“The aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values.” —William S. Burroughs
News From the Principal's Office!!
Hello Petersham Center School Families. I did not send out a newsletter last month as we ended up with a very short month and I felt I may not have enough news to share. Luckily, it has been very busy over the past month here at PCS with some added specials, changes in some of our specialist teachers as well as a few other new additions, so there is no shortage of news to share. We feel we are starting to finally see a shift in our students here where they are getting back into the real rhythm of school. Not having to send home classes as often has really been great to create the consistency that our students and teachers really need. We are waiting for the weather to begin to turn into spring in the next few months and can't wait to begin utilizing our outdoor spaces again.
Important Dates:
- 3/1-PCS Town Budget Presentation
- 3/9- PCS School Committee Meeting
- 3/10- Petersham Board of Health Meeting
- 3/11- Windows on Wildlife Show (Real birds of prey in the gym)
- 3/16-Chainsaws, Cheeseburgers, and Rock and Roll (Motivational speaker focused on perseverance, https://chainsawscheeseburgersandrocknroll.com/
- 3/23-1/2 day for staff PD
- 3/29- MCAS Begins, see schedule below
New Staff:
- Mary Carfagna has joined us as our Friday music teacher. The students are responding very well and are learning a lot about music and music history.
- John Porcino: Performing Arts
- Jen Howes: STEM
- Sara Lake: Specialized Paraprofessional
- Angelo Garofalo: Specialized Paraprofessional
MCAS
Please help us in reminding your 3-6 graders as we approach testing season that MCAS is a small moment in time and in NO WAY represents who they are as students or people. We look at every aspect of your student when we think about them, not just a two-day test that is taken once per year. Assure them they are much more than a score, and all we can ever ask is that they try their best. If they have done that, they have done all they can, the rest doesn't define them.
Please remember that as we transition into this "new normal" there will be many mixed emotions. If you feel safe to do so, your student can remove their mask, if not they are more than welcome to keep them on. What we cannot expect though, is that each teacher knows the individual wishes of each family in regards to masking or not. It will not be the classroom teacher's responsibility to remind your students to mask up if that is your family's choice. Take time to work with your student so that they know your wishes. Please click on the link below to view all of the newest updated protocols.
Winter Wonderland!!
"What makes a child gifted and talented may not always be good grades in school, but a different way of looking at the world and learning." —Chuck Grassley
John Porcino and Performing Arts
STEM
Drop-off and Pick-up
Please remember to fill up all open parking spots in our lot during drop-off and pick-up first. This should keep all cars safely contained in our parking lot and not spilling onto Spring St. When you are picking up please DO NOT stop in front of the school, instead pull all the way around the U until you are up to the car in front of you. We have freed up many spots in front by having staff park in our back lot. If you plan to stay to have students play, please use these parking spots instead of parking along the curb.
Aaron O'Connor
Principal, Petersham Center School
aaron.oconnor@petershamcenterschool.org
978-724-3363