[CabotCommunity] Jabberlite for Tuesday March 6, 2007

[marykathf at aol.com]

JABBERLITE   TUESDAY, MARCH 6TH 2007
This Jabberlite contains the following items:
Upcoming Events  - This week at Cabot
Daylight Savings Time
Book Fair Details
Marilynne’s Fireside Chats
Newton Serves
Traffic Congestion & Safety
Connect-Ed Communication System Test 3/13/07 at 8:00
Allowing Childhood Evening Discussion
PTO Meeting Summary
Lost & Found
School Store Hours
Cabot Yard Sale
Newton Schools Foundation Raffle
Newton Public School Parent Technology Survey – click the link & take the survey
Newton Parent Advisory for Special Education Meetings
Summer Speech & Language Program
 
CALENDAR
Visit the Cabot PTO website to get an updated list of dates throughout the reminder of the school year at www.cabotpto.org  
March 6, 2007Creative Arts & Sciences, Kindergarten, Emilie Boon, 8:45AM 
March 7, 2007Incoming Kindergarten Registration (Snow date 3/14)
March 8, 2007Understanding our Differences Grade 4 1:00 - 2:45 PM
March 8, 20075th Graders visit Day for School Play 12:30PM
March 8, 2007Newton Unplugged - No homework/No meeting night
March 9, 2007Bigelow Counselor & 6th Graders Visit Cabot 5th Grade students, 9:00AM
March 12, 2007Incoming Kindergarten Registration (Snow date 3/19)
March 12, 2007School Committee Meeting 7:30 PM
March 12, 2007Fireside Chat with Dr. Quarcoo - Janet & Daniel Hart's Home 7:30PM
March 12 to Mar 15, 2007 Book Fair, Cabot Library
March 15, 2007CA&S Program K-5, Charlotte Blake, Award Winning Story-teller , 1-3PM
March 15, 2007Book Fair Evening Program, 6:30-8:30 PM, Cabot Gym & Library
March 19, 2007MCAS, Grade 5
March 19, 2007Creative Arts & Sciences Grade - 3, Brian Lies,  9:00AM
March 19, 2007School Committee Straw Vote on FY08 Budget, Ed Ctr. 7:00 PM
March 20, 2007MCAS, Grade 4
March 20, 2007School Dismissal at 3:00PM due to MCAS testing
March 20, 2007Affinity Group 12:30 PM
March 21, 2007MCAS, Grade 5
March 21, 2007Fireside Chat with Dr.Quarcoo - Claire Ryan-Robertson & James Robertson's Home 7:00PM
March 21, 2007School Dismissal at 12:30PM due to MCAS testing
March 22, 2007MCAS, Grade 5
March 22, 2007MCAS, Grade 3
March 22, 2007Musical at Bigelow for Grade 5, 9:00 - 11:00 AM
March 23, 20075th Grade Hyde Center Child/Parent Activity 7:00  - 9:00PM
March 23, 2007MCAS, Grade 3

 
Upcoming Events This Week:
Creative Arts & Sciences – Emilie Boon visits the Cabot Kindergarteners on Tuesday.
Understanding our Differences – Grade 4, Thursday March 8th from 1:00 – 2:45.  This program will focus on Special Medical Conditions such as asthma, epilepsy and diabetes.  The Committee still needs a few volunteers to help run stations.  If you are available to help, please contact Rick Reilly at rmreilly at rcn.com 
5th Graders will visit Day Middle School on Thursday to watch the School Play
Newton Unplugged – No Homework or Meeting night – check out a copy of the citywide Newton Unplugged Calendar, Unplug and get connected! http://www.newtonptocouncil.org/Notices/UnPluggedCalendar.2007.pdf 
Bigelow Counselors & 6th Graders Visit Cabot 5th Grade Students –This Friday morning our 5th grader students will have an opportunity to meet Bigelow Counselors & some 6th Graders who will visit Cabot!
 
Daylight Savings Time this Sunday – Don’t forget to spring forward for Daylight Savings Time this Sunday!  Set your clocks forward 1 hour – (and a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors too).
 
Book Fair Is Next Week! - Check out the flyer you should have received last week in your child’s backpack.  The book fair runs from Monday March 12 – Thursday March 15th.  We are now accepting gently used books to sell as part of our used book sale.  If you have any used books you would like to donate, please bring them into the library this week.  Also, don’t forget to join us for ‘Bedtime at the Bookfair’ on Thursday evening, from 6:30 – 8:30 in the Cabot Gym.  Come in your PJ’s, peruse the books for sale, enjoy cookies, milk & warm beverages and listen to some favorite bedtime stories read to you by parents and faculty.  If you are interested in volunteering in the library during the fair, please contact Kate Johnson at kate at textreviews.com.If you would like to be a guest reader on Thursday evening please contact Janet Hart at pariharts at hotmail.com. 
 
Marilynne’s Fireside Chats – We have had 3 very successful Fireside Chats already!  The next Date is Monday March 12 at 7:30 at Janet & Daniel Hart’s home. Come on out and enjoy an evening with Dr. Quarcoo and your neighbors.  Ask all those questions you’ve been wondering about, or just get to know your school Principal a bit better in these series of informal get-togethers.  Check your Cabot directory to discover the fireside chat happening nearest to your house and RSVP to the host! 
                        March 12th,        7:30pm        Janet & Daniel Hart
March 21st,        7:00pm        Claire Ryan-Robertson & James Robertson
                        April 24th,          6:30pm        Monalisa & Donald Neville 
Thanks to those who have already hosted: Virginia Dean & Raoul Choos, Kate Dulit & Josh Greenberg,  and Vicki & Bud Gartland; thanks to all of you who have attended the meetings and made them so successful, and thanks to Marilynne for organizing the meetings and coming out after a long day at school!
 
Newton Serves - The weekend of April 28th & 29th we will be hosting Newton Serves at Cabot.  This year we have extended Newton Serves to Saturday for our own ‘Cabot Clean-up Day’.  We hope as many of you as possible will come out to help spruce up our school!  We will be spreading mulch, painting, hanging shelves and cleaning out areas of Cabot.  The teachers and the committee are busy putting together their wish lists of projects, but of course all this depends on your help – the more volunteers we have, the more we can make a difference!  Please let us know if you have any handy skills, such as carpentry or painting, or if you are just willing to come and work.  If you and your family are able to come lend a hand, please contact Jo Doherty at jcdoherty11 at comcast.net or Mary Kathryn Fallon at MaryKathF at aol.com .  
 
Traffic Congestion & Safety - The task force addressing travel to & from Cabot has been meeting and compiling data to help alleviate traffic congestion and parking issues next year.  But remember, WE CAN ALL DO SOMETHING!  With over 300 families at Cabot, plus close to 100 adult employees, (faculty, food services, and CASP), there are many people traveling to and from the School every day.  We each have to make it our responsibility to keep our children safe and be respectful of traffic regulations and the residents around our school.  
 
Be part of the solution – help brainstorm ideas that will alleviate the congestion. If you are interested in exploring ways to encourage families to walk to school then please contact Liz Haas haas.joffe at rcn.com  Cabot parent School Council Co-Leader. If you are interested in riding the bus or helping to increase the numbers of students that ride the bus please contact Janet Hart parisharts at hotmail.com , Cabot parent School Council Representative. And if you would like to help establish parking and traffic policy around Cabot School please contact your PTO co-chairs Jo Doherty jcdoherty11 at comcast.net  or Mary Kathryn Fallon marykathf at aol.com .
 
* Another note on traffic safety – I have noticed, this week especially, cars parking and dropping off children on the School Side of Bridges Ave., adjacent to the faculty parking lot and the playground.  This is not safe; please help us help our children by following the current parking and drop off regulations.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
 
Connect-ED® communication system – 
Test on March 13, 2007 at 8:00PM
You should have received a letter in your child’s backpack dated March 1st from Jeffery Young, Superintendent of Newton Public Schools, introducing you to the Connect-ED® communication system.  This new school-to-parent communication system will allow Dr. Young or a school principal to send periodic and personalized messages by telephone.  This system is often referred to as “Reverse 911.”  This advanced communication system is funded through the Emergency Response and Crisis Management Grant recently awarded to the Newton Public Schools. 
            
As Dr. Young said, the Connect-ED® service will enable Newton Public Schools to communicate with you about emergency situations, school events and important issues impacting your child. The service enables one phone call to reach the families of all students within minutes. 
 
To ensure that the system is working correctly, a district-wide message will be sent on Tuesday evening, March 13, 2007, at 8:00 p.m.  For this test, the first contact number that you indicated on the emergency card this past September will be used.  If you do not get a phone call, please fill out the form you received in the letter from Dr. Young and return it to Mrs. Driscoll.  It is very important to ensure that this system is working properly and we are able to contact everyone. Thank you.
 
Allowing Childhood -An Evening Discussion
Wednesday, March 28, 2007 -7:00-9:00 P.M. -Cabot School
It’s tough being a parent and a kid in 2007.  Join us for a facilitated discussion with Cabot parents and teachers.  We will use Wendy Mogel’s Book “The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children”, as a launching point for our conversation.  We will begin with a general discussion on determining realistic expectations for each child and resisting over-scheduling.  Breakout groups will follow the discussion.
The objective for the evening is to start a dialogue about how to reduce the stress and pressure on students, parents and teachers in the Cabot community. Planning Group:  Anya Bassett, Emily Hess, Lani Gerson, and Margaret Hannah
 
PTO Meeting – We hope you were able to join us for last Tuesday’s PTO meeting.  We discussed our Budget and fundraising ideas for next year.  We received a political Issues Update on the Newton Public Schools Budget, which the Superintendent Proposed last night, and we heard an update on the modulars.  Check out the PTO website for the minutes, which will be posted by the end of the week.
 
Lost & Found – 
Have you noticed our lost and found bin is overflowing?  Are you missing those fancy ski gloves or hat, that new sweat-shirt or jacket?  There are even lunch boxes and a pair of boots in there.  Please check it out and make sure you claim all your belongings!  We will be emptying the bin in the next 2 weeks and donating all unclaimed items to The Second Step.  Thanks to Eileen Morrison for lugging everything home, washing the items and delivering them to The Second Step.
 
SCHOOL STORE HOURS
The school store is open every Tuesday morning from 8:10 to 8:30 and is located in the hallway across from the office.  We have a nice selection of pencils, mechanical pencils, lead refills, rulers, sharpeners, all sorts of erasers, glue sticks, and gel pencil grippers, a perennial favorite.  Our “winter special” is a brightly-colored, woven coin purse for $1.25.  And, by popular demand, look for the latex-free jungle animal pencil toppers to return in March!  Proceeds support 5th grade activities including their yearbook, t-shirts, community service project, school gift, etc.  Contact:  Karen Lumino, family at swain.name .
 
INTRODUCING THE CABOT YARD SALE AT THE CABOT FAIR!
This year the Cabot Fair will include a yard sale for Cabot families and friends.  We will sell toys, games, DVDs/tapes and small house wares.  So if you are doing a little winter/spring cleaning, please think of saving things for the yard sale.  Items should be in good condition (all parts/pieces in tact and in usable condition).  If you have questions about donating items or volunteering to help with the sale, please email Deb Klein at Deb.Klein at ApproachGroup.com  
 
Newton Schools Foundation Sponsors a Raffle!!
Win x 2...civic minded and CIVIC driven!  Beginning March 1st the Newton Schools Foundation will sponsor a Raffle because "A great community supports great schools".  Grand prize is a Honda Civic Coupe EX or $12,000 cash.  Other prizes include a Giant Dub Bicycle, HP laptop computer,
digital camera, iPod (prizes courtesy of Clair Honda, Farina's Bicycle Center, Newtonville Camera & Video).  Tickets:  1 for $100; 3 for $250. Visit the Newton Schools Foundation website http://www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org or call 617-559-6120 to buy your tickets! The drawing will be held on March 8th and winners notified on March 9th!
 
Newton Public Schools Department of Information Technology
Instructional Technology Audit-- Parent Survey – Click the Link & Take the Survey!
The following survey is part of the district's effort in collaboration with the Technology Advisory Committee to assess how computer and information technology is currently used to support teaching and learning across the district. We realize that there are many different points of view and opinions related to how the district should implement its technology plan, and this survey is one way in which we will be gathering information on those varied opinions and experiences. 
 
The survey will be available from February 26th to March 13, 2007 and can be found at:
 http://sun-associates.com/newton/parent.html 
 
In addition to this survey, we will also be surveying teachers and administrators as well as conducting teacher/administrator/parent/student interviews. We will analyze this survey's data in aggregate to determine an overall picture of parent responses across the district. We will not track the responses from individual respondents, and therefore all of your responses will be anonymous. 
Thanks in advance for your time and candid responses.
 
Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education
The Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education invites you to our March & April meetings.  All meetings are at 7:30PM at the Education Center, 100 Walnut St.
Wednesday, March 7 - Daniel Ahearn, Esq will speak on Effective IEP’s. Dan practices disability, special education, education, and children’s law and is on the faculty at Suffolk University Law School. He directs the Landmark Outreach Program at the Landmark School, which specializes in teaching students with language based learning disabilities. He was the Director of the Massachusetts Bureau of Special Education Appeals and served as a Senior Attorney at the Disability Law Center in Boston. He is on the Board of Directors of the Learning Disabilities Network and is a Fellow of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation.
 
Wednesday, April 4    “Fiddle and Focus:  Sensory Integration Strategies for School Success” by Jane Koomar, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA,Executive Director and Founder of Occupational Therapy Associates–Watertown, MA. Learn how to help children access their abilities by enhancing their focus with sensory activities that help keep their bodies calmed or busy while their minds learn.  Discussion will include the impact of sensory processing issues on learning motor skills, behavior, coordination and social relationships.  Home and school accommodations and strategies will be shared.  We will discuss children with a range of diagnoses, including ADD, PDD, Aspergers, NVLD, PTSD.  Dr. Koomar, is the board president of the SPIRAL Foundation (SensoryProcessing Institute for Research and Learning) and has taught over one hundred courses on sensory integration theory, assessment, and intervention throughout the United States and Canada. 
 
For more information, contact Leslie Lockhart at newtonspedpac at yahoo.com or 617-527-5046.
 
Summer Speech and Language Program
Emerson College, Dept. of Communication Sciences & Disorders, is planning to offer a 6 week speech and language therapy program to students in the City of Newton with documented need for services.  Supervised graduate students in speech-language pathology will provide individual, one-on-one therapy, twice a week from July 2th through August 10th at a Newton location yet to be determined.  The fee is $325.00 for 11, one hour sessions.  Spaces are limited.  Applications will be available from school speech-language pathologists in March or by contacting Shelley Lipschultz at Emerson College:  (617)824-8314 or shelley_lipschultz at emerson.edu 
 
Compiled for you by the Cabot PTO
 
Mary Kathryn Fallon
Cabot PTO Co-President
10 Worth Circle,
Newton, MA 02458
617-244-1821
MaryKathF at aol.com
________________________________________________________________________
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