Shawsheen School

August 12, 2008

Dear Shawsheen Community,     

On behalf of everyone at Shawsheen School, I welcome you or welcome you back to Shawsheen.  The weather is not cooperating with the roofers, but everything should be done next week.

As always, Shawsheen’s overarching theme is The Golden Rule. I truly feel this is one of the most important concepts we can teach our children. I believe if we all followed the Golden Rule, we would not have many other rules. As generations and lifestyles change, it is important for our children to understand what civility is all about: how we treat one another.

Our curriculum theme this year is Endangered Species.  Each class will be learning about a particular species and we will share our research with other classes. The specialists are also choosing an endangered species so there will be lots of ‘endangered’ information in this building all year.  Here we go:

**Due to the fact that most everyone has email, and in an effort to stay ‘green’, I correspond electronically. This will be the only paper mass mailing you will receive from me this year. I do check my email several times a day so it is also a good way to communicate with me (m2obrien@aps1.net- don’t forget the 2). [APS1] If you haven’t signed up for the Shawsheen list-serve, all you have to do is: go to aps1.net- click on list-serve, select Shawsheen and sign up. If you do not have email, please let me know and I will make sure you receive a paper copy.  This letter will also be posted on the Shawsheen website, as will the calendar of events, preschool information, PTO news, supply lists, library books etc.  Dr. Bach’s welcome back letter will be posted on the aps1.net website.

You, of course, are always welcome to visit or call us 978-923-8850. We love to see you and have you volunteer in classrooms. Please fill out a CORI sheet as soon as possible; they are only good for one year and you need to have that completed before you can volunteer or chaperone a field trip. (CORI forms are on aps1.net). Completed forms come to our office. 

We do not have many changes this year.  We welcome the following new staff:  Paige Holman – Media Specialist; Julie Patten – Learning Specialist and Amy Kenneally – Instructional Assistant. 

We will be handing out visor cards the first day of school if you plan on picking up your child. Please print your [APS2] last name in large black letters   so we can read them easily. Rather than mailing a great big packet home, you will receive your emergency form, insurance information, code of discipline, menus and student handbook on the first day of school, Thursday, September 4^th  (Grades 1 and 2) via your child’s backpack.

Preschool and Kindergarten: Preschool and K students will come to an hour long orientation Thursday, September 4^th and begin school on Friday, September 5^th. At the orientation hour, we will be passing out your packets with all the forms and reviewing the information. K parents will be given their K child’s bus tag (if he or she is to ride the bus) to wear for the first few weeks of school. We will also try to answer any questions you may have about the school day at Shawsheen. PTO representatives will be there if you would like to sign up for a committee.

Orientation Hours: Thursday, Sept.4

 9:30 a.m.- A.M. Preschool and A.M. Kindergarten

 (Ms. Curtis, Mrs. Hunt and Mrs. Dougherty classes)

10:30 a.m.- A.M./Full-day Preschool and Full Day Kindergarten

                        (Mrs. O’Donnell, Mrs. Martell, Mrs. Puleo, Ms. Broderick, Mrs.Galligani and Ms. Messina classes)

  1:15 p.m.- P.M. Preschool and P.M. Kindergarten

 (Ms. Curtis, Mrs. Hunt and Mrs. Smith classes)

School Supplies:  If you did not order supplies through the PTO Tool Box Program in June, included in this letter is the supply list your child will need for the first day of school.

Our PTO is very active and raises money for cultural events, supplies and materials.  We are so indebted to them for the extraordinary time and effort each person gives for the Shawsheen community. There are many PTO committees so no one has to do too much, so please consider signing up.  The first PTO event is The Harvest Fest on Sunday, September 28. This is very fun and no Patriots game is scheduled.

The schedule of events for the school year is on the Shawsheen list-serve.

With the way the weather has been this summer, the first few weeks of school will probably be in the 90’s.  I know your child loves that brand new corduroy outfit and sweater, but please dress him or her accordingly. It gets very toasty upstairs and the little ones are so hot.  You are encouraged to send in water each day with your child, so everyone stays hydrated.

Thanks for making Shawsheen so special.  I look forward to seeing you soon.

Moira O’Brien

Principal