Week of September 23rd, 2019

​Week of September 23rd
Hello Center School Families,
Fall Carnival: We had a perfect afternoon for the Fall Carnival!!  We may have set a record for the number of families who enjoyed the event.  A very big bundle of gratitude to Jen Alvord and countless volunteers, including the Key Club from LHS, for planning, for generously sharing time, helping hands, and fun spirits with our community.  Most especially, we thank our 5th graders who are center stage at the carnival each year.  Once again, their leadership and smarts were on full display and they awed us with their talents.  We look forward to the Halloween Hustle on October 26th, which is the next PTO endeavor. 
Biking and Walking to Center:  There’s something incredibly special about watching arrival in the morning; and it always makes me smile to step back and observe. Our parents and students on bikes and so many walkers enjoying a healthy beginning to the day is one of the many benefits of neighborhood schools.  That said, it’s been brought to my attention that families have concerns about safety along sidewalks both in the morning and at dismissal.  I have reached out to our safety officer Carl Mazzaferro for assistance.  In the coming days, he will be visible along busy paths to remind everyone of courteous and safe etiquette:

• All bikers, students on roller blades, and scooter riders need helmets!
• Tuck and tie shoe laces and pant legs.
• Importantly: RIDE RIGHT and please -no more than two abreast so students and families don’t get run off the sidewalk!
• Talk with your child about smart and appropriate speed.
• Cross at crosswalks and be cautious when passing driveways.
• When passing walkers, please give a polite shout out “On your left” or ring your bike bell.
• Remind your child to stay off our neighbors’ lawns.  This is an issue of concern when students ride four or five bikes side by side.
• We have consistently reminded students to travel the sidewalk in  front of the school and to never cut down the driveway near the gymnasium.  There is a blind spot here that is a strong safety concern.  We’re asking parents and guardians to follow this request as well. 

Homework: Teachers will discuss the importance of the Homework Guiding Principles at Open House this week.  Here’s a link to the document with helpful grade level resources: https://sites.google.com/longmeadow.k12.ma.us/homework/home    You will receive many reminders throughout the year conveying that yes, our students from kinder through 5th grade  have homework;  and we ask you to partner with us to make sure your child is fulfilling his/her responsibility  to read and practice math as assigned by your child’s teacher.   Stop in to see our literacy coach Vanessa Vigna or  reading specialist Valerie Fritz for some helpful guidance on Thursday evening. 
Open House: Attached is the detailed message I sent over the weekend.  Just a reminder to visit teachers other than your child’s classroom teacher between the two classroom presentations.  All our teachers will not be available after 7:45. 2019 Open House Details.docx 
Finally, many members of our community knew Lisa Gore from her time at Center School working in the preschool as a para professional.  She died suddenly last week and there will be a celebration of her life tomorrow with services at the First Church of Christ.  It feels like an appropriate time to thank all our para professionals for the important work they do for our students.  They provide invaluable support to children and, like Lisa, touch many many lives.  We remember Lisa with gratitude and fond memories of her gifted way with the little ones in the preschool. 
As always, thank-you for your partnership and for your ongoing support of all our efforts.
 
Regards,
Donna Hutton, Principal