Wolf Swamp Road School PTA

Wolf Swamp Blog

I have exciting news! The Wolf Swamp Road School Community has begun to blog in attempt to improve communication between the home and school. Please click on the following link to see the first installment: http://principalneilgile.blogspot.com.

When you arrive at the blog site, you will need to "Join This Site", which is located on the right-hand side of the blog; then you will have the option to join publicly or privately- this is your option. It is my hope to update this weekly. We will be putting a link to this site on the school's and PTA's websites. Have a great day! Thanks. Neil

Note from Mr. Bradshaw

Attention 4th and 5th graders

Our winter adventure unit will hopefully start some time soon, depending on the weather. The recent snowfall will help, but a bit more is needed. Students should be prepared for both inside or outside Physical Education during this unit. We will make announcements in school whenever classes will not be able to go outside due to lack of snow or temperatures below 20*.

Students need to have the following gear for outdoor classes:
1. A winter coat
2. Snow pants/wind pants.
3. Hat, headband, earmuffs or hood
4. Gloves or mittens (gloves are best for pole grip)
5. Sneakers in case we don’t go out.
*A change of pants and socks in case clothes get wet is a good idea.

If students are not prepared for outdoor class, they may not be allowed to go outside and/or their Physical Education grade may be affected.

Students will be using the school’s cross-country ski equipment and snowshoes. Any students who have their own cross-country skis or snowshoes are welcome to bring them to class. Students are not allowed to bring downhill skis or snowboards for Physical Education class.

We are looking forward to starting the season and getting the boys and girls outside in the winter months ahead. If you have any questions or would be interested in helping, please feel free to contact us at 565-4274.
******* Think snow*****
In the Gym, Mr. Bradshaw

Longmeadow Public Schools Info

District Website

District Calendar 2011-2012 - revised 11/8/11

Note from Principal Neil Gile

August 30, 2011
Dear Parents and Guardians,

It is a privilege to welcome many of you back to Wolf Swamp Road School for the 2011 – 2012 school year. The building has been buzzing with excitement as the teachers returned for three days of professional development on Monday. There is much to look forward, and I am honored to be part of the journey the students will be taking this year and in the years to come. The Wolf Swamp Road School Community is one that is truly wonderful and unique. I aspire to maintain and build upon the qualities that make it such a tremendous learning environment.

As we look ahead to the first day of school, I would like to review the logistical components and expectations:

• School begins on Thursday, September 1 for grades 1 – 5; Kindergarten students will begin on September 7.

• The school day is from 8:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Students may enter the building from 8:30 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. We recognize the hectic nature of the morning rituals and appreciate the fact that you plan accordingly for the 8:30 a.m. drop off. Due to safety and liability reasons, please do not drop off students earlier than 8:30 a.m. If your child(ren) are walking or biking to school, please remind them that we cannot allow anyone to enter the building until 8:30 a.m. Students should not be playing on the playground prior the start of the day.

• School begins promptly at 8:45. Any student(s) arriving afterwards is considered tardy.

• After school, students can play on the playground so long as they are supervised. o Students cannot re-enter the building after school hours.

• The staff parking lot should not be used as a student arrival and pick up for students. Exceptions: student is tardy, early dismissal of a student, picking up student from nurse's office and a scheduled meeting in the building. Other than the exceptions listed above, you should be using the "live line" for the drop off and the pick-up of students. If you find it necessary to park, you should park on Knollwood Dr and/or Brookwood Dr. Also, please refrain from parking in the "fire lane."

• As mentioned earlier, the teachers are very busy establishing professional development goals for the year and working on setting up their rooms for Thursday. If there is a situation that needs immediate attention, please call the office at 565-4270 for support.

• There will be no school on Monday, September 5 due to Labor Day.

• WSRS Family Picnic is September 14

• Back to School Night is September 22

• Movie on the Green: Hotel for Dogs is on September 30

Please do not hesitate to communicate with me via email (ngile@longmeadow.k12.ma.us) or phone (413-565-4270 ext. 103). I look forward to working with you and forming positive relationships. Have a great day!

Sincerely, Neil Gile
Principal of Wolf Swamp Road School

School Supply Lists for the 2011-12 Year

• Kindergarten
• First Grade
• Second Grade
• Third Grade
• Fourth Grade
• Fifth Grade

Success through Chess Program

Ms. Stillwell and Mr. Gile have worked diligently to bring the Success through Chess program to our school. This fall we are delighted to offer this program on Thursdays (changed from Tuesdays), 2:50-3:50 p.m., beginning September 22th. Since adequate participation is necessary in order to continue with Success through Chess, we ask that you please take a few moments to view the flyer and the description of the virtual program. You may direct questions to me (sfosters@comcast.net) or to Andrew Svehaug, president of the program (Andrew@AmericanChessInstitute.com). I will collect registration materials over the next ten days; I will then send those checks and forms directly to the American Chess Institute. If spaces remain, we will continue to accept registrations throughout September. I look forward to seeing your children enjoy Success through Chess!

Warm regards,
Stephanie Foster

Watch a video of the chess program in action!

Summary of arrival/drop off procedures

1. Please observe and follow all posted parking detours or signs at all times.

2. Making a left turn into the live line entrance of the parking lot is a traffic violation and will result in a traffic ticket if observed by the Longmeadow Police Department.

3. Do not cut ahead of other cars in the live line in order to enter the parking lot more quickly. Dropping students off on Knollwood Avenue, near the playground, may provide a quicker option if you are in a rush.

4. Massachusetts state law prohibits cars from idling for more than 5 minutes. Please turn off your engine if you are waiting in the live line for more than 5 minutes.

5. When pulling up to the curb in the live line, stop your car completely and make eye contact with the safety patrol student to indicate it is safe to open the door.

6. Do not drop off students in the parking lot near the main entrance, which results in students walking between cars and buses that are entering and exiting the grounds.

7. Please walk on sidewalks around the perimeter of the parking lot; do not walk through the parking lot, as this also poses a safety concern.

8. Please do not park in any reserved parking spot, including the LEEF parking spot.

9. Please do not park in the handicap parking spots unless you have a valid handicap plate or swing tag.

Thank you for following these procedures and helping us to ensure a safe and orderly environment for your children.

CORI Reminder

Any adult who anticipates being a chaperone/volunteer needs to have an active CORI on file. As explained by the superintendent’s office, our guideline is to require a CORI of anyone who may have one on one access to a student. Possible exceptions would be a school play, a room parent, a classroom assembly, or a school concert. That being said, we encourage anyone who volunteers in our school such as a book fair attendant, a copier volunteer, etc. to maintain an active CORI on file. Turn around time on a CORI approval is 7 days to 2 weeks. The superintendent’s office sends out the CORI requests in batches. FYI – CORIS need to be renewed every three years.

If you are not sure as to whether or not your CORI is updated, call the Wolf Swamp Road School office at 565-4270 and speak to Louise or Theresa.

>> Download CORI form 

Buy a Book Program

Don't forget about the Buy a Book Program at Kiddly Winks. Mrs. Longanecker, our librarian, has selected several books she would like to add to the Wolf Swamp library. These can be purchased from the designated cart at the Kiddly Winks store. It is a great way to remember your graduating 5th grader, as a first communion or bar mitzvah gift, etc.

Contact Kristen Cerasa for more information.

PTA Information
Check out the PTA News and Programs section for the latest info on what your PTA is doing!  You will find the meeting schedule, minutes from previous meetings, budget information, room parent list, fundraising info, and much more!

Excerpt from – Summary of the Conflict of Interest Law for Municipal Employees –Detail Also Posted on Longmeadow District Website.
(b) Gifts and gratuities. Asking for or accepting a gift because of your official position, or because of something you can do or have done in your official position, is prohibited. (See Sections 3, 23(b)(2), and 26)

Municipal employees may not accept gifts and gratuities valued at $50 or more given to influence their official actions or because of their official position. Accepting a gift intended to reward past official action or to bring about future official action is illegal, as is giving such gifts. Accepting a gift given to you because of the municipal position you hold is also illegal. Meals, entertainment event tickets, golf, gift baskets, and payment of travel expenses can all be illegal gifts if given in connection with official action or position, as can anything worth $50 or more. A number of smaller gifts together worth $50 or more may also violate these sections.

Art Room Request
The Art Room is once again in need of recycle type goods for use in sculpture making.  I am asking parents and students to continue to make collections of particular items for donation to the art program.

Everything must be clean and please no toilet paper rolls.  Items like strips of twisties, plastic caps and small paper boxes (no bigger than a shoe box please).  The desired items are photographed in this attachment.  Thank you and happy recycling!   Ms. Salz

Absence/Tardy Information
Call in number to report: 565-4270.  At the prompt Dial "2" for the Health Office

http://wolfswamp.org/mathfacts/

 

LEEF
The Longmeadow Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF) is a private, volunteer, non-profit (tax exempt 501-C-3) organization established in 2001 to enrich, enhance, and support the quality of education in the Longmeadow public schools. LEEF is committed to underwriting grants to provide our schools (K-12) with extraordinary opportunities beyond the scope of our tax supported budgets.

One of LEEF's primary goals, this year, is to develop and strengthen their grant writing and research efforts in order to expand their gift giving program.

To learn more about how you can help LEEF, please visit their web site at http://www.longmeadowleef.com.

Wolf Swamp PTO is PAPERLESS!

If you have any notices or communications to be distributed, please email them as an attachment to the following email address…

wolfswamppto@gmail.com

All postings will be sent to our website manager for posting in a timely fashion.

Thank you for your cooperation. This move will save many hours of collating, tons of PTO dollars and a whole forest of trees!

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