You're Invited

Literacy Morning:  We look forward to welcoming you on Friday morning.  It will be quite the literary celebration!  Please consider donating a NEW book to Pages from Patrick. Boxes are in the lobby.

8:45-9:15

• Grades 3-5:  Parents will begin in the classroom
• Grades K-2: Parents will begin in the library where the Reading, Library Media, and Integrated Tech specialists will be making a presentation.  

9:25-9:55

• Grades 3-5:  Parents will be in the library where the Reading, Library Media, and Integrated Tech specialists will be making a presentation.  
• Grades K-2: Parents will be in the classroom

Message from WFEE

Literacy Morning at Muraco is extra special this year as educators highlight how they are integrating technology into their classrooms. It is a great opportunity for all of us to say “thank you!!!” to you for your support of the WFEE powerED UP! initiative. Thanks to powerED UP!:

·         Technology is no longer an afterthought, it is integrated into what we do everyday

·         Students now have classrooms access to nearly 400 Chromebooks

·         Educators are tailoring lessons to individual student needs; the world's knowledge is now easily accessible for optimal learning

At Literacy Morning, you can see our 2nd graders blogging about their reading, take a science quiz the 3rd graders have created with Google forms or check in with your child’s teacher about how he or she is using technology. We are very grateful for all of the gifts to WFEE that have changed teaching and learning in our classrooms.

Today we celebrated Muraco kids, class of 2017!  The seniors paraded through the hallways while our students applauded and cheered.  It was a definite memory maker! 

Upcoming Events

Memorial Day Program:  We are encouraging all members of our community to wear red, white, and blue on Friday.  We look forward to honoring Francis J. Muraco and all the other brave women and men who sacrificed their lives so that we can enjoy the many freedoms we have.

Family Literacy Morning:  The Muraco students are excited to celebrate literacy with you on Friday, June 2.  This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to share their love of literacy and for you to get another glimpse into our literacy program.  All of you are invited to visit your children’s classrooms. Also, the reading, library media, and technology specialists will be offering a workshop in the library with tips on fostering a love of reading, Internet safety and helpful resources. Below please find the schedule for the morning.

Please consider donating a NEW book to Pages From Patrick.  The donation boxes are in the front hallway.

8:45-9:15

• Grades 3-5:  Parents will begin in the classroom
• Grades K-2: Parents will begin in the library where the Reading, Library Media, and Integrated Tech specialists will be making a presentation.  

9:25-9:55

• Grades 3-5:  Parents will be in the library where the Reading, Library Media, and Integrated Tech specialists will be making a presentation.  
• Grades K-2: Parents will be in the classroom

Homework Survey Results:  I want to thank you for participating in our homework survey.  Your feedback is helpful as we continue to improve upon our practices.  Below please find the results.

Common Themes (Listed in the order of frequency):

• More time for family moments
• Less stress
• More time for reading
• On average 86% of our students are reading every night
• Parents of students in grades 1 and 2 are more likely to read aloud to their children
• More time for independent exploration
• Feel less connected with what child is learning
• Concern over transition to McCall

Natural Next Steps:

• Improve communication to parents
• Better utilize the scheduled calendar events and classroom updates to clarify homework expectations (Welcome Back Coffees, Curriculum Night, PTO meetings, blogs, newsletters…)
• Staff will consider how to better communicate student progress throughout the year
• More opportunities for parents to visit classrooms
• Workshops for parents
• Curriculum
• Social/Emotional
• Technology
• Ongoing conversations with staff, at Muraco and across the district, to reflect, share and improve practices
• District-wide conversations to better align homework practices with research
• Investigate project based learning

Fourth Grade Mathematicians at Work!

Second Grade Students are getting a Spanish Lesson!

Muraco Happenings!

As always, we were treated like “stars” last week, Teacher Appreciation Week.  Many thanks for your thoughtful acts of kindness and most importantly, for your ongoing support, respect, and trust! We feel privileged to work with your children each day, and we value your partnership.  It is our strong home/school connection that allows your children to reach for the stars!

Homework Survey:  This year we made the deliberate decision to look at our traditional homework practices to better align with research and best practices.  The research is clear at our level; reading has the greatest impact on student learning.  Students also need time to explore their interests, spend time with family and friends, and get a good night’s rest.  Throughout the year teachers have collaborated with their colleagues across the grade levels to discuss how to continually improve our practices.  By now you have received a brief survey asking for your insight, and we hope that you will take a few moments to respond. Your feedback will be helpful as we continue to refine our homework practices.

Student Council:  Be sure to check out the Muraco's Student Council's Blog at:  http://muracowizardswisdom.blogspot.com/

Got Lunch: During the month of May the GOT LUNCH program is requesting that the Muraco community donate jelly.  This program started four years ago, and because of the generous donations from the Winchester community, they were able to provide lunch for over 130 children last summer.  There will be a box for the jelly in the front lobby.  Thank you in advance for your support!

Arrival/Dismissal Reminders:

• Creating good habits takes great skill and management!  Many students continue to arrive after the 8:30 bell, which makes it a challenge for your child, their classmates, and it wreaks havoc with our lunch count. Please create morning routines that allow for the unexpected so that your child arrives to school on time.  It makes a difference, and we want to encourage good habits.
• Numerous families continue to use Irving and Tufts Roads as drop off and pick up locations.  This is a safety hazard for our students.  Please use Bates Road when dropping off or picking up your children.  Your children’s safety is paramount.
• When there is no flag out front students, should line up behind the school.
• In the rare event that you need to change plans for dismissal for your child, please contact the office by 2:00.  It is very difficult to get messages to students as we get closer to dismissal time.
• Please notify the office when your child will be absent.

Geometry in Action!

Fifth Graders Collaborating

Second Graders Literally Climbing the Wall!

Budding Musicians!