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The Essex Reporter • March 24, 2016
S CHOOLS FMS
ADL
Family Reading Night at FMS
We had about 35 attendees at our recent community forum, including seven students. We began as a large group and talked about the societal issues we see in public, our workplaces and at home that are coming into schools. Assistant principal Amie Conger described the ripple effect of both good and negative behaviors, large and small, and how they can impact others. We then broke into smaller facilitated groups to identify the trends we were seeing, with students forming their own group for a facilitated discussion. This included how the increasingly common use of social media to communicate can sometimes lend itself to misinterpreted tones in a message, cyberbullying and incorrect information. We also talked about politicians, athletes and musicians modeling negative behaviors. We acknowledged a general sense of lack of empathy, pressures on families and complacency about bad behaviors.
On Thursday, March 3, 250 Founders Memorial School students and parents gathered for the 26th annual Family Reading Night. Organized by the school library and sponsored by the ETSD PTO, students read one of six book choices in advance and met to discuss the books. This year, the book selections were: “Crenshaw” by Katherine Applegate, “Circus Mirandus” by Cassie Beasley, “Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail” by Kate Messner, “The Hypnotists” by Gordon Korman,
“Masters of Disaster” by Gary Paulsen and “Space Taxi: Archie Takes Flight” by Wendy Mass. Families met in the cafeteria for an ice cream treat before proceeding to one of 16 different locations to have a multigenerational book discussion. Students could keep the book after the event or swap it for another on the list. Submitted by Sara Jablonski, FMS librarian
Next, we brainstormed some ways in which we can support each other as a community to turn these behaviors around. Some suggestions were to have more events like Fine Arts Night and the Parade of Lights that brings the community together in positive ways. Providing clear opportunities for families and community members to become involved in schools and parent/guardian run groups were ideas offered. We talked about using social media to bring youth and adults together, as well as reaching out to buddy high school and middle school students more often. Finally, we came together to share our discussions and possible solutions. The group overwhelmingly decided we should meet again, enlarge the group, and be sure to include the voices of our English Language Learner families. The goal will be to plan specific steps from the list we created in the first forum that we can take together. Thus, ADL will host a second community forum on April 27 from 6-7:30 p.m. Pizza will be served. We encourage families and community members to join us. Please mark your calendars today and become part of the discussion. Henry Kinney, Charles McGeary, Kaki McGeary, Abby Hoppe, Anna Hoppe and Orrin Mead discuss “Circus Mirandus” by Cassie Beasley. PHOTO | SARA JABLONSKI
– Laurie Singer, Principal Fine Arts Festival Thanks: The ADL art and music students extend a huge thank you to the many parents, friends and community members who came to EHS on March 10 to support our annual Fine Arts Night. This gave us an opportunity to share the amazing time and energy we have put into our talents and allowed for yet another event to draw our communities of Essex, Essex Junction and Westford together. Thank you for your continued support of the arts. ADL Musical – Save the Dates: ADL will present its annual musical, “Annie,” on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 7-9 at 7 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Tickets are now on sale: $6/adults and $4/students and seniors. Mark your calendars and get your tickets early, as we are often sold out.
EES
ETSD upcoming events ETSD 3/28 – ETSD School Board Meeting, Essex Middle School Library, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 3/31 – ETSD Farm to School: Gather, Taste, Learn Community Event, FMS Café and Gym, 6–7:30 p.m. Free. 4/4 – ETSD School Board Meeting, FMS Library, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Essex Elementary School students Zachary Jackman and Stella Griffin use a stethoscope to listen to their hearts while learning about the heart in physical education class in preparation for the annual Jump Rope For Heart Event.
EES 3/28 – GuidanceParenting Workshop, EES Learning Center, 6-7 p.m.
4/6 – Family Reading Night, 6:30-7:30 p.m. EMS 3/24 – Family Reading Night, Learning Center, 6:30–7:30 p.m. 3/25 – 6th and 7th Grade Dance, 7–9 p.m. 4/1 – EMS Play, 7–8 p.m. FMS 3/25 – PTO Salon & Lego Night. To volunteer for either event, please email pto@etsd.org and indicate which event you’re interested in.
PHOTO | MARy KATE SPILLANE
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