[HMS News] Parent Flash 1-9-09

[William Carozza]

PARENT FLASH 1/9/09

Check out some new web site features:

* Photos are posted of our new Multi-Purpose Room as well as pics  
today of our TIGER presentation (see below). Head to: http://tinyurl.com/9z2smy

* We have three new Podcasts, including the HMS winter concerts. Head  
to: http://tinyurl.com/88tce9

*****

HMS T-shirts

The first order of the new t-shirts has arrived and they are  
wonderful!  There is still plenty of time to order since orders will  
be sent in through the month of January.  If you need another order  
form, you can get one from your child's teacher.

The “bread and butter” of Harold Martin School is literacy and  
numeracy, that is, teaching students to be solid readers, writers, and  
mathematicians. Of course, social studies and science are crucial as  
well as technology, information skills, and social and emotional  
skills. Thus, when we interrupt the normal schedule, we carefully  
measure the value of that interruption into our teaching time.

One great use of our learning time occurred today when the school  
enjoyed the TIGER program from Plymouth State College, a professional  
theater group that has performed to over 100,000 children in hundreds  
of schools since 2002. In 2005, TIGER was nominated for the Governor's  
Arts Award in Arts and Education by the New Hampshire State Council on  
the Arts. They have visited Harold Martin School for many years and  
has always been one of our favorite assemblies. TIGER has a number of  
different productions, all centering on helping children deal with the  
many social issues that exist in schools today. In my years of working  
in schools, it is one of the very best assemblies I have experienced.

Today’s production dealt with the issue of bullying. For every  
production, the group cleverly utilizes the acronym “TIGER” to help  
students remember the important concepts. On this theme of bullying  
today…

T: Tell and adult

I: I say NO!

G: Gossip? Please don’t!

E: Exit when necessary

R: Respond with respect

Ask your child about it.

Another event will take us away from the usual schedule and that’s the  
Inauguration of President Barack Obama on January 20. For the first  
time, we are going to show portions of the Inauguration to students  
and begin a tradition of doing this every time a new president is  
sworn into office. It’s something we should have been doing through  
the years but of course the advent of the Internet allows us now to  
project the video on a larger screen. We are still working out  
logistics. It is my belief that, regardless of our political  
persuasion, it is important for our students to grow up with a healthy  
respect for the office of the Presidency and the role of government in  
our lives.

Have you seen our new Multi Purpose Room floor? The sides are a bright  
blue with a tan parquet-like basketball floor. I have taken pictures  
and I hope to upload them to the web site this weekend. Look for them  
at:

http://hopkintonschools.org/hms/principal/index.html/Photos.html or  
the easier address of:

http://tinyurl.com/9z2smy

In addition, here are some very important announcements:

·      Due to some scheduling conflicts at the high school, the  
January early release day has been changed from January 27 to January  
28. Sorry for any inconvenience.

·      Mark your calendars for our annual Spaghetti Dinner coming up  
on Thursday, January 29 in our Multi Purpose room.

·      The Movie Night for January 9th has been cancelled.

·      There will be a Parent Advisory Council meeting on Tuesday,  
January 20th at MSS in the library from 5:30-6:30.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Sincerely,

Bill Carozzza

*****

NEXT WEEK AT

'TWEEN SCHOOL 'N HOME

CHILD CARE PROGRAM

at Harold Martin School

Multi-Purpose Room

2:30-5:30 p.m.

Week of  January 12-16, , 2009

Monday:         Monday Movement Madness with Mr. G. – BASKETBALL!!

                         Pennants

Tuesday:        Bind a Book

Wednesday:  Sewing with Mrs. O.

Thursday:       More Sewing with Mrs. O.

Friday:            SPECIAL PROGRAM – Songwriting with Kathy Lowe

                         Tortoise and Hare Racers

If you’d like to register your child or just get more information  
about TSNH, contact Linda Ottery, Executive Director at 529-2186 or tsnh at comcast.net 
.


*****

Hopkinton

PTA

Fun Fair

Yes it's that time of year again for us to start planning for the  
annual Fun Fair! More details will come in the next few months but for  
now we are looking for an assistant to help the Fun Fair Chairperson,  
Stephanie Lesko. No experience is necessary, it just requires the  
ability to have a few flexible hours a week from now until the  
carnival in May. For more information, please contact Stephanie Lesko  
at 746-2156 or lesko at conknet.com or Julie Morris, Director of  
Volunteer Services at 746-4137 or juliemorris at tds.net

*****

The Pace of PE

Following the school's holiday break, all grades (P-3) have begun a  
gymnastics unit. Although similar principles will be taught to every  
student, I have tailored the unit to suit each grade's developmental  
skill level. The opening lessons will focus on balancing, transferring  
weight, rolling, jumping, and landing. These static and dynamic skills  
will be taught for approximately 3 weeks. After getting the students  
used to their spatial awareness on a floor mat, the unit will progress  
and include equipment such as a balance beam, hanging rope, parallel  
bars, and a vaulting horse.

Given that this is the first time I have taught an entire gymnastics  
unit myself, I am going to introduce each apparatus one at a time. I  
will have multiple stations, one of which will involve an apparatus  
and my direct supervision. Other stations will consist of simple  
weight transfers and tumbling activities that can be done  
independently within small groups. By doing this, it allows me to  
experiment with how I would like each skill to be taught. However,  
designing the unit in this fashion does not require parent volunteers.  
Perhaps in the future, I may develop a different unit plan that  
entails having additional support.

Although my approach to teaching gymnastics may be different than what  
has been done in the past, the students are still learning the same  
skills. Furthermore, second and third grade students will be  
continuing with the theme of teamwork by setting up and taking down  
their group's floor mat. Proper carrying techniques have been  
discussed and will be reviewed to ensure safety is always a priority.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Events listed under Community News do not necessarily indicate  
endorsement from Harold Martin School or the Hopkinton School District  
but are provided as a community service.



Hopkinton Ice Skating Rink

The Hopkinton Fairgrounds Ice Rink located at the Nelson Horse Show  
Ring is now open.  Parking is at the first fairground lot (Yellow  
Gate) after the high school.

Ice Skating Instructor

The Hopkinton Recreation Department is looking for an Ice Skating  
Instructor to teach lessons.  If you have experience in ice skating  
and can teach, please contact Justin at 746-2915.

Community Scrapbook Sessions

Join Hopkinton Recreation as we bring you Liz Durant and her  
scrapbooking expertise. This community event is for either experts or  
beginners. The sessions are drop-in and are held on the following  
dates January 9th and 23rd  from 6:30pm-10pm at the Slusser Senior  
Center. Bring your pictures and scrapbook if you have one. Other  
materials and tools will be provided.

Hopkinton Indoor

Soccer Team

We are looking for more team players to join our existing co-ed indoor  
soccer team.  Men must be 25 years or older and women must be 21 years  
and older.  This is a fun league for all levels of play, no matter  
your experience. Call 746-2915 to register and for more information.  
Spots are limited.

Co-Ed Adult Volleyball

Every Sunday night from 7-9pm at the Hopkinton High School gymnasium,  
come and join us for volleyball.  Just show up ready for a great time!

Senior Tax Seminar

Jack Ward a representative from AARP will present a talk about taxes  
for seniors on January 21 at 1pm at the Slusser Senior Center.  This  
is a free talk for all seniors.

Senior Breakfast

On Tuesday January 13th from 8:30am – 10:00am come to the Slusser  
Senior Center for a delicious home cooked breakfast.  Cost is $4.00  
per person.  The Slusser Senior Center is located next to the library  
and is for adults 50 years and older.  Call 746-3800 for more  
information.



_ _

Bill Carozza  | Principal
____________________________
Harold Martin School
271 Main St.
Hopkinton, NH 03229
603 .746 .3473
http://www.hopkintonschools.org/hms/principal
http://billcarozza.com