Dear PAWS Family,
I hope you all enjoyed your week of February vacation! As we head into March, I would like to share a few updates with you!
Friday, March 2 is Read Across America Day! We invite all of the children to join in the celebration of reading by wearing something Red, White or Black – like the Cat in The Hat, or dress in the color of any favorite Dr. Seuss character!
Saturday, March 3 is the Kindergarten Round Up from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (snow date 3/10/18)
Located at the Sprague Elementary Library, 401 School St., Wellesley MA 02482
Wednesday, March 7 is the Kindergarten Round Up from 10:00-12:00
Located at P.A.W.S., 63 Hastings Street, Wellesley, MA
WPS Kindergarten Registration for children 5 years of age on or before August 31, 2018. Please note that the parent(s) of any Kindergarten eligible student should register with the Wellesley Public Schools even if they are interested in deferring their child’s attendance for one school year. Bring registration forms and required documents to the Round Up. Questions regarding Kindergarten registration should be directed to District Registrar Nancy Costigliola at 781-446-6210 ;5600 or registrar@wellesleyps.org. Read more or download a packet.
Wednesday, March 14 is the “Putting It All Together” Workshop at P.A.W.S. from 6:00-7:30
If your child has an IEP, we welcome you to join us at a parent make-and-take workshop called, “Putting it All Together”! This workshop is lead by parent, Rose Nolan and P.A.W.S. Director, Rebecca Zieminski. At this workshop, you will be given directions and support to help you organize and understand the special education paperwork you collect for your child, and you will receive tips to help you prepare for future meetings. This workshop will offer you an insight into the special education process, while connecting with other parents, share tips, and suggestions that they have found to be helpful, especially as their child transitions to kindergarten from preschool.
You may register for the evening workshop by clicking on this LINK to the event Evite. Child care is provided for this workshop through the generosity of the P.A.W.S. PTO. Indicate in the Evite how many children you will bring, to help us plan accordingly. Feel free to contact the school office for more information!
Wednesdays, March 21, 28, April 4, 11, 25, May 2 – Raise A Reader Workshop is coming to P.A.W.S. offered at 11:50 AM, right after Wednesday dismissal!
The research is clear, when families are involved, children’s academic achievement improves. The Raise A Reader program is being offered to us and is generously funded through our partnership with Communities United, Inc.! Parent/Guardians can sign-up with Isabel at the front desk, to be a part of this special Raise A Reader class. You sign-up to attend this 6-week workshop with your child to learn how to Raise A Reader! The first 6-week session is limited to the first 12 families who sign-up. If there is interest, we will be able to offer this workshop again for 6 weeks May 9, 16, 23, 30 and June 6 and 13, for another 12 families. Please call the PA.W.S. office at 781-446-6222 or email cashmani@wellesleyps.org to register! For more information about literacy and helping your child grow as a reader check out additional resources and information at Reading Rockets.
In light of the recent news and events in Florida, we thought it would be a good reminder to share Strategies for Talking and Listening to Young Children about Safety, from Rebecca Zieminski and Terry Weksel.
After a high-profile tragedy occurs, we all struggle to manage our strong emotions. Many adults deal with this by gathering as much information as possible about the event, listening to radio reports, watching television, reading newspapers, and/or by talking it over with spouses, significant others, and friends. Because you are parents of very young children, and some of you may have older children who are aware of the news regarding the recent shooting at the high school in Florida, it is very important that you use extreme care in what you say or listen to, in front of your children. Diane Levin, Ph.D., who is an authority on the topic of how young children understand such things, tells us that because young children are not able to fully understand cause and effect and distance, it’s hard for them to make distinctions between an immediate threat and one that is far away.
If your child brings up this topic with you, listen hard for what you think he or she asking or saying. Don’t assume anything from their words, what they know or understand. Do not explain specifics to your child, as he or she is not yet emotionally capable of understanding, and instead can create unneeded stress and anxiety. Sometimes a simple, “I heard about that, too” is all that will be needed. If your child presses further, you will need to use judgment about what to say. This might include:
– providing reassurance about his or her safety;
– the general uncommonness of what happened;
– mention the ways in which we keep students safe at P.A.W.S., e.g. teachers are always outside at recess, and everyone has to ring the doorbell to come in the building.
If your child continues to make comments, it would be helpful to let your child’s teacher know, just in case he or she brings it up at school. Then we can work together to share the same message about safety.
Another resource:
https://www.childtrends.org/resources-help-children-wake-school-shooting/
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, we are happy to speak with you.
We are looking forward to celebrating Read Across America Day on Friday, March 2! We hope you will find a special book, take some time to unplug, and enjoy reading a book with your child on this day we celebrate Dr. Seuss’s 114th birthday and the joy of reading!
National Education Association Read Across America Poem
You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild,
To pick up a book and read with a child.
You’re never too busy, too cool, or too hot,
To pick up a book and share what you’ve got.
In schools and communities,
Let’s gather around,
Let’s pick up a book,
Let’s pass it around.
There are kids all around you,
Kids who will need
Someone to hug,
Someone to read.
Come join us March 2nd
Your own special way
And make this America’s
Read to Kids Day.
©Anita Merina
Best,
‘Becca Z.