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Saturday, January 31, 2015

Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, February 4th
Walk To School Day
9:00 PTO Board Meeting in Cafetaria

Friday, February 6 -8
11th annual family Sprague Ski Trip

Monday, February 16th - Friday, February 19th
Winterbreak

Valentine donations needed!

As you know, this Tuesday Feb. 3 we have 25 fabulous volunteers from grades 3-5 putting together valentine gift bags for the 108 homeless children who are living with their families nearby at a motel shelter in Natick.  

In order to ensure that every child in need receives a box of valentines, we need your help!  Please consider donating a box of valentines this week.  A collection box will be in the office all this week. Everything will be delivered to the families by next weekend. 

Thanks in advance for your generosity!
 
Please contact Jenn Friedman with any questions -jennfriedman39@gmail.com.  

Walk To School Day


If you are able to help out at the sign-in tables, or if you have any questions, please contact me (lizziemurillo@yahoo.com).  

Stay warm!  Lizzie Murillo

Around Town

Come Celebrate Groundhog's Day!!!
Monday, February 2nd from 3:30 - 4:30pm

Join Ms. G fans at the Wellesley Public Library for Groundhog Day crafts and to learn about Ms. G's first "official" forecast.  Hunnewell students ran a successful campaign to make Ms. G the Massachusetts State Groundhog this past year!  Ms. G is scheduled to come out of hibernation to give her first forecast at 10am on Monday, February 2nd.  Come to the library that afternoon to learn about her prediction and enjoy some fun Groundhog's Day crafts.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Work-out Those Kinks Tonight with a Night at The Bar (Method)

Join us for a Night Out at the Bar--The Bar Method that is! 

Take a complimentary private class with your friends from Sprague Elementary and stay afterward to chat and relax over a glass of Prosecco. Our New Client Special (30 days of unlimited classes) will be available to purchase at a special rate of $85 (regularly $100) and 25% of sales will be donated to Sprague. Please bring socks and wear pants below the knee. 


Date/Time:  Thursday 1/29 -- 8:00 p.m.




What The Bar Method is:

The Bar Method is a fun, one-hour, full-body workout that burns fat and carves muscle. Our classes are fast-paced and set to motivating, popular music; they combine the principles of isometrics, interval training and dance conditioning to first fatigue your muscles and then lengthen them out with deep stretches while they are still warm and pliable. Sculpted arms, flat abs, a lifted seat and elongated thighs are a few of the major benefits! 


Location:
66 Central Street, Suite 16
Wellesley, MA 02482
[Entrance to the studio is beneath the black awning that reads "66 Central" on Central Street or through the glass door that reads "The Bar Method Exercise Studio" on Church Street. Our studio is on the second floor.]

For more information:

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, February 4th
Walk To School Day
9:00 PTO Board Meeting, in Cafetaria

Friday, February 6th - February 8th

Annual family ski trip

Sprague SKI TRIP

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR THE SPRAGUE FAMILY SKI TRIP - final headcount numbers are due to Sunday River for the Feb 7th dinner/DJ event this week.  If you plan to join the fun after a day on the slopes (with dancing, contests, photo booth, prizes and a surprise guest), 

UPDATE FROM SCHOOL COMMITTEE - WPS FY16 Budget



School Committee received the WPS FY16 budget proposal mid-December, Subcommittee sessions were held on all WPS programs and Subcommittee Reports were presented at last Thursday’s School Committee meeting. 

Please take the time to read through the budget proposal attached to understand the implications of the budget scenarios outlined at guideline increases of 4.5%, Level Service of 5.2% and Strategic Plan/Critical Need of 5.9%.  

The community’s feedback will be critical in this budget process and is encouraged by attending upcoming meetings (below) or by writing to our School Committee email: School_Committee@wellesleyps.org . 


Key Budget Meetings:
  • School Committee (Public Hearing on the FY16 Budget) - Tues, Jan 27th,  7pm, Town Hall
  • School Committee (Vote) - Tues, Feb 3rd, 7 pm , Town Hall
  • School Committee (Presentation of FY16 budget to Advisory Committee) - Weds, Feb 4th, Town Hall 

Around Town

Calling all avid readers and golfers! 
Mark your calendars miniature golf is coming to the Wellesley Free Library.


The 1st annual A Hole Lot of Fun mini golf event will be held on Saturday, February 28th from 5-9pm and Sunday, March 1st from 9-1. The library will be transformed into an 18 hole miniature golf course with greens and holes winding through the stacks. The event will include special 19th Hole in the Wakelin room featuring refreshments, a photobooth, raffle and more.
Tickets will be sold at the door for $7 per player or $30 for a group of 5. Players under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Proceeds benefit the WFL Foundation. 

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FRIENDS OF WELLESLEY FREE LIBRARIES WINTER 2015 BOOK SALE
at the Wellesley Free Library, 530 Washington St., Wellesley, MA.  This sale features a great selection of gently used hardcover, softcover, and children's books as well as audio books, CDs and DVDs.


Member Preview Sale:

Thursday, February 5, 5-9 p.m. (Not a member? Join now with a tax deductible membership to take advantage of the advance sale for the best selection)


Public Sale:

Friday, February 6, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, February 7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, February 8, 1-5 p.m. ($7 per bag sale).


Through book sales and membership, the Friends are able to fund all adult and children's library programs, Jackie’s Room programs, the Annual Arnold Lecture, museum passes, maintenance of the fish tank and support library staff enrichment.



Thanks for supporting your local library!
__________
The next “Winter Wednesday program offered by the Wellesley Historical Society and the Wellesley Community Center will be “Food: The Old Ways”.

Bring the kids between 1 and 3 P.M. to the Community Center on Wednesday 1/28 to learn about how food and the consumption of food has changed over time. Kids will make their own butter similar to how it would have been made in the 1700s! Free and open to the public. Info: (781)235-6690 or director@wellesleyhistoricalsociety.org.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Upcoming Dates

Monday, January 19th
NO SCHOOL: Martin Luther King Day

Wednesday, February 4th
Walk To School Day
9:00 PTO Board Meeting, in Cafetaria

Friday, February 6th
Annual family ski trip

Sprague PTO Update

Dear Sprague Community,


“Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.”
Martin Luther King Jr.

Judging by the sage words of Dr. King, the community at Sprague is providing a true eduction to our children. Thank-you teachers, staff and parents for strongly supporting our school. I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!

A couple upcoming events to consider:

Free Private Class at The Bar Method on Thursday January 29 at 8pm: Put the kids to bed, gather a few friends and enjoy a fun workout with time to hang-out afterwards. Please see sign-up details below.

With roots in Connecticut, The Bar Method opened its first studio in San Francisco in 2001. Six years later, Katie McKay, one of their original customers, would move to Wellesley and threaten to open up her own franchise because she missed it so much. Well, Katie never followed through on that threat and so now she simply enjoys the awesome workouts provided by owners Jen and Sarah.

Sprague Ski Weekend on February 6-8 in Sunday River. Still time to join the over thirty-five Sprague families hitting the slopes at Sunday River in Maine. The more, the merrier!

Warm Regards,

Matthew McKay
Sprague PTO President

Join us for a Night Out at the Bar--The Bar Method that is!

Take a complimentary private class with your friends from Sprague Elementary and stay afterward to chat and relax over a glass of Prosecco. Our New Client Special (30 days of unlimited classes) will be available to purchase at a special rate of $85 (regularly $100) and 25% of sales will be donated to Sprague. Please bring socks and wear pants below the knee. 


Date/Time:  Thursday 1/29 -- 8:00 p.m.




What The Bar Method is:

The Bar Method is a fun, one-hour, full-body workout that burns fat and carves muscle. Our classes are fast-paced and set to motivating, popular music; they combine the principles of isometrics, interval training and dance conditioning to first fatigue your muscles and then lengthen them out with deep stretches while they are still warm and pliable. Sculpted arms, flat abs, a lifted seat and elongated thighs are a few of the major benefits! 


Location:
66 Central Street, Suite 16
Wellesley, MA 02482
[Entrance to the studio is beneath the black awning that reads "66 Central" on Central Street or through the glass door that reads "The Bar Method Exercise Studio" on Church Street. Our studio is on the second floor.]

For more information:

Walk To School Day

Kudos to all of the students and families who braved the cold to participate in this month’s
Walk to School Day! 

 We had a great turnout (232 students signed in!), despite the freezing temps.  Thank you to the custodians, Ms. Flitsch and Ms. Snyder for their help ensuring a successful morning, and to parent volunteers Jenn Fallon and Lisa Neighbors for their assistance staffing the sign-in tables. 
The next Walk to School Day is 
Wednesday, February 4, 2015.  
Mark your calendars!

  If you are able to help out at the sign-in tables, or if you have any questions, please contact me (lizziemurillo@yahoo.com).  Stay warm!  Lizzie Murillo

Around Town

Boy Scout Troop 182
in Wellesley would like to invite interested boys in grades 5 and above to an open house on Sunday, February 8 to celebrate Scouting’s 105th anniversary. 

The open house will be held from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. in the basement of the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, 207 Washington Street. No previous scouting experience is required.

For more information about Troop 182 or the February 8 event, please email troop committee chair Paul Hurney.
__________
Everyone’s invited to celebrate Martin Luther King’s Birthday!

WHEN:      MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015      
TIME:       11:30am to 1:30pm       Pizza, carrots and dessert
WHERE:    Wellesley Community Center, 219 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA    
WHAT:      Interactive MLK activities planned for all ages   
RSVP TO:  Michelle Chalmers, moh23321@aol.com                 
                             
SPONSORED BY: THE WORLD OF WELLESLEY AND THE WELLESLEY COMMUNITY CENTER         
__________
Wellesley STEM Expo Brainstorming Session
Wednesday, January 21, 7 pm WHS Library

Planning is underway for the 2nd Wellesley STEM Expo to be held March 28, 2015 at Wellesley High School.  The STEM Expo Planning Committee would love to incorporate your input!  Please attend a brainstorming session on January 21 at 7 pm in the Wellesley High School 3rd floor library to:

  • Provide your input to shape this year's Expo
  • Hear about the exciting enhancements to this year's event including Sports STEM, Sustainability Challenge and expanded Robot Zoo
  • Learn about registered exhibitors and sponsors
  • Suggest key note speaker and exhibitors
  • Discuss follow-on activities such as FIRST Lego League
We hope to see you there! Take a look at the flyer below:


__________
Please join Wellesley Parents Supporting Art Students, (WPSAS),
 for an Open House Potluck Dinner for parents & anyone interested in supporting the visual arts in our school community on

Friday January 23, 20156-9pm,
 at the home of the Manning Family:

19 Woodchester Rd. Wellesley. Please RSVP to:


There will also be someone from the Mass. Cultural Council to speak about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math, (STEAM) . 

A special thank you to the Manning Family & we hope you can make it!



Saturday, January 10, 2015

Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, January 13th 
Walk to School Day

Friday, January 16th

9:00 a.m.- 10 a.m. 5th Grade band and chorus - in Gym - families invited

Monday, January 19th 

NO SCHOOL: Martin Luther King Day


Sprague PTO Update

Dear Sprague Community,
 
Rusticity's ungainly form 
May cloud the highest mind; 
But when the heart is nobly warm, 
The good excuse will find. 

Propriety's cold, cautious rules 
Warm fervour may o'erlook: 
But spare poor sensibility 
Th' ungentle, harsh rebuke. 
- Robert Burns - On Sensibility, 1786

Forgive my Scottish indulgence, I offer this poem after eating haggis and drinking Scotch to celebrate Robbie Burns Day.

The final numbers for Cookie Walk were presented at the PTO Board meeting. This year the net income goal was exceeded by over $2,200! (Which does not include Spirit Shop) Thank-you again to everyone who helped out and to Elizabeth Young for her leadership this year. We would love to identify a person or team for Cookie Walk next year (Many hands will help lighten the load). Elizabeth is happy to go over her plans while they are still fresh in her head.

A new social event was added for the end of January. The Bar Method has generously offered a complimentary private class on Thursday January 29 at 8p for anyone within Sprague who is interested. This is a great opportunity to hang out with friends, work off the holidays, and try out something new.

It is not too late to sign-up for the Ski Trip (see below). We have thirty-three families attending so far and the schedule put together by Jennifer Vernazza and Michelle Walsh promises a great time for all.

Parking has been an issue lately, we know. A lively discussion broke-out during the PTO board meeting about the topic. Our school has almost a hundred more students attending it than when it was originally opened, and we appear near gridlock (or worse) if solutions are not found. Ms. Snyder suggested we have the Wellesley Police come in and study the traffic patterns and usage in order to develop the most effective solution. Elaine Marten has also been proactive about discussing the matter with DPW concerning School Bus vans parked in our lot. Hopefully between these two efforts we will find a solution to ease the congestion.

In the meantime, we ask all parents to be patient and adhere to a few rules in order to improve safety and hopefully lower frustration levels:

(1) Do not wait in the car line if your child is a walker. This extends the car line well into the back parking lot and creates congestion for people trying to get into car line and into the back parking lot to park.
(2) Use the back parking lot. It is a longer walk, but ultimately much safer.
(3) Do not park other cars in, even if you think you'll be '30 seconds.' It creates congestion and traps families trying to exit.
(4) Do not double park next to car line and wait for your walker. It is very dangerous for children to walk between cars in car line, plus you are blocking a lane of traffic towards the exit.
(5) Do not park in the bus circle. Even after the initial buses leave, other buses are using that circle and parked cars congest the area.
(6) Park only in designated spaces. Do not park in lanes of traffic next to the curb, or in handicap spaces (unless authorized). 
(7) Be Patient. Be Courteous. Remember we have little ones running around who can be unpredictable and difficult to see from the drivers seat of a car.

The issue is being addressed. Please be patient as solutions are discussed. Thank-you!

Warm Regards,
Matthew McKay

Sprague PTO President

Shape-up with Complimentary Class at The Bar Method

Join us for a Night Out at the Bar--The Bar Method that is! 

Take a complimentary private class with your friends from Sprague Elementary and stay afterward to chat and relax over a glass of Prosecco. Our New Client Special (30 days of unlimited classes) will be available to purchase at a special rate of $85 (regularly $100) and 25% of sales will be donated to Sprague. Please bring socks and wear pants below the knee. 


Date/Time:  Thursday 1/29 -- 8:00 p.m.




What The Bar Method is:

The Bar Method is a fun, one-hour, full-body workout that burns fat and carves muscle. Our classes are fast-paced and set to motivating, popular music; they combine the principles of isometrics, interval training and dance conditioning to first fatigue your muscles and then lengthen them out with deep stretches while they are still warm and pliable. Sculpted arms, flat abs, a lifted seat and elongated thighs are a few of the major benefits! 


Location:
66 Central Street, Suite 16
Wellesley, MA 02482
[Entrance to the studio is beneath the black awning that reads "66 Central" on Central Street or through the glass door that reads "The Bar Method Exercise Studio" on Church Street. Our studio is on the second floor.]

For more information:

Walk to School Day – Tuesday, January 13th

The next Walk to School Day is this Tuesday, January 13th!  
Bundle up and join us!

If any parents are able to help out at the sign in tables, please send me an email (lizziemurillo@yahoo.com).

Sprague family Ski trip- February 6-8

Sprague Family Ski Trip at Sunday River, ME - February 6-8, 2015 
Over 100 people already confirmed!

Now added:  Friday night meet-and-greet welcome bash at Sliders Restaurant at Jordan Grand Hotel, 7-10pm on balcony, come by after your drive to mingle with other Spraguers.

Reserve your seats for the Saturday evening (Feb 7th) Family Dinner DJ Dance Party with Adults and Kids buffets/Contests/Photo Booth/DJ/Dancing/Fun


Any questions? 

Contact Jennifer Vernazza or Michelle Walsh at spragueskitrip@gmail.com

White Aprons would like to WALK back


Two white aprons did not make their way back to the PTO closet after the COOKIE WALK.
If you happen to have one, please drop it off in the PTO box in the office.
THANKS

Around Town


Sprague Green Team
A few tips on staying green in 2015! 
New year, new resolutions! Are you cleaning out closets and clutter this January?  
Please help us take textiles out of landfills by simply donating and recycling what you buy and wear when no longer useful. Consider that the U.S. EPA estimates that textile waste occupies nearly 5% of all landfill waste and that the average US citizen throws away 70 pounds of clothing annually! So, donate your goods and know that your efforts
not only create a much-needed source of revenue for nonprofits, but also continue the sustainable practice of recycling second hand clothing.


And while we know it sure is cold out there...
Please remember that 
Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 90, Section 16A PROHIBITS idling around school buildings. It's cold out there, but please turn your engine off whenever possible.

Thank you! 
__________

Wellesley Historical Society and Wellesley Community Center’s 
Winter Wednesdays” 
will feature Revolutionary War reenactor Tom Dietzel on Wednesday, January 14 from 1-3 (program is drop-in so families don’t have to stay the entire time). Kids can interact with Tom and learn about what soldiers wore, where they slept, what they ate, and much more! Program is free and takes place at the community center, 219 Washington Street. For more info call (781) 235-6690 or visit  www.wellesleyhistoricalsociety.org

__________
Calling all 5th grade parents!  
The Wellesley Teen Center is looking for one parent representative from each elementary school to join the leadership team and ensure the future of the Teen Center for our 5th graders and middle schoolers.  

The Teen Center is a parent run, self funded organization  which provides Wellesley youth (public and private schools and children bused to WPS) with a safe, recreational environment. The Teen Center runs a 5th grade only dance in May and 3 other dances for grades 6-8 throughout the school year.   

If we are unable to recruit volunteers, the Teen Center may have to wind down its operations.

Please consider this low commitment, high impact volunteer opportunity.  

To learn more, contact Lisa Jones at wellesleyteencenter@gmail.com

____________
Dear Parents of 3rd and 4th Grade Girls,
Wellesley Youth Lacrosse Club Spring 2015 registration is still open. But time is running out to secure your daughter a spot on a 3rd/4th grade team. We typically see a great number of new players in this age group. Each year, many girls come home begging to join up the last week of March/first week of April when we begin our season when they hear about all the fun their friends are having.  While we do our best to welcome all girls who want to join at this age group, you can imagine that delivering an excellent experience for all the girls is made more difficult by this last minute rush. Please consider talking to your daughter now about playing and register her ASAP.

Almost everyone is brand new to the game, especially in 3rd grade. We focus on fun and good sportswomanship, while teaching skills and game fundamentals along the way.  Our teams are all balanced - there is no stratification of skill - and the girls have a wonderful time learning from each other on assigned teams.  We practice all together as one age group which adds a lot of fun (and makes carpooling easier!).  The 3/4s play "small sided" lacrosse which allows better mastery of skills on a field size they can handle with modified rules for safety and shared involvement.

Practices for 3/4s are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 at the Wellesley High School Stadium.  We play in a travel league with games on Sundays, in Wellesley and Founders Girls Lacrosse League member towns.  There is no set time on Sundays for games.  We play a 7 game season and the season runs the beginning of April through the 2nd or 3rd week of June, ending with a Jamboree which is always great fun.  The exact schedule will be published later – there are no games over Easter weekend and the first of the public school vacation weekends.  Weather permitting, we will begin practice the last week of March and first games will be April 12.

Tuition is $225.  Uniforms are included in the fee.  All players need a youth size stick (+/-$50), googles, a mouth guard, and spandex shorts for wearing under uniform "kilt".  All players must have active USLacrosse membership ($25) through 6/17/2015, you will be directed to their site as part of the registration process at WYLC.  Scholarships are available.

The late registration fee will be waived for first time players, if you register before Monday, January 12th.  After that, the $25 late fee will apply.

Please go to www.wellesleylacrosse.org to register.  Girls in grades 1st -8th who reside in Wellesley or attend a school in Wellesley are eligible to play town lacrosse. 

Note: 1st/2nd Grade Registration will remain open until the start of the season. The 1st and 2nd grade program is an in-town program and they do not travel.  The 1st/2nd Graders play one time a week on the weekend.  Space is also still available in our 5/6 and 7/8 program.

Lastly, We NEED volunteers, especially in our entry level programs.   Volunteer opportunities include coaches, assistant coaches, and team managers and there is no prerequisite for lacrosse experience.  We will find a place to use your skills, whatever they may be.  There is an opportunity to sign up as a volunteer when you register your daughter.  We will have approximately 400 girls playing lacrosse and volunteers make the program run.

We will provide updated information as it becomes available on the website and by email once you are registered.  

Please contact us with any questions:

Bill Sparks, 3/4 Age Group Coordinator, at pedigasdoc@gmail.com

Chrissie Lawrence, Girls Programs Coordinator, at chrissielawrence@verizon.net

Donna Dewire, Registrar, at dtlax@comcast.net

Women's Lacrosse is a beautiful and exciting game!  We hope your daughter will join us this spring!

Chrissie Lawrence
Wellesley Youth Lacrosse Club
781-820-1336
chrissielawrence@verizon.net