Glacier's Gazette

Si desea leer este boletín en español, utilice el botón de traducción a la derecha.

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Nếu bạn muốn đọc bản tin này bằng tiếng Việt, vui lòng sử dụng nút dịch ở bên phải.

إذا كنت ترغب في قراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية باللغة العربية ، فيرجى استخدام زر الترجمة الموجود على اليمين.

This past week, Webster Fire Department came to speak to our PreK- Grade 2 students about staying safe when it comes to fire- including not playing with fire and what to do if they ever have a fire in the home. The kids got to see what a firefighter looks like all dressed in their firefighting gear, see the firetruck up close and received water bottle from the fire department. We are so lucky to have a fantastic fire department that comes to visit us through out the year.

Each year, your child participates in literacy and math benchmark assessments 3 times a year. In Massachusetts, state requirements ensure that students receive early support in developing strong reading skills. Students in kindergarten through at least Grade 3 must participate in literacy screenings at least twice each school year to assess their reading development and identify areas where additional support may be needed. These screenings help teachers understand students’ progress in foundational reading skills, such as phonics, word reading, fluency, and comprehension.

Park Ave uses DIBELs and iReady assessments for both literacy. We use this information to help guide instruction and decide if students need more support in certain areas.

In the next week or two, you will be receiving information about how your child performed on these assessments. Please look for this information in your child's backpack.

Webster Public Schools offers students the opportunity to earn the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to graduating high school students who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English and at least one additional language. This designation is included on a student’s high school transcript.

· All students are eligible to pursue the Seal of Biliteracy, including English learners, students with disabilities, and students who have learned a language outside of school.

· Students may earn the Seal of Biliteracy in any language, including languages not offered through our world language program.

Why it matters

The purposes of the State Seal of Biliteracy are to:

· encourage students to study and master languages;

· certify attainment of biliteracy skills; recognize the value of language diversity;

· provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills;

· provide universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for the attainment of high-level skills in languages;

· prepare students with skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society; and

· strengthen intergroup communication and honor the multiple cultures and languages in a community.

How students earn the MA Seal of Biliteracy

To earn the Seal, students must meet all graduation requirements and demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English and at least one additional language through language assessments. Webster Public Schools ensures equitable access to required assessments. Students identified as low-income may access required assessments at no cost.

How you can prepare now

Encourage your child to continue using and developing all their languages, including those used at home or in the community. Speaking, signing, reading, and writing in these languages help build the skills needed to earn the Seal of Biliteracy in high school.

Does your family use a language in addition to English?

Your language is valuable! The Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes all languages, and students may earn the Seal in any language. Students who use a language at home or in the community—including signed languages such as American Sign Language (ASL)—are encouraged to continue developing that language. Regular speaking or signing, reading, and writing help students build the skills needed to earn the Seal while strengthening language development overall, including in English.

Language programs in Webster Public Schools

As students move through school, language programs such as foundational language, heritage language, or bilingual programs become available. These programs are offered as part of the regular school schedule and are accessible to all students, including students receiving English learner services or special education services, consistent with state and federal civil rights laws. Enrolling in these programs helps students continue developing their language skills over time.

In Bartlett High School (BHS), world language programs are available as follows:

· Spanish 1-4 — begins in grade 9

· Spanish for Native Speakers - begins in grade 9

· AP Spanish - begins in grade 11

Families are encouraged to explore available options and enroll students as early as possible.

Contact

For questions or to get started, please contact Dr. Patricia Mackay at 508-943-0104 x. 40030 or pmackay@webster-schools.org.

Additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions for Students & Families, is available on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education State Seal of Biliteracy webpage. https://www.doe.mass.edu/scholarships/biliteracy/students-families.html

On Friday, October 30th, students are invited to dress up as their favorite character. We do ask that any costumes that students wear not have a mask, any pretend weapons, or anything looking like blood.

National School Lunch Week (October 12-16) is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the importance of healthy, nutritious meals for our students! School meals help students stay focused, energized, and ready to learn throughout the day. A special shout-out to our amazing Food Services Department for all they do to prepare and serve meals to our Park Avenue students each day. We appreciate your hard work, care, and dedication to making sure our students are nourished and ready to learn. Thank you for being such an important part of our school community!

Thank you to the families who have submitted staff shout outs to members of the PAE Staff. They are always appreciated by the teachers.

Please take a moment to write a Staff Shout-Out and let a staff member know how much their work means to your family. We look forward to celebrating the many ways our staff help students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn!

STAFF SHOUT OUT

Please consider participating with our Parent/Teacher Organization. Meetings are the first Wednesday of every month. There are also numerous ways to volunteer for the PTO. Please attend a meeting at 5:30 on the first Tuesday of each month to learn more. For more information about how you can get involved email parkaveelmpto@gmail.com

The PTO is running a coin drive fundraiser for the month of October. Each grade will contribute spare change to their jar in the front lobby. The funds will go to support various events and field trips for the school.

October

30- Character Dress Up Day

November

4- Half Day for Students

10- Picture Retakes

11- No School

17- Half day for students (PAE ONLY)

17- Conferences- Afternoon & PM

If so, Mrs. Peterson at the middle school would ove to hear about it. She is collecting blurbs about Bartlett grads and Where are they now? If you want to share your story, send it to hpeterson@webster-schools. org labled: Bartlett Grad. Here is an example:

Bartlett Alumni - Where Are They Now?

Mrs. Sara Reardon graduated from Bartlett as a triathlete (soccer, softball, and basketball) in 1999 and still lives in Webster. She attended UMASS Amherst, majoring in Communication Disorders. After college (2003), she worked as a speech and language pathology assistant for 5 years before earning her master's degree - Academic: Teacher, Moderate Disabilities, PreK-8. Most of her years have been spent in grade 7 special education, starting in Webster in 2013. She is also a member of the WMS Instructional Leadership Team.

Bartlett High School will be holding their Trunk or Treat event on October 24 from 5-7 pm. $5 entry fee.

The public library has many events for kids and adults. See their offerings here:

https://gladyskellylibrary.org/kids-teens/events-calendar

Both breakfast and lunch are free for students.