Hale Newsletter

<style type="text/css">  </style> <h2 align="center"><span class="style1"><a name="top"></a>Hale Middle School Newsletter</span></h2> <table width="97%" border="0" align="center" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3" bordercolor="#990066"> <tr bgcolor="#CCCCFF"> <td colspan="4"><div align="center"> <blockquote> <p class="style42"><em><a href="../documents/Feb%2706_Hale_Newslett.pdf"><strong>Click here to download Feb '06 Newsletter (pdf)</strong></a><br> <span class="style91">Coming soon.... March Newsletter!</span> <br> </em></p> </blockquote> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="2" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" class="style39"><div align="center"></div> <div align="center" class="style39"> <p><em><img src="../images/file_cab_ancient.jpg" width="152" height="84"></em></p> </div></td> <td height="61" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" class="style39"><em> <strong>-<span class="style9">pdf </span></strong></em></td> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" class="style39"><div align="center"><a href="../documents/Feb%2706_Newslett_calendar.pdf"><em>Feb'06 Hale Calendar</em></a><em> -pdf </em></div></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#CCCCFF"> <td valign="middle"><em><strong><a href="../documents/YB_OrderForm_rev.pdf" class="style39">Yearbook Order Form</a> -<span class="style9">pdf </span></strong></em></td> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><div align="right" class="style59"> <div align="center"><em><strong><a href="http://calendar.nrsd.net/scripts/publish/webevent.pl?cmd=calmonth&de=1&tf=0&sib=1&sb=0&sa=0&ws=0&stz=Default&sort=e,m,t&cat=&swe=1&cf=cal&set=1&cal=cal8" class="style39">View on-line Calendars</a></strong></em> </div> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top" bordercolor="#FFFFFF" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><div align="center" class="style39"> <blockquote> <p class="style2"><em>Quick Links:  <a href="/newsletter.php#academic"> Academic News</a>   <a href="/newsletter.php#community"> Community News</a>   <a href="/newsletter.php#PSG">Contact PSG</a> </em></p> </blockquote> </div></td> <td colspan="2"><div align="right"> <h3><span class="style7">March, 2006</span></h3> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="4" bordercolor="#000099" bgcolor="#FFFF66"> <div align="center" class="style5">This monthly newsletter is financed and published by the Hale Parent Support Group </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="29%"><p class="style2"><span class="style55">55 Hartley Road, Stow, MA 01775<br> Margaret Morgan, Principal<br> Barbara Colleton, Secretary </span><br> </p> </td> <td width="36%"><div align="center"><span class="style2"><span class="style11"><em> <a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2_allversions.html">Click here to download latest version of Adobe Reader. </a></em></span></span></div></td> <td width="15%"><span class="style2"><img src="../images/Adobe_logo.jpg" width="41" height="56"></span></td> <td width="20%" valign="top"><div align="right"> <p class="style55">Phone: 978.897.4788<br> FAX: 978.897.3631<br> http://hale.nrsd.net/ </p> </div></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#CCCCFF"> <td colspan="4"><div align="center"> <h3><a href="../principals_message.php" class="style88">Principal's Message</a> <span class="style88">- March '06</span></h3> </div></td> </tr> </table> <table width="99%" border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3"> <tr bgcolor="#000099"> <th colspan="3" class="style87" scope="col"><h2 class="style86">Activities, Meetings & Announcements </h2></th> </tr> <tr> <th colspan="3" scope="col"><div align="left"> <h3 class="style39">Eighth Grade News - High School Transition</h3> </div></th> </tr> <tr> <td width="27%" align="left" valign="middle" bgcolor="#CCFFFF"><h4 align="center" class="style67"><span class="style91"><span class="style11"><img src="../images/girl_working_at_books.jpg" width="181" height="163"></span></span> </h4> </td> <td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCFFFF"><h4 align="center" class="style67">"IMPORTANT DATES"    </h4> <p>1. <span class="style69">Friday, March 3rd - 8th Grade Dance</span> sponsored by the Foreign Language Department. This dance is open to all 8th graders across the District. The event will take place at <span class="style91"><strong>Nashoba High School from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. </strong></span>The cost is <span class="style91"><strong>$5</strong></span>. Come and meet your future classmates! </p> <p>2. <span class="style91"><strong>Week of February 27th</strong></span> <span class="style91"><strong>- Program of Studies and Registration Forms</strong></span> will be distributed to all 8th graders. Watch for these to come home. </p> <p class="style91">3. <strong>8th Grade Parent's Night at Nashoba - Tuesday, March 7th, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.</strong>   <span class="style11">Administration, Guidance Counselors, and Department Heads will be on hand to discuss curriculum options and level-specific criteria.</span></p> <span class="style91"></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" align="left" valign="top"><p align="center"><span class="style69"><img src="/images/colorbar.gif" width="600" height="2"></span></p> <p align="center"><span class="style69">4. Friday, March 31st - All students, regardless of their high school plans, must return <br> their completed course selection sheet to their Advisors.</span></p> <p align="center"><span class="style69"><br> <img src="/images/colorbar.gif" width="600" height="2"> </span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" align="left" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCFFFF"><p>5. <span class="style91"><strong>Friday, March 24th - </strong><strong></strong></span><span class="style69">Minuteman Regional High School </span>(MRHS) is offering a more in-depth tour of their school for any 8th graders who have applied or who are interested in applying. This day offers an opportunity to spend time in two technical areas of their choice, and to meet faculty and students.   </p> <p>Contact Ms. Foote by March 17th if you are interested in having your son or daughter attend this tour. Students must arrange transportation to and from Hale on this day since this is a Parent Conference day (no school for students).</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="middle" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p align="center" class="style92"><img src="../images/minuteman_logo.gif" width="134" height="143" border="8"></p> </td> <td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCFFFF"><p align="left" class="style9"><strong>Schedule for Minutement Visit:</strong></p> <p align="left"><strong> 8:40 am - Pick up/depart Hale<br> 9:25 am - Arrive at MRHS<br> 9:30 - 9:45 am orientation session<br> 9:50 - 10:50am Explore Tech Area, choice 1<br> 10:55 - 12:00 N Explore Tech Area, choice 2<br> 12:05 - 12:25 pm Lunch<br> 12:30 - 1:00 pm Guidance/Admissions/Campus Life session<br> 1:00 pm - Depart MRHS<br> 1:45 pm - Arrive back at Hale</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <h3 class="style39"> </h3></td> <td width="61%"> </td> <td width="12%"><a href="/newsletter.php#top" class="style85">return to top</a></td> </tr> </table> <table width="99%" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2"> <tr> <td colspan="3"><h3><span class="style39">PSG NEWS – <strong>Hale PSG Meeting - Dorrie Langelo</strong></span></h3></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><h4 align="center"> <span class="style64"><strong>Attention Parents!!!!!</strong></span><br> Stay informed, get involved!  <br> Please come to the next PSG meeting on</h4> <h4 align="center"><span class="style62"><strong><em>Monday, March 6th, 1 PM</em></strong></span></h4> <p>The next meeting of the Hale Parent Support Group will be Monday, March 6th @ 1 PM in the Hale Conference Room.  Everyone is welcome and we encourage new members.  Please join us!! </p> <p>For those of you that have daytime commitments, the PSG will hold the <span class="style91">April</span> meeting in the evening.  That meeting will be <span class="style91"><strong>Monday, April 3 rd at 7 PM in the Hale Library</strong></span>.  </p> <p> We are in need of some new officers for the upcoming school year.  Positions available are Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons, Treasurer, and Box Top Coordinator.  Please consider volunteering your time! </p></td> <td width="25%"><div align="right"><img src="/images/PSG_speaker.jpg" width="188" height="181"></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"><h3><span class="style39">School Improvement Council - Margaret Morgan </span></h3></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" bgcolor="#FFFF66">The Hale<span class="style69"> School Improvement Council</span> will hold its next meeting on <span class="style69">Thursday, March 2nd, from 4:30-6:00 PM</span> in the Hale Conference Room.  All are welcome to attend. We are still seeking a Community Member-- if you know a resident who is <strong><em>not</em></strong> a Hale parent and who would like to participate as a representative of the town, please contact Margaret Morgan. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"> <h3 align="left"><strong> </strong><strong class="style39">IMPORTANT!! -  THE HALE NEWSLETTER HAS CHANGED!! </strong></h3></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="23%" rowspan="2" align="center" valign="middle"><img src="../images/PSG_news_flash.jpg" width="172" height="163"> <p align="center" class="style17">  </p></td> <td colspan="2" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><p> </p> <p align="center" class="style17"><strong>THE NEWSLETTER </strong><strong>WILL NO LONGER BE MAILED TO EACH HOME!!</strong></p> <p align="left">The newsletter is now posted on the Hale website <a href="http://hale.nrsd.net">http://hale.nrsd.net</a>.  It is posted both as a Printer-friendly PDF file <em>(<a href="#top">top of page</a>) </em>and as a webpage. The newsletter keeps you informed of school events, classroom  happenings, student highlights and other events that relate directly to the students.  School support groups are provided an opportunity to keep parents informed and involved in school activities through submitted articles.  Also, non-profit organizations offering services to students, parents or staff also may submit articles, space permitting.</p> <strong><em>Additional copies of the newsletter will be available in the Hale office.</em></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#FFCCFF"><span class="style17">The Hale PSG wishes a quick recovery for <strong>Tona Hangen </strong>, Hale Middle School Newsletter editor, from her recent illness. See you soon, Tona! </span></td> </tr> </table> <table width="99%" height="150" border="0"> <tr> <td colspan="3"><h3><span class="style39"><strong>Ongoing Magazine Drive Orders - Deb Giovinazzo </strong></span></h3></td> <td><div align="center"><a href="/newsletter.php#top" class="style85">return to top</a> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#FFFF99"><h2 align="center" class="style8"><img src="../images/mag_Time_teen.jpg" width="150" height="200"></h2> </td> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#FFFF99"><p>For those of you who missed the magazine drive, want to order more or have friends and family that want to order a magazine or if you just want to extend your subscription.... ....YOU CAN CONTINUE TO ORDER magazines throughout the year.</p> <p>Here's how:</p> <p>#1  Go to QSP.com </p> <p>#2  Click on Just Shopping </p> <p>#3  Type in <span class="style37">Hale Middle School</span> at prompt, & school acc't number = <span class="style17"><strong>425005639</strong></span> </p> <p>#4  Enter your credit card info.</p> <span class="style9"><strong><em>The proceeds will continue to go to Hale.</em></strong></span>  Keep this info handy, as you may want to use it at a later date.   Thanks much!! </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"><div align="left"> <h3><span class="style39">Box Tops for Education/Schoolcash.com - Gayle Wachs</span></h3> </div></td> <td><div align="center"><a href="/newsletter.php#top" class="style85">return to top</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="165"><img src="/images/BoxCaps_bus.jpg" width="158" height="89"></td> <td colspan="3"><p align="left">The Hale Middle School PSG is once again collecting "Box Tops for Education" coupons that you see on many of the food products that you buy.  <span class="style17"><strong>Don't forget to cut them out!  The collection box is in the main hallway. </strong></span></p> <p align="left">Don't forget to log onto "Schoolcash.com."  This is a great way to help raise money for the many enrichment activities at Hale.  </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3">The Hale PSG also participates in a recycling program (Ecco Recycling) at the Hale Middle School accepting empty inkjet, laser and fax cartridges. <span class="style22">You may place your donated empty cartridges in the Recycling Box inside the Hale School front lobby. Thank you for your support!</span> </td> <td width="124"><img src="/images/ani-FloppyDisk.gif" width="100" height="100"></td> </tr> </table> <table width="99%" border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3"> <tr> <th colspan="5" scope="col"><div align="left"> <h3 class="style39">Drama-The Play: Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat</h3> </div></th> </tr> <tr> <td width="27%"><img src="../images/joseph.jpg" width="177" height="193"></td> <td colspan="4" bgcolor="#FFCCFF"><h3 class="style47">DON'T MISS OUT - "JOSEPH" tickets are HOT!</h3> <p>The talk around Hale is how everyone can't wait to see this year's Hale School play production of <em>Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. </em>There's little surprise about the buzz -- this former Broadway production features the timeless story of a young man's dreams and visions, set to the backdrop of comic characters and a musical score by the award-winning duo of Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice. </p> <p><em>Joseph </em> hits the Hale stage <span class="style91"><strong>March 17 & 18 at 7:30 p.m., & March 19 at 2 p.m</strong></span>. Buy your tickets NOW by filling out the form available at the <a href="http://hale.nrsd.net/">JOSEPH website </a>! where you also will find the latest news on the production. You also can buy tickets at Stow Photo in the Stow Plaza, and at each performance.</p> <p align="center">Meanwhile, get ready to enjoy a colorful <em> Joseph </em> and enthusiastic cast! </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="4" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><p><em>Joseph </em> performances will take place <span class="style65">March 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m., and March 19 at 2 p.m. </span>This blockbuster show promises to be one of the most popular Hale productions in years, so buy your tickets soon! Tickets for this self-funded event are <span class="style9"><strong>$6 for adults, $4 for students, and $3 for senior citizens. </strong></span></p> <p align="center"><span class="style9"><span class="style74"><a href="../documents/HaleJoeWishes.pdf">Want to send GOOD WISHES to your favorite cast member?</a></span><a href="/activ_drama_play.php"><span class="style31"><br> <span class="style69">Click here for TICKETS & more information!</span></span></a></span> </p> </td> <td width="18%"><img src="/images/drama_masks_color.gif" width="172" height="125"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5"> </td> </tr> </table> <table width="99%" border="0"> <tr valign="top"> <th colspan="2" scope="col"> <div align="left" class="style9"> <h2 class="style39">Music Notes - Don Moultrop </h2> </div></th> <th scope="col"><a href="/newsletter.php#top" class="style85">return to top</a></th> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><p>The 2005-2006 season is well underway!  </p> <h4 align="center" class="style9"><strong>Mark your calendars!  Important up-coming Dates!</strong></h4> <p><span class="style69">Hale School Stage Band – </span><strong>Conducted by Don Moultrop</strong><br> Remaining Stage Band rehearsals for the school year are on the following Wednesday afternoons from 2:30-4:00 PM:</p> <p align="center" class="style91"><strong>March:   1, 8, 15 22, 29   <br> April: 5, 12, 26  <br> May: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31</strong></p> </td> <td width="24%" valign="top"><img src="../images/Musical_piano_stairway.jpg" width="168" height="259"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"><table width="97%" border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3"> <tr> <td colspan="3">Mark your Music Calendars now for these important <span class="style91"><strong>March</strong></span> dates!</td> <td><div align="center" class="style91"><em>(snow-date!)</em></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p class="style12 style27"><strong>First District Rehearsal </strong></p></td> <td><p class="style28">March 29 '06, 3:30-7:30 PM</p></td> <td><p class="style28">Trottier School, Southboro </p></td> <td><div align="center" class="style27"><strong><span class="style8">(Mar 30th '06)</span></strong></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p class="style28"><strong>M.I.C.A. Festival </strong></p></td> <td><p class="style28">Mar. 30, April 1, 2006 </p></td> <td><p class="style28">Site - TBA </p></td> <td><span class="style27"></span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><p align="center" class="style47"><a href="../activ_band_chorus.php"><em><strong>Click here for more info about the Hale Music Program </strong></em></a></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"><div align="center"> <h4> </h4> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><h3 class="style39">Stow Friends of Music - Dorrie Langelo </h3></td> <td><div align="center"><a href="/newsletter.php#top" class="style85">return to top</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="21%"><p><img src="../images/sax02.jpg" width="200" height="100"></p> </td> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"> <div align="left"> <p class="style66"> Hale Middle School has the honor of hosting the IAJE Jazz Festival on Monday, May 8th!!  This event will begin at 3:00 PM and run until about 9:00 PM.  We need lots of help.  If you are able to volunteer for all or part of the time, please contact Dorrie Langelo @ 978-568-8902. </p> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"><h3><span class="style39"><strong>Yearbook News - Mrs. DeCristofaro & Mrs. Chan </strong> </span></h3></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><div align="center"> <p class="style76"><span class="style80">Nearly SOLD OUT!</span><span class="style80">  Have you ordered <u>yours</u>??<br> </span><span class="style69"><span class="style90">Just $30</span><em> ... while supplies last! </em></span> </p> </div> <p><span class="style17"><strong>Yearbook order forms</strong></span> are available online <span class="style8"><em>(<a href="#top">top of this page!</a>)</em></span> or in the main office. Just fill out the order form and include cash or check, payable to <span class="style80">Hale Middle School</span>.  <span class="style8"><span class="style17">Your order will be confirmed via e-mail or "sneaker-net."</span></span></p> </td> <td><img src="../images/Book_open.jpg" width="199" height="124"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3">The Yearbook staff is fast approaching their final deadline. The students have now completed most of the pages for publication and are actively taking pictures for the March deadline. Co-editors Valerie B. and Vicky D. (grade 8) are doing a great job managing all the action and working with the hard-working staff of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. All our Tech-savvy Hale students have taken to the computers and are producing what looks to be the best yearbook ever! </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" class="style39"><h3>Art Club News - Margaret Kusner </h3></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../images/watercolors2.gif" width="169" height="132"></td> <td colspan="2"><p>Thank you to everyone who sends in styrofoam trays to use as paint palettes. We will begin painting after February vacation, so there will be a need for a fresh supply of palettes again. </p> Congratulations to <span class="style91"><strong>Samantha S.</strong></span>, grade 8, for her <span class="style91"><strong>Silver Key</strong></span> award at the Scholastic Art Awards. She earned the award for a collograph print. </td> </tr> </table> <table width="99%" border="0"> <tr> <td colspan="6" valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFF66"><h3 class="style39">Nurse's Office News for March '06</h3></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <td width="33%" rowspan="2" align="center" valign="middle" bgcolor="#CCFFFF"><img src="../images/girl_arm-in_sling.jpg" width="146" height="204"></td> <td colspan="5" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCCCFF" class="style11"><h3 class="style88"><strong>Parents of Students Returning to Hale <u>after Injury</u></strong></h3> <p>If your child has sustained an injury such as a fracture or a sprain, please plan to meet with Mrs. Baranofsky, RN, to discuss your child's needs upon returning to Hale. It would be preferable to know of the injury prior to the student's return to school. This is especially important if the student will be utilizing an assistive device such as a cast, crutches, or a wheelchair. Even if the injury is not severe, it is important to meet with Mrs. Baranofsky to devise a return-to-school plan that meets the needs of both the student and the school. Thank you for your assistance with this program. </p> </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <td colspan="5" valign="middle" bgcolor="#9999FF"><span class="style11">For more information on school health-related issues, please feel free to visit the "virtual" <span class="style1"><a href="nurse3.php">Hale Nurse's Office</a></span></span></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <td colspan="6" align="center" valign="middle" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <div align="left"> <h3 class="style88">Cafeteria News - Sarah Foss </h3> </div></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <td colspan="5" align="center" valign="middle" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <div align="left"> <p>The Food Service staff has enjoyed serving the children in Stow this year. We remind you that free or reduced priced lunches can be applied for at any time during the year. If you find you need assistance, please contact Sarah Foss at <a href="http://us.f809.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=sfoss@nrsd.net&YY=89515&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b">sfoss@nrsd.net </a> or 978-897-4788 ext. 233 for more information. All information is kept confidential. </p> <p>If you choose to pre-pay your child's lunches please remit a check on the first day of each week. We do our best with bookkeeping, but occasionally we do make mistakes. We feed a lot of kids and it can get chaotic! Please contact me if you feel we've made an error. Notices are sent home for students at Pompo and Center when children owe money. At Hale, we hope the students are mature enough to remember when they've charged and bring the money the next day. If not, I will contact you. </p> </div></td> <td width="31%" align="center" valign="middle" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><img src="../images/guide2_4.jpg" width="212" height="303"></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <td height="198" align="center" valign="middle"><img src="../images/miniposter1r.jpg" width="217" height="161"></td> <td colspan="5" rowspan="2" valign="middle"> <p class="style91"><strong>Quick cafeteria facts:   </strong></p> <p>• We offer 5 meals daily: Main lunch, hot alternate, cold sandwich, made-to-order garden salad with sides, and a yogurt lunch with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. (Hale has a salad bar with at least 25 different items.) </p> <p>• Food is prepared at Hale and "satellited" to Pompo and Center Schools. We take a lunch count daily and send enough to feed those who've ordered, plus an additional 30 "extras".   On average, half the students in Stow schools eat school lunches daily; that's about 375 meals.   </p> <p>• We try to incorporate healthy items into the meals, while appealing to children's tastes. A variety of fresh fruit is always on hand, and we always have a choice of breads and steamed or fresh vegetables.   Hale and Center each have one vending machine for Veryfine Fruit 2 0 no-calorie flavored water. There are no other items vended. </p> <p>• Hale does offer bagged snacks (baked chips, rice cakes, granola bars), which meet the criteria of the School Nutrition Program put forth by the USDA. We restrict the children to a 2-snack limit. We offer ice cream on Wednesdays only. Again, these offerings meet the USDA requirements.   </p> <p>Thank you for your patronage and please contact me if I can be of assistance. </p></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <td align="center" valign="middle"><img src="../images/Happy_Fruit.jpg" width="228" height="163"></td> </tr> </table> <table width="99%" border="0"> <tr> <th colspan="3" bgcolor="#000099" scope="col"><h2><span class="style39"><span class="style86">ACADEMIC NEWS<a name="academic"></a></span></span></h2></th> </tr> <tr> <th colspan="2" scope="col"><div align="left"> <h3><span class="style39">Sixth Grade Team Update </span></h3> </div></th> <th scope="col"><a href="/newsletter.php#top" class="style85">return to top</a></th> </tr> <tr> <th colspan="2" scope="col"><p align="left">March means a new season is just around the corner. In sixth grade, our corners are filled with projects, connections, and explorations. A big science "thank you" goes out to parents for sending in all sorts of different materials for our plate tectonics studies. We had fun. Next up in Room 208 is the study of earthquakes and volcanoes. Math moves to computation with rational numbers which will be applied in our measurement unit. Historical fiction is the reading genre in ELA this month while the writing focus will be on revising and creating student portfolios. In social studies, students will continue studying Ancient Greece. A reminder from Ms. Trudeau: students should still bring in examples of how this culture influences our world today. </p> <div align="left">Finally, we thank all the 6 th graders for their hard work in February. The wide range of projects produced for science, social studies, and ELA were on display in February and were enjoyed by all. </div> </th> <th width="19%" scope="col"><img src="../images/volcanodiagram.gif" width="181" height="163"></th> </tr> <tr> <th colspan="3" scope="col"><div align="left"><span class="style39">Seventh Grade Team Update - Science - Mrs. Johnna Doyle </span></div></th> </tr> <tr> <th scope="col"><img src="../images/Create-a-bug.jpg" width="210" height="263"></th> <th colspan="2" scope="col"><div align="left">This month in science we are working on the animal unit. Students will gets lots of opportunities to dissect earthworms, grasshoppers, crayfish, frogs, and hopefully fish! We also got to view our resident gecko shed his skin.   Very interesting and educational too - do you know they eat their skin after molting?   Last 1/2 day Friday, the students participated in an interdisciplinary, differentiated project. They spent time in each subject area working on "Create a Creature." In science they drew their creature, gave it a scientific name, placed it in one of the 6 animal kingdoms, and explained adaptations for survival. In math they created a timeline of the creature's life, with dates and pictures that corresponded to the life story they created in language arts. The life story included birth date, place, habitat, and an adventure the creature had. Finally, in social studies they created a map of the creature's habitat that corresponded to the life story and adaptations of the creature. The results were great - some strange-looking creatures and some very interesting adventures. </div> </th> </tr> <tr> <th colspan="2" scope="col"><h3 align="left" class="style39">Health Education - Rick Hawkins </h3></th> <th scope="col"><a href="/newsletter.php#top" class="style85">return to top</a></th> </tr> <tr> <td width="12%" rowspan="2" align="center" valign="middle" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><img src="/images/teacher_at_board.jpg" width="168" height="92"></td> <td colspan="2" align="center" valign="middle" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><h3 align="left"><a href="/nurse3.php"><strong></strong></a><span class="style39">Sixth Grade Health Curriculum </span></h3></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="109" colspan="2" align="center" valign="middle" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><div align="left"> The 6th grade health education classes are continuing the unit on physical fitness. They are currently analyzing the physical activities and sports they participate in to determine to what extent they contribute to the different types of fitness. In addition, students will examine the elements of an effective and safe workout, how to prevent injuries, and the principles of developing an effective physical fitness program. At the end of the unit students will develop a behavior change project to improve one area of their fitness. This unit is taught in conjunction with the physical education program.   </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCFFFF" class="style39"><h3>Seventh Grade Health Curriculum</h3></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCFFFF"><p> Following vacation, 7th grade students will be developing a behavior change project to improve one aspect of their eating habits. They will be looking for help and support from parents. Students will track their project on a self-monitoring chart for 5 weeks. Students will keep their charts on their refrigerators. Following the development of the behavior change project we will start a unit on how to prevent and cope with stress. The unit will address the concept of distress (stress that prevents us from doing what we need to do or that causes us discomfort) and eustress (stress that can help us to accomplish our goals). Students will examine the major types of stressors, the sources of stress in their lives, and the impact of distress on our physical, emotional, and social well being.   In addition, students will learn how to avoid stress and ways to manage and cope with it when it does develop. At the end of the unit, students will develop a behavior change project to either prevent stress in their lives or to manage it better when it occurs.         </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top"><h3><span class="style39">Physical Education- Gregory Harrison </span></h3></td> <td valign="top"><div align="center"><a href="/newsletter.php#top" class="style85">return to top</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top"> 6th grade students will be playing badminton and basketball through the middle part of February while 7th and 8th grade students will be playing floor hockey and team handball.   7th and 8th graders will also be practicing with in-line skates and may bring in a pair from home if they would like. After the next snowstorm all grades will be snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on the grounds of Hale if the weather is nice. Students will need to make sure they bring warm clothes to school for these activities. There will be announcements made in school informing the students of the days they will be going outside. </td> <td valign="top"><img src="../ski_Xcountry.gif" width="213" height="158"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top"> </td> <td valign="top"> </td> </tr> </table> <table width="99%" border="0"> <tr> <td colspan="3" valign="top"><h3><span class="style39">Library News - Susan Farr</span></h3></td> <td width="25%" valign="top"><div align="center"><a href="/newsletter.php#top" class="style85">return to top</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="28%" height="190" align="left" valign="middle"><div align="center"> <blockquote> <p><img src="../images/TV_camera_trenchcoat.jpg" width="138" height="142"> </p> </blockquote> </div></td> <td colspan="3" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><p class="style11">The library is a busy place this school year. In addition to the regular library activities, we are also the location of our live closed-circuit TV station, Hawk TV! The equipment takes up a bit (a lot!) of space but the excitement of the station is well worth a little disorganization. </p> <p>If you might be interested to helping out at the library during lunch or any other time, please contact Susan Farr at 978-897-4788 X219 . We can always use help! <strong></strong></p></td> </tr> </table> <table width="99%" border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3"> <tr bgcolor="#000099"> <th colspan="3" scope="col"><h2 class="style39"><span class="style86">COMMUNITY NEWS</span> <a name="community"></a></h2></th> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><h3><span class="style39">Stow Girl Scouts - BINGO FOR KIDS!!!!</span></h3></td> <td width="16%"><div align="center"><a href="/newsletter.php#top" class="style85">return to top</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="17%"><img src="../images/bingo_balls_with_cards_lg_wht.gif" width="243" height="136"></td> <td colspan="2">   For the first time ever, an evening of Bingo (and more!)  just for kids!  Come for a fun-filled evening complete with games and toy prizes. All games and fun are included in a 2-hour period for only $5.  Come on down to St. Isidore's on Friday, March 10th , from 6-8 pm and prepare to have a great time.  Snacks and drinks will be available for 50 cents each.  Under 5 with adult supervision only, please.  For more info, contact Karen at 568-8126, or karenrodriques@comcast.net. This event is sponsored by Jr. Girl Scout Troop 2521. </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"><h3 class="style39">Friends of Nashoba BASEBALL Clinic </h3></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#9999FF"><p>Saturday, March 4th (snow date 3/5) at Nashoba Regional High School. Two sessions available or do both! 9:00 - 12:00 or 1:00 - 4:00; kids will be divided 7-10 yr. olds and 11-13 year olds. All aspects of baseball will be covered, kids from everywhere are welcome. Nashoba JV and Varsity coaches and college players will instruct. Pre-registration is $40, or do both sessions for only $65 (or register the day of the clinic $45 one session and $70 for both the day of the clinic)!...  <a href="/activ_stow_rec.php"><em>Click for more info!</em></a> </p> </td> <td><img src="../images/baseball_catch.jpg" width="130" height="120"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <h3 class="style39"><strong>Stow Soccer Club/ PLAY SOCCER Summer Camp </strong> </h3></td> <td><div align="center"><a href="/newsletter.php#top" class="style85">return to top</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center"><img src="/images/joe_soccer.jpg" width="91" height="123"></div></td> <td colspan="2"> Calling all Stow soccer players...don't miss out this summer! The Stow Soccer Club is offering a weeklong summer camp run by PLAY SOCCER. This organization has been used in the past and has proved to be lots of fun for </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><h3><span class="style39">Arts Buffet Festival Coming Next Month!</span></h3></td> <td><div align="center"><a href="/newsletter.php#top" class="style85">return to top</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#FFFF66"><span class="style17"><strong>Saturday March 25th at Center School Gymnasium from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. </strong></span>  The 4th Annual Arts Buffet Festival is fast approaching and we are eager for people to participate in the preparation, staffing of the tables the day of the festival, and to attend.   We also need donations of mint and gum tins (i.e., Eclipse, Altoids, etc.), fabric scraps, baby food jars, tables to use at the festival, and craft ideas to do at the festival.   If you are able to help in any way please contact Liz Muehl at 897-8983. </td> <td><img src="../images/crafts%20for%20kids.gif" width="129" height="144"></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><h3 class="style88">Annual Electronics Recycling Event</h3></td> <td><div align="center"><a href="/newsletter.php#top" class="style85">return to top</a></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td><div align="center"><img src="../images/broken_computer.jpg" width="184" height="220"></div></td> <td colspan="2"> <p>Annual Electronics Recycling Event Friends of Troop 1 Stow will hold this year's electronics recycling event, Operation Motherboard, behind the <span class="style91"><strong>Stow Fire Station on Saturday, April 22nd from 9 AM to 1 PM.</strong></span> The goal is to responsibly reclaim or recycle unwanted electronic components such as computers, monitors, TV sets, radios, cell phones and other electronic items. A modest donation ranging from $5 to $20, depending on items dropped off, is suggested. A no-charge pickup service is available from March 1st to April 16th for senior citizens and anyone requiring special assistance. Funds raised will be used for fees and transport of material to a qualified electronics disposal firm and to support the activities of Stow Boy Scout Troop 1. Please contact Rob Langelo, 978-568-8902, <a href="mailto:rlangelo@comcast.net">rlangelo@comcast.net </a>, or Don Tyler, 978-897-6840, <a href="mailto:dtyler@clarksol.com">dtyler@clarksol.com </a>, with any questions or to arrange pickup.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><h3 class="style39"><strong>Stow TV Cable Channel 9 - Anne VanTine, Stow TV          </strong></h3> </td> <td><div align="center"><span class="style39"><a href="/newsletter.php#top" class="style85">return to top</a></span></div></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" bgcolor="#CCFFFF"><p>Stow TV cablecasts programs of local interest including Selectmen meetings.   Program schedules and more are available at <a href="http://www.stowtv.org/">www.stowtv.org </a>.   Schedules are also published in local newspapers and in some e-mail distributions. On the town web site, the schedule is under "News" and you can sign up for schedules to be emailed to you. </p> Stow TV is looking for volunteers to record meetings - we will train.   Contact Anne VanTine, Stow TV Coordinator, 978-897-7732, email <a href="mailto:stowtv@stow-ma.gov">stowtv@stow-ma.gov </a>. </td> <td><img src="../images/TV_camera_9_logo.jpg" width="140" height="171"></td> </tr> </table> <table width="99%" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="3"> <tr> <th colspan="5" scope="col"> <div align="left"> <h3 class="style39"><strong>News from the Nashoba School Committee - Ellen Sturgis </strong> </h3> </div></th> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="4" valign="top"><p>I presume that most of you are able to follow what has been happening with the School Committee lately, as the local papers have been doing a great job of covering our meetings.  One item I'd like to highlight was the annual audit, which was completed and reported out at our December 15th meeting.  Not only did the state Finance Advisory Board vote to disband at the end of FY2005, acknowledging the financial health and progress of the District, but our bond rating has gone up--this was significant as we finally received the final funds due on the high school construction project and went out for long term financing on the balance of the debt.  The cost of that financing was lower than expected because our improved bond rating reduced our interest rate.</p> </td> <td width="19%" valign="top"><img src="../images/file_cabinet_pink.gif" width="121" height="148"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="30%" valign="middle"><img src="../images/sch_comm_pict.jpg" width="204" height="138"></td> <td colspan="4" valign="top"><p>The upcoming work will be on the <span class="style37">FY07 budget</span>.  This is probably the most important work the School Committee does, and the District does an enormous amount of preparation for this process.  This year, we will be holding an all-day budget workshop scheduled currently for <span class="style37">Saturday, February 4th</span>.   At this session, members of the administrative team (principals of all schools, central office directors, and some HS senior staff) will present their budgets for review by the entire school committee.  If ever you were concerned or interested in how school dollars are spent, this is the place to be.  Keep your eyes posted to the District website for details, or contact me for more information as the date draws closer.</p> </td> </tr> </table> <table width="99%" border="0"> <tr> <th width="100%" scope="col"><div align="left"> <p>If you're interested in future meetings, dates and agendas are posted on <a href="http://www.nrsd.net">www.nrsd.net</a> as well as to the Nashoba schools list serve.   As always, please let your school committee representatives (Brian Burke, Chris Way and myself) know of any thoughts or concerns you may have.  And we would love to see you at one of our upcoming meetings! </p> </div></th> </tr> </table> <table width="99%" height="69" border="0"> <tr> <th width="20%" scope="col"><img src="/images/ani-email_star1.gif" width="90" height="81"></th> <th width="64%" scope="col"><h1 align="left" class="style39">Hale PSG Newsletter<a name="PSG"></a></h1></th> <th width="16%" scope="col"><a href="/newsletter.php#top" class="style85">return to top</a></th> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="3"><p>This monthly newsletter is brought to you by the Hale Parent Support Group in an attempt to keep parents, staff and students informed as to the <em>"happenings" at </em> the Hale Middle School. It is created monthly and posted here, on the Hale website, around the first of each month. Paper copies can be picked up at the Hale School office, or call 897-4788.   </p> <p><span class="style17"><span class="style9"><strong>If you have any item for inclusion in the Hale Newsletter, please submit your material (written, as you would like it to appear),</strong></span></span><span class="style9"><strong><span class="style43"> no later than the 20th of each month.</span>   Please include your name and telephone number just in case a question arises regarding your article. </strong></span><span class="style17"> </span><span class="style8">Articles and flyers may be submitted electronically, via e-mail, to: </span><span class="style9"><strong><em>halenewsletter@yahoo.com, </em>or by dropping a paper copy into the "Newsletter Folder" in the school office.</strong></span></p> <p>If you have a special request regarding your article, special decal or clip-art, or a special placement request (such as "bottom of page"), please leave a note on the article submitted. If you have any questions, or feel there needs to be some clarification, please contact Tona Hangen; you may e-mail her at: <strong><em>halenewsletter@yahoo.com</em></strong>.   </p> <p align="center" class="style9"><span class="style45">For corrections or additions <span class="style17"><em>after</em></span> an article is published, please contact the Webmaster at: </span><strong> cchan...@nrsd.net </strong></p> <p>The Hale Newsletter is the most effective vehicle we have for communicating information about our school.   Please be sure to read it each month. It contains our school calendar, lunch menus, important reminders and other specific information about school events and activities.   We also include surveys in the newsletters from time to time to get your opinions on school practices and issues.</p> <p align="center" class="style17 style54"><strong><em>Thank you for reading our newsletter! </em></strong></p> <table width="97%" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"> <tr> <th height="38" colspan="4" scope="col"><div align="left"><span class="style17 style54"><em><strong>This year's Archived issues: </strong></em></span></div> <div align="left"></div></th> </tr> <tr> <td width="26%"><span class="style7"><a href="../documents/Sept%2705_Hale_Newsletter.pdf">September'05</a></span></td> <td width="27%"><span class="style7"><a href="../documents/Dec%2705_Hale_Newsletter.pdf">December'05</a></span></td> <td width="26%"><span class="style7"></span></td> <td width="21%"><span class="style7"></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="style7"><a href="../documents/Oct%2705_Hale_Newsletter.pdf">October'05</a></span></td> <td><span class="style7"><a href="../documents/Jan%2706_Hale_Newsletter.pdf">January'06</a></span></td> <td><span class="style7"></span></td> <td><span class="style7"></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span class="style7"><a href="../documents/Nov%2705_Hale_Newslett_conf.pdf">November'05</a></span></td> <td><span class="style7"><a href="../documents/Feb%2706_Hale_Newslett.pdf">February'06</a></span></td> <td><span class="style7"></span></td> <td><span class="style7"></span></td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <p> </p> <p> </p> <h3></h3> <p> </p> <p>  </p>