This week’s Paw Prints from principal Jeff Slater:

• I would like to thank our school Guidance Counselor, Sue Trotz, for taking the lead in organizing our “Day of Care and Support” on Monday. She took the lead in coordinating our response to the shooting of one of our 8th grade students. Sue helped to organize a variety of trauma and counseling support resources from both BPS and our extended community. Because of her efforts, we had a hugely successful array of support in place for both students in staff in response to an extremely traumatic event.
• It was exciting to see students in Sara Silverstein’s class apply reading strategies they learned to the books they were reading during Guided Reading time! Her students are clearly internalizing these strategies as they work to become proficient readers.
• Please be sure to stop by the Curley on Monday for a “Day of Service” in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.! This event is presented in conjunction with Boston Cares.
• It was great to see Annette Suarez-Beaudrault’s 6th grade students working together as they learned about percents, discounts, taxes, and sales in math class this week! Our students love to learn together in pairs and small groups. One of Annette’s students commented to me, “That was fun… I like working like this.”
• I’m looking forward to seeing all of you on for Curley Night at the Museum of Science on Friday night from 5:00-9:00! This is an exciting Curley tradition!
• I had the pleasure of reading a lot of great poetry from students in Teresa Johnson-Javaloyes’ 4th grade class this week! We certainly have some talented writers!

Families and friends are warmly invited to attend a musical celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy presented by the Kindergarten through 5th Grade students.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013
9:00 am in the Upper-School Auditorium
Parent Reception at 8:30 am in the Auditorium Lobby

The Curley music program is organized and funded through joint effort of the Curley School Parent Council, the Community Music Center of Boston and the Boston Public Schools.

Music specialists Jay Gates, Patrice Monahan and Liza Kitchell

Each year on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Boston Cares, a volunteer mobilization group, organizes service events at sites across the city. This year we are honored that we will again host a day of activities. It’s a memorable, impactful way for the entire Curley community to honor Dr. King. Please be a part of it by joining us at the Curley on Monday from 10am to 2pm.

There will be a range of different volunteer opportunities for all ages. They include crafting scarves, decorating quilt squares, making cards, and much more. While many of the projects we complete will be distributed to service agencies throughout the Boston area, there will also be a handful of activities that directly benefit the Curley.

This year’s event is also an opportunity to support Curley student Gabriel Clarke and his family. Clarke suffered serious injuries this past week as a result of gun violence in his neighborhood, and we will be holding a bake sale to raise money for his family as he begins the slow process of  healing. If you’re able to donate food, coffee, or time to make this event a success, please use this link to sign up. Your support is greatly appreciated.

We hope to see you this coming Monday. And don’t forget to show your school pride by wearing your Curley shirt! If you have questions or need more information, please email Curley parent Julie Smith Bartoloni.

Photo: Flickr user ctankcycles/Creative Commons 2.0

This week’s Paw Prints from principal Jeff Slater:

• Please remember that Curley Night at the Museum is Friday, January 18… Be sure to get your forms (English – Spanish) in to your homeroom teacher!
• Friday is our last School Preview Day for the year! I would like to send a huge THANK YOU to all of our parents who assisted in guiding the tours and helped in organizing those days! Having parents take the lead on those days sends a very positive message about who we are as a school community and how much we value working together as a team.
• This week our 7th and 8th graders attended Challenge Days at Spontaneous Celebrations! Students had the opportunity to engage in a variety of discussions around topics such as gender and race issues, as well as develop their own leadership skills.
• As part of our ongoing safety practices, we conducted a containment drill this week. Our students and staff performed extremely well! We’ll be continuing to examine our safety practices and make adjustments as necessary.
• Christina Burke, Connie Redden, Laurie Ciardi, Sara Silverstein, and Caitlyn Gable attended follow-up training on the Open Circle curriculum that supports students’ social and emotional development.
• The flu season is in full force! Please encourage your children to wash their hands regularly! And, if your children are feeling sick, please keep them home!

As part of the Curley’s ongoing safety practices, the school will be conducting a containment drill tomorrow, Wednesday, January 9th.

Please note that during the drill no one will be allowed to enter the building, and the phones will not be answered.

You can learn more about containment and review the lesson plan that all teachers implement with their students to prepare them for containment by clicking here for the Superintendent’s Circular:

http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/files/fse-8_teaching_students_the_containment_protocol_mini-sesson_0.doc

Last Call for Snowflakes!

Don’t forget to make some Snowflakes for Sandy Hook – there’s still time!

Just before the holiday break, we organized a snowflake drive to send as many snowflakes as we can to the Sandy Hook Elementary School to help welcome the students, teachers, and staff to their new school. The more we can send from the Curley community, the better!

The deadline to deliver your snowflakes to the upper or lower school office is this Monday, January 7.

This week’s Paw Prints from principal Jeff Slater:

• We have begun a review of our safety protocols at the Curley in light of recent events. I’ve met with members of our staff at our student support team meeting this week, and talked with students about ways in which they can contribute to school safety. I’ve connected with parents and staff representatives at this week’s School Site Council meeting. I’ll be addressing the issue of school safety at our Principal Breakfast this week. I’ll also be meeting with Parent Council, School Site Council, and Curley Faculty Senate representatives on Thursday afternoon as well. Everyone has a role to play in keeping our school safe, and I greatly appreciate everyone’s support in this effort!
• 5th grade teachers Kim Daly and Leida Arroyo held an author party on Wednesday. Students wore costumes and shared their biography projects with a captive audience of teachers, parents, and peers!
• Be sure to check out our display of student art work in the Centre Street lobby! Jesse Cardoso’s art classes have helped to re-create a wonderful display of “ancient relics!”
• My intern Alison and I had the opportunity to sing along with students in Teresa Johnson-Javaloyes’ students during their music class this week! The instructor from the Community Music Center of Boston was teaching students some new songs and we arrived just in time to sing “I Believe I Can Fly!”
• Thank you so much for your support and dedication to our Curley community! I would like to wish all of you a happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year!

The Science Team and School Parent Council are excited to announce the 6th annual Curley Night at the Museum of Science on January 18th from 5:00pm – 9:00pm.

This fun filled, community-building evening includes:

• Deeply discounted tickets
• Access to all Exhibit Halls including the new exhibit SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure Currently on display in the Green Wing
• No Parking Fees
• Free tickets to the IMAX Movie: Africa Serengeti at 7:00 p.m. sharp.

Flyers will be coming home this week, parents please return the registration form by January 11th to your child’s homeroom teacher. This is a great opportunity to think about a science fair project while you attend. If you have questions about this event please contact Ms. Monteiro-Roby at 617-756-3667.

• Curley Night at the Museum of Science Registration Form (English)

__________________

Este mensaje es para la comunidad de la Curley El equipo de Ciencias y el Consejo escolar de padres estan muy contentos en anunciaar el sexto ano de la actividad en el Museo de Ciencias el próximo 18 de enero de 5-9 p.m.

Este evento de diversion y grupos para promover la comunidad incluge:

• Este es un precio reducido por la admisión, motivamos a todas las familias para que participen.
• Acceso a todas las exhibiciones incluyendo a a la exhibicion de los SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure” que en este momento la estan presentando en el ala Azul del Museo.
• No se cobrará por el estacionamiento
• Boletos gratis paara la pelicula de IMAX Africa Serengeti el teatro tiene espacio para 300 personas y las primeras que lleguen, a las 7:00 p.m. en punto.

La invitacion y registracion estara llegando a sus hogares esta semana, por favor devuelvan la registracion el 11 de enero con su hijo/hija al salon hogar. Esta es una buena oportunidad para empezar a tener ideas para proyectos de la Feria de la Ciencia. Para mas información, pongase en contacto con Maria Monteiro Roby al 617-756-3667.

• Curley Night at the Museum of Science Registration Form (Spanish)

Curley parent Lisa Lopez is organizing a “Snowflake Drive” to support the students at the Sandy Hook School. Please read on to see how your family can help:

Sending Snowflakes to Sandy Hook Students

We’ve all been affected by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School and it’s hard to know how we can help the students as they begin their healing process. But we’ve found a way! It’s small but meaningful, and we can band together as a Curley school community to make it happen.

In January, the Sandy Hook students will return to school to begin trying to find some sense of normalcy again. But, they’ll be going to a brand new school, farther from home – anxiety provoking under the best of circumstances, let alone the worst.

The Newtown PTA is looking to transform that school into a Winter Wonderland to help welcome them and ease their transition. But they need our help.

We’re going to send snowflakes. And lots of them.

Over the break, make some snowflakes! Get creative. Write a note or sign your name, age, and city. Draw a picture. Or keep it plain. Involve the whole family, friends and neighbors. Let’s see just how many snowflakes our Curley Pride can make!

Snowflakes can be dropped off in the office in the lower or upper schools until January 7^th. They will then make their journey to Newtown, to send love and support, from our kids to theirs.

To learn more, visit the Connecticut PTA website: http://www.ctpta.org/About-CT-PTA/SANDY-HOOK-FUND.html

And, if you’ve forgotten how to make a snowflake, Martha has some tips: http://www.marthastewart.com/276331/how-to-make-paper-snowflakes

Enviando Copitos de nieve a los estudiantes de Sandy Hook

Todos hemos sido afectados por la tragedia en la escuela primaria de Sandy Hook, es difícil saber cómo podemos ayudar a los estudiantes a medida que comienzan a sanar. ¡Pero hemos encontrado una manera! Es pequeño, pero significativo y podemos unirnos como la comunidad de la Escuela Curley para que esto suceda.

En enero, los estudiantes de Sandy Hook volverán a la escuela para comenzar a tratar de encontrar de nuevo algún sentido de normalidad. Sin embargo, van a ir a una escuela nueva, más lejos de casa – la ansiedad que provoca en las mejores circunstancias, y mucho más en el peor de las circunstancias.

La Asociación de Padres y Maestros de Newtown está tratando de transformar la escuela en un Paraíso Invernal para ayudar a darles la bienvenida y facilitar su transición. Pero necesitan nuestra ayuda.

Vamos a enviar copitos de nieve. Y muchos.

¡Durante el receso, haga algunos copitos de nieve! Sea creativo. Escriba una nota o firme su nombre, edad y ciudad. Haga un dibujo. O manténgalo simple. Involucre a toda la familia, amistades y vecinos. Vamos a ver cuantos copitos de nieve nuestro orgullo Curley puede hacer.

Los copitos de nieve se pueden dejar en la oficina de la escuela superior o inferior hasta el 7 de Enero. Luego harán su viaje a Newtown para enviar amor y el apoyo de nuestros hijos a los suyos.

Para aprender más, visite la página de Internet de La Asciación de Padres y Maestros de Connecticut: http://www.ctpta.org/About-CT-PTA/SANDY-HOOK-FUND.html

Y por si acaso se le ha olvidado como hacer un copito de nieve. Martha tiene algunos consejos:

http://www.marthastewart.com/276331/how-to-make-paper-snowflakes

Former Curley Principal Mirna Vega-Wilson, speaking at the Kindergarten Moving-On ceremony in June, 2010

Please join us for a retirement party in honor of Mirna Vega Wilson, the Curley’s former Principal!

Ms. Vega-Wilson served with distinction as the Principal of the James E. Curley School, overseeing it’s successful merger with the Mary Curley School which is how we became the Curley K-8 School. She became Principal here in September 2003. The school community, though sad to lose her, was proud to see her go on to become Assistant Academic Superintendent at the Boston Public Schools in August 2010.

Her retirement party will be held on Friday, January 25, 2013, 6 – 10 p.m. at the Venezia Waterfront Restaurant, 20 Ericsson Street Dorchester, MA.

Tickets will be $60 per person/ $100 per couple.

Please RSVP to:
Laurie Ciardi
Curley K-8
40 Pershing Road
Boston, MA 02130
617.635.8239
lciardi@boston.k12.ma.us