November 15, 2012
Dear Members of the
J. Turner Hood School Community,
As the weather is
now getting colder and there is less sunlight, I am pleased to look around and
see all of our programs in full swing. Students are enjoying their
academic programs and our enrichment programs. It is great to be part of such
an active school community.
Candy
Witch- The candy Witch was a huge hit again this year. Thank you to all of the
students and staff that participated. Our troops will receive some wonderful
treats.
Recess- The winter season
is upon us. I would like to remind you
to send your children to school dressed appropriately for outside recess.
Coats, hats and gloves are very important. We
will always go outside for recess unless it is dangerously cold. If recess is
canceled, please understand that it was canceled due to rain, snow or health
recommendations only. It is our belief that students need physical activity and
fresh air and therefore we send the
children outside for recess in the winter. Previously, J. Turner Hood
School students were allowed to bring in snow pants and boots to play in the snow. This is a practice that we are
discontinuing at this time. All children will play on the hot top during
recess if snow is covering our playground and fields.
Vacations-
We have had an inordinate number of families requesting work for students that
are taking vacations during times when school is in session. I want to take
this opportunity to remind the members of our school community that it is not
the school’s responsibility to provide instruction to your child/children
during the time you are away from school and that Massachusetts State Law requires your child be in school when school is in
session.
Web Site-Our school website is a great
resource. We hope that you will find the information that is posted on our
website to be valuable to you and your children. Please check our site often as
there are always things going on.
Blogging at the Hood School-
Blogging (or Web logging) is most often thought of as an activity for high
school students. Did you know, however, that students as young as kindergarten
age now blog on a daily basis in a variety of exciting ways? At its core,
blogging is a method of online journaling. Take a look at any blog and you'll
immediately see the connection between it and a traditional diary. Often
arranged in calendar format with the most recent post first, blogs contain
rantings, wishes, commentary and anything else a writer thinks about, often
with graphics and perhaps even with audio and video elements
The
Hood School Blogs are as follows;
Principal’s
Blog- Along with my traditional newsletters, I have established my blog at the
following address;
http://jthoodschool.blogspot.com/
Learn
365 Blog-This year I have joined the #Learn365 Project. Every day during the
school year, one person within our learning organization is chosen to post a
blog on something they learned during the day. Sometimes it is about
something they learned in school; sometimes it is something learned
outside. It is my goal to have everyone from our superintendent,
teachers, parents and students posting on the blog. Each day a member of
our school community will reveal what he/she learned today. This will be the
Hood School’s contribution to the #Learn365 Project. It is modeled on past
iterations such as the Parkland School Divisions 184 Days of Learning and the
#edu180atl initiative, based out of Atlanta. The goal is to paint a virtual
mural of school learning every day at the Hood School. Every day of the school
year, one student, teacher, or administrator will share a post of 200 words or
less answering the question, "What did you learn today?"
The
blog is located at; http://180hood.blogspot.com/
Announcing
our newest blog- The Student Council blog! Many of our families have requested
a mechanism for the school to communicate our student council activities. Here
it is;
All
Student Council events will be posted to their blog. This will include all
fundraising activities. I will be working to add a link to our school website
in the next few days.
Twitter-
Social media and Twitter in particular, is fast becoming an important tool in
the world of education. Teachers are using it to connect with other
professionals around the world to enhance their learning and break down the
walls of their classrooms. Administrators are using it to enhance their
leadership skills and connect with parents and other members of the school
community. Stay up-to-date on the latest happenings at the Hood School! Follow
the Hood School on Twitter @jthoodelemen.
Teacher
Websites- Please note that many of our teachers have created classroom websites.
Please see the links to those sites in our staff directory.
4th
Annual North Reading Turkey Trot, November 22, 2012- The 4th Annual North
Reading Turkey Trot is scheduled to go off at 8:00 A.M. sharp on Thanksgiving
Day. The elementary school challenge is
on again this year and the Batchelder School is looking to retain the title! We
have recruited 18 staff members to join our families! I am encouraging all of
our families to be part of this community event. It is our goal to unseat the
defending elementary school challenge champions and bring the coveted trophy to
our lobby! The elementary school in North Reading that has the highest
percentage of participation will earn the trophy to display in their school for
the year and the $200.00 prize to be used toward the purchase of fitness
equipment in their school. This event is sponsored by the NRHS Hornets Hall of
Fame; proceeds benefit the student athletes of North Reading. Come out to work
up an appetite. Please contact Joe Davis at jdavis@north-reading.k12.ma.us if
you have any questions. See you Thanksgiving morning!
Live
Line Dismissal- Please be reminded to display your placard and to pull up as
far as possible at all times.
Successful Hood School Students- There are a few things you can do
at home to help your child be a successful student here at school. It is
beneficial to set up routines for your morning prior to leaving the house.
Setting up routines can help you and your child be more relaxed. Eating a good
breakfast helps your child to be energized and ready for the day ahead. After
school ask your child about his/her school day. It lets your child know you
care. Talking about school with your child helps keep you connected. If your
child isn’t sharing what he/she does at school try asking a specific question
or two. Be sure to read all papers that come home or sent via e-mail. Help your
child be prepared by studying a little each day. It is the best way to learn
and own new material. Having set homework time and place makes homework a
little less stressful. Read everyday. Try reading both to and with your child
each day. Lastly, having a set bedtime and nightly routine helps your child get
the rest he/she needs. Providing your child with relaxation, energy,
communication, preparation and rest create the potion for success!
Communication between home and school is so important for our children. Please
share anything important that is going on at home with your child’s classroom
teacher. We can’t be successful without one another.
Responsible Students- We encourage children to be responsible and
follow our guidelines. Students may not return to school for homework or forgotten
items after 3:35 pm.
It is recommended that children and families rely upon other
strategies such as calling a friend for information or the parent writing a
note to the teacher explaining that the child came home unprepared for the
assignment. The office and custodial staff are unable to be released from
their duties to open classrooms for safety reasons.
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