PLEASE ATTEND SCHOOL BUDGET MEETING TONIGHT, Tuesday, Jan 29th 7:30PM Town Hall

SPRAGUE PARENTS - STAY INFORMED

School Committee will be voting on the proposed FY 14 School Budget tonight (Jan. 29th) at 7:30pm, Town Hall. The proposed budget represents a 4.25% increase in spending over last year's operating budget. This increase reflects: 1) continuation of the existing level of education services (level of service); 2) modest budget increases in math and science; and 3) additional investment in professional development for teachers. These are priorities that the new Superintendent has identified as important investments to help maintain our school system.

Because this increase is WELL ABOVE the 2.8% increase recommended by the Board of Selectmen, there will be pressure to reduce the school budget. At tomorrow night's meeting there will an opportunity for the community to share their thoughts about the budget at "Citizen's Speak" (at the beginning and end of the meeting). Letters can also be sent to the School Committee at school_committee@wellesley.k12.ma.us or to the Advisory Committee at advisory_committee@wellesley.ma.gov. 

For more information on the budget, please go to: www.wellesley.k12.ma.us/schoolcom/pdfs/FY14AdministrationsRecommendedBudget.pdf


Other upcoming meetings regarding the proposed FY 14 School Budget are:

Wed, 1/30 @ 7:30pm, Town Hall: Advisory Committee/School Committee Meeting

Wed, 2/6 @ 7:00pm, Town Hall: Advisory Committee Public Hearing

Tues, 2/12 @ 7:30pm, Town Hall: School Committee Meeting


Thank you, Sprague Committee 21 Reps
Eunice Groark, Kathleen Woodward, Mason Smith and Mate Converse

Questions, please email Eunice Groark at egroark@yahoo.com

Navigating the 1:1 Technology Initiative, is it right for Wellesley?

http://www.apple.com/education/ipad/

The Sprague PTO is having a second meeting, Wednesday January, 30 at 8:45am in the Sprague Cafeteria to further discuss the 1:1 Technology Proposal with Rob Ford, Director of Technology, WPS. We recently engaged parents/teachers in a questionnaire about the proposal. If you haven't had a chance to complete the questionnaire, please click here to do so. Your opinions/questions are welcome and appreciated.

For more information about the WPS Proposal and results from the Schofield pilot click here. 

To help us understand how devices are being used successful across the country we engaged with a school principal in Boyne City Michigan to talk about his results.  If you have a chance, please visit his blog below.  It was quite surprising to learn about the many benefits of embracing a 1:1 initiative.  

Listed below are highlights from a recent phone interview with Principal Fred Sitkins, a school principal in Boyne City Michigan.  His district is in its third year of using iPads 1:1 in 4th grade, and in its first year of using iPads 1:1 throughout their entire district at all grade levels, K-12. 
 
  (Principal Sitkins will be publishing his complete data at the end of the year.)

• Mid-year data is very encouraging. For the first time, K & 1st grades are ahead of the basic pre-literacy skills. Teachers are excited because they are well ahead of benchmarks. Many students have reached their end of year goals already.

• Children who struggle academically have a much harder time increasing their intervention level as the years go by. Their 4th grade class which is in their 3rd year of using 1:1 has increased their intervention level by 18% (mid-year) already. Typically it takes the whole year to see an increase of about 9% in intervention levels. 

• iPad learning has increased attention, participation and social collaboration. The iPad learning has “rescued” many students who had otherwise shutdown, which happens as early as the 2nd and 3rd grade. With the help of the Edmodo App, student participation in group and classroom discussions is at 100%. Children are fully engaged in learning.

• The staff at Boyne City Elementary is on board. So are the students. The principal says, “I’m amazed with the amount of time students are spending on critical thinking. Kids are working so much harder than ever before. Kindergartners are creating books and giving presentations. Who knew they could? Students are teaching fellow students.”

• Something they didn't realize early on was that the device could be set so kids who log on from home would be channeled through the school's firewall, so parents didn't have to apply the settings to their home firewalls. Apple can help with the configuration.  (WPS is proposing the device stays at school with all 5th graders next year and is considered for take home the following year.)

Please navigate to Principal Sitkins blog for many answers to questions, findings and resources about the success of their 1:1 iPad Initiative at the elementary school level.

http://www.ipadpd.com/index.html

For examples of how other schools around the world are using this technology, visit  http://www.apple.com/education/profiles/

A 1:1 technology initiative will only be successful in Wellesley if we have support from teachers, students and parents.

Thank you, Jean Walsh and Andrea Giroux
Sprague PTO Co-Presidents

Last Day to Celebrate Inclusion Week and Work with Students on the Mosaic Mural

Sign up for Monday, January 28th to work with students (ISS and 1st graders). Please click on this link.  All grade level parents are welcome to drop by!

Box Tops for Education Drive January 28th to February 1st

Box Tops for Education Drive will be held during the week of January 28^th to February 1^st.  Keep clipping those box tops and bring them in for our next box tops drive.  A drop box will be set up in the atrium during the week of the drive.  Keep an eye out for those box top logos, you’d be surprised where you can find them.  Visit the website www.boxtops4education.com and see all the places you can earn money for Sprague just by shopping online.  

Around Town

Come join the Wellesley community for Hear Us Out, a dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity. The evening will include conversations on subjects such as how to talk to your children about gender identity and sexual orientation, LGBTQ resources for parents and youth, and how to become an ally and keep our youth feeling safe and supported. All are welcome so please join us on Wednesday, March 13^th in the Wellesley High School Auditorium from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Register at www.wellesleyma.gov/youth or call Maura Renzella at 781-446-6274 ext 2256.

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WYBA announces exciting program changes to Spring Hoops for 3rd-8th graders 

Wellesley Spring Hoops is a 3-session basketball experience for girls and boys in Grade 3-8. Spring Hoops will feature 90-minute skill sessions on March 16 and 23 hosted by Wellesley Youth Basketball (WYBA). This traditional basketball 'camp' model focuses on teaching fundamentals through lots of hands-on drills, instruction and seasoned guidance from professional coaches, Wellesley high school coaches and players. The two clinics will be followed by a 3-on-3 tournament on Sunday, March 24th, co-hosted by WYBA and LX Sports Camps. With similar philosophies on teaching and having fun, WYBA looks forward to collaborating with LX Sports Camps on this tournament, an opportunity that will also allow us to connect with additional professional coaches including former Celtic player Brian Scalabrine.

Spring Hoops is designed for children of all skill levels and experience. The cost for Spring Hoops is $50. Please go towww.wellesleybasketball.org for details and registration. Because our goal is to provide an interactive and personalized experience for each participant, enrollment will be limited.

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Last Call for BOYS Town Lacrosse... Town Lacrosse is open to all boys 3rd grade - 8th grade who either live in or go to school in Wellesley. Please register at www.wellesleylacrosse.org. All new players, please must register asap to meet uniform ordering deadline. Questions, please see our website or email wellesleylacrosse@gmail.com.

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Wellesley Little League and Wellesley Girls’ Softball 

Notice of Registration for Spring 2013 

The Wellesley Little League Board of Directors has announced that registration for the Spring 2013 Baseball and Softball programs will begin on November 5th. Email notices will be sent to all eligible players from prior years. All registrations will be processed online through our website www.wellesleylittleleague.org. 
Eligible players include boys and girls, Kindergarten thru 8th grade, living or attending school in Wellesley. All players must have been born no earlier than 8/31/1997. All interested players are invited to register. 
Information on all our Spring 2013 Baseball & Softball leagues as well as important spring season dates is available on our website www.wellesleylittleleague.org. 

To receive the early registration discount you must register before January 31st otherwise the regular registration fee will apply up till February 28th at which till a late fee will be applied. If you have any questions, please email WLL at Admin@WellesleyLittleLeague.org, or call the WLL phone 781-235-5411.

Special PTO Meeting, (1:1 IPAD Proposal) Wed., Jan. 30th 8:45am Sprague Cafeteria with Rob Ford, Director of Technology, WPS

Please complete the questionnaire below even if you can't attend the meeting next week.  

For information on the current proposal, click here.

1:1 IPAD Proposal - Parent & Teacher Questionnaire - Sprague Elementary

As we embark to support our school district with the 1:1 IPAD proposal, we would like feedback from all Sprague parents and teachers re: the proposal.

* Required

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

Check all the boxes that apply *

•  I am a parent of a 5th Grade Child at Sprague
•  I am a parent of a 4th Grade Child at Sprague
•  I am a parent of a 3rd Grade Child at Sprague
•  I am a parent of a 2nd Grade Child at Sprague
•  I am a parent of a 1st Grade Child at Sprague
•  I am a parent of a Kindergarten Child at Sprague
•  I am a teacher/staff member at Sprague

Have you attended one of the IPAD presentations with Rob Ford, Technology Director, WPS and Dr. Lussier, Superintendent, WPS? *

•  Yes
•  No

What do you think the likely advantages are of a 1:1 technology device in the 5th grade classrooms next year at Sprague? *Please list short phrase answers, ie. Enables New Modes of Differentiation without Stigma

What do you think the likely challenges are of a 1:1 device in the 5th grade classrooms next year at Sprague? *Please list short phrase answers, ie. Internet Safety

Please list questions you have about the current proposal.

Please list any comments about the current proposal.Thank you!

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Parent Volunteers Needed to Work on the Mosaic Mural with Students During Inclusion Week

We need parents to help in our last days with students (1st-4th graders) on Thursday-Monday, January 24-28th, mornings after drop off and afternoons before pick up.

To sign up, please click on this link.



Students and Parents help add white tile pieces.

Around Town: Youth Hocky, (K) Soccer & WHS Junior Auction

Registration for Wellesley Youth Hockey is now open for the 2013-2014 season.  Tryouts start the week of January 28th.  Go to wellesleyouthhockey.org to register.

Contact Kara Sullivan at registrarwyha@gmail.com with any questions.

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Wellesley United Soccer Club Spring 2013 Kindergarten Soccer Program will shift back to the Wednesday afternoon Kinder Kick format for the 2013 spring season. Due to field constraints in the spring, the Kindergartners will play on Wednesdays as they had done prior to last year, rather than on Saturday mornings like they did last fall. In the Fall, we will continue to offer the Saturday morning Kindergarten Program as we did last year.

In keeping with our past Kinder Kick Program, the sessions will be held at each elementary school on Wednesdays, 1-1:45pm and will run 6 weeks, April 24 – May 29. School Coordinators and Volunteer parent coaches are needed so sign up when you register your child. Our new Director of Coaching will provide practice plans for every session and will review the practice plans with coaches prior to each session. 

Registration is now open, sign up before Feb. 15th! For more info and to register go to our website www.wellesleysoccer.org

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The Wellesley H.S. Class of 2014 invites you to its
Spring Auction Casino Night!
When: Sat. April 6, 2013
Where: Wellesley High School
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Proceeds from the Junior Auction will help to cover the costs of upcomingClass of 2014 events. The class will be donating 10% of all auction proceeds to the charitable organization "Birthday Wishes" which provides birthday parties to children living in homeless shelters in MA.

For more information visit: www.birthdaywishes.org

For questions, please contact: juniorauctionwhs@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/WellesleyHighSchoolJuniorAuction

Looking for something to do on Monday? RSVP Needed

Help us Celebrate Martin Luther King's Birthday
Community Wide Event
Monday, January 21, 2013
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Wellesley High School Cafeteria
50 Rice Street, Wellesley

Everyone is invited!
Please join the Wellesley PTO's and the Bates Elementary Diversity Committee
In presenting Our Friend, Martin, an animated educational film for families
Please join us for the film, pizza* and fun

Please RSVP to moh23321@aol.com

*Gluten free and dairy free options available upon request

$5 Donation requested per family

For questions contact Michelle Chalmers 781.591.9435

CNN Hero Thulani Madondo and Students from the Kliptown Youth Program to Visit Sprague!

All-School Event January 24, 2013
(Sprague Families Invited)

This fall, we were fortunate to learn about Thulani Madondo and the Kliptown Youth Program through the Del Col family. Thulani Madondo is a 2012 Top Ten CNN Hero. On Thursday, January 24th, Thulani Madondo and students from the Kliptown Youth Program in Kliptown, South Africa will be visiting Sprague and sharing a demonstration of gumboot dance with Sprague students.

There will be two assemblies to which all families are invited:

• Grades K-2 from 9:00-9:45am and 
• Grades 3-5 from 10:00-10:45am 

If you would like to learn more about the Kliptown Youth Program and Thulani Madondo please go to:
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/2012.heroes/thulani.madondo.html

This program is sponsored by the PTO/Creative Arts and Sciences.

The Flu or a Cold? When to call the Doctor?

From the Sprague School Nurse

	Flu	Cold
Onset of illness	Sudden	Gradual
Fever	High	Rare
Fatigue	Severe	Mild
Cough	Severe, Dry	Common, Mucus-producing
Sore throat	Yes	Sometimes
Headache	Yes	Sometimes
Sneezing	Sometimes	Yes
Stuffy Nose	Sometimes	Common
Appetite	Decreased	May be decreased
Muscles	Ache	Fine, slight aches
Chills	Yes	No
Chest Discomfort	Often severe	Mild

Seasonal flu Influenza, commonly known as "the flu," is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. The flu is often confused with the common cold, but flu symptoms tend to develop quickly and are usually more severe than the typical sneezing and congestion of a cold. The main symptoms of the flu are a cough, fever, sore throat and runny nose.

My child is experiencing symptoms, when do I call my doctor?

If your child is experiencing influenza symptoms, it’s not always necessary to see or call the doctor. Below are some guidelines to help with deciding when to call your physician.

Call your child's doctor now (night or day) if:

• Your child looks or acts very sick
• Breathing becomes difficult or fast
• Dehydration occurs (no urine in 12 hours, dry mouth, no tears)
• Your child has bluish skin color
• Your child is not waking up or not interacting
• Your child is being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash occurs

Call your child's doctor during the day if:

• Your think your child needs to be seen
• Your child is considered high risk and has flu symptoms
• Earache or sinus pain occurs
• Fever lasts more than 3 days
• Cough lasts more than 3 weeks
• Your child becomes worse

Avoid the spread of the flu -

Influenza spreads easily. If you suspect your child has the flu, keep your child at home for at least 24 hours after the fever has ceased without the use of fever-reducing medications. A fever is defined as 100ºF. 

It is important to teach children how to reduce their risk of getting influenza and protect others from infections by teaching them to frequently wash their hands and to cover their coughs and sneezes. Please be assured that we encourage these practices here at Sprague.

Much of this information is from The Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado and may be accessed at http://www.thechildrenshospital.org/wellness/topics/index.aspx

********

Sharon Kahn RN

Sprague School Nurse

sharon_kahn@wellesley.k12.ma.us

781-263-1969 x 502

Volunteer to Work With Students on the Sprague Mosaic Mural

Sprague School will be recognizing National Inclusion Week January 22nd-28th, when we celebrate the importance and value of including everyone. A highlight of the week will be the opportunity for each student to participate in adding tile to our mural in the cafeteria. What a great example of the power of collaboration!

We ask for your assistance with this special endeavor - 4 to 6 volunteers for each time slot. To sign up, please click on this link.

Many thanks in advance,
Jennifer Stabnick and Michelle Heath


Students and Parents will help add in white tiles. 

Remember Me Books Update and Thank you

With 123 books donated so far this year, we are well on our way to our goal of 180 books! Help us get there by considering a donation to honor your child's birthday or their favorite teacher. Click here for ordering information.

Thank you so much to the following families for their recent donations of amazing fiction and non-fiction titles:

Gordon - Green - Stathis - Young

Thanks for supporting the Sprauge Library!

Amy and Shannon

SPRAGUERS SHOW YOUR PATRIOTS SPIRIT this FRIDAY

Come to Sprague on Friday, January 18th 

wearing the following type of clothing:

--Patriots GEAR 

--Pats Team colors

--Your Favorite Boston Team

--Or Your Favorite Team*

*WARNING: If Dr. Goodwin sees you wearing gear from a NON-BOSTON Sports team - you maybe setting yourself up for a friendly debate.  

Go Patriots!!!!!!

Team Colors are Nautical Blue, New Century Silver, Red, and White

Creative Arts and Sciences News

Ask your third grader about...Moscow Nights and Golden Gates. This week the talented musicians, singers and dancers of Moscow Nights/Golden Gates performed for third graders studying Russia. This lively performance introduced students to Russian music, folklore and tradition. The group of singers and dancers that joined the Moscow Nights musicians this year were on their first U.S. tour!  

Ask your kindergartener about the MWRA water program. This week a science educator from the MWRA visited kindergarten classrooms and led a program pertaining to the water delivery system and water use. This program supports the kindergarten science curriculum.

These programs are supported by the PTO/Creative Arts and Sciences

Sprague Elementary Students Invited to MLK Event at WHS

Martin Luther King's Birthday

Community Wide Event

Monday, January 21, 2013

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Wellesley High School Cafeteria

50 Rice Street, Wellesley

Everyone is invited!

Please join the Wellesley PTO's and the Bates Elementary  Diversity Committee

    

In presenting Our Friend, Martin, an animated educational film for families

Please join us for the film, pizza* and fun
Please RSVP to moh23321@aol.com
Gluten free and dairy free  options available upon request
$5 Donation requested per family
For questions contact Michelle Chalmers 781.591.9435

Remember Me Books Update -

Please read if you have recently donated to the Remember Me program through Amazon.

The following book titles were donated without any names/information attached: 

I'm Bored

The Princess and the Pig

Scholastic Book of World Records 2013

If you are the donor of one/all of these titles, please email Amy (amynshultz@yahoo.com) with your name, the book title, and the name of the person you are donating the books to.

Thank you for supporting the library!

Amy and Shannon

Remember Me Books

Special PTO Meeting this Monday at Sprague, 7pm

Monday, January 14

7:00pm

 PTO Evening Fireside Chat with Dr. Goodwin (Note: this will be our monthly PTO meeting.)       Special presentation on proposed expansion of 1:1 Technology Pilot Program by Rob Ford       Sprague Library - 
Recent Article in The Boston Globe about Proposed IPAD Expansion - click here
In the fall of 2011, the district embarked on a 1:1 tablet pilot at the Schofield School. During the 2011-2012 school year, a tablet was assigned to each student in the pilot, and use of this technology was integrated into all aspects of the classroom curriculum. The results of this pilot were positive and the district is proposing an expansion of the pilot program to all 5th grade classrooms in the district for the 2013-2014 school year. Parents would have the option of either enrolling an existing iPad in the program or obtaining one through a "lease-to-own" option.

We encourage parents to learn more about the results of the Schofield pilot and the proposed expansion by visiting the WPS 1:1 Technology Pilot Program webpage (https://sites.google.com/a/apps.wellesley.k12.ma.us/wps-1-1-technology-pilot-program/) and by attending an informational meeting below.

Upcoming Meetings

In addition to recent presentations to the School Committee, Academic Council,  the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council, and the Wellesley Education Foundation,  we are working with the Elementary school PTOs to schedule a series of meetings.  We hope you are able to join us at your school's meeting, or at our parent forum  on January 10th. Date                      Time  Meeting 1/10                 8:45am Upham PTO 1/10  7:00pm Parent Forum in the Wakelin Room Wellesley Free Library 1/11  8:45am Schofield PTO 1/14  7:00pm Sprague PTO 1/15 7:30pm Fiske PTO 1/16 8:45am Hunnewell PTO 1/18 8:45am Bates PTO TBD* TBD* Hardy PTO * Awaiting confirmation of date and time for the Hardy PTO meeting. Thank you! Rob Ford Director of Technology Wellesley Public Schools 781-446-6210 x4522 rob_ford@wellesley.k12.ma.us

Wellesley's FY 14 Budget Season Begins -

Budget season is upon us. School administrators and School Committee have been working throughout the fall to develop a fiscally responsible budget for FY14 to be presented to Town Meeting in March. To start the process, David Lussier, Wellesley's new Superintendent presented district-wide points of focus, which were used to help administrators prioritize their spending needs.

Wellesley District Priorities

• Math and Science
• The Achievement Gap
• Professional Development
• Implementation of the Mandated Teacher Performance Appraisal System

Superintendent Lussier then asked each of the administrators to present a budget that would show the cost of delivering what the schools are doing now in FY 14. From there, they identified investments that need to be made in order to pursue districts priorities as well as other critical needs (such as reorganization of the business office).

On December 18, after significant discussion between schools to find efficiencies, Superintendent Lussier presented a budget to School Committee that represents a 4.1% increase over last year's operating budget. School Committee was given a 2.8% guideline which means there is still a lot of room for discussion. To review the budget, click here.  

School Committee Meeting Schedule

 Tues, 1/15 @ 7:30pm, Town Hall: School Committee subcommittee report

Wed, 1/16 @ 7:30pm, Town Hall: School Committee subcommittee report

Wed, 1/22 @ 7:30pm, Town Hall: Public Hearing on the School FY 14 Budget

Sat, 1/26 @ 8am, Police Station: School Committee presents Special Education Budget to Advisory

Wed, 1/29 @ 7:30pm, Town Hall: School Committee Votes on Budget

Thurs, 1/30 @ 7:30pm, Town Hall: School Committee Presents voted budget to Advisory

All of these meetings are open to the public, and there will be opportunities for citizens to comment. 

If you would like to be kept up to date on the school budget process, you can subscribe to the Committee 21 newsletter by sending an email to committee21@gmail.com.

Thank you!   

Eunice Groark, Mason Smith, Kathleen Woodward, Mate Converse, Todd Lehman
Sprague Committee 21 Reps

Important Flu Information from Sprague Nurse, Sharon Kahn

There's been a lot of discussion about flu lately in the media as communities across our state report an increase in flu-like illness and confirmed cases of influenza. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has developed the brochure “Flu: What You Can Do – Caring for People at Home” as an informational resource.

Click here to download a copy of the brochure.  

It's an excellent source of useful information for all. Please don't hesitate to call me at Sprague if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Sharon

***********

Sharon Kahn RN

Sprague School Nurse

sharon_kahn@wellesley.k12.ma.us

781-263-1965