Newsletter for Shutesbury Elementary School

Publication Information
Please email RT submissions to me at sespowerschool@crocker.com by Wednesday at 12:00pm for that week’s Roadtown.  Any fliers that need to be attached must be in to the office by 2:00pm on Thursdays.  If you are interested in receiving the Roadtown via email on Friday mornings, please make your request to the above email address or directly to me at costat@shutesburyschool.org.  The RTN is now available on our website!                                    -Toni Costa

Dates to Remember

May 3                             Town Meeting here at the school
May 6                             Balla Tounkara here at the school. 2:30 Assembly
May 8                             6:30 - 8:30 K-4 Science Fair
May 8                             5th/6th Grade Field Trip to Boston
May 13 & 15                   Math MCAS, Grades 3 & 6
May 14                            7:00 PM - PTO Meeting
May 19                            Math MCAS, Grade 5
May 20 & 22                    Math MCAS, Grades 4 & 5
May 21                            7:00 PM - School Committee Meeting
May 23                            Science MCAS, Grade 5
May 27 & 28                    History/Social Studies MCAS, Grade 5
June 5 & 6                       6th Grade Portfolio Presentations
June 13                            Last Day of After School Program
June 13                            7:00 Grade 6 Graduation
June 17                            Last Day of School, 1:00 Dismissal

From the Principal’s Desk

Dear SES Community:

                 Welcome back for the final run of the 2007-2008 school year. There are a lot of projects and events that will be completed during the next seven weeks, so stay tuned to the Roadtown and to the classroom newsletters to be on top of the fast-paced world of SES.

                        This Saturday is the Town Meeting. It is a unique form of government and a chance for each person to be heard regarding the issues that face this town. The meeting is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In addition, there are School Committee and town-wide elections taking place and each vote is important.

                        We will be administering the final wave of MCAS tests beginning the week of May 12^th.  Next week, a detailed schedule will be sent home to the families of students in grades 3 through 6.

                        Finally, I understand that flip-flops are the height of fashion….however, if folks wear them to school PLEASE send along a pair of sneakers too. Sneakers are required for gym class and they make recess a much more fun and active time.

                        Thank you for your on-going support.                                    ~ Bob Mahler

PTO NEWS

CHILDCARE AVAILABLE - The Shutesbury PTO is providing childcare during town meeting!  Follow the signs and drop off your children between 9:00 AM -1:00 PM and they can have some fun while you are in town meeting.  Childcare is free but donations are welcome. For more information call 259-1525 or email dragonflyconsult@yahoo.com..

COMMUNITY NEWS

(The following are not school-sponsored) 

FROGWATCH - Something refreshing to do outdoors after Town Meeting!  FrogWatch 2008: Record the Ribbit, Saturday, May 3^rd FrogWatch is a citizen-science amphibian monitoring program of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). They recruit people to befriend local frog populations in rural, suburban and urban communities. I am genuinely fond of our frog neighbors so I am spreading the news about their work.

http://www.nwf.org/frogwatchUSA//

You can be a citizen-scientist and leap into spring with your family and friends and Record the Ribbit. Participate in this one-day event to raise awareness about frogs and toads. It's easy, free, and appropriate for all ages and abilities. Spread the word and join people across the country for the annual FrogWatch 2008: Record the Ribbit!

http://online.nwf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Frogwatch_EventPage

* Watch and listen for frogs and toads in your area

* Invite your family and friends

* Make note of your observations

* Share them online

Here is a list of frogs and toads we might hear in the Northeast United States:

American Bullfrog, Fowler's Toad, American Toad,  

Spring Peeper, Pickerel Frog, Northern Cricket Frog

Cope's Gray Treefrog, Wood Frog, Northern Leopard Frog

Green Frog, Eastern Gray Treefrog                     

The NWF website has recordings of different frog sounds specific to all regions of the country to help you learn to identify them, information about habitat and locating frogs and toads, and forms to record ribbit activity. Happy listening! Dina Stander, dina@deanbrook.org

HUG-A-BUG FAIR - The Hitchcock Center’s Hug-a-Bug Fair will be held on May 3^rd from 10:00-1:00.  Visit our live Arthropod Zoo where you will meet insects and their relatives from all over the world. Go on an Insect Safari along the trails and taste some of our infamous insect delights!  Fee: $5/person. Children 2 and under free.

News from the Shutesbury AC

FREE Ping-Pong Table.  Mini pool/game table.  Both are in reasonable condition.  Call BJ at 259-1923.