Daisy Daily for the Week of January 31, 2022

 Daisy Friends,

I trust that you made safe passage through the blizzard-y conditions this weekend and that you've dug out and are getting ready for the week ahead.

As we plan for this week, please remember that:

• We have Early Dismissal for students at 1 pm on Tuesday and Thursday for Parent/Teacher Conferences.  We will re-distribute early dismissal schedules on Monday so that everyone has them handy.
• All Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held virtually.  Teachers, please be sure to share the link to Google Meetings with those support staff (and me) who you have invited to attend.
• Virtual Conferences may be held from the comfort of your classroom or home, whichever works best for you, as long as they are held in a professional environment.
• Please check the Google document for Quarantined Students, which is updated daily, and let Kayla or me know if you have questions or concerns.
• Grade-Level Meetings may be adjusted this week (day/time) due to early dismissal schedules on Tuesday and Thursday.  I will contact each team regarding any changes.
• "World Read Aloud Day," is celebrated on Wed., Feb. 2.  If you'd like to take advantage of resources that Tori Reynolds mentioned in her email of Jan. 25, please do so.  Of course, this is optional and you may choose to highlight your usual Read Aloud on that day.  We will have Dr. Seuss's Birthday/Read Across America events coming up next month.
• There will be a brief, virtual meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 2, from 3:15-3:45 pm, re: a preview of the "Pit: Reimagined" as detailed in an earlier email.  All staff members are invited to attend this half-hour, optional meeting.  The link is in our Daisy Staff Google Calendar.
• The 100th Day of School will be Thursday, Feb. 3.  Rather than an all-school assembly as we have had in the past, we will celebrate a variety of "100 Day of School" activities in each classroom.
• Daisy School/Westbrook Spirit Day will take place on Friday, Feb. 4.
• As always, please check our Daisy Staff Google Calendar for all meetings, events, etc.

I'm delighted to announce that Julie Monroe and Katie Richard, who have been serving as Lunch/Recess Aides, have now joined our staff as full-time Paraprofessionals.  They will be rotated through a variety of positions while they receive training and placement.

In addition, Jillian Anderson has joined our staff as a Lunch/Recess Aide.

All three new staff members are parents of students at Daisy.

Let's make it a great week!!!

Take care,

Ruth

Daisy Daily for the Week of December 13, 2021

 Daisy Faculty & Staff,

Hoping that everyone enjoyed a happy and safe weekend!

As we prepare for the week ahead:

• Please know how much I appreciate all the work that everyone put into preparing Report Cards for our students and getting them out in a timely manner last Friday.  I truly understand that this is a mountain of work involving so many people.
• We had a very successful COVID Vaccination Clinic for 5-11 Year Olds on Friday night and Dr. Martineau and I so appreciate the support of staff members to ensure the smooth operation of our second clinic.  Griffin Health told us that they have never encountered such a supportive, active school community in clinics to date.
• We are continuing to see an uptick in positive Covid cases and associated quarantines.  Kayla and I will let you know directly when this affects one of your students or classes.  As you know, we are not live-streaming remotely, but rather sending work for students to complete at home (if they are well enough to do so.)  I will confer with teachers about each individual case and determine what is appropriate for that student in each instance.  Students in quarantine can earn time by completing work so not all absences from the school day result in being charged with an absence day in PowerSchool.  Students can be credited for time while working remotely away from school.
• Reminder re: Cold Weather/Recess, etc.  We will continue to go outside each day for recess and mask breaks as we ask all parents to help students to be responsible for dressing appropriately.  If we do have an opportunity for students to play in the snow (and let's hope we do!), that requires that students have boots and snow pants to actively play and slide in the snow.  If students have coats, hats, mittens, etc., but no boots or snow pants, they are expected to stay on the blacktop with appropriate activities there.  Please know that we were gifted with about 20 pairs of snow pants and have others (used) in stock as well.  We will not issue snow pants for daily use from the Nurse's Office, but we will "gift" snowpants to those students in need.  Teachers--please let us know who needs them and we will send them home for them to keep.  Note: this is not for students who forget their snow pants on an individual day.  Our Social Worker will also help us determine need.
• Reminder re: Snacks--If teachers would like to ask Room Parents to ask families to send in snacks for students to enjoy before the holiday break, please keep in mind healthy snacks that are pre-packaged with ingredients listed clearly.  Keep in mind allergies in your classroom and consult with our School Nurse re: such.  We can not accept treats that families make at home due to cross-contamination which is not safe for allergies nor follows Covid protocols.  Parents/guardians should not be sending in cupcakes baked at home, but if you'd like to have families send in the ingredients for Gingerbread houses, for example, you could have items sent in packages and teachers could distribute these to students for them to assemble their own creations.
• We will meet with Grade-Level Teams this week, as scheduled in our Daisy Staff Google Calendar at:
• • DAISY STAFF GOOGLE CALENDAR

• • OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:
  • Tues., Dec. 14: Board of Education Meeting, WHS Library, 7 pm
  • Wed., Dec. 15 & Thurs., Dec. 16: PTO Holiday Fair in Conference Room
  • Fri., Dec. 17: "National Festive Sweater Day"
  • Mon., Dec. 20: "White Out Day" (Dress in white or snow themes)
  • Tues., Dec. 21: "Fancy Day" (Dress up to welcome in the New Year)
  • Wed., Dec. 22: "Fuzzy or Flannel Day" to accompany an outside Carol Sing (details to come) in place of a school-wide sing-along.
  • Thurs., Dec. 23: "School-Wide Pajama Day"/Early Dismissal at 1 pm
  • Fri., Dec. 24: School Holiday/Building Closed
  Let's make it a great week as we make every moment count!
  

Ruth

Daisy Daily for the Week of October 4, 2021

 Daisy Friends,

Hope that you enjoyed the delightful weather over the weekend!

I so appreciate everyone who stepped up to help with duties, coverage, etc., last Friday when we had ten staff members absent.  Your flexibility is so appreciated!

As we start Week #6 with our students, here are a few highlights:

• Grade-Level Team Meetings will take place for grades PK, K and 3 this week.  (I will reach out to PK & 3 for another possible meeting day as I have a conflict on Tuesday with a TEAM Facilitator Meeting.)
• Wednesday., Oct. 6, 3:15-4:15 pm--Faculty Meeting: I will update certified staff members re: Educator Evaluation Flexibilities, which PDEC approved last week and we'll discuss goals and SLO's. 
• Thursday., Oct. 7, will feature Early Dismissal for Students at 1 pm and Afternoon PD for Certified Staff.  From 1:15-3:15 pm, certified staff members will have time to work on SLOs in teams; as well as other previously-scheduled PD (Bridges Math, EL Newcomers) for specific staff members.
• Friday, Oct. 8, will be Autism Awareness Day for Staff & Students.  More information to come, but please note that this is an Awareness Day and donations will NOT be collected.  Those participating are encouraged to wear BLUE or other Autism apparel that you may have.
• October is also Down Syndrome Awareness Month as well as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  We'll do our usual awareness for these causes as we have in the past, with more information to come, in this very busy month of October!
• As always, please share weekly updates and newsletters that you send to your students' families, with me, as an FYI.  Also, I would like to feature some of your highlights in regular updates to all families.
• Monday, Oct. 11, is a HOLIDAY in recognition of Columbus Day.  
• Wednesday, Oct. 13, 7-8 pm, will be the first PTO Meeting of the school year.  It will be a combination in-person (limited to 25 people in the cafe) meeting/virtual meeting via Google Link.  Please look for information to be sent home with your students (and for you) on Monday, Oct. 4.

Please bookmark and refer often to our DAISY INGRAHAM STAFF CALENDAR at:

• DAISY STAFF GOOGLE CALENDAR

Thanks and let's make it a great week!

Ruth

Daisy Daily for the Week of September 27, 2021

 Daisy Friends,

Hoping that everyone enjoyed the glorious weather this weekend; what a treat!

Thanks to ALL for the clever ideas you implemented with students to celebrate KINDNESS Spirit Day last Friday!

As we enter Week #5 with students, here are a few reminders:

• Last Friday (Sept. 24) was the deadline for Declaration Paperwork, attesting to the authenticity of COVID-19 vaccination record, to be given to Kayla Johnson, RN.  Those staff members required to test to comply with the new mandate must submit test results to Nurse Johnson on Monday, Sept. 27, as per Superintendent Martineau.  After the week of 9/27, weekly results must be submitted no later than 9 am on Tuesdays.
• This week, we are scheduled to meet in Grade-Level Meetings with Grades 1, 2 and 4.
• There will be a PDEC Meeting for those involved this Wednesday, Sept. 29, from 3:15-4:00 pm in the WHS Library.
• PLEASE remember that Morning Duties (Car Drop-Off & Bus Drop-Off) start at 8:20 am and it's important to be in your assigned duty spot at that time.  The plan is for students to arrive in classrooms by 8:25 am, but drop-off starts at 8:20 am.
• I'm looking for ideas for a theme for Spirit Day for this Friday, Oct. 1.  Please talk it up with students and send your ideas to me by Wednesday, Sept. 29.

Let's make it a great week!!!

Ruth

Daisy Daily for the Week of September 20, 2021

 Daisy Friends,

Hope everyone enjoyed the marvelous weather over the weekend!

As we begin our fourth week of school with students, here are a few notes about the week ahead:

• We will follow the Week B Schedule for Grade-Level Meetings this week; meeting with Grades PreK, K & 3, as per our Daisy Google Calendar at:
• DAISY STAFF GOOGLE CALENDAR
• The STAR Testing Window opens September 20.  Teachers in Grades 1 through 4 should plan to schedule STAR Assessments during the time frame of September 20 to October 1.
• PK-12 District Reading and Math Committees are scheduled to meet Wed., Sept. 22, from 3:15-4:15 pm.
• We will celebrate a "Kindness Spirit Day" this Friday, Sept. 24.  Please take some time to talk about random acts of kindness; make a kindness poster to display in the hall; or do any of your favorite "kind" activities.  We will also encourage wearing shirts with kind messages, making hats, etc., whatever suits you and your students best.
• Please remember, if you must be absent, to request a substitute through Kelly Services (for teachers); or through Delta T (for paraprofessionals).  If you need assistance with sign-on information, please contact the office.
• If you have not yet completed your feedback form re: last Friday's Fire Drill, please do so ASAP and return to the office.  This feedback will help inform our next drill, which will be unannounced.

Let's make it a great week!

As always, please let me know your thoughts, ideas and concerns.

Warmly,

Ruth

Daisy Daily for the Week of September 6, 2021

 Daisy Faculty & Staff,

I hope that everyone is enjoying a safe, happy and restful Labor Day Weekend.

Thanks so much to each one of you for all you have done to make our first week with students so positive and successful, even through those toasty first couple of days!

As we enter the second week of school with students tomorrow/Tuesday, Sept. 7, please know that:

• Car drop-off will begin at 8:20 am, with students starting to come into classrooms by 8:25 am.  Bus drop-off will begin at 8:25 am.  If students arrive at classrooms before 8:25 am, they should line up outside classrooms and not enter classrooms until an adult is there, as per usual.
• Students getting breakfast should swing by the cafe on the way to classrooms to pick up breakfast.  For Preschool and Kindergarten, we have an option for adults from those classrooms to pick up breakfast for those students.  Jan Lynch needs to keep track of the grade level (not student name) for each breakfast picked up.  Additionally, for classrooms where student allergies prohibit students bringing in foods from the cafeteria that pose specific allergen concerns for those classrooms, we have coverage in the cafe for students to eat their breakfast there.  Breakfast can be picked up until 8:45 am.
• We will start our Grade-Level Team Meetings (Week A) this week, which will be hosted in the cafe, classrooms or other larger spaces; locations to be announced for each grade-level.
• As always, please check the Daisy Staff Google Calendar for all important meetings & events at:
• DAISY STAFF GOOGLE CALENDAR
• We have a Faculty Meeting scheduled for Wed., Sept. 8, 3:15-4:15 pm, to be held in the Cafe or outside, weather permitting.

I hope that you're not even reading this email until Tuesday and, when you do, please let me know any specific concerns that you may have, as always.

ENJOY TODAY!!!

Warmly,

Ruth

Daisy Daily for the Week of June 7, 2021

 First Grade Field Trip to Westbook Town Beach

Daisy Friends,

Are you ready for the final week of the 2020-21 School Year?

Can you even believe that it's upon us?

It's been quite a year and I so appreciate everything that everyone has done to help our students be successful and to help us all stay sane.

As we work through this week, here are a few reminders of what's happening each day of the week:

• Monday, June 7:
• Grade K Field Trip to Beach. (They will eat lunch after arrival back to school.)
• Staff Laptops can be updated at any point during the week.
• Tuesday, June 8:
• Report Cards: Grades and Comments to be completed in PowerSchool by the end of the day. 
• Board of Education Virtual Meeting at 7 pm
• Daisy Students to be recognized at BOE Meeting: Vienna Maragliano (Excellence in Music); Ryan Migeul (Excellence in Art); Nia Sharma ("Above & Beyond Award")
• Wednesday, June 9:
• Fourth-Grade Promotion; 9:30 am (Outside)
• Dismissal for Students at 1 pm
• Scheduling Committee Meeting (Virtual): 1:15-2:15pm--Those expected to attend: PLC Leaders; Lead Teacher; Administration; Representative from Each Grade Level, Special Area, Mental Health Team, Support Services, Paraeducators; Office Staff, etc.

• Thursday, June 10:
• Rain Date for Fourth-Grade Promotion; 10:30 am (so as not to interfere with 8th Grade Promotion)
• Dismissal for Students at 1 pm
• 1:15 pm -2:00 pm--Outside Reception to Honor Retirees Laura Esposito and Maria Cusano (under the tent near the cafe)
• Friday, June 11:
• Last Day of School (No lunches served)
• PTO sponsoring Pizza Lunch for Grades PK-3; Sub Sandwiches for Grade 4
• Report Cards to be sent home with students; mailed to second addresses
• Student Chromebooks to be collected and left in classrooms
• Staff keys and fobs should be returned to office unless working over the summer.
• Staff Orders for Instructional Supplies/Requisitions to be completed by last day of school or by June 30, if extenuating circumstances.
• Welcome Back Letters for the new school year to be emailed to Ruth, Alicia, Lisa by the last day of school.

• As always, please check the Daisy Staff Google Calendar for all important events at:

DAISY STAFF GOOGLE CALENDAR

If you have any concerns, please let me know.

Let's make it a GREAT final week of school for our students!!!

Ruth

Fourth Graders used engineering, planning and math skills

to build an incredible "Leaning Tower of Pizza!"