Coolidge Chronicle
January 21, 2024
A Message from Mrs. Ostrander
Dear Coolidge Parents & Guardians,
This Fall, our Grade 3 and Grade 4 Students participated in the Panorama Education Survey, which focused on four categories: emotional regulation, self-efficacy, social awareness, and belonging. After reviewing the findings, we have decided to continue to evolve our practice in supporting students in gaining emotional regulation and self-efficacy skills. These crucial skills contribute to academic success and lay the foundation for lifelong learning and personal growth.
Understanding the pivotal role these skills play in shaping not only academic success but also lifelong learning, I invite you to explore valuable resources from Edutopia:
Article from Child Mind Institute (Listen or Read): How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation?
Article from Child Mind Institute (Listen or Read): 12 Tips for Raising Confident Kids
Infographic from HeartMind Online (Read): 12 Self-Regulation Strategies for Children
These resources offer insightful perspectives on the significance of self-regulation, self-management, and self-efficacy in elementary students. They provide practical strategies for school and home environments, reinforcing the mutual relationship between academic and personal growth. I encourage you to take some time to explore these resources and consider incorporating some of the strategies into your daily routines.
Over the next few weeks, classroom teachers will share more specifics about what supports are in place for your child at his/her specific grade level within their regularly scheduled newsletter communication. Strategies to support emotional regulation and self-efficacy skills vary based on each grade level and each child's developmental needs. Should you have any questions or seek additional support, please feel free to contact your child's classroom teacher or me directly via email at tostrander@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us. We appreciate your continued partnership and support!
Sincerely,
Tiffany
COOLIDGE COMMUNITY PHOTOS
Proud Learners & Educators
Nothing is better than catching an "Ah-ha Moment" in a classroom! Pictured here is a very proud second grader showing accurate math thinking to her teacher and peers.
Grade 2 is Multiplying!
Students in the Grade 2 Grillo Classroom are using their repeated addition skills to become multiplication masters! With visuals and a whiteboard students paired together to practice this new learning.
Literacy Data Meetings for T2
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
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.
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!
REPEATED IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Snack Reminder from Mrs. Sorenson
Dear Parents, I want to let you know that I have been seeing more and more students come to the nurse's office for a snack on a daily basis. The school provides breakfast and lunch free of charge; however, snacks are not provided, and must be sent in from home. Please make sure that you are sending your child into school every day with a healthy snack. If you need any assistance with providing snacks for your child, please contact the school. Thank you so much for your attention to this matter, Sandy
"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.
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. A SignUp Genius for subcommittees will be available in next week’s chronicle.
Download Incentive Sheets as needed!
Please email the PTO @ calvincoolidgepto@gmail.com if you have any questions.
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