Coolidge Chronicle
March 17, 2024
March Character Trait: Perseverance
Perseverance is more than just a word; it's a valuable life skill that empowers individuals to push through challenges and overcome obstacles. In our ever-changing world, we all encounter moments when the road ahead seems daunting. During these times, the ability to persevere becomes a crucial asset.
As a school community, we want to instill in our students the importance of developing tools to navigate challenges and grow from these experiences. This month, I encourage you to engage with your child in discussions about perseverance. Please share your own stories of facing challenges and highlight the determination that helped you overcome them.
This month, we are placing a special focus on the' Try Your Best' core value. This Big Three core value is not just a phrase but a testament to the importance of effort and perseverance. We will be recognizing students who embody this value within the school day. Look out for the Big Three Victory Slip, which will be sent home so you can join in celebrating this achievement with your child!
Wishing you and your family a month filled with growth, resilience, and the joy of overcoming challenges.
Warmly,
Mrs. Ostrander
COOLIDGE COMMUNITY PHOTOS
A brief video from the Cultural Connections Week featuring photos from family classroom visits and the Coolidge Celebration of Us. Thank you again for your participation- what an awesome experience for our community!
Poetry Cafe in Grade 1 Gaines' Classroom
Students have been learning about astronomers and astronomy. As a culminating writing project, students wrote poems from the perspective of the sun and what the sub sees! Pictured below are Gaines students reading to grade 2 students and their families!
In Grade 4, a favorite science experiment is the "Chain Reaction." This year, Miss Orne's class enjoyed this force and motion performance assessment, too, and added some flair by ensuring their chain reaction ended by eliciting a secret message. Check out the video and picture below!
COOLIDGE CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Ramadan Mubarek!
We wish our Muslim families and staff a peaceful Ramadan which began on March 11th and runs for 29 or 30 days (depending on the moon sighting), culminating in Eid al-Fitr.
During this time, many of our Muslim families will be participating in the fasting of food and water from sunrise to sundown as a symbol of growing spiritually and devoting themselves to their faith, including periods of prayer that may go late into the evening and waking before dawn. Wishing a generous Ramadan to our families and staff who observe!
March Musician of the Month - Ludwig van Beethoven
March is Music In Our Schools Month and was created over 40 years ago to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children. Therefore during the Month of March we try to highlight a musician who has a focus on Orchestral music. This month we will be focusing on the composer Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven was born in December of 1770 in Bonn Germany. At the age of 11 he began his career as a performer, acting as assistant organists in a nobleman's court and not long after he began to compose music. Beethoven became known for his skillful piano playing and became very famous following a large public concert in Vienna. In the late 1790’s Beethoven began to lose his hearing. Despite this hearing loss he continued to perform piano and compose. By 1819 Beethoven was completely deaf and no longer performing, rather he focused his energy on composing. If you care to listen to some of Beethoven's greatest works 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
Spring Forward - Do Your Children Get Enough Sleep?
This past weekend, we turned our clocks ahead one hour as part of daylight savings. Winter months can feel endless when it’s dark before many arrive home from their day. Added daylight can boost our sense of energy, and days can quickly fill with increased activity. Whether it is light or dark outside, children require ample sleep. Being well-rested contributes to growing and learning. Click below for recommended sleep hours for children from the CDC.
REPEATED IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Invention Challenge: Toys for Pets (Non-SPS Sponsored)
Calling on all students in grades 2-8 to put on their inventor’s hat and stretch their imagination to design a new pet toy for a cat or dog for the Invention Challenge: Toys for Pets! The winning entry not only stands to win a grand prize of $5000 but also holds the potential to be manufactured, contributing to STEM education. To enter, simply submit a name for your pet toy, along with up to two images showcasing your design and a brief written summary explaining its concept in 200 words or less.
Entries Due: March 19, 2024 | 8:59 PM PT
K-6 during April Vacation Program
Shrewsbury Public Schools is pleased to be offering enrichment classes for students in grades K-6 during April vacation. These classes are open to the community.
Registration will open Thursday, March 14th, at 7:00AM
Program information
Dates: Tuesday, April 16th - Friday, April 19th
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
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.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
Students who meet the financial guidelines for the free and reduced lunch program can use the code APRVAC50 at checkout to receive a 50% discount off their total fees. Please note, even though all SPS students currently receive free lunch, this discount is only for families who meet the federal income guidelines for free and reduced meals. If you meet the criteria, you are eligible for financial assistance with other school programs. Learn more and apply here. All discounts will be verified with Food Services, and if you do not qualify, you will be billed the full cost of the class. Students who do not attend Shrewsbury Public Schools are not eligible for this discount, regardless of income status.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Karen Isaacson, Director of Extended Learning, 508-841-8727
Coolidge School Council - Enrichment Activities Survey
The Coolidge School Council, comprised of staff, parents, and a community member, has identified the school improvement goal of creating an equitable and exciting enrichment menu for Coolidge Students. We would like to hear your thoughts on the current enrichment offerings at Coolidge and learn more about the strengths and barriers to programming. Please CLICK HERE or click the pocture above to take this 3-minute survey.
Information gained from this survey will be used to improve the Coolidge enrichment offerings. Your name will not be collected on this survey; however, responses will be communicated with others publicly through the Coolidge Chronicle.
Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year
Do you have a child entering kindergarten next year? Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open. We invite you to register your incoming kindergartener now in preparation for next fall. Information can be found on the Shrewsbury Public Schools website under Student Registration or click the picture above.
SUMMER ENRICHMENT
Registration for the Summer Enrichment program will open Tuesday, February 13th at 7:00AM.
You can learn more about the program and preview the catalog here.
https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/extendedlearning/summer-programs
Location: Sherwood Middle School
For students who will be entering grades 1-8 in fall of 2024
Dates: June 24-27, July 8-11, July 15-18 and July 22-25
Half-day and Full-day options are available, with dozens of classes to choose from each week.
Each half-day class costs $100 per week. Students who meet the financial guidelines for the free and reduced lunch program can use the code SUMMER50 at checkout to receive a 50% discount off their total fees.
SUMMER ROBOTICS
Registration for the Summer Robotics Program will open Tuesday, February 13th at 7:00AM.
You can learn more about the program here.
https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/extendedlearning/summer-robotics
Location: Shrewsbury High
For students who will be entering grades 4-8 in the fall of 2024
Dates: July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26 and July 29-Aug 2
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30-3:30
Cost: $310 per week.
Students who meet the financial guidelines for the free and reduced lunch program can use the code SUMMER50 at checkout to receive a 50% discount off their total fees.
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.
March PTO UPDATES
Save the Dates…
We have a lot of fun events coming this spring.
The Calvin Coolidge Spring Fling will be Friday, May 3! The Spring Fling committee has been hard at work planning an exciting event for our students and families. We will have Bingo, Ice Cream, Raffle Baskets and more. Stay tuned for more information!
We will be hosting another Coolidge Kids Night Out on Friday, May 17. Our last event was a big success, so we’re looking forward to having even more fun this time. Flyers will come home in April.
IMPORTANT DATES
Reminders: Mark Your Calendars - Important Dates for March!
March
25- Grade 4 ELA MCAS, Session 1
27- Grade 4 ELA MCAS, Session 2
April
1- T2 Report Card Available
1- Grade 3 ELA MCAS, Session 1
3- Grade 3 ELA MCAS, Session 2
Calvin Coolidge School
Website: https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/coolidge
Location: 1 Florence Street, Shrewsbury, MA, USA
Phone: 5088418880
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoolidgeElementarySchool