MCAS Schedule
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Brown School News
PARENTS-WE NEED YOUR HELP FOR MCAS-AGAIN!
REMINDER TIPS THAT WILL BE OF HELP TO YOUR CHILD DURING THE MCAS TESTING PERIOD IN MAY.
- Please be aware of the days that your child will be involved in testing.
- Discuss with your child the importance of doing his/her best on all tests.
- Since all testing starts at 8:30-please make sure that they arrive at school on time.
- Have them get plenty of rest the night before each test and eat a good breakfast on the testing days
- Have them come prepared with a reading book (if they should finish early), and a calculator if they are in 7th and 8th grade for the second session of math in May.
Please visit the MCAS website for further information www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/
Thank you in advance for your help and support with the testing program,
Mark Nardelli, Assistant Principal
REMINDER FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
As the warm weather approaches please remember to send a water bottle to school with your child particularly when they have physical education or play in after school sports. I'm seeing many students already complaining of dehydration.
ATTENTION: Sixth Grade Parents: Please remember send updated medical form to the nurse even through the summer. There still are over 100 6th grade students who will not be able to return to school in September unless this information is provided. Thanks for your help in this. Maureen Bisaga RN - Brown School Nurse
FOOD SERVICE NEWS
All 8th grade students who will be moving on to either one of the high schools next year will have their individual account balances follow them. There is no need to worry; the system is designed to follow individual students account from the sixth grade through high school graduation. If you would like an update on your child(s) account balance please contact the cafeteria manager.
BROWN LIBRARY HOSTING EXHIBIT ON FREDERICK DOUGLASS
Brown will host "Frederick Douglass from Slavery to Freedom: the Journey to New York City," an exhibit created and funded by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, through June 1st.
The panel exhibit traces Douglass' life under slavery and his daring journey to freedom based upon selected excerpts from Douglass' autobiography. It highlights the role of literacy in enabling Douglass to resist bondage and, once free, to champion civil rights for all Americans. The Gilder Lehrman Institute also has provided brochures, document reproductions, a site resource notebook, and instructions for teachers.
All 8th grade students at the school will be studying the exhibit in the school's library. The exhibit can be viewed free-of-charge by the public from 8:30am to 3:00pm on weekdays. For more information, contact Lauren Italiano, at 617-552-7409 or lauren_italiano@newton.k12.ma.us.
"As Frederick Douglass and the abolitionists are an essential part of the 8th grade curriculum, we are very excited to have this museum display to help students learn about his life and accomplishments," said Samuel McGraw, 8th grade Social Studies teacher.
In 2006, copies of five different Gilder Lehrman Institute traveling exhibits, "Frederick Douglass: from Slavery to Freedom: the Journey to New York City," "Freedom: A History of US," "Free at Last: A History of the Abolition of Slavery," "Looking at Lincoln: Political Cartoons from the Civil War Era," and "Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America," visited 66 sites in 28 states.
Founded in 1994, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History promotes the study and love of American history. Increasingly national and international in scope, the Institute targets audiences ranging from students to scholars to the general public. It helps to create history-centered schools and academic research centers, organizes seminars and enrichment programs for educators, partners with school districts to implement Teaching American History grants, produces print and electronic publications and traveling exhibitions, and sponsors lectures by eminent historians. The Institute also funds awards including the Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and George Washington Book Prizes and offers fellowships for scholars to work in history archives, including the Gilder Lehrman Collection. The Gilder Lehrman Collection contains more than 60,000 documents detailing the political and social history of the United States. The collection's holdings include manuscript letters, diaries, maps, photographs, printed books and pamphlets ranging from 1493 through modern times. The Collection is particularly rich with materials in the Revolutionary, Antebellum, Civil War and Reconstruction periods. Highlights of the Collection include signed copies of the Emancipation Proclamation, the Thirteenth Amendment, a rare printed copy of the first draft of the Constitution, and thousands of unpublished Civil War soldiers' letters. Letters written by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and others record the issues and events of their day. The writings of such notable women as Lucy Knox, Mercy Otis Warren and Catherine Macaulay discuss a variety of military, political and social issues.
From the PTO
Dear Parents and Guardians,
On May 8, our faculty and staff were treated to an abundant, delicious and delectable barbeque. Thanks so much to Nina Levin and her crew for rustling up such a wonderful spread and making this Teacher Appreciation Luncheon a delicious success!
Thank you to all the families who made donations to the “Honor Your Teacher” technology drive. To date we have raised $2,015.00 towards our goal of $11,000 to purchase ten iMacs for the library. “Honor Your Teacher” will continue through June as a year end way to acknowledge the excellent work of our teachers and staff. Forms can be found at: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/brown/200607_Honor_Your_Teacher.pdf
Please join us on Wednesday, June 13 in the Brown library for the Parent/Teacher End of Year Coffee & PTO Meeting. Everyone is welcome for coffee and conversation with faculty and staff at 8:00am. We will start the meeting by 8:45am to review and vote on the 07-08 PTO budget and slate of officers. Feel free to stay, socialize and share your feedback and suggestions to help us make the PTO even better next year!
The PTO is an important part of the success of our school. We would love to have more parents involved next year. If you want to get a little more involved – we have a job for you. If you are working, or don’t have a lot of spare time – we still have a job for you. Please review the table below to see which chair/volunteer positions are still open for next school year. Let us know what you are interested in doing and call or email us for more details of what is involved. We’d love to have you help out!
Sincerely,
Karen Spier (617-965-0742) and Mimi Karys (617-964-2908), brownpto@brownpto.org
PTO Co-Presidents
Position |
Volunteers signed up |
In Need of: |
Hours – |
Description |
Co-President: |
Mimi Karys, |
1 more |
|
We would like to try having 3 co-presidents for the 2007-08 school year! |
Vice President (fundraising) |
|
1 |
|
Attend 4 Board meetings per year; Work on Magazine Drive; Advise on other fundraisers |
Secretary |
|
1 |
** 10-14 hrs./yr. |
Attend 4 Board meetings per year; Take minutes of meetings; Send thank-yous for fundraisers |
School Store |
Need scheduler Order supplies – Nina Levin |
1 |
1-2 hrs/month |
Create monthly schedules of volunteers; collect money & deposit in bank; Help with summer pre-sale |
Hospitality |
|
3 |
** 4 hrs./yr. |
Provide and set up snacks for 3-4 evening meetings; provide and set up snacks for 5th grade coffees. |
Magazine Drive |
|
1 |
10+ school & non-school hours in Nov./Dec. |
Help Vice President with Magazine Drive. |
Cookie Dough Fundraiser |
|
2 |
** 10 hrs. in spring. Need to be at school 1 afternoon |
Promote and organize sale of cookie dough for fundraiser. (Approx. 10 hours during spring; Mostly non-school hours. Need to be at school on day of delivery) |
Box Tops |
|
1 |
** ½ hour /month |
Collect box tops from school. Mail. Promote in newsletter. |
Newsletter |
Suzanne Chan-Wong |
3 more |
** 3 hrs /month |
** Share in editing newsletter. Distribute hardcopies at school. Pick up items from school. |
766 Liaison |
|
1 |
|
Brown representative for Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education. |
Political Action Liaison |
|
1 |
** Keep up with school committee meetings. |
Keeps Brown community informed of pertinent political activities affecting our school. Advocates for Brown M.S. |
Building Brown |
|
2 |
12 hrs. in spring |
Organize a work day to paint and/or spruce up grounds. |
Directory |
Deborah Gelch |
1 more |
** 10 hrs. in fall |
Assist database coordinator with directory. |
Environmental committee |
Lucia Dolan |
2 more |
4-5 meetings per year during school hours |
Identifies building issues affecting safety and health and advocates for repair. Works with city departments. |
THE BROWN PTO CREATIVE ARTS AND SCIENCES COMMITTEE
We were proud to present Charlotte Blake Alston on Wednesday, May 2 for all grades. This was the second of two Concert Series Programs organized by the Newton Public Schools Creative Arts and Sciences Coordinator, but funded by the Brown PTO. Ms. Alston is an award winning African American storyteller, modeled after the traditional storytellers of West Africa. She was a former teacher for 19 years. During the program she taught students about the oral tradition’s important role in the African and African American cultures used to teach language and communication skills, history and moral lessons. She also performs annually with the Philadelphia Orchestra and at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Chariot of the Sun by Jeff Benoit on Wednesday, May 9 for the seventh grade. This theatrical program introduced the students to the heroes, monsters and goddesses of Greek mythology. Through the use of poetry, masks, mime, call and response, and other skillful audience participation techniques, Mr. Benoit’s presentation captured the spirit of three ancient myths as follows:
- “Phaethon” which is the myth about a boy who attempts to drive his father’s sun chariot across the sky
- “Pandora” and her mysterious box
- “Odysseus and the Cyclops”
If you have any questions about these programs or the committee, please don’t hesitate to contact Stephanie Elkind, Sue Chari or Kelly Petracca.
6th GRADE PARENT-STUDENT BOOK GROUP
Brown 6th Grade Parent-Student Book Group Meets Monday, June 4, 7:00 to 8:30pm in the library as usual. Snacks provided. This will be our last meeting of the year. If you couldn’t make the other meetings, please join us this time! We are reading STAR OF KAZAN by Eva Ibbotsen, a suspenseful story set in the Austro-Hungarian empire. Booklist calls the book “a breathless adventure that skillfully enfolds deliciously cruel villains, crumbling aristocratic families, stolen jewels, and a cast of lovable professors and children.” Please reply to laurenadams@rcn.com if you plan to attend or have any questions. Hope to see you there!
From the Newton Public Schools
UNDERSTANDING OUR DIFFERENCES
All Current and Former "Understanding Our Differences" volunteers are invited to a "Thank You" breakfast with Mayor David Cohen and Superintendent Jeff Young Friday June 8th 8:30 – 10am at the City Hall's War Memorial. There will be a special presentation by one of the guest speakers. RSVP by June 4th to carol_weigert@newton.k12.ma.us
NEWTON SOUTH STAGE PRESENTS THE HEIDI CHRONICLES
The Pulitzer Prize Winning Play by Wendy Wasserstein will be performed on May 31, June 1 & 2 at 7:30pm at Newton South High School. $8 General Admission; for more information 617-559-6594 or www.southstage.org
NEXT PAC MEETING WILL HAVE EXPERT SPEAK ON COMPUTER ADDICTION
Maressa Hecht Orzack, PhD, clinical psychologist and founder of the Computer Addiction Study Center at McLean Hospital, will speak Wednesday, May 16th at 7:30pm on "Internet Usage Disorder: When Online Activity Intrudes on Real Life." Problems with Internet usage, which are widespread in all age groups, include excessive use of computer and Internet-based videogames, as well as repeated visits to web sites providing gambling, sexual content, home shopping, and other material and activities that may be inappropriate. Dr. Orzack's talk is sponsored by the Newton Parents Advisory Council on Special Education. It will be held at the Education Center, 100 Walnut Street, Newtonville, in room 210.
Dr. Orzack is an assistant clinical professor at Harvard Medical School. She is the author of many articles on computer/Inter- net addiction problems. She has spoken at many organizations, including Harvard University, MIT, American Psychiatric Association, the American Association of Psychiatrists, Boston University Mood and Anxiety Medical Center Program.
For more information, please contact Leslie Lockhart at 617-527-5046 or newtonspedpac@yahoo.com.
ALL-CITY HONORS CHORUS TROUBADOURS AUDITIONS
Do you love to sing? Auditions are now being held for any 6th, 7th, or 8th grader interested in singing with the All-City Honors Chorus Troubadours next year. Rehearsals are Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00 at Williams School in Auburndale, from late September to early May. To schedule an audition please call Martha Holmes at 617-965-7573 or Williams School at 617-559-6480, or e-mail martha_holmes@newton.k12.ma.us
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REQUESTS FEEDBACK FOR SCHOOL CALENDAR START DATE
The School Committee is interested in getting feedback from parents about a proposed policy for setting the start date of the school calendar each year. Comments can be emailed to the school Committee at schoolcommittee@newton.k12.ma.us.
The School Committee held an initial discussion at its regular meeting on May 14, 2007 related to the school calendar for FY09 and is considering the following policy for all future school calendars:
"When Labor Day occurs on September 1, 2, or 3, teachers will report on the Tuesday following Labor Day, and students will return on Thursday of that week.
When Labor Day occurs on September 4, 5, 6, or 7, teachers will report to school on the Wednesday and Thursday preceding Labor Day, and students will return on the Tuesday following Labor Day."
Members of the committee have expressed interest in having a separate vote to mark December 24th as a holiday in the school calendar.
Final School Committee vote on the calendar will be held on May 29th.
Community News
5THANNUAL JORDAN BENNETT WEISS FUND GOLF TOURNAMENT
Please register for this event In memory of Jordan Weiss to raise funds so we can raise awareness aboutdiabetes. Wednesday, September 5th, Lost Brook Golf Course, Norwood, MA (8:00am tee time). Lunch/Auction/Raffle at Union Street Restaurant in Newton Centre, MA (starts @ 12 noon). To make a contribution, please make check payable to: Jordan Bennett Weiss Fund, PO Box 590223, Newton Centre MA 02459. For registration and information, call Ken Powtak 617-630-1564 or Sara Weiss 617-407-4414
NEWTON CULTURAL COUNCIL COMMUNITY INPUT MEETING
Monday, June 11th 7pm at the Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada Street, Newtonville. Guest Speakers: Kay Khan, State Representative - speaking on The Needs of the Newton Cultural Community & Anita Walker, Executive Director Massachusetts Cultural Council. We want your input! Artists, Arts Organization, Business Community and the general public are urged to attend this meeting. Your advice and suggestions are needed to make the Newton Council more responsive to the cultural needs of the community. For further information, please call Judith Thanas Anderson at 617-796-1540.
HOST FAMILIES NEEDED FOR CHINESE EXCHANGE STUDENTS FOR FALL 2007
Here is a great opportunity to participate in an enriching, diplomatic, generous, international experience and build better US-China relations--without leaving Newton! The Newton-China Exchange Program is seeking several north side and south side families to host Beijing Jingshan School students and teachers. Newton will host six to eight Chinese high school students and two teachers from our sister school in Beijing for a four month stay. The Jingshan School sends us their best and brightest and their English skills are remarkable.
Host families are not obligated to serve as full-time tour guides: our Newton China Committee generously provides a variety of invitations and experiences. Health insurance and back-up accommodations are provided. Students and teachers quickly settle into a busy schedule of school, activities, and family routines. A warm, welcoming family with children (of any ages) is the best place for our visitors to learn about America! If you're interested or have questions, please contact Donna Fong donna_fong@newton.k12.ma.us or Aaron Washburn aaron_washburn@newton.k12.ma.us or call 617-559-6731.
COOL GLOBES PUBLIC ART PROJECT
This project is looking to raise awareness about global warming. It will take place in Chicago from June through September. To get youngsters into the festivities, the “Cool Globes for Cool Kids” was created. The contest is challenging kids to create a piece of artwork shaped like a globe. Along with their globe, entrants must also submit a written description of their solutions to global warming. Students are allowed to work individually or as a group. The globe submissions must be in by Friday May 25th The winners will be announced on the website by June 1st, and then the artwork will be displayed at the Kohl’s Children’s Museum in Glenville, Illinois. Encourage your child to have a group of friends create a globe together. Maybe suggest to your child’s teacher to make it a classroom activity. Go to www.coolglobes.com for details.
NEWTON GIRLS INTRAMURAL SOCCER
Registration for the upcoming fall season of Newton Girls Intramural Soccer is currently underway for Newton girls currently in grades K-8. Games are played on Saturdays, starting September 8th and continue until November 10th. For grades 2-8, in addition to the games on Saturdays, there is also generally one practice per week. The goals of the NGS Intramural Program are for the girls to learn soccer skills, have fun and be part of a team. To register, or to find out more information about the NGS IM Program, please visit our website at www.newtongirlssoccer.org. Scholarships are available based on need.
BOSTON WALK TO CURE LUPUS WALKATHON
Mother of Brown student Kori Tatum recently registered for the 2007 Boston Walk with Us to Cure Lupus Walkathon, which will be held on June 9th at Castle Island. 100% of the proceeds from this event will fund research sponsored by the Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR) in its efforts to prevent, treat, and cure lupus. Your generous support will help her reach her own fundraising goal, and is essential to the ALR's major research program. More information on the Alliance for Lupus Research can be found at http://www.lupusresearch.org/. It is faster and easier than ever to give your support! Visit her Personal Webpage to donate with a credit card online. Immediately after making your gift, you will receive an email with tax receipt information. You can also send her a check contribution. Make all checks payable to the Alliance for Lupus Research, and include Kori’s ID Number in the check's memo line: NE-80000 Mail checks to her so she can collect them and turn them in on walk day. You can also mail checks directly to the Alliance for Lupus Research at: Walk with Us to Cure Lupus, 28 West 44th Street, Suite 1217, New York, NY 10036. Whatever you can give will help; it all adds up!
RAFFLE FOR THE GREEN DECADE COALITION
1st Prize: 2007 Computerized Cruise Control Raleigh Bicycle; 2nd Prize: $300 Whole Foods Gift Certificate; 3rd prize: one month free Clean Air Lawn Care. More prizes listed on-line. Tickets are only $10 or 3 for $20 available on-line at www.greendecade.org. GDC/Newton is a volunteer non-profit organization whose mission is to create an environment in better balance with the natural world by making significant, measurable improvements in the way we use resources. For more information contact info@greendecade.org or 617-965-1995.
SUMMER TENNIS IN NEWTON
Making summer plans? Check out Newton Parks & Rec. tennis classes beginning in late June and continuing into August. We have classes for all levels – beginning at age 4! Kids may attend for one week or several, morning or afternoon or both! Please check out www.newtontennis.com for our summer schedule. Adults, there are also clinics and round robins for you. Have fun!!!
REGISTRATION FOR THE 2007 NEWTON EAST LITTLE LEAGUE SUMMER BASEBALL SEASON IS NOW OPEN
Newton East LL is again directing the 10-12 year old Summer Baseball League this summer. This league serves eligible boys and girls aged 10 to 12 who were born on or between May 1, 1994 - April 30, 1997. All new applicants must reside in Newton OR attend the public schools in the Newton school districts. The season begins in early July and runs through the middle of August. Applications and program information are available at www.summer.newtoneastll.org. All registrations must be done on-line at our web site. Coaching information is also available on-line.
LEARN CHINESE 1 2 3
Learn Chinese 1 2 3 is a Mandarin-Chinese class that teaches beginners of all ages (children and adult). We are conveniently located in Babson College near Wellesley MA. Our curriculum is fun and easy to grasp for everyone! Call 857-498-2790 or email at dzhu1@babson.edu or www.LearnChinese123.com. Join today to start learning! The classes are $20 each for Children and College students. $25 for adults. They are 1.5 hours long and we offer classes beginning now. Private lessons are also available.
3RD ANNUAL WABAN VILLAGE DAY
Don’t miss all the fun! Come to the third annual Waban Village Day, to be held on Sunday, May 20th from 11am to 3pm. Family Fun Run 5K begins at 10am. Visit the web site to register. On going throughout the day will be a petting zoo, amusement rides, games and activities for children, as well as handmade crafts, gifts and jewelry for sale. Live music provided by Julia Priest and World Beat. The Dance Academy and Siagel Productions will provide Hip Hop Instruction and entertainment. The grills start at 11am with great food all day long. More information can be found at www.wabanimprovement.org
EXPLORE JAPAN SUMMER CAMP
Explore Japan is aweek summer day program for girls coming to Newbury College this summer, from July 26th through August 10th. In Explore Japan, girls join visiting students from Japan and learn about each other's respective cultures in a fun environment. The program includes arts and crafts projects, sports and martial arts, cuisine, music, pop culture and much more. Each afternoon, the entire group embarks on field trips to area sights and activities. For any family who can host one of the visiting Japanese students for this program, their child can attend the full program free of charge! Hosting is easy, fun, and a great experience for the entire family. There are still several slots available for the upcoming summer session. For more information, visit the website at www.americanlearning.com or call Kelly Kennedy at 781-659-4070.
Classifed
CERTIFIED EXPERIENCED READING TUTOR
Your child deserves to read grade level. Certified experienced reading tutor available for ages 5-16. Summer is a critical time for skills building; now accepting summer students. Brookline resident and specialist, Debra Stewart, M.Ed.:SpEd:LD call 617-731-0941 or debthetutor@gmail.com Serving Brookline and Newton.
ACTIVEMINDS TUTORING, LLC
Summer is a great time to catch up or get ahead! We provide IN-HOME Tutoring for all grades/subjects as well as standardized test preparation. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation and to learn about our SPECIAL SUMMER PROMOTION! 617-663-5700 or 617-227-2225 Eve/Wknds. Please visit our web site at www.activemindstutoring.com.
CELLO FOR SALE
Full-size cello – asking price is $4,000. From the William Harris Lee studio. Fully carved, slab cut back, light amber finish, spruce top, ebony trim, Yarger strings. Price includes hard case. Perfect for a middle or high school student. Call Frankie at 617-559-8632 (W) or 617-965-2645 (H), or email at frankie@hebrewcollege.edu
Brown PTO Newsletter
The newsletter will publish, at the sole discretion of the PTO, articles and other information of interest to the Brown Middle School Community.SUBMISSIONS: by email to editor@brownpto.org,by US mail to Brown Middle School PTO, Newsletter Editor, 125 Meadowbrook Road, Newton, MA 02459, or by drop off in the Brown Office Mailroom. Deadline Saturday evenings.
Important Email Addresses
PTO President - brownpto@brownpto.org
Newsletter Editor - editor@brownpto.org
Webmaster - webmaster@brownpto.org