Colonial Park Weekly News
September 14 - September 18
Principal's Note
Dear Colonial Park Families -
Welcome to our first full week of school! I really like how we ease into a new school year, and I'm looking forward to getting back on a consistent routine.
Our Back to School Night is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, from 6:15 to 7:30. For families new to Colonial Park, Back to School Night begins with parents and caregivers gathering in the gym at 6:15 for staff introductions and a welcome from me, Mrs. McCarthy and a representative from the PTO. You are then invited to your child's classroom, where you will meet the teacher and hear about your child's school day. Each session is 20 minutes, with 5 minutes in between for moving between classrooms. The evening concludes at 7:30 pm. Please reach out directly to your child's teacher if you are unable to attend, and they will send home any important information shared during the evening.
Our first early release day is scheduled for Friday, September 18. Students in preschool will be dismissed at 11:40, and our students in K-4 will be dismissed at 12:00. As many of you know, two years ago the district added early release days to our schedule. These days are critical for the professional development of our educators and are dedicated to safety, new and existing curriculum, horizontal and vertical alignment, social emotional learning and other topics that support the education of your children. While I recognize early release days do present a challenge to many families, I am so grateful for the support of our School Committee and community in providing these opportunities for our staff.
On Friday, we kicked off our Half-A-Million Minute Reading Challenge. Mrs. McCarthy and I visited classrooms to get everyone excited, and classroom teachers sent all students home with a flyer, bookmark, magnet and the September Reading Log. Please notice the back of the Reading Log, where you are able to sign your child up for a Stoneham Library Card. We are so grateful to CP parent Jessica Ziegler for spearheading this challenge, and we love any opportunity to generate enthusiasm for reading! Please click on the link below for more information and the September Reading Log.
Half-A-Million Minute Reading Challenge with Translations
We are looking forward to our PTO sponsored Back to School Picnic on Friday, September 25 from 5:00 to 7:00pm. This is always a great time to gather as a school community and celebrate the start of school. Fingers crossed for good weather!
I hope everyone has a wonderful week!
Best,
Rosa Flynn
Playground Hours
Just a reminder, our playground is closed during the school day, between the hours of 8:30 and 2:45, or until all of our students are dismissed. We welcome students playing after school and enjoying the structure! Please make sure that you are monitoring your child from inside the playground or right outside the fence to assure everyone is participating appropriately and playing safely.
Stoneham Public Schools Elementary Handbook - Please Read
Every year, elementary administrative teams update our Stoneham Public Schools Elementary Handbook with important information and procedures regarding your child's school experience. Attached please find the link to this year's handbook, and I ask that you take the time to read it over and share any relevant information with your child. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Important Back to School Information - Please Complete Today
As mentioned, all Back to School Information for your child has been digitized this school year. If you have not already completed our One Stop Back to School Form, please do so this afternoon. It is critical that we have up to date information for your child. Please reach out to Ms. Faughnan at efaughnan@stonehamschools.org if you would prefer paper copies. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Attention Third and Fourth Grade Girls - Girls on the Run Fall Season!
Registration is open for our Fall Girls on the Run Team! Ms. Leydon and Ms. Lyons will be coaching this season, and they can't wait to get started. Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based positive youth development program dedicated to empowering girls in grades 3-4 through engaging lessons and physical activity. Girls on the Run inspires girls to build confidence, set goals and use their voice to become leaders. The team will meet every Monday and Tuesday from 2:45 to 4:15, from September 21 to November 16.
The big culminating event is a celebratory, non-competitive 5K which will take place on the Boston Common on November 15. Over the course of the program, the girls set running goals which help prepare them for crossing the finish line!
Click here for the flyer and more information or visit www.girlsontherunboston.org. If you have any questions, please reach out to me or email Ryan Tollefson at ry.tollefson@gmail.com.
Stoneham Education Parent Advisory Council - SEPAC
All parents and caregivers are invited to attend monthly virtual SEPAC meetings. The first meeting will be Monday, September 28, and all are welcome, whether you have a child with an IEP or just have a general question regarding special education. Please email
sepac.stoneham.ma@gmail.com with any questions, and please see the attached flyer with meeting dates and additional information.
Here are the Zoom details:
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86935272293?pwd=xazRToyoNFKet5 pt7Z42AUioaNBALa.1
Meeting ID: 869 3527 2293
Passcode: 897074
PTO News
Mark Your Calendars!
*First PTO Meeting - Tuesday, September 22nd, 7 p.m. - meet in the school library or virtually here: https://meet.google.com/chq-fcuy-mwd
*Back to School Picnic - Friday, September 25th, 5-7 p.m. - Join us for our first event of the year! We will have music, pizza for purchase AND an ice cream truck! The PTO will provide an ice cream treat for each Colonial Park student attending (families are welcome to purchase additional items). We will also have Goldie stuffed animals for sale, $20/each. Bring your picnic blanket and come hang out with your CP friends, new and old!
*Halloween Trunk or Treat event - Saturday, October 31st, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. (rain date 11/1) If you dare to join the Halloween Committee and help bring this spooktacular event to life, please email colonialparkpto@gmail.com.
Get Involved!
*Room Parents Needed - We are looking for a few more room parents, specifically for these classrooms:
Preschool - Ms. Sue & Ms. Kelsey
2nd grade - Mrs. Verity
4th grade - Mrs. Hahesy & Ms. Leydon
RISE - Ms. Jean, Ms. Alyssa & Ms. Becca
*Activity Coordinators
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING COORDINATORS FOR VOLUNTEERING!
Room Parent Coordinator - Samantha Bull
Sunshine Committee Coordinator - Alyssa Franford
Dining Out Events Coordinator - Abby Shaw
Flyer Designer - Samantha Bull
Field Trip Coordinator - Jessica Ziegler
Book Fair Coordinators - Karen Mole and Stephane Grainger
Half Day Coordinator - Jenna Houliston
Sign Up Genius Coordinator - Katie Allen
Ready to get involved? We'd love to have you! We still have TWO positions available! Want to make it more fun? Grab a friend and team up for a role together!
- Halloween Trunk or Treat - Event Coordinator
- Box Top Coordinator
Email colonialparkpto@gmail.com if interested.
Preschool News - Stoneham Early Learning Center at Colonial Park
What fun it was to welcome our youngest learners last week! I look forward to seeing you at our Back to School Night on Thursday, September 17, 6:15 to 7:30.
Please note that Friday is an early release day, and our preschool students will be dismissed at 11:40.
Below please find the weekly newsletter from Danielle Tucker, Preschool Director.