As a parent, would you like to …

·         Continue to help your children develop qualities that they will need to not only survive but THRIVE?

·         Better understand the challenges we face as parents today?

·         Develop strong parent/child relationships built on respect and cooperation?

·         Continue to instill your child with responsibility, courage, self-esteem and other values that are important to your family? 

If this is something that appeals to you, our school counselor is currently forming a parenting group for parents/guardians at Cutler School with children in grades Kindergarten through grade 2.  This group will be based on the program Active Parenting Now by Dr. Michael H. Popkin.  This will be a seven week program is currently slated to begin in mid February. We will meet on Thursday afternoons from 3:00pm – 4:30pm in the Cutler School library.  Babysitting will be available as a community service by two HWRHS students.   Participants are asked to make every effort to attend each session as each week builds on the previous lesson.  This is a wonderful opportunity to recruit a few of your friends, bring along your spouse (if possible) and support one another in this amazing yet sometimes confusing maze called parenting!

If you are interested, please email Dolly McIlvaine at d.mcilvaine@hwschools.net reserve your spot now.  Please indicate if you are interested in babysitting and the number of children who would need care.  Enrollment will be limited to a maximum of 12 participants. There will be a required minimum of 4 participants for the groups to be held.  There will also be a small fee to cover the cost of the parent guides.

Feel free to call Dolly McIlvaine at 978-468-8475 if you would like any additional information.

Dolly McIlvaine

School Adjustment Counselor

Cutler Elementary School

237 Asbury Street

S. Hamilton, MA  01982

978-468-8475

Will I See You There??

Toy Bingo is Friday Night!

Toy Bingo is this Friday, February 1st!  Please remember to get your ticket order forms in by Thursday, as sessions are almost filled up. There are two sessions to choose from4:45 to 6:00 and 6:30 to 7:45. We are still in need of several toys! Please send in new toys or gift certificates ($5.00 value) by Wednesday so we can make sure the night is a success! Toys can be sent into school with your child and dropped off in the box outside the school office labeled “Toy Bingo".   

We look forward to seeing everyone on Friday, February 1st!

Sonia Maher & Sage Oram

Game Night Co-Chairs

sonmaher@yahoo.com  sageelan@gmail.com

A Great Collection Of Books

Connects to Social and Emotional Learning 

For 25 years, Open Circle has been helping children acquire the skills they need to build and maintain positive relationships.  

For many of those years, teachers have turned to children’s literature to deepen children’s understanding of themselves and 

ary, we offer our “Top 25” children’s books that connect to social and 

emotional learning. Of the countless books that teachers use to shed light on such issues as friendship, inclusion, empathy, 

problem solving, or understanding differences, some titles stand out for being especially authentic and memorable. C.S.  Lewis 

says, “We read to know we are not alone.” Like good friends, the books on this list are potential sources of comfort, validation, 

l1. The Hundred Dresses*, Eleanor Estes (grades 3–5) 

2. Crow Boy, Taro Yashima (grades 2–5) 

3. Yesterday I Had the Blues, Saxton Freeman (grades 2–5) 

4. Henry and the Kite Dragon, Bruce Edward Hall (grades 3–5) 

5. Crazy Hair Day, Barney Saltzberg (grades 2–4) 

6. Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Kevin Henkes (grades K–3) 

5. Crazy Hair Day, Barney Saltzberg (grades 2–4) 

6. Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Kevin Henkes (grades K–3) 

7. I Miss Franklin P. Shuckles, Ulana Shihura (grades 1–3) 

8. Danitra Brown, Class Clown, Nikki Grimes (grades 3–5) 

9. Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy*, Gary Schmidt (grade 5) 

10. Wonder*, R.J. Palacio (grades 3–5) 

11. Rules*, Cynthia Lord (grades 3–5) 

12. Anything But Typical*, Nora Raleigh Baskin (grade 5) 

13. When Sophie gets Angry, Really Angry, Molly Bang (grades K–1) 

14. My Name is María Isabel*, Alma Flor Ada (grades 3–4) 

15. Thank you Mr. Falker, Patricia Polacco (grades 4–5) 

16. Yoon and the Jade Bracelet, Helen Recorvits (grades 3–4) 

17. The Teddy Bear, David McPhail (grades 3–5) 

18. Mouse Was Mad, Linda Urban (grades K–1) 

19. Teammates, Peter Golenbock (grades 4–5) 

20. Chrysanthemum, Kevin Henkes (grades K–1) 

21. Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key*, Jack Gantos (grades 4–5) 

22. Also Known as Harper*, Ann Haywood Leal (grade 5) 

23. How to Steal a Dog*, Barbara O’Connor (grade 5) 

24. Becoming Naomi Leon*, Pam Munoz Ryan (grades 3–5) 

25. Willow’s Whispers, Lana Button (grades K–1) 

Frog And Toad All Year- Our Trip To The Theater

 We had a delightful time at the Stoneham Theater seeing Frog And Toad All Year by the children's theater ensemble. My thanks to Mrs. Soolman, Mrs. Mahar, Mrs. Sargent, Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. Lowrie for joining us.  The children were a wonderful audience and were excited to see so many of their favorite Frog and Toad stories on the stage. 

Here is a link to a short video that will give you an idea of our experience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBriDs0NgT8

Giraffes Can't Dance

Please let me know if you would like to share this book at home.  I am happy to send home the classroom copy. 

From Publishers Weekly

All the jungle's got the beat, but Gerald the giraffe has four left feet. Such is the dilemma in this British team's bouncy if didactic picture book about self-esteem. As a multitude of fleet-footed beasts eagerly "skip and prance" at the annual Jungle Dance in Africa, Gerald feels sad "because when it comes to dancing/ he was really very bad." Jeered by waltzing warthogs and cha-cha-ing chimps when he attempts to cut a rug, Gerald hangs his head and leaves the celebration behind. Luckily, a friendly cricket appears in the moonlight, chirping a morale-boosting song of self-confidence that soon sets Gerald in graceful motion. Andreae's rhyming text has a jaunty rhythm that's likely to spark interest in the read-aloud crowd, in spite of a heavy-handed message. Parker-Rees's kicky depictions of slightly anthropomorphic animals boogying on the dance floor are the highlight here. His watercolor and pen-and-ink artwork exudes a fun, party vibe. 

Olweus Anti-Bullying Curriculum

 We had a wonderful launch for the new anti-bullying curriculum with an all school meeting that focused on the Challenge of Kindness and "Sticking Out Our Necks Out" for others. Our class shared the ABC's of Kindness. We worked with our buddies.  The posters are displayed in our hallway. After the assembly, we met with our buddies and discussed the book, Giraffes Can't Dance.  It was a great way to think about being kind and how a simple offer of help or gesture to include someone makes a big difference.  The children signed giraffe spots pledging to follow the rules and to be a friend who sticks out his/her neck. Each week, we are having a class meeting specifically to learn about the program and the four anti-bullying rules. At the first meeting, we discussed the definition of bullying and how someone can be unkind but not be involved in bully like behavior.  This week, we will focus on the Rule #1 We will not bully.  Please review the letter and information that was sent home today and return the signed slip as soon as possible.  I appreciate your support of this new program.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Valentine Cards

We will be exchanging Valentine cards on Thursday, February 14th. Please help your child make a card for each member of our classroom. Also, they might want to make one for their 3rd grade buddy.
Please remember the school policy on candy and do not send in any treats or candy with the cards. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Our Class Community

Adam
Andreas
Cooper
Emmy
Gaby
Gianna
Innes
Jackson
Julia
Melissa
Mickey
Nate
Nicole
Paige
Sinclair
Sofija
Sophia

Jump Rope For Heart

On Monday, February 11th, the students will be participating in the Jump For Heart community service program. The children will bring home some information on the program and OPTIONAL fundraising on Tuesday.  Everyone is invited to come and join us jump! So if you can, join us on Monday, February 11th at 1:05 to jump, twirl or cheer!

Help Wanted- Valentine Bag Decorating

On Friday, February 8th from 10:30 to 11:30 we will be decorating our Valentine Card bags for our class Valentine exchange. I am hoping that some of you will be able to join us to help glue, cut and design our creations. Also, I am looking for donations of foam hearts, valentine stickers, heart shaped doilies and other crafts materials to add to our collage box for this special activity. Please let me know if you will be able to join us.

Caring for Others-Valentines For Vets

I would like to invite you to join us in a community service project. We will be creating Valentine Cards to be delivered to veterans on February 14th. If you are available, please plan on visiting our classroom at one if the following times to make a card with your child. Please let me know what day and time you are coming, so I will have the supplies ready. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Dates

1/31 8:45 -9:30 or 10:45-11:30

2/1 8:45-9:30 or 10:45-11:30

2/4 8:45-9:30 or 10:45-11:30

2/5 8:45-9;30 or 10:45-11:30

2/6 8:45-9:30 or 10:45 -11:15

If you are unable to join us at any of the listed times, let me know another time you are available on those days and I will try to accommodate your availability.

Giving Tree-Rafiki Book Drive-Giving To Others

Rafiki Book Drive-The Cutler School Giving Tree for January and February: Please help the orphans of Rafiki Orphanage located in Ghana, Africa by donating your gently used children's books. Rafiki,which means "friend", shelters and teaches children from kindergarten through high school. Books are a scarce and treasured commodity and will be greatly appreciated by the children and staff. This orphanage is currently being supported by The First Church in Hamilton who will assist in getting the books over to Africa with future missionaries. The first shipment will be sent in March. The second will be sent in June. Please contact Joanne Lynch , parent of Cutler 5th grader Ryan Lynch at 5lynches@comcast.net, if you have any additional questions. All books are welcome however there is a suggested list of most sought after books posted on the Giving Tree.

Olweus Informational Meeting-Monday Night

On Monday evening, January 14th, at 7:00 at the Buker School there will be a meeting for parents about the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP), the anti-bullying program that was selected by the District for implementation beginning this year. The OBPP is one of the best-known and most extensively researched bullying prevention programs and we believe it effectively supports and augments our existing Responsive Classroom approach. We will provide information about the program and review district-specific data that was collected through student surveys done in October.
We feel partnering with parents in this initiative is vitally important and we hope you will be able to join us for this informational event. For additional information about the OBPP please check out the official Olweus website at www.olweus.org.

Dolly McIlvaine

School Adjustment Counselor

Cutler Elementary School

237 Asbury Street

S. Hamilton, MA  01982

978-468-8475

Our Sharing Schedule

 The students have enjoyed our new sharing schedule.  We have been practicing how to be an attentive audience member and how to ask specific questions that will give us more details about a specific item or event. Also,we have been sharing connections and compliments. It is a great way to learn about each other!

Our Sharing Schedule

Monday-Innes, Gaby, Emmy
Tuesday-Adam, Nate, Sinclair, Melissa
Wednesday-Andreas, Cooper, Julia
Thursday-Mickey, Paige, Sophia, Sofija
Friday-Nicole, Gianna, Jackson

THE ABCS OF KINDNESS

 On Wednesday, we will be presenting the ABCS of Kindness with our buddies. The focus of this All School meeting is the Challenge of Kindness and how we are responsible to be kind and helpful to everyone in our Cutler Community.  We are excited to be working with our 3rd grade friends on this project.

ART-Pass The Paint

In Art, the students participated in a cooperative painting activity that focused on warm and cool colors.   Pass The Paint is a Cutler tradition enjoyed in every grade level.

Effective Effort- Focus and Persistance

We have been discussing some of the effective effort strategies and how we can use them to help us become better readers.  We begin each morning reading books by ourselves or with a friend. We are using focus and persistance to read for 15 minutes. It is a lovely way to start our day together!

A Little Bit of Spring

On Friday we planted Paper White bulbs. We recorded our scientific observations in our journals. The students did a wonderful job nestling the bulbs into a nest of pebbles. My thanks to Mrs. Jorgensen and Mrs. Hambelton for helping with this project. Also, we enjoyed a great book selection on paper whites that had wonderful cut paper illustrations. Watch for updates!

Toy Bingo- Friday February 1st

The Friends of Cutler are hosting the annual toy bingo night on Friday, February 1st.  The students will be bringing home a flyer with information for ordering tickets on Tuesday.

A Great Show

Today, we enjoyed a small sampling of the musical, HONK, which will be performed by the students of Miles River Middle School this week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  I would highly recommend this show as a fun family activity.  There are many Cutler alumni performing in the show.
I hope you can make it.

IXL Math- Our Goal- a minimum of 10 Minutes each day!

I am encouraging the children to use the IXL math program on a daily basis. The link is on the Cutler Home page and I send an email today reminding each family of their student's user name and password. Please let me know if you have trouble accessing the site.

New Book Order- Due 1/16/13

The children brought home a new book order today. Please order on line or send in the completed form by Wednesday, January 16th.

Snow Fun,,,Mud Fun,,,Outdoors we go!!

We had a delightful time playing in the snow and now are slipping and sliding through some mud.  Please send in a pair of boots and change of shoes so that we do not track the mud and snow through the hallways and into the classroom.  I am hoping for enough snow to use the school snowshoes and to offer a family sledding time during P.E. class. I am looking for some old frisbees to use as small saucers.  If you have any, please send them into school.

Place Value..adding tens and ones

This week, we began our new math unit that focuses on place value and adding tens and ones.  You can practice in the car by giving your child a 2 digit number to break apart (74 is 70 +4) or to add (60 +3 =). Also, counting dimes and pennies or sorting objects into groups of tens and leftovers and then counting the total are other ways to begin to reinforce the concept.  Last Friday, we sorted a variety of objects into groups of tens and ones with a learning partner.

PLEASE COME!!! An Important presentation!

Dear Parents/Guardians,

In an effort to ensure a safe learning environment for all students, the district adopted the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.  Olweus is a proactive approach that focuses on awareness, identification, and prevention of bullying.  Since August, members of our school community have been involved in the implementation of this program.  We are at the phase of implementation where schools will be introducing the program to our students through various “Kickoff” events and to parents through various informational opportunities.

Our three elementary schools’ “Kickoff” will be held during the week of January 14^th. On Monday, January 14^th at 7:00pm all three elementary schools will host a parent information session at Buker Elementary School. Parents will learn about the Olweus program, data collected from the student survey administered in October, and the rules that will be introduced to our students.

 Sincerely,

Mike Harvey

Superintendent

SCHOOL STORE-Tuesday, January 8th

School Store will be open during the week of January 7th.

Monday: K & 5th grade

Tuesday: 1st 

Wednesday: 2nd grade

Thursday: 3rd grade

Friday: 4th grade

Store will be open from 8:15-8:30am.

Children should bring quarters and dollar bills only.

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year! I hope this year brings each of you health and happiness.  I am looking forward to welcoming everyone back to our learning community on Wednesday morning.

HONK-The Musical

 The musical, HONK, based on the fairy tale, the Ugly Ducking will be presented on January 10, 11th at 12th at Miles River Middle School.  The tickets are $5.00 for students ad $8.00 for adults and are available at the door.  More  information may be found on the MRMS website.

Outdoor Recess

We will continue to have outdoor recess throughout the winter months.  I am hoping we will have enough snow to sled and snowshoe with Ms. McCue in physical education.  Please send your child to school with boots, snow pants, a hat, gloves and warm coat each day.  If you have an extra pair of mittens and socks to leave at school, please send them to school. Also, you are welcome to send in a pair of slippers for the children to wear, too.

What A Perfect Morning!

I so enjoyed spending the morning making books with all of you! It was such a great time. The children were so excited to share our learning community with you! We will be participating in the Valentines For Vets program and I hope you will be able to participate in this community service program. (date and time to be determined). Please remember that the classroom is always open to you to visit. Please let me know if you would like to come in a play a math game, share a story or teach a craft!