A Note From the Principal
04/08/2008
A Note from the Principal
I would like to begin by wishing everyone a “Happy Spring”. We have been very busy here at Oakham Center School. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE, formerly DOC), completed the Coordinated Program Review (CPR) on March 20th. All schools were visited as part of the CPR. The CPR provides a “snapshot” of the district’s compliance with state and federal requirements in the areas of special education, civil rights, and english language education. When the final report is completed by the Department and submitted to the district as a public document, it will be available at the DESE website.
HERE IS WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOMS
Jane Pease, a retired kindergarten teacher, has been coming in to read to our students in grades Pre-K and K. The children really enjoy this opportunity.
Kindergarten is going to be having an exciting spring. In the month of April they will be doing a thematic unit on the rainforest. They will also be studying the life cycles of frogs. The classes will be getting tadpoles and the students will be watching them grow. I am sure the students will be keeping us informed!
First graders are learning to tell time to the hour and half hour. The students have also been studying what is under us, in the earth. Mr. Lockwood has volunteered to share some of his knowledge as a geologist with a visit to the classroom. First graders have also been busy writing fiction stories.
Grade 3 had an exciting month of March, with several pizza parties and a mega munchie movie party. The first pizza party was hosted by Sgt. Robinson, as a thank you for all of the cards and letters the students had sent him and his company in Iraq. The next party was hosted by the OCS student council and was earned by the third grade students for bringing in the most canned goods during the food drive. The mega munchie movie party was a result of the students studying their multiplication facts. For each ten minutes the students studied their facts, a paper link was added to a chain. The chain was over 20 yards long!
The third graders are also involved with the “Reading is Cool” program sponsored by the Worcester Sharks. The class has read over 852 books since joining the program.
The students are looking forward to their field trip to Old Sturbridge Village in April.
Fourth graders have been working hard to prepare for MCAS. They have been presented with a series of writing workshops that incorporate specific writing skills lessons. In social studies the students have been reading non-fiction books related to specific Native American culture regions and tribes. They will be producing a power point presentation in computer class from the notes they have been taking from these books.
The fifth graders just finished an “Original 13 Colonies” jumbo book. It will soon be displayed in the library. Students are presently putting together an interactive map of the Slave Trade.
Grade six will sponsor a cake raffle on Monday, April 7th, to raise money for their trip to Nature’s Classroom. Families of sixth graders are welcome to donate a cake for the event. Teachers are already planning their cake surprises.
The chorus sang at the Thanksgiving dinner for the seniors at Quabbin Regional High School. They were also invited to sing The Star Spangled Banner at a Worcester Sharks Game. They just successfully participated in the choral festival at the high school, along with Ruggles Lane and New Braintree. We would like to thank Ms. Lisa Huntington and Ms. Janet Hardy for assisting with the chorus during the festival. The spring concert is scheduled for May 7th and I am sure it will be enjoyable for all.
Computer Classes
Grade 1 Beginning keyboarding, typing lists and sentences.
Grade 2 Math programs – learning and reinforcing math facts.
Grade 3 Keyboarding – “Type to Learn”
Grade 4 Learning Power Point. Doing research and making a short power point
presentation on the Native Americans.
Grade 5 Power point project “Who am I?”- students create a power point show describing themselves.
Grade 6 Solar system power point project – groups research a specific topic and create a power point presentation.
Miss Miller has once again organized a Boston field trip on April 12 for students in grade 5. Students in grades 3-6 have been participating in the ELA portion of the MCAS. We would like to thank all of the parents who provided snacks for the students.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or email at tworthington@qrsd.org if you have any questions or concerns.
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