Dear Sprague Community,
We were so fortunate to have Ruby Bridges visit Sprague last Wednesday. She spoke to students in grades 3, 4, and 5. Many thanks to parents Chris Moran and Jenn Fallon for arranging her visit and to the PTO for the funding. If you don’t know her story, Ruby was a six-year old girl who was a key figure in Louisiana during the school segregation controversy in 1960. The Supreme Court ordered schools to include black students in all white schools. Ruby attended the William Franz Elementary School for her first grade year, as the only black student in the school. She was escorted to school each day by 4 Federal Marshalls amid protests, shouting of racial slurs, and unrest that is hard for us to imagine in a school environment today. Our students listened with great interest for almost 2 hours—yes 2 hours—as Ruby described her story, the times, the legal battles, the people who were kind, and what we can and need to still do today. Her message was one of inclusion, kindness, and a commitment to not repeat the mistakes of that time period. Ruby told us of her special relationship with her first grade teacher, Barbara Henry. In fact, they were to have dinner that evening as they remain close. She told us that they had lost touch for 30 years but were reunited on an Oprah Winfrey Show.
If you are interested, look up her story online or rent the family friendly Disney movie about Ruby Bridges.
News from the Sprague Green Team:
Litter-less Lunch
The Green Team would like to let everyone know about the litter-less Lunch on Thursday, May 23.
What is a Litter-less Lunch? It’s a lunch that creates no waste.
· Snacks in reusable containers/baggies.
· Drinks in reusable bottles.
· Reusable utensils.
· No snacks in plastic bags.
Kids who participate will have the chance to win a prize. Please fill out names on a raffle ticket you will receive ahead of time. Green Team members will be at lunch to facilitate.
Book Swap/Drive
In an effort to promote summer reading and reduce waste, this week and next, kids can bring in books from home they’re done with. Books will be sorted and organized by the librarians and literacy specialists. Students will have the chance to swap with each other in library class late May/early June.
All leftovers will be donated to More Than Words, an organization that helps those who are in the foster care system, court involved, homeless, or out of school.
Garden Planting
Volunteers can come help with planting in the garden for the summer, on June 1. Here’s the link to sign up https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050f48a9ad2ba0fd0-garden.
Thank you for your participation in these activities and help to saving the planet!
Thank you for a very successful Food Drive last week! The Wellesley Food Pantry was very grateful!
Ms. Flitsch will be looking for Field Day volunteers soon! Mark your calendar and let her know if you can help!
Dates to remember:
May 17: Sprague night at the Red Sox
May 22: Concert featuring grade 5 chorus and band –11:00 AM
May 27: No school—Memorial Day
May 31: Kindergarten Screening by appt. (Library will be closed for the morning this day)
June 3: Field Day (raindate June 4)
June 5: Sprague Family Picnic
June 13: Grade 5 Farewell assembly at 9:00
June 14: Last Day of school—12:00 dismissal; 11:50 Clap out for Grade 5
MCAS Testing Schedule 2018-2019—the incredibly shrinking schedule J
Elementary Schools
Grade 3
Monday, May 13th—Math
Grade 4
Thursday, May 16th–Math
Friday, May 17th—Math
Grade 5
Tuesday, May 14th–Science, Technology, & Engineering
Monday, May 20th— Science, Technology, & Engineering