Monday, May 31, 2021

Daisy Daily for the Week of June 1, 2021


 Memorial Day 2021

"Red, White & Blue Day" at Daisy

(Photo Credit: Corey Ehrlich)

Fourth-Graders enjoyed a recent walking field trip

to Oxford Academy to participate in a Pond Study. 

(Photo Credit: Sara Salerno)

Wishing our Colleagues Well....

  • As you may know, Laura Esposito, is retiring at the end of the school year after an illustrious, 38-year-long career with Westbrook Public Schools.  If you haven't yet responded to Lynda or Vanessa (in Room 1) regarding a gift collection or retirement advice (see display outside Room 1), please do so ASAP.  Please also reserve the date--June 10, 1:15 pm, when our Sunshine Group will present Laura with a gift under the tent outside by the cafeteria.
  • Also, Melissa Hart, will complete her final year as Occupational Therapist in Westbrook Public Schools this June. Melissa and her husband are relocating to Texas where they will begin the next chapter of their lives.
  • Please check your mailboxes for information re: sharing some love with Taylor Price as we wish her the best on the upcoming birth of her first child.


Modified Field Day--Tuesday, June 1st, 2021:

  • Please come prepared for a day of fun outside/inside with our students, dressed in comfortable attire.
  • Ryan Percival has shared a Google Classroom link with all classroom teachers for the schedule of the day.  If you haven't located it, please contact Ryan.  
  • We'll start the day with an announcement on the Public Address System, welcoming everyone to the day.  We'll also guide you to a link for an opening Kids' News video.
  • Each classroom should have chosen a color for T-shirts for the classroom, but variety is great as well, so no worries if that doesn't work out.
  • Please note the common times for the outside Dance Party and for the lunch pick-up time for your grade level.  Please plan to picnic with your students, outside if possible.
  • Each classroom is teamed up with support staff, so that you can flex time to give each other bathroom breaks, planning, etc.  
  • Please note that there are no Specials nor Grade-Level Meetings on Tuesday.  We will reschedule grade-level meetings usually held on Tuesdays to another day this week.
  • Nurse Ed Albrecht will be with us on Tuesday and we will have an outside Health Station set up.
  • Popsicles for all are in the freezer in the cafe lunchroom in bags with the classroom teacher's name written on them.  Enjoy them whenever works for your class.
  • There are a few 504 meetings, etc., scheduled for Tuesday, since this was a rain date, so please arrange with your partners today re: coverage so that those necessary can attend.
Please let me know anything that I may have forgotten and reach out to Ryan and/or me with questions or concerns.

Let's make it a very memorable Modified Field Day!!!

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Here are some helpful EOY Checklists as we enter the final two weeks of the school year, believe it or not!!!


End-of-Year Checklist 

For Faculty/Staff

June 2021



  • Report Cards are open in PowerSchool and they will be distributed on the last day of school.  Grades and comments should be completed in PowerSchool by June 8th; to allow time for printing.
  • Please Update Data in Grade-Level Data Documents with year-end STAR scores, Running Record Reading Levels, etc.;  as well as SRBI documents.
  • We'll finalize Class Rosters this week, but won't notify families until August as things could change.
  • Fans can be used in windows through the end of the year--only if exhausted outside.
  • Classroom and Special EducationTeachers; and Specialists---Please submit Purchase Orders for classroom supplies by June 11 via email to Ruth, Alicia, Lisa.     
  • Amount per classroom: up to $350 (does not need to be ordered all for beginning of year)
  • Must be through approved vendor.  If not sure, check w/ Alicia.
  • All orders from ELA and Math PLC Leaders, Special Area Teachers, also due June 11.
  • Welcome Letters to Next Year's Students (Submitted electronically, in general form, not with students’ names) to Ruth/Lisa/Alicia; also due by June 11.
  • Staff members should get electronics updated through Tech Dept., as Ben notified earlier in email.
  • Return classroom keys, fobs (if not working in ESY or Summer Learning Academy) to main office.
  • Please know that access to classrooms will be limited over the summer due to ESY, Summer Learning Academy, Park/Rec Camp, maintenance work, cleaning, etc.  I'll share more re: room assignments for summer programs, work scheduled in classrooms, etc. ASAP.
  •  If staff members desire to come in over summer, please call/email in advance to see if rooms are available; and come through front entry.

Wednesday's after-school meeting will be a Staff Meeting, open to all staff members, in a virtual format from 3:15-4:00 pm.  This was originally scheduled as a Department PLC Meeting, but since we just met in departments, we really need to meet as a group to discuss schedules/plans/wishes for the new school year.  I'd love to have representation from all areas and then we'll break into smaller working groups.

Please let me know other burning topics and questions you may have.

FUTURE EVENTS:
  • June 2: Staff Meeting--3:15-4:00 pm (Virtual)
  • June 2: Daisy PTO Meeting @ 7 pm (Virtual)
  • June 9: Fourth-Grade Promotion; 9:30 am (Outside)
  • June 10: Rain Date for Fourth-Grade Promotion; 10:30 am (so as not to interfere with 8th Grade Promotion)
  • June 11: Last Day of School (No lunches served)
  • (June 9-11 feature early dismissal at 1 pm for students.)

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

Let's make it a GREAT week!!!

Ruth

Friday, May 21, 2021

"Daisy Daily" for the Week of May 24, 2021

 

Daisy Friends,

Congratulations to our K-3 Classroom Teachers who completed the "Foundations of Reading Survey" this past week.  Thanks also, to all of our staff members who helped provide coverage for classes during that time.

We're also extremely proud of our third- and fourth-grade students who participated in SBAC Testing for the very first time.  These online assessments were completed during the last two weeks and we appreciate everyone who supported our students during that time by proctoring and also adjusting daily schedules.  We'll have SBAC make-ups on Monday and Tuesday, which will take place in the Computer Lab with Kim Godfrey.

Our third- and fourth-graders celebrated the completion 
of SBAC with popsicles and some extra recess time.

Now, we're gearing up for an incredibly busy final three weeks of the school year.

  • We will start planning classroom groupings this week for the 2021-2022 School Year.  Please note that all grade-level teams will meet this week, as noted on our Daisy Google Staff Calendar.
  • The only exception is Grade 4, as the field trip to Westbrook Middle School for fourth-graders and teachers will take place on Tuesday, May 25, from 2:00-3:30 pm.
  • Classroom Teachers/Support Staff--please come to Grade Level Meetings this week with Student Placement Cards completed.  If possible, we'll meet under the tent in an in-person meeting.  Watch for updates through email.

  • FIELD DAY, Friday, May 28:
  • Ryan Percival has planned an amazing, modified Field Day for all students and staff for this Friday.  He will send out specific instructions,  activities and timelines.  Classrooms won't be rotating through stations as in the past, but will have activities available to participate in, in designated locations.
  • Support staff members will be matched with classrooms to provide support to students and teachers.
  • Ryan asks that each classroom teacher choose a t-shirt color for their class.  We won't be assigning colors by grade level and teachers are encouraged to choose these colors with their students.
  • We'll have a "grab-and-go" picnic lunch for those students purchasing lunch on Friday.  Pick-up times will be announced.
  • Special Area Teachers will also be assigned to assist with classrooms, so there won't be Specials on Friday.
  • Watch for all the details from Ryan by mid-week.

  • Please welcome Mary-Kate O'Connor, long-term subsitute for Kate Cote's Preschool Class.
  • Kate Cote is due to deliver her baby very soon and her last day in school for this school year was Friday, May 21st.  Mary-Kate shadowed Kate last week and will begin working with our students on Monday.  Our wonderful Paraeducators, Jennifer Hickey and Meredith Werner, will continue to assist in the classroom, which will surely help with consistency for our students.

    Ms. O'Connor is an accomplished professional educator with more than 20 years of experience.  She has worked as a special education teacher, reading specialist and independent educational consultant and especially loves working with preschool children.  Please extend a warm welcome as she joins us for the last three weeks of school.
Here's a pic of the group of teachers working in the preschool classroom last week:


  • If you haven't yet had a chance to respond to Dr. Martineau's survey re: ESSER Funds, please do so as soon as possible. This was emailed to all staff and district families on May 17 and is available here:

FUTURE EVENTS:

  • May 25: Fourth-Grade Visit to Westbrook Middle School, 2:00-3:30 pm
  • May 25 & 26: Hearing Screenings
  • May 28: Modified Field Day 2021 (More details to come from Ryan)
  • May 31: Memorial Day Holiday/Building Closed
  • June 9: Fourth-Grade Promotion; 9:30 am (Outside on Soccer Field)
  • June 10: Rain Date for Fourth-Grade Promotion; 10:30 am (so as not to interfere with 8th Grade Promotion)
  • June 11: Last Day of School (No lunches served)
  • (June 9-11 feature early dismissal at 1 pm for students.)

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

Let's make it a GREAT week!!!

Ruth


Sunday, May 16, 2021

Daisy Daily for the Week of May 17, 2021

 

                         Enjoying outside learning spaces....

(And so glad to have Mrs. Kukta's class back with us, in person!)


Daisy Friends,

Hope that everyone is enjoying this glorious weekend!!!

As we gear up to finish the final four weeks of school strong, this is what you need to know:

  • Despite the recent news blasts from the CDC, schools are still expected to maintain mask and social distancing protocols for the remainder of this school year and over the summer for Extended School Year and Summer Learning Academy.
  • Superintendent Martineau reminds us that mask mandates and social distancing will be in effect for all end-of-year events, per CT DPH guidelines.
  • These safety protocols have served us well, helping us to remain in-person in school throughout this entire school year and, obviously, none of our students at the elementary level are eligible for vacinations yet.
Also, for the week ahead:
  • Our third- and fourth-graders will complete SBAC Assessments this week.  Each class will have two sessions of Math and these dates/times are on our Daisy Staff Google Calendar.  Our students and proctors completed a most successful week of testing last week and I am so proud of everyone's efforts.
  • For those classes working and playing outside, please be cognizant of the classes in SBAC testing. Please stay away from the windows of those classrooms and keep the noise levels down, both outside and inside.
  • Also, our K-3 Classroom Teachers will be participating in the "Foundations of Reading Survey," which is mandated by the CSDE.  This will take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from Noon-3 pm in the Staff Lunchroom.  Each day, three teachers will participate in the online survey.  We ask for everyone's support of our colleagues during this time, especially:
  • Please know that class coverage may be challenging and we ask for everyone's support with this.  With this need, added to usual absences, it may be necessary to pull additional staff members for coverage.
  • Also, please know that our Staff Lunch Room will not be available to others on these days from noon-3 pm.  We have no other rooms available for this purpose as we are currently using every single space that we have at Daisy.  Therefore, please retrieve your lunches and other needed items from the room before noon and enjoy an outside space for lunch.
  • THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

Another Amazing Art Project!!!


FUTURE EVENTS:

  • May 19: Departmental PLCs
  • May 21: Preschool Screening in the Afternoon; Preschool Dismisses at 11:30 am
  • May 25: Fourth-Grade Visit to Westbrook Middle School, 2:00-3:30 pm
  • May 25 & 26: Hearing Screenings
  • May 28: Modified Field Day 2021 (Details to come)
  • May 31: Memorial Day Holiday/Building Closed
  • June 9: Fourth-Grade Promotion; 9:30 am (Outside on Soccer Field)
  • June 10: Rain Date for Fourth-Grade Promotion; 10:30 am (so as not to interfere with 8th Grade Promotion)
  • June 11: Last Day of School (No lunches served)
  • (June 9-11 feature dismissal at 1 pm for students.)

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


Let's make it a great week!!!

Ruth


We appreciate our School Nurse, Kayla Johnson, RN,

for all you do to keep our students and staff safe every day!



Sunday, May 9, 2021

Daisy Daily for the Week of May 10, 2021

 Our Preschoolers enjoyed their "Young Athletes" Event 

last Friday.

All four preschool classes participated in this fun, active event, 

sponsored by CAS and Special Olympics.






Dear Daisy Friends,

Hope that you enjoyed the weekend!

As we prepare for the week ahead, please know:

  • Laurie Kukta's second-grade class will return to in-person learning on Tuesday, May 11. 
  • SBAC Testing for Grades 3 and 4 will take place during the weeks of May 10 and 17.  Please check the Daisy Staff Google Calendar for specifics days/times.
  • Tuesday, May 11: Westbrook Board of Education Meeting, 7 pm
  • Wednesday, May 12: Teaching & Learning K-12 Committee, 3 pm
  • Wednesday, May 12:  Daisy PTO Meeting, 7 pm
  • FUTURE EVENTS:
  • May 19: Departmental PLCs
  • May 21: Preschool Screening
  • May 28: Modified Field Day 2021
  • May 31: Memorial Day Holiday/Building Closed
  • June 9: Fourth-Grade Promotion; 9:30 am
  • June 10: Rain Date for Fourth-Grade Promotion
  • June 11: Last Day of School
  • (June 9-11 feature dismissal at 1 pm for students.)

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


Let's make it a great week!!!

Ruth

So glad our PTO has a sense of humor!!!



Sunday, May 2, 2021

Daisy Daily for the Week of May 3, 2021

 Daisy Colleagues,


Hoping that everyone enjoyed a good weekend.

Here a few updates (in a nutshell) for the week ahead:
  • May 3-7 is STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK.  Our Daisy PTO has daily surprises for all staff members, which will be available in the hallway near the foyer.  Please know how much each and every one of you is appreciated, every day!\
  • May 3, 3:15-4:00 pm---REMINDER: Virtual Baby Shower (Please see Kim Godfrey's email for the Google Meeting link.)
  • May 4, 7 pm--Westbrook Town Meeting at Town Hall re: Town/School Budget  
  • May 5, 3:15-4:00 pm--DAISY LEADERSHIP VIRTUAL MEETING (in place of FACULTY MEETING).  Watch for an invitation for a representative of each grade-level; group; etc., to join as we plan end-of-year activities and schedules for next year.
  • Grade-Level Meetings, etc., will take place as scheduled in our Daisy Staff Google Calendar.
  • May 7, AM: Preschool Classes will participate in "Young Athletes" on the Preschool fenced-in playground.
PLEASE NOTE:
  • Laurie Kukta's second-grade class will participate in Remote Learning this week with a return to in-person learning on May 11.  Although students in the classroom are in quarantine, it was not necessary to quarantine any staff members, which is a first!
  • SBAC Testing will take place during the weeks of May 10 and 17.
Many, many thanks to our PTO Parents for providing such incredible Earth Day activities over the last two weeks, including:
  • Planting activities in the greenhouse and on school grounds.
  • Recycled craft activities.
  • Virtual, interactive presentations from Mystic Aquarium.
Thanks to all who participated in a wonderful send-off to our Town Library's Children's Library, Mary Nyman, as she begins her retirement.

Let's make it a great week, all!

Thanks for all you do : )

Warmly,
Ruth