crocker chronicles - Crocker Farm Elementary

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CROCKER CHRONICLES
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Issue 8
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2/15/2013
Dear Crocker Farm Families,
All of our 4th grade, 5th grade and 6th grade students recently participated in the
annual School Geography Bee. The competition included such categories as Cultural
Geography, Across the Country, Around the World and Physical Geography. After a
fun packed preliminary round of competition, we moved on to the final part of the
tournament with ten participants. Emerging as the overall winner from this
wonderfully talented pack was Seamus McMurrer, a fourth grade student in Ms.
Lambert’s class. Congratulations to Seamus and to all who participated. Seamus now
hopes to progress to the State finals, held sometime in March.
At the February 5, 2013 Amherst School Committee meeting, administration
presented recommendations for addressing the shortage of direct instructional
time in the elementary schools. The report to the committee is available at
http://www.arps.org/node/4380. Superintendent Maria Geryk also presented a
report on the proposed FY14 Amherst School District budget, including the
impacts of addressing the budget gap. Details are available at
http://www.arps.org/node/4382. We strongly encourage all of our Crocker Farm
families to become fully informed on these important matters. If you have further
questions and/or comments related to both topics, please reach out Cathy Aldrich
(362-1600 or AldrichCA@arps.org) and she can easily arrange a time for you to
meet with Ms. Foley or Mr. Shea.
Thanks to everyone for their continued patience and understanding as we work to
improve and refine our school-wide safety and security. Amherst Police
Department Officer Jim Damouras, our locally based community officer, recently
offered us strong words of encouragement and support for our newly implemented
procedures, particularly offering praise for our willingness to work to improve our
systems for morning arrival and afternoon departure. We will work hard to tweak
and improve all procedures in the coming days and weeks ahead.
Sincerely,
Derek Shea, Co-Principal
Anne Marie Foley, Co-Principal
Queridas Familias de Crocker Farm,
Recientemente nuestros estudiantes de 4to, 5to y 6to grado participaron en la
competencia anual escolar de geografía el School Geography Bee. La competencia
las siguientes categorías: Geografía Cultural, Cruzando del País, Alrededor del
Mundo y Geografía Física. Luego de una ronda de competencia preliminar divertida,
nos movimos a la parte final del torneo con 10 participantes. El ganador de este
grupo talentoso fue Seamus McMurrer, un niño de 4to grado de la clase de la Sra.
Lambert. Felicitaciones a Seamus y a todos los que participaron. Seamus ahora
espera progresar a las finales estatales, que serán llevadas a cabo el Marzo.
En la reunión de Comité Escolar de Amherst que se llevó a cabo el 5 de febrero de
2013, la administración presentó recomendaciones para abordar la escasez de
tiempo de instrucción directa en las escuelas elementales. El informe al comité está
disponible en http://www.arps.org/node/4380. La Superintendente Maria Geryk
también presentó un reporte basado en el presupuesto del año fiscal 2014 para el
Distrito Escolar de Amherst, incluyendo los efectos de hacer frente a las brechas
presupuestarias. Los detalles están disponibles en http://www.arps.org/node/4382.
Exhortamos a que todas las familias de Crocker Farm se informen con relación a
estos asuntos importantes. Si usted tiene más preguntas y/o comentarios
relacionados a ambos temas, por favor póngase en contacto con Cathy Aldrich (3621600 o AldrichCA@arps.org) y ella podrá fácilmente programar una reunión con la
Sra. Foley o el Sr. Shea.
Gracias a todos por su continua paciencia y comprensión mientras trabajamos para
mejorar y perfeccionar la seguridad y la protección general de nuestra escuela. El
agente, Jim Damouras, del Departamento de Policía de Amherst, nuestro agente
local, recientemente nos ofreció palabras de apoyo y estimulo dado a nuestros
nuevos procedimientos implementados, particularmente por nuestra disposición de
trabajar para mejorar nuestros sistemas de llegada en la mañana y salida en la
tarde. Trabajaremos duro para refinar y mejorar todos los procedimientos en los
días y semanas a venir.
Cordialmente,
Anne Marie Foley and Derek Shea
Co-Principals
Interim Co-Principals: Derek Shea & Anne Marie Foley
Safety:
o Entering the building - Please enter and exit through the main entrance during the school hours,
8:30-3:05. All exits excluding the main entrance will be locked.
o Visitor’s Pass: All visitors/parents entering the building are required to stop into the main office to sign in
and receive a visitor’s pass. Do not go directly to your child’s room. We will be happy to assist you.
o Bus Pass/: If your child will be taking an alternate route home, please send a note to inform the
teacher/office otherwise they will go home their regularly scheduled route. NO EXCEPTIONS! Please call
the office by 12:00 pm to make any other changes in student’s transportation plans to avoid delays or
errors in dismissal. Thank you!
Absence Notification: Parent/Guardians are required to call the absence line at (413) 362-1659 by 9:00 am
if your child will not be in school. Illness, bereavement, family emergencies, are considered excused absences. All
other absences are unexcused unless cleared with the administration.
School Cancellation: Please call the school cancellation line at (413) 362-1898 in the event of inclement weather
conditions.
Tardy: School begins at 8:40 am. If you child is tardy to school, please have him/her stop by the main office for a
pass before going to their classrooms.
School hours: School begins at 8:40 am and ends at 3:05 pm. **Except on WEDNESDAYS school ends at
1:20 pm.**
Visiting days: February – Wednesday, March - Thursday
LSSE Afterschool Program:
Afterschool Director – Grace Marczuk
LSSE Main Office – (413) 259-3065
Direct Line – (413) 259-3177
On-site phone number- (413) 325-3155
Email – Marczukg@amherstma.gov
Chronicles online consent: If you are not receiving the Chronicles online, and would like to, please email Georgia
Malcolm at malcolmg@arps.org along with your name, child’s name, teacher and grade level.
Lunch Payments: Please make checks payable to Amherst School Lunch Program.
Allergy Precautions: Our school community is trying to attain a fragrance free zone. We are asking everyone to consider
those individuals in our community who have breathing issues, which may be triggered by perfumes. This is especially
important when one meet in crowded venues (such as on Curriculum Night), or in enclosed spaces (such as parent
conferences). Thank you for your help in making our community a comfortable experience for everyone.
Crocker Farm Elementary
280 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002
(413) 362-1600(Ph)
(413) 256-0835 (Fax)
Co-Principales Interinos: Derek Shea y Anne Marie Foley
Seguridad:
o Entrando al Edificio – Entre las 8:30-3:05, horas escolares, entre y salga por la entrada principal del
edificio. Todas las salidas con la excepción de la principal estarán cerradas.
o Pase de Visitante: Todos los visitantes/padres entrando al edificio deben reportarse a la oficina central
para registrarse y recibir un pase de visitante. No valla directamente al salón de su niño. Es nuestro
placer servirle.
o Pase de Autobús/: Si su niño esta tomando un autobús alterno al que usualmente coge, por favor
envíe una nota para informar al maestro/oficina, de lo contrario tendrá que coger el autobús que
usualmente coge para ir a su casa. ¡NO HABRAN EXCEPCIONES! Por favor llame a la oficina en o
antes de las 12:00 pm para hacer los cambios en transportación necesarios para su niño de esta
manera evitaremos errores a la hora de salida. ¡Gracias!
Notificación de Ausencia: Si su niño va a estar ausente de la escuela el padre o guardián debe llamar a la
línea de ausencias al (413) 362-1659 en o antes de las 9:00 am. Se considera que la enfermedad, el luto y las
emergencias familiares son ausencias escusadas. Cualquier otra ausencia se considera sin excusa y debe ser aclarada
con la administración.
Cancelaciones Escolares: En caso de mal tiempo por favor llame a línea de cancelaciones al (413) 362-1898.
Tardanzas: La escuela comienza a las 8:40 am. Si su niño esta tarde a la escuela por favor recuérdele de pasar por
la oficina principal para recuperar un pase entes de dirigirse a su salón de clases.
Horario Escolar: La escuela comienza a las 8:40 am y termina a las 3:05 pm. **Con la excepción siendo los
miércoles cuando terminan a la 1:20 pm. **
Días de Visita: Días de Visita: febrero – miércoles, Marzo - Jueves
LSSE Afterschool Program:
Director del Afterschool – Grace Marczuk
Oficina Principal del LSSE – (413) 259-3065
Línea Directa – (413) 259-3177
Numero de teléfono en el sitio- (413) 325-3155
Email – Marczukg@amherstma.gov
Permiso de recibir el Chronicles en línea: Si usted no esta recibiendo el Chronicles en línea y desea recibirlo de
esta manera por favor envíele un email a Georgia Malcolm a malcolmg@arps.org incluyendo su nombre, nombre de
su niño, nombre de la maestra y el grado.
Pagos de Almuerzos: Por favor ponga el cheque a nombre de Amherst School Lunch Programa.
Precaución a las Alergias: Nuestra escuela esta tratando de lograr una zona libre de fragancias. Estamos pidiendo
a todos los miembros de la comunidad que tomen en consideración a aquellos individuos con problemas de
respiración que pueden ser iniciados por perfumes. Esto puede ser particularmente importante en áreas llenas de
personas (tales como Curriculum Night), o áreas cerradas (como conferencias de padres). Gracias por sus esfuerzos
en hacer de nuestra comunidad una buena experiencia para todos.
Crocker Farm Elementary
280 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002
(413) 362-1600 (Tel.)
(413) 256-0835 (Fax)
News from the Music Room
During December and January, Kindergarten students sang the lovely "Sharing Song," simple
songs in Spanish, that contain the numbers up to ten, and the African-American spiritual "I'm
gonna Sing When the Spirit says Sing." They practiced keeping a steady beat with instruments
while singing the "Shape Song" that describes the colored shapes they each had, and
experienced changing tempos while riding their imaginary horses to the "Merry-go -round"
song. Children started to read and write simple rhythms on my "Heart Chart" with magnetic
notes and relate the rhythms to simple rhymes. Playing the Tic Tac Toe game with the rhythm
cards reinforced their knowledge of the notes. Interactive singing games included "Little Sally
Water," "Jenny Mouse" and "Draw me a Bucket of Water."
First grade students studied the two beat notes singing the "Tortoise song" (built on only half
notes to express slow motion), "My Father's House" and the call-response song "Old House."
Song with percussion instrumental parts included "A Sailor Went to Sea", the Japanese song,
"Okina Taiko." Children also played note bells with the songs "Who's that?" and the
"Snowman." Each instrumental activity reinforces musical concepts such as rhythm, pitch, scale,
and octave and requires taking turns playing the instruments. For first and second grade
students games included walking together as a "Choo- Choo Train" while stepping to the beat
of the song and the interactive "Bluebird game."
Second grade classes sang the famous song "Magic Penny" and made up verses to the Ugandan
song "Dip-i-do." Students sang several rounds including the German song "Snow Drops." They
loved the call and response calypso song "Cookie" and discovered the fermata in the song (sign
for hold) that they practiced through movement while holding a bow in the Canadian dance,
"Les Salutes." The class also enjoyed singing "Horsey, Horsey," an Irish song, which they
accompanied with the rhythm sticks.
Second and third grade students learned the song, "Tick Tock" a round that introduced them
the sixteenth notes. They also passed the beanbags to the beat around the circle while singing
it. Both classes sang the round "Scotland's Burning." Second grade students performed a
pattern wit it with changing partners, while third grade students had a chance to play it on the
colored Boom whackers (plastic tuned tubes) I borrowed from my other school.
Third grade students sang the round "This Pretty Planet" and danced the all American dance
"Yankee Doodle." They listened to a recording of a song built on a fable by the famous singer,
Yous ou N'dour from Senegal and discussed the moral of the story.
Third and fourth grade classes studied the scale singing a song built on the scale, "Come
Follow" and passed the beanbags around the circle keeping the beat to the recording of a
Bolivian song "Carnevalito."
Fourth, fifth and sixth grade students sang the round, "New Year's Resolution" and discussed
the lyrics.
The same classes danced the Israeli hora to the recording of a Hebrew song, "Mayim."
Students in fourth grade played the French round "Bird Song" in two parts beautifully on the
xylophones. They danced the Seminole "Duck Hunting" dance and the African "Pata Pata" to a
recording by Miriam Makeba. They also created and performed their own dance moves to a
song, "Way down Yonder in the School Yard."
Fifth and sixth grade students practiced playing different note values on the percussion
instruments and had a chance to feel how the different fractions fit all together. They also
played different rhythm combinations in percussion circles, including polyrhythm. A lecture
kind of lesson with pictures from ancient cultures led them through the development and
history of musical instruments and notation. The same classes sang and learned the history and
origin of the National Anthem, "Star Spangled Banner" and the African American National
Anthem, "Lift Every Voice." The same classes also played the famous song "Chopsticks" on the
xylophones and danced the all American Charleston steps to a recording of the "Twelve Street
Rag." Each class sang a song about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Chorus Musical Production date has changed. We will present the show Wednesday May
1st at 6:00 pm for families and next morning, Thursday, May 2nd at 9:39 am for the school
community.
Thank you for your support,
Ms. Zsigmondi
Date: February 27, 2013
Time: 7:00PM - 8:00PM
Location: Amherst Regional Middle School
Library
You are invited to a conversation with the
Director of Teaching and Learning, Dr.
Rhonda Cohen, and the Math/Science
Coordinator K-8, Dr. Ian Stith, to learn
about where we are in the process
regarding the 7th grade math
program. Given that the district is
reviewing the 6-12 math program, we are
especially interested in meeting with
parents/guardians to learn more about
their child's experiences in our current
program and answer any questions you
might have.
Thanks to everyone who
donated food during the Martin
Luther King Jr. Day food-drive
last month. Thanks to your
generosity, we were able to
drop off almost three hundred
pounds of food to the Amherst
Survival Center!
GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENT:
BABY PICTURES NEEDED!
One of the fun parts of the graduation ceremony in June is looking at
a presentation of baby pictures of ALL the kids in the 6th grade.
In the next couple of weeks please take a look through your photos
for baby/ little kid pictures of your 6th grade student.
We also need group photos from class activities, sports, field trips, talent shows, chorus, etc.
from Kindergarten through Grade 6 so if you have any of those please find them for us. Pictures can be
from whichever school your child attended in Amherst.
What to do:
Email 3-5 baby photos of your student (jpg format) to studiozed@comcast.net

If you are unable to email digital copies of your photos, send copies to school.
Please label everything very clearly on the back with your child’s name if you
would like to have it returned!
Send in-group photos if you have them. Thank you! Due Date: Friday March 8th, 2013


AVISO DE GRADUACION:
NECESITAMOS FOTOS DE BEBE O DE
CUANDO NUESTROS GRADUANDOS DE
6 GRADO ERAN PEQUENOS
Como parte del Acto de Graduacion de los ninos de 6 grado en el mes de junio es ver la presentacion de
las fotos de TODOS los alumnos cuando eran pequenos. Estamos solicitando que por favor que en las
proximas dos semanas busquen fotos de sus ninos o ninas.Tambien necesitamos fotos en grupo de las
diferentes actividades escolares, deportivas, excursiones, shows, coro, etc. desde Kindergarten hasta sexto
grado, si tienen algunas fotos por favor envienlas. Las fotos pueden ser de cualquier escuela de su hijo
assistio en Amherst.
Que pueden hacer:



Enviar de 3 a 5 fotos de cuando sus hijos eran bebes o ninos pequenos via
correo electronico (formato jpg) a studiozed@comcast.net
Si es possible, por favor, mandenos fotos de grupos de amigos tambien
Si prefieren, pueden enviar sus fotos (ponerles nombre claramente en la parte
de atras) a sus fotos y especificar si quieren que las fotos les sean devueltas
Fecha limite: Viernes, 8 de Marzo. Gracias!
Read It Forward on World Read Aloud Day
Read it Forward for World Read Aloud Day by reading aloud and giving the gift of
story in any way you can. Read It Forward on March 6, on behalf of the 793 million
people who cannot yet read.
Join the Read It Forward Movement!
Your Top 5 Actions to Read It Forward:
1. Read aloud. To a child you know, to a group of
seniors, to a new friend, to an old friend.
2. Gather your colleagues and start a meeting by
reading aloud an inspiring article, poem, or book
excerpt.
3. Call or video chat friends who are far away. Reading
aloud and sharing stories connects us across continents
and oceans.
Don't Forget...
...to tell us your Read It
Forward story! Email
wrad@litworld.org with
details and photos from
your special World Read
Aloud Day celebration
and we'll send you
a LitWorld participation
badge to commemorate
your act of reading
kindness!
4. Spread the word online. Make the WRAD logo your
avatar and use our sample social media posts to rally
your networks.
5. Host a fun event. The WRAD event kit has a step
by step guide to organize your read aloud celebration.
Visit litworld.org for more suggestions
and to download our free activities.