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.  

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 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 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 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.