May
2005
COMMUNITY
Faculty Spotlight: J. H.
by B. M.
Green Team science teacher J. H. is beloved by students
for his energy and sense of humor. But he has a second
profession. He umpires softball games. “I’ve
umpired about 5000 games...now I umpire a few, but
age and physical ailments are catching up”.
J. H. was born in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1948. He
grew up in Peabody and attended Salem State College,
where he majored in junior high school education, and
Eastern Michigan University, where he majored in geology.
After college, he taught at his alma mater ( Salem
State) and in the Middleton schools, and in Salem.
He also reared his two daughters in Salem. G. H. thinks
that, “Teaching should be fun, experience-based; children should be allowed
to express their experiences and hopes for the future, as well as reading text
books.”
Last November, G. H. was elected to the USSSA National
Softball Hall of Fame in the umpire category for his
work in softball.
The spring season is in full swing and Day Middle
School is buzzing with activity. The fourth term is
underway, and I encourage all students to gear up for
the final academic push to finish the school year on
a strong note.
We at Day are engaged in planning for next year while
continuing to offer high-quality academic and social
experiences for our students now. Many teachers plan
field trips, projects, and other special programs for
students in the spring, so keep checking those backpacks
for notices. There are also several transition experiences
planned for incoming sixth-graders and current eighth-graders
including Step-Up Day on June 3rd (see calendar, below.)
Eighth-grade teams will be sending more information
in the coming weeks about the Moving on Ceremony, dance,
and class trip.
The School Committee voted at a recent meeting that
the last day of school for students would be Friday,
June 24th. This will be a half-day of school, and students
will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. Please do not plan
vacations or camp experiences before the 24th. Some
of the most important educational experiences happen
at the end of the year when teachers and students plan
culminating activities and projects and synthesize
what they have learned throughout the year. There will
be no school-wide Canobie Lake Park trip on the last
day of school this year, but activities will be planned
for each grade level.
As the weather turns warmer, I remind parents and
students that we expect everyone to dress appropriately
for school. Our building is air conditioned, so temperatures
are moderate and there is no need to dress for extreme
heat. Both boys and girls should refrain from wearing
revealing clothing. Beachwear, tank tops, short skirts
and shorts, T-shirts with inappropriate graphics or
messages, and midriff tops are unacceptable. Students
who wear such items will be asked to change, and we
will contact parents. Thank you for your help with
this.
May is MCAS month, and students will be participating
in a series of tests during the weeks of May 16-27
(see schedule, below.) Students have been preparing
for these exams through the coursework they do daily,
so there is no need for children to study additionally
for the test. However, parents can help their children
to prepare for MCAS by making sure that they get adequate
rest the night before, eat a healthy breakfast, and
arrive punctually to school on test days. A few reassuring
and encouraging words go a long way, too!
We hope that you will stop by to enjoy some of the
exciting activities that are taking place at Day this
spring. Our sports teams have begun their spring seasons
and compete regularly on Albemarle Field and at other
local middle schools. Our music program will end its
season with concerts in early June. Theatre students
are participating in the State Drama Festival. As always,
we appreciate parent support of our talented students.
I would like to end by thanking everyone in the Day
community for the support and good wishes you have
extended to me this year. I am very proud to be the
principal of Day Middle School and look forward to
working with all of you in the future.
For Your Calendar
| May 12 |
An Evening of Dance, 7:30 p.m. |
| May 16-20 |
Progress Reports |
| May 18 |
Rising Grade 6 Parent Orientation, 7:00 p.m. |
| May 16-25 |
MCAS |
| May 16-17 |
MCAS – Grade 8 Mathematics |
| May 18-19 |
MCAS – Grade 7 English/Language Arts |
| May 20 |
MCAS – Grade 8 Science and Technology |
| May 23-24 |
MCAS – Grade 6 Mathematics |
| May 25 |
MCAS – Grade 7 Mathematics and History
Tryouts |
| May 20 |
Surf Your New Turf Party – 8th grade at
Newton North |
| May 30 |
Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL |
| June 2 |
Spring Concert – 6th grade |
| June 3 |
Step-Up Day, Dismissal at 11:30 for grades
6 and 7 |
| June 7 |
Grade 8 Parent Chat at Newton North High School |
| June 8 |
Spring Concert – 7th and 8th grades |
| June 22 |
Moving On Ceremony – Grade 8 |
| June 24 |
Last Day of School, Dismissal at 11:30 |
Day P. T. O.
by M. D. and L. F.
The P. T. O. is cultivating new leadership; the P.
T. O. co-president position will be open, along with
other positions such as auction chairperson, and conference
people. The members are flexible and will switch around,
so most positions will be open for anyone who would
like to join the staff.
On April the 13th there was a meeting on transitions
from the different grades. Parents asked questions
of the different panels of teachers and students. The
panel of teachers consisted of N. C. and K. M. and
the meeting focused on academic tracking, math stats,
increasing homework, and the importance of organizing
and social and physical development.
Much time was spent on academic tracking which will
begin after 6th grade.
In 7th grade, the P. T. O. learned, it is important
for students to stay organized and have well-scheduled
time management.
In terms of social development, the P. T. O. talked
about friends as a top priority and the boy/girl interest.
For the 7th grade transition, the P. T. O. also talked
about physical changes, how boys will be catching up
to girls, and how the new 7th graders will have more
sports options. The sports options for boys and girls
will open up more in contact sports, like basketball
and football, instead of track and field and cross
country.
The P. T. O. talked about how the new 8th graders
will have less ego-centric thinking. The academic factor
will be mostly the same , but the homework load will
continue to get bigger. Two out of the three teams
have the no late policy. This means that homework will
not be accepted late. Also it is very important to
stay organized and to manage time.
In the social part of 8th grade life, friends will
be important, but they might see how parents could
be useful. Physically how they will look will be more
like adults.
Margaret Hannah & Janet Porcaro
marghann@aol.com / janet@janetporcaro.net
617-332-6514 / 617-964-9592
Day School Council
by C. A.-L.
Recently Day’s former librarian, Josephine
Komow, passed away, and since, according to Healy, “She
was a large supporter of youth activities, and theatre
in particular,” Healy wants to name the Day auditorium
after her. In order to do this, the School Council
must create a committee which will research the possibility,
and present their findings to the School Committee.
The main subject of the meeting was budget cuts.
It seems the Day is about $900,000 short, and will
have to make cuts to equal that amount. Healy plans
to cut a language teacher, she says it will probably
be Spanish, which will move the class size from its
current 22-23 students to an approximate 26-27 students
per class.
Healy is also cutting the media position, occupied
by T. T. , but is moving T.T. to another technology-related
job. T. T. will continue to co-advise W.O.R.D. as well
as possibly doing a technology elective. “He
is an amazing person,” says Healy.
A Health position may also be cut, making health
a 2-grade arts rotation, Healy says that she will make
the cut “...probably in 8th grade.” Another
guidance counselor will be cut, making the ratio of
students to counselors 180 to 1. “That’s
far beyond what we normally have,” says Healy.
A 6th grade social studies position will be cut,
which will create the first 3-teacher Team in many
years. But according to Healy, “There are some
advantages to a smaller Team.” It will mean fewer
students, which, in turn, can mean closer attention
for each student, and a better over all education.
There also might be secretarial and custodial cuts
as well. Several more teachers will have to be cut
to even make a dent in the $900,000 this school is
short in the budget.
“It is depressing,” says Healy. But according
to school council member Marion Golin, whatever the
outcome “...Day is still the best middle school
anyway.”
by E. E. and A. R.
Question: If you could have a super
power what would it be and why?
K. M. , Silver “Invisibility,
because I can beat people up and no one would see me.”
J. P. , Copper “Being invisible,
so I could do things without being seen.”
J. D. , Red “I want to be
able to turn into any animal.”
K. T. , Orange “To fly, so
I could go anywhere.”
C. T. , Green “I would want
to fly, so I could go anywhere.”
Day Student Council
by J. H. and A. T.
The student council is working on finishing up many
of the activities they have began last month. Members
from the council are still soliciting grants for the
courtyard clean-up.
When all the planting and decorating of the courtyard
is complete members would like to paint a mural on
the courtyard floor. The council members are hoping
to have as many students from around the school to
participate in the painting of this mural as possible.
The sale of the Day Dragon wrist bands has been successful
and is continuing to go well. They have still not reached
their goal of 1,000-3,000 dollars.
“We have been really busy at our meetings lately,” says
7th grade student council member L. D.
- Drink water: Optimal hydration
enhances the brain’s ability to process efficiently.
- Do brain buttons: This activity
helps your mind to focus. It also stimulates the
blood flow to the brain. Spread apart the middle
finger and the thumb of one hand. Place them so that
they rest under your collar bone (this stimulates
blood flow). Place the fingers of your other hand
over the belly button (this helps your center). Take
a couple of deep breaths.
- Do the cross crawl: This exercise
helps the right and left halves of the brain communicate
better. Stand up. Raise your right knee and bring
your left hand down to meet it. Repeat on the opposite
side. Keep going back and forth.
- Do hook-ups: This exercise soothes
your fight-or-flight response by slowing down your
adrenaline. Hold your left arm straight out in front
of you. Turn your palm so that it faces to the left.
Hold out your right arm so that it crosses over your
left arm. Turn your right pram so that it faces right.
Your arms should now be crossed and your palms should
be facing each other.
Clasp your hands together by interlacing your fingers.
Bring your hands down and toward you, then up, letting
your elbows drop. Cross your left over your right foot.
gently press your tongue against the roof of our mouth
(this activates your midbrain and helps you focus).
Repeat the entire exercise on the other side.
_____ I have gotten enough sleep.
_____ I have eaten a good, healthy breakfast.
_____ I have brought in a bottle of water.
_____ I have remembered to bring in a snack (without
sugar!!!).
_____ I have gotten to school at the appropriate
time.
_____ I have thoroughly read and followed all of
the directions
_____ I have answered all of questions carefully
and completely.
_____ I have made sure to check all of my answers.
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