Battle of the Books
So far, an amazing 408 Battle books have been read by our Boyden students! We have 22 days left before the Battle Day on Friday, April 12th. Right now, our selection of Battle books in the media center is very limited. We have a waiting list for How to Win a Slime War, Legends of Lotus Island #1, and Once Upon a Tim. Please consider helping your child find a copy if one of these titles interest them. If your child is finished with one of these titles, please consider donating it to the Boyden media. Thank you for supporting this program and happy reading!
Media/STEM Update
Students in grades K-5 have successfully completed engaging engineering projects using Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s I Am STEM, STEM I Am lessons. These hands-on activities encouraged our learners to explore the engineering design process in exciting ways. The projects also fostered collaboration, problem solving skills, and critical thinking. Large amounts of tape and recycled materials were used in the process!
Kindergarten read the book The Snowy Day and brainstormed how to help keep Peter’s snowball from melting so quickly. They created Cube Keepers and had an enjoyable day of testing using real ice cubes.
First Grade read the book Ten on the Sled and brainstormed how to create a sled which would keep 10 animals in place as it traveled down a hill. Students created and tested sleds with seat belts and roofs, among other design solutions.
Second Grade read Help! A Story of Friendship and brainstormed ways to get mouse out of a hole. The hole was 11 inches deep and only 1.5 inches wide.
Third Grade read Blizzard and created snowplows that attach to a Dash Robot. They are currently coding the DASH robots to move snow (packing peanuts) out of a rectangular area.
Fourth Grade read Trombone Shorty and created musical instruments made out of recycled materials. Students used their knowledge of stored energy and energy of motion to create sound that could be heard from 12 feet.
Fifth grade read Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race. They were challenged to create a system that would launch an object (ping pong ball) and escape Earth’s gravity for the longest time.
ST Math and Number Sense
Your students are probably buzzing about March Mathness, our Math version of the NCAA March Madness tournament. Classes have been competing against each other to see whose class can solve the most ST Math puzzles and move on in the bracket. All classes, even if knocked out, are still in the tournament to the very end as there are Wild Card entries where teams can get back in and Honorable Mentions at the end, along with lots of other positive recognition for all the students have accomplished.
You might be wondering why we emphasize puzzle progress in ST Math. Well, it is a lot more than just solving puzzles. ST Math provides a great opportunity for students to grow their problem solving skills, resolve and persevere through productive struggle, and most importantly, strengthen their Number Sense. There is no reading involved with ST Math which means no directions. Students need to problem solve to figure out what JiJi is trying to get them to do in order for JiJi to cross the screen. The puzzles become progressively more difficult as students need to use what they learned in the last puzzle to be successful in the next. Each level helps them cross the bridge in order to get to the next mountain. This continuum allows students to build connections and fosters growth around Number Sense.
What exactly is number sense, you might be asking? Number sense is a person’s ability to compose and decompose numbers, compute mentally using a variety of strategies, make reasonable estimates, reason with numbers, and understand quantities and the magnitude of numbers. It begins with learning to count and seeing the patterns in our number system and grows to being able to look at a more complex problem and find the most efficient way to solve it based on the numbers. ST Math is just one way students work on their Number Sense. The activities students do in Number Corner everyday also help strengthen this skill. Below are some links with quick activities to help build number sense at home in your daily activities.
Quick Number Sense activities for in the car, while waiting to pick up a sibling, cooking dinner or waiting for a meal at a restaurant.
We are looking forward to a great end to our March Mathness Tournament and love the excitement and energy the students are bringing to their classrooms around it. Just as a frame of reference, the puzzle progress goal for the end of March for all students is 64%. Our goal this year is for all students to reach at least 80% completion by June and March Mathness is helping so many students take positive steps toward reaching that goal!
Boyden Buzz Podcast
Check out the latest Boyden Buzz Podcast by a few our Third Grade Students
Attention Grade 3-5 Families
The Boyden PAC is excited to partner with WHS Boys Varsity Head Coach Jenna Galster and members of both the Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball teams for an afterschool basketball skills clinic. We are so excited to bring this amazing opportunity to the Boyden Students in Grades 3-5.
Students are now able to participate in both sessions if they would like . Each session is still LIMITED to the first 50 students.
- Session # 1 - Tuesday, April 2, 2024, 3:25 - 4:45 pm
- Session # 2 - Tuesday, April 9, 2024, 3:25 - 4:45 pm
EACH session is $25 per student. Please wait for a confirmation email from Boyden PAC before payment to Boyden PAC. Any questions please contact Boydenpac@gmail.com
- Click the link to REGISTER https://forms.gle/636eWko6jAAQyxZq6
We look forward to continuing to grow this partnership with WHS Basketball teams to bring more exciting clinics in the future!
A Message from the Multilingual Learner Parent Advisory Council (MLPAC)
This month, we will have a Drop-In Night for any parent/guardian of a multilingual learner who would like to stop by the high school to ask a question or share a suggestion with regard to the English Language Education (ELE) program or MLPAC.
During this time, we will also offer “Homework Help” to any multilingual learner in kindergarten through grade 12 who is currently or was formerly in an ELE program. Walpole High School students from the National Honor Society will be available to help students with their school assignments. If you would like to sign your child up for homework help, please complete a Homework Help Form for each child so we know how many students to expect: Homework Help Form
MLPAC DROP-IN NIGHT & HOMEWORK HELP
DATE: Wednesday, March 27, 2024
PLACE: Walpole High School Media Center
TIME: 6:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Please contact the Multilingual Learner Family Engagement Center at mlfec@walpole.k12.ma.us or at (508) 660-7257 ext. 5033 for further information or to request an interpreter.
Extended Day April Vacation Camp
April Vacation camp with families. Hours of camp are 9-4. Drop off is 8-9am. Pick up from 3-4pm. Camp will take place at Boyden April 16-18.
Boyden Night at the Providence Bruins
On March 24th, join The Boyden School for a night with the Providence Bruins! All kids, family members, and friends receive this exclusive discounted offer. Everyone's ticket for this event is just $25 per person. You will receive great seats and you will receive a FREE P-BRUINS HAT!
Important Dates
March 6th - Parent Teacher Conferences (5:00-7:00 PM)
March 8th - Early Release (12:25 Dismissal)
March 13th - PAC Meeting (7:00 PM)
March 14th - Parent Teacher Conferences (5:00 - 7:00 PM)
March 15th - School Store (Grades 1-5)
March 22nd - Early Release (12:25 Dismissal)
March 29th - No School - Day of Low Attendance
Click Here for the Walpole Public Schools School Year Calendar
