15May 10th
Second Graders
Northfield Mountain 8:45-2:00May 17th
Kindergarten Mrs. Brown
Northfield Mountain 8:45-11:15June 6th
Third Graders
Historic Deerfield 9:15-1:50June 7th
First Graders
Holyoke Children’s Museum 9:15-1:15First in Math
School total: 99,381
We almost have 100,000 stickers
Accelerated Reader Awards!!
Fantastic job!!!!
5 Points: Makena, Samra, Heather
10 Points: Emma, Abbey, Joey, Dinu,
Felicia, Leah
15 Points: Trevor, Makiah, Zachary
20 Points: Trevor
25 Points: Tyler P.
45 Points: Daniel
40, 45, 50, 55, 60 65 Points: Emmanline
55, 60, 65, 70 Points: Phoebe85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110 Points: Talia
As of April 1,268 Accelerated Reader books read
Great Job to the following students who completed their Vacation Math
Kindergarten Mrs. Brown:
Laura, Nataliah, Sabrina, Corbin, Levi, Zachary, Joshua, Jenna, Lillian, MasonKindergarten Mrs. Encarnacao: Liam, Jazmine, Kyra, Alexandria, Henry, Noah, Mackenzie, Kiarah, Allannis, Laura, Patrick
Kindergarten Ms. Swist:
Reneishaly, Xavier, Ronan, Mykaylah, Madeline, Heaven, Savannah, Wilfredo, Jonathan, Jerry, Tyler1st Grade Mrs. Brown:
Jordan, Madeline, Juel, Sabrina, Lily, Madison, Aaron, Kaleb, Tessa, Jaimee1st Grade Mrs. Hayes:
Cameren, Mikaylah, Emy-Elis, Jessica, Christopher, Michelle, Gage, Gabriel, Phoebe, Angelina1st Grade Ms. Warren:
Emani, Neldy, Samara, Julia, Serghei, Dylan, Kayley, Sunelis, Virginia, Sovann, Lydia, Brooklynne, Jackie, Kevyn, Haylee, Samantha2nd Grade Ms. Horton:
Jayson, Heaven, Destiny, Isabella, Kameryn, Eric, Alison, Emma, Riley, Maggy, Julian, Latayvion, Joel2nd Grade Ms. Weissman:
Joseph, Leah, Cassidy, Josephine, Ryan, Brandom, Zaday, Ava, Matthew, Dragos, Karisma2nd and 3rd Grade Mrs. Cloutier:
Anna, Abigail, Angelina, Maverick, Noah, Joseph, Kaylah, Kayla, Alex, Arianna3rd Grade Mrs. Iacuessa:
Eliza, Daniel, Dinu, Heather, Alexandria, Felicia, Leira, Emmaline3rd Grade Mr. Stone:
Talia, Trevor, Gabriel, Billy, Liviu, Tashanique, Marcus, Tyler, Emanuel, Samantha, Jonathan, Brandie, Makena, Tanner
MA Expanded Learning Time Initiative: Farther Reaching than You Think
By Shaunda Lewis on March 26, 2013 - 1:47pm
Shaunda Lewis is a coordinator for Massachusetts 2020. Massachusetts 2020 is a state affiliate of NCTL.The Massachusetts Expanded Learning Time (ELT) Initiative serves 10 districts throughout the Commonwealth, but none as small or remote than the city of Greenfield. Greenfield, which is situated in the northwestern section of the state, is defined by its scenic views. With a majority of the population residing in the “Boston Bubble” it is sometimes difficult to have that small-state sense of community come to life. But, even in the shadow of its resource-rich neighbors to the east, there seems to be no lack of positive energy emanating from the people that live and work in Greenfield; a positive energy that is especially felt amongst its smallest inhabitants and their teachers.
Greenfield, which serves about 2,000 students, has been implementing an expanded school day at its middle school and one of its four elementary schools for the past six years. Both schools were a part of the MA ELT Initiative’s third cohort and have been receiving technical assistance from Massachusetts 2020 since joining the ELT network. Greenfield’s ELT elementary school, Newton School, has responded extremely well to the support they have been receiving, and have made a number of considerable improvements. Newton established a strong instructional focus on comprehension across their expanded school day, and as a result, has increased the percentage of their students proficient or above on the MCAS by nineteen points in ELA and 16 points in Math since 2008. Greenfield being a city where the median household income is about $39,000 doesn’t make it much different from the other districts the MA ELT initiative supports, but what does set it apart is the limited amount of resources its schools are able to utilize. The combination of these two characteristics, plus the fact that about seventy-two percent of Newton’s students qualify for free or reduced lunch, makes it amazing to see the level of improvement the school has made over this short amount of time. While improvements in data and instructional practices at the schools our organization supports is great to see on paper, and hear of from others, nothing is as priceless as being able to see that improvement in action.
In between the full-day technical assistance workshops Massachusetts 2020 holds for its MA ELT schools, clusters of school teams gather together for cross-school sharing in their improvement efforts. I recently had a chance to visit Newton Elementary School, with the four other elementary schools that the ELT initiative supports, when they hosted the Elementary Cluster Meeting. We were there to witness first-hand why Newton has had such success in implementing their expanded school day. The first thing I noticed when walking through the front doors is that there are no shortage of warm greetings and smiling faces from both faculty and students. Even with a high level of structure in place, students’ spirits are high. Walking through the classrooms, from kindergarten through third grade, common comprehension strategies tied to their school-wide focus are implemented by the faculty and visually displayed. Students know routines, are respectful of each other and their teachers, and are able to explain their work.
For example, one common strategy I saw in a number of classrooms used to help students explain their work is “TTQA”. In all classrooms, a teacher says “TTQA” and the students “Turn the Question Around”, responding to questions in complete sentences. Another common comprehension strategy used in all classrooms is Question and Answer Relationships (QAR). In Ms. Warren's first grade class, a beautiful visual display of QAR is what helps guide students through the reading comprehension portion of the day. The Problem of the Day is the number one common practice used during math time and its rubric is always displayed and consistent throughout all classrooms. When I visited Mr. Stone's third grade class, students checked their work to the problem of the day by using the rubric and taking turns writing down their answer to each piece of the question.
At Newton Elementary, seamless systems are consistent throughout each classroom, which in turn creates an environment where time is hardly wasted and learning is constantly occurring. Common practices are implemented consistently, school-wide, in large part due to the expanded time that teachers have to collaborate. Yes, these systems have led the school to great achievements, but even with all these systems in place, it is evident that a large part of the success at Newton Elementary in due to the fact that the faculty, and in turn the students, remain positive and are willing to learn. The high morale and warm and intimate setting of the school is reflective of the community of Greenfield. Even amidst a secluded location, and challenging economic conditions, there is never a lack of again, warm greetings and smiling faces. Visiting Newton reminded me that while our urban schools need support, schools in rural communities need it as well. Newton Elementary School in Greenfield, Massachusetts is an example of how commitment to instructional coherence, and a positive attitude, can go a long way.
Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards
Dear Parents:
Newton School has enrolled in Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards program. Starting October 7, 2011 through March 29, 2012, Newton School will have the opportunity to earn cash through Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards Program.All you have to do is:
Log on to www.stopandshop.com/aplus to register online
OR
Dial 1-877-275-2758 to register your card over the phone.Dismissal
Note: Please notify the office by note ahead of time or before 3:00 p.m. if there is a change of dismissal plans for your child.Winter Weather Reminders
If Greenfield Public Schools have a 2 hour delay, school starts at 9:30.
If school is delayed there is no breakfast served.Children go outside for recess when it is 10 degrees and above with the wind-chill factor considered.
Please remember hats, gloves/mittens, coats, boots and snow pants are required for playing in the snow at outdoor recess.
Newton Expanded Learning Time Movie
Windows Media wmv or QuickTime mov
(pdf)
Newton Students Summer Art with Tina Clark 2011
NEWTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS ONE OF 187 COMMENDATION SCHOOLS IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Patrick-Murray Administration Releases 2010 School and District MCAS Results; Names 187 Commendation Schools (Newton School is one of them! See below.)
School Leaders Hail Improved Performance and Success at Closing Achievement Gaps
BOSTON - Governor Deval Patrick and state education officials today released the 2010 school and district MCAS results and hailed the achievement of 187 newly-named "Commendation Schools" across the state for their academic growth and continued success in closing achievement gaps. The Commendation Schools, announced at Boston's Eliot Elementary School, were recognized for their steady progress in raising student achievement while at the same time demonstrating a consistent narrowing of achievement gaps among students. "There are so many great success stories in schools across this Commonwealth because of the efforts of administrators, teachers, students and parents who are united and committed to making every effort to ensure that every child that walks through the door receives a high quality education," said Governor Patrick. "I congratulate all of these schools on their outstanding achievement."
"We know the recent good news in our public education system is the result of a focused effort to provide every child with effective teaching and learning that inspires students for opportunities to advance in the classroom today and in the future," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. "Our unwavering focus on raising expectations will ensure the next generation of leaders in the Commonwealth are well prepared to succeed."
Annual Yearly Progress (AY) measures district and school progress toward annual performance targets in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. Those that fail to meet their targets in the aggregate or for any of their subgroups for two or more consecutive years receive an accountability status and are required to take steps to focus efforts on improving student performance. Alternately, schools and districts are removed from the list when they make their targets for two consecutive years.
Among the 62 schools exiting status are: Joseph Lee Elementary and Michael J. Perkins Elementary in Boston, East Middle School in Braintree, Newton School in Greenfield, the George H Dunbar, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas R. Rodman elementary schools in New Bedford, Park Avenue Elementary in Webster, Nelson Place in Worcester, Benjamin Banneker Charter School, and Sheffield Elementary School in Gill-Montague (http://www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.aspx?id=5729) Congratulations to everyone at Newton School for our great accomplishments!
Newton’s Instructional Focus:A coordinated school-wide effort to have all Newton School students demonstrate growth in their ability to read, comprehend, and respond to open response questions in all academic areas using relevant information and supporting details from the text for support.
Newton School…
Where Readers Lead
and
Mathletes Count!
PTO officers for 2012-13
Erica Burns – President
Lynn Facey & Angela Morrissey - Co-Chairs
Chris DeRose - Treasurer
Newton Movie Highlights:
Grade 1
Fractions, Part 1
Grade 1
Fractions, Part 2
Teacher Sites:
Ms. Rachel Cronen-Townsend's Web site:
http://msct.crotown.com/Elizabeth Markofski, Music Teacher (Discovery School @ Four Corners, Federal Street Elementary, Newton School)
http://gpsk3music.yolasite.com/Ms. Jacqueline Swist-Kindergarten
http://classjump.com/s/swist/
 To view the art slideshow, click here! "Art is essential to learning--not just an educational frill. Learning about the visual arts gives students a window onto the rich and interesting world around them, teaching them about their own history and culture, as well as those of other people. It cultivates self-expression, imagination and creativity as well as critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Students who learn about art develop their capacities to weigh meanings and make evaluations and judgments. Understanding and making art can teach students how to work cooperatively in groups and how to work hard to achieve a goal." The Value of Art Education: |
Page last updated: May 11, 2013
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