Coolidge Chronicle
January 28, 2024
A Message from Mrs. Ostrander
Coolidge Walking Club Update
Last year, Coolidge was recognized as a Unified School by the Special Olympics, a testament to the outstanding leadership of our Unified School Advisors, Mrs. Nicole Bradley, Mrs. Vaillaincourt, and Mrs. Stephanie Hubert. Their dedication has played a pivotal role in creating an inclusive environment at Coolidge.
Within our Coolidge Walking Club, we have been working tirelessly to foster an inclusive environment, uplift student leadership, and engage the entire school community. This month, we are adding a new layer to the walking club experience with the introduction of a Monthly Character Challenge.
For the month of January, our unified walking group will focus on building cooperation skills. The challenge is to have two Teddy Bears make a total of 30 laps each by the end of the month. Here's the catch: each student can only carry a Teddy for 1 lap during each session. This means they must pass the bear to another student to collectively reach our goal.
This challenge is not just about physical activity but also about practicing relationship skills. Students will communicate with their peers, meet new friends, and strengthen their cooperation muscles. Additionally, we will continue to incorporate themed mindfulness strategies and affirmations to enhance the overall experience.
COOLIDGE COMMUNITY PHOTOS
ST Math Mentors & ST Math Celebration Squad
Heart & Belly Breathing in Coolidge Walking Club
Grade 4 Chorus Concert
COOLIDGE CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
January Musician of the Month
As we come back from break we will spend the month of January learning about a band from Germany called Meute. Meute is the German word for pack, as in a pack of wolves. But Meute is better known as an eleven-piece techno marching band formed in 2015 by Thomas Burhorn. Using marching band instruments such as snare drums, trumpet, tenor saxophone, marimba and bass drum the band arranges techno, house and deep house works by well-known DJs, that are then enhanced with electronic beats created by marching band instruments. These musicians use only their drums and horns to create the techno sound, no computers are involved. Meute has gained a large following through their impromptu street performances that are followed by millions on YouTube If you care to listen to Meute click this spotify link to access a playlist of some of their most notable tunes. Please note that you will need to create a spotify account to play these songs, it is free with some Ads.
NEW IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Coolidge ST Math Celebration Friday, 2/2
To celebrate surpassing our school-wide goal of 80% Average Puzzle Goal Progress, we will be having a special ST Math celebration next Friday. Please read on to see what will be happening on Friday, and how you might help your child to prepare:
Friday will be “Dress Like a Penguin” Spirit Day. Students are encouraged to wear the colors black and white, cozy clothing, and/or anything else that reminds them of our beloved ST Math mascot, JiJi the penguin!
We will have a short period of all-school ST Math play. All students in all grades will engage in ST Math puzzle solving simultaneously. Please send your child with a charged iPad so that they can participate.
There will be a special JiJi scavenger hunt where classes will try to identify the locations of paper penguins hidden around the school. Any class that finds all of the JiJis will be entered into a raffle to win an ST Math prize!
We’re looking forward to a fun day! Please support your child in keeping up their ST Math progress, as our goal is for all students to reach 80% Puzzle Goal Progress by the end of the year!
Last Chance to Register for Lego Club!
The after-school Lego club starts Thursday, February 1st, and there are still a few spots available. Register now through the parent portal.
Class: Legos, Legos Everywhere!
Cost: $40 for the six-week session
Grades: 1, 2, 3, 4
Time: Thursdays, 3:45-4:45
Dates: 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/29, 3/7, 3/14
Class Size: 16 students
Instructor: Blake Jarvi
Description: Join us and let your imagination run wild! You will have the freedom to build on your own or work with friends. Need a break from building? No problem! We’ll have a variety of LEGO themed activities as well.
February Vacation Programming through SPS!
Shrewsbury Public Schools is pleased to be offering enrichment classes for students in grades K-6 during February vacation. These classes are open to the community.
Registration will open Wednesday, January 17th at 7:00AM
Program information
Dates: Tuesday, February 20th - Friday, February 23rd
Location: Beal School
Morning Class: 8:30-11:30 - $100week
Afternoon Class: 12:00-3:00 - $100/week
Early Drop-Off: 7:00-8:15 - $40week
Extended Hours: 3:00-6:00 - $85/week
Families who qualify for free or reduced meals are eligible for a 50% discount.
Each class runs Tuesday-Friday, so students may select one class for the morning session and/or one class for the afternoon session. Students who wish to enroll in both AM and PM classes can bring a lunch from home and will be supervised in the cafeteria from 11:30-12:00.
Preview the catalog here.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Karen Isaacson, Director of Extended Learning, 508-841-8727
Grade 3 and Grade 4 Girls are invited to participate in Girls on The Run!
Check out the flyers below to consider if this afterschool programming is of interest to your Grade 3 of Grade 4 Female Child.
REPEATED IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Reading & Math Incentive Program Reminder
Friday was our 88th day of school, so we are almost halfway through the school year! WOW!
As students work toward earning medals in the Reading and Math Incentive Program, we wanted to remind you to pass in completed tracking sheets to your child's classroom teacher. Need more sheets? Click HERE.
Students who have 2 sheets in by January 31st will be getting a small prize!
ST MATH Update - New year, same goal!
We have exceeded our school-wide ST Math goal of 80% Average Puzzle Goal Progress! We are currently at 84% Puzzle Goal Progress as a school, and we have reached this milestone well ahead of schedule! This achievement results from lots of hard work on the part of students and staff.
Now that we’ve reached our school-wide goal, we are hoping to support all classrooms and all students in reaching 80% progress! At this time individual students should be at our progress target of 41% or higher.
Teachers will be reaching out in the coming weeks to inform you if your child is not meeting the current puzzle progress percentage goal. We hope to share this information with you so we can gain your involvement in fostering your child's success in mastering mathematical concepts and increase ST Math Practice at home. If you do not receive an email from your child's classroom teacher, please assume he/she is on track to meet the puzzle goal.
"Basic Rights: Understanding the IEP", SPAC Presentation via Zoom on Thursday February 1, 2024
The Federation for Children with Special Needs will present its online workshop, "Basic Rights: Understanding the IEP," via Zoom on Thursday, February 1, 2024, from 6:30-8:30 pm. Topics covered will include: Why the IEP is important, Who is Eligible, and How the IEP is Developed. All caregivers are welcome, and pre-registration is required at the following link:
https://fcsn-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqf-6pqzgsGNwblxogRSp36XtnXHYHkbIc
Afterschool Activities Program Registration (ASAP) - Registration Open!
Coolidge will be offering two different after-school classes, taught by Coolidge staff, beginning February 1st. Registration will open on Tuesday January 9th at 7:00AM, through the parent portal. The classes will meet on Thursdays from 3:45-4:45 for six weeks. Since all classes run at the same time, students may only register for one class. The cost for the six-week session is $40, and your registration is not complete until payment is received. Class sizes are limited, and spaces fill quickly.
The classes being offered are:
Ballroom Dance – grades 1-4
Legos, Legos Everywhere! – grades 1-4
Class details and dates can be found on the Coolidge website.
https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/coolidge/activities
For more information, contact Karen Isaacson, Director of Extended Learning
MCAS Dates for Spring 2024
Below are the MCAS Testing dates for this year in Grades 3 and 4. Please mark your calendars and avoid scheduling appointments or travel on testing days if possible.
DIGITAL LOST & FOUND
Lost & Found
We are taking the Lost and Found digital! Click here to see items that are in our lost & found. Lost & found is located right outside of our cafeteria and can be picked up in person during arrival and dismissal. If you see an item that belongs to your child you can also email nturnblom@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us or your child's classroom teacher to claim the item. Please label your child's items.
JANUARY PTO UPDATE
- Reading and Math Incentive Program: We are almost at the halfway point for tracking. All students who have completed 2 or more sheets in reading and math by the end of January will receive a prize. Please, remember to send completed sheets to school with your child by January 31st. All students who complete at least FIVE reading and FIVE math sheets by the end of April will receive a medal.
Download Incentive Sheets as needed!
- The February PTO meeting will be held virtually via Zoom on 2/27/24 at 6:30. A link will be shared prior to the meeting. The major focus of this meeting will be to plan out our annual Spring Fling. In order to plan for this fun event we will need volunteers to join subcommittees. Please take a look at the SignUp Genius to volunteer! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4EADA928A0FD0-47492357-spring
- Please email the PTO @ calvincoolidgepto@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Fun February Dine Out Opportunity
IMPORTANT DATES
Reminders: Mark Your Calendars! Important Dates for January & February!
January
23- Grade 4 Winter Concert at 6:30pm
February
6- Early Release for Students, PD Day
19 to 23- February Break, No School
27- PTO Meeting
Calvin Coolidge School
Website: https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/coolidge
Location: 1 Florence Street, Shrewsbury, MA, USA
Phone: 5088418880
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoolidgeElementarySchool