Hello from the Greenhouse:

Well after a challenging HOT summer season for INSIDE the greenhouse (yet soggy outside) most all the seeds the children planted last Spring in the beds made it thru the summer heat!

It just took a lot of extra watering inside all summer but the seedlings truly have grown and blossomed.

Many of the flowers are from “saved seeds” that were harvested from previous seasons.  Also, the new solar vents that I installed last season have worked like a charm to help dump out some of the upper heat to help eliminate some heat stress on the plants.

The lettuce for the cafeteria has been planted this fall and is already growing leaps and bounds with this late warm weather. I’ve increased our lettuce growing space for the cafeteria this season since it has been such a requested crop. Hoping for a first harvest at begin of October.

Basil for pizza, so far, has not seen any blight! ☺ So, we might even have enough for a little batch of pesto!

Chrysanthemums and Asters are wanted for outside border garden!

Usually, we have had some Mums donated for kids to plant outside the g-house but we have lost that source this season. SO, if any family wants to drop off a ‘Mum’ or Aster plant for the kids to plant to beautify our south border garden that would be wonderful!!!! Hoping for it to be planted in time for Harvest Fest (Oct 13).

Also, Pumpkins are welcome as a donation for decoration and carving!

Greenhouse Recess continues to be a success! I plan to be there on Mondays and Thursdays for recess garden activities and crafts. This is a volunteer drop-in time for any child at recess to get involved and work at their own pace.

The fairy garden continues to be open for any time.

Thanks to all in advance as I look forward to finding Mums, Asters and Pumpkins waiting for us outside the g-house door throughout the fall!!!

Dawn Marvin Ward – Greenhouse Manager

Essential Skills at Leverett Elementary School

Who we are

   Christine Paglia Baker and Tracey Supple are Essential Skills teachers at LES.

What we do

We teach students who need a little extra support to acquire essential reading and math skills.  Maybe a student changed schools, had a long absence, or simply needs additional teaching and practice to learn an essential reading or math skill. We deliver this instruction in their regular classroom or in a small group setting. We collaborate closely with classroom teachers and special education teachers.

How do you know who needs support?

Our school uses Aimsweb screeners three times a year to find out where students may need additional support.  These screeners are short assessments and are used in grades K through 6. We also look at the BAS (Benchmark Assessment System) in reading and Symphony Math, as well as feedback from teachers and classroom observations.  Families will receive a permission form before students begin any longer-term work with an Essential Skills teacher.

How do you know when the skills are learned?

We monitor students’ progress using tools that can tell us whether they’re learning the targeted skills.  These progress monitoring tools let us quickly make sure that students are learning the skills we are teaching. Progress monitoring may take place weekly, bi-weekly or monthly depending on the skill we are trying to assess.

When we’re not in regular classrooms, we each have a smaller room to meet with students.  Tracey’s is across the hall from the Library. Ms. Paglia Baker’s is across the hall from the After School Room.  Come say hello to us! We’d love to meet you and chat about your students!

From the PTO Corner:  Harvest Festival - Saturday, October 13, 10-1pm

We’re hoping for the biggest year yet!  Volunteers are needed in all areas. Please reach out to your class parent for details. PK Nadya Tkachenko; K Amanda Robillard; 1st Tessa Young; 2nd Amanda Robillard; 3rd Heather Caldwell; 4th Kaitlin Scutari; 5th Seth Seeger; 6th Nina Eddy.

Please share this event with your friends and neighborhood!

Halloween Planning for LES Halloween Party on October 26

We are seeking help in the following areas:

• Haunted hallway- actors, guides and decorations

• Creating and staffing games in the gym

• Decorating the gym

• Staffing: set up, food tables, clean up

• Food Donations

If you’d like to contribute in anyway, email Amy Bovaird at lilynagate@gmail.com or sign up for shifts at Open House next Wednesday September 26th.