Online Bookshelf

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Arrival & Dismissal

Arrival and dismissal will be through our patio door leading directly into our classroom.  Our classroom patio is the closest to the pineapple entrance (#12) on North Union.   In the morning, children should gather on our patio.  Look for my name on the door to the classroom.  The first bell rings at 8:10am.  I look forward to seeing everyone then!! 

Dismissal for all parent pick-up will take place on our classroom patio as well.  If someone other than a parent is picking up your child, please send in a note. 

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Thompson Email List

Please make sure you are signed up to receive Thompson emails.  First day of school procedures will be emailed out soon from Sheri Donovan.

http://public.arlington.k12.ma.us/mailman/listinfo

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Open House

It was great to see so many of you at the Open House this week!  I'm even more excited for the first day of school now!

If you would like to stop by to drop off supplies, I'll be there most of the day on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday, I have teacher meetings in the morning, but I'll be in the classroom for most of the afternoon.  Please send me an email at nmelnik@arlington.k12.ma.us if you'd like to make sure I'm there.  If I'm not there, you can leave them on any of the tables.

Enjoy the last week of summer! :)

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Progress!


Much progress has been made in room 108!! :)
 
classroom library & student cubbies 

table tops coming tomorrow!

I hope to see many of you on Thursday evening for the Open House. I will be in our classroom!  
If you would like to stop by at a different time to meet me, see our classroom, or drop off supplies, please let me know.  I will be at Thompson most days.  

Monday, August 5, 2013

Scholastic Book Orders

Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub
One-Time Class Activation Code: J73DP

Dear Families,

Encouraging reading is one of the most important things we can do to help your child succeed. It can be tough finding the right books to keep them interested, which is why I am so excited that our class will be participating in Scholastic Reading Club this school year.

With Scholastic Reading Club:
- Every book you buy earns FREE Books for our classroom library
- You can choose from handpicked, grade- and reading-level-specific books for your child
- You'll find the best values on a variety of formats, including eBooks

Each month, your child will bring home Reading Club flyers. Together you can choose from books hand-selected by teachers and experts, and then order online or by returning your order form and payment to me.

I'd also love some help growing our classroom Reading Club. If you'd like to help out, please let me know! I'm excited to get our class reading!

Thank you for your support,
Nicole


If This Is Your First Time Ordering Online:
- REGISTER at scholastic.com/readingclub
- ENTER the one-time Class Activation Code from the top of this letter
- CHOOSE from thousands of books, value packs, and Storia eBooks
- SUBMIT the order to me by the due date listed on the website
- EARN FREE Books for our classroom too!

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Notice from Principal Sheri Donovan


If you did not receive this email, please sign up here to receive all of the important Thompson emails from the office: http://public.arlington.k12.ma.us/mailman/listinfo

Dear Families,

I have recently moved into my office at Thompson.  It is nice to be in one spot and to be in such a beautiful space but, actually, my greatest pleasure comes from being in the neighborhood.  I look forward to reconnecting with everyone and meeting all our new families.  If you need to reach me, please send an email or call me on my cell: 617-429-8505

Finishing and punch list work continues.  School will definitely open on time as scheduled: Tuesday, September 3, for grades 1-5 and Monday, September 9, for Kindergarten.   Furniture begins to arrive this Monday, August 5. Phones will be installed once there are desks to put them on.  All other major systems are up and working well.

By now every household should have received class lists for their children.  If you are reading this email and haven't received a class list for your child, please contact me.  As you may have noticed, we did not solicit parent requests this year before making up the lists.  Over the course of the last five years I have watched carefully the process of making new lists. I came to realize that often, in fact most of the time, parent thoughts about what would be a good fit for their child coincided with the teacher's thoughts.

We have very little teacher turnover at Thompson each year, but this year we did lose Jo-Ellen Rowley, a beloved and admired kindergarten teacher.  She has moved to Vermont to be closer to her family. Our new kindergarten teacher is Lauren Byron.  She worked at Thompson a few years ago as a teaching assistant while studying for her masters.  For the last few years she has been teaching at Stratton.  She is extremely talented and we are thrilled to have her back at Thompson.

In addition, we welcome Liz Ferola who also was a teaching assistant at Thompson while studying for her masters.  This past year she was a first grade teacher at Bishop and will be teaching first grade at Thompson.  Liz is also a very talented educator who we have been trying to find just the right position for and this year because we have 4 first grades we are able to get her back.

Liza Halley will be our new librarian.  Many of you know her because she is a parent of Thompson students.  She is presently studying for a Masters in Library Science, has been teaching writing and poetry at Thompson, and has been a member of the School Council for several years. 

During the next few weeks I will be emailing you more information about events in September, arrival and dismissal patterns,etc.  Right now the most important event to have on your calendar is: 

                                    Thompson Outdoor Picnic and Open House
                                                           
                                                            August 22

                                                         4:30 - 7:00 p.m. 
    
                  Families are invited to bring a picnic supper, a blanket, beach chairs, etc. 

                                        Tours of the new school will be given.
 

I am looking forward to the beginning of a very special school year.

Fondly, Sheri

  
 

Sheri Donovan, Principal
Thompson School
181 Everett Street
Arlington, MA   02474

Sneak Peak!

I went for a visit to Thompson yesterday.  Here are a few sneak peak pictures of our new space! 


Welcome to Room 108!

There were many people working in our classroom to get it ready for us!

The children's cubbies
Our patio!
          
Hallway to the first grade classrooms

Main office

Gym

Save the date: 

 Thompson Outdoor Picnic and Open House
August 22
4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
  Families are invited to bring a picnic supper, a blanket, beach chairs, etc...
 Tours of the new school will be given.