Friday, December 23, 2016

Friday, December 23rd, 2016

DECEMBER RECESS:  No school for students December 26th through January 2nd.  Students return to school on Tuesday, January 3rd.

PROGRESS REPORTS: Friday, January 6th

A NOTE FROM PA’S ATHLETIC DIRECTOR:  Natalie Soffen, PA’s Athletic Director, has requested that basketball players follow these directions on game days:  For home games, players are not allowed to stay after school and wait for their game to start but, rather, must go home to eat and rest, and then return to school for the game.  For away games, players must go to the cafeteria at the end of the school day and stay there until 3:00pm when, at that time, they may go into the gym with Mrs. Soffen to wait on the bleachers for their bus to arrive.  

SAVE THE DATE!  The next PAML Dance for grades 6-7-8 will be held on Friday, January 13th, 7:00-9:30pm in the cafeteria.

5th Grade Passport to Ski Vermont: Participating fifth graders will get up to 88 days of virtually free skiing and riding at Vermont’s alpine and Nordic resorts with the Fifth Grade Passport.  To help your child get to the hills, please click here to see how to sign up.  







Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Winter EXPOSition 2016

PAML held the annual Winter EXPOSition on December 14th . Students from 5th grade band, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade band, Jazz band, 5th grade chorus and 6th, 7th, and 8th grade chorus performed for an enthusiastic audience.  After the performance everyone gathered in the cafeteria to see the work in the other Expo classes, including P.E., Wellness, Design and Technology, and Art. 




We had a representative from CounterBalance which is an organization working with our SAP professional to support ending tobacco advertising influences for minors.

Toy Drive Project at PAML

Eighth grader Jonah Martin's personal goal project was to gather donations for the Lamoille County Family Center's Toys for Tots program.
The box where the toys were collected.
A sampling of some of the toys!

The rough count for the gifts was over 157 toys. Mrs. Emerson's TA of 17 students brought in 51 of the toys. How great is that?!! This has been awesome!
The delivery car as it was partially packed!


Friday, December 16, 2016

Friday, December 16th, 2016

LOST & FOUND BIN:  Should your child have lost something at school, please have them check the yellow ‘Lost & Found Bin’ in the cafeteria before December Recess (12/26/16-1/2/17) as there is an abundance of jackets, hoodies, mittens, water bottles, lunch bags, etc. in this bin to be claimed.  Any remaining items in this bin will be emptied out during December Recess and donated at that time.

PAML SPIRIT WEEK:  PAML students will enjoy a combined Spirit Week with the PA high school next week (December 19-23) as follows:
Monday:  Snowed-In Day (Comfy Clothes)
Tuesday:  Winter Activity Clothes (Basketball, Hockey, Etc.)
Wednesday:  Random Acts of Kindness
Thursday:  Winter Hat Day
Friday:  Ugly Sweater/Sweatshirt Day  

6-7-8 GRADE CHORUS TO SING AT THE MANOR:  Kim Beckley will take her 6-7-8 grade Chorus students to The Manor on Wednesday, December 21st, to sing for the residents.  Students will depart by bus at 9:15am and return to PAML at 10:45am.

DANCE STUDENTS PERFORMING AT ‘MEALS ON WHEELS’:  Alex Bacheller will take her dance students to Morrisville’s Senior Center ‘Meals on Wheels’ where they will perform student-choreographed pieces for community members.  Students will depart PAML to walk downtown to the Senior Center at 11:00am and return at approximately 1:00pm.  Students should plan on bringing a bag lunch with them.  

DECEMBER RECESS:  No school for students December 26th through January 2nd.  Students return to school on Tuesday, January 3rd.

December Road to Profiency

The Road to Proficiency

Have you heard your student(s) talk about goal setting or Personalized Learning Plans and want to know more?

Personalized Learning Plans (PLP’s) are developed by students—typically in collaboration with teachers, counselors, and parents—as a way to help them achieve short and long term learning goals. Cognitive science supports that when students have ownership over their own learning we improve the learning environment and promote positive motivational, social and emotional habits and dispositions toward learning. Personalized learning means using a diverse variety of learning experiences, instructional approaches, and goal-oriented strategies that are intended to address the distinct learning needs of individual students. For more information and research on PLP’s: http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1365.html
PLP’s in our Schools: Personalized learning, which we know contributes to a higher level of student performance and deeper learning, has always been an integral part of our schools’ missions. Our process is guided by an emphasis on creating students who are Thinkers, Problem Solvers, Effective Communicators, and Personally and Socially Responsible Citizens. As we head down ‘The Road to Proficiency’, the implementation of Personalized Learning Plans is helping students at PAML set goals, plan ways in which to meet the goals, collect evidence towards the goals and periodically reflect on the progress towards the goals. We work to provide authentic ways to share the results of their work on the goals; which happens with student-led conferences, as well as other opportunities.

To read more about Personalized Learning Plans grab a coffee and visit this section of the Road to Proficiency Website





Friday, December 9, 2016

Friday, December 9th, 2016

6-7-8 GRADE CHORUS TO SING AT THE MANOR:  Kim Beckley will take her 6-7-8 grade Chorus students to The Manor on Wednesday, December 21st, to sing for the residents.  Students will depart by bus at 9:15am and return to PAML at 10:45am.

PAML WINTER CONCERT & EXPOsition:  Wednesday, December 14th. The evening will begin with the concert at 6:30pm in the gymnasium followed by student exhibits in the cafeteria. PAML hallways and some classrooms until 8:00pm.  Plan on an enjoyable evening!

COUNTER BALANCE CAMPAIGN AGAINST TOBACCO:  Following the PAML Winter Concert on Wednesday, December 14th, Peter Hathaway and YRBS students from the middle level and high school will have a Counter Balance Compaign Against Tobacco table in the PAML Lobby.  Students and families are invited to stop by, pick up information about this campaign, speak with a Counter Balance Campaign representative, and complete a survey regarding flavored tobacco products.  Please stop by and sign up for raffle prizes which will be given out throughout the evening following the concert!  

PROGRESS REPORTS:  December 16th


DECEMBER RECESS:  No school for students December 26th through January 2nd.  Students will return to school on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Friday, December 2, 2016

Friday, December 2nd, 2016

EARLY RELEASE DAY:  Students will be dismissed at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, December 6th, for teacher in-service.  

5TH GRADE CHORUS TO SING AT THE MANOR:  Kim Beckley will take her 5th grade Chorus students to The Manor on Wednesday, December 7th, to sing for the residents.  Students will depart by bus at 9:15am and return to PAML at 10:45am.

SAVE THE DATE!  The PAML Winter Concert and EXPOsition will be held on Wednesday, December 14th. The evening will begin with the concert at 6:30pm in the gymnasium followed by student exhibits in the cafeteria until 8:00pm.  Plan on an enjoyable evening!

COUNTER BALANCE CAMPAIGN AGAINST TOBACCO:  Following the PAML Winter Concert on Wednesday, December 14th, Peter Hathaway and YRBS students from the middle level and high school will have a Counter Balance Compaign Against Tobacco table in the PAML Lobby.  Students and families are invited to stop by, pick up information about this campaign, speak with a Counter Balance Campaign representative, and complete a survey regarding flavored tobacco products.  Please stop by and sign up for raffle prizes which will be given out throughout the evening following the concert!  

PLANNING TO BE AWAY BEFORE OR AFTER DECEMBER RECESS?  If your student will be out of school before or after December Recess (12/26/16-1/2/17), please be sure to complete a Student Planned Absence Form and have your student bring it to the PAML Office at least four days prior to the start date of their planned absence.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Continuing the Journey

We’d like to remind you of the LSSU PBL Road to Proficiency website. This website is designed to help you learn about our shifts in delivery of education at Peoples Academy and across LSSU.

As we continue to share information, we don’t want to pass by a critical question; why are these changes being made? Below are some of the reasons that we’d like to draw your attention to:

1 - Today we know and understand a lot more about how students learn and how their brains function than we did even 20 and even 10 years ago. Read more

‘Making students redo their learning until it meets high expectations demands far more of both students and teachers than letting them take a failing grade— but it also results in far more learning.’ -Rick Wormeli, ‘Redos and Retakes Done Right’ teacher, author, presenter

2 - Our world and economy is shifting rapidly. Education in our schools must respond and adapt to these shifts. Read more

‘To prepare our young people and our community for a bright and hopeful future, we must “remodel” our educational system, much as one would remodel a house. When you remodel a house, you do more than just repaint it: you make substantial changes, keeping the previous shape of the house, but updating old parts, and making the house more modern and efficient.’ -Up for Learning

3 - Changing law and expectations for schools require us to develop new systems.  Read more
We look forward to keeping you informed and answering your questions as we go and answering your questions.  Please visit our site and send us your questions and ideas. Thanks.


AWOD Community Pizza Night


We had a wonderful turn-out for the A World of Difference Pizza Night on November, 29, 2016 - 18 adults and 18 students!  This informational evening was primarily run by students and they shared their reasoning for joining AWOD...here's a few common comments:
  • Good way to make a difference in our school.
  • I thought it was a really good idea.
  • Mr Boudreau asked me and it sounded like a useful program 
  • I thought it would be a way to make change in our school.
  • It seemed like it would be good for our school to have.
Activities were led by students and as they debriefed, some of the comments that came through were:  "I felt unique, I felt comfortable, I think it shows how to find common ground" 






Monday, November 28, 2016

PIZZA NIGHT REMINDER

Don't forget to join PAML A World of Difference students for pizza and a taste of what they are learning and teaching their peers at PAML around creating a kinder, accepting and inclusive community.

This is a student facilitated pizza night and a demonstration of  strategies they have learned to keep a positive school climate.

Please join us 11/29/16 from 5:30-7:00 for a fun and informative meeting- these middle level students are changing the world, one kind deed at a time! More information about A World of Difference can be found here.

Please contact Jeff Boudreau or Jessica Dambach at 888-1401.


Sunday, November 27, 2016

Grateful at PAML











We had a wonderful day on Tuesday at PAML.  8th grade students were able to visit the Green Mountain Technology and Career Center (GMTCC).  Here's a video that shows a bit about the center. 


















We also enjoyed a Lower House Thanksgiving Meal.  As a part of the day, lots of Thank You notes were passed around to many people who aren't always thanked!  It felt great!  

Theme of the day!

Amazing table!

Table Talk!

Thankful for good friends!

This one meant a lot to me!
The grand buffet!

MMMMMMMMM!

Desserts galore - thanks to many families!

One of many thank you notes!

A note to the Lower House teachers from one teacher who experienced the thoughtfulness that day: "Thank you all for a wonderful day for your students.  They were all so excited to share their meal with each other.  It really captured the essence of the holiday."

Friday, November 18, 2016

Friday, November 18th, 2016

8TH GRADE TOUR OF GMTCC:  Jessica Dambach, PAML Guidance Counselor, will be taking PAML’s 8th grade class to Green Mountain Technology & Career Center (GMTCC) in Hyde Park on Tuesday, November 22nd, from 8:45am-12:15pm for a tour of GMTCC technical programs available to them when they enter high school.  Students will return to PAML in time for lunch.

MANDATORY WINTER SPORTS INFO MEETING:  The Mandatory Winter Sports Student & Parent Info Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 22nd, at 5:30pm in the auditorium.  This meeting will be for students who wish to register for basketball and Nordic skiing.

THANKSGIVING RECESS:  No school for students Wednesday, November 23rd through Friday, November 25th.  Students will return to school on Monday, November 28th.

A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE: An evening of Pizza and Activities to learn about A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE (AWOD) will be held Tuesday, November 29th, 5:30-7:00pm in the PA Library.  Participants will explore the ways in which this training program empowers young people through peer-to-peer education to facilitate positive social change in their school community.  

PROGRESS REPORTS:  December 2nd

PLAN AHEAD!  Students will be dismissed at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, December 6th, for teacher in-service.  

TOYS FOR TOTS:  Now through Monday, December 12th, PAML will be collecting new unwrapped toys and stocking stuffers for children around Lamoille County.  Please bring your donations to the box located in the PAML Lobby no later than December 12th.  

SAVE THE DATE!  The PAML Winter Concert and EXPOsition will be held on Wednesday, December 14th. The evening will begin with the concert at 6:30pm in the gymnasium followed by student exhibits in the cafeteria until 8:00pm.  Plan on an enjoyable evening!

Pizza and Activity Night at PAML

Join PAML A World of Difference students for pizza and a taste of what they are learning and teaching their peers at PAML around creating a kinder, accepting and inclusive community.

This is a student facilitated pizza night and a demonstration of  strategies they have learned to keep a positive school climate.

Please join us 11/29/16 from 5:30-7:00 for a fun and informative meeting- these middle level students are changing the world, one kind deed at a time! More information about A World of Difference can be found here.


Please contact Jeff Boudreau or Jessica Dambach at 888-1401.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Improbable Players Coming to the Upper House!

On Wednesday morning the 7th and 8th graders will be treated to a performance by the acclaimed Improbable Players.  This troupe came last March for an evening performance and we thought it would be great to have them back during the day so all the students could attend.  Here's information from the group:

Information for Parents
about the Improbable Players’ presentation

On November 16th, Peoples Academy Middle Level students will be attending a program about alcohol and other drug abuse prevention presented by the Improbable Players, a theater company of young professional actors who are in long-term recovery.  “I’ll Never Do That!” has been welcomed in schools for over 32 years.  It’s a light-hearted play with a spectrum of scenes that explore stereotypes and issues about substance abuse and depicts a family and how they deal with drinking in their family.

After the performance, the actors share their own stories and engage in a question/answer session with the audience.  Students are encouraged to talk among themselves and with you, about the issues raised.  The school counselor will announce resources available in the community. 

This performance was made possible from Healthy Lamoille Valley, a community coalition that seeks to make heathy choices easier for our youth!  Visit their website at healthylamoillevalley.org.
          

What you can do to follow-up with your child


          You can play an active role in supporting your children through these years when they or their friends may be experimenting with substances.  We would encourage you to use this program as an opportunity to have a conversation about alcohol and drug use in our community. Visit  parentupvt.org for ideas and tips to discussing substance abuse with your teen. For example, you might:

1.     Ask about their impressions of the program.

2.     Listen to what your child has to say and try to follow his/her lead.  What did they find interesting about the presentation?  What did they find troubling or surprising? 
(Often students are most interested in the life experiences of the actors.)

3.     Ask them if the program felt relevant to them, given their own experiences.

4.     Take time to discuss your family’s values and rules about drinking and drugs. Does your child know where you stand on these issues, and why?

5.     Discuss the legal and school consequences of underage alcohol use and of drug use. School-based consequences are outlined in the school’s alcohol and drug policy.

6.     If needed, remind your child that there are local resources in addition to those on the list provided (if provided).  Encourage them to contact a guidance counselor, the school adjustment counselor or psychologist, a teacher, a coach, a relative or a religious organization.

From www.underagedrinking.samhsa.gov: “Real kids are curious about alcohol.  40% have tried it by the time they reach 8th grade.  Talking to your children early and often can make a difference.”

More information about Improbable Players,
their plays and workshops can be found at

www.improbableplayers.org