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Faculty Spotlight
Science teacher works to make a difference
by B.M.
Anybody walking into Platinum Team science classes will notice an energetic teacher at the front of it all: J.R.
J.R. was born March 5, 1976 in Ithaca, New York. Ever since fourth grade, she has enjoyed teaching, helping, and tutoring. “I started a program in fourth grade where...fourth graders would help Kindergartners learn to read.”
After majoring in neurobiology at Cornell University, J.R. taught 3rd grade for a year before becoming a researcher at Harvard University’s Project Zero. Project Zero researches creativity and learning in its connections with neurology.
While working at Project Zero, [Censored] began to realize how much she missed teaching.“Every single day when I teach, something good happens...I think, ‘that’s why I got up today’, even just for that one thing.” She soon left the project for Boston University, where she received her Master’s Degree in Science Education last year.
When asked about her outlook on life, she replied, “Namaste. Loosely translated, it means ‘the light in me acknowledges the light in you’.”
Library beat
Day Library brokers banned books
“I put together the display to raise awareness about the freedom to read and the danger of banning books,” said R. M., Day’s librarian, of Banned Book Week.
The week of September the 25th to October the 2nd was Banned Book Week in America. “Students have been surprised to find out that even popular books like THE GIVER and A WRINKLE IN TIME have been quite controversial.” said R. M..
Banned Book Week is designed to let users of the library know which books have been found inappropriate in some way at some point in history. The banned books include: JULIE AND THE WOLVES by Jean Craighead George; THE CHOCOLATE WAR by Robert Cormier; A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeline L’Engle; OLIVER TWIST by Charles Dickens; ANNIE ON MY MIND by Nancy Garden; THE GOATS by Brock Cole; MATILDA by Roald Dahl; THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAYER by Mark Twain; THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by J. D. Salinger; and EARTHSHINE by Theresa Nelson.
Banned Book Week started in 1986. Since then, librarians have celebrated the event in order to reinforce students’ appreciation of their First Amendment rights.
Readers will be interested to learn that all of the banned books mentioned in this article are currently available in the Day Library.
Day P. T. O.
P. T. O. looks to magazine drive and dues to generate income
by M.H.
We have started the year running. We had more than 50 people in attendance at the first P. T. O. meeting. The new administration gave parents an overview of how they see the school working, as well as clarifying some policies and procedures. Topics covered included the dress policy, cell phone use, passing time, clubs, homework expectations, sports, and discipline philosophy. Parents left excited and better informed and I think anticipating a fun and productive year for each child!
The magazine drive was kicked off last week, so please look for details from your child. This is an easy and lucrative fundraiser for the P. T. O. so think about using this as an opportunity to support the school and as an answer to “the hard to buy for” person on your holiday gift list!
Included in this issue is a dues request. We realize that with all the paper that comes home the first few weeks of school, you may have misplaced the dues form. Dues collection makes up about 50% of our annual budget and we need participation from every family to continue to fund the many programs at school.
In addition, your dues payment of $25.00 gets you a Day Directory! This year we a pushing for the largest membership participation in the P. T. O. ever! Take a moment now to write your dues check (if you have not done so already) and volunteer to help on a committee. There is a place for everyone in the Day P. T. O. Let us hear from you!
Look to this column to keep informed on the other P. T. O. funded activities and news, but also register for our new e-mail system! We intend to send an all school e-mail 2 times a month so that you can keep connected to the many happenings around your child’s school! Register to be on the e-mail through the Day web-site, it is very easy! (newton.mec.edu/day).
Our new school council representatives are Lisa Cohen and Jeanne Scott. The first school council meeting is October the 13th @ 7:30PM. School council meetings are open to all and are held once a month, on Wednesdays alternating times of 3:30 and 7:30, in Day’s Library. The council offers a way for parents, teachers, and community members to work together in an advisory capacity to the Principal. Try to make a meeting, they are always interesting and informative.
As always, we welcome your input and feedback
Calendar:
- October 13 Grade 7 visiting
- October 14 Grade 6 visiting
- October 15 Grade 8 visiting
- October 20 city-wide P. T. O.
- October 27 early release
- October 27 6th grade event
Day P. T. O.
P. T. O. pins fundraising hopes on fourth annual magazine drive
by M.D. and L.F.
F. A. Day’s P. T. O. held their fourth annual magazine drive fundraiser for the school on October the 6th, 7th, and 8th. In previous years it has been very successful, and a convenient way to raise money for the school. The Drive, which is considered community service, lasted only two days with no door-to-door sales or direct exchange of cash or checks. Day’s interim principal, Gina Healy, hoped that both students and parents would get involved with the magazine drive.
Students seemed to enjoy the drive as well. The drive began on October the 6th with an assembly for all three grades. Each student was handed out a postcard booklet to write the addresses of family and friends near and far. All the booklets had to be returned completely filled out by October the 8th. Completed booklets handed in on time earned students a small prize. The proceeds will go to new software, creative arts, and Day’s Science Program.
Also, on the Day Middle School website, there is a new link for P. T. O. where parents can choose to join the P. T. O.’s regular mailing list. On this mailing list, parents can receive packets about the P. T. O. and upcoming events. It helps the parents stay involved with the school.
Day Student Council
With election of new representatives, Day Student Council begins new era
by J.H. and A.S.
This year, M.H., Platinum Team Social studies teacher, will begin a new student council at F. A. Day Middle School. M.H. says that the main goal of the student council is to be the chief school organization, devoted to service within the Day community. Another one of their goals will be to develop leadership skills and extend Day spirit and pride. M.H. is looking for as many people as possible to join.
The first meeting of the student council was held on October the 4th. There will be a meeting every Monday after school, from then on. The representatives from each committee will have to come to every meeting after school, and report back to their team and attendance room.
The committees are: community service, fund raising, charity support, spirit, social, and public relations. Each student gets to choose which they would like to be on, and will have to remain on that committee throughout the year.
NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Greetings from F. A. Day! We have had a terrific and busy month of September, and students and teachers are settling into the routine of being back to school. It’s hard to believe that at this writing, we are already half-way through the first marking period. Busy days certainly go by fast!
It was good to see so many parents at the first P. T. O. meeting on September the 22nd and at Back-to-School Night on September the 28th. Back-to-School Night and Parent Visiting Days are wonderful opportunities for teachers and parents to share information about our program and for parents to see the curriculum in action. We hope that you were able to participate in these important events and I look forward to parents’ continued involvement in the life of the school.
Communication is key in building community in a school, and it is critical that all of the constituencies participate in open, honest dialogues around the issues that face our children and our schools. There are many opportunities for exchange between the school and families, some of which I have outlined below:
- Home/Communications Sheet - Students have received a list of phone numbers and e-mail addresses for communication with their teachers. We encourage you to contact us if you have questions or concerns about your child’s program or progress.
- Progress Reports - At midquarter, teachers review students’ work and let parents know how their children are doing. During the first and third terms, teachers prepare a Progress Report for all students. In the second and fourth quarters, teachers send reports on students whose grades have dropped or who are in danger of failing. Progress Reports will be sent home with students during the week of October 12-15. If you haven’t received one, it’s time to search that backpack!
- Parent Conferences - Conferences are an opportunity to meet briefly with individual teachers, and are scheduled by appointment only. They will run from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on the following dates:
- November 16
- November 30
- December 14
- January 11
Use the form enclosed in this issue of THE DAYTIME to sign up for a conference (Forms are also posted on our website.) Conferences are scheduled on a first-come, first served, basis. Of course, if you have concerns about how your child is doing academically, you should contact his/her guidance counselor or teacher.
Day’s Website: Day’s Website is an excellent source of up-to-date information about the school. We post our daily announcements, calendar, club listings, library resources, school handbook, directions, staff directory, and more. This year, we have added a new feature: a P. T. O. e-mail system on our website. We hope that you will all sign up for the P. T. O. e-mail. Look for the links on our website (below) and again in the P. T. O. section of our website. Thanks to Mr. Chaffee for maintaining this great resource and to Janet Porcaro for her work in obtaining the P. T. O. e-mail site. Check it out at: www.newton.mec.edu/day/.
Day Middle School is an active community with many offerings for our families and young people. Our children are involved in athletics, journalism, drama, music, clubs, and many other exciting activities under the direction of our teaching staff and in cooperation with our outstanding P. T. O. A few of the upcoming events are listed below:
CITYWIDE P. T. O. MEETING
Wednesday, October the 20th, 7:30PM
All are welcome to a meeting aimed at marshaling resources and working cooperatively toward improving the quality of services offered at all four of the Newton Middle Schools.
GRADE 6 COMMUNITY EVENT
Wednesday, October the 27th, 7-9PM
This annual community event offers a fun-filled evening full of entertainment and opportunities to get to know other families on the Copper, Platinum, and Silver Teams. Parents and students are encouraged to attend!
DAY MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE
Friday, October the 22nd, 7-9:30PM
A social opportunity for students to get together with friends and have fun!
NATURE’S CLASSROOM FIELD TRIP
Tuesday - Friday, November the 2nd-5th
The entire eighth grade will be attending Nature’s Classroom Programs in three different locations. All will participate in experiential learning and team-building activities along with their teachers.
PRINCIPAL’S COFFEE
Thursday, November the 18th, 8-9AM
Please come to talk about Day Middle School. This is your opportunity to ask questions or make suggestions. All are welcome!
CABARET
Thursday and Friday, November the 18th and 19th
Day’s annual talent show is a must-see! We hope that you will be on hand to support our talented actors, singers, and musicians [see mail-order coupon].
As you can see, we are a vibrant community of many talents and interests. I look forward to seeing you all at school, on the playing fields, or at the many events outlined above.
ALSO, FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
EARLY RELEASE DAYS
October the 27th (Professional Development)
Students Dismissed at 11:30, Lunch Served
November the 24th (Thanksgiving)
Students Dismissed at 11:30, No Lunch
January the 13th (Professional Development)
Students Dismissed at 11:30, Lunch Served
March the 9th (Professional Development)
Students Dismissed at 11:30, Lunch Served
June the 3rd (Step-Up Day)
Grade 8 to NNHS, Grades 6 and 7 Dismissed at 11:30, Lunch Served
Grade 5 to Visit Day MS
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