performed by the duffy choirduffy.whps.org/uploaded/schools/elementary_schools/duffy_elemen… ·...
TRANSCRIPT
December 7, 2017
“This is My Wish” by Jordan Sparks Performed by the Duffy Choir
This is the time
The time for harmony Let love be the song That everybody sings
Fill the air with joyful noise
Ring the bells and raise your voice Let there be peace on earth Let there be peace on earth
Lift your light Let it shine
Shine, shine, shine Let there be peace on earth Let there be peace on earth
What a beautiful, powerful performance yesterday! I’m so proud of the 145 4th and 5th graders who participated. Mrs. Tierney returned to Duffy two years ago with a vision to grow the choir and create access to music for all students. With a focus on inclusiveness, engagement, and passion, I think she’s been wildly successful!
It always amazes me how our band and orchestra students so confidently and proficiently play their instruments. You wouldn’t know that our 4th graders had only three months of instruction! This says so much about them, but it also speaks volumes about Mr. Thomas. His experience, patience, and outstanding instructional strategies are such a gift to our community.
Thank you for encouraging your children to practice and for your commitment to ensuring they were present and on time for so many morning rehearsals. We truly appreciate your support of our top-notch music program!
Have you seen the movie Wonder yet? Duffy’s 5th graders have read the book and are leading conversation around the author’s messages of kindness and tolerance. Each chapter begins with a precept, a principle intended as a general rule of action, and students have chosen one to reflect on. They will share these over the morning announcements next week for all students to benefit from. Tomorrow, December 8th, the entire school will perform the same act of kindness. We will participate in PJ Day for the Kids to support Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Students and staff (including myself!) will wear their pajamas to school and make a donation to CCMC. 5th grade students, along with PTO volunteers, will help collect and count the money.
On Monday, December 11th, Duffy students and staff will celebrate Human Rights Day. We will engage in activities that promote the rights and freedoms of all, which are outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (see below). Activities will include: taking pictures of what feeling safe looks like, creating paper t-shirts for peace, designing graffiti posters with powerful words, connecting writing to personal rights, role playing, and discussing and illustrating the Declaration.
December started strong and we have eleven days left until winter break. “Lift your light, let it shine” will be our message to students as they continue to learn and practice acts of compassion and kindness.
Sincerely,
-Kristi Kristi Laverty Principal
Curriculum Corner
Christine Mori, Curriculum Specialist
Computer Science Week at Duffy December 4-10th Computers are everywhere, changing every industry on the planet. But fewer than half of all schools teach computer science. Good news is, Duffy Elementary is on our way to changing this! Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual program dedicated to inspiring K-12 students to take interest in computer science, and if you've
heard about the Hour of Code before, you might know it made history. More than 100 million students have tried an Hour of Code. What is the Hour of Code? The Hour of Code is a global movement introducing tens of millions of students worldwide to computer science, inspiring kids to learn more, breaking stereotypes, and leaving them feeling empowered. What will it look like at Duffy? In the computer lab? Students will work with Mrs. Dailey and do the Hour of Code together. In the classroom? Students will take turns doing the Hour of Code throughout the week on laptops and ipads. In the Makerspace? Students will play a coding board game, program BeeBots and learn how to control robots. How can you support at home? Encourage your child to fill out their BINGO sheet and bring it back to the office on or before Monday, December 11th. This will give your child time to explore some coding websites and apps at home. Also, don’t forget to encourage the meaningful “unplugged” activities that are on the BINGO sheet, because there are many ways to develop and promote coding skills.
Websites hourofcode.com code.org
Apps: Lightbox: Code Hour Hopscotch: Make Games ScatchJr Tynker code Bitsboard
December 2017
Thu, Dec 7 3:20-4:05pm After School Sports Program, GR 3-5 3:20- 4:45pm Girl Scout Meeting GR 4 (Troop 10425) - Room 28
6:00-8:00pm Boy Scouts Pack 161 Meeting – Café
Fri, Dec 8 All day PJ Day For The Kids – CCMC Fundraiser 7:45-8:15am Before School Gym 3:30-4:30pm Chess Club – LMC
Mon, Dec 11 7:45-8:15am Before School Gym 3:20-4:05pm After School Sports GR K & 1 (Ages 5-7) 3:20-4:20pm Mad Science GR 3-5 Room 23 3:20-4:30pm Mad Science GR 1-2 Room 6 6:30-7:30pm Cub Scout Meeting GR 3 (Den #1) – Café 7:15-8:15pm Cub Scouts GR 5 (Weblos 2) - Room 6
Tue, Dec 12 7:45-8:15am Before School Gym 3:20-4:05pm After School Sports GR 1 & 2 (Ages 6-8) 6:15-:00pm Cub Scout Meeting GR K (Den # 2) - Room 6 6:30-8:00pm Cub Scout Meeting GR 4 (Den #5) - Cafe Wed, Dec 13 All day Chanukah
7:45-8:20am Enrichment Committee Meeting - Conference Room
Thu, Dec 14 All day Chanukah 3:20-4:05pm After School Sports GR 3-5 3:20-4:30pm Girl Scout Meeting GR 2 (Troop 10424) - Room 15
Fri, Dec 15 All day Chanukah All day Author Visit –Mr. Labadia-Gingerbread Surprise Day! Gr1 K&1
7:45-8:15am Before School Gym 3:30-4:30pm Chess Club - LMC
Mon, Dec 18 All day Chanukah 3:20-4:05pm After School Sports GR K & 1 (Ages 5-7) 3:20-4:20pm Mad Science GR 3-5 Room 23 3:20-4:20pm Mad Science GR 1-2 Room 6 Tue, Dec 19 All day Chanukah 7:45-8:20am Garden Committee - Room 12 3:20-4:05pm After School Sports GR 1 & 2 (Ages 6-8) 6:30-7:30pm Cub Scout Meeting GR 2 (Den #4) - Cafe Wed, Dec 20 All day Chanukah 6:15-7:15pm Cub Scout Meeting GR 1 (Den #6) – Café Thu, Dec 21 3:20-4:05pm After School Sports GR 3-5 6:30-8:00pm Girl Scout Meeting GR 5 (Troop 10422) – Café Fri, Dec 22 3:30-4:30pm Chess Club – LMC
Mon, Dec 25, 2017 No School - Winter Break
Mon, Jan 2, 2018 Tue, Jan 2 7:45-8:15am Before School Gym 5:30-7:15pm Girl Scout Meeting GR 3 (Troop 10426) - Room 6 Wed, Jan 3 2:00-3:30pm Girl Scout Meeting GR 2 (Troop 10420) - Room 6 5:30- 7:00pm Daisy Girl Scout Meeting GR 1 (Troop 10416) - Room 6 6:15-7:15pm Cub Scout Meeting GR 1 (Den #6) - Café
Fri, Jan 5 7:45- 8:15am Before School Gym Mon, Jan 8 7:45-8:15am Before School Gym 3:20-4:20pm Mad Science GR 3-5 - Room 23 3:30-4:30pm Safe School Climate Committee - Library 6:30-7:30pm Cub Scout Meeting GR 3 (Den #1) – Café Tue, Jan 9 7:45-8:15am Before School Gym 6:15-7:00pm Cub Scout Meeting GR K (Den # 2) -Room 6 6:30-8:00pm Cub Scout Meeting GR 4 (Den #5) – Café Wed, Jan 10 7:45-8:20am Enrichment Committee Meeting - Conference room 6:30-7:30pm Daisy Girl Scout Meeting (GR 1) Troop #10429 - Room 6 Thu, Jan 11 3:20-4:30pm Girl Scout Meeting GR 2 (Troop 10424) - Room 15 3:20-4:45pm Girl Scout Meeting GR 4 (Troop 10425) - Room 28 Fri, Jan 12 7:45-8:15am Before School Gym Mon, Jan 15 All day No School - Martin Luther King Day
KIDS IN DIVORCE AND SEPARATION
KIDS Group is now forming for the 2017-2018 school year. The Group is for children at Duffy School who are experiencing a separation within their family system due to divorce, death of a loved one, or other circumstances of loss. When parents are struggling with difficult issues, children need extra care. KIDS Group brings children together in a safe, positive club-like setting in the familiar surroundings of their school. KIDS Group is open to children in grades 1-5. There is no charge. Parents(s)/Guardian permission is required. This program is facilitated by Mrs. Colleen Murphy Hilliard, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist from The Bridge Family Center. For information or a permission slip, please contact Kathy Wagar, interim School Psychologist at [email protected] or 860-521-0110 x5611.
Garden Committee
Thank You to Pamela Reardon and her Cub Scout Pack 161, Den 6 for taking time on a cold, damp day to help prepare the garden for the winter. Thank you also to Kelly Hathorn and her girls! Sincerely, The Duffy Garden Committee
Note from the Nurse
Please remember to leave extra clothing in your child’s locker. I do not have extra clothing and will need to call you to bring in clothing if your child has an accident, falls in the mud or has some unforeseen accident requiring extra clothing.
Special Notice to 5th Grade Parents Bristow Middle School Enrollment Process
Bristow Middle School will be holding its enrollment for the incoming 6th graders in January. Bristow Middle School is a school of choice, drawing its diverse population from all neighborhoods in West Hartford. In the 2018-2019 school year, Bristow will enroll 420 students in grades 6 through 8. All 5th graders who reside in West Hartford and are attending West Hartford Public Schools are automatically included in this process. Other 5th graders who reside in West Hartford and attend a private, parochial or inter district magnet school like The University of Hartford Magnet School are also eligible, although they need to apply to be included in the process and verify they reside in West Hartford with our Residency office. Each 5th grader will receive a number randomly, which will establish the choice order. This number will be mailed home to parents on January 19, 2018. In order to help parents make an informed choice, two informational meetings will be held at Bristow Middle School on Monday, March 5, 2018 and Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 6:30 pm. Parents can choose to attend either of these meetings as they are both the same. Students are invited to attend these meetings with their parents. We recommend you attend one regardless of the number your child receives so you are prepared in case we get to your child’s number. For information about Bristow and full details about how this enrollment process works, please visit the Bristow website at http://bristow.whps.org/. You can also call or email the principal, Steven Cook, at 860-231-2100/ or [email protected].
ELC Lottery Applications
The Early Learning Center at Whiting Lane School and Aiken Elementary School is now accepting
applications for the 2018-2019 school year. The program is family centered and has half day sessions that meet four days a week. A lottery will be conducted in January.
To be considered for the program, children must be three years old by September 1, 2018, toilet-trained by the start of the school
year and exhibit age-appropriate language, social and play skills. All applicants must participate in a play-based screening prior to being considered for the lottery selection.
If you are interested, please contact Pam Macca at (860) 233-1455. The application process will close on
December 15, 2017.
News from the Duffy PTO
It doesn’t seem possible that we are wrapping up the 2017 year! In a few short months the PTO will be recruiting volunteers for next years’ committees and nominating new
members for the 2018-2019 PTO Board. The PTO section of the Duffy Directory lists all our current board members and committee chairpersons and contact information. Please reach out to anyone if you would like more information about a committee or might be interested in volunteering for a board position. We are happy to answer any questions!
Duffy students, families, and staff enjoyed another successful Library Book Fair. Thank you to Joy Russell
and Shannon Lafferty for coordinating the event and to Jill Dailey and Pauline Rossmeisl and all the volunteers who helped throughout the week.
Spirit Wear orders will be arriving soon! Thank you Amy Messinger for organizing the sale and for all the
great options for Duffy Spirit Wear! The Duffy Garden Committee hosted a fall clean-up on November 18th. Thank you to chairpersons Alanna
Heaney, Adrienne Montressor, and Kim Price-Glynn and to all the garden volunteers for your dedication to this beautiful space at Duffy.
Our fearless Fundraising Committee is offering a great ‘experience gift’ idea. Purchase tickets to the
Connecticut Science Center at a discounted price ($16.95) and the museum will donate $5 from each sale to the Duffy PTO. Exploring the exhibits at the museum will be great way to spend a cold winter day! Please contact Jenn O’Connell [email protected] for tickets or information.
As always, we continue our mission of enhancing the learning experience for all students at Duffy School.
We appreciate all suggestions and feedback. Please reach out to Lauren O’Meara via KONSTELLA or [email protected] with any thoughts.
December 2017
What’s happening in Physical Education?
Greetings Duffy Families, During the month of December students in grades K-5 have been working on a striking unit related to the
game of volleyball. Students have been introduced to different ways of striking and different ways to successfully strike the ball during modified game play.
At the end of the month our gymnastic unit is going to begin. During this unit students will be introduced
to a variety of skills and concepts that relate to controlling their body on, off, and around all the different pieces of equipment. This is a great unit of instruction that connects to many students and helps them to become well-rounded students.
*Attention* Before School Gym Will Be CANCELLED from 12/18-12/22 and will resume 1/2/2018. Thank you for your continued support and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Rob DeVeau, Duffy School, Physical Education Teacher. [email protected] 860-521-0110
Crazy About Sports Camp
Crazy About Sports is a program that will provide kids the opportunity to play hard
and have fun. This program gives kids the chance to develop the skills, confidence, and desire to be active. Kids will be introduced to a variety of games and activities that encourage great competition, great sportsmanship, and great FUN using our Gymnastics Equipment! Let’s start winter break with a GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY!
PROGRAM # : 412344 AGES : 5– 12 year olds LOCATION : DUFFY Elementary School GYM FEES : $91 INSTRUCTOR : ROB DEVEAU
DATES : DECEMBER 27- DECEMBER 29 TIME : 9am – 12pm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Registration Form for Crazy About Sports Program
Interested parties must register with Leisure Services before the start of class.
Child’s Name: Date of Birth:
Parent or Guardian:
Street: ____Town: ZIP:
Home Phone: Cell Phone: ______________
Emergency Contact: ________ Phone #:
E-Mail:
Payment Type: Cash______ (in person only) Check #_______(payable to “Town of West Hartford”)
____VISA ____Master Card:_____________________________________________ Exp. ________ ________ Month Year
I realize that as with any physical activity there is a possible risk of injury to my child while participating in this activity. I agree to assume the risk of any injury which my child might suffer while involved in this West Hartford Leisure Services program and I will not hold the Town of West Hartford or its instructors and staff liable for any injuries which my child may suffer while participating in this program.
Signature (parent or guardian):______________________________________________ ____Date _______________
Register On-Line at www.westhartfordct.gov/leisureservices or register in person, mail or FAX to West Hartford Leisure Services
50 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06107. FAX number 860-561-7519 Phone number 860-561-7510
Thank you to all of the volunteers that made our book fair a fun and successful event! Special thanks to PTO Book Fair Coordinators, Shannon Lafferty and Joy Russell for all of their hard work organizing volunteers and helping throughout the fair!
We are happy to report that our fundraiser grossed over $10,000 and our library receives
25% of the profits. In the past, this has helped us to buy more wonderful books and student IPADs.
Thank you Duffy families for your support! Warm wishes for a joyful holiday season filled
with family fun and books! Mrs. Jill Dailey Library Media Specialist
West Hartford Special Education PTO
December 2017 – January 2018 Events
Thursday, December 14 & Saturday December 16 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm Inspiring Equity: A Multi-Media Exhibit Join us at the book launch and photography exhibit of CommUnity: Voices Toward Equity West Hartford Listens featuring WHSEPTO! The book highlights West Hartford groups and individuals who inspire equity in our community. CommUnity is a project of the West Hartford Public School that seeks to bring our schools and community together through the lens of individual and collective stories. LOCATION: West Hartford Town Hall, 50 South Main Street, West Hartford Friday, January 5 from 9:30am to 10:30am Coffee & Conversation" at Panera in Bishops Corner The first Friday of the month, parents of children receiving special education services meet for coffee and a chance to talk & make new friends in a casual setting. We generally meet in the back of the restaurant. Wednesday, January 24 (snow date 1/31) Transition Meeting: for students entering a new school Meet with Pupil Service and leaders from each school as well as experienced parents to ease the transition for you and your student into a new school. NEW LOCATION: King Philip Middle School Media Center, 100 King Philip Drive, West Hartford Ongoing Membership Drive & Book Club Your 2017-2018 membership dues of $15 earn you a great deal this year: a paperback copy of Ross Greene's Raising Human Beings. The book will be discussed at our April meeting, as West Hartford Schools personnel share their training in Greene's Collaborative and Proactive Solutions model. Please visit www.whsepto.org/membership.html to join or to renew your membership.
www.WHSEPTO.org Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/West-Hartford-SEPTO - Follow us on Instagram at @whsepto
Jody Angell Angell Advantage
Internet/Traditional Marketing Consultant 860-202-7191
OUTDOOR RECESS POLICY
The WHPS outdoor recess policy dictates that all students will go outside for recess if the “real-feel”
temperature is 20or above. Children should be dressed appropriately to spend time outdoors. Warm jackets and pants are required in cold weather. Children may not play in the snow unless they are wearing boots and snow pants. Children who are well enough to attend school should be well enough to be outside for recess. Exceptions for medical reasons, with a doctor’s note, will be made.
Early Dismissal For Snow Storms The Board of Education has set standardized dismissal times if students need to go home early due to snow.
ELEMENTARY @ 1:00 P.M. MIDDLE @ 11:45 A.M.
HIGH SCHOOL @ 11:OO A.M.
Parents should not call schools or central office to find out if schools are closing early. Radio and television stations will carry notices of early dismissal and delayed openings.
Reminder: When school is cancelled or delayed, ALL morning activities are cancelled. When school is closed early due to inclement weather ALL afternoon activities are cancelled, including Duffy’s Kidslink after school program.
Duffy Dateline Print and Submission Dates
Submissions are due the Monday before publication dates and can be sent to Kristi Laverty at [email protected] and/or Ernestine Nobou at [email protected]
Print date Submission deadline
December December 7th December 4th December 21st - Dateline Schedule No submission January January 11th January 8th January 25th - Dateline Schedule No submission February February 8th February 5th March 1st - Dateline Schedule No submission March March 15th March 12th March 29th - Dateline Schedule No submission April April 19th April 16th May May 3rd - Dateline Schedule No submission May 17th May 14th May 31st May 25th June June 7th June 4th
Next dateline publication date: January 11, 2018.