Jefferson News

Dear Jefferson Families,

It’s hard to believe that the official start of winter is around the corner! This time of year, it’s natural for children and families to be spending a little more time inside. While we fully encourage outdoor fun when possible, this colder weather brings an opportunity to focus on some cozy games that will captivate and motivate your child and promote their learning at the same time! (These games, along with age-appropriate books, also make wonderful gifts if you are celebrating upcoming holidays or have winter birthdays in your family!) Please see some suggestions below:

Board Games that use Math

Addition, Subtraction and Counting Skills

• Connect Four (7+)

• Sorry! (6+)

• Trouble (5+)

• Hungry Hungry Hippos (4+)

• Pay Day (8+)

• Uno (6+)

• War

• Spot the Dots - Addition (6+)

• Sum Swamp - Addition and Subtraction (5+)

Patterns, Attributes, Shapes and Geometry

• Crazy Eights (4+)

• Guess Who? (6+)

• Rummikub (8+)

• Category 5 (8+)

• Tanagrams

• Jigsaw Puzzles

Strategy, Reasoning, and Spatial Perception

• Mastermind (8+)

• Monopoly, Junior (8+)

• Mousetrap (6+)

• Apples to Apples, Junior (9+)

• The Game of Life (9+)

• Yahtzee (9+)

• Cadoo (7+)

• Battleship (7+)

• Clue Jr. (5+)

• Clue (8+)

• Connect Four (7+)

• Othello (8+)

• Jenga (6+)

• Blokus (5+)

• Mancala (6+)

• Sequence (7+)
  

Board Games to Practice Math Facts

Yahtzee – This classic dice game from Milton Bradley combines luck and strategy. Players practice sequencing, critical thinking skills, addition and multiplication facts. The game retails for approximately $10; score pads can be purchased separately for around $4.

Bunco – A game entirely based on chance, rather than strategy, Bunco can provide a lot of educational fun for even very small children. The object of the game is to collect points for rolling certain combinations of dice. Keeping score can help to practice basic addition, and regularly calculating how many points are needed to reach the goal of 21 can be encouraged as a way to practice subtraction facts. Bunco rules can be found easily in an online search or the boxed game including dice, score cards and complete rules can be purchased at many large retail stores for around $15.

Phase 10 Dice Game – The Phase 10 Dice Game by Fundex Games uses a unique set of 10 dice, numbered 1 through 12. Players move through each phase of the game by achieving the sequence of dice noted for each level. The game requires strategy, teaches sequencing and patterns, and provides plenty of opportunities for practicing addition and multiplication facts. The rules can easily be modified with an easier system of score-keeping for younger players. Phase 10 is a fun, affordable (less than $10) game that works well for single and multiple players.

Sum Swamp – This fun and engaging game from Learning Resources is the winner of the Oppenheim best toy award. Kids practice addition and subtraction math facts by rolling the dice and adding and subtracting their way around the swamp, getting caught in the loop and hoping for a land on the Crocodile Short Cut. Recommended for ages 5+, this game retails for under $20.

Monopoly and Monopoly Junior – This classic board game by Hasbro Games now comes in so many versions it's hard not to find the perfect fit for any game lover! Monopoly provides endless opportunities for adding, subtracting, estimating, and general wheeling and dealing. Choose Monopoly Junior for simpler rules and smaller bills – a great option for younger children. Original versions retail for less than $20, with some specialty-themed versions costing a little more.

Questions to Ask Your Child About Their Reading

Talking to your children about the books they read is one of the best ways to support your child’s literacy development. Your child needs to engage in critical thinking to discuss a book — a key skill for success in school as well as life. Here are some tips on how to start and sustain a book discussion with your child:

Before your child reads a book, ask:

• Why did you select this book?

• What makes you think this book is going to be interesting?

• What do you think the book is going to be about?

• Does this book remind you of anything else you’ve already read or seen?

• What kind of characters do you think will be in the book?

• What do you think is going to happen?

While your child is reading a book, try asking:

• Will you catch me up on the story? What’s happened so far?

• What do you think will happen next?

• If you were that character, what would you have done differently in that situation?

• Where is the book set?

• If the main character in that story lived next door, would you be friends?

• What does the place look like in your head as you read? Would you want to visit there?

• Have you learned any new words or facts so far?

After your child has finished a book, ask questions like:

• What was your favorite part of the book? Why?

• Who was your favorite character? Why?

• What was the most interesting thing you learned from the book?

• Why do you think the author wrote this book?

• Would you have ended the book differently? Did it end the way you thought it would?

• Did the problem of the book’s plot get solved?

• If you could change one thing in the book, what would it be?

Wishing you happy reading, writing, and number fun!

Best Regards,

Stefani Wasik, Principal

Pronouns: she/her/hers

wasiks@franklinps.net

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Curious what elementary students are learning during instructional technology with Mrs. Finley? Please check out the most recent issue of the K-5 Instructional Technology Newsletter!

Interested in having some Festive Fine Motor Fun? November & December are great times of year to work on a variety of fine motor skills with children of all ages! Please see the link below for ideas to try this season from Mrs. Kara Hover, MOT, OT.

As this is New England, we are apt to have days when the weather is inclement, and it is important we all understand how the process works to be as prepared as possible. Please read the notice below from Superintendent Giguere for more information, which will be updated on Franklin Public Schools' website under the "About Us" tab.

Why is School Attendance So Important? According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance. This relationship between attendance and achievement may appear early in a child's school career. Being chronically absent can have a significant impact on a student's academic progress and their ability to access the variety of academic and non-academic supports that schools provide. For ideas and resources to support your child's good attendance, please click the link below!

Franklin SEPAC and the SAFE Coalition are hosting a workshop for Parents and Caregivers of Tweens and Teens, Mental Health and Suicide Awareness and Prevention, on December 5, 2023, from 6:30 PM-8:00 PM in the Training Room on the 3rd floor of the Municipal Building. The registration link is https://forms.gle/wuMmwjzQK5ik7q9L8

The FHS Peer Leaders Club is hosting a district clothing drive! Peer Leaders are hoping to collect a variety of gently used or new winter clothes for students K-12. Please see the flyer below for more information. Clothing donations will be collected in our main office, then sorted and organized by Peer Leadership members. Please contact Club Advisor and District Social Worker Brittany Crosby at crosbyb@franklinps.net or (508) 613-1408 with any questions!

The Franklin Senior Center is hosting a Winter Wonderland on Thursday, December 14th from 4:30 - 7:00pm. It will be an evening of beautifully decorated holiday trees, decor, live entertainment, hot cocoa and cookies, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. It's perfect for all ages and the whole family! Please see the flyer, below!

Hello, Jefferson families! As you may know, we have a special opportunity to go see our 5th Graders sing the National Anthem (The Star-Spangled Banner) right before the Bruins game on Friday, December 15th. All Jefferson families (and relatives and friends) are invited to attend the game! All 5th Jefferson 5th Grade students are invited to sing with us that evening! If you would like to purchase tickets, please see the flyer and information below!

Are you a former educator looking to get back into the classroom? Interested in working in schools to see if it's right for you? We need day-to-day substitutes in all schools at all levels! If interested, please apply here and enter Job ID 4423071.

The Franklin Public Schools is seeking a skilled and experienced long-term substitute special education teacher to serve at Jefferson Elementary School. The teacher will work in a model of service delivery offering academic support and co-teaching in the general education classrooms combined with pull-out specialized instruction for small groups and individuals. Students requiring assistance and support have mild to moderate disabilities. The position will be until January. Please visit the posting here if you or anyone you know is qualified and interested!

Oak Street Elementary is looking for a Multilingual Interventionist to work with students in Grades K-5! The Multilingual Interventionist provides targeted support to multilingual students under the direction of English Language Development Teachers and the School Principal/Assistant Principal.

Experience in working with Multilingual learners and second language spoken are preferred but not required. Flexible hours are available. If interested, please click on this link to apply.

IMPORTANT! If you have not already done so, please be sure to fill out an Emergency Form for your child(ren)! This information is an important part of keeping our students safe!

Jefferson Kids’ Night Out @ Downtown Sports- THIS SATURDAY

Don’t miss out on this fun night out for Jefferson students and their siblings! The PCC is hosting a Kids’ Night of Fun at Downtown Sports (240 Cottage Street, Franklin) on December 2nd from 6-9pm. The cost is $25 per student ($15 per additional sibling) with proceeds to support the Jefferson PCC. This IS a drop-off event and all Jefferson families are welcome! This will be a Jefferson-only event. To register, go HERE and click on Events.

Open PCC Meetings

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Wednesday night’s Open PCC Meeting. Please mark your calendars for the next meeting on January 31. Have a discussion topic you’d like to submit? Please email JeffersonPCCFranklin@gmail.com with “January PCC Meeting” in the subject line.

Providence Bruins

Join your Jefferson friends at the Providence Bruins - and hear the 5th Grade Chorus sing! Tickets on sale now for the game on 12/15 with puck drop at 7:05pm! $24 per person (and kids get a free hat)! Purchase your tickets online now HERE!

Author Visit

The PCC is hosting author Susan Tan on January 26 during the school day. Susan is the APALA Honor Award winning author of the Cilla Lee-Jenkins series, the Pets Rule! series, and Ghosts, Toast, and Other Hazards. Along with her writing, Susan is an assistant professor of English at UMass Boston. Susan’s books are available to pre-purchase through December 22 HERE. She will personally sign each copy purchased!

Spring Carnival

Thank you to Katie Boyce for volunteering to be the Spring Carnival Chair! Believe it or not, planning is starting soon. If you are interested in volunteering for this committee, please email KBoycePCC@gmail.com.

Yearbook

Please send pictures to JeffersonLabsYearbook@gmail.com for our yearbook! School activities and events, fun candids, mystery reader pictures - send it all. And keep taking/sending throughout the year . . . Thank you! Also, did you know you can already purchase the yearbook for this year? Visit HERE and use Jefferson School Yearbook ID: 3750124

Bottles and Cans

Thank you to Lauren Kloos and the entire committee for collecting more cans this morning… once again KINDERGARTEN came out on top! Don’t forget to save all of your bottles and cans (NO GLASS PLEASE). Our next collection is January 5.

PCC Communications

Before we can share all of our exciting news and events with you via email, we need your permission. Please click HERE to opt in to communications. Your private information WILL NOT be shared, sold, or available to anyone besides the PCC Board and Committee Chairs, as appropriate.

Get Involved!

Speaking of volunteers, Jefferson PCC is completely volunteer-run. In order to continue to offer all of the great events and activities scheduled each year, we need your help. Even if you only have a few minutes each month, there is a way for you to help! We have a variety of fun committees to choose from, so please indicate your interest HERE. The Committee Chair will be in touch via email with more information in the coming weeks.

Stay in Touch!

Feel free to reach out to the PCC at JeffersonPCCFranklin@gmail.com with any questions. Check out our Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/JeffersonPCC) and website (https://sites.google.com/view/franklinjeffersonpcc) to find out about upcoming events and activities!

As many of you know, the PCC, or Parent Communication Council, is a group of parent volunteers that work with the staff and administration of the school to enrich students' educational experience. This is done through fundraisers, events, and activities. The PCC fully funds field trips for every student at Jefferson, holds Book Fairs, hosts Cultural Enrichment Assemblies for the children, and sponsors the Artist in Residence Program each year.

Please see our 6-Day Cycle "At a Glance" below:

December

7th - School Spirit Day

14th - Term I Report Cards Published in ASPEN

15th - Jefferson Night at the Providence Bruins

22nd - Pajama Day

22nd - Early Release Day - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM

25th - January 1st - No School - Winter Break

January

2nd - Return to School

2nd - Pajama Day

4th - School Spirit Day

15th - No School - MLK Jr. Day

16th - Early Release Day - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM

February

1st - School Spirit Day

2nd - Early Release Day - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM

19th - 23rd - No School - February Break

26th - March 1st - Reading Spirit Week

28th - Early Release Day - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM

March

5th - Early Release Day - Conferences

6th - Conferences

7th - School Spirit Day

28th - Early Release Day - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM

29th - No School - Good Friday

April

4th - School Spirit Day

12th - Early Release Day - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM

15th - 19th - No School - April Break

22nd - Pajama Day

May

3rd - Star Wars Day

24th - Red/White/Blue Day

27th - No School - Memorial Day

June

6th - School Spirit Day

7th - Early Release Day - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM

10th - 14th - Student Council Spirit Week

14th - Early Release Day - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM

19th - No School - Juneteenth

Mrs. Wasik, Principal

(508) 541-2140

wasiks@franklinps.net

Mrs. Murray, Assistant Principal

(508) 541-2140

murraye@franklinps.net

Mrs. Tolonen, Secretary

(508) 541-2140

tolonenr@franklinps.net

Website: https://www.franklinps.net/jefferson-elementary-school
Location: 628 Washington St, Franklin, MA 02038
Phone: (508) 541-2140
Twitter: @JeffersonLabs