Inservice

Mr. Maynard had us captured in a team-building activity one day this week.  Everyone loves a parachute!

We all have been hard at work getting ready for the return of the students.  We have had a focus this week on our Mission Related Goals, the School-wide PBIS practices, and the upcoming Student Portfolios that will be introduced this year.  There are a lot of exciting plans being made PAML and Monday can't come soon enough!  

Getting Ready

We are busy getting ready for the return of the students for the 2014-15 school year.  It's an exciting feeling as the building is prepared, teachers are in and out of their classrooms, and the calendar days seem to fly by.  The back to school mailing will be sent out  early next week.  Please book Monday, Aug. 11th on your calendar for the Sport Night for Fall Sports. We offer Soccer for grades 6, 7 and 8, as well as Cross Country for all Middle Level grades. This will be at 6:00 PM in the auditorium.  Another date to add to your calendar is our Open House on Wednesday, Sept. 24th at 6:00 PM. 

New Faces: This year we welcome Amelia Burns (7th grade Math), Joseph McLaughlin (Guidance), Casie Grossman (World Languages, World Cultures), Kim Beckley (Vocal Music), Susan Trombley (School Nurse), Lauri Thomas (receptionist), Chris Player (School-Based Clinician), Jennifer Clark (7-12 math Interventionist) and Lauren Griffin (para-educator). Introduce yourself if you see any one of these new folks.  We know they will be happy they have joined the PAML community of learners.

Enjoy these last weeks of summertime with your kids! We can't wait to see them again (and meet the new ones), but wish your family all the best as we continue with our preparations!  

Teachers Learning from Students!

13 Teachers from PAML attended the Middle Grades Institute at UVM this week!  We were the school with the most participation - which is impressive as there are middle schools from all around the state.  The photo below is one shot of when we had students join us for a bit so they could critique some of the work we have done so far.  Getting these students in the room helped us refine our thinking and really hear the voice of the students!  The work this week ranged from creating portfolio templates for our students to the beginnings of conversations about Personal Learning Plans, which are required for every 7th and 9th grader starting during the school year 2015-16.  We got a lot of work done, and are committed more than ever to the great students at PAML!

Susan Hennessy from the Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education 

is getting advice from the students who joined us on Wednesday.  

Collaboration - Writing buddies!

A few weeks ago, some sixth grade students went to MES to help first graders research a chosen animal.  Last week, the first graders came to PAML with drafts of creative stories they wrote about their animals.  The sixth graders helped their partners edit their stories and think of good titles.  Everyone did a great job!  :)  Thanks to Ms. Slater and Ms. LeCours for this collaboration.

American Heart Association

The center of the track was a sea of red as our P.E. Teacher Stu Maynard organized a fabulous fundraiser on Friday for the American Heart Association - PAML's First Annual (we hope) Ultimate Frisbee Tournament.  Multi-grade teams formed and friendly rivalries sprouted up!  We had an awesome afternoon with High School students as referees, and onlookers cheering.  When all was said and done close to $600.00 was raised for the American Heart Association!  Way to go PAML!

Summer Reading Slide....

Summer Reading Slide...how to help prevent it!  Here's an article shared with me by Barbara Saxe, our Reading Specialist - I thought it might be of interest to you:

How do we prevent this “Summer Slide” and provide all of our children with summer reading opportunities? Here are some suggestions: Be sure your child reads at least 20 minutes a day.  According to research, a child who reads only 1 minute a day outside of school will learn 8,000 words by the end of sixth grade where a student who reads 20 minutes outside of school will learn 1,800,000 words!  If reading isn't one of your child's top priorities, you may need to set up an incentive program.  Set a good example.  When your child sees you reading and enjoying a book or a newspaper article, you are sending a message that reading is important and valuable. Read with your child. Explore different types of reading such as poetry.  For our little ones, poetry is a great way to improve phonemic awareness skills as poetry often incorporates rhyme.  For our older children, poetry is a means of improving fluency. Read for different purposes.  Reading directions for a recipe or directions for assembling a toy are fun ways of incorporating reading into everyday activities.  Talk to your child about what he or she is reading. Ask open-ended questions such as “What do you think about that story?” “What would you have done if you were that character?” Make reading and writing a regular part of your daily home activities. Visit the public library. Participate in their Summer Reading Program.  Play word games such as thinking of different words to describe the same things. Set reasonable limits for television viewing.  For a more in-depth look at the "Summer Slide" research, read this article by our esteemed advisor, Dr. Timothy Rasinski.  http://www.reading.org/downloads/publications/RTsummer1_Mraz.pdf Stay cool and read! Rachel Rachel D. Ring    Reading Plus®

Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative

     
     Next year there will be some available spots for 8th grade students to take an on-line High School class through the Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative (VTVLC). If they take a class and successfully complete it, they will receive an elective credit on their High School Transcript.  It is an exciting opportunity for students who are able to keep up with their studies, and want to challenge themselves a bit.  
      Next week, Claudia Larrow and Carrie Felice (PA High School Guidance Counselor) will be talking with 7th graders about this option for next year.  Most students do the work of the VTVLC during their Experts Time or at home outside of school, if they are in Band/Chorus classes.  It is something to consider.  You can look at their website here:  VTVLC.  If you have questions about this, please contact Claudia Larrow.  Students may sign up this spring, early next fall, or even later next year, if they want to take a 1/2 year class that starts in January.  Something to think about!