Please Help Us Finish Up the Sprague Cafeteria Mosaic this week - Need 20 More Volunteers Tuesday Night

MOSAIC MURAL FEBRUARY 11th - 12th Volunteer Schedule

We grouted the table portion of the mural last Tuesday night. Thank you to the many parents who came out to help - we couldn't do this without you. The end is in sight! We still need more help to complete it!

Sign up here.

These volunteer slots should allow us to finish up! We are offering lots of time during the day on Monday and Tuesday as well as one more Tuesday evening. Thank you so much for all your help.

We REALLY NEED Mosaic Mural Volunteers THIS WEEK

Your help is truly crucial now! We CANNOT take on the task of grouting without at least 20 VOLUNTEERS! Grouting is on Tuesday evening, February 5th from 6:30-9:30pm.

PLEASE click HERE to sign up!

 

We also need to put finishing touches to the mural with small broken bits of tile during Monday and Tuesday daytime shifts before we can grout.

Students have created and helped ALOT and now it's up to parents to continue perfecting this outstanding community masterpiece.  We are in the home stretch.  Please help us with this wonderful creation in time for us all to share at Sprague's Open House.

 

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!

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.

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. 

Cafeteria Mosaic Help

Sprague Cafeteria Mosaic Mural Volunteers for Thursday, Nov 29th from 6:30-9:00pm
Please click and sign up HERE.


Completed wall so far.  Come check it out!

Help us install further. Children are welcome. Please be aware that we will be working with broken ceramic pieces this evening.  Questions, contact Michelle at mandpheath@yahoo.com. 

Detail of border where your broken up plates will go.

We need your plates!
Please bring in your broken or chipped dishes to the Sprague Art Room so we can add a piece of your family to this amazing permanent art work.




Cafeteria Mosaic Mural

Cafeteria Mosaic Mural

Please click here to sign up for the last session this month. 

Bring in your broken or chipped everyday dishware to the Sprague art room through the end of November.  Contact Michelle mandpheath@yahoo.com for more info.

What's Happening at Sprague? Week of Nov. 11th

No School, Monday, Nov. 12th 
(Veterans Day)

Cafeteria Mosaic Mural Volunteer Sign Ups!

Evening Volunteer Hours this Week 
Click here to sign up.  

Contact Michelle mandpheath@yahoo.com for more info.

Don't forget to bring in your broken or chipped everyday dishware to the Sprague art room through the end of November. 

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Coin and Used Glasses Drive for Tanzania
through Friday, Nov. 16th
As reported in Dr. Goodwin's weekly email from Elana Wolkoff, Sprague School Psychologist. 
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Parents invited to Friday Student Assembly

Friday, Nov. 16

9 to 10 a.m. - Assembly for Grades 3, 4 and 5 in the gym.  

1:15 - 2:15 - Assembly for Grades 1 and 2 in the gym.  
(Bill will also being doing a couple of songwriting workshops with our three fifth grade classes in the music room)

Photo by Tom Thurston

Genuine, irreverent, universal, ridiculous and original, Bill Harley is a two-time Grammy® award-winning artist who uses song and story to paint a vibrant and hilarious picture of growing up, schooling and family life.  A longtime commentator for NPR’s news program “All Things Considered” and recipient of the lifetime achievement award from RI Council for the Humanities “for his use of music, song, and story in building community; promoting our common humanity; and encouraging lifelong learning, exploring and growing”, Bill tours nationwide as an author, performing artist and keynote speaker.  www.billharley.com

Many thanks to the PTO for sponsoring this terrific event!

Ellen Mandel, Library Teacher, Sprague School

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Sprague Garden Clean Up Day 
Saturday, November 17th 1:00-3:00pm
It's that time of year when we have to put the Sprague Garden to rest for the winter.  It is scheduled for Saturday, November 17th from 1:00-3:00pm.  We do not want to wait any later than this date as we would like to beat the cold weather.  We need volunteers to come and help by getting rid of all the dead plant material (which we will be taking to the dump) as well as moving some mulch so it will be ready to start fresh in the Spring.  Remember the Sprague community gets to enjoy the garden throughout the season so why not come out Saturday November 17th and lend a helping hand.  Any and all help will be appreciated but the more help there is the faster it will go!!  Please bring your gardening gloves, rakes, shovels, loppers, hand pruners, and spare garbage bins/pails.   Please rsvp to Margaret_Flitsch@Wellesley.k12.ma.us. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you Sprague Volunteers & Staff

Special thanks to....

All of our Sprague walkers who walked to school last Thursday despite the nor'easter; along with Marissa Rosenbaum, Laura Brown MacKinnon, Susie Ellis, Catherine Mirick and Margaret Flitsch who helped with check in and footies.   

All of the parents and staff who came to the PTO Coffee last Thursday to hear Glen and Jane Magpiong speak about, "Are your kids Coach-able?"  The lecture was very well received by parents.  Thank you to Andrea Giroux for scheduling the speakers and bringing the coffee:-)

Brian Hagar-McKee, Laurance Stuntz, and Andrea Giroux for their participation and representing Sprague in last Thursdays Spelling Bee sponsored by WEF.  What a great team they were - almost won Round 2, but got beat out by the Schofield PTO.  Maybe they'll take home the cup next year!

Jeny Brown and Lisa Jones for leading our Box Top Collection Drive last week and the many parents/teachers who clipped box tops for Sprague!

Leslie Tellalian for leading our UNICEF Drive and the many children who took collection boxes out on Halloween night.

Leslie Tellalian and Anne-Marie Hayden who led 5th grade babysitting services during conferences and to all of the 5th graders and parents who worked the event.  Kudos to  the 5th graders who also helped out in the front office and with the lost and found during their shifts. 

Jenn Caiazzo for running the Sprague Spirit Shop this week during parent conferences and the PTO Coffee -- as well as coordinating the online sale this week.

Andrea Giroux for setting up the CPK day and Moms' night out.  And to the many families, Sprague staff including Lennie Becker and moms who came out to support the event.

Room Parents and volunteers who helped out this week in the classrooms and who attended the Old Sturbridge Village field trip.

Scott Grady, head custodian, and the custodial staff for their amazing coverage during a very busy week with Election Day and the WEF Spelling Bee.  Scott is always there to lend a hand even during difficult weather like we have had lately:-) 

Yolanda Tong for chairing the Original Works Arts Fundraiser.  Thank you Yolanda for the time you put in to work with our children after school and organizing all of the order forms. 

Jeny Brown and Danae Foley for chairing the Sprague Garden Committee this year along with Margaret Flitsch, our super fitness and health specialist.  Thank you for your recent work leading the Butterfly garden, the efforts were made possible by a grant applied for by Ms. Flitsch.  And a big thanks to the parents who came out to help on a Saturday morning.  

Margarent Flitsch for organizing the Sprague Candy Drive with Wellesley Dental Group and to all of the Sprague students who donated candy to support our troops.  

Andrea Doglioli, Katy Comstock and Becca Cahaly - these ladies are doing an amazing job getting ready for the Cookie Walk - Thurs. December, 13th.  

What do all of these volunteers have in common?
Aruna Reddy - Website, Julia DePeyster - 5th grade chair, Lisa Moore - 5th grade chair, Yolanda Tong - 5th grade communications, Karen Haberly - Sprague Yearbook, Andrea Doglioli - Car Line Bulletin, Julie Vogel - Town Announcements, Jean Walsh - Sprague Announcements, PTO Board: Kim Khoury and Carla Panell - Co-Vice Presidents, Shaune Berg - Treasurer, Lynn Sanville - Secretary, Elise Rodino and Kirsten Stevenson - Co-Enrichment Officers,  Janae Goodall and Andrea Scampini - Co-Community Service Officers, Carrie Reepmeyer - Metco Officer, Mason Smith - PAC Officer, Sarah Greene - Social Officer, Matthew McKay - Parent Liaison, and Bevin Hale and Lisa Mortarelli - PTO Teacher Liaisons.  

They graciously donate their time every week and in some cases several hours a day to support Sprague.  Much of their time is spent behind the scenes.  Thank you for all you do to support Sprague!  

 ~  Andrea Giroux and Jean Walsh - Co-Presidents, Sprague PTO

Cafeteria Mosaic Help Needed - Be a part of Sprague's Art History

Sprague Cafeteria Mosaic Mural Volunteer Sign Ups!

This will be the largest art project completed at Sprague and similar to the first mural in our front lobby. It will be a wonderful collaboration of students, staff and families. The mural will depict a scene of a large dining table with children from around the world sitting down to feast together.  It will be installed on the long wall in the cafeteria for children to enjoy throughout the future years of Sprague. 

Please click here to sign up for dates in November (13th, 15th, 19th).  We will have more dates in the future. Any questions please contact Michelle at mandpheath@yahoo.com.

Don't forget too that Jen is looking for broken or chipped everyday dishware from your homes.  The dishes will be broken into small pieces and added to the mosaic portion of the border.  Dishes may be brought to the Sprague art room through the end of November. 

Idea #4 - Artwork/Order Forms Due on Friday, Nov. 2nd

Original Works Idea #4
Your child's artwork reproduced on a variety of products
Orders are due this Friday, November 2nd
Thanks for participating!

• Use someone else's work as inspiration. From the museum, in books, on the street. If you reinterpret and work on it your way, it is your art piece!
• Working together counts as a family project that will be a great memory when you see your products.  How about each family member draws themself or an interpretation of themself for a family portrait?  Or come up with a family crest.
• The family motto or child's favorite saying can be noted down and decorated. Just make sure it is short, very legible and readable for transfer.
• Recreate your home on paper!

  
   

  Hand and Thumbprint Love Tree, Thumbprint Reindeer Family, Horse Family 

Click on the following Pinterest Page for ideas and inspiration - Original Works, Ms. Stabnick's page
Don't forget to put the child's name somewhere in the art if they like. Artists do sign their work.
Contact Yolanda Tong bytong@verizon.net for more info.

Idea #3 - Helpful tips for your child's artwork

Original Works Ideas #3 - order by Friday, November 2
      Your child's artwork reproduced on a variety of products

Now we have the child who feels he/she cannot draw at all.  In Ideas #2, we talked about using paper cutouts which can be put together to shape different things.  We also can use other items to help form artwork.

• Stencils are fun to use and different ones can be used to put together a scene.  Coloring does not have to be inside the lines!
• Use different items with paint to create different looks.  Remember the cut apple we dipped in paint and stamped on paper in grade school?  Use yarn, jar covers, finger and handprints, toothpicks, comb, etc.
• Just coming up with your own pattern of whatever that repeats is pretty nice.
• Recreate that project you enjoyed as a kid!

       

Click on the following Pinterest Page for ideas and inspiration - Original Works, Ms. Stabnick's page
Don't forget to put the child's name somewhere in the art if they like. Artists do sign their work.
Contact Yolanda Tong bytong@verizon.net for more info.

Idea #2 - Helpful tips for your child's artwork

Original Works Idea #2 - order by Friday, November 2
      Your child's artwork reproduced on a variety of products

Still thinking on what your child can do?  Have you considered other art mediums?  Sure crayons and markers are great and easy, but paint and paper cutouts are fun to use and can add another dimension to your artwork.

• Washing the whole background with water colors or paint would ensure the whole piece has some color.  Skies and grounds are hard for kids to color all in, so why not help make it easier? Then they can go crazy with their detail work!
• If you have extra wallpaper or gift wrap at home, a great way to add color!  Your child only has to cut out shapes he/she likes and put it together in a collage.  Try making different things by putting the paper together in different ways.
• Think about using multiple media together, paint and paper cutouts, crayons and paint, etc.
• Recreate the Class Project they enjoyed!

        

Click on the following Pinterest Page for ideas and inspiration - Original Works, Ms. Stabnick's page
Don't forget to put the child's name somewhere in the art if they like. Artists do sign their work.
Contact Yolanda Tong bytong@verizon.net for more info.

Idea #1 - Helpful tips for your child's artwork

Original Works - order by Fri., Nov 2nd
     Your child's artwork reproduced on a variety of products

Order packets came home and your child is questioning what they should draw?  We have a few ideas discussed in our student meetings.

• Outline your child's name with big letters and then they can decorate the inside of the letters with different shapes or colors. Talk about personalizing!
• Draw your favorite shape and repeat all over the paper.  Different colors or patterns can be colored in each one.  OR just make the shape big and put little shapes inside.
• Draw your favorite object (or person or animal or place...) and make it large on the paper.  That's really showing everyone what your favorite things are!
• Recreate a project they've done and enjoyed in Art Class!

   

Click on the following Pinterest Page for ideas and inspiration:
Original Works, Ms. Stabnick's page

Don't forget to put the child's name somewhere in the art if they like.  Artists do sign their work.  Contact Yolanda Tong bytong@verizon.net for more info.

Inspiring Sprague Artists: By Jen Stabnick, Sprague Art Teacher

Item #1 - Follow Me on Pinterest
I have been working on a Pinterest Site titled, Frogs in the Art Room https://pinterest.com/frogsintheartrm/

It will continue to grow, but families will find it loaded with all things clever for home art projects for our young artists, fine art, cooking ideas and of course Halloween Costume ideas!  I invite everyone to check it out and follow me.

Item #2 - The Sprague Mural - 

Please send in broken/chipped dishware

        Over the past year, plans have been in motion to install another mural on the walls of Sprague Elementary School.  This will be the largest project completed at Sprague and similar to the first mural in our front lobby, it will be a collaboration of students, staff and the families of Sprague.  The mural will depict a bird's eye view of a dining table with children from around the world sitting down to feast together.  It will be installed on the long wall in the cafeteria for children to enjoy throughout the future years of Sprague.

        During the spring of 2012, our kindergarten, first and second graders created clay tiles that represent food ingredients, such as corn, berries, flour, rice......  Our third, fourth and fifth graders researched a country and used their research of traditional clothing and food to create portrait and dinner plate clay tiles.  The entire staff and student body of 2011/12 and 2012/13 created name tiles for the boarder trim.  I am in the final stages of running the last glaze firings.
        I am writing to you now, to inform you all of the next phases of the project and describe how the community can become part of this mural  installation.  I would like to incorporate the Sprague family dinner table into the project.  I am looking for broken or chipped everyday dishware from your homes.  The dishes will be broken into small pieces and added to the mosaic portion of the boarder.  Dishes may be brought to the Sprague art room through the end of November.  Thank you!
        Michelle Heath will be the parent coordinator and with her generous help and enthusiasm for all things mosaic, we will be running workshops over the next few months to install and grout the mural in the cafeteria.
        Here is a rough outline of the next 4 months......

November: Evening workshops to install clay tiles - Michelle will be sending out a sign up sheet soon.

December:  Students will work on installing glass mosaic tiles in art class during Inclusion Week 2012.  Parent Volunteers will work on installing glass mosaic tiles during workshops running mornings from 8:45-11:00am.
January: Parent Volunteers to grout during workshops running mornings 8:45 - 11:00am
February: Parent Volunteers to do cleaning/ finish work during workshops running mornings 8:45 - 11:00am.

Please stay tuned for volunteering opportunities and thank you in advance for your assistance with this memorable art experience for our students and community!

Item # 3 - Sprague Halloween Challenge

Be a part of the Sprague Halloween Challenge - Click here for recent article.

                                 

        Best,

        Jennifer Stabnick

Make Your Own Costume this Halloween, Join the Sprague Halloween Challenge

The Sprague Halloween Challenge

Halloween is probably one of the most creative holidays of the year, so it should come as no surprise that it is one of Ms. Stabnick’s favorite days.  The Sprague Halloween Challenge is to make your own costume this year for our school parade on Wednesday October 31^st.  Halloween is not about buying a costume, it is about getting a little creative and a little silly to invent a character for one super celebration.  Please look through your art supplies, closets, recycling or even go down to the Wellesley Swap.   Over the years, parade spectators have enjoyed seeing robots made from boxes and even a plate of spaghetti and meatballs fashioned with yarn and Nerf balls. If you already have a store bought costume - make a prop!  If you have a pirate costume, build a parrot.  If you are looking for ideas….. see Ms. Stabnick!

All children who capture the creative spirit of Halloween will receive a prize at the parade.

Happy, Happy Halloween -  Go get clever, creepy and creative!

Ms. Stabnick

Memorialize your child's artwork by transforming it into products you can use or gift to others

    

Original Works

Your child's art on note cards or an iphone cover? You can have it for yourself and as a unique gift to others this upcoming holiday season!

We are introducing Original Works, the #1 art based fundraising company in the country. Each child will have the opportunity to have their own artwork reproduced onto a variety of products. The products range from magnets, mugs and mouse pads to ceramic tiles, bags and t-shirts.

To introduce the program to students, we are holding after school sessions. We will have a snack for the kids, then go over the program, talk about what materials may be used and discuss ideas for art together. Artwork may be started during these sessions or at home under your guidance. 8 ½ x 11 size paper will be handed out. Artwork should be done on these papers to ensure the best quality transfer.

An online sign up was sent to parents last week via email.  For privacy purposes please refer to the email to sign your child up. (voluntary not required to participate in the program).

See examples of items in the school alcove display case.

Click on this link for more info on Original Works.

Click on this link for Original Works' Pinterest page ideas.

Don't forget artwork may also be used for our HEARTSongs next spring!

Contact Yolanda Tong bytong@verizon.net for more info or if you would like to help out.