MSLA Bookmark Contest
We are excited to announce the Boyden winners of the Massachusetts School Library Association bookmark contest. Students in grades 2-5 were eligible to participate and the theme was Every Story Matters. This contest was a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their creativity and we were so proud of everyone who entered. Fifty-six students submitted designs, making it a difficult judging process for Boyden staff. Here are the winners:
Grades 2-3 Division:
1st place: Juliet Burdon
2nd place: Olivia Burti
3rd place: Hannah Dolan
Grades 4-5 Division:
1st place: Teddy Bartucca
2nd place: Anthony Cunha
3rd place: Luke Molles
What are the students learning in PE?
K: Kindergarteners started the new year off with fitness stations! Students also learned how to
jump rope this past month. All kindergarten classes worked on the skill of rolling in the month of
January. Students really enjoyed using the skill rolling in a variety of pin games over the course
of a few weeks.
1st: First graders worked on fitness to start the new year off. Students also started a jump
roping unit that included skills and games. First grade students also had a chance to play
several pin games in the month of January.
2nd: Second graders started January with exercise stations that included jump roping, running
and strength exercises. My second graders also played numerous fun pin games for a few
weeks in January.
3rd: Third grade started with a fitness unit that led into our jump rope unit. I am amazed how
well students have learned to jump rope over the last few years! Students in third grade really
enjoyed playing a few weeks of pin games that involve throwing and rolling.
4th: Fourth graders started with a fitness component that included aerobic and anaerobic
exercises. We talked about the benefits of the different types of exercises all while performing
them. Fourth grade students also participated in a variety of pin games that require strategy
along with offense and defense.
5th: Fifth graders finished their final jump roping unit in the month of January. I must say that I
am truly proud of how far each one has come along over the years with jumping rope. Fifth
grade also closed out the month with pin games that require a lot of strategy both offense and
defense. Students truly enjoyed these pin games over the course of a few weeks!
January Sportsperson of the Month
The "Sportsperson of the Month" goes to a student at each grade level going above and beyond in Physical Education Class. This includes(but is not limited to) following the rules of the game, being safe, respectful of other students, taking care of the equipment, and playing fair.
PE Sportsperson for January:
K- Luca Persechini
1st- Quinn Alexander
2nd- Fiona Lydon
3rd- Brian Hassler
4th- Sadie Oteri
5th- Juliana Garrasteguy Rodriguez
Kindness Week 2/12 - 2/16
The week of February 12th through Febraury 16th is Kindness Week across Walpole! At Boyden, we have many things planned. We will be highlighting kindness during our morning announcements, at Morning Meetings, and through daily kindness activities. We are also asking students to get invovled by dressing up each day. See below:
Boyden School Report Card from DESE
Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card. Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the school’s report card is designed to show families how our school is doing in different areas. A link to our school’s report card is available at https://reportcards.doe.mass.edu/2023/03070010.
The report card includes multiple measures of a school’s performance – more than just MCAS scores. It represents a new way of looking at school performance, by providing information on student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities, and more.
Report cards are designed to be useful tools for everyone connected to our school. Families can use the information to have meaningful conversations with us about what the school is doing well and where there is room for improvement. Community and education leaders can use the information to better understand how to support students and our school.
You will notice on our report card that students are meeting or exceeding expectations at a higher percentage in English Language Arts, Math and STE than students across the state. To improve student performance in our school, we are focusing on improving Student Growth Percentile in English Language Arts and Math so we can better assess the needs of each individual student as compared to how they did the prior school year. In addition, we are focusing on student attendance to reduce chronic absenteeism this school year.
We encourage you to become involved in helping us improve our school. We see parents as critical partners in the success of our students and school, and we are grateful for your continued support.
Finally, if your child attends a school that receives federal Title I funds, you also have the right to request the following information about the qualifications of your child’s classroom teachers:
- Whether your child’s teacher is licensed in the grade levels and subject areas they teach,
- Whether your child’s teacher is teaching under an emergency license or waiver,
- The college degree and major of your child’s teacher, and
- Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.
If you have questions about our school’s report card, would like to become involved in school improvement activities, or would like to request information about the qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher, please contact your building principal or district administration. To see our district’s report card or to search for other schools’ report cards, visit https://reportcards.doe.mass.edu/
Attendance
There is much research about chronic absenteeism, engagement, and the importance of regular on time school attendance. What we know is that students who have regular on time attendance are more likely to achieve at higher rates than students who are chronically tardy or absent from school. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year which equates to 18 days across the year.
We ask that you work with us to prioritize school and minimize absences when possible. If for some reason you are planning an extended absence, please reach out me to discuss your plan.
Elementary Standard Based Report Cards
The Term I report card communicates student progress toward meeting end-of-the-year learning standards. The slight, but important, change we made last year to the descriptors of the Academic Performance Levels this year is the phrase “at this time”. The purpose of adding 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
Extended Day February Vacation Camp
Where: Boyden Elementary School
When: February 20-22, 2024 (Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursday)
Cost: $80/day (10% discount for educators or siblings)
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/TujRsqvz3vsMHzw39
PAC News
NEXT MEETING: THURSDAY, February 15th at 7:00 PM in the Media Center
Walpole Wheel of Fortune
If you aren't a member of the Walpole Wheel of Fortune Facebook page, join us! The Wheel is a fundraising page managed by the Boyden PAC where items are raffled to raise funds for the school. Raffles will be held weekly on Wednesday or Thursday nights.
Arbor Day Poster Contest
Important Dates
Febraury 9th - Early Release (12:25 PM Dismissal)
February 14th - School Council Meeting (3:30 PM - 4:30 PM)
February 15th - Boyden PAC Meeting (7:00 PM)
February 19th - 23rd - No school (Vacation)
Click Here for the Walpole Public Schools School Year Calendar
