[CabotCommunity] Jabberwock December Edition

Tue Dec 18 16:01:09 EST 2007

 Hello everyone, once again we bring you a very informative newsletter.  There is lot to read and we hope you find it useful.

We are working on making the format of the newsletter look and feel better.  It is also attached as a word file for those who findit more convenient.  Thanks to Ann Duvall for helping us put this together.

Archana Vahalia
Cabot PTO Co-President
53 Sheffield Road,
Newtonville, MA 02460
auvpto at aol.com

                 Respect for self and
others            Lifelong learning                 Commitment to school and
community

Cabot School Contact Information 

• Main Office:
617-559-9400                         • CASP: 617-964-2749

• Gym: 617-559-9407                                     • Food Service: 617-559-9021 or
617-559-6315                                                                                                                                                                         

• Inclusion Facilitator:
617-559-9409            • Nurse: 617-559-9404

• Library: 617-559-9406                                • Psychologist & Social Worker: 617-559-9405

• Call Back/Safe Arrival:
617-559-9390 Call by 8:20 a.m. to report tardiness & absences

Cabot School
website       www.newton.k12.ma.us/cabot/

Cabot School PTO             www.cabotpto.org

Newton Public Schools     www.newton.k12.ma.us/

   Calendar

December 18, 2007

School Council Meeting 5:00 - 7:00PM

December 18, 2007

Jabberwock
  Publication 2007-08 Issue #4

12/24/07 - 12/31/07

Vacation, NO SCHOOL

December 25, 2007

Christmas Day

December 26, 2007

Kwanzaa

January 1, 2008

Vacation, NO SCHOOL

January 2, 2008

School resumes

January 9, 2008

All-City School Chorus Concert, Brown Middle School 7:30 PM
  (snow date 1/10)

January 10, 2008

Understanding
  our Differences Grade 5 1:00 - 2:45 PM

January 14, 2008

School Committee Meeting, 7:30 PM

January 14, 2008

METCO
  Parents' Council Meeting 7 - 9:00 PM Roxbury (snow date 1/28)

Please check the website www.cabotpto.org
for an updated calendar at anytime.

   Marilynne’s Message

The End of 2007: The Cabot School
community has enjoyed days of many accomplishments by students and adults since
we began this year. Our school has seen a slight increase in our population and
due to the diligence and persistence of a small group of dedicated parents we
were successful in obtaining two modular classrooms. The addition of
instructional space at Cabot is one of our greatest accomplishments this year.
Looking back I am reminded that there were numerous evening meetings, an equal
amount of planning sessions, data collecting and purposeful planning by the PTO
and its sub-committee on facilities and enrollment that made all the
difference. This group met with school department staff and did a yeoman job of
advocating for all students at the school. Had they not prevailed, we would be
in a less than desirable situation this year. The other most significant
accomplishment this year has to be the introduction of the Walking School
bus, the increased bus rider ship, and the revised entry procedures. Thanks to
the efforts of School Council members, Liz Hass (Joffe) and Jan Hart who worked
tirelessly with the PTO co-chairs, city and state officials we have reduced
congestion around the school. Teachers have ample space for parking and parents
visiting the school are not hampered at all. Cabot Park Village also chipped in and we have six
teachers who use spaces they have reserved for teachers. It is a true testament
to the impact a small group of people can make. Traffic at the school is still
heavy but there is a noticeable difference at entry and dismissal. As far as
entry procedures go, teachers have commented that traffic is not as heavy in
their classrooms in the morning. More students remark that they feel more
comfortable entering school and like being able to interact with their teacher
during morning entry!

Thanks to all of you who have worked to support these changes. We
may need to republish the Blue Zone guidelines in the New Year as snow will
narrow the adjacent streets and parking spaces will be reduced due to snow
plowing. A few teachers have lost spaces in the parking lot and will be seeking
street parking. The crosswalk is now not as clearly seen. Please watch out for
children in the morning and afternoon. Pedestrians should have the right of way
and it goes without saying that all drivers should be on the look out for
children who can be concealed by high piles of snow! Also remember not to block
driveways and do not park in the No Parking zones.  We have worked hard with our neighbors and
local city officials including the police and changes made reflect our desire
to build good community relations.

So as 2007 draws to a close I trust that adults can find something
to be glad about as a result of their membership in the Cabot community! As
educators we recognize that not all adults will accept our perspectives or
approaches to teaching and interacting with young children and their parents
but I am reminded daily what an outstanding group of educators and
paraprofessionals we have working with children and adults at Cabot School.
Not a day goes by when I fail to witness their unselfishness and generosity,
their patience and tenacity, and their expertise and knowledge about learning,
instruction, children and their development! It is a powerful team and we are
fortunate to have them working on behalf of all children.

The parent community should also be on any list of things that
make you glad to be at Cabot school. The PTO and individual parents are also
relentless in their commitment to community. Again not a day goes by when I
don’t see evidence of this support. Parents step up and roll up their sleeves.
Every initiative at this school has a parent working in partnership! Whether it
is Karen Lumino at the school store every week come rain or shine, Grade Five
parents organizing the fifth grade activities, room parents supporting
classroom teachers, the Cabot Community Park committee, Bud Gartland managing
math tutoring, parents serving as Reading Partners, parents truly are the
greatest resource we have at Cabot and the teachers and I certainly reflect on
the benefits we derive from your involvement! 

I am confident that despite the challenges that lie ahead in 2008,
Cabot School will continue to be a special
place for children and adults!

May every family enjoy the days that bring 2007 to an end! I wish
you peace, joy and love! Stay safe and healthy and return on January 2nd ready
to continue on the greatest journey of all times…educating children for the
rest of their lives!

Dr. Quarcoo’s Adventure: I have the wonderful opportunity to travel to West
 Africa during the winter break. I will be absent from school, on
December 21 as well as January 2-4th returning to work on January 7th. I am
fortunate to spend the holidays with my daughter. Esinam. We will visit with
her paternal grandmother, many aunties and uncles, and a host of cousins who
have not seen her for 5 years! We will use this trip to reconnect with this
part of our family and remember those who have passed during the time of our
last visit. I am saddened to report that a young nephew had passed two summers
ago and I have not been able to pay my respects personally to my family.
Luckily death is viewed as an extension of life so I know we will spend time
enjoying his memory and celebrating and making up for our time apart. We are
especially excited to be able to travel to Burkina
 Faso and Mali
as well with some of my in-laws and a few close friends who live in Ghana.
I will spend New Year’s Eve in Timbuktu along
the Sahel, border of the Sahara desert and sub-Saharan Africa.
This website may be of interest (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/explore/sahel/sahel_people.html)
to track what I am up to during the break. Ringing in the New Year in Dogon
country will be a memorable experience and remind me of the vastness and
diversity of the planet we inhabit. I will gaze upon the sky and know that I am
blessed in so many ways. I don’t really know how I will process the experience
I am about to have but I know it will humble me and when I return I will be
recommitted to making a positive difference in the lives of children. I hope I
won’t bore you with stories about this trek and reuniting with my family
through marriage in Ghana!
Wish Esinam and me a safe journey!

GEOGRAPHY BEE: Cabot
 School is once again
participating in the National Geographic Bee. 
This is the 20th year that the National Geographic Society is holding
the Bee for students in the fourth through eighth grades in thousands of
schools across the United
  States and in the five territories, as well
as in Department of Defense Dependents Schools around the world. Classroom
competitions are completed prior to winter vacation.  The Cabot School Bee will be held prior to
January 31, 2008.  We will announce the
date right after the break. The winner of the Cabot Bee will advance to the
next level of competition, a written examination to determine state
competitors.  Check out the official
website at www.nationalgeographic.com/geographicbee.  Mrs. Mary Emma Robertson has spearheaded this
effort for several years at Cabot
 School. We have enjoyed
success at the local and state level and I believe we had a student move
forward to the national level. We offer this Bee to support and encourage
students who have a keen interest in geography! Check out the site and see what
kinds of information children are responsible for knowing in this competition.

ConnectEd: We had our first official use of connect Ed last week. This season the weather has already challenged our ability to
 navigate the streets of Boston and Newton. I used ConnectEd for the second time last Thursday to notify parents of the early closing of
 CASP, our afterschool program that serves over 180 students on some days. I chose to use the emergency call system in order to
 reach cell phones and work numbers. In the event you listed an emergency number for a relative out of sate or of a person who is not 
aware that you have identified them as an emergency contact, they received the call. Please consider who you want contacted as 
Connect Ed can not select only one contact. In fact, ConnectEd gives us a report on the success rate of all calls. Just to let you know:  
We made 1268 calls: 93.2% were successfully delivered; 85% of the calls/messages were listened completely, about 14% of those
 receiving the called listened to less than half of the message. We had 86 unsuccessful deliveries and will review these numbers to 
determine if we have inputted information incorrectly (yikes, Mrs. Driscoll had to transcribe all those numbers from the yellow sheets), 
if you have given us "bad numbers, or what! This will take time but we are committed to using this system as intended. Please note that an early school closing is an emergency as it has been the practice of the district NOT to close schools once children arrive. 

I hope that despite the multiple calls you may have received (based on the information you checked off), you found this call helpful! 

    PTO
  Pen

With all the snow around us, it sure does feel very wintery and festive.  In the midst of all the holidays and the
frenzy of shopping, we want to thank each and every member of the Cabot
community for helping us contribute to enriching the experience of our children
at Cabot.  Please take a moment to show
your appreciation to the amazing staff before you head off for holidays.  The Gift Policy for teachers and staff is
included in this newsletter once again for your reference; please respect it.

As Dr. Quarcoo has mentioned above, please follow the Blue Zone
guidelines. There is lot of snow and ice on the ground and the streets have
become narrow. Few minutes more here and there can mean a lot for the safety of
children and adults alike.

We are introducing a new section to the Jabberwock – Kid’s corner.  You will find many poems from our talented
poets in this edition.  Please look for
more contributions from our students in the future.

Hopefully, it is the best of times for all of us!!!  Please if you are in need of any sort, we
hope that we as a community can be there for you and offer help.  We hope to see most
of you during the school, but if we miss seeing you before the start of
vacation, we plan to put faces to the names of all the members of the Cabot
family in the New Year.

We
wish you all a very happy, safe and peaceful holiday season!!!

Mary Kathryn Fallon                              Archana Vahalia

PTO
co-President                              PTO co-President

   Upcoming Events at Cabot

Acknowledgment
Committee

On behalf of the Cabot PTO,
members of the Acknowledgment Committee will thank teachers and staff with a
spread of healthy snacks and a holiday message tomorrow. This will let them
know how much we appreciate them and will get their holidays off to a good
start.  Sally Brickell

Campaign for
Cabot - iPOD Shuffle Going, Going,… 

Thanks to all those families who have
already made a donation to the Campaign for Cabot. So far we have 20% participation
from the community.  If you are planning tomake
a contribution to the 2007- 08 Campaign for Cabot, why not do it in time to
have a chance to win an iPOD shuffle as well?  All donations received by this
Wednesday December 19, 2007, irrespective of the amount, will be entered in the
raffle.  We will pick the winner this Thursday, December 20, 2007, so be
sure to get your donation in by next Wednesday! 

If you prefer to give your tax deductible
donation during the 2008 tax year, we will be raffling off another iPOD Shuffle
on February 2, 2008.  All donations to this campaign will be entered in
the second raffle.

Campaign for Cabot is the single largest
source of funding for the PTO which allows us to fulfill our mission to enrich
the educational experience of our children, support the school staff and build
the community that makes Cabot
 School such a special
place.  Cabot
 School is fortunate to
have a powerful partnership between the school’s terrific leaders, teachers and
staff, and a dedicated PTO. This partnership makes possible the wonderful
learning environment we have for our children. We invite you to make a donation
in honor of a special teacher or staff member. We will send the honoree a card
acknowledging your gift.  

Library
Donation Forms

At this time of year, our school library is enhanced by donations made
in honor of children and teachers or others, to express gratitude, to mark a
special occasion, or to celebrate a particular event.  It is an excellent
way to thank teachers at holiday time and at school year's end.  

These donations are used to purchase new books.  Bookplates are then
placed in the books to acknowledge the donation and a card of thanks is sent to
the donor.  If you would like to participate, please look for the separate
flyer sent home last week and return it to Lani Gerson in the library. 
Please let us know if you need another form, or stop by the library to get one.

    VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

UNDERSTANDING
OUR DIFFERENCES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 

Two Understanding Our Differences programs are coming up on
Thurs. Jan. 10th (5th Grade) and Thurs. Jan. 20th (3d Grade), from 1-2:45 each
day.  These are wonderful opportunities
for parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, to help out and interact with your
child's classmates and specialty teachers. 
We train you and have materials set up for you to supervise a 20 minute
program small groups (repeated 3x).  If
interested, please contact Rick Reilly (617-332-3006) or Maureen Mullowney
(617-969-8302) or email rmreilly at rcn.com.

  HOUSEKEEPING

LOST & FOUND

Take a look this week to see if you are missing anything, you may be
surprised what you find.  Be sure to stop by because this Thursday it will
be donated to The Second Step.  Thanks to Carrie Jasper of the Social
Action Committee for cleaning out the bin and donating the items.

  CABOT
  BROADCAST

NEWTON SCHOOL’S GIFT POLICY

During the holiday
season, please remember the Newton School Committee Policy:  “No teacher
in the performance of regular duties shall receive presents from the pupils
under his or her direction.”  Each year families are reminded of this
policy, and each year most families comply.  It is very natural for
children and their families to want to acknowledge and thank their teachers at
holiday time.  

Here are some
suggestions: 

1. A note of
appreciation to your child’s teacher, or a card made by your child, would be
treasured.  

2. A homemade
acknowledgement to your child’s teacher or faculty member, such as cookies or
baked goods.

3.  You may wish to
honor a teacher or staff member through a donation to the Campaign for
Cabot.  Checks should be made to the Cabot PTO, with a note indicating
that it is for the Campaign for Cabot.  This is a terrific way to honor a
teacher and support the parent-run enrichment programs at Cabot School.

Please do not solicit
money from families for class gifts.

If you need further
clarification please speak with the Principal Marilynne Quarcoo or your PTO
Co-Presidents, Mary Kathryn Fallon and Archana Vahalia. Thank you for your
cooperation in this regard.

Out of District Policy Statement 2008

- Out-of-District placements for students who wish to
attend a school in Newton
other than his/her district school are limited. 
Such placements are made on a space available basis only.  Newton
families, as well as members of Units A, B, C, D, E, NESA, Custodians and Boston parents of
students participating in the METCO Program, should call the Attendance Office
at 617-559-6030 for information. 
Students who receive acceptance for Out-of-District placement must
remain in the school selected or file for out-of-district placement at the
appropriate time.

- Applications for the following school year must be
submitted on forms, which are currently available in the Attendance Office at
the Education Center. 

- If necessary, a lottery will be implemented to determine
the order in which placements will be made. 
Completed applications, signed by the in-district principal, can be
submitted no earlier than January 2, 2008 and no later than April 30,
2008.  

Applications submitted after April 30, 2008 will not be
included in the lottery.

- Hand-delivered applications will only be accepted from
the parent or legal guardian. 
Application forms must have the 'Reason for Request' section completed
in order to be considered.

- Class size in a given grade, in a given year, in a
specific school, may preclude any placements including siblings.

- Parents will be responsible for transportation.

- Tuition Free Enrollment is limited to the per pupil cost
of regular education.   

Strategic Planning Team

The Strategic Planning Team (SPT) had an extremely
productive meeting on November 28.  The
members spent a great deal of time working in small groups, which allowed for a
thorough and thoughtful exchange of ideas. 
First, the SPT reviewed a draft of the teacher and parent survey
results, which are now available on the NPS web site.  Next, the SPT did a substantial review and
analysis of the proposed Core Values statement. 
A new draft is being prepared for a second review.  The SPT also began a discussion about the
Core Purpose statement, which is defined as the “most fundamental reason an
organization or system has for being.” 
The last discussion topic was the visioning sessions held in recent
weeks.  The last three topics (core
values, core purpose, and visioning sessions) are being further refined in
small sub-groups to be presented for discussion by the SPT as the group
prepares to define strategic areas of focus. 
Working groups will be constituted to delve deeply into these strategic
areas. 

Newton Parent Advisory Council

There was a meeting on Thursday November 15. Stephanie
Powers and Mozelle Berkowitz, Interim Co-Directors for Pupil Services presented
the new 2007/2008 Guide that lists all of the Newton Programs and Services for
Students with Special Needs. Several administrative staff members were present
to discuss their different programs. The 2007/2008 Guide is available in the
PAC folder in the front office. The next meetings will be held on January 16,
in room 318 and on February 13, in room 210, at the Education Center 100 Walnut
Street. If there are any questions, please contact Lisa Spagnuolo (617) -
527-4660.

FUNDRAISING

BOX TOPS!

Please remember to start your on-line shopping
at:http://cabotpto.org/shop/index.html and the Cabot PTO will receive a percentage
of your sale, at no cost to you.  And
please keep bringing in the Box Tops and putting them in the bright pink box in
the front lobby. Questions: contact Isabelle Thacker, isabelle at thackers.net,
617/795-2332

Think Recycle!

We have shipped off two boxes full of empty ink cartridges
and cell phones to Think Recycle. We are off to a great start.  Please keep brining in your old cell phones
and empty ink cartridges and place them in the green Think Recycle box in the
front lobby. Questions:  contact Isabelle
Thacker, isabelle at thackers.net, 617/795-2332

Newton On the Move  

The Newton Schools Foundation and all of Newton’s Schools are planning a Bike-a-Thon
for next fall, Sunday October 5, 2008.  The route will take bike riders to each of Newton’s 21 schools and
ends at City Hall for prizes, refreshments, etc.  The goal is to raise money for the Foundation
and for our individual schools.  Although
this event is almost a year away, it takes a lot of planning.  The current aim is to get volunteers from
each school to meet monthly to work out
logistics/finances/safety/rules/publicity, etc. 
Here is some of what needs to be done: 
Form bike riding team(s) from your school, sponsor the event, get sponsors
and donors, help with publicity, cheer riders along the route, help hand out
water/ice cream at City Hall, and of course help with the overall planning.
Please consider helping out in ways both large and small.  Contact former NNHS principal and current
Newton Schools Foundation Board Member Jennifer Huntington at 617-965-5063 or
granx4 at gmail.com 

  FIFTH
  GRADE ACTIVITIES

Funtastic Fridays for all Newton 5th Graders

Funtastic Fridays for all Newton 5th graders, Jan 4th:  A great way to meet kids from the “feeder”
elementary schools, as our 5th graders get ready to move up to Bigelow.  Here are the monthly dates for the remainder
of the school year to put into your calendars: 12/14, 1/4, 2/1, 3/7, 4/4, 5/2,
6/13.  All are 7-9 pm. at the Hyde
Community Center 90 Lincoln Street. $6 admission for Music, games and more.
Snacks and drinks available for purchase. Sign up for a “Fast Pass”
card to speed entry by emailing your name, phone number and school to
fevercoach at aol.com.  Sponsored in part by
Parks and Rec. Questions? Call Judy Dore: 617-796-1525.

CREATIVE
  ARTS 

  &
  SCIENCES

David Zucker presents Poetry in Motion

On Thursday, December 6th, Cabot school was treated to David Zucker’s “Poetry in Motion.” Mr.
Zucker presents poetry using mime, puppets, costumes, and characters in a way
that completely engages children and makes poetry come alive for them. Imagine
200 Cabot school children miming climbing up a pole to the poetry of James
Whitcombe Riley and you will have an idea of how the children participated in
the performance! Using plenty of humor, Mr. Zucker recited poems by authors
ranging from A.A. Milne to Langston Hughes, and even had the children making up
new poetry with him. “Poetry in Motion” was presented by the Creative Arts and
Sciences committee, and funded by the Cabot School PTO.

COMMUNITY PARK

New Composting Program has Begun at Cabot!

For those who have recently walked through Cabot Community
 Park and wondered at the
black bin, Cabot has begun a composting program!  Ms. Fiorenza has spearheaded a campaign for
composting, and 11 teachers/specialists/the office and CASP are
participating.  The compost was started
with the leaves from the park (some of which were added to the compost at the
Newton Community Farm!) and continues to grow with daily additions of apple
cores, clementine peels, etc.  The
program is exciting for the students to observe how their food waste will break
down to return to and nourish the earth while being removed from the waste
stream as well as the park to being used for a new, educational
opportunity.  

In fact, the park has become such a favorite destination
that a multitude of birds feed there daily, including the flock of turkeys (who
tried but were unable to reach the feeders!) 

LIBRARY

Massachusetts Children’s Book Award Program 

Have you seen the steady stream of 4th
and 5th graders making their way to the library? They are checking
out books from the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award Program’s most recent
list. 

All Cabot 4th and 5th
grade students are encouraged to participate in this statewide reading program
sponsored by Salem State College. Participants are required to read (or listen
to) at least five of the twenty-five books on the list. In March, the students
who successfully complete this task will vote for their favorite book. Adding
their votes to those of other 4th, 5th and 6th
graders statewide, the students will select the best book, most enjoyed by
young people in Massachusetts.

Thank you to the following parents
and teachers who took time out of busy schedules to present book talks and
reviews on this year’s list of books: Chris Kjellson, Lisa Svennson, Emily
Hess, Rachel Boloyan, Lori Seuch and Jo Doherty joined Matt Tirrell in
presenting books to the 4th graders and Don Stanton, Alice Cunningham,
Marya Vant Hul, Andrea Plotkin, Jo Doherty and Lori Seuch presented a rich
assortment of books to the 5th grade students. It is largely due to
these presentations that the books are being checked out and read with great
enthusiasm. 

If you want to see the 2008 list or
read about books on lists in the past go to the Salem State
website:

http://www.salemstate.edu/education/mcba/

Again, I wish to thank all parents
and teachers who help with this program. Lani Gerson. 

  KIDS
  CORNER

We have initiated a new and exciting part of the
Jabberwock.  We invited Cabot students to submit original poems, haikus or
short paragraphs with a focus on Cabot’s core values, which are:  

Lifelong
     learning

Respect
     for self and others 

Commitment
     to school and community 

Each month the students and faculty are focusing on a word
that relates to the core values. The words so far this year have been:

September – Routines

October – Advocacy

November - Effort

December - Caring 

Students may use these words to inspire a poem, haiku or
short story to be published in the Jabberwock.  Students may work alone,
as part of a group, with their family or as a class.  This is a completely
voluntary effort.  All submissions should be sent to jabbereditor at gmail.com
to be considered for inclusion in the Jabberwock.  Submissions received by
January 8, 200, will be considered for inclusion in
the January issue.  We will continue to add more words as the year progresses
and would like to make student work part of the monthly publication. We look
forward to reading all your wonderful stories and ideas!  Here are all the
poems we have received so far, enjoy!!!

Mr.
Wong is a teacher at Cabot Elementary.  Mr. Wong teaches my 4th

grade
class, room 202.

He
is very good at handling problems that come up.  Every Friday

afternoon
for the last hour of the day

Mr.
Wong gives us "Fun Friday."  He also gives us one homework pass

for
a short assignment,

(one
subject for one night), at the beginning of each month.

Sometimes
if we get extra math on our schedule

we
get to skip it the next day.  Well, I hope you learned a little

about
Mr. Wong's job.  Bye! 

     -By Sonia Joffe, grade 4

Life
Long Learning never ends,

this
means make lots of new friends;

and
also, try your best in school,

otherwise
you won't be cool; 

Its
never too late to try something new, 

that
way there will always be something fun for you!

And...........
that's Life Long Learning!!

 -By Katy
Fallon, grade 3

Effort:

E - experiencing new things

F - Finding better ways to do things

F - Fractions (whew, they take effort)

being
O - Organized

R - Reading

T - Trying your best

-By Jake Fallon, grade 4 & Matthew Fallon, Kindergarten

Effort

Excellence

Failing but not giving up

Fun with learning

Overachievement

Respect for learning 

Trust in yourself

             -By Annika Vahalia, 4th
Grade, Mr. Ripp's class.

What Core
Values Mean to Us

By Elinor Graham and Maren Gunning

Ms. Thonet's 3rd grade classroom

Life-long learning

Never ends.

Respect for self and others

Together forever.

That is Cabot
 School

And it always will be 

Commitment to school and our

community for everyone

Everywhere in Cabot
 School

Everyone cares and always will.

Caring is like a million friendly people.

Caring is like a sea of friends.

Caring is the color of Cabot School.

Caring is bright and colorful.

Caring is the people who care.

Caring is Cabot
 School.

Gregory Brumberg

Ms. Thonet, 3rd Grade 

The following poems were submitted by Ms. Bargende's 3rd
grade class:

Our class wrote this poem together last week during
Inclusion Week.  We

are posting it in our hallway with illustrations for each
line.  

Interested in other's
lifestyles, religions, ethnicity, and learning styles

Never leave anyone out

Cabot welcomes
everyone to learn

Learning about other
people

Understanding
differences

Safe place to learn
for everyone

Invite others to play
or work with you

One school that cares
for everyone in Cabot's neighborhood

Never give up on
others

Advocacy

By Yonatan Ben-Menachem 

Ask for help

Don’t be shy, speak up

Voice your opinion

Occasions can be confusing, ask
why they are celebrated

“Come here, I’ll explain it in a
different way”

Asking for help is advocacy

Complaining doesn’t help, it
makes it worse

Yonatan’s a good poet… put him in the Jabborwok! 

Caring

By Yonatan Ben-Menachem 

Caring is important, why don’t
you try it.

It’s wonderful and sweet.

You get lots of love so try and find someone so you can get some love. 

Caring

By Ben Puritz and Quinn Cleary 

Cabot cares for everyone

Always look out for others

Respect people by caring

Invite people to play

Never leave people out

Give love! 

Caring

By Emily Ecker, Kristyn Stoia, and Claudia Meyer 

Cabot cares for everyone

At every class, people listen

Respect people’s religions

Inclusion

Never Laugh at people

Give help 

Advocacy

By Yui-Ting Tarn and
Claire Wang 

Advocacy means

Asking for help when you need

it. Advocacy 

A Poem

 by Jimmy Hodgson and
Gabe Jasper 

Do not give up hope

Keep on trying to do it

Stay strong in your mind 

Caring

By Claudia Meyer and Anna Porter 

To feel for others

To help out friends who need it.

Play or work with friends. 

Advocacy

By Claudia Meyer and Anna Porter 

Asking for help when you need it.

Determined to get help

Voices inside your head tell you
to ask for what you need

Open your mouth and go ask

“Can you explain that again
please?”

Automatically asking for help

“Could you help me with this?”

You tell the truth about what you
do and do not understand

Our Cabot School
Routine

by Mr. Lacatell’s 2nd grade students

In school we follow a very special routine

We start with our morning meeting

Change the date, the number of the day

And share a pleasant greeting

Lifelong learning is our goal

For the twenty kids found in our class

All of our teachers help us

It really is a blast!

We love to play Sparkle

Spelling is fun indeed

In the end it helps better

Our ability to read

We do it everyday

And learn from every book

Sitting quietly at our seats

With our School Listening Look

Mr. L loves to read to us

Each and every day

Patricia Pollaco and Roald Dahl

We all shout, “Hooray!”

When our teacher calls us

By the wrong name

He does 20 push-ups

It’s a very funny game

Trivia questions each day

To keep us thinking

When we learn the answer

Our brain stops shrinking

Sometimes those answers

We might forget

We know it’s okay

And do not fret

We all love math

Fast Facts, arrows and frames

Learning each day

As we play new games

At recess

On days hot and cold

Some of us dig in the sand

Until the whistle blows

Our custodians

Kenny and Phil

Take time each day

To do their daily drill

They clean the classrooms

Up and down

And never do it

With a frown

In PE we learn to swing

Miss Bennett teaches us how to climb and jump

We hope that she doesn’t ever

Fall upon her rump

Dr. Quarcoo is our principal who is great

Bullying is something that she hates

She works hard each day for you and me

So that we are as happy as can be

Every month she gives us

A brand new word to think about

“Routine, Advocacy, Effort and Caring”

We all now love to shout

We never get bored

>From morning to noon

And hope that dismissal

Does not come too soon

  PHYSICAL
  EDUCATION

5th Annual Jump Rope for Heart Program

Our school is participating in our 5th annual Jump Rope For
Heart program in physical education class. This is a very special community
service program to help raise funds for the American Heart Association. We’re
joining the fight against our nation’s number 1 and number 3 killers –
cardiovascular disease and stroke. 

Every student at Cabot school will participate in jumping rope
for the month of January in P.E. class. Your student will bring home an
American Heart Association envelope to collect donations for this cause from
family and friends. However, I ask that your student not go door to door or ask
strangers for donations. If your child receives any cash donations please
convert those to a check prior to turning in the collection envelope. All
checks should be payable to the American Heart Association. The deadline for
your student’s collection envelope to be turned into Ms. Bennett is January 31,
2008.

Last year as a community we raised $5,839.61 we received a
portion of this to buy physical education equipment. This year our goal is
6,000.00!!!

Jump Rope For Heart is a fun event that helps our children
understand the importance of community service and physical activity while
helping save lives. Our efforts truly make a difference!

  FROM
  THE NURSE

Important Information for Parents and Guardians in Grades K,
1 and 4

The Growth Screening Program will be take place during
December and January. The Kindergarten class is done. 

Massachusetts General Laws require that public schools collect
height and weight measurements of students. These measurements are used to
calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI) which is a screening tool to monitor
students’ growth and development. 

Your child’s screening will be supervised by the school nurse
and each student’s privacy will be respected at all times. Your child’s height,
weight, and BMI measurements are strictly confidential and the results will be
recorded in your child’s school health record. If you would like these results
and/or additional information and resources, please contact the school nurse
at: Karen Kerrigan, RN at 617- 559-9404. . Please share the results of the
Growth Screening with your child’s healthcare provider. 

If you choose not to have your child participate in the Growth
Screening Program, you must contact the school nurse. Please provide written
documentation of height and weight measurements taken within the past twelve
months by your child’s healthcare provider. 

Simple standards for a healthy lifestyle include:

·       
Eating at least 5 fruits and vegetables
per day 

·       
Spending no more than 2 hours per day on
“screen time” (TV, video games, computer use, etc.) 

·       
Getting at least 1 hour of physical
activity per day 

In Newton,
we address our students’ health and wellness with a comprehensive approach that
includes health screenings, physical activity programs, nutrition, and health
education. 

In support of your efforts to promote healthy eating and
active living, you may find the following websites helpful: 

www.keepkidshealthy.com

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/

http://www.mass.gov/dph/fch/nutrition/contact_us.htm 

Karen
Kerrigan, RN, Cabot
 School Nurse

COMMUNITY
  NEWS

Support Newton families in Need 

Donations
of NEW unwrapped toys for children ages newborn to 12 are greatly needed for
some Newton
families.  

The
City of Newton is teaming with the Village Bank
to bring Christimas gifts to families in need in Newton. By donating a gift, you are helping
bring joy to a child in Newton.
There are over 170 families in Newton
- single mothers, families in financial crisis or facing hard times - who need
our help.   

Support
Newton families by supporting local Newton merchants. Please
drop an unwrapped gift: a book, toy, CD or gift card from your favorite local Newton merchant in the big
gift box in the lobby of anyone of these Village Bank locations: 

Auburndale:
307 Auburn St

Newtonville:
332 Walnut St

Nonantum:
411 Watertown St

Newton
Highlands: 56 Winchester St

Waban:
89 Wyman St.

Donations
should be made by Dec. 17 so we have time to give the gifts to these families
for Christmas. If you have a question, contact the Department of Health &
Human Services at 617-796-1284. Thank you.

**********

--
Beverly Droz, Director

Human
& Volunteer Services Division

and
NewtonSERVES Day of Community Service

1000 Commonwealth Ave,  Newton, MA 02459

Phone
617-796-1290,  Fax 617-796-1293

bdroz at newtonma.gov

Newton Youth Players

Newton Youth Players puts on plays starring our kids,
Grades 1 through 6.  Parts for
everyone.  At Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada Street.  Sign up to take part in the April performance
of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, which rehearses on Thursdays 3:45-5:15
January 10th through April 3rd.  Curtain
time is June 19th for “The Sound of Music”, with rehearsals on Thursdays
3:45-5:15 April 10th through June 19th -- sorry, the Tuesday slots are
filled.  Coming attractions: Summer 2008
“Oklahoma” (Monday-Friday), Winter 2008 “You’re
a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, Tues or Thurs., Spring 2009 “Oklahoma” Tues or Thurs.  Register at 617-796-1540.  Info: www.ci.newton.ma.us, click on
“departments” then “Cultural affairs”. 
Lplaut at newtonma.govb or Janderson at newtonma.gov   

Health and Wellness Classes

This winter Newton Community Service Center (NCSC) is
offering a course on “Taking Care of You” for students in 5th through 8th
grade.  The 12-week course taught by an
EMT and Registered Dietician from Century Health Systems, teaches students
essential self-care skills in the areas of safety and nutrition.  Topics to be covered include CPR, First Aid
Training, Home Alone Safety, Nutrition, and Babysitter Lessons with Safety
Training.  Classes meet once a week,
beginning Thursday Jan. 10th, 2008 from 3:30PM – 5PM, and run through Apr.
3rd.  (No classes during Feb.
vacation).  For information or to
register, please call Jennifer Capello McAuliffe, NCSC Camp and Recreational
Director (617) 969-5906, ext. 224 or visit www.ncscweb.org and click on
Recreational Programs.

Newton Community Ed Classes at Cabot

Registration is now underway for winter classes through
Newton Community Education. Coming up at Cabot we have Knitting on Wednesdays,
and Chess on Fridays. Offsite we offer Lego Robotics and Babysitting at North,
Create a TV Show at NewTV, and Fencing at Bigelow. We have many exciting
Saturday classes for adult-child pairs: Hand Percussion Workshop, Valentine
Gift Making, Meals in Minutes 2, and the ever-popular Chocolate Connection. We also
have Indoor Soccer on Saturdays at Burr for kids ages 2 and up, and many more
weekday classes at schools throughout Newton.
You can sign up for our winter and spring vacation programs now as well. And if
there's a high schooler in your family, we now offer Fencing for high school
kids. For more information or to register, call our office at 617-559-6999 or visit
our website at newtoncommunityed.org.

February Vacation Program

Looking for something fun and exciting for your child to do
during their school vacations?  This
winter the Newton
 Community Service
 Center is offering a
Winter Skills Program during February Vacation for 3rd through 6th grade
students.  We will be heading to Hale
Reservation to learn essential winter skills in the areas of fire building, ice
rescue, and stretcher building. 
Additional activities include Big Box Hockey, Archery, team sledding,
and more.  For information or to
register, please call Jennifer Capello McAuliffe, NCSC Camp and Recreational
Director (617) 969-5906, ext. 224 or visit www.ncscweb.org and click on
Recreational Programs.

Exceptional Children: Understanding & Treating Autistic
Disorders

Newton Community Education is pleased to repeat its popular
class on autism this winter. Taught by Katherine Johnson (past president of the
Greater Boston Association for Behavior Analysis and founder and director of Advances Learning
Center in Watertown), the class will meet at Newton South
on Tuesday, Jan 15 & 22.  In the
first session, we'll review current

thinking about symptoms, diagnostic methods, etiology, and
physiological research. In the second, we'll focus on researched and
non-researched treatment methods and therapies, including Applied Behavior
Analysis, Sensory Integration, Auditory Integration, Facilitated Communication,
Relationship Development Intervention, Floortime, and others. The class is open
to the public; preregistration is required. The cost is $49 ($86 per couple).
To register for this class (Y1423), call 617-559-6999, or enroll online at www.
newtoncommunityed.org.

Family Movie Nights at the West Newton Cinema Dec. 26 &
27 

See a movie and get popcorn and soda all for one low price:
$6. Tickets go on sale at 4:15 for shows at 6:15 or 6:30 December 26th
and 27th. Program in conjunction with Newton Parks
and Rec. West Newton Cinema, 1296
  Washington Street, West Newton.
617-964-8074 or www.westnewtoncinema.com.

Newton Girls Soccer Spring 2008

Registration is ongoing. 
Register online at www.newtongirlssoccer.org (click on
Registration).  Thank you to the many
that have already registered.

Boston College Girls Soccer Clinic 

Winter Break 12/26-28, noon to 5pm:  Girls age 6-14.  BC Main Campus – Bubble Covered Stadium.  $175. 
Open to the first 100 applicants. 
BC coaches and players provide instruction.  Info and to register:
http://bceagles.cstv.com/camps/bc-w-soccer-camps.html    

Vacation Basketball Clinic

 Dec 26, 27, 28
9-noon at Lincoln
 Elliot School,
Pearl Street.  Age 7-15 Co-ed.  $100. Limited to 40 kids.  . 
Info: 617-796-1500 or www.ci.newton.ma.us/parks.  Taught by professional coaches.  Brought to you by Parks and Rec and N.E.
Camps.

All Sports Clinic at Pelligrini Park

 Dec, 26, 27,  28 
9-2.  Age 6-14 Co-ed.  $110 for full three days, $40 for 9-12 each
day.  Additional $10 non-resident
fee.  Basketball, floor Hckey, Soccer,
Vortexball, Flag Football and more. 
Register at www.activityreg.com, go to Massachusetts/Newton and the
Program button on the Newton Page, and select the vacation program from the
dropdown menu at top.  Or send payment
to: Newton parks and Recreation, 70 Crescent
Street, Newton,
Ma 02466.  Checks payable to “City of Newton”.  Fills fast. 
First paid first served.

Cross Country Skiers

Calling all Cross Country Skiers, age 7-13 --- registration
is still open!  Here’s your chance to ski
with the Eastern Massachusetts Bill Koch Youth Ski Club.  This is the largest of over 100 clubs around New England that make up the Bill Koch Youth Ski
League.  There are both racing and
non-racing components.  Dry land—off
snow—practices are underway. 
Twice-weekly on-snow practices run from December through the end of
February and will focus on small-group instruction and games.  The on-snow practices take place at the
Weston Ski Track near the intersection of 128 and the Mass Pike.  Info at www.easternmassnordic.org or contact
Bonnie McEwen at abhg_mcewen at earthlink.net.

Summer 2008.  Got
Plans?? 

Come to the fourth annual Teen Summer Program Expo, Monday,
February 4, 2008 5:30 PM to 8:00PM at Newton South
 High School, 140 Brandeis Road,
in the cafeteria.   FREE ADMISSION.  Learn about the many options available for
teens' summer experiences.  Meet
personally with directors from more than 50 programs such as Teen Camps, Teen
Travel, Sport Specialty, Adventure, Community Service, Cultural Immersion, Arts
and Theatre, Music, Academic, Non-Profit, Internship and College/SAT Prep.  Come with a group of friends and sign up for
an awesome summer together or bounce ideas off other kids.

Sponsored by CampSource/TeenSource and NSHS PTSO.  Refreshments will be sold.    For more information visit
www.CampSourceNetwork.com, call 617-244-3316 or email
laura at CampSourceNetwork.com.  Snow date
will be Tuesday, February 5.

Playspace Open for Winter Days

Playspace for kids under 7 with adult: The antidote for
winter’s shorter days.  Open four days
per week at the Newton
 Cultural Center,
225 Nevada Street.  Art projects and playing time with riding
toys, trucks, balls and lots of running, jumping and climbing.  Season unlimited membership: $95/$125 Newton
residents/non-residents.  Drop-in fee
$12/$15 residents/non-residents.  Tues,
Wed and Thurs 2:30-5pm, Sat: 1-4:30. 617-796-1540 or 617-527-8283 or
www.ci.newton.ma.us.

CLASSIFIEDS

Baby sitting

Cabot School nanny looking for babysitting/cooking/driving hours of work anytime during weekends or mid-week 
Dec 22nd - 30th.  Excellent references from family.  $16/hr.  Contact:  Tina at 1-802-310-1209 or
nocturne014 at yahoo.com

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY and BABYSITTING for kids age 6 mos. and up.  Fundraiser for Eliot Church Youth's Mission Trip. 
4 teenagers (Cabot School alumni, now at NNHS) + 2 adults for a max of 20 kids.  $10/hr for one child; $16/hr for 
two or more.  Any time between 5:30pm and 1:30 am.  Includes dinner, age-appropriate games and bedtimes.  Bring a 
sleeping bag.   Contact betsyharper at rcn.com or 617-332-2132.

Free Guinea Pig for the Holidays
Just in time for the holidays.  Are you looking for a cute furry pet that you
don’t have to take out for a walk? Our guinea pig is looking for a new home. He
squeals with delight when you open the produce bin of your fridge. He’ll make
good use of all your veggie scraps. Free to a good home.  Cage and all the other necessities supplied.
Call Laurie, 617/332-0081.

Two Cooperative Nursery Schools Have Openings

Burr Cooperative Nursery School (BCNS) in Auburndale is a
small, nurturing program for children age 3 to 5, offering a choice of 3, 4 or
5-day enrollment. Participate in your child's education!  Accepting applications for 2008-09.  www.burrcooperative.org. 617-332-0886. NAEYC
accredited.

Bowen Cooperative Nursery School in Newtonville is accepting applications for the 2008-2009
year.  Programs for 3 year olds, 4 year
olds, and a Transitional Kindergarten Program for those 5 or about to be 5 next
fall, but not yet in kindergarten.  For
info and to apply: www.bowencoop.org or contact Barbara Cleary, Director, at
617-332-3923.  (There is one space left
in this year’s Transitional Kindergarten program if you know of someone who
might be interested.)

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