GREETINGSFROMCOOLIDGESCHOOLFebruary 6, 2017Dear Families, Yesterday the wheels came off- and I am not talking about the first half of the game! My daughter was driving back to college when she heard a “funny noise”. Just as she started to pull off the roadway her front wheel- tire and all- rolled away. Needless to say, she lost control of the car. Fortunately, one the kind people driving behind her was a teacher. That teacher stayed with her until help arrived. As upsetting as it was, the overall experience was positive: someone stopped to help, another person recovered the tire, and cell phone service simplified everything. Finally, the police officer that responded reassured her that in the face of the unexpected she’d handled things well. It’s amazing how a small thing (in our case, a ball bearing) can have an oversized impact. It’s inspiring when one act of caring inspires another. My daughter is now focused on finding the teacher that stopped for her. She has a new sense of how important it is to help when we see someone in need. Starting this week at Coolidge the staff and I want to encourage our students to be their best selves. I’m excited about sharing the details of our Have a Heart campaign with the students at our meeting today. The plan is simple: for the remainder of February every adult will carry heart stickers, and every child will carry a paper heart. When children demonstrate acts of caring (greeting by name, smiling, helping, sharing) they’ll be given a heart. We’re eager to see how fast our hearts fill! We’re hoping to see a carryover effect for you at home, too. Sincerely, Amy

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:

2/7/17 EARLYRELEASE–classesoutat12:152/17/17 SchoolStore2/20-2/24/17 FebruaryVacation3/3 SchoolStore3/7 EARLYRELEASE–classesoutat12:153/9 PTOmtg7pminMediaSchoolCommitteemembersjoining3/17 SchoolStore4/4 EARLYRELEASE–classesoutat12:154/7 SpringFling(Detailstocome)4/14 SchoolStore4/17-4/21 SPRINGVACATION4/28 SchoolStore

COOLIDGE ASAP Classes Start in March

(After School Activities Program)

The After School Activities Program has a new session starting March 1st. There are three great classes to choose from and the cost is only $40 for a 6-week session. March offerings include “Girls’ Empowerment” with Ms. Richardson, “Fitness Club” with Ms. Cloyes and Ms. Fallis, and (the “Creative Drawing and Watercolor” with Ms. Cosenza is now FULL.) Registration will open Monday, February 6th at 7:00AM. The attached flyer gives more information about each class and provides the link for on-line registration. Classes fill quickly, so register early! If you have questions about the program, please contact Karen Isaacson, Director of Extended Learning, kisaacson@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us

FLYER: http://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/coolidge/documents/22017_MARCHCoolidgeclassdescriptionsMarch.pdf

CANNED / BOXED FOOD DRIVE CANNED / BOXED FOOD DRIVE ~ In honor of our 100th day of school (February 7th ), the 4th Grade Student Council at Coolidge School is sponsoring a canned / boxed food drive. We ask that your child work with their homeroom classmates and teachers to bring in non-perishable food items that will be donated to the Worcester County Food Bank. Our goal is for each homeroom work to collect 100 food items!!! All donations will be accepted through Wednesday, February 15th.

Coaches’ Curriculum Update

Have you been wondering how to help your child master their math facts? This week, the Elementary Instructional Coaches share the importance of fact fluency and strategies to master facts. Check out the latest blog post to find links to online resources, games and information about the suggested sequence of math fact practice. Please feel free to reach out to your building Instructional Coach if you would like more information. Thank you! https://spselementarycoaches.wordpress.com/

From the Nurse: Dear Kindergarten Parents, Today in your child’s blue Communications Folder you will find a paper with the Worcester State University logo on it. It explains that on Friday February 17 th Audiology students from Worcester State University will be at Coolidge School to perform hearing screening with all the Kindergarten students. This paper is the permission slip that each child must have filled out and signed to participate. Please return it to your child’s teacher on or before February 10, 2017. If you decide not to have your child tested by the students I will be screening both vision and hearing the week of February 27th. If you have any questions please call me at 508-841-8887. Thank you, Katie Zimmermann RN,BSN,NCSN

From the Office:

CHECK OUT OUR WEBPAGE FOR IMPORTANT FORMS AND DATES: http://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/coolidge/ We are also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoolidgeElementarySchool If your child will be out sick, out for a vacation, or celebrating a religious holiday, please call the school before 10:00am that day to let us know. Child Safe line (for absences): 508.841.8886 Coolidge Main Line: 508.841.8880 Cathy Cairns, Coolidge Secretary: 508.841.8884

Mark your calendars with No School Dates, Early Release Dates and Holidays.

PTO NEWSFLASH Email: ptocoolidge@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us Blog: http://coolidgepto.wordpress.com/ The PTO has created a blog as an additional resource for information and notices. Come check it out! Facebook Group: “Calvin Coolidge PTO” All parents, guardians, and staff are welcome to join our group on Facebook. It’s a great place to chat with the community or ask a question. Direct Donation: https://npo.justgive.org/coolidgepto There are many ways to help support the PTO, a direct donation is just one. *************************************************************************************************** 1. Six Flags Reading Logs 2. Thank you to all who attended movie night. 3. Congratulations to Mrs. Flemming- Teacher of the Month! 4. Great Clips coupon 5. Man of your Life dance- March 4th

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1. Now is the time to turn in your Six Flags Reading Logs to earn a FREE pass to Six Flags New England. Six hours of reading is required, but this can be the SAME time that you have logged on the Coolidge Reading Incentive Reading Logs. Lost or can't find yours? Extra logs can be found outside Mrs. Zimmerman's office. All reading logs must be turned in by Friday, February 17th to be eligible for your free pass! 2. Thank you to all who came to movie night. It was a fun night for all! 3. Congratulations to Mrs. Flemming who was the teacher of the month for the month of January! 4. Look in your folders for a coupon from Great Clips in White City. Not only can you get a haircut for less money, but they will donate $1 to Coolidge for all who come in with the coupon. This money greatly helps support the field trips and programs we have for the kids. 5. The Man of your Life dance will be on March 4th. Look for information coming home soon

To include news about your committee, fundraiser or PTO event in future newsflashes, please e-mail your submissions to Kristie Biando at kbiando74@gmail.comand Rachel Reeve atrachelreeve@yahoo.com