Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Looking for "Gently Used Books" for High School Independent Reading Libraries

A message from our English Department Chair at CHS

Looking to get rid of old books?

Many teachers have independent reading libraries for classes. 
We like to keep the reading libraries fresh and up to date with multiple copies of high interest texts and would love to have any gently used books you are looking to donate or get out of the house.  We will take any titles that might be popular with young adults.  Some titles/genres on the wish list based on student interest and requests are:

All Souls
The Martian
Season of Life
Divergent
Brown Girl Dreaming
Tuesdays with Morrie (or any other Mitch Albom)
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Unbroken (YA or adult version)

Jodi Picoult (any titles)
Nicholas Sparks (any titles)
Malcolm Gladwell (any titles)
Sports books of any type
Young Adult Novels (of any type)
Military/War books
Sci-Fi and Fantasy

We would be grateful for any donations.  I am happy to pick up books at your convenience or you can drop them off to me at CHS in my office (C400). I can be reached at ashleyr@cantonma.org or 781-821-5050 ext. 2301 to arrange pick up/drop off.   Thank you in advance for any help you can give.


Rebecca Ashley, English Department Chairs

Monday, September 28, 2015

Sign Up for Canton STEAM Creative Design Night


CPS STEAM Creative Design Challenge

Sign Up

We are excited to have our first STEAM Creative Design Challenge Event for Canton Public Schools.  This event will be for preschool and elementary students. Go to the LINK BELOW to register. 

Date: Wednesday. October 14, 2015
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Galvin Middle School


Event Details:
Come between 6-8 p.m. to work with our design challenges. You can decide to work on one or three design challenges.
Last entry into a challenge will start at 7:30 p.m.
Please sign up before Wednesday, October 7, 2015. Space is limited is 300 students.
We will be using the creative design process to complete each challenge.

Design Challenge #1: Why do people wear what they wear?

You will create a piece of protective clothing using various recycled materials.

Design Challenge #2: How is Music different then noise?

Design an original instrument. Name it. Describe how it produces sound. Tell why it is different from existing instruments. What category of instrument would you put it into? Keep in mind: Structured sound is music.

Design Challenge #3: How does the design process help us solve problems?


Sign Up: http://goo.gl/forms/URZwPXe6i0

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

New Nurse Leader Begins in our District

Kim Clark-Connor Named New Nurse Leader 

I am a bit behind with this announcement as Kim snuck in here in the late summer.  Thus far, she has picked up multiple projects and is charging ahead!

Kimberly Clark-Connor, R.N., B.S.N, has many years of experience in the nursing field, including School Nursing and Occupational Health Nursing.  As Canton's School Nurse Leader, she will have a myriad of responsibilities including oversight of the School Nurses, professional development coordination, and development of health office protocols across the district.  Prior to joining us in Canton, Kim worked as a Site Manager for the American Red Cross, and as an Occupational Health Nurse for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  She is eager to begin this new role and looks forward to acclimating herself within the Canton School System.

You will see Kim at many community partnership meetings and out and about at all of our schools.  Please join me in giving her a warm welcome!

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Math Workshop for Parents of Students Grades 1-5

The Strategies Behind the Mathematics: How to Help Kids with Homework

On Tuesday, September 29th, we will be sponsoring a "Strategies Behind the Mathematics" for PARENTS of students in grades 1-5 from the Luce, JFK and Hansen. This will take place between 6-8:00 p.m. at the JFK Elementary School. The focus of this workshop, offered by Susan Brass, Maryanna Biedermann and Kerri Falzone, our math specialists, will be to continue their discussions from last year on how to best to help their children with their math understandings as well as homework.  At this workshop we will work to build understanding around the common language, concepts and strategies involved in addition, subtraction. multiplication and division. 

We hope to see many of you on Tuesday, September 29th at 6:00 at the JFK!

Friday, September 11, 2015

Our First Official Week of School

Parents, Guardians and Community Members,

It was a memorable week for us between Labor Day and Friday, September 11, 2015.  Our indergarten and preschool students began their first day of school the day after Labor Day. Bus and van pick up and drop offs seemed fairly smooth for our youngest, and there were many smiles from start to finish at the Rodman Early Childhood Center and our three elementary schools.

Tuesday and Wednesday were a bit taxing with the very warm and humid weather, but we maintained our guidelines from DPH and the Bureau of Environmental Health, supplying constant hydration, maintaining low activity levels, moving from the second and third floors as needed, etc. The students and staff were happy to see cooler temps on Thursday!  Thank you all again for your vigilance in sending children dressed in appropriate clothing and supplied with water.

In spite of the heat, several open houses were held at the elementary schools and high school, and the parent feedback about information they received and their communications with teachers was excellent!  I was also able to drop in on two CAPT meetings and the CAPE meeting, and again experienced a significant enthusiasm for assisting the Canton students in as many ways as possible through potential grants, enrichment programming, fundraising and more.

I will be updating you next week about two upcoming programs.  You may want to mark the dates down on your calendars.  We will be having our STEAM sponsored Creative Design Challenge night on October 14th for students of all ages, and the elementary math specialists will be running a parent workshop on the enVisionMATH program - for first - fifth grades on September 29th.

Thank you for your continued support to the Canton School System.  Please consider attending our School Committee meeting on September 17th at 7:00 p.m. The agenda is outlined below.

Remember there will be no school on Monday, Sept. 14th.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

School Committee Agenda
September 17, 2015
Open Session:  7:00 p.m.
Distance Learning Lab

A.            Call to Order

B.            Executive Session- For the purpose of discussing issues related to contractual matters.

C.            Routine Matters
1.             Approve Minutes dated September 3, 2015
2.             Approve Executive Session Minutes dated September 3, 2015
3.             Approve Executive Session Minutes dated September 3, 2015 of Public Release
4.             Approve Bill Schedule dated September 24, 2015

D.            Public Comments/Questions

E.            Student Member Report: Michael Larsen will report on school events and activities happening around the district.

F.            Superintendent’s Report:  Ms. Henderson will provide an update a variety of matters going on throughout the district. 


G.            Old Business

1.             Update on Before-After School Survey for JFK: Results will be discussed and general plan of action outlined for all elementary schools next year.  Mr. Nectow will report on before/after school programs going out to bid.

H.            New Business

1.             Introduction of New Administrators:  Derek Folan, CHS principal, will introduce Don Devoid, Math Dept. Chair, Shanna Belenky, Team Chair, and Meredith Chamberland, Guidance Director 6-12.  Dr. William Conard, principal at Galvin Middle School, will introduce Lisa Kaminski, English/Reading Dept. Chair, Annya Haughton, Dean, and Jim Spillane, Assistant Principal.

2.             GMS Events Update:  Dr. Conard will provide an update regarding opening of school activities and events at the Galvin Middle School.

3.             Out of State Athletic Travel Approval:  Danny Erickson will request approval for a home Boys Varsity Hockey to play Franklin High School the Providence College Arena on December 18th at 7:00 pm.

4.             Logo Changes:  Danny Erickson and Derek Folan will discuss an issue that has yet to be “revealed” re: the logo for athletics.  Packet will be available during the presentation.

5.             Unit A and Unit E Collective Bargaining Agreements:  The School Committee will vote on the Unit A and Unit E Collective Bargaining Agreements.

6.             Bus and Late Start Time Update:  Mr. Nectow will provide an update on the late start time impact and new bus routes.


7.             Food Services/Cafeteria Substitutes:  Mr. Nectow will propose a rate increase for the substitutes in Food Services.

8.             District Improvement Plan:  Superintendent Henderson will review the final goals established by the Senior Management Team after reviewing student performance data, staff and community survey data, School Committee input and results of the Model Educator Evaluation.  The Final District Improvement plan will also include longer term goals.  This information is not attached to the packet as the finalized SMART goals are being completed by Senior Management on 9/15/15.  Goals generated through data analysis and from input of the School Committee will include:

·         Cultural proficiency and communication,
·         Increased educator “growth” through increased quality of recommendations and conversations as part of the Model Educator Evaluation,
·         Data driven decision making with specific emphasis on math (along with other academic and social/emotional areas,
·         Full Day K Analysis,
·         CHS turf analysis, long term space analysis and implications on programming.

I.              Business Manager’s Report:  Mr. Nectow will report on the progress of the Hansen Addition (Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Zoning Board).


J.             Sub-Committee Reports
1.             TEC- Robert Golledge
2.             CPC – Mike Loughran
3.             BRC- John Bonnanzio
4.             Wellness- Kristin Mirliani
5.             Finance – Reuki Schutt
6.             Building Use – John Bonnanzio
7.             Policy – Kristin Mirliani
8.             Superintendent Search – John Bonnanzio
9.             New Town Administrator –Michael Loughran

K.            Future Business – Next Meeting Thursday, October 1, 2015

L.             Other Business

M.           Adjournment