The Gates Newsletter
Volume XIII, Issue 3 Charting the course for excellence October 23, 2009
Scituate Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or sexual orientation.
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Principal’s Corner
This column comes to you today as a reflection on two very different topics: how young kids today are reacting to tests and other school-related pressures, and some quotes I think are useful relative to ‗proper etiquette‘ with the many electronic devices we have at our disposal daily. I hope you find these thoughts informative and useful! Highlights magazine did a survey of how elementary kids are faring with schoolwork. When asked, ―What is your biggest problem right now?,‖ 23.4 percent of kids ages five and older responded ―schoolwork,‖ according to Highlights’ ―State of the Kid‖ Survey, which was released September 30.‖ The survey consisted of data which reflected 845 responses which came from students age 5 and older. ―In addition to e-mails received by the magazine throughout the year, the survey‘s findings suggest that children today have a high level of anxiety about their performance in school and about completing the schoolwork assigned to them, the authors of the survey said‖. While the Editor-in-Chief of Highlights noted that ‗…kids are telling us that they feel a significant amount of pressure and anxiety about tests, and about what those tests mean for their future…‖, the survey does not indicate whether or not students‘ feelings of stress about school have increased over time. The good news is that ―…While they may have worries about school, many of the children indicated they have a positive view of their teachers.‖ We‘re certainly glad of that! This article also points out a couple of other thoughts, one of which may surprise you—when asked the question of ‗who do you admire and respect, ‗friends‘ ranked first, followed closely by parents, then teachers—none of this is the surprise, as all 3 groups were ranked highly. The surprise is that LESS THAN 5% of the kids surveyed even mentioned celebrities and popular culture as answers. The second topic affects all of us—just what IS proper etiquette when it comes to using our cell phones, PDAs and other electronic devices?? From cell phones ringing during church services, to people allegedly talking to us while on their Blackberry PDAs, these etiquette reminders should help all of us understand how we can negatively (and accidentally) offend our family members, friends and neighbors. Here are a few etiquette tips when using your electronic devices: When in meetings, turn your phone off – or at least put it in silent mode. Check your messages and return calls and emails after meetings, not during them. It‘s much more polite to explain to a caller or email sender that your response was delayed because you were in a meeting rather than explaining to everyone with you that the person on your phone is more important than them. If you are expecting an urgent call you must take, inform others about it before the meeting begins. When your phone vibrates, excuse yourself quietly and take the call outside. Never wear an earpiece while in a meeting. Don‘t use your mobile phone or PDA while you are talking to somebody – it gives the impression that the person you are talking to is unimportant and insignificant. Loud ringtones are inappropriate for certain settings, so make sure they‘re off at the right times. Remember: electronic correspondence can never replace actual human interaction and conversation.
From the Literacy Corner
Kids Who Read Succeed
Correlation between test scores, number of minutes spent reading a day and number of words read. Gathered from Reading Research Quarterly. Standardized Score % 20 % 30% 40% 50% 70% 80% Time Spent Reading each Day 7 minutes 9 minutes 13 minutes 20 minutes 45 minutes 60 minutes Number of Words Read/Year 25,000 35,000 250,000 500,000 1.5 million 2 million
About 33% of secondary (7-12) students have withdrawn from active participation in class and are reading below grade level (Joyce, Hrycauk, and Calhoun, 2001) There are fabulous books out there! Short books, long books, in-between books, adventure, mystery, sports, nonfiction, fiction……. Every student at Gates is required to read 4 independent books each semester. This represents the commitment of the ELA teachers to foster independent reading that is the student‘s choice. Need a book? Ask your English teacher! Ask Sharon Colvin at the library! Search the web! Ask Mrs. Sullivan! Read the newspaper! A magazine! A middle school picture book! Poetry! Graphic novels! It is the reading that matters, not the choice.
Student Government News: The Halloween Dance will be held tonight in the Gates gym. Walk through our spooky hallway for a night of entertainment. The dance begins at 7 and ends promptly at 9:00pm. Please arrive on time to pick up your child. Please review the dance rules in the Gates handbook with your child. Be reminded that if a student is not in school the day of a dance, he/she cannot attend. Dances are for Gates students only-not Scituate residents. Finally, if you need to pick up your child early, you must enter the gym and see an adult chaperone. You may not pick up another child along with your child unless it has been pre-approved. Costumes are encouraged as prizes will be given out; however, no masks are allowed as you enter the Gym. The cost for the dance is $10.00. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact a teacher of your child, a guidance counselor or Ms. Hendrickson and we will issue a free dance pass. If you are interested in chaperoning a dance, you must contact Ms. Hendrickson prior to the dance to be sure more chaperones are needed. An assignment will be given to all chaperones by Ms. Hendrickson. All chaperones must have a CORY check prior to attending a dance. CORY forms are available in the Gates office.
Student Government is sponsoring a food drive for Scituate Food Pantry and a coat drive for the homeless. Coats will be cleaned by Anton's Cleaners in Marshfield. For each coat or 4 food items turned into homeroom, students will receive a slip to turn in for a special lollipop. Two 7th and two 8th grade homerooms with the most items will get ice cream sundaes! (coats count as 4 items!). Sponsors are needed for the yearbook. For $25.00 you can put a message for your child in the yearbook or advertise your business. Messages may be something like:
"Congratulations Maggie! We are so proud of you. Love Mom and Dad" Or Scituate Catering Service 1 The Driftway Scituate, MA 781-555-5555 Design your own and send in to school in an envelope to: Ms Hendrickson/Yearbook/Gates School Checks are made payable to: Town of Scituate-Gates Yearbook.
From the Foreign Language Corner:
This week the seventh grade Latin students learned that Halloween celebrations date back to the Celts and the Romans. In AD 43, the Romans had conquered most Celtic territory and two festivals of Roman origin were eventually combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhaim. On the night of October 31, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth, the Celts wore costumes during the celebration and built huge bonfires. During October, the Romans commemorated the passing of the dead and also had a special day to honor Pomona, goddess of fruits and trees. Her symbol was the apple and this probably explains the custom of "bobbing for apples" practiced today on Halloween. They were also introduced to Hecate, a goddess of the Underworld. Ancient Romans made sacrifices to her in hopes of gaining her favor; however she was quite arbitrary about whom she supported and whom she scorned. She was sent to the Underworld by the wife of Zeus (Jupiter) after incurring her wrath when she did a favor for one of Zeus's "girlfriends". Many of the customs we associate with Halloween originated with customs that surrounded Hecate. "Trick or Treat‖!! On Thursday, October 29, the seventh grade Latin students will be working in groups and learning the various mythological creatures like the one - eyed cyclops, the three headed dog, Cerberus who guards the Underworld, the sphinx, etc... The eighth grade Latin students will be celebrating Halloween by translating a story on Dr. Frankenpetrus - it is a lesson designed to teach them the Latin words for parts of the body. While they are working in groups on these lessons, all students will also be enjoying refreshments appropriate to the holiday.
Guidance Corner:
Interested in an Organization and Study Skills course for your 7th or 8th grader? Great program offered Wednesday afternoons at Gates. Session began October 21. If interested, please contact Jen Fiske or visit www.corsefoundation.org
Fom the Nurse:
To those families who have donated antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer and tissues, please accept our grateful thanks. If anyone wishes to donate, you are welcome to send them to school with your child. We appreciate your help in keeping Gates a healthy place!
Nutritional Guidance for Celebrations, Fundraising and Snack Items –
It is commonly known that what you eat directly affects your health and wellbeing. While we know the impact of nutritional choices on the body are vital to living a long and healthy life, what is less commonly known are the effects nutritional decisions have on thinking and learning. Now more than ever, it is important to pay careful attention to our children‘s nutrition in order to help control our nation‘s growing obesity concerns and to maximize our children‘s performance in school. To support the overall wellbeing of our students, an interactive worksheet titled Snacks – Nutritional Standards was created and is located on the Scituate Public Schools webpage at http://www.scituate.k12.ma.us/district-info-schoolmeals.htm. Students, parents, and school staff can use the worksheet to help make healthy food choices and promote positive body and brain health. We appreciate your assistance with our nutritional endeavors.
From the METCO corner
Just a reminder: The weekly METCO meetings take place immediately after school on Wednesdays.
Friendly reminders
No locker decorating for birthdays! First Friday of every month: Students who bring in antibacterial wipes may wear a school-appropriate hat. The students may come into the office with their donation and receive a sticker to wear on their hats.
Gates Dates:
October 23 Term I Progress Reports October 23 Halloween Dance, 7:00-9:00 PM November 2 Faculty Meeting November 3 Professional Development Day, No School November 3 Afternoon Parent Conferences November 5 Evening Parent Conferences November 11 Veteran‘s Day, No School November 12 Latin trip – Museum of Fine Arts November 13 Latin trip – Museum of Fine Arts November 20 Dance November 25 Early Dismissal November 26-27 Thanksgiving Recess December 3 Early Dismissal December 7 Faculty Meeting December 11 Term I Report Cards December 22 Winter Concert, Gym December 23 In-School Winter concert December 24-January 1 Winter Recess
PTO News:
Friday, November 6, 2009 8pm-midnight at the Satuit Bowlaway Tickets: $20 per person TICKETS ARE LIMITED so don’t STRIKE OUT!! To reserve your spot send ticket, money and form below in an envelope to GATES PTO BOWLING NIGHT Or mail it to Bridget Dunn 15 Christopher Lane Scituate, MA 02066 Bbdunn09@aol.com ——————————————————————————————————
Name:_________________________________________ Email:________________________Phone___________ #of tickets:_________________ Amount enclosed:__________ Payable to Gates PTO
Please note that this event is a fun night or parents only.