Boyden Weekly Update

Dear Boyden Families,

Next Friday, Janaury 30th families will have access to their child's Elementary Standard Based Report Cards and Special Education Progress Report (if applicable) in the Aspen Family Portal

The Term I report card communicates student progress toward meeting end-of-the-year learning standards. The slight, but important, change we made several years ago to the descriptors of the Academic Performance Levels is the phrase “at this time”. The purpose of including this phrase is to share with families where their students are academically, at this time of the year.

Teachers assess student performance against these learning standards, which are specific and observable grade-level skills. Our report cards reflect the learning standards as outlined in the current Massachusetts State Frameworks. Teachers assess by measuring individual student performance against the identified concrete learning standards, rather than in relation to the performance of other students.

Please check out the Parent/Guardian Guide by CLICKING HERE

Have a nice weekend!

Brendan

Library Book Reminders

Our students have been busy checking out books this school year. To help keep our collection available for everyone, please note that overdue notices will be sent home via email.

If your child has a book that is past its due date, please help them place it into their backpack to return to school. However, if they aren’t quite finished with their story, they are always welcome to visit Mrs. Moses to renew it!

Because we circulate thousands of books, we know that mistakes can occasionally happen. If you receive a notice for a book you believe has already been returned, or if you have any questions at all, please reach out to our Media/STEM teacher, Mrs. Moses, at kmoses@walpole.k12.ma.us.

Thank you for your continued support in fostering a love of reading and helping our media center run smoothly!

Sweetheart Dance

Boyden’s Sweetheart Dance is almost here, and we truly want to keep this sweet tradition going for our kids!

Friday, February 6
6:30–8:00 PM
In the Boyden Gymnasium

This event is open to all Boyden students. Many students invite a special adult (parent/guardian, grandparent, aunt/uncle, or family friend) to attend with them, while others come with friends and enjoy the night. Either way, it’s a fun, memory-making Boyden tradition!

Tickets: $5 per person / $25 family cap (purchase in advance)

CLICK HERE to order

PLEASE READ: VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED NOW

We are at the point where we cannot hold the Sweetheart Dance without more volunteers. If we don’t get enough families signed up to help, we will have to cancel the event. Even one short shift makes a huge difference. If you can spare 30–60 minutes, please jump in and grab a spot today so we can keep this event running for our students.

Sign up to volunteer here

Professional Photos:

$10 per digital copy
6:30–7:30 PM | Cash only | First-come, first-served (All photos will be placed in one gallery)

Important reminders:

This is NOT a drop-off event. Students must be accompanied by an adult.
Families are responsible for their student and their behavior throughout the event.
Guests must remain in the gym or cafeteria. Classrooms and hallways (other than the main hallways) are off limits.
We reserve the right to ask any student and their family to leave if unsafe or disrespectful behavior occurs.

Math News

We have entered the time of year that research has shown is the most impactful for student learning. The weeks between January and February break, along with the month of March have fewer interruptions and more focused learning. Students are past the midway point of the year and are working to reach their end of year standards. It is the time to build stamina and perseverance.

What does it mean to have Math stamina? Math stamina is the ability to stay engaged with a math problem even when it is difficult or the solution doesn’t come quickly. For younger students it could be taking the time to draw a picture or create a number bond to help them with a story problem; for our older students it could mean trying a different approach when things get challenging or checking their work by doing a problem in two different ways to prove their accuracy and understanding. Students willing to take that extra step are not only building their conceptual understanding, but also their confidence for future problems.

When students rush to finish, avoid effort, shut down after making a mistake or give up midway through challenging problems it may not be frustration or avoidance, it could be a sign of mental fatigue. There are steps students, parents and teachers can take to build stamina and help students persevere when they feel stuck.

Break problems down into smaller, more manageable steps
Use tools, visuals or manipulatives to make things more concrete

Writing out steps on a whiteboard or in a notebook
Dice, number lines, base ten blocks, number racks, coins are all examples of manipulatives that might help.
Math Learning Center provides free digital manipulatives for student use

Remind students that mistakes are part of the process and help build understanding, better awareness, and show misconceptions for reteaching.
Try to make connections to real life situations and give them an opportunity to talk about the problem out loud. When students can see the purpose of the math and connect it to something familiar to them, it helps them stick with it.

Having a growth mindset is directly related to stamina growth and perseverance. You can check out our Family Website Page around Growth Mindset if you are looking for more ideas on how to help your child in this area. In our fast-paced world where AI is making it easier to answer things quickly, we must remember that students still need to build stamina, engage in perseverance and build a growth mindset.

PE Update

K: Our Kindergarten classes have started the new year off learning a variety of new exercises. Students learned different exercises that they can do at home. We have also started to work on pin games that focus on the skill of rolling. These pin games are designed to incorporate the skill, all while having fun!

1st: Our 1st grade classes have also been working on exercises to start off the new year! All of my first grade classes worked individually on the skill of rolling. Then we learned a variety of pin games that we played that helped develop the skill.

2nd: My second grade PE classes worked on exercise circuits the first week back from break.

We also have worked on pin games in both individual and group settings. These games and

activities will develop accuracy when using the skill of rolling.

3rd: Third graders have also finished working on exercise circuit training in their first week back!

The third graders also worked on pin games that further developed their skill of rolling. Students

started learning how to protect their pins while focusing on defense in some of these games.

4th: My fourth graders have successfully wrapped up circuit training. These circuits involve

aerobic and strength exercises that students will learn to use outside of school. We also play

more advanced pin games that work on offense and defense.

5th: My fifth graders did an excellent job working on circuit training during the first weeks back!

Students are learning the benefits of these various exercises that they will hopefully use at

home. Fifth graders also play more advanced pin games that focus on targets, defense and

offense.

MA School Library Association Bookmark Contest is Back

Have you heard the buzz? The annual MSLA bookmark contest is officially open for students in grades 2–5! Sponsored by the Massachusetts School Library Association, this year’s theme is: "Something for everyone at the library."

Students learned about the contest rules and theme during Media class this week. Please note:

Optional: This is a voluntary project. Students may work on their designs at home, during choice time, or during indoor recess.
Entries: Blank entry forms are available in the Media Center.

Deadline: Please submit all completed designs to Mrs. Moses in the media center by Friday, February 6.

Private Lessons through the WPS Music Department

The Walpole Public Schools Music Department is pleased to announce the spring session for our Private Lesson Program for students in grades 4 - 12. If your child is interested in taking private instrument or voice lessons, here is your chance. Lessons are offered in flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, tuba, piano, percussion, violin, viola, cello, guitar and voice. All lessons are taught by accomplished performers on their respective instruments. Some lessons are currently being taught virtually.

Session 2 will run February 2nd to June 12th. Registration is open Friday, January 9th through Monday, January 26th.

For more information, visit:

Lesson Program Information Page

To register, visit:

Lesson Registration Link

For questions, email:

Tim Fleming (K-12 Music Coordinator) at tfleming@walpole.k12.ma.us