This week’s Paw Prints from Principal Katie Grassa:

• School Site Council: The School Site Council is an elected board that makes important decisions for the school around budget, hiring and other whole school changes. This committee consists of teachers, parents, administrators and other community members. All are welcomed to attend but only elected members can vote. Our first meeting of the year will take place this Tuesday, September 24th from 5:30pm-7:00pm in the Upper School Library. We hope to see you there.
• Open House: Welcome Open House for all parents on Thursday, September 26, 2013 from 5pm to 7pm. We look forward to meeting all of our families while you will have an opportunity to see your child’s classroom.
• Arrival/Dismissal Procedures: It is very important that all students are on time for school each day. As a reminder you can review the arrival and dismissal procedures below. Thank you for you help in assuring academics starts on time each day.
• Students may enter the building at 8:15am for breakfast.
• All walkers in grades 3-8 will enter at the Centre St. main entrance, all students in grades 1 & 2 will enter on the Pershing Rd. entrance.
• All kindergarten walkers will enter on the Pershing Rd. entrance, families can walk their child to the classroom door for drop off.
• Tardy Time – 8:40am students will be marked tardy.
• Grades 1-8 walkers will be called for dismissal daily at 2:25pm
• Kindergarten walkers can be picked up at the back entrance and the doors will be opened up at 2:25pm
• Assessments: The Terra Nova assessment will be given to all students in grades 3-5 beginning on September 30th. This assessment is used to decide which students qualify for Advanced Work Class.
• Election: Tuesday is Election Day and the Curley K-8 is a voting site for 3 wards in the area. We have been working closely with the election department to assure the safety of all students during this time. We are asking all families who vote here at the school to not walk through the building to get to the tolls. Please use the voter entrance only. Thanks!
• Quality Schools Plan (QSP): The district is asking all schools to create a Quality Schools Plan that drives the work of the school throughout the year. Data from various sources is used to help staff define goals for the year and create actions steps to make gains toward achieving this goal. It is due to the district on October 10th but portions of the plan will be shared at School Site Council and School Parent Council for feedback as we lead up to the due date. The full plan will be share with both committees at the second meeting of the year.
• Fall Fling: Thank you to all the families working over the next several weeks selling raffle tickets, eliciting donations and planning for the Fall Fling. This is an important fundraiser for our school and we are looking for as much help as possible. Please contact Inci Kaya at incikaya34@hotmail.com and save the date for the evening of October 18th for a night out with your family!

The first Health and Wellness Committee Meeting of the year is this Tuesday, September 24th from 3 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. in the Guidance Office.

The note from committee organizer Sue Trotz is below:

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Hi all Curley Staff, Parents and Collaborative Community Agency members,

We’d like to invite you to attend this year’s 1st Health and Wellness Committee meeting.

It will be Tuesday, September 24th from 3 – 4:15 p.m., in the Guidance Office

We have 6 areas that we work on:

1. Stress Reduction/yoga/ mental health,
2. Exercise/movement,
3. Nutrition/Healthy Foods and snacks,
4. Cultural proficiency/school climate,
5. School cleanliness/ recycling/water
6. Nature/outdoor classroom.

We have done a lot of work on the school environment in the last 4 years and have had much success. By popular request, many have expressed interest in working on Nutrition/Healthy Foods and Snacks this year.

In fact, we work on the issues that people who attend want to. And we want to encourage work on all 6 areas.

Suggested Agenda

• 10 minutes – Introductions – What is your favorite healthy snack while we have tea together
• 15 minutes – What would you like to work on this year on this Committee
• 2-3 minutes – Yoga position that reduces headaches
• 30 minutes –  Set time and day for Nutrition Awareness Walk Thru
  • Breakfast and Lunch
  • What are we looking for: suggestions: Sugar, salt, fat content, getting rid of sugar milk and snacks, making consistent the salad bar, having water accessible
• 15 minutes – Future Meeting Times (We meet once a month), Action Plan

For more information, contact Sue Trotz.

Being the father of a 6th grader with helicopter tendencies (I really hope you just said, “Aren’t we all?!”), I realized it’s the middle of September.

So naturally it’s time to obsess about applications for exam schools.

Guess what? Check your kids’ backpack, that is if your 6th or 8th grader hasn’t given the application to you yet. The applications came home today.

An Application For What?

I speak of the application form for the Independent School Entrance Exam or ISEE, the entrance exam for the three BPS Exam schools, as well as for some private/independent schools.

All BPS 6th and 8th graders can take the test as long as they fill out this application. All 6th and 8th graders received their package from our Guidance Counselor Sue Trotz.

1. A fully completed application will mean your 6th or 8th grader can take the upcoming ISEE scheduled this year for Saturday, November 2nd, 2013.
2. Sue would love all completed applications back with her (or your homeroom teacher) by Wednesday, September 25th.
3. A deadline of October 4th exists for all those who need Special Accommodations such as IEPs, 504 Plans etc. You can download the form here, but please read the section of special accommodations below first.

If for some reason your 6th or 8th grader did not receive an application package, you can get them at your local Boston public library branch.

A bonus is that the Curley is one of several test sites, so Curley students will have the benefit of home ground as it were. A make-up test, however is also scheduled for November 16th if you are unable to make the November 2nd test.

Sue also reminded me that, “there is no other BPS application required for the exam schools. All BPS students who take the test will be asked to fill out a form designating their choice of school around January. We do not hear about acceptances until Spring.”

Special Accommodations

Students with documented disabilities may request to take the exam with accommodations. To be eligible, the student must have a disability that requires testing with accommodations and have appropriate documentation that establishes a current need.

To apply for a special accommodation, please have your child’s school submit a completed request form and a copy of your child’s Individualized Education Program, 504 Plan, Neuro-Psychological Evaluation, or physician’s letter documenting a health concern to:

Maria Vieira
Boston Public Schools
Enrollment Planning & Support
26 Court Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02108

The Special Accommodations request form is available here. All requests must be submitted by October 4, 2013 to make arrangements for the November 2 exam. Confirmation letters will be mailed home the last week in October detailing approved accommodations. Please be advised that special accommodations will not be granted at the test site without a confirmation letter from Enrollment Planning & Support.

So What Are The Exam Schools?

The Boston Public Schools (BPS) have three exam schools in addition to its other high schools – Boston Latin Academy, Boston Latin School, and the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science. Students must be residents of Boston to apply for and attend an exam school. Admission is based entirely on a student’s grades and test scores from the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). Each school is a 7th – 12th grade school.

Please note, you do NOT have to apply if you don’t want to!

Eligible students must currently be in grade 6 to apply for grade 7, or grade 8 to apply for grade 9 at all three exam schools. Students currently in grade 9 may take the exam to apply for grade 10 at the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics & Science only.

If you have questions about the Boston Exam Schools, the admission process, the residency policy or require assistance, please contact:
Maria Vieira
Enrollment Planning & Support
Tel: 617-635-9512
Email: mvieira@boston.k12.ma.us
Website: www.bostonpublicschools.org/exam

Other Resources

Test Preparation

If you have not already done so, the administrators of the test have some preparation materials for your student to use:

• An overview page with a very buried link at the bottom of the page…
• …which leads to a page where you can download a free pdf study guide depending on what grade your student will be entering.

BPS related resources and other links

• BPS overview page

• 2013 ISEE Bulletin of Information

• Admission Procedures for the Boston Exam Schools
  If you are a 4th or 5th grader’s parent or guardian who is trying to sort out what this all means, you may be interested in Section VII entitled “The Grade Point Average (GPA)” in this publication. 
• More information? Contact Maria Vieira, Enrollment Planning and Support, 617-635-9512

Today is Monday, September 16th. Sue Trotz and your 6th and 8th grade homeroom teachers want the completed forms back by Wednesday, September 25th.

Like many of you, I’m going through this process for the first time… So I guess I will go and sharpen those number 2 pencils now.

Jess Ormsby (left) and Molly Mariano (right), with new Fundraising co-chair Inci Kaya (center)

Introducing… the newest member to the fundraising committee, Inci Kaya!

We would like to introduce Inci Kaya, a 2nd grade  parent with a strong history of working on past fundraising Curley subcommittees over the years. Jess and I are thrilled to pass the fundraising co-chair torch to Inci!

We hope you will join us in helping her organize the 7th Annual Fall Fling on October 18th! Just like in years past, we are in need of your themed baskets to raffle off as well as any volunteer help the day of the event. We are also excited about the debut of our THRIFT SHOP featuring your former treasures!

Our kickoff planning meeting is Tuesday September 17th, 2013 @7pm at Curtis Hall.

Volunteers are needed to sell raffle tickets and as early as THIS COMING SATURDAY during Open Studios!

Jess and I have always viewed the FUNdraising committee as an opportunity to be social while raising the much needed funds we need for our music, art and science programs – so please come and join us, both new and returning parents!

Anyone even just thinking about possibly being involved in this event or upcoming activities should email Inci directly at incikaya34@hotmail.com!

Hope to see you then,
Molly Mariano
& Jess Ormsby

This week’s Paw Prints from Principal Katie Grassa:

• Health and Wellness Award: Congrats to our Health and Wellness Committee on earning Healthier US School Challenge (HUSSC) bronze award. There was an assembly on September 11th in the auditorium at Curley K-8 to recognize and honor the school for receiving this award. Undersecretary Concannon presented a banner and plaque to the school and free smoothies and fruit were distributed by Whole Foods for the audience.
• Open House: Welcome Open House for all parents on Thursday, September 26, 2013 from 5pm to 7pm
• Arrival/Dismissal Procedures:
  • Students may enter the building at 8:15am for breakfast.
  • All walkers in grades 3-8 will enter at the Centre St. main entrance, all students in grades 1 & 2 will enter on the Pershing Rd. entrance
  • All kindergarten walkers will enter on the Pershing Rd. entrance, families can walk their child to the classroom door for drop off
  • Tardy Time – 8:40am students will be marked tardy
  • Grades 1-8 walkers will be called for dismissal daily at 2:25pm
  • Kindergarten walkers can be picked up at the back entrance and the doors will be opened up at 2:25pm
• Kindergarten: Congrats to all our kindergarten students for successfully completing the first full week of school.
• School Site Council: First School Site Council (SSC) meeting will be on Tuesday, September 24th from 5:30pm-7:00pm.
• Assessments: Students in grades 3-8 completed the Predictive Assessments last week. Baseline assessments in K0-Grade 2 will begin this week and continue through the month. These assessments will help to inform teachers where your child is beginning the year in reading, math and science (the subject assessed is based on student grade level).

Curley After School Program (CASP) students feature in a new television public service announcement starring our very own CASP hip hop dance instructor, Cedric Crowe!

“The T’s got a brand-new theme song, and it’s called “The Safety Bounce.”

The CASP students who appeared alongside Mr. Crowe include 7th grader Sheena Pierre-Louis, and 5th graders Carlos Gonzalez, Amine Cherfils, Virginia Lathrop, Empress Stewart, Deroledy Tejeda, Lilian Alvord-Stearns and Yuliana Hernandez.

The song and accompanying music video (above), a hip-hop-inspired rumination on all things transit safety, aired on  Wednesday on YouTube and will be at four of the T’s major stations.

T officials hope the three-minute ditty will teach children headed back to school the perfunctory elements of safe, courteous train travel – mind the gap, don’t blab on a cellphone, hold onto the escalator rails – but also hope that the song’s catchy refrain (“Just bounce, when you ride it out!”) will be a hit among adults, too.

The video, filmed inside T stations in May, will likely garner giggles with shots of the plush polyester Charlie mascot, along with T riders and staff, performing a medley of time-tested hip-hop moves from the ’80s, ’90s, and today.

“The Safety Bounce” video was taped inside MBTA stations. The video was produced and financed by Titan, the transit advertising firm that contracts with the T.

MBTA’s general manager, Beverly A. Scott, said she hopes riders get a kick out of it – and pay attention.

“When it comes to safety, sometimes you can say something until you’re blue in the face,” Scott said. With this video, she said, “I felt like we had a little bit of MTV over here.”

The video will play on digital advertising screens at Harvard, Haymarket, Park, and North stations, and will be accompanied by a poster campaign inside trains and buses telling riders to do as the song says: “Let’s all stay alert and let safety flow.”

Additionally, the T will distribute kits of MBTA safety-themed coloring books, whistles, and bouncing balls – Get it? Bounce! – at Boston public schools.

Renita Martin, a lyricist and composer who wrote the words and music for the song, said the song’s refrain is meant to evoke the gentle rhythm of a train “just sort of taking you on the waves, and you’re enjoying the ride in the process.”

Martin said she also hopes it inspires commuters to take on a more laid-back attitude about the minor hiccups that arise.

“Metaphorically, it’s like, ‘relax,’ ” said Martin, 44, who lives in Roxbury. “We all get frustrated, whatever transportation method we use.”

CASP dance teacher Cedric Crowe rapped the lyrics. He is confident the song’s smooth flow will get commuters grooving.

“I’m assuming it’s going to be, after a while, one of those songs that you’re humming, and you’re like, ‘Ugh, I can’t get it out of my head!’ ” Crowe said.

The warmest of welcomes to the newest and youngest members of our Curley community (and to their families, new and old!). The first day of kindergarten saw many students enter school for the first time with unbridled enthusiasm, others with a little hesitation, and the rest on a spectrum of points in between.

The community you’ve joined can’t wait to see what you will bring to enrich us all.

Oh, the places you’ll go! Welcome!

This week’s Paw Prints from Principal Katie Grassa:

• Welcome back to all staff and students in grades 1-8. Students were excited to get reacquainted with friends, meet new teachers and navigate their new schedules.
• This Saturday, September 7th from 11:30 am -1:30 pm all incoming kindergarten families are welcome for the Family Picnic. You can meet other families, teachers and even see your child’s classroom. We are also excited to welcome all of these students to the Curley Community on Monday, September 9th for their first day of school.
• Predictive Assessments will be given next week to all students in grades 3-8 as a way to gather baseline data. Throughout the month other assessments will begin such as PALS (K1), DIBELS and TRC (K2-Grade 2) and Terra Nova for Grades 3-5 (This assessment is to test into the Advanced Work Class program in grades 3-6).
• Arrival and dismissal have been a bit hectic, we ask for your patience as we try to problem solve with transportation around buses as well as other building logistics. We are asking that families refrain from parking on Centre St. and in the staff parking lots to assure we can have efficient arrival and dismissal procedures.
• Congrats to our Health and Wellness Committee on earning Healthier US School Challenge (HUSSC) bronze award. We are planning an assembly on Wednesday, September 11th at 8:45 a.m. in the Auditorium at Curley K-8 to recognize and honor the school for receiving this award. USDA Undersecretary Kevin Concannon, James Arena DeRosa, Northeast Regional Administrator, USDA Food and Nutrition Services, BPS Food and Nutrition Services Director Michael Peck and other prominent community leaders will all be attending.
• BPS has joined a federal program to automatically qualify every child, regardless of income, for a no-cost meal program. Check out this link and see a video from NECN that features the Curley K-8 School. http://www.necn.com/searchNECN/search/v/80415087/boston-students-greeted-by-big-changes-as-they-return-to-school.htm?q=boston+public+schools
• Save the Date – Welcome Open House for all families K-8 on Thursday, September 26th, 2013 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Thank you to all the staff, students and families who welcomed me on my first week as the Curley K-8 Principal! I feel lucky to have the support of such a community and together we can provide the best education possible for our students.

New England Cable News (NECN) was at the Curley today to cover the first day of school. The new free school lunch program and the new bullying texting service were covered in the story. Take a look at the video below, which includes an interview with our very own Principal Katie Grassa about the lunch program!

iPhone and iPad users: if the video does not play, try this link instead:
http://www.necn.com/searchNECN/search/v/80415087/boston-students-greeted-by-big-changes-as-they-return-to-school.htm?q=boston+public+schools

The first day of school hasn’t even finished yet, but we’ve got to tell you about two big upcoming events!

Potluck K-1st Grade Welcome Picnic This Saturday

Join us for the Curley K-8 School K0, K1, K2 and new 1st Graders’ Annual Welcome Picnic!

Saturday, September 7th, 2013
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The playground behind the Lower Curley School
40 Pershing Road, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Meet other new Kindergartners and 1st graders and their families. Meet the K1, K2 and 1st grade teachers and Curley School principal and vice principal.

Bring a dish or drink to share. We’ll see you there!

For more information, please contact Katie Fitch or Arusha Hollister.

Join Us for the Curley Welcome Picnic Flyer (.pdf)

*****

¡Ensamble nosotros para comida campestre anual de la recepción de Curley K-8 del jardín de la infancia K0, K1, K2, y 1ro grado de la escuela!

Sábado, 7 de septiembre, 2013
11:30 a.m. a 1:30 p.m.
El patio detrás de la escuela más baja de Curley
40 Pershing Road, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Venga a conocer otros niños y sus familias. Conozca a los maestros de K1, K2, 1ro grado, la directora y el asistente de la directora de escuela de Curley.

Traiga un plato o una bebida a la parte. ¡Los veremos luego!

¿Más información? Por favor enviar Katie Fitch o Arusha Hollister.

¡Ensamble nosotros para comida campestre anual de la recepción de Curley K-8! folleto (.pdf)

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USDA To Present National Award To The Curley Next Wednesday, Sept. 11th

As we reported at the end of last year, the Curley was awarded the HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) Bronze award. The Curley is one of only three schools in all of BPS to be recognized in this way, and joins a select group of only 5% of all American schools certified as a HUSSC school. Excel High School and New Mission Hill High School are the other two district schools to receive this award.

To celebrate, there will be a Special Assembly on Wednesday, September 11th at 8:45 a.m. in the auditorium. USDA Under-Secretary Kevin Concannon, James Arena-DeRosa (Northeast Regional Administrator, USDA Food and Nutrition Services) Curley K-8 Principal Grassa, BPS Food and Nutrition Services Director Michael Peck, and other prominent community members will all be attending.

For more information, contact Sue Trotz or Stephanie Selznick.

Lots of things to report before tomorrow’s start of school for the 1st through 8th grade set. Also, always check the Calendar for upcoming events like the K-1 Potluck Welcome Picnic this Saturday!
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Free Meals For All Students

Boston Public Schools announced this morning on their website that “The Boston Public Schools will serve free meals – both lunch and breakfast — to all students, regardless of their income status this year. Boston becomes one of the largest cities in the nation to join a program aimed at serving healthy meals to more children and save families money.”

Read the full announcement.

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Parking On Centre Street During School Hours Will Get You Towed!

A parking ban is in effect on Centre Street during school hours from today, September 3rd. If you park where you are not supposed to during school hours, your car will get towed! Below is the announcement from the BPS:

Attention: Curley School Community and Jamaica Plain residents.
Effective September 3, 2013 the Centre Street parking restrictions during school hours will be strictly enforced. Please adhere to parking restrictions DO NOT park your vehicle in front of the school or you will be towed.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation,
Boston Public Schools

***
Atencion Familias y comunidad de la escuela Curley en Jamaica Plain.
Efectivo 3 de septiembre, 2013 Encontraran ciertas restricciones durante las horas escolares las cuales seran re-enforzadas, el estacionamiento que dice NO ESTACIONE su vehiculo al frente de la escuela Curley sobre la calle Centre, tiene ciertos riezgos de que su vehiculo sea removido o recibir una multa.

Gracias por su cooperacion
Escuelas Publicas de Boston
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Message from Principal Katie Grassa

Below is the transcript of the ConnectEd phone message parents and guardians received on Sunday evening from Principal Katie Grassa. The welcome letter she mentions is here.

Good evening,
This is Katie Grassa the new principal of the Curley K-8 School. I want to extend a warm welcome to returning and new families. Just a reminder that school year begins on Wednesday, September 4th for students in grades 1-8 and on Monday September 9th for all students in Kindergarten.  Our school hours are Monday through Friday 8:30am – 2:30pm. We have extended hours for before and after school programming for any families that are interested.

Also there will be no parking on Centre Street so buses can pick up and drop off our students in an efficient manner. We are also asking families to please not park in staff parking lots. You should have received a welcome letter with more specific information for the start of school year. If you have not received that please contact at the school and we will be able to provide you with the information.

Finally, be sure to have your child dressed in uniform to show they are ready to learn and ready to work with with the Curley community. I look forward to meeting and learning with you all of you.

Thank you
Katie Grassa

***

Buenas Tardes
A nombre de Katie Grassa, la nueva principal de la escuela Curley K-8, quiero dextender una cordial bienvenida a todas las familas nuevas y a aquellas que regresan a nuestra escuela.  Por favor recuerden que las clases comienzan el miercoles 4 de septiembre para los grados 1-8 y el lunes 9 de septiembre para Kindergarten. El horario escolar es de 8:30 a 2:30 de lunes a viernes.  Tenemos horario extendido antes y después de la escuela para las familias interesadas.  No habrá estacionamiento en la calle Centre para que los autobuses puedan montar y desmontar a los estudiantes de una manera más eficiente.  También le estamos pidiendo a las familias que no estacionen en los estacionamientos de los empleados de la escuela.   Deben haber recibido una carta con información más específica sobre el principio del ano escolar.  Si no la han recibido por favor comuniquese con la escuela y le daremos toda la información.

Finalmente,asegurese de que su hijo o hija lleve el uniforme escolar para demostrar que está listo o lista para aprender y trabajar con la comunidad de la escuela Curley.

Anticipando la oportunidad de conocerles y de aprender juntos,

Cordialmente
Katie Grassa
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Interim Superintendent John McDonough’s Interview

Interim Superintendent John McDonough, who may of us know from our budget discussions, gave WBUR an extensive interview this morning many of us heard (and parent Chris Kollett tweeted) which is well worth a listen. Topics included a new tracking system parents can use to track buses, a text message service students can use to report bullying, some important system-wide enrollment information and a word about the new assignment process.
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Uniforms

The Curley K-8 has a mandatory uniform policy, which consists of:

• Navy, black, or khaki bottoms (pants, shorts, skirt, or jumper)
• Black Curley t-shirts or collared shirts (light blue, plain white, or white with Curley logo)
• T-shirts, jeans or sweatpants are not part of the school uniform. We encourage the use of the mandatory uniforms.
• Students are not allowed to wear hoods, hats, caps, coats, halter-tops, tube tops, or crop tops. Knee length shorts are allowed.

Please contact parent, Katie Fitch at kathleenfitch@hotmail.com to order Curley uniform shirts. For sizing information, visit our “shop.” T-shirts and uniform shirts will also be available at the kindergarten picnic on Saturday, September 7th at 11AM and in the lower school front office once school has started.

Curley logo polo shirts are $7.00 (kids sizes), $12 (adult sizes), and $14 for logo T-shirts.

Uniforms may also be purchased in a number of retail destinations (no endorsements of course!):

• If you want to buy local, L&M Bargain Stores has a very large selection of uniforms at reasonable prices and two locations in Roslindale and Dorchester, as well as online.
• Larger, less local options include Lands’ End, Sears, Target, K-Mart, and The Gap among many others.

Please consult the uniform guidelines in the BPS Parent Handbook on page 54. This also includes the simple step you can take should you wish to have your family claim an exemption to following the policy.

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How To Unsubscribe

Though we know the Curley website is the center of your universe, we also know many of you may need to unsubscribe from our email updates. Though this is obviously going to be a very traumatic event, there are three quick and easy ways to cut the cord:

• Go to the mailing list page and unsubscribe yourself by clicking on the link at the bottom:
  http://www.curleyk8.com/parent-involvement/mailing-list/
• Email Heshan directly at heshanbw@gmail.com and simply ask. I will get you off the list pronto – promise!
• Reply to any of the emails and ask to unsubscribe, and the author will generally forward the email to me (Heshan) and I’ll take care of it.

If this is the case, the very best of luck to you and your student!