Hello Curley Community. Just a reminder that our monthly meeting of the Curley School Parent Council will be taking place tomorrow, November 6 at 8:45 am in the Upper School Library. On the agenda will be a discussion of the 2013-2014 budget, as well as updates from the playing field committee, technology team, and other working groups.

Spanish language interpretation available and breakfast will be served. Remember, there’s no better way to shake off those Wednesday morning blahs than by tipping back a cup of coffee with a group of other committed Curley parents and guardians. Hope you can join us.

The Election Day Bake Sale is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 5th! A big thanks to all the great volunteers who’ve signed up so far! But there’s still time to donate a few more goods, still time to staff a few more tables.

Please click the link below to sign up for a shift and/or donate a delicious treat. Bake Sale shifts are in 2 hour intervals beginning at 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. The Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

http://doodle.com/99znuncwqf7pvz44

In 2012, we made $1,000 at the Election Day Bake Sale, which is a LOT of coffee and baked items sold. With your help, we can make this year another great success!

Bake Sale food donations can be dropped off tomorrow as early as possible at the bake sale. The Bake Sale itself will be held just outside the poll entrance near the bridge parking lot on Pershing Road.

Please include an ingredient list with donated baked items (written on a piece of paper is fine) and individually wrap items if possible.

Questions? Contact Emily Litonjua at gemkat@comcast.net.

This week’s Paw Prints from Principal Katie Grassa:

• Family Math Night: [Updated] Thursday, November 7th from 6pm-8pm The Family Math Night has been rescheduled to Thursday, November 21st at 5:30pm in the Lower School Cafeteria. This is a chance for the whole family to practice math by playing math games. For more details, please contact Maria Monteiro-Roby or Betty Villalba-Alvarado.
• School Parent Council Meeting: Please join us for the SPC meeting on Wednesday, November 6th from 8:45 a.m. -10:45 a.m. in the Upper School Library.
• Election Day Bake Sale: A hotly contested race for mayor here in Boston means lots of customers for this year’s Election Day Bake Sale on Tuesday, November 5th! The Curley Parent Council needs you to pitch in by donating goods and staffing the tables. Please click the link below to sign up for a shift and/or donate a delicious treat. Bake Sale shifts are in 2 hour intervals beginning at 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. The Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. http://doodle.com/99znuncwqf7pvz44.
• Middle School Terms: Students in 6th – 8th grade have four terms instead of three in the elementary grades. The first term ends on Friday, November 8th. Reports cards will follow approximately two weeks later.
• School Showcase: Stay tuned for updates and volunteer opportunities for the Boston Public Schools Showcase. This is the first time the new student assignment process will take place and we are going to be opening our school to potential families on Saturday, November 16th from 9am-1pm.
• NAEYC: The Curley K-8 School will be recognized for receiving NAEYC Accreditation at the November 6th School Committee Meeting. The meeting will take place at 6pm in the Winter Chambers at 20 Court Street. All are welcome to attend.

Principal Grassa wanted us to share a bulletin BPS has posted about road closings which may have a bearing on 8th, 6th and 9th grade students traveling to take the ISEE tomorrow morning. Road closings are due to tomorrow morning’s Red Sox parade.

The bulletin reads as follows:

Saturday, Nov. 2 ISEE exam traffic update: Families can expect some traffic delays Saturday morning due to the Red Sox parade. Road closures will begin around 9am Saturday. BPS advises families to ensure all students scheduled for the Nov. 2 administration arrive early, as indicated on your test ticket. We recommend you take the test on this day as we cannot guarantee the opportunity to take the make-up exam on Nov. 16.

• Click here for parade and traffic information from the City of Boston.

Remember to have your student bring the following:

• Your ticket – your student received one this week
• Your school ID because this is the form of ID the student may use – your student received this as well this week
• Five number 2 pencils
• An eraser
• Water and a snack

Best wishes to all our 8th and 6th grade test takers tomorrow!

Next week’s hotly contested race for mayor here in Boston means only one thing: lots of customers for this year’s Election Day Bake Sale on Tuesday, November 5th! The Curley Parent Council needs you to pitch in by donating goods and staffing the tables.

Please click the link below to sign up for a shift and/or donate a delicious treat. Bake Sale shifts are in 2 hour intervals beginning at 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. The Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

http://doodle.com/99znuncwqf7pvz44

In 2012, we made $1,000 at the Election Day Bake Sale, which is a LOT of coffee and baked items sold. With your help, we can make this year another great success!

Bake Sale food donations can be dropped off on Monday, November 4th in the lower school office during school hours and Tuesday, November 5th as early as possible at the bake sale which will be held just outside the poll entrance near the bridge parking lot on Pershing Rd.

Please include an ingredient list with donated baked items (written on a piece of paper is fine) and individually wrap items if possible. Questions? Contact Emily Litonjua at gemkat@comcast.net.

ISEE Tickets for this Saturday’s Exam

Exam is Saturday, November 2nd
9:00 am, but arrive by 8:15 am

Attention 8th grade and 6th grade parents: For those who are taking the ISEE on Saturday, which is the entrance exam for the three BPS exam schools, you will need to have your student bring their admissions ticket and school ID.

These were given to your 8th today and will be distributed to your 6th graders tomorrow.

Below is the full note from our School Counselor Sue Trotz:

Today [Tuesday], all 8th graders received their ISEE ticket and school ID (sheet of paper with name, address, description with school seal).

Tomorrow [Wednesday] all 6th graders will receive their ISEE ticket and school ID.

Review the ticket for the location of the test site.  Many students will take it at the Curley, however some will have to take it at other test sites.

If for any reason you are not able to attend the November 2nd test, there will be a make up test on November 16th at the John D. O’Bryant School at 55 Malcolm X Blvd., Roxbury.

I’m recommending a good night sleep, have a good dinner and breakfast and arrive by 8:15am. The test starts at 9:00am.

So, remember to have your student bring the following:

• Your ticket
• Your school ID because this is the form of ID the student may use
• Five number 2 pencils
• An eraser

The best of luck to all our students!

________________________

YWCA Dialogue on Race and Ethnicity Series

Wednesday, October 23, 30, November 6, 13, and 20
5:30pm – 7:30pm, Library

How does it work?
Community Dialogue participants complete a multi-week series of facilitated discussions about race and ethnicity. Our school-based dialogues engage principals, teachers and parents in dialogue in an effort to strengthen school culture and community.

What are the goals?

• Transform the divisions between us into links that enrich us
• Build a more understanding school community
• Connect with other members of the Curley K-8 school community

Dialogues at the Curley K-8 School

• October 23, 30, and November 6, 13, and 20 from 5:30pm—7:30pm
• Dinner and childcare will be available
• The dialogue will be interpreted in both English and Spanish

How can I participate?

• Email: dialogues@ywcaboston.org
• Call: (617) 585-5460
• Or email Maria Monteiro-Roby at mmonteiroroby@boston.k12.ma
• Or call 617-756-3667 more information.
• You may also sign up by filling out this Curley race dialogue series application.

**********

YWCA Boston Diálogos en la Comunidad

Octubre 23, 30 y Noviembre 6, 13 y 20
de 5:30 a 7:30pm

¿Cómo funciona?
Participantes de los Diálogos Comunitarios completan una serie de varias semanas de discusiones sobre raza y etnicidad. En los diálogos escolares participan Directores, Maestros y Padres de familia, en un esfuerzo para fortalecer la cultura de la escuela y la comunidad.

¿Cuáles son los objetivos?

• Transformar la divisiones entre nosotro en enlaces que nos enriquezcan
• Construir una mejor comunidad escolar
• Conectar con otros miembros de la comunidad escolar de Curley K-8

Diálogos en la Escuela Curley

• Octubre 23, 30 y Noviembre 6, 13 y 20 de 5:30 a 7:30pm
• Se proveerá con Cena y Guardería
• El diálogo será en Inglés y en Español

¿Cómo puedo participar?

• Email: dialogues@ywcaboston.org

• Llama: (617) 585-5460

• O habla con Betty B Alvarado Llama: 617-304-6771 para obtener más información
• Você também pode se inscrever com o preenchimento deste requerimento.

________________________

Quality Schools Plan Presentation by Principal Grassa

Wednesday, October 30th
6 pm – 7 pm, Auditorium

Each school in the district is asked to submit a Quality Schools Plan, which outlines the goals and priorities for the school year. The plan is central to our development as a school during this academic year, and informs much of the budget considerations for next year.

Rescheduled to this Wednesday, October 30th from 6 pm – 7 pm Principal Katie Grassa will present the final plan to all interested community members. This is an opportunity for parents and guardians who could not attend this presentation at the last Principal’s breakfast.

The presentation will be made in the Auditorium. Childcare and translation will be provided.

All families and staff are strongly encouraged to attend.

________________________

Election Day Bake Sale

Tuesday, November 5th

We will hold an Election Day Bake Sale. Read details here!

________________________

November School Parent Council Meeting

Wednesday, November 6th
8:45 am – 10:45 am, Library

This month’s SPC meeting will concentrate on our budget and fundraising. Details to follow shortly.

________________________

Family Math Night

Thursday, November 7th
6 pm – 8 pm, Lower School Cafeteria

A chance for the whole family to practice math by playing math games. For more details, please contact Maria Monteiro-Roby or Betty Villalba-Alvarado.

This week’s Paw Prints from Principal Katie Grassa:

• Middle School Terms: Students in 6th – 8th grade have four terms instead of three in the elementary grades. The first term ends on Friday, November 8th. Reports cards will follow approximately two weeks later.
• Represent your Alma Mater Day: On Friday, October 25th staff wore clothing that represented the college they attended. Students were excited to ask questions about college and make connections between adults who attending the same college.
• Quality School Plan Meeting: The remaining event will take place on Wednesday, October 30th from 6:00pm-7:00pm. All families are welcome to attend and hear about the goals and actions steps the Curley K-8 will focus on this school year.
• Halloween: I have heard from many staff and families around the celebration of Halloween and I appreciate their honesty and support. The Curley K-8 will not have a Halloween celebration during the school day. As a community we are focused on health and wellness and therefore we ask that all candy remain at home.
• School Showcase: Stay tuned for updates and volunteer opportunities for the Boston Public Schools Showcase. This is the first time the new student assignment process will take place and we are going to be opening our school to potential families on Saturday, November 16th from 9am-1pm.
• NAEYC: The Curley K-8 School will be recognized for receiving NAEYC Accreditation at the November 6th School Committee Meeting. The meeting will take place at 6pm in the Winter Chambers at 20 Court Street. All are welcome to attend.
• Katie Grassa Professional Development (PD): Our school is participating in a national study concerning principal use of time. As a principal I try to make instructional work my priority but management duties sometime get in the way. A data collector will be shadowing me on 10/28, 10/31. Every five minutes my “shadow” will take data on what I am doing. The data collector can’t talk to me, or anyone else. The data collector will carry a clipboard with a stopwatch and will try to be as “invisible” as possible and not disrupt our work.
• I will receive the results of the data collection ten days later and will work with my SAM to increase the percentage of time I spend on instruction.
• Next year we will repeat the data collection process to see how much progress I have made.
• Please make every effort to interact with me as you do every other day.

A hotly contested race for mayor here in Boston means lots of customers for this year’s Election Day Bake Sale on Tuesday, November 5th! The Curley Parent Council needs you to pitch in by donating goods and staffing the tables.

Please click the link below to sign up for a shift and/or donate a delicious treat. Bake Sale shifts are in 2 hour intervals beginning at 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. The Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

http://doodle.com/99znuncwqf7pvz44

In 2012, we made $1,000 at the Election Day Bake Sale, which is a LOT of coffee and baked items sold. With your help, we can make this year another great success!

Bake Sale food donations can be dropped off on Monday, November 4th in the lower school office during school hours and Tuesday, November 5th as early as possible at the bake sale which will be held just outside the poll entrance near the bridge parking lot on Pershing Rd.

Please include an ingredient list with donated baked items (written on a piece of paper is fine) and individually wrap items if possible. Questions? Contact Emily Litonjua at gemkat@comcast.net.

The Curley K-8 will be holding a Nutritional Awareness Walk Through on November 15th. The Walk Through is an event sponsored by the Health and Wellness Committee to see what changes we can make to improve nutrition at the Curley, the cafeteria will be the main focus.

ALL parents are welcome to attend, we need your input! There will be two shifts, 8-8:40am and 11-12:30pm, feel free to attend 1 or both. More details about where to meet will follow shortly.

If you are interested or know other parents who might be, please let them know of this event. If you have time, please fill out the doodle poll (see below) but you can just show up too:

http://doodle.com/4tmusygn467p3ufd

Thank you!

The Curley K-8 Health and Wellness Committee
Katie Fitch (kathleenfitch@hotmail.com)
Ann Greaney Williams (ann.greaney-williams@tufts.edu)
Sue Trotz (strotz@boston.k12.ma.us)

Each school in the district is asked to submit a Quality Schools Plan, which outlines the goals and priorities for the school year.

After the previous cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances, we are happy to report Principal Katie Grassa will present the final plan to all interested community members next Wednesday, October 30th from 6 pm – 7 pm in the auditorium.

Childcare and translation will be provided.

All families and staff are welcome and encouraged to attend.

If you are unable to make this presentation, Principal Grassa will also be presenting the plan at the Principal’s breakfast this Friday, October 25th from 8:45 am – 9:45 am in the library.

Here’s what’s on deck at the Curley this week.

Wednesday is Red Sox Day!

On Wednesday, October 23rd the Red Sox will play in the first game of the 2013 World Series at Fenway Park. The Curley K-8 community would like to show their excitement and support to the SOX by wearing Red Sox gear or red, white and blue. No uniform is required on this day.

________________________

YWCA Dialogue on Race and Ethnicity Series

Wednesday, October 23, 30, November 6, 13, and 20
5:30pm – 7:30pm, Library

How does it work?
Community Dialogue participants complete a multi-week series of facilitated discussions about race and ethnicity. Our school-based dialogues engage principals, teachers and parents in dialogue in an effort to strengthen school culture and community.

What are the goals?

• Transform the divisions between us into links that enrich us
• Build a more understanding school community
• Connect with other members of the Curley K-8 school community

Dialogues at the Curley K-8 School

• October 23, 30, and November 6, 13, and 20 from 5:30pm—7:30pm
• Dinner and childcare will be available
• The dialogue will be interpreted in both English and Spanish

How can I participate?

• Email: dialogues@ywcaboston.org
• Call: (617) 585-5460
• Or email Maria Monteiro-Roby at mmonteiroroby@boston.k12.ma
• Or call 617-756-3667 more information.
• You may also sign up by filling out this Curley race dialogue series application.

**********

YWCA Boston Diálogos en la Comunidad

Octubre 23, 30 y Noviembre 6, 13 y 20
de 5:30 a 7:30pm

¿Cómo funciona?
Participantes de los Diálogos Comunitarios completan una serie de varias semanas de discusiones sobre raza y etnicidad. En los diálogos escolares participan Directores, Maestros y Padres de familia, en un esfuerzo para fortalecer la cultura de la escuela y la comunidad.

¿Cuáles son los objetivos?

• Transformar la divisiones entre nosotro en enlaces que nos enriquezcan
• Construir una mejor comunidad escolar
• Conectar con otros miembros de la comunidad escolar de Curley K-8

Diálogos en la Escuela Curley

• Octubre 23, 30 y Noviembre 6, 13 y 20 de 5:30 a 7:30pm
• Se proveerá con Cena y Guardería
• El diálogo será en Inglés y en Español

¿Cómo puedo participar?

• Email: dialogues@ywcaboston.org

• Llama: (617) 585-5460

• O habla con Betty B Alvarado Llama: 617-304-6771 para obtener más información
• Você também pode se inscrever com o preenchimento deste requerimento.

________________________

Picture Day for 6th – 8th grade

Wednesday, October 23rd

For more information and order forms, please read the earlier story.

________________________

SpedPac General Meeting

Thursday, October 24
7 pm – 9 pm
Campbell Resource Center, 2nd floor
1216 Dorchester Ave. Dorchester, MA 02125

The next Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SpedPac) meeting is this Thursday. For more information, click here for more information.

________________________

Principal’s Breakfast

Friday, October 25th
8:4a am – 9:45 am, Library

All parents/guardians are cordially invited to our monthly breakfast. These gatherings are designed to provide a regular opportunity to:

• Get to know our new Principal, Ms. Grassa
• Receive updates on what is happening at our school
• Participate in positive conversations
• Give feedback to make our school a better place
• Answer any questions you may have

This week, Principal Grassa will present the Curley’s Quality Schools Plan which underlines the school’s goals for the coming year.

For more information, please get in touch with Betty Villalba-Alvarado at 617-304-6771 or Maria Monteiro-Roby 617-756-3667.

**********

Desayuno con la Principal

Viernes, 25 de octubre 2013
En la Biblioteca de la Escuela Intermedia – Room 206

Todos los padres estan cordialmente invitados a nuestro desayuno mensual con la Principal. Estas reuniones han sido diseñados para proveer oportunidades para los padres:

• Que conozcan a la nueva Principal, Sra. Grassa
• Recibir noticias de qué esta pasando en nuestra escuela
• Participar en conversaciones positivas
• Dar sugerencias para hacer de nuestra escuela un mejor lugar
• Contestar cualquier pregunta que Ud. pueda tener

Para más información, por favor pongase en contacto con Betty Villalba-Alvarado (617-304-6771) o Maria Monteiro-Roby (617-756-3667).

Last Friday we had the school year’s first major fundraiser, the 7th Annual Fall Fling. It was a fun filled evening complete with face painting, bouncy house jumping, food, raffles, laughter prizes and music.

There are a few highlights I wanted to share with families from that evening:

* We started selling raffle tickets several weeks prior to the event, and guess who was our first customer? We sold our first raffle ticket to a 1935 Curley student!

* Many parents and tons of kids took turns selling raffle tickets in front of JP Licks in the weekends leading up to the event. Many others also took stacks of tickets home to sell to family and friends – a critical part of our success were these very sales!

* Kim Taylor-Knight added color and pizzazz to the evening with her dancing troupe performing a flash mob delighting the families.

* Dozens of themed baskets, donated by parents and organized with care by parent Jennifer Taub, drew interest and crowds

* We had VIP guests in attendance too: John Connolly, Liz Malia (representing Marty Walsh) and Matt O’Malley all came out.

* The Apple iPad mini winner was our second grade Curley student, Zoe Williams! I am especially glad that she won, because moments before she was holding the winning ticket for one of the baskets, but was not able to make her way through the excited crowd in time to claim her prize. She remained quiet and calm, but I felt bad for her and promised to find a way to make it up to her. Moments later, she won the iPad. This time around she was still calm, but happier!

This event was a major team effort and wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for everyone helping out however they can:

* Parents Kieran Fitzgibbons, Heshan Berents-Weeramnuni, Ian Whittle, Riaz Ahmed, John McLoughlin and Jon Gummer and a number of Curley students helped bring sound dampening boards, tables and chairs into the gym, and took them back out at the end of the evening.

* Jess Ormsby, Pamela Yosca, Sunny Schwarts, Noreen Power helped sell tickets, without a break all evening!

* Kristin Jurkoic was at the ready for anything – she decorated the Thrift Shop and Halloween costumes corner singlehandedly.

* Katie Fitch, Molly Mariano held up the fort selling Curley shirt and buttons, and Curley’s own apple butter made by Flo Zimmerman and Laura Kollett.

* Lisa Foulger helped cover the bouncy house – a task that I noticed many parents were not too keen on taking on! But kids really did enjoy it 🙂

* Beth Bendavid-Val, Kristin Shapiro, Dana Willeke and other parents helped sell pizza, hot food, sandwiches and beverages.

* Our principal, Ms. Katie Grassa remained at the event until the very end, helping with clean up efforts – and contributing a toy basket. Maria Monteiro-Roby and Betty Alvaredo provided a lot of support before and during the event.

* A very special thank you goes out to the Tenacity group for providing much needed support: Marie Agosta, Jesse Doran, Amy Mulvena, Ed Martinez, Carmen Rodi and Colleen Masson.

As parents we’ve often heard the term, ‘it takes a village’, well in this case it really does! Thank you to everyone for contributing, participating, and coming out to have some fun.

Until next time, stay well,
Inci Kaya
SPC Fundraising Chair