Included Below:
- Construction/Title I meeting
- April PTO Treasurer's Report
- PTO Leadership
- Letter from Sarah Smith
- Superintendent's blog
- Safe Routes to School construction planned
- Burlington Afterschool Summer Camp Fair
Annual Title I Meeting AND Flynn Construction Update
Tuesday April 16th, 7-8 p.m.Childcare Provided
Mr Clarke will be reviewing the Title 1 policy and Home/School Compact.
He will also talk about phase 2 of construction and how it will impact your child/ren!
PTO April Treasurer's Report - meeting minutes to be posted after break.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ag-zi-SCj-zndGtnXy1RNzRKbnQzZUxrME9VODU3RWc#gid=0
Planting a Seed... The Flynn PTO will be turning over some key leadership positions for the coming school year including, President (or co-President), Vice President, Treasurer and Enrichment Coordinator. We would be happy to talk to folks about the job commitment for each position. Flynn school PTO is in good shape concerning fundraising, parent support and camaraderie. We are grateful for the families who have volunteered their time and talents to benefit all students at Flynn and we welcome the next crop of parent leaders. It is really important to share the workload and to continually build new leadership. Please contact current President, Tammy Kuypers to chat about how you might get more involved in the Flynn PTO. kuypers5@yahoo.com
A Message from Sarah Smith - Outgoing PTO Enrichment Coordinator
Dear Flynn families,
As I finish up my 3rd and final year in the role of enrichment coordinator, I wanted to take a few moments to reflect on the importance of enrichment at Flynn Elementary and the importance of someone stepping into this job after I leave. The PTO serves many purposes, all of which are directly related to bettering the lives of all of the students and families at JJ Flynn Elementary. And enrichment is a huge part of the PTO’s mission, and budget. For those of you who don’t know what the enrichment part of the PTO does, let me elaborate. This year, the PTO sent every k-2 student to a performance at the Flynn Theatre downtown. Each grade chose a different show to attend and we bought the tickets and booked the buses. As enrichment coordinator, I’ve started a chess club which is in its second year, and going strong. Enrichment has brought in Jeh Kulu drum and dance for a weeklong residency as well as authors and local hip hop artists.
But our biggest undertaking of the year, both time wise and budget wise, is the spring musical, which is open to all students grades 3-5. We undertake the play in collaboration with Very Merry Theatre and their professional musicians and choreographers. Being in a play of this size and scope is enriching and educational to kids on so many levels. They memorize lines, learn choreography, learn to work as a team in their character groups, learn good time management skills, build their confidence by performing on stage and of course, feel that they are a part of something bigger than themselves and bigger than their class community. More than any other activity that happens at Flynn school, the play builds community. It is inspiring to see parents offering up their skills, creativity and most importantly, their time, to create a complex, engaging, high quality performance. Musicians from the community come in to provide a live orchestra. Dozens of families come to the set building day to build out the stage, cover windows in black plastic, build sets and paint. Parents spend countless hours making costumes and running lines with their children. This year was our fifth year of having a play at Flynn. Unlike many other things that the PTO spends money on, the play has the unique ability to be at least partially self-sustaining. That has been our goal. Because it is such a large endeavor, we have tried to create a structure that is the cost effective and we have worked hard to sell ads for the playbill, write grants and ask you, the parents, for any extra donations you might be able to provide, so that it is self-sustaining. However, no one is ever denied participation because of the inability to donate, or sew a costume or offer up their valuable time.
The opportunities and experiences we offer our children now will determine the future of their lives and the health and viability of our community in the future. This isn’t rocket science, it’s just common sense. If our children are engaged and inspired now, they will want to make a life that is engaging, productive and inspiring. I was proud to serve as enrichment coordinator on behalf of all of our children and I hope that one of you reading this will decide to take that torch from me and carry on.
Best,
Sarah
Superintendent's Update from Jeanne Collins
Greetings all, The sun is trying to be out and the marsh is muddy—we are officially in mud season, with spring near! In this season, the Board reorganizes. We have three new members (Liz Curry, Miriam Stoll and Greg Jenkins) and a new chair (Alan Matson). Board committee assignments will be out shortly and the Board is working to realign its work with District goals. Stay tuned for more on this.
A topic that has captured the ears of many is the Vision Calendar, which is being considered by the Champlain Valley Superintendents Association (CVSA). CVSA is responsible each year for setting a common regional 175 day calendar that aligns with the two technical centers in our region. The Vision Calendar takes those same 175 days and reformats it so that school is chunked into six to seven-week learning periods, with a time of reflection between each chunk. That one to two-week break could be used for timely student intervention through a Title 1 Program, faculty professional development, vacation and reflection, coursework for faculty, etc. Just as our December-June stretch does now, it allows everyone to pause and take a breath as the learning continues. It is intentional and focused on student achievement.
As mentioned above, the number of days does not change for students or staff. The school year would likely start one week earlier in August and end one week later in June. The summer is still quite lengthy for summer jobs, professional development and camps. Opportunities for vacations for families at off times is an added bonus. CVSA is talking with child care providers about camps and child care during the intersession weeks.
The discussion is just beginning. CVSA would need to decide by January 2014 if it were to take place in the 2014-15 school year. Share your thoughts and questions with me—I will bring them to CVSA. Click here for a post of sample Vision Calendar :
Think differently—how might this benefit both students and staff?
Enjoy spring.
Jeanné
FYI for families that bike/walk to school: Safe Routes to School - North Avenue Megan Moir – Dept. of Public Works, Burlington
The City of Burlington was awarded a grant for the planning, design and construction of improvements on three intersections along North Avenue (North Avenue and Plattsburgh, North Avenue and Heineberg Road, North Avenue at Ethan Allen Shopping Center) to make conditions better for students who will be walking or bicycling to school. Construction is expected during the 2013 construction season.
We would like to invite you to review and discuss the design of these improvements with city staff on Wednesday evening, May 1 at 7:00 pm at the Lyman C. Hunt Middle School Library (1364 North Avenue – Burlington, VT 05408)
If you have any questions about this project, I can be reached at ggomez@burlingtonvt.gov
Sincerely,
Guillermo Gomez
Public Works Engineer - City of Burlington, VT
Public Works Engineer - City of Burlington, VT
SAVE THE DATE
April 15 - Chess Club in Library from 2:45-3:45 - All abilities welcome!
April 16 - Annual Title I meeting and Flynn Construction Update - 7-8pm - Stage Gym
April 20-28 - Spring Break - No School!
April 29 - Chess Club in Library from 2:45-3:45 - All abilities welcome!
May 1 - Family Math Night
May 2 - PTO Meeting
April 16 - Annual Title I meeting and Flynn Construction Update - 7-8pm - Stage Gym
April 20-28 - Spring Break - No School!
April 29 - Chess Club in Library from 2:45-3:45 - All abilities welcome!
May 1 - Family Math Night
May 2 - PTO Meeting
May 19 - Springfest! 2-4pm
May 21 - Fifth Grade Orientation to Hunt Middle School (parent meeting)
May 22 - Staff Appreciation Luncheon at Flynn (more info to come on how families can participate with providing food and recess support)
No comments:
Post a Comment