Daisy Daily for Week of March 5, 2018

It was a banner week for reading at Daisy!

From our "Paws for Reading" Book Fair

to Read Across America/Dr. Seuss's Birthday,

it was a celebration of reading!!!

Thanks to all who made it so worthwhile, memorable and fun for our students, families and staff.  Huge kudos and much gratefulness go to Helen Sweet and Diane Lewis

and all those supporting these efforts!!!

Our Superintendent, Pat Ciccone, shared one of her all-time favorite Dr. Seuss books with our first graders:  "The Sneetches."

Diane Lewis gathered our students in the "Pit" with their Book Buddies and gave them an inside look behind Dr. Seuss's books.

Students gathered in comfy PJs and held their favorite stuffed animals as they enjoyed stories.

The "Paws for Reading" Theme of our Book Fair was greatly enjoyed by many pet lovers.  Family Night on Wednesday was well-attended and, once again, Mrs. Sweet did not disappoint, whether it was in book selection or  fun and witty costumes!!!

Mrs. Sweet makes books and the library
SO MUCH FUN!!!

A Few Notes About This Week:

• The "Cat in the Hat" will visit in Pre-School classrooms on Monday, both in the morning and afternoon.
• At our Staff Meeting after school on Wednesday, Abby Fredrickson will join us to give an overview of "Read & Write" for Google Docs, a useful Google Chrome Web App.
• Thursday will feature an early dismissal at 1 pm, followed by afternoon Professional Development.
• We will have a full day of PD on Friday, both at Daisy as well as Regional PD.  
• Please refer to the separate e-mail already sent with the specific schedules for both days.

A Few Reminders:

• We are using a new substitute service for Paraprofessionals now called Delta-T, in order to increase our pools of candidates and to fulfill our needs more completely.
• It is more important than ever, that ALL staff members notify the office when you will be absent (whether you request a substitute or not) as the notification system is different.  To ensure that we can plan accordingly for absences, please e-mail Jackie, Alicia and me re: your absence or call the office ASAP.
• Please remember to copy me on any notices and newsletters (hard copy or e-mail) that you send to families so that I can respond appropriately when contacted by parents.
• Please, please assume that you are the last class exiting the building when loading buses and close the outside door in the K wing.  The next class can always open the door and then it will not be left ajar at the end of the day.

As always, please consult our Staff Google Calendar frequently for updates, times and dates by clicking or bookmarking our calendar:

DAISY STAFF CALENDAR

As you know, Pat Ciccone sent out letters to all staff members and families regarding school security and an invitation  to a "Community Conversation" on Tuesday, March 13th, at 6 pm at Westbrook High School.  Please peruse the resources that she has uploaded to the district website and let me know, as well as Pat, if you have any concerns.  We always stand ready to help.

Thanks so much for all you do, every day, and let's make it a great week!

Warmly,

Ruth

Our first-graders enjoyed a walking field trip to Oxford Academy's Sugar House, where they saw first-hand how maple sap is transformed into maple syrup.  They even got to taste the finished product on homemade pancakes.

Our neighbors at Oxford (and families of our students) are the best!

P.S.  We have tickets to "Light on Westbrook," a collaborative between Oxford Academy and the Westbrook School District available in our office.
This fun, adult evening, planned for March 24, features a cocktail party and viewing of photographic artwork.  Please consider entering some of your own photography as well.  Entry forms and all the details are available in the staff lunch room, as well as on our website.
Please join us on March 24 between 6:30-8:30 pm at the Oxford Academy!