From auvpto at aol.com Tue Oct 2 13:56:48 2007 From: auvpto at aol.com (auvpto at aol.com) Date: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:56:48 -0400 Subject: [CabotCommunity] Jabberlite Edition 2 Message-ID: <8C9D334BD392F13-570-5C3C@mblk-d24.sysops.aol.com> Archana Vahalia Cabot PTO Co-President 53 Sheffield Road, Newtonville, MA 02460 617-244-1435 auvpto at aol.com ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://cabotpto.org/pipermail/cabotcommunity_cabotpto.org/attachments/20071002/a7b3e012/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: JABBERLITE_10_02_07(2).doc Type: application/msword Size: 79360 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://cabotpto.org/pipermail/cabotcommunity_cabotpto.org/attachments/20071002/a7b3e012/attachment.doc From auvpto at aol.com Wed Oct 3 09:00:35 2007 From: auvpto at aol.com (auvpto at aol.com) Date: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 09:00:35 -0400 Subject: [CabotCommunity] Second Copy of the Jabberlite Message-ID: <8C9D3D485C3D409-540-6BA7@webmail-me13.sysops.aol.com> Hello everyone, yesterday we had sent the Jabberlite as a word document attachment.? As many of you may have difficulty opening it, we are resending it as part of the email, as per many requests.? In the future it will be sent this way, thanks. JABBERLITE FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, ?2007 ? ? This issue contains information about the following: ????????? Cabot Community Supper ????????? Parenting Issue Discussion ????????? Parent Advisory Council Meeting??????????????????????????????????? ????????? International Walk to School Day ????????? School Picture Day ????????? PTO Meeting 10/16/07??????????????????????? ??????????????? ????????? PTO Welcome Packet ????????? Core Value Evening Workshop ????????? ?Cabot Directory ????????? School Store ????????? Gift Wrap Fundraiser ????????? Volunteers for Library ????????? Family Picture Day ????????? Newton One-to-One Program ????????? Classifieds ????????? What is the Jabberwock? ? ? Calendar ? ? October 1, 2007 1st Full Day for Kindergarten Group A Students ? ? October 2, 2007 School Council Meeting 5:00 - 6:45pm ? ? October 2, 2007 A discussion with Dr. Ross Greene, author of' The Explosive Child', Collaborative Problem Solving for Children & Adolescents, 7:00 pm, Mason -Rice Elementary School, Newton ? October 3, 2007 Parent Advisory Council Meeting, 7:30 PM, 100 Walnut Street, Newton ? ? October 4, 2007 1st Full Day for Kindergarten Group B Students ? ? October 5, 2007 School Picture Day (rain date 10/19) ? ? October 8, 2007 Columbus Day, NO SCHOOL ? ? October 9, 2007 PTO Gift Wrap Orders Due ? ? October 9, 2007 School Committee Meeting, 7:30 PM ? ? October 13, 2007 Coffee Pond Family Photo Day (rain date 10/14) ? ? October 15, 2007 METCO Parents' Council Meeting 7 - 9:00 PM 1350 Tremont Street, Roxbury ? ? October 16, 2007 CHANGE OF DATE - PTO Meeting and Coffee 8:40am Library ? ? October 16, 2007 Jabberwock Publication 2007-08 Issue #2 ? ? October 19, 2007 Rain Date for School Picture Day ? ? October 20, 2007 Coffee Pond Photo Day, (rain date 10/21) ? ? October 22, 2007 School Committee Meeting 7:30PM, 100 Walnut Street, Newton ? ? October 23, 2007 Affinity Group 12:30 pm ? ? October 24,2007 PTO Papa Gino's Fundraiser ? ? October 25, 2007 Early Release Day, 12:30 PM Dismissal ? ? October 25, 2007 Connecting with Core Values - an Evening Workshop 6:30 - 8:30 PM ? ? October 27, 2007 Coffee Pond Photo Day, (rain date 10/28) ? ? October 31,2007 Wellness Day,? Halloween UNICEF Collection, CASP Haunted House 4:00 - 5:15PM Gym ? ? ? ? ? ? Cabot?s Annual Community Supper ? What A Success!!! Fun was had by all.? What A great community event.? It was so good to see the full moon rising in the sky, children enjoying Capture the Flag, and people dancing to the music by DJ of Siagal productions.? There were so many people enjoying their picnic dinners ? the food they brought from home or brought pizza delivered by D&A pizza. ?Thanks to all those who helped make this a memorable event. We have received so many thank you notes from the parents that we decided to include one in the Jabberlite ? this one is from Sarah Ecker? - - ?Dear Sue, Rose and Joy -- Thank YOU! You all are the amazing ones -- what a force of organization and energy.? You make it all look so easy! It was a lovely evening.? So relaxed -- happy kids -- great turnout -- terrific entertainment -- Thank you for a job well done, once again.?Sarah?. ? Parental Issue Discussion ? Tonight, Tuesday October 2, 2007 ? For those who are interested, The Mason-Rice, Angier, Zervas & Peirce PTOs are hosting a discussion with Dr. Ross Greene, author of ?The Explosive Child?, Collaborative Problem Solving for Children & Adolescents, at 7:00 pm, Mason -Rice Elementary School Auditorium. ? Children with social, emotional and behavioral challenges are frequently misunderstood and often do not respond to standard treatments. As a result, they can develop adversarial relationships with parents, teachers, peers and siblings. What is going on for these kids and how can we help them? Dr. Greene will lead discussion on how parents and adults can help children build their frustration tolerance and develop the cognitive skills they need to solve problems with flexibility and creativity. ? Parent Advisory Council Meeting Wednesday October 3, 2007 ? The first meeting for Special Education Program is tomorrow in room 210 at the Newton Education Center, 100 Walnut Street.? On agenda is the DOE audit review. Lisa Spagnolo is Cabot?s SPED liaison.? She will be the primary resources for parents who are entering the system and need advice and assistance.?? ? International Walk to School Day - Wednesday October 3, 2007 ? Cabot will be joining schools from around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day on October 3, 2007.???? ? In the U.S. alone it is expected to include 5,000 schools from all 50 states. Walkers from the U.S. will join children and adults in 40 countries around the world. ? We are requesting you make an effort to Walk to School on Wednesday, October 3rd.? If walking is not feasible, try to car pool or walk to the school bus instead of driving.? If walk, car pool or walk to your bus stop, please stop by a sign our poster in the front of Cabot so we can see how many of you will participate with us!!! ? ? ? School Picture Day ? Friday October 5, 2007 ? Cabot's Annual Picture Day is this week.? Coffee Pond will be here from 8:20 - 12:30AM on Friday October 5 (rain date Fri. Oct 19).? There will be volunteers to escort the children for the picture taking from their classes to the field, and keep everyone smiling for the pictures!? This is very exciting time for the kids. ? PTO Meeting! ?Change of Date - Tuesday October 16, 2007 at 8:40am, Library.? Hope to see you there!! ? ? PTO WELCOME PACKET FORMS ? ONLY FEW MORE TO GO!!! Thanks to so many of you who have already returned your forms!! You should have received the PTO Welcome Packet in your child?s backpack on the first day of school.? This packet holds important information for you and for us. ? Remember to complete the Dues & Volunteer form, the Safe Arrival/Call Back Volunteer Sheet (optional) and the Family Picture Day Form (if interested) and return them to the Cabot PTO mailbox in the office or send it in to your child?s teacher. Please return these forms latest by this Friday, October 5, 2007.? ? Core Values Evening October 25, 2007 The Core Values Committee will help host an evening devoted to Cabot?s core values on October 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. ?Connecting with Core Values? will give students and their families an opportunity to see Cabot?s core values: ???????? Life-long learning ???????? Respect for self and others ???????Commitment to school and community in action. ? We are looking for more volunteers so if you?d like to help out, please contact Sally Brickell at brickland6 at rcn.com. ? Cabot Directory Cabot Directory is ready to go to press. If you are a returning family please take a moment to check your entry in last years Directory & email CHANGES ONLY to Jenny at jenny at seckler.com. Jenny will be joined by parent volunteer Marya Van?t Hul to put together the final product. ? There are some still some advertising spaces available in the Directory for the local businesses. As a Cabot parent if you have a business that you would like to advertise in our Directory contact Rick Reilly, or Marc Svensson our parent volunteer Advertising Managers - rmreilly at rcn.com or msven at verizon.net. Be aware that copies of the Directory are ONLY distributed to Cabot families. ? ? SCHOOL STORE IS OPEN The school store is open every Tuesday from 8:10 to 8:30am. We carry pencils, erasers, sharpeners, folders, rulers and other school-related items.? Proceeds from the school store go to the fifth graders to offset the cost of their yearbook, t-shirt and community service project.? Over the course of the year, every student will receive a 50-cent certificate on his/her birthday to spend at the school store, so be on the lookout.? Thanks to the PTO for funding the birthday certificates and keeping alive this grand Cabot tradition!? Contact:? Karen Lumino, 617-630-5073 or family at swain.name. ? Gift Wrap Fundraiser is here! Cabot PTO?s annual gift wrap sale has started.? It runs through October 9th. This is one of the biggest fundraiser for the Cabot school PTO. This is a great time to stock up on quality gift wrap paper for the holidays and occasions throughout the year. Share the catalog with your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.? ? Remember that you can get friends and family from out of town to order on-line.? Just go to the seller section at SallyFoster.com and enter your child's information.? Then enter the e-mails of your friends and family.? They don't even need to remember the Cabot account number ( 0249978).? It?s easy, and your child can earn prize credits.? Any questions, contact Kate Johnson at textreviews.com. ? CABOT LIBRARY? We are still looking for volunteers to help out in the library for? Mr. Wong and ?Mr. Whitney classes.? This is a great way for new families to get involved in school activities and help the kids. ?Any questions, contact Kate Johnson at textreviews.com or stop by in the library. ? Family Picture Day ? Appointments are still available Appointments are still available for Family Picture Day. If you are have not made your appointment as yet, we advise you to call now as we share the 3 days offered in October with 7 other schools. For further information contact our parent volunteer coordinator, Sharon Dwyer at 617 641 2342 or jsordwyer at rcn.com.? All funds generated will benefit the outdoor Cabot Community Garden which all students at Cabot will use for recreational & educational purposes. Help support this initiative & worthy cause! ? One To One PROGRAM Could your child, ages 6-11, benefit from the consistent, caring Friendship of a Newton teenager?? Newton?s one to one program has an enthusiastic new group of high school seniors from Newton north and south. If you would like the opportunity to have your child matched this academic year with a ?big brother/sister? please call Nancy Holczer, Program director at 617-559-6590? by October 20th. If they aren?t there, please leave a message on the answering machine which includes your name, address, and phone number.? You could also email the info to nancy_holczer at newton.k12.ma.us? this is a wonderful program of the Newton public schools since 1972. ? ? CLASSIFIEDS ? The Jabberwock will soon start printing Classified ads.? Classified advertising is a service and publication does not represent an endorsement by the Cabot PTO. ? Classified Items Policy We welcome items from and for all current and former parents, students, teachers and administrators (aka "the Cabot Community") for goods, services, events and other items of potential interest to the Cabot Community on a space available basis.? We reserve the exclusive right of last refusal, without explanation, for items deemed unacceptable, a judgment?made solely by the Classified editor.? The Classified editor reserves the right to classify the?category and rate table of the items placed and to edit for space.??We comply?with Newton's non-discrimination policies.??Appeals to decisions?made by the Classified editor may be brought to the Classified?Editorial committee.? Acceptance of an item in no way implies an endorsement for what is offered.? These items are not vetted.? It is up to the reader to check references and verify legitimacy.? In other words: Buyer Beware. The ad rate for all items is 20 cents per word. All ad copy and payment must be received by the submission deadline.? Please note that all ads are pre-paid. All ads must be submitted to jabbereditor at gmail.com as text-only with Classified Ad in your subject heading. Before your ad will appear, a check payable to "Cabot PTO" with a hard copy of your ad must be sent to the "Cabot Newsletter eJabberwock" mailbox located at Cabot Elementary School, 229 Cabot Street, Newtonville, MA 02460. If your ad must appear in a specific month, please indicate that month in your email and in your hard copy communication to us. If we are not able to include your ad in the month requested, we will void your check. ? What/When is the Jabberwock/ Jabberlite? The Jabberwock is Cabot School?s newsletter published by the PTO.? This year the Jabberwock will come out on the third Tuesday of every month.? The dates of publication are listed on the Cabot School calendar you received in your welcome packet and also on the calendar on the website, www.cabotpto.org. ? The Jabberlite is a quicker version of the Jabberwock.? We will be sending out the jabberlite on the first Tuesday of every month.? It will have upcoming dates and events which we want to inform you about, but won?t have as much information as the Jabberwock.? ? You will continue to receive periodic emails from the PTO regarding important timely reminders and dates in between the publications.? Remember you can check the PTO website at anytime for up-to-date information, www.cabotpto.org.? Speaking of our website, check it out!? Mie-Yun Lee, our talented webmaster, has been hard at work updating all the information for you! ? This edition was complied by the Cabot PTO. ? Mary Kathryn Fallon Cabot PTO Co-President? marykathf at aol.com Archana Vahalia Cabot PTO Co-President? auvpto at aol.com ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://cabotpto.org/pipermail/cabotcommunity_cabotpto.org/attachments/20071003/012e8294/attachment.html From marykathf at aol.com Tue Oct 9 11:29:17 2007 From: marykathf at aol.com (marykathf at aol.com) Date: Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:29:17 -0400 Subject: [CabotCommunity] Jabberlite for Tuesday October 9, 2007 Message-ID: <8C9D8A04A224AC5-870-5BA6@webmail-dd16.sysops.aol.com> Jabberlite for Tuesday October 9, 2007 This issue contains information on: School Forms need to be returned Contacting the Cabot Office School Bus Evacuation Drill Gift Wrap ? date extended to Oct. 16th PTO Meeting ? next Tuesday Oct 16th Connecting with Core Values Evening Cabot Directory ? almost ready to print! Tackling the Trade-offs? - Conversations about Newton?s future ? Calendar October 9, 2007 PTO Gift Wrap Orders Extended to October 16, 2007 October 9, 2007 School Committee Meeting, 7:30 PM October 12, 2007 All School Bus Evacuation Drill October 13, 2007 Coffee Pond Family Photo Day (rain date 10/14) October 15, 2007 METCO Parents' Council Meeting 7 - 9:00 PM 1350 Tremont Street, Roxbury October 16, 2007 PTO Coffee for all Grades & Meeting, 8:40 AM October 16, 2007 PTO Gift Wrap Orders Due - Date extended to October 16th October 16, 2007 Jabberwock Publication 2007-08 Issue #2 October 18, 2007 Planning meeting for 5th Grade activities (Grade 5 parents) 7:00 - 8:30pm October 19, 2007 Grade 2 Pedestrian Safety Training Day October 20, 2007 Coffee Pond Family Photo Day (rain date 10/21) October 22, 2007 School Committee Meeting, 7:30 PM October 23, 2007 Affinity Group 12:30 pm October 24, 2007 PTO Papa Gino's Fundraiser October 25, 2007 Early Release Day, 12:30 PM Dismissal October 25, 2007 Connecting with Core Values Evening Workshop? 6:30 - 8:30 PM October 27, 2007 Coffee Pond Family Photo Day (rain date 10/28) ? Cabot School Forms need to be returned During the second week of school every family was given information which needed to be completed & returned to school. These forms were packaged in a booklet with a checklist on the cover instructing every family which forms were required to be returned.? They included: ? Emergency Contact form (A4 yellow sheet) Connect-Ed Form Release of Student Records Form Student Conduct Agreement Allergy form Insurance information ? While it is important for the School office to have all student records complete it is imperative for them to have the first 3 forms. Every student at Cabot needs these forms to ensure that family members will be notified during an evacuation or emergency situation at Cabot. ? What do you need to do?? Check your piles of papers to find these documents, complete & return them as soon as possible. If you are unsure whether you have returned these forms please check with your child?s teacher. ? CONTACTING CABOT OFFICE We are sure you know how busy the Cabot Office is all day long, running the school while assisting the faculty and students. While assisting with any special circumstance is always accommodated, we ask you to please refrain from contacting the office for scheduling requests, such as playdates or alternative pick-up plans to relay to your child on a particular day. ? ? Most teachers use email as a means of communication if you need to inform them of something, as well as a take-home, bring back folders.? These methods are usually quicker and less disruptive than calling the office to take a message to be placed in a mailbox. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! ? ? All School Bus Evacuation Drill ? October 12, 2007 The after-school buses and van transportation has been running very smoothly.? On Friday, October 12, we will have our first all-school bus evacuation drill.? Teachers will discuss bus safety with your children prior to the drill.? We would appreciate your reinforcing bus safety, i.e., remain seated with feet on the floor, buckle up those seat belts, speak quietly so as not to disturb the bus driver, follow instructions given by the driver.? Also, ask your child what new safety tips (s)he learned during the drill. ??? As in the past, an important aspect of Cabot's Building Aide position is to ensure that your child safely boards the bus or van.? Betsy Nurczynski and Alice Cunningham will job share again this year.? Alice works on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Betsy works on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.? Each morning one of us greets the children arriving by the Newton bus, and in the afternoon we supervise the children prior to bus and van departure.? The Boston bus children are supervised by a staff member after school until the Boston bus arrives.? All children are checked in before boarding the bus or van.? ??? If your child's schedule changes for one day or more, please communicate those changes to us by either sending in a note or emailing us, whichever is easier for you.? If you have any questions, please give us a call at 617-559-9400. ???????????????????????????????????????????? -Alice Cunningham and Betsy Nurczynski, Building Aides ? Gift Wrap ? Sale Extended to October 16, 2007 We hope you got the chance to see Kate Johnson and Jo Doherty dressed up in Sally Foster gift wrap last week on the black top!? We will go to any length to inform you that the gift wrap sale is coming to an end.? If you have not yet submitted your order form, lucky you, because the gift wrap sale has been extended to next Tuesday, October 16th.? Please be sure to get all your orders in by that date!? Thanks for participating in this important fundraiser for the Cabot PTO! ? PTO Meeting & Coffee? Next Tuesday, October 16, 2007 Please join us next Tuesday morning in the Library at 8:40 ? 10:00am for the PTO meeting and Coffee.? We will discuss upcoming events, programs and a financial update.? See you there! ? Connecting with Core Values Evening October 25, 2007 6:30 ? 8:30pm Join Cabot School faculty and staff, students, and their parents/guardians for an evening of hands-on activities illuminating Cabot?s core values. Learn about Open Circle, solve problems through teamwork, and explore Cabot?s ties to the wider world. If you can volunteer a half-hour of time that evening, please email Sally Brickell at brickland6 at rcn.com ? The Cabot Directory is almost ready to print! Our Cabot Directory team, Jenny Gamson, Marya Van?t Hul, Rick Reilly and Marc Svensson are almost ready to send the directory to print!? If you have not already filled out a directory form, or checked last year?s entry in the directory for errors, please do so.? We try as hard as possible to minimize errors, but we need your help.? If you have any changes to your entry, please email Jenny at jenny at seckler.com.? Also, if you need to place an order for your directory, please complete a Dues and Volunteer Form, http://www.cabotpto.org/commun/Dues_Vol_Form.doc? to ensure you get your copy of this invaluable resource!? ? Tackling the Tradeoffs: Conversations about Newton?s Future The first ?Tackling the Tradeoffs? forum will be held on Tuesday, October 16th at 7:30 p.m. at the NewTV studios on Needham Street.? The panel for the first forum will include Paul Levy, Chair of the Blue Ribbon Commission; Phil Herr, Chair of the Newton Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee; and John Stewart, former Alderman. Brooke Lipsitt, former President of the Board of Aldermen, will serve as moderator.? These meetings are conceived as a response to two recent and important documents?the report of the Blue Ribbon Commission and Newton?s first Comprehensive Plan--and aim to engage the rest of the community in this important work. ? How will we shape our city?s future? Newton?s diverse and passionate citizenry make discussion and debate essential: what matters deserve priority in a city in which there are many priorities? What compromises are reasonable? Which are too costly?? Public input is essential to a successful conversation: Please submit questions and concerns in advance for the panelists online through the TAB?s dedicated page (see http://blogs.townonline.com/newton/?p=11122 for details).? If you prefer, you can contact Lisa Mirabile at (617) 332-5374 or Sue Flicop at (617) 232-2310.? ?Tackling the Tradeoffs: Conversations about Newton?s Future,? is a series of public forums sponsored by the League of Women Voters, the Newton Schools Foundation, Newton Council on Aging, the Newton PTO Council, the Newton TAB, and NewTV.? Mary Kathryn Fallon Cabot PTO Co-President marykathf at aol.com 617-244-1821 ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://cabotpto.org/pipermail/cabotcommunity_cabotpto.org/attachments/20071009/46f0c50c/attachment.html From auvpto at aol.com Tue Oct 16 15:04:06 2007 From: auvpto at aol.com (auvpto at aol.com) Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:04:06 -0400 Subject: [CabotCommunity] Jabberwock - October Edition Message-ID: <8C9DE3E758ABB84-5F4-1E6D@webmail-dd12.sysops.aol.com> Hello everyone, hope you enjoy this edition of Jabberwock.? There is lot of important and useful information for all of us. This newsletter will also be available as a word document on the website soon.? Thanks to Liz Lehrer for helping us put together this edition. Archana Vahalia Cabot PTO Co-President 53 Sheffield Road, Newtonville, MA 02460 617-244-1435 auvpto at aol.com ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? Respect for self and others??????????? Lifelong learning???????????????? Commitment to school and community ? Cabot School Contact Information ? Main Office: 617-559-9400???????????????????? ?????????????? ? CASP: 617-964-2749 ? Gym: 617-559-9407?????????????????????????????????? ????????????? ? Food Service: 617-559-9021 or 617-559-6315??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ? Inclusion Facilitator: 617-559-9409????? ????????????????? ? Nurse: 617-559-9404 ? Library: 617-559-9406????????? ????????????????????????????????? ? Psychologist & Social Worker: 617-559-9405 ? Call Back/Safe Arrival: 617-559-9390 Call by 8:20 a.m. to report tardiness & absences ? Cabot School website ??????www.newton.k12.ma.us/cabot/ Cabot School PTO ????????????www.cabotpto.org Newton Public Schools? ???www.newton.k12.ma.us/ ?Calendar ? October 16, 2007 PTO Coffee for all Grades & Meeting, 8:40 AM October 16, 2007 PTO Gift Wrap Orders Due - Date extended to October 16th October 16, 2007 Jabberwock Publication 2007-08 Issue #2 October 17, 2007 Family Preparedness Workshop 7:00 - 8:30pm Oak Hill Middle School Auditorium October 18, 2007 Planning meeting for 5th Grade activities (Grade 5 parents) 7:00 - 8:30pm October 19, 2007 Grade 2 Pedestrian Safety Training Day October 20, 2007 Coffee Pond Family Photo Day (rain date 10/21) October 22, 2007 Family Preparedness Workshop 7:00 - 8:30pm Pierce Elementary School Auditorium October 22, 2007 School Committee Meeting, 7:30 PM October 23, 2007 Affinity Group 12:30 pm October 25, 2007 Early Release Day, 12:30 PM Dismissal October 25, 2007 Connecting with Core Values Evening Workshop? 6:30 - 8:30 PM October 27, 2007 Coffee Pond Family Photo Day (rain date 10/28) October 30, 2007 Family Preparedness Workshop 7:00 - 8:30pm Bigelow Middle School Auditorium October 31, 2007 Wellness Day October 31, 2007 Cabot Community Park - Opening Ceremony Celebration 9:00 -9:15 am October 31, 2007 Halloween UNICEF Collection October 31, 2007 CASP Haunted House 4 - 5:30PM Gym November 1, 2007 PTO Launch "Campaign for Cabot" November 1, 2007 UNICEF Collection and PTO Rosie's Candy Drive November 2, 2007 UNICEF Collection and PTO Rosie's Candy Drive November 6, 2007 School Council Meeting 5:00 - 6:45PM November 6, 2007 Child Assault Program (CAP) at Cabot 7:30 pm November 8, 2007 Understanding our Differences Grade 5? 1:00 - 2:45 PM November 8, 2007 Family Preparedness Workshop 7:00 - 8:30pm Burr Elementary School Auditorium ? Please check the website www.cabotpto.org for an updated calendar at anytime. ? ?Marilynne?s Message For your reference, I am forwarding an invitation from our Superintendent of Schools, Jeff Young, regarding Strategic Planning. Dear Parents/Guardians, This year's entering kindergartners will become Newton's high school graduating class of 2020. What will the "real world" be like when they enter it after high school? What will they need to know and be able to do in order to become happy, productive citizens? How can public schools best educate students for a future we can only glimpse and guess at today? This year, our school community will be considering these and other questions as we undertake a strategic planning process designed to help us envision the future of education in Newton and make plans to achieve the goals we articulate. (Let me forewarn you: at the end of this letter I am going to ask you to participate in a survey.) "NPS 2020 Vision" is a broad-based exploration of greatness in public education and of what our schools in Newton should be. We want to have a shared picture of what the Year 2020 might look like and collaborate to describe the schools we need to serve that graduating class. We are not trying to create wish lists or build "Taj Mahals"; the goal here is to build widespread ownership of a shared vision. We should aim for "greatness," not "pie-in-the sky." Faculty, staff, parents, students, and community members can all have a voice in this important project. We have formed a Strategic Planning Team (see the SPT membership list below) to undertake the first phase of the planning effort, including project design and data collection. I have asked all administrators to read Thomas Friedman's "The World is Flat" to get one person's view of the global future, and I invite anyone reading this message to do the same. It certainly opened my eyes. Soon, the SPT will be identifying strategic areas of focus, which will give rise to staff/community "working groups." These teams will research best practice around the world, in the areas we have identified as most important to Newton. With the support of our consultants, Interaction Institute of Cambridge, the working groups will flesh out the big ideas and bring real-life experience to bear on the design of steps NPS must take to achieve our goals. I hope you will consider serving on one of these groups later this year. There will be three opportunities for parents and guardians to get involved during this planning process. First is the survey. Second, we welcome and need your voice in the "visioning" process, which will take place in group forums in November (details to follow). Finally, you can join one of the working groups (we will be announcing the formation of these in December). For now, we are into surveys. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by clicking on: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=LIz8I%2fLmwR5g4bm3RcVwXA%3d%3d. Access to the survey will be available between now and October 22nd. We are very interested in naming the things that make Newton special today so we can be sure to let those enduring strengths be a driving force in any future decision-making. This is what is called an "appreciative" approach to inquiry, which emphasizes building upon the system's existing and enduring strengths. We want you to tell us what works, what makes a difference for kids, what is special about Newton, what we should strive for. Your responses will be aggregated and I will report the results to you. If you have gotten this far down the page, then I hope you are intrigued enough to join with us in this 2020 Vision project. Thank you in advance for your commitment to greatness in the Newton Public Schools. Jeff Young Superintendent of Schools Strategic Planning Committee ? Please be sure to follow the progress of how Superintendent Jeff Young is approaching constructing a dialogue and approach for considering how we do schooling in Newton. This dialogue will include considerations for next year?s school budget as well as the nature of schooling in Newton into the future. Cabot parent Lisa prior is one a few select parents to be invited to serve on this committee. A complete list of community members, school administrators, and parents who make up the Strategic Planning Team can be found if you go to the Newton Public schools web site where you will get regular updates. Bookmark http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/ ? Core Values: Get connected with the 3 core values of the Cabot School. See if you can find them in this issue of the jabberwock, on the blue sheet and several locations in the school. What is the importance of core values? In schools core values shape the work the school and community are engaged in. Core values serves as the mirrors for our decisions and help inform our behavior. Each core value requires specific actions and beliefs on the part of the adults as well as children in a community. The language we use to describe learning, smartness, intelligence are all influenced by our belief that all children can learn; smart is something you get not something you are; learning is not a fixed genetic trait rather learning is malleable and can be shaped. ? Our notions of respect require a belief in inclusive diverse schools. It means that we accept that all members bring culture and diversity to the school. We believe that all children have the right to access to school and its services. We believe that our differences are as valuable as our likenesses and that when we embrace both we are a stronger connected community. We encourage a curiosity about those who are different. We allow children and adults to ask questions to get a better understanding of the experiences and perspectives of others. ? When we show a commitment to community, as adults we identify those places and time when it is best to think about All children and just not MY children. Our actions are driven by what is good for the school and not a few. When we have a commitment to school and community we hold a standard for behavior to include politeness, acceptable conduct, and respectful disagreement. We expect students to report dangerous behavior, not just physically dangerous but more importantly the emotional and socially dangerous behaviors of teasing, joking and isolating other peers. Acts of bullying are rare and children and adults use proactive skills to resolve conflict. ? When a school is organized around a deeply held set of beliefs about people and their capacities to learn and develop and contribute, the progress we can make can be immeasurable and sustainable for years to come. ? JOIN ME, THE TEACHERS AND PARENTS AS WE GET CONNECTED TO THRE CABOT SCHOOL CORE VALUES! SEE HOW YOUR CHILD AND OTHERS GET TURNED ON FOR BEING A PART OF A COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS EVERYONE?S SUCCESS! ? YOU CAN MAKE THESE VALUES REAL BY DOING YOUR PART TO UPHOLD THEM! ? THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25TH ?check the backpack for a flyer and menu for the evening! ? Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences...earlier reporting period.? Parent/Teacher conferences are upon us! During most of November parents/guardians are expected to sit with teachers to discuss your child?s progress. This year to be consistent across the city our first conference time occurs earlier. In the past Cabot teachers meet with the ?parents in late November through late December. I would welcome feedback after this first formal conference regarding your experience. Teachers are encouraged to be well prepared and share samples of student work. They should be able to identify specific goals they have for your child as they work collaboratively with you. Families that need interpreters or other advocates at these meetings, we only ask for some advanced notice if we are not already aware of any needs. ? Together we build the partnership for the success of all children. ? ?Whether your student is in elementary, middle, or secondary school, parent-teacher conferences are important. It is a chance for you to ask questions about classes or your student's progress. It is also a time for you and the teacher to work together as a team to discuss ways you both can help your son or daughter. If your school does not schedule regular conferences, you can request them. ? Getting Ready There are a couple of things you can do ahead of time that will help lay a foundation with the teacher for helping your student: ? ??? * Set up an appointment. If you are going to a meeting that was scheduled by the teacher or school, ask beforehand how much time you will have. If you need more time or an additional appointment, let the teacher know up front. If you need to initiate a meeting with the teacher, make a phone call or write a quick note to let the teacher know the purpose of the meeting. If you can't meet with teachers during school hours, then set up a time and location that is good for both you and the teacher. ? ??? * Talk to your child. Find out what he thinks are his best subjects and what subjects he likes the least. Ask why. Also, ask your student if there is anything he would like you to talk about with his teacher. Make sure your child doesn't worry about the meeting. Help him understand that you and his teacher are meeting to help him. If your student is in middle or high school, you may want to include him in the conference. ? ??? * Make a list. Before you go to the meeting, it might help to write down the list of things you want to talk about with the teacher. For example: ????????? o Questions about your student's progress ????????? o How you, the teacher, and the school can work together to help your child ????????? o Questions about the school's programs or policies ????????? o Your student's home life, personality, concerns, habits and hobbies, and other things you feel the teacher should know about that might help in working with the student (e.g., religious holidays, music lessons, part-time jobs, a sick relative) ? The Conference The questions you ask during the conference can help you express your hopes for the student's success in class and for the teacher. It's a good idea to ask the important questions first, in case time runs out. The teacher's answers should help you and the teacher work together to help your student. Following are some questions you may want to ask: ? ??? * Questions regarding your child ????????? o What subject does my child seem to like most? Least? ????????? o What can I do to help my child with subjects he finds difficult? How can I help him study? Prepare for class? Improve his work? ????????? o Is my child trying as hard as he can? ????????? o Does he participate in class discussions and activities? ????????? o Is my child in different classes or groups for different subjects? Which ones? How are the groups determined? ????????? o How well does my child get along with others? ????????? o Has my child missed classes? ????????? o Have you noticed changes in the way my child acts? For example, have you noticed squinting, tiredness, or moodiness that might be a sign of physical or other problems? ? ??? * Questions regarding the teacher's methods ????????? o How are you measuring my child's progress? Through homework assignments? Tests? Portfolios? Class participation? Projects? ????????? o What kinds of tests do you give? What do the tests show about my child's progress? How does my child handle taking tests? ????????? o How often do you usually assign homework? What types of homework assignments can I expect to see? ????????? o What can I be doing at home with my child to reinforce what you're teaching in class? ????????? o How can we work together to help my student? ? ????? You should expect the teacher to show you samples of your son's or daughter's work. The teacher should also suggest ways in which you can work together to help your student do better in school. ? ????? If a student is having problems, it's easy for parents and teachers to get upset during a meeting. To avoid this situation, focus the conversation on what can be done for your son or daughter immediately. Ask the teacher to work with you on finding a solution and developing an action plan. ? Develop an Action Plan Before you leave, you and the teacher should agree on specific plans--that you both will work on--to help your child do better. This is the most important part of the meeting. It will become your and the teacher's action plan. ? ??? * Be sure you understand what the teacher suggests. If it's not clear, ask him or her to explain. ??? * Set up a way to check on your child's progress. You and the teacher can decide how best to stay in touch, such as through phone calls, notes, or additional meetings. ??? * It's a good idea to end the conference by reviewing what you discussed and restating your action plan. This is also a good time to set up your next meeting. ? After the Conference ??? * Start on the action plan you and the teacher created. ??? * Talk about the plan with your child. Make sure your child knows that you and the teacher care. ??? * To see if the action plan is working, watch your child's behavior and check on classwork and homework. Ask how your child feels about school. ??? * Stay in touch with the teacher to discuss your child's progress. ??? * Express your appreciation to your child and the teacher as progress is made. ? In summary, meeting with your child's teachers can and should build strong parent-teacher partnerships. By participating in conferences and establishing a good relationship with teachers, you can help your child have a great school year.? ? Copyright 1996 by The National PTA? and NEA. ??????????? ? ? PTO Pen ? It is hard to believe that we have been back to school for only over a month and everyone has settled in their routine, including the kindergarteners who are settling in full day schedules.? ? We hope you got a chance to see the wonderful display of pinwheels to celebrate the World Peace Day.? Most of the students got a chance to make pinwheels with Ms. Conroy, the new art teacher. Thanks to all who participated in the 2007 Pinwheels for Peace project! It is estimated that over 1.2 MILLION pinwheels were spinning in more than 3,000 locations around the world on Sept. 21, 2007.? ? You might have noticed that the school store has moved to a more convenient new location.? It is now in the corridor leading up to the brand new Arts area in the modular classrooms.? The school store remains open through out the school year.? We are having robust sales of pencils, erasers, folders, etc. Please help your child with planning with their purchases so that if they have lot of things to buy or need more time to make selections, that they have enough time and are not late for class.? We will be increasing the time the store is open so that students do get extra time to make their purchase.? Please look for more information in future Jabbers ? The Cabot School Picture day on October 5th turned out to be a very beautiful day.? Most of the students were able to get their class and individual pictures taken in a very orderly fashion.? It was only possible because of the help from so many parents that came to help with this event. The make up date is this Friday, October 19th.? Thanks to all the volunteers who helped in making this day run so smoothly!! ? Parents will go to any length to help Cabot?s cause.? One great example ? Kate Johnson.? You must have seen Kate Johnson encouraging families to participate in Cabot?s annual Sally Foster Gift Wrap fundraiser.? She wore a wrapped gift box and greeted parents to promote the sales.? She has also wrapped several gift boxes and displayed them at various places on the school fence.? We hope you had a chance to participate in this worthy effort. ? As you are aware, we are making every effort to encourage walking or taking bus to school to alleviate the problem of parking around the school. It was so nice to see many more walkers to the school on the International Walk to School Day on October 3rd.? We are fortunate to have the support of Massachusetts Safe Routes to Schools to help us in our efforts.? ? On October 31st, the whole school will be celebrating being safe and healthy on Halloween day.? Kids are encouraged to wear autumn colored clothes ? NO MASKS and NO COSTUMES, please.? We will also be having a very special grand opening ceremony of the Cabot Community Park that morning.? Thanks to Margaret Wazuka and Chris Kjellson for planning this wonderful event. ? Cabot is a better place for our children because of tireless dedication and effort of the parent community and the staff.? There is so much going on and so many people involved to make all these things run smoothly.? It is always inspiring to us to see the dedicated efforts of so many volunteers. Thanks to all the chairs of various committees that were able to attend the kick off meeting on October 2nd all those who are constantly working to raise funds, bring new activities to school or help the school in so many different ways. ? Finally, we hope you were able to join us at PTO meeting this morning!? We had a good turn out of about 15 people, many new parents have started to join these meeting, which is very encouraging.?We discussed many of the issues facing our school this year and upcoming events. Please join us for the next meeting on November 13th, in the library. ?As always, minutes of the PTO meeting will be posted on the website shortly. ? Mary Kathryn Fallon????????????????????????????? Archana Vahalia PTO co-President????????????????????????????? PTO co-President ? ?Upcoming Events at cabot ? Pedestrian Safety Training for Grade 2 - Friday October 19, 2007 The Massachusetts Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) program and WalkBoston will be providing Cabot School with a Pedestrian Safety Training for students in the 2nd grade on Friday October 19, 2007. This program is committed to preparing children to be safety smart wherever they are walking, including when they are accompanied by an adult.? The training will take place during the Physical Education block, outdoors on the streets near the school.? We will be working in small groups ? one adult for every two ? three students for maximum safety and individual attention to children. Children and adults will wear safety vests to increase visibility to motorists.? The safety training will be supervised by expert staff from WalkBoston ? with assistance from trained teachers and parent volunteers. ? We are looking for 2nd grade parents to volunteer for this event.? So if you can join from 9:30 to 12:50, please contact Jennifer Borhegyi at?jborhegyi at alum.wpi.edu? or 617-558-1219. ? Connecting with Core Values -? October 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m Join Cabot School faculty and staff, students, and their parents/guardians for an evening of hands-on activities illuminating Cabot?s core values. Learn about Open Circle, solve problems through teamwork, and explore Cabot?s ties to the wider world. If you can volunteer a half-hour of time that evening, please email Sally Brickell at brickland6 at rcn.com. ? Eeeks???If it's October 31st it must be... WELLNESS DAY!!! We are pleased to announce the 4th Annual Cabot School Wellness Day, on Wednesday, October 31. It's a wonderful way to expend some of that "special day" energy, have a spooky amount of fun, and learn about some wellness issues too. ? Activity/learning stations will be set up around Cabot Field (weather permitting) and the kids and their buddies will all get a chance to try everything. Some activities already planned are: Yoga with Prana Power Yoga, Halloween Safety with Officer Marini, Karate with Steve Giroux from Giroux Martial Arts, The Cabot Community Park (aka "outdoor classroom") presentation, "Know Your Buddies" with Mrs. Pollock, and MORE! ? We are looking for approximately 20 volunteers to help that morning. We are also looking for any dentists/dental professionals, doctors, fitness folks (e.g. Step aerobics, Pilates, dance professionals, nutrition experts, or especially interested in wellness education). Even if you can't help on that day, your input and ideas would be very valuable. ? Karen Kerrigan, RN, our school nurse is looking for an interested parent in the medical field: pediatrician, dentist or? nurse, that would like to help her present a health/medical? topic? to the students? on wellness day, Oct 31.? Please stop by her office or call her at 617- 559-9404. ? To help or ask any questions, please contact Daphne Potter, dfpotter at rcn.com, 617-795-0540, Suzanne Sagan, suzanne.sagan at ssa.gov, 617-965-6417, or Dana Bennett, Wellness guru extraordinaire and P.E. teacher,Dana_Bennett at newton.k12.ma.us. ? Directory Update Final edits on the 2007-2008 Cabot PTO Directory are underway and printing should be done by the end of October.? If you haven't already checked your entry for accuracy, please do so!? Any changes/edits can be emailed to Jenny Gamson at jenny at seckler.com.? Note that we only order a limited number of extra Directories each year, so if you haven't paid your PTO dues (which entitles you to one copy of the Directory) you should act quickly.? If you would like to order additional copies ($7) or if you need a PTO dues form, please contact one of the PTO co-chairs, Mary Kathryn Fallon or Archana Vahalia.? Don't miss out on this valuable Cabot School resource! ? ? CABOT BROADCAST ? ? Jabberwock ? Student Submissions! We are initiating a new and exciting part of the Jabberwock.? We invite Cabot students to submit original poems, haikus or short paragraphs with a focus on Cabot?s core values, which are: ? ???? * Lifelong learning ???? * Respect for self and others ???? * Commitment to school and community ? Each month the students and faculty are focusing on a word that relates to the core values. The words so far this year have been: ???? September ? Routines ???? October ? Advocacy ? Students may use these words to inspire a poem, haiku or short story to be published in the Jabberwock.? Students may work alone, as part of a group, with their family or as a class.? This is a completely voluntary effort.? All submissions should be sent to jabbereditor at gmail.com to be considered for inclusion in the Jabberwock.? Submissions received by November 13, 2007, will be considered for inclusion in the November issue.? We will continue to add more words as the year progresses and would like to make student work part of the monthly publication. We look forward to reading all your wonderful stories and ideas!? ? Program Enrichment Grants Are Available!!! Money is available from the PTO for Program Enrichment grants to enhance our Cabot students? experience.? Last year Program Enrichment funds were used for a variety of projects including:? circus equipment, instructional tools and supplies, educational posters, laptop microphones and many other new resources for the children at Cabot School.? Teachers, staff and parents are invited to apply.?? The application is a simple, one page form. Application forms are available in the main office, and on-line at the PTO web site.?? ? Applications are due NOVEMBER 9th!! Get your requests in early! ? Completed applications can be e-mailed to Amit Nisenbaum at nisenbaum.amit at gmail.com or dropped in the PTO Program Enrichment mailbox.? Grants will be awarded in late November.? If you have any questions, please feel free to email any or all of us: Cindy Callaway at CallawayC at dnb.com, Amit Nisenbaum at Nisenbaum.amit at gmail.com, or Heather Mehra at mehra217 at comcast.net? ? Instrumental and Vocal Music Lessons for Fifth Graders The Fine Arts Dept. of Newton Public Schools offers students the opportunity for private instrumental and vocal music lesson study for students in grades 5 - 12 through the Music Lesson Extension Program.? If your 5th grader is interested in the program, please stop into the office and pick up additional information. ? Parent Advisory Council for Special Education Meeting and Handout Available Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education had its first meeting on October 3rd. The DOE Audit was summarized by Stephanie Powers, Interim Co-Director for Pupil Services. Parent and PAC concerns and suggestions were discussed at the meeting. The hand out from this meeting will be in the binder in the office labeled ?PAC?. The next PAC meeting will be held Thursday, November 15. Stephanie Powers and Mozelle Berkowitz will present a summary of Newton?s services for students with special needs. All meetings are in Room 210 at the Education Center, 100 Walnut Street, Newton at 7:30 pm. ? The October Menu has changed! Please note that the Early Release Day in October is Thursday Oct. 25, NOT Thursday Oct. 18. On October 18th we will be offering a Hot Dog and Veggie Wrap. ? Wellness Policy update This year we will fully implement the Wellness Policy adopted by the School Committee in May of 2006. Over the past school year students have seen the elimination of sugared and carbonated soft drinks and move towards baked products in our snack bars. As we start this school year the student will be offered a variety of whole wheat and whole grain products, as well as organic apples. I am also pleased to announce that we are taking steps to eliminate trans fats in our menus. To do this we are reviewing all of our products and seeking out manufacturers that carry items containing 0 trans fat.? Students can already reap the benefits of 0 trans fat through our current menu options; for example chicken nuggets, patties and fries. One of the areas we are going to explore is seeking out a pizza that is whole grain and contains 0 trans fat. To help us in the effort we have hired an executive chef that will concentrate on nutrition, food quality, and presentation. One of the first tasks for the executive chef will be to standardize our recipes so that we can give you information about the nutritional content of our menus which will be available on our website. ? Tackling the Tradeoffs: Conversations about Newton?s Future ? The first ?Tackling the Tradeoffs? forum will be held on Tuesday, October 16th at 7:30 p.m. at the NewTV studios on Needham Street.? The panel for the first forum will include Paul Levy, Chair of the Blue Ribbon Commission; Phil Herr, Chair of the Newton Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee; and John Stewart, former Alderman. Brooke Lipsitt, former President of the Board of Aldermen, will serve as moderator.? These meetings are conceived as a response to two recent and important documents--the report of the Blue Ribbon Commission and Newton?s first Comprehensive Plan--and aim to engage the rest of the community in this important work. ? How will we shape our city?s future? Newton?s diverse and passionate citizenry make discussion and debate essential: what matters deserve priority in a city in which there are many priorities? What compromises are reasonable? Which are too costly?? Public input is essential to a successful conversation: Please submit questions and concerns in advance for the panelists online through the TAB?s dedicated page (see http://blogs.townonline.com/newton/?p=11122 for details).? If you prefer, you can contact Lisa Mirabile at (617) 332-5374 or Sue Flicop at (617) 232-2310.? ?Tackling the Tradeoffs: Conversations about Newton?s Future,??is a series of public forums sponsored by the League of Women Voters, the Newton Schools Foundation, Newton Council on Aging, the Newton PTO Council, the Newton TAB, and NewTV.? ? FUNDRAISING ? Box Tops for Education We are doing great collecting Box Tops this year!? At this point last year, we had collected 1280 Box Tops.? This year we?ve collected 2310!!!? Keep bringing them in!!! ? And this time last year 20 people had signed up to shop at Box Tops Marketplace. This year 31 more people have.? That?s a good start, and I think that there are more on-line shoppers than 51 in the Cabot Community, so please remember to start your shopping at: http://cabotpto.org/shop/index.html ? If you have any questions, feel free to contact me:? Isabelle Thacker, isabelle at thackers.net, 617/795-2332 ? FIFTH GRADE ACTIVITIES ? Calling All Fifth Grade Parents! Please join us this Thursday, October 18, from 7-8:30pm, to discuss plans for our children's final year at Cabot.? We would like to share information about some traditional 5th grade events, discuss some new ideas that are percolating, and get input from you about creative, meaningful and fun projects for the year ahead.? From social action, to the transition ceremony, to "Class of 2007" t-shirts, there will be a place for everyone to share their talents and help make special memories for our children. Child care, limited to a movie and quiet games in a classroom, will be available. Join us! ~? Karen Clay, Alice Cunningham, Andrea Plotkin and Kim Spencer ? ?Funtastic Fridays? for all Newton 5th graders Oct 19th:? A great way to meet kids from the ?feeder? elementary schools, as our 5th graders get ready to move up to Bigelow.? Here are the monthly dates for the rest of the year to put into your calendars: 10/19, 11/16, 12/14, 1/4, 2/1, 3/7, 4/4, 5/2, 6/13.? All are 7-9 pm. at the Hyde Community Center 90 Lincoln Street. $6 admission for Music, games and more. Snacks and drinks available for purchase. Sign up for a ?Fast Pass? card to speed entry by emailing your name, phone number and school to fevercoach at aol.com.? Sponsored in part by Parks and Rec. Questions? Call Judy Dore: 617-796-1525. ? ? School Council ? ? About the Cabot School Council The Cabot School Council assists and consults to the Principal in establishing education goals for the school within the parameters laid out by the Superintendent, identifying educational needs for our students, reviewing and providing input to Cabot?s annual budget and assisting with the development of the annual school-improvement plan. Comprised of parents, teachers, community members and school administrators, the Council is a state-mandated venue for site-based decision-making. We hope that you find these pages useful in understanding the important role that the Council plays in our schools governance, and identifying ways to become involved. ? Want to learn more about the Council? Visit the Cabot School web page: www.newton.k12.ma.us/cabot/cabot_school_council/cabot_school_council.htm ? Part of our role is to represent our community and we can only do that if we know your concerns.? If you have questions or ideas specifically about the plan for academics and needs, the annual budget, or school improvement plan please reach out to a council member.? We are in the process of creating a email box for our community for submitting questions, and we are going to post pictures of the council members on our website so you will know who we all are.? School Council Members: Dr. Marilynne Quarcoo, Carly Johanson, Marty Magid, Virginia Dean, Liz Haas, Leslie Roberts, Jim Robertson, Jay Schwartz, Heidi Lucas, Mary Kathryn Fallon, Archana Vahalia, ? SOCIAL ACTION ? Help UNICEF at Halloween Halloween is approaching and with it comes our annual UNICEF fundraiser.? Each year, the children at Cabot School are asked to collect money for UNICEF while out trick-or-treating. Please look for collection boxes and more information about the collection process in your childs backpack soon. ? Candy Drive for Pine Street Inn November 1, 2 Each year after Halloween, members of Cabot's Social Action Committee collect candy to be donated to The Pine Street Inn, a homeless shelter in Boston. The Pine Street Inn freezes the candy and hands it out throughout the year at special occasions such as residents' birthdays and holidays. If you would like to donate, please bring in candy on November 1 and 2 to the main lobby. ? COMMUNITY PARK ? Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony The Cabot PTO is proud to host a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Cabot Community Garden, on Wednesday, October 31st from 9:00 - 9:15 am.? This will be a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the many dedicated folks who helped bring the Community Park to "life".? Many members of the Newton community have been invited, and parents are welcome to attend.? Chris Kjellson (chrisk729 at yahoo.com) ? FROM THE NURSE ? Request for Hand Sanitizer Bottle donations and free flu shots for Newton residents 50 and older The Newton Health and Human Services Department will be offering free flu shots on Wednesday, November 14, 2007, from 10 am- 2pm at the American Legion Post 440, 295 California Street, Newton. For Newton residents aged 50 and older, or those with a chronic illness. Bring your medicare or insurance card if you have one.? Wheelchair accessible. Call 617-796-1426 for more info... ? Once again, I am asking for donations of hand sanitizers ( example:Purell), 8 oz. size is good,? that I will keep in the health office and distribute to classrooms as needed. Thank you.......? Karen Kerrigan, RN ? CASP ? Haunted House, Improved Website, Art Show, and Special Thanks Are you looking to reconnect with a movie star from the past?? Well wait no longer as CASP is about to draw you in with this years haunted house theme.? You are invited to come to "Haunted Hollywood" on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 from 4:00-5:30 P.M. in the Cabot Gym.?? Once inside you will encounter stars from Hollywood's Golden ERA!? Donations are accepted at the door to benefit the fifth grade end of year trip or activity.? Lights will be left on for our pre-school and kindergarten visitors who should plan to arrive at 4 P.M.? Refreshments will be available for purchase in the lobby after your tour. ? If you want to know what's going on at CASP please look at our new and improved website for information.? You can reach the site directly by going to www.cabotafterschool.org or logging into the Cabot School and link up to the site by clicking on the fish tile. ? Save the date for our second annual art show to be held on Friday, February 7, 2008 from 7-9 P.M. at the New Art Center, 61 Washington Park in Newtonville.? This year the event will be considered one of several fund raising opportunities to increase our level of scholarship giving. ? Special thanks to Stephanie Zelman, CASP parent for the time she spent working on our behalf.? Last spring Stephanie offered to design the layout for the CASP brochure, letter head, envelopes and business cards using our new logo designed by Cheryl Lubin and her daughter Annie. ? COMMUNITY NEWS ? Halloween Party Halloween Party at Hyde Community Center on Sunday, October 28.? There will be games, crafts, goodies and a haunted house.? Children?s party (ages 0-8) is from 5-6pm.?? Join us in costume from 6-6:30pm for the Parade of the Horribles.? The Haunted House will open at 6:30 until 8pm (recommend for age 8-11).? Please bring a tasty treat to share. Debate Between Ward 5 Alderman Candidates The Windsor Club, 1601 Beacon Street, Waban, is sponsoring a debate between the Ward 5 Alderman candidates, Christine Snow Samuelson and Bill Brandel. The debate will be moderated by Gail Spector, editor of the TAB, on Tuesday, October 23 at 7:30pm. All residents of Ward 5 are invited. ? Newton Learn To Skate ? The Perfect Program For Kids Who?ve Never Been On The Ice Welcome to a great program for all kids to learn the basics of ice-skating.? Why limit winter fun to sledding? Any child from 4 to 10 is welcome, no skating experience necessary. And if your son or daughter has been on the ice a few times, there is also an Advanced Learn To Skate program as well.? It?s all run by Newton Youth Hockey and meets Saturdays at noon for beginners, and at 1 for more advanced skaters. Program starts Saturday, November 10th. Go to www.newtonyouthhockey.com ? and click on Learn To Skate to find out more and how to sign up. Or contact the director of Learn to Skate, Bob Daly at learntoskate at newtonyouthhockey.com. If you need equipment, the Open House and Used Equipment Sale is on Saturday, 11/3 from 10am to noon at the Fessenden Ice Rink. ? Welcome To A Fun, Non-Competitive Introduction To Ice Hockey The Newton Youth Hockey Intramural Program exposes kids to hockey in a fun, non-competitive learning environment. For any boy or girl up to age 10 with basic skating ability, they?ll learn basic hockey skills that they can then try out in half and cross-ice games. The program meets on Saturday mornings (no, not the crack of dawn) for skills, and Sunday afternoons for games, all starting on November 10th.? To find out more, including how to sign up, visit www.newtonyouthhockey.com . Or if you have specific questions, email the Intramural Program Director, Drew McAuliffe at IntramuralVP at NewtonYouthHockey.com. If you need equipment, the Open House and Used Equipment Sale is on Saturday, 11/3 from 10am to noon at the Fessenden Ice Rink. ? Third Annual Angier Fall Festival on Saturday, October 20, 11am ? 3pm (rain or shine) Angier School?s Festival has everything for the season? a bouncy wizard?s castle, games with lots of pumpkins, scarecrows and some ghouls too, delicious food, face painting, fake tattoos, caramel apple making, donuts on a string, surprise grams an obstacle course, lots of prizes to win, pretend casts and more!? Also don?t miss the cakewalk and the opportunity to win a beautiful cake. Dance and have fun with the music and entertainment provided by Siagel Productions with special events throughout the day.? All are welcome!? 1697 Beacon St., Waban, MA.? All proceeds go to the school's PTO. ? Benefit Performance by Lucia Lin from the Boston Symphony Orchestra Lucia Lin, the world renowned violin soloist and Boston Symphony Orchestra member, is coming to Newton as a featured performer in a chamber music recital Sunday November 4th at 3 pm at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 11 Homer Street in Newton Centre.? The performance has been slightly shortened to appeal to a young audience.? The program features the Brahms Sonata in G, Op. 78 for violin and piano with pianist Sergey Schepkin; the Martinu Duo no. 1 for violin and cello with BSO colleague, cellist Owen Young; and the Beethoven Piano Trio in B-flat, opus 97 known as the "Archduke", featuring all three of these prominent musicians.? A reception will follow to allow the audience to meet the musicians.? Tickets: $10 for students/seniors, $20 for adults, $35 for patrons with proceeds benefitting a music scholarship fund.? For tickets call the Suzuki School of Newton at 617-964-4522.? Handicap accessible. ? Volleyball---Calling all Moms and other women over 18 The Newton Women?s Twilight League, sponsored by Parks and Rec, is recruiting players and teams 18 and over.? League play starts November 5th.? Come to a free clinic Monday Oct 22 and 29, 7-9pm at the Jewish Community Center on Nahanton Street, Newton Centre.? Featuring clinician Richard Barton, the 2006 Massachusetts Coaches Hall of fame Inductee. Info: Judy Dore or Judith Slamin at 617-796-1500 ? Big Brother/Sister: Could your child, age 6-11, benefit from the consistent, caring friendship of a Newton Teenager?? Newton?s one-to-one program has an enthusiastic new group of high school seniors from Newton North and South.? If you would like to have your child matched this academic year with a ?Big Brother/Sister?, please call Program Director Nancy Holczer at 617-559-6590 by October 20th.? Leave a message with your name and contact information.? Optionally, email your contact information to Nancy_Holczer at Newton.k12.ma.us. A project of the Newton Schools since 1972. ? Registration is now open for the NAA Basketball League 2007-2008 season The NAA (Newton Athletic Association) has leagues for Grades 3-9. The season runs from mid-November through March. Players of all skill levels are welcome and the emphasis is on having fun, learning to play basketball, and being part of a team. Teams have one game and one practice per week through most of the season.? This year all registrations will be on-line at the NAA web site: http://www.naabasketball.org/.? Registration is open through October 15.? Additional information is available for players and coaches at the web site. ? KIDS' KARATE. Free Trial Class Friday, November 2, 4:45-5:45, or Saturday, November 3, 10:00-11:00 a.m. For girls and boys. Entry ages -- first through fifth grades. $79 per 7-Week Session. No uniforms are worn for 7-Week Beginners Session (first 7-Week Session). Beautiful rental space at Trinity High School, Newton. (Formerly at Newton YMCA, 1982-2002.) For more information, please leave message for Rich Jacobs, KIDS' KARATE Director, (617) 527-8052. Also, please see www.kids-karate.org ? After school program at the Oak Square YMCA Oak Square YMCA, 615 Washington Street, Brighton, has been serving Newton families for years and has a few openings left.? This very affordable 5-day program costs just $98/week.? Fewer days are an option.? Homework help, arts and crafts, sports, healthy snacks and lots of social interaction.? A diverse environment optimizes personal growth.? Licensed through the Dept of Early Education and Care.? Scholarships available. Contact Program Director Steve Pecci 617-787-8675. www.ymcaboston.org.? ? Eliot Church Fall Fair: October 20, 9am - 3pm.? Huge Flea Market, Live music with dancing, Children's Games, Food.? 474 Centre Street, Newton Corner. ? WARNING from the NAA: An organization identifying itself as the NAA is soliciting funds in Newton, primarily by phone.? This organization is NOT affiliated with NAA basketball.? NAA basketball has never solicited by phone and has no plans to do so.? The legitimate NAA only asks for donations during its registration process. ? TEEN DATING ? KEEPING IT SAFE Tuesday, November 13 - 7:30-9:00 PM at the Newton South High School Auditorium Featuring:?? Kim Coney, Newton Police Department, Katie Doyle, Newton Police Department, Nancy Beardall, NNHS MVP Coordinator, and Jo Patterson, REACH Beyond Domestic Violence ?????????????????????? Does your child date?? Can you recognize the signs of an unhealthy relationship?? Are you concerned about peer pressure in social situations?? Do you know what to do if your child is in an abusive relationship?? ? ?If these questions are of concern, this evening is for you!? Learn how to spot an unhealthy relationship and what to do about it.? Find out how to empower your children, and how to help them physically, mentally, socially and legally should they find themselves in a bad relationship. ? ?Dating violence can happen to anyone - knowledge can help prevent it! ? ?The Teen Link Campaign (TLC) is a collaborative effort among all organizations in Newton to bring students, parents, schools and community members together to encourage open, honest conversations and actions that will help all teens succeed in school and in life.? The Newton North and Newton South PTSOs are active members of TLC. ? Stop Bullying Now! Wednesday, November 7 , 6:30-8 pm. NPS Education Center, Room 210, 100 Walnut St., Newtonville. Let?s Stop Bullying Now! Anti-Bullying Program for Parents. Everything you wanted to know about bullying and teasing ?and more! ? What is the difference between bullying and teasing? ? What is an active bystander? ? What to do about cyber bullying? ? What can you do to help your child? ? Work with your child?s school ? Learn the same language ? Get involved! A comprehensive anti-bullying program designed by the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARC) at Bridgewater State College.? Sponsored by the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology and Project INTERFACE. ? TACKLING THE TRADEOFFS: A Forum on Newton?s Future How should we set priorities in Newton? What can we afford? What are our values?? Join panelists Paul Levy, Phil Herr and John Stewart with moderator Brooke Lipsitt for a discussion on Tuesday, October 16, 2007, 7:30 p.m. at NewTV Studios.? Seating is on a first come basis.? Submit your concern or question in advance by posting to the TAB blog at:? http://blogs.townonline.com/newton/?p=11122. ? ? CLASSIFIEDS ? COMPUTER QUESTIONS OR ISSUES?? WANT YOUR OWN WEBSITE? Experienced, enthusiastic, and patient computer consultant is available to help you.? Want to get your computer questions answered, your wireless network installed, or your website up and running?? No matter what computer issues are bugging you, I will work hard to help you fix them.? Fees are $50 per hour. Contact Liz Lehrer at LizLehrer at gmail.com or (617) 599-2595. Check out a website I built and maintain for Codman Community Farms at www.codmanfarm.org. ? KEYS FOR KIDS PIANO LESSONS Small groups organized by age (4-11).? Outstanding methodology.? Experienced, certified instructor.? Proven success.? Keys for Kids goes beyond ordinary piano lessons: it teaches well-rounded musicianship.? Free sample lesson. Contact Marina Gorny: MDGorny at comcast.net or (617) 527-4942 www.NewtonKidsLoveMusic.com ? Classified Items Policy We welcome items from and for all current and former parents, students, teachers and administrators (aka "the Cabot Community") for goods, services, events and other items of potential interest to the Cabot Community on a space available basis.? We reserve the exclusive right of last refusal, without explanation, for items deemed unacceptable, a judgment made solely by the Classified editor.? The Classified editor reserves the right to classify the category and rate table of the items placed and to edit for space.? We comply with Newton's non-discrimination policies.? Appeals to decisions made by the Classified editor may be brought to the Classified Editorial committee.? Acceptance of an item in no way implies an endorsement for what is offered.? These items are not vetted.? It is up to the reader to check references and verify legitimacy.? In other words: Buyer Beware. ? The ad rate for all items is 20 cents per word. All ad copy and payment must be received by the submission deadline.? Please note that all ads are pre-paid. ? All ads must be submitted to jabbereditor at gmail.com as text-only with Classified Ad in your subject heading. Before your ad will appear, a check payable to "Cabot PTO" with a hard copy of your ad must be sent to the "Cabot Newsletter eJabberwock" mailbox located at Cabot Elementary School, 229 Cabot Street, Newtonville, MA 02460. If your ad must appear in a specific month, please indicate that month in your email and in your hard copy communication to us. ?If we are not able to include your ad in the month requested, we will void your check. ? ? ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://cabotpto.org/pipermail/cabotcommunity_cabotpto.org/attachments/20071016/c79e17be/attachment.html From auvpto at aol.com Wed Oct 17 21:54:19 2007 From: auvpto at aol.com (auvpto at aol.com) Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2007 21:54:19 -0400 Subject: [CabotCommunity] New Link to Superintendent's Survey In-Reply-To: <8C9DF3FFE427697-6BC-188F@FWM-D10.sysops.aol.com> References: <018201c80ff0$a7a25320$6a01a8c0@HIBBERT> <8829205F-E257-41AC-8533-6F0607EC455B@comcast.net> <8C9DF3D195E7534-6BC-17A0@FWM-D10.sysops.aol.com> <8C9DF3FFE427697-6BC-188F@FWM-D10.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <8C9DF40EE4B4370-6BC-18EE@FWM-D10.sysops.aol.com> Dear parents, the link that we sent to you yesterday in Jabberwock did not seem to work.? I believe this one will work. ? http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=LIz8I%2fLmwR5g4bm3RcVwXA%3d%3d? ? ?Please let us know if you have any problems accessing the survey through this link. Also, we have received many requests to unsubscribe from the distribution list to Cabot news.? We are working on those requests.? Please take a moment to unsubscribe using the same email address that you had used to subscribe to Cabot news. http://cabotpto.org/mailman/listinfo/cabotcommunity_cabotpto.org Cabot School PTO - 229 Cabot Street - Newtonville, Massachusetts 02460 Archana Vahalia Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://cabotpto.org/pipermail/cabotcommunity_cabotpto.org/attachments/20071017/7058e68c/attachment.html From marykathf at aol.com Fri Oct 19 21:59:13 2007 From: marykathf at aol.com (marykathf at aol.com) Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2007 21:59:13 -0400 Subject: [CabotCommunity] Change in School Store Hours - 8:00 - 8:20 each Tuesday Message-ID: <8C9E0D3F2D58670-674-4851@MBLK-M39.sysops.aol.com> Change in?School Store Hours Now Open 8:00 am ? 8:20 am Every Tuesday ? Robust sales at the school store, particularly since we moved to our new location in the lobby of the fine arts wing, require that we make some changes in order to ensure the safety of our shoppers.? Beginning October 23, the school store will open at 8:00am and close at 8:20am when school starts.? Children will be allowed into the building to visit the store, but will be expected to return to the black top after they?ve made their purchases.? To reduce congestion and give everyone an opportunity to redeem their birthday certificates, we ask that parents help their children limit the amount of money they bring to spend each week.? Children grow impatient when others take too long in front of the limited counter space, which can lead to pushing and shoving. ? Thanks for your cooperation.? The store is open every Tuesday and the proceeds support 5th grade activities such as their yearbook, t-shirts and community service project.? ? Contact:? Karen Lumino, 617-630-5073 or family at swain.name ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://cabotpto.org/pipermail/cabotcommunity_cabotpto.org/attachments/20071019/3bbacd37/attachment.html From marykathf at aol.com Mon Oct 22 18:09:51 2007 From: marykathf at aol.com (marykathf at aol.com) Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:09:51 -0400 Subject: [CabotCommunity] 3 pieces of information for you.... In-Reply-To: <8C9E3065D8E28BA-780-FA7@MBLK-M30.sysops.aol.com> References: <8C9E3065D8E28BA-780-FA7@MBLK-M30.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <8C9E30F67181C57-CBC-3F0F@webmail-dd07.sysops.aol.com> Please read below. ?We would like to inform you of:? ????? Change in School Store Hours, ????? This Thursday's Workshop,?Connecting with Core Values and ????? we are asking for Volunteers for Wellness Day! Change in?School Store Hours - Now Open 8:00 am ? 8:20 am Every Tuesday Robust sales at the school store, particularly since we moved to our new location in the lobby of the fine arts wing, require that we make some changes in order to ensure the safety of our shoppers.? Beginning October 23, the school store will open at 8:00am and close at 8:20am when school starts.? Children will be allowed into the building to visit the store, but will be expected to return to the black top after they?ve made their purchases.? To reduce congestion and give everyone an opportunity to redeem their birthday certificates, we ask that parents help their children limit the amount of money they bring to spend each week.? Children grow impatient when others take too long in front of the limited counter space, which can lead to pushing and shoving. ? Thanks for your cooperation.? The store is open every Tuesday and the proceeds support 5th grade activities such as their yearbook, t-shirts and community service project.? ? Contact:? Karen Lumino, 617-630-5073 or family at swain.name Connecting with Core Values -? October 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m Join Cabot School faculty and staff, students, and their parents/guardians for an evening of hands-on activities illuminating Cabot?s core values. Learn about Open Circle, solve problems through teamwork, and explore Cabot?s ties to the wider world. If you can volunteer a half-hour of time that evening, please email Sally Brickell at brickland6 at rcn.com.? Please bring along a bar of soap to donate to?Newton's?sister?city, San Juan del Sur. ? Eeeks?If it's October 31st it must be... WELLNESS DAY!!! We Need Volunteers!! We are pleased to announce the 4th Annual Cabot School Wellness Day, on Wednesday, October 31. It's a wonderful way to expend some of that "special day" energy, have a spooky amount of fun, and learn about some wellness issues too. ? Activity/learning stations will be set up around Cabot Field (weather permitting) and the kids and their buddies will all get a chance to try everything. Some activities already planned are: Yoga with Prana Power Yoga, Halloween Safety with Officer Marini, Karate with Steve Giroux from Giroux Martial Arts, The Cabot Community Park (aka "outdoor classroom") presentation, "Know Your Buddies" with Mrs. Pollock, and MORE! ? We are looking for approximately 20 volunteers to help that morning. We are also looking for any dentists/dental professionals, doctors, fitness folks (e.g. Step aerobics, Pilates, dance professionals, nutrition experts, or especially interested in wellness education). Even if you can't help on that day, your input and ideas would be very valuable. ? To help or ask any questions, please contact Daphne Potter, dfpotter at rcn.com, 617-795-0540, Suzanne Sagan, suzanne.sagan at ssa.gov, 617-965-6417, or Dana Bennett, Wellness guru extraordinaire and P.E. teacher,Dana_Bennett at newton.k12.ma.us. Mary Kathryn Fallon Cabot PTO Co-President marykathf at aol.com 617-244-1821 Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://cabotpto.org/pipermail/cabotcommunity_cabotpto.org/attachments/20071022/a7b51d1d/attachment.html From auvpto at aol.com Wed Oct 24 21:17:56 2007 From: auvpto at aol.com (auvpto at aol.com) Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:17:56 -0400 Subject: [CabotCommunity] Reminder to particiapte in Superintendent's Survey In-Reply-To: <8C9E4BA30DA18BA-F24-8A0E@WEBMAIL-DC13.sysops.aol.com> References: <018201c80ff0$a7a25320$6a01a8c0@HIBBERT> <8829205F-E257-41AC-8533-6F0607EC455B@comcast.net> <8C9DF3D195E7534-6BC-17A0@FWM-D10.sysops.aol.com> <8C9DF3FFE427697-6BC-188F@FWM-D10.sysops.aol.com> <8C9DF40EE4B4370-6BC-18EE@FWM-D10.sysops.aol.com> <8C9E4BA30DA18BA-F24-8A0E@WEBMAIL-DC13.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <8C9E4BC02266650-F24-8AD4@WEBMAIL-DC13.sysops.aol.com> Dear parents,? we all can make contribution towards future of education in Newton schools by participating in the Superintendent's survey.? For your convenience, it is open till midnight on October 25th.? Please make your voices heard and participate in this important effort by following the link: ? http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=LIz8I%2fLmwR5g4bm3RcVwXA%3d%3d? ? ?Please let us know if you have any problems accessing the survey through this link. Archana Vahalia Cabot PTO Co-President 53 Sheffield Road, Newtonville, MA 02460 617-244-1435 auvpto at aol.com ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://cabotpto.org/pipermail/cabotcommunity_cabotpto.org/attachments/20071024/513ca592/attachment.html From marykathf at aol.com Wed Oct 24 21:35:20 2007 From: marykathf at aol.com (marykathf at aol.com) Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:35:20 -0400 Subject: [CabotCommunity] Fwd: New information regarding the long term facilities of Newton's Schools In-Reply-To: <8C9E4BE10BA9572-600-1768@Webmail-mg02.sysops.aol.com> References: <8C9E4BA236BE010-9B0-1B75@MBLK-M22.sysops.aol.com> <8C9E4BAACA10419-3EC-1738@MBLK-M40.sysops.aol.com> <8C9E4BE10BA9572-600-1768@Webmail-mg02.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <8C9E4BE70AD4A56-600-178B@Webmail-mg02.sysops.aol.com> ? To:? ??????????????? Members of the Cabot Community ? From:? ?????????? Sarah Ecker and Isabelle Thacker ???????????? Co-Chairs, Cabot PTO Political Issues Committee ? Date:??????????????? October 24, 2007 ? We would like to inform you of some new information regarding the Long Range Facilities Plan for Newton?s Schools. As you may be aware, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has asked Newton to name a top priority school from among the list of three schools (Angier, Cabot and Zervas) identified by Newton earlier this year.? On Monday night (October 22, 2007), the School Committee? discussed this matter and is likely to identify Angier School as Newton?s top priority for state funding for renovation or new construction.? The School Committee will vote on this matter at its next meeting, Tuesday, November 13, 2007.? ? >From the School Committee?s discussion, it is clear that Angier and Cabot are considered the most needy school facilities in our city and that choosing between the two schools is a close call.? Angier and Cabot are Newton?s oldest schools (Angier was built in 1919, Cabot in 1929); they have the smallest classrooms; and they have had the least amount of recent upgrades and investment. ? The Long Range Facilities Planning Committee considered three factors in making its recommendation for the top priority school.? The committee looked at: (1) physical condition, (2) educational space needs, and (3) current and projected student enrollment.? With regard to physical condition and educational space, Cabot and Angier both scored very poorly.? However, when looking at enrollment, the committee identified an advantage in replacing Angier first.? ? The committee noted that a new, larger Angier School (built for 484 students) could, through redistricting, accommodate students from nearby Zervas School.? Zervas is the most overcrowded school in Newton.? If the overcrowding at Zervas is alleviated by a larger Angier School, the Zervas building could remain in use without renovations.? By contrast, the committee noted, a new building at the Cabot site (also built for 484 students) would serve only the projected growth at Cabot, without adding any additional capacity for the system as a whole.? These considerations about enrollment tipped the scale in favor of identifying Angier as a top priority. ? For those of us who have followed the facility planning discussion for some time, the selection of Angier is not a surprise ? and it is also not a disappointment.? We recognize that the conditions at both Angier and Cabot are sub-standard, and that the city has been asked by the state to start somewhere.? What is disappointing, though, is that we still do not have a master facility plan to assure us that there is a plan for Cabot, and for our other schools.? The absence of such a plan makes it difficult to deal with identifying any one school as a top priority.? ? Newton has taken some large steps toward development of a facilities plan ? the problem is that there hasn?t been much public discussion about it yet.? The architectural firm, HMFH, completed a comprehensive study assessing the condition of all our schools and recommended various options. While the study was published and made available this summer, we are still waiting for it to be presented to the community and discussed.? We understand that a public forum is being planned for early December. ? Members of the School Committee have offered to come to Cabot to discuss this matter before their vote on November 13.? Some of the questions we?d like to discuss are:? (1) the likelihood that Cabot would be the second school identified for renovations; (2) the expected time frame for renovations; and (3) the priority of the on-going repair needs at Cabot.? Please let us know if you would like to hear more from the School Committee on this topic and whether you?d welcome the opportunity to share your views with them. ? For a more complete discussion of the recommendation, read the Oct. 18 memo from Jeff Young: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee/_documentsFY08/long_range_facilities_planning_10_22_07.pdf ? ? To read the HMFH study, visit:? http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/schoolcommittee/_documentsFY07/Long_Range_Facilities_Master_Plan_Vol1.pdf ? ? To indicate interest in a discussion at Cabot with members of the School Committee, contact: Mary Kathryn Fallon: marykathf at aol.com Archana Vahalia: auvpto at aol.com ? To send an e-mail to the School Committee, write: schoolcommittee at newton.k12.ma.us ? ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://cabotpto.org/pipermail/cabotcommunity_cabotpto.org/attachments/20071024/577b76b2/attachment.html From auvpto at aol.com Thu Oct 25 11:58:41 2007 From: auvpto at aol.com (auvpto at aol.com) Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:58:41 -0400 Subject: [CabotCommunity] Core Value Evening - Big Event!!! Message-ID: <8C9E5370C227E6D-8E4-7DD4@webmail-mf17.sysops.aol.com> Hello everyone, We hope to see you all for an evening full of hands-on activities.? More than 15 of our valuable faculty is going to be there with so many volunteers to make this event more meaningful.? Remember to bring the soap bars with you for donating to our sister city.? Thanks. Fun evening for families! ?Connecting with Core Values? ? When: ??? Early-release Thursday, October 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m. ? What: ????? Open house featuring hands-on activities illuminating Cabot?s core values. Come and go at your convenience. ? Who: ????? Everyone! Lots of teachers and staff, students, parents, and guardians ? Bring:? ?? Packages of bar soap to donate to Newton?s sister city, San Juan del Sur ? Contact:? Questions? Want to volunteer? Email Sally Brickell at brickland6 at rcn.com ? ? Archana Vahalia Cabot PTO Co-President 53 Sheffield Road, Newtonville, MA 02460 617-244-1435 auvpto at aol.com ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://cabotpto.org/pipermail/cabotcommunity_cabotpto.org/attachments/20071025/8ddcf41c/attachment.html From marykathf at aol.com Mon Oct 29 13:49:13 2007 From: marykathf at aol.com (marykathf at aol.com) Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:49:13 -0400 Subject: [CabotCommunity] School Committee Members will visit Cabot this Thursday evening! Message-ID: <8C9E86B273C8352-36C-6EA3@WEBMAIL-MC12.sysops.aol.com> Dear Cabot Community, Please join us this Thursday evening, November 1,?at 7:00 - 8:30pm.? Members from the Newton School Committee with be coming to Cabot to speak about the Long Term Facilities Plan?for the City as a whole and how it impacts Cabot School.? They will be available to answer any questions you may have.? We hope you?are able to?join us for this informative evening! Mary Kathryn Fallon Cabot PTO Co-President marykathf at aol.com 617-244-1821 ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://cabotpto.org/pipermail/cabotcommunity_cabotpto.org/attachments/20071029/a9671746/attachment.html From marykathf at aol.com Tue Oct 30 11:54:55 2007 From: marykathf at aol.com (marykathf at aol.com) Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:54:55 -0400 Subject: [CabotCommunity] Jabberlite for Tuesday October 30, 2007 Message-ID: <8C9E92459D53A38-3D0-57B6@WEBMAIL-MB18.sysops.aol.com> Jabberlite for Tuesday October 30, 2007 ? Wow ? This is a busy week at Cabot ? please read below and don?t miss any of the exciting activities we have planned??????????????? ? This issue contains information on: Wellness Day Cabot Community Park Dedication Ceremony CASP Haunted House Social Action ? UNICEF & Candy Drive Newton School Committee Members to Visit Cabot Thursday evening Gift Wraps Orders arrive Friday Date Change for Autumn Fest!! Connecting with Core Values Evening ? A great night! Directory Update Next PTO Meeting ? November 13, 2007 Papa Ginos PTO night ? November 14, 2007 National Step It Up Day ? This Saturday, November 3rd ? Calendar October 30, 2007 Family Preparedness Workshop 7:00 - 8:30pm Bigelow Middle School Auditorium October 31, 2007 Wellness Day October 31, 2007 Cabot Community Park - Opening Ceremony Celebration 9:00 -9:15 am October 31, 2007 Halloween UNICEF Collection October 31, 2007 CASP Haunted House 4 - 5:30PM Gym ? ? November 1, 2007 School Committee Members to Visit Cabot School, 7:00 -8:30PM November 1, 2007 PTO Launch "Campaign for Cabot" November 1, 2007 UNICEF Collection and PTO Rosie's Candy Drive November 2, 2007 UNICEF Collection and PTO Rosie's Candy Drive November 6, 2007 School Council Meeting 5:00 - 6:45PM November 6, 2007 Child Assault Program (CAP) at Cabot 7:30 pm November 8, 2007 Understanding our Differences Grade 5? 1:00 - 2:45 PM November 8, 2007 Family Preparedness Workshop 7:00 - 8:30pm Burr Elementary School Auditorium November 12, 2007 Veterans Day, NO SCHOOL November 13, 2007 PTO Meeting, 8:40 AM November 13, 2007 School Committee Meeting, 7:30 PM November 14, 2007 Papa Ginos PTO Fundraiser Evening November 13 - 20, 2007 PTO Food Drive for Newton Food Pantry ? Eeeks??If it's October 31st it must be... WELLNESS DAY!!! This Wednesday is the 4th Annual Cabot School Wellness Day.? It's a wonderful way to expend some of that "special day" energy, have a spooky amount of fun, and learn about some wellness issues too.? Activity/learning stations will be set up around Cabot Field (weather permitting) and the kids and their buddies will all get a chance to try everything. Some activities already planned are: Yoga with Prana Power Yoga, Halloween Safety with Officer Marini, Karate with Steve Giroux from Giroux Martial Arts, The Cabot Community Park (aka "outdoor classroom") presentation, "Know Your Buddies" with Mrs. Pollock, and MORE! ? To help or ask any questions, please contact Daphne Potter, dfpotter at rcn.com, 617-795-0540, Suzanne Sagan, suzanne.sagan at ssa.gov, 617-965-6417, or Dana Bennett, Wellness guru extraordinaire and P.E. teacher,Dana_Bennett at newton.k12.ma.us ? Cabot Community Park - Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony The Cabot PTO is proud to host a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Cabot Community Garden, on Wednesday, October 31st from 9:00 - 9:15 am.? This will be a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the many dedicated folks who helped bring the Community Park to "life".? Many members of the Newton community have been invited, and parents are welcome to attend.? Chris Kjellson (chrisk729 at yahoo.com) ? CASP Haunted House Are you looking to reconnect with a movie star from the past?? Well wait no longer as CASP is about to draw you in with this year?s haunted house theme.? You are invited to come to "Haunted Hollywood" on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 from 4:00-5:30 P.M. in the Cabot Gym.?? Once inside you will encounter stars from Hollywood's Golden ERA!? Donations are accepted at the door to benefit the fifth grade end of year trip or activity.? Lights will be left on for our pre-school and kindergarten visitors who should plan to arrive at 4 P.M.? Refreshments will be available for purchase in the lobby after your tour. ? Help UNICEF at Halloween Each year, the children at Cabot School are asked to collect money for UNICEF while out trick-or-treating. You should have received a collection box and information? - we request that you ?change your Change? and write a check to UNICEF for the amount you collected.? This will save us endless hours in counting the change and we appreciate your help! ? Candy Drive for Pine Street Inn November 1, 2 Each year after Halloween, members of Cabot's Social Action Committee collect candy to be donated to The Pine Street Inn, a homeless shelter in Boston. The Pine Street Inn freezes the candy and hands it out throughout the year at special occasions such as residents' birthdays and holidays. If you would like to donate, please bring in candy on November 1 and 2 to the main lobby. ? School Committee Members to Speak at Cabot on Thursday! Mark your calendars for a visit from some of the Newton?s School Committee members.? They will visit Cabot School this Thursday evening from 7:00pm ? 8:30pm to answer questions, talk about the long term facility plan for the City and how it impacts Cabot School.? We hope you can join us! ? GIFT WRAP ORDERS ARRIVE THIS FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2nd Be on the lookout for your child's gift wrap order this Friday. Orders for grades 1-5 will be on the 5th grade corridor on the first floor. Kindergarten orders will be near the Kindergarten entrance. Anyone interested in helping with the delivery at 9:45 Friday morning, please contact Kate Johnson at kate at textreviews.com.?? Thank you to everyone who sold/purchased giftwrap ? your efforts made this a successful fundraiser for the Cabot PTO! ? Date Change - Mark your calendar!! Autumn Fest now will be on Monday November 19th Please note the date change of this year?s Autumn Fest.? We had to change the traditional Tuesday date of Autumn Fest to Monday due a City of Newton mandatory professional development day for Music Faculty.? Please mark your calendars!? Check the Cabot PTO calendar at www.cabotpto.org for an updated calendar at anytime. ? Connecting with Core Values Evening ? A great turnout!!! We hope you were one of the more than 200 individuals who joined us for the first ever Connecting with Core Values last Thursday evening. The Cabot School faculty and staff, students, and their parents/guardians participated in an evening of hands-on activities illuminating Cabot?s core values. Stations were placed throughout the school where we learned about Open Circle, solved problems through teamwork, and explored Cabot?s ties to the wider world. ?Our thanks go to the more than 40 parents and teachers who volunteered their time and ran stations.? We are especially grateful Dr. Quarcoo, Mrs. Forseter and to the dedicated, talented and organized Sally Brickell.? These 3 individuals worked non-stop to make this evening as successful as it turned out to be!! ?Thank you !! ? Directory Update The directories are printing and should be ready to be distributed this week!? Thanks goes to Jenny Gamson and Marya Van?t Hul ? the directory guru?s who spend endless hours preparing the information and checking it for accuracy ? this job starts back in August, we are grateful for all their hardwork.? Thanks also to Rick Reilly and Marc Svensson, the advertising coordinators who solicited, organized and formatted the advertisements you will see in the back of the directory.? When visiting our sponsors, please take a moment to thank them for supporting Cabot. ? Mark your calendar for the next PTO Meeting & Coffee? , Tuesday November 13, 2007 Please join us in the Library on November 13 at 8:40 ? 10:00am for the next PTO meeting and Coffee.? We will discuss upcoming events, programs and a financial update.? See you there! ? Papa Ginos ? November 14th! Don?t worry about cooking on Wednesday November 14th ? head out to Papa Ginos!? Between the hours of 4 -9:00pm, Papa Ginos will donate 20% of your purchase price to the Cabot PTO.? Either dine in or pick up at Papa Gino's on Watertown Street (Stop and Shop Plaza) on Wednesday, November 14th.? Look for the Papa Gino's flyer that will come home in folders soon.? The flyer you received must be presented when you pay for your food in order for Cabot School to benefit from your purchase and you must mention your purchase is for the Cabot School Fundraiser.? Grab your pizza, feed the family, while having fun at the same time!? Any questions?? Contact Julie Stonehill at jastonehill at rcn.com.? See you at Papa's! ? StepItUp2007.org - ?National Day of Climate Action Social Action Opportunity for Cabot Community Saturday, November, 3, 2007 2:00pm - 4:00pm (rain or shine) Please join fellow Cabot parents, students and teachers organizing this Newton-wide event! ? Who: Mayor David Cohen, City of Newton residents, concerned citizens, environmental leaders, green business entrepreneurs, students, kids and families What: A ?Climate Action Day' including music featuring professional Newton jazz musicians from The Daylites (former-Cabot Dads) AND Stingy Brimm (our very own Cabot Dad, Geoff Wadsworth), speakers and community spirit. Organized in partnership with the Green Decade Coalition Newton. Where: Newton City Hall For more:? StepItUp2007.org, see ' Join an Action' under Newton MA or contact Mark Vasu at markvasu at cmvmarketing.com if you are interested in helping out. ? Please join Newton residents, environmental and political leaders, and green business entrepreneurs in raising awareness for the importance of action on climate change. ? On November 3rd, people are rallying in hundreds of communities across the country to ask our political leaders and candidates to do something about bringing us into a clean energy future. This will be one of the first big nationwide rallies against global warming.? Newton will be represented as a municipal leader on environmental issues. ? In April 2007, Newton joined in the first ever StepItUp2007 event.? We need to keep our commitment growing. For more information about this citizen-led national movement, check out the letter from Bill McKibben, founder and leading environmental author and thinker, at www.StepItUp2007.org.? Please spread the word. See you there. ? Thank you: Matt Tirrell, Lisa Porter, Kelly Phillips, Meg Wilcox, Connor Vasu, Mark Vasu, Susan Finegan, Geoff Wadsworth, Eli Tziperman, Bob Warren, and others. ? ?Never doubt that a group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has.?? Margaret Mead ? Mary Kathryn Fallon Cabot PTO Co-President marykathf at aol.com 617-244-1821 ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://cabotpto.org/pipermail/cabotcommunity_cabotpto.org/attachments/20071030/94c52f7e/attachment.html