March 2014
South Middle School
232 Peach Street – Braintree, MA 02184
781-380-0160 FAX 781-380-0164
ABSENT LINE 781-356-0657
www.gpvillage.com/southms
There is so much to know. Such an exciting premise. Knowing what to know is such a daily process. Learning is about what you didn’t know, unlearning what you know because new knowledge was inaccurate, compartmentalizing your knowledge so that you can retrieve it, eliminating what is not necessary to know and knowing what others want you to know is not what you should know.
Goodness there is so much to know.
This ramble occurred to me when talking with friends a while ago we were all trying to remember some trivia topics of our past, arguing its accuracy and realizing how good it felt to be correct when one click of the I-phone made the whole exercise superfluous. If our students watched this discussion of the ancients I am guessing they could look up Gilbert Chesterton who wrote “A yawn is a silent shout.”
So what is it that our students need to know in order to be successful in the future? Richard Riley Secretary of Education under Clinton says “We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist… using technologies that haven’t yet been invented… in order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.”
This would be certainly overwhelming but for the fact that our youngsters are learning this as they go along. Their learning process relies less on remembering and more on critical thinking and problem solving. They use facts to get themselves to the next level of thinking. They are learning to be flexible, adaptable and self directed. Many are not there yet but if you meet them as seniors in high school you will see that they are further along than we were. Of course you will not have to meet them because you will be growing with them to their future success. Meanwhile, Dr. Samuel Johnson said years ago “The future is purchased by the present.”
Enjoy each day well lived even in the muddied March of New England.
Future School Committee Meeting Dates
March 10. 2014 7:00 pm Colbert School
March 31, 2014 7:00 pm Liberty School
April 14, 2014 7:00 pm South Middle School
May 5, 2014 7:00 pm Colbert School
May 19, 2014 7:00 pm Hollis School
June 16, 2014 7:00 pm Colbert School
The agenda for each meeting may be viewed two days prior to the meeting date at www.braintreeschools.org.
MARCH DATES TO REMEMBER
Wednesday, March 5th –Professional Development Day – 11:45 Dismissal
Thursday, March 6th –Mid-term 2 ends
Saturday, March 8th – Ski Trip
Tuesday, March 11th –PTO Meeting 7:00 pm
Friday, March 14th –BFFE –Great Pond Hall, Braintree 7:00 – midnight
Nature’s Classroom – Pay-it-forward- March 18th through March 21st
Saturday, March 29th- South’s 5K walk/run 9:00 am
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL K-9 –Monday, June 23rd
MCAS DATES
ELA Composition / March 18 / Grade 7ELA Reading/Literature / March 19
March 20 / Grade 7 & 8 Session 1
Grades 7 & 8 Session 2
ELA Composition
Makeup / March 27 / Grade 7
ELA Reading/Literature / March 25
March 26 / Grades 6 Session 1
Grade 6 Session 2
YANKEE CANDLE FUNDRAISER
Dear 8th Grade Families,
Yankee Candle sales will be held March 3rd – 17th. The cost of 8th grade trip is $135 per student. Yankee Candle donates 40% of proceeds. THIS AMOUNT GOES DIRECTLY TO YOUR STUDENT, whatever your 8th grader’s profits are, goes directly to off-set their $135. The more you sell, the less you have to pay.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email
GRADE 8 HONOR ROLL – TERM 2
Andrew Alberski
Kevin Alessi
Destinee Alix-Garth
Mackenzie Anderson
Benjamin Bailey
Jake Barrett
Adam Bedrosian
Clarice Berardinelli
Evan Bernard
Hannah Bernasconi
Alyssa Blumenthal
Jacob Botsolis
Kelly Bretagne
Brianna Bucci
Caitlyn Bucci
Alisa Buisson
Matthew Burke
Michael Cahill
Hailey Canelli
John Carnell
Marco Carnes
Meghan Carney
Caitlyn Carr
Tyler Centeio
Kelly Chen
Vanesa Cosme
Olivia Curtis
Mary Cuthbert
Emily Dalton
Richard Dao
Devahn Dembro
Kayla DeWitt
Alessandra Diaute
Giovanna Diaute
David DiCarlo
Amanda Diegel
Nicholas Dodge
Paul Donahoe
Ellen Duane
Niamh Dunphy
Emily Eleuteri
Gavin Erdody
Brian Erikson
Hasan Esrawi
Meghan Fitzwilliam
Emma Gately
Cameron Gaudette
Camille Gay
Julia Gerety
Kaitlyn Gozzo
Catherine Graham
Madison Grieco
Shane Heffernan
Rosaleen Holland
Caroline Hu
Aine Joyce
Margaret Joyce
Andrew Kanes
Hannah Karpowicz
Joseph Kelly
Anders Klass
Roger Kwong
Kathryn Langill
Kelly LaRosee
Brendan Leahy
Robin Leo
Connor Lewis
Emily Linskey
Erica MacFaden
Ashley Malloy
Lauren Martin
Joseph McDonagh
Colleen McDonald
Kevin McDonough
Lily McGourty
Brianna Miller
Katelyn Miller
Mackenzie Moore
Sara Moran
Sean Morin
Terese Murphy
Brendan Naughton
Nolan Novo
Tyler O'Brien
Clare O'Grady
Meghan O'Rourke
Mansi Patel
Damien Phoenix
John Pierson
Domenic Pistorino
Frances Pistorino
Janice Quach
Thomas Richards
James Rowell
Matthew Roy
Sophia Rust
William Ryan
Erica Silvia
Gabriella Stornaielo
Carrie Tam
Jessica Tam
Chloe Tomasetta
Elizabeth Tran
Ashley Tsang
Angelina Venuti
Andrew Walsh
Maureen Walsh
Madeline Warner
Shaina Weingart
Timothy Welch
Michael Wishart
Zhao Xian
Ziv Yu
Sharon Zhang
Dennis Zhen
Jonathan Zhou
GRADE 7 HONOR ROLL – Term 2
Basher Abraham
Hany Agwa
Amanda Akins
Megan Balani
Elizabeth Barnes
Mark Blaney
Connor Brown
Trent Brown
Elizabeth Burchill
Abigail Burton
Honson Chan
Kristine Chavez
Stephanie Chavez
Jasmine Chu
Catharine Clougher
Mary Kate Clougherty
Bridgette Coady
John Collins
Owen Conboy
Michelle Connolly
John Coyne
Paul Derrane
Eva DeSousa
Amelia Diana
Drew Doherty
Patrick Doherty
Cailin Donovan
Laurel Dow
Taylor Downey
Matthew Doyle
Aoife Dunphy
Katherine Evers
Christian Flanagan
Aidan Flynn
Leo Folan
Molly French
Marisol Gallardo-Cortez
Joseph Gates
Christopher Gillespie
Ryan Goodwin
Rebecca Grieco
Camille Guilbault
Faith Harrison
Anna Ho
Karen Huang
Caitlin Hurley
Hunter Jackle
Maja Jackowska
Jennifer Jaehnig
Matthew Joyce
Sean Kelliher
Aaron Keung
Erin Kiley
Nora Kilmain
Leah Kinsella
Carlton Knox
Sara Laroussi
Michael Le
Vanessa Lee
Ava Lescinskas
Annapurna Leung
Clara Li
Brett Lockhart
John Longworth
Nellie Lynch
Justin Maccarrone
Noel Madigan
Kyle Magner
Brendan Mallon
Matthew Marino
Craig Martin
Cameron McArdle
Kathryn McCarthy
Olivia McCloskey
Emma McCray
Benjamin McDonough
Edward McGurn
Brandon Meas
Constantine Menadue
Nicholas Meucci
Kayla Mikalauskis
Ryan Moran
Ava Morrissey
Adam Mulloy
Alexis Muscolino
Austin Nguyen
Jacob Ochoa
Umar Padela
Christopher Paquin
D'Andre Payton Morales
Jeffrey Pollara
Deborah Proulx
Olivia Ridge
Gerald Ridge, III
Julia Roy
William Rutan
Patrick Ryan
Julia Sadowski
Sabrina Sam
Callum Samowski
Michael Seaman
William Silvia
Molly Smith
Teresa Smith
Jonathan Solimine
Jillian Stanton
Victoria Stearns
Laurie Storlazzi
Claire Sullivan
Sarah Sullivan
Michael Summers
Nicolina Taglieri
Ashley Tai
Genevieve Tang
Stanley To
Rebecca Tran
Madeline Trotta
Jonathan Tse
David Vannelli
Tatiana Ventosi
Jared Vickey
Ngoc Vo
Paul Wharton
Sara Wong
William Yaney
Michael Zaccari
Christina Zotos
PTO
February 11, 2014
Attendance: Laurie Eleuteri, Laura Burton, Helen Coakley, Ellen Rotty, Elissa Simon-Morrissey, Rebecca Curtis, Ed McDonough
7:05pm, Vice President Laurie Eleuteri called meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance.
Treasurer’s report, balance is $8,588, approved to raise teacher appreciation funds to $700
Advisory meeting, as reported by Laurie Eleuteri, Rebecca Fredricks presented on technology task force, four meetings are scheduled, upon conclusion a plan will be sent to the school committee to specify exactly what type of technology will best serve our students
Stop and Shop A+ balance is currently $744, there are 85 families enrolled.
Yankee Candle 8th grade fundraiser scheduled for March 3-17
Discussion ensued about communication and that many parents felt they did not receive timely notice about spirit week, and other events at South. Suggestions discussed with Mr. McDonough, including the possibility of a weekly email.
Brockton Rox offers group outing to their baseball games, this is a fun night out and not a fundraiser, no decision has been made yet on whether to book a trip.( If you have any thoughts/opinions please feel free to email )
Science fair tentative date for 8th grade is May 14th. Possibly having a performer, Jay O’Callaghan presenting a 45 minute show, “Going to the Moon” Mr. O’Callaghan’s fees are fairly expensive, discussion is ongoing to decide if this is something that is feasible.
Mr. McDonough spoke of the recent Jamboree held at BHS. Students were very well behaved and courteous to all those who attended.
Traffic issues mainly during AM drop off continue to be a challenge. Cars are not allowed in the driveway during drop off. Bus drivers are becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of compliance and are going to start reporting license plates to the police; violations carry a $500 fine.
Meeting adjourned 8:10pm
Isn’t it wonderful when everyone is included?
Tell Us!
6th Annual Community Inclusion Awards
Seeking Nominations
Members of our community who help to include everyone in any part of our community will be honored at the 6th Annual Community Inclusion Awards and we need your help to tell us about them. If you know someone in Braintree, whether they are a community member, parent, student, coach, employer, teacher or anyone you know who includes everyone, especially those with different abilities or challenges in any aspect of our community, please consider nominating them for this award.
True inclusion means that ALL community members are actively participating in town wide opportunities alongside their typical peers. Including everyone creates a sense of belonging because all people have regular access to their community and produces an atmosphere that values acceptance, diversity and the wellbeing of all.
Instructions on what should be included in your nomination can be found on the SEPAC website at www.gpvillage.com/braintreesepac. Nominations must be received in writing and may be sent to:
SEPAC
Attn: Community Inclusion Awards Committee
128 Town Street
Braintree, MA 02184
Or via email to one of the committee members listed below:
Suzanne Brouillard –
Barbara Tennison -
Kristen Zechello -
Mimi Pugsley -
Stefanie Brown -
Lyn McPhail -
Nominations must be received by April 15, 2014
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Jim Plunkett Night
WITH SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE BY
SINGER/SONGWRITER
Suzanne McNeil
To Benefit
Every Braintree Public School
Great Pond Hall 120 Bay State Drive, Braintree 7pm - midnight
Friday, March 14, 20144
------
BFFE - Plunkett Night Ticket Form
Friday, March 14, 2014
Name:______
Address:______
1TICKETS X $15.00 = $______
Tickets at the door $25 (if not sold out)
Please make checks payable to BFFE
· Return: to your child’s school
· MAIL to: BFFE P.O. Box 850139 Braintree, MA 02185
· PURCHASE at : Danny’s Cleaners 295 Elm St., Braintree Cleaners 95 Grove St.,
or American Art 409 Pond St., Suite 1
Health office News: Mrs. Melchionda
The annual Postural Screening will be done during part of the physical education class. All students will be screened privately by me and the Physical Education teacher. The purpose of this screening is to find early signs of possible spinal problems in children in grades 5-9. It is not a diagnostic service but a program to identify young people who should have further medical evaluation. Since 1980, it is required by law that all public school systems in the Commonwealth provide postural screening to all students in grades 5 through 9. *If you do not wish your child to have the postural screening done by the school, you must provide written documentation from your child's physician that they have done the screening within the past three months. Please send in the doctor’s note with your child if his/her physician has performed the screening.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me any time at 781-380-0160.
March is National Nutrition Month
Breakfast gives you energy to start the day. A healthy breakfast is important for everyone. Get the morning nutrition you need with these quick breakfast ideas.
• Make instant oatmeal with milk instead of water. Mix in raisins or dried cranberries. Top with chopped walnuts.
• Layer low-fat yogurt with your favorite crunchy cereal and sliced fruit or berries.
• Mix up a breakfast smoothie made with low-fat milk, frozen strawberries and a banana.
• Top a bowl of whole-grain cereal with blueberries, sliced peaches or any favorite fruit. Pour on low-fat or fat-free milk.
• Top a toaster waffle with low-fat yogurt and fruit.
• Stuff a whole-wheat pita with a sliced, hard-cooked egg and low-fat shredded cheese.
• Spread a flour tortilla with peanut butter. Add a whole banana and roll it up.
• Spread almond butter on a whole-grain toasted bagel. Top with apple slice
• Add lean ham and low-fat Swiss cheese to a toasted whole-grain English muffin.
We Need Your Help!
Families … We want to hear from you!
Each year the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) surveys parents in select school districts to determine how well your child’s school is communicating with you and promoting your engagement in your child’s education. It’s your district’s turn this year.
Your opinion maters! Make your voice heard!
· The web-based survey will be open in January 13, 2014
· You can complete the survey online at: http://maparentcohort2.com
· Ask your child’s school principal if you need help in accessing and completing the survey
Your participation in this survey is important in helping both the ESE and your local school district in improving education programs for all students and in enhancing your participation in your child’s education.
Massachusetts 2014
Family Engagement Survey
January 13 to March 21, 2014
For questions about the survey,
please contact Martha Daigle at
(781) 338-3366 or