News for the week of 6-19-13

Summer office hours begin Thursday, 6/20/13. In general, the school office will be staffed daily from 9am-1pm. Voice mail and email will be checked regularly. A "Back to School" mailing will be sent out to all enrolled families during the month of August.

Back to School Schedule - The following "Back to School" events are currently on our school calendar. If there should be any changes they will be announced via the school blog, a website posting & Remind 101 text messaging.

Tuesday, August 27th - "Meet & Greet" for students in K-3 from 10:30-11:30am.
"Morning in Middle School" for students entering grade 6 from 9-11:30am

Wednesday, August 28th - School begins for all grades including Prekindergarten. It will be a full day of school. Prekindergarten Enrichment & Aftercare will be available.

Monday, September 2 - Labor Day - School is closed.

Bus Transportation Reminder for 2013-14 - If your child(ren) will use the bus to/from a daycare arrangement (at a private residence or a day care facility), you must advice the town's transporation coordinator before August 1, 2013 to ensure the proper school bus stop is established. Arrangements made for this school year are not automatically renewed for next year. You must make a request each year for the arrangements. The contact information for these requests is: Susan Caccamo, Transporation & Enrollment Coordinator, Simsbury Public Schools, 933 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury - Ph -860-651-3361, Fax-860-651-4343, Email - scaccamo@simsbury.k12.ct.us

Summer Instrumental Music Lessons - Again this year, our FMI instructor, Mrs. Debbie Morse, will be offering instrumental music lessons on Wednesdays and Thursdays. We anticipate that they will begin the week of July 1. She will be sending out more information via email soon. These lessons are open to all students entering grades 4-8.

Athletic News

There will be a free summer field hockey camp for students entering grades 4-8 on August 20-22 from 9-11:30am. For more information, click here.

Who is your favorite President? Why did this person impress you? State Senator Kevin Witkos sponsored an essay contest for sixth graders in his district to respond to these questions. Congratulations go to Olivia Chappano and Lauren Melanson who were selected for first and second place winners representing St. Mary's School in Simsbury, CT. All participating first and second place winners from Senator Witkos's district were honored at an Awards Ceremony in Simsbury, CT on June
12th. Congratulations for a job well done!

Frosty Fun in Kindergarten - Kindergarten explored the mathematical concept of combinations and the scientific method last week by making ice cream in a bag. Students were delighted when Father Santiago came to join in on their fun!

As an introduction to the topic, students used the Smartboard to determine how many Sundae combinations could be made using vanilla and chocolate ice cream, hot fudge and caramel sauce and nuts and sprinkles. Students then separated into groups and combined milk, sugar and vanilla in a plastic bag. This sealed bag was then added to a larger plastic bag containing ice and salt. Lots of vigorous shaking took place and the result was a delicious frozen treat. Students used a scientific method worksheet to document the steps they took and the changes they observed. Science has never been more delicious!

Second Grade explored biographies. Students wrote a biography about someone they admired and either dressed up as this person or created a decorated cereal box or potato head to depict this person.