MCAS Schedule for May 2007

5

5

3, 4. 5

May 14- May 31

May 14- May 31

May 14- May 31

Grade Level (s)DatesTest

Mathematics

Pilot History Test

Science and Technology

John Eliot School135 Wellesley Avenue, Needham, MA 02494

781-455-0452Friday, April 27, 2007

Bulletin #17Please visit our web site at http://eliot.needham.k12.ma.us

Suzanne Wilcox, Principal Susan Rains, Editor

School Calendar April 2007

Saturday, April 28 - Celebrating Cultural Diversity - Performance Center - 2 - 5 p.m.May 2007

Wednesday, 5/2 - 4th & 5th grade - Spelling BeeWednesday, 5/9 - Bike Rodeo for 3rd Graders

Wednesday, 5/9 - Early Release DayMay 14- 31 - MCAS - 3, 4 and 5

Tuesday, 5/22- PTC Meeting, Eliot Media Center @ 9 a.m.Wednesday, 5/23- Staff Appreciation LuncheonMonday, 5/28- School closed for Memorial Day

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTLAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR 2006-2007:Wednesday, June 20 - dismissal at 12:05 p.m.

Notes From Our PTC- Co- PresidentsThanks

Many thanks to Kathy Sussman for taking over as Hospitality Chair and for bringing delicious treats to the PTC meeting on Thursday, April 26. Upcoming EventsCelebrating Cultural Diversity is this Saturday, April 28 from 2-5!  20 Eliot students are performing, and 20 Eliot families are cooking, running an activity, or setting up a display of their culture.  Come see what a fascinating school we have!  The program is attached so that you can plan your visit.  Admission is $5 per person over 2, $20 family maximum.  Please walk if you can: parking will be tight because baseball practices will be going on at the same time.

 The 4th and 5th Grade Spelling Bee is Wednesday May 2nd in the Eliot Performance Center.  Even if you don’t have a 4th or 5th grader, come cheer on all our terrific spellers.  You’ll be amazed by their abilities and amused as Michael Miller, the very funny host, uses the spelling words in sentences. Our next PTC Meeting is Tuesday May 22nd at 9:00 am in the Eliot Media Center.  We will be voting in next year’s PTC Executive Board.  Hope to see you there!

 Needham Walks to School Day is May 31st (it’s spreading!), so start getting in shape now!  Caroline hopes that the day will begin with neighborhoods walking to school together.  At 8:35, all Eliot students will be able to participate with a walk around Eliot.  Wear your Eliot gear; Mrs. Wilcox says she’ll even let everyone wear hats!

We are still looking for Chairs for the Art In and Celebrating Cultural Diversity for next year.   Also, we are looking for a Needham parent to be a METCO Chair.  This person would work with a co-chair from Boston, with METCO families, and with METCO representatives from other Needham elementary schools to support METCO programs at Eliot.  Finally, we have added a new position to the PTC Executive Board:  Fundraising Chair.  If you are interested in these or any other PTC position, please contact Rebecca or Caroline soon.  Next year’s officers will be voted in at the May 22nd PTC meeting.   

 As always, feel free to contact us:Rebecca Turner at: rcturner1@rcn.com; 781-449-3442 and Caroline Sabin at: csabin@rcn.com; 781-453-0558

----

Eliot Happenings

Fifth Grade Students Review The Living Voices Cultural Arts Program "The New American"

An actress named Elizabeth Rainer did a presentation today, April 26, for fifth graders, about immigration. Her presentation interacted with a video produced by Living Voices. Her character’s name was Bridget Rose Fitzgerald, who came to America from Ireland. She described the hardships of riding in steerage class as being like flying on a plane in the luggage compartment. She also told us about the excitement and nervousness of reaching Ellis Island.

Elizabeth described the way foreigners felt as they went through customs. She also told us how terrible it was for women to work in factories, and the disasters in them. Although she needed the money, her experience was horrible. The performance was very interesting and a great learning experience.

Written by, Willa Tellekson-Flash, Dee Curtin and Ben Xu

From Our Health and Physical Education Teacher, Mr. Brenhiser3rd Grade Bike Rodeo update

The 3rd Grade Bike Rodeo will take place on May 9th (rain date: May 10th-same time) and Mr. Brenhiser is looking for some enthusiastic parent volunteers to assist with the program. Prior to the April vacation, a flyer was sent home with each 3rd grade student which provides details about the event. You may also visit Mr. Brenhiser's website at http://fcw.needham.k12.ma.us/~craig_brenhiser/ for more information. The Bike Rodeo will run from 9-11:45 in the morning and is a great event for the third graders to experience. If you are interested in helping out with the program, please contact Mr. Brenhiser via e-mail at craig_brenhiser@needham.k12.ma.us by May 5th. Without parent volunteers, these events would not be the same experience for our students at Eliot and are difficult to implement. I thank you in advance for your support of the Physical Education program.

From Our Media Specialist, Mrs. MullinThe following books were donated to the Media Center during the month of March 2007

Moon Plane was donated by Tyson Mattox in honor of his 10th birthday, February 11th.Twilight was donated by Nate MacFadden in honor of his 11th birthday, February 25th.Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom donated by Paul K. Keshishyan in honor of his 8th birthday, Feb. 25th. Probuditi! was donated by Julia Doroshenko in honor of her 9th birthday, March 4th.Stella Brite and the Dark Matter Mystery was donated by Claire W. Tellekson-Flash in honor of her 9th birthday, March 4th.The Diary of a Killer Cat was donated by Ellie Caisey in honor of her 10th birthday, March 9th.The Patch was donated by Ally Mears in honor of her 7th birthday, March 10th.Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors was donated by Matthew Cote in honor of his 10th birthday, March 11th.Hammerin’ Hank: The Life of Hank Greenberg was donated by Donald Edward Anastasi in honor of his 7th birthday, March 11th.Cookies, Bite-Size Life Lessons was donated by Megan Conway in honor of her 8th birthday, March 12th.Marco? Polo! was donated by Zach Kaplan in honor of his 9th birthday, March 13th.The Little Red Hen was donated by Matthew Marciello in honor of his 8th birthday, March 14th.Grooves: A Kind of Mystery was donated by Stephen Marciello in honor of his 11th birthday, March 15th.Her Lies the Librarian was donated by Mia Simon in honor of her 10th birthday, March 15th.The Great Dragon Rescue was donated by James N. Jourdan IV in honor of his 7th birthday, March 15th.Last Day Blues was donated by Adam Gordon in honor of his 8th birthday, March 17th.Airball: My Life in Briefs was donated by Ryan Christenson in honor of his 9th birthday, March 21st.John, Paul, George and Ben was donated by Emma Spector in honor of her 9th birthday, March 21st.Play, Mozart, Play was donated by Erica Guan in honor of her 6th birthday, March 25th.Superhero ABC was donated by Radley Theolien in honor of his 6th birthday, March 25th.

From our School Guidance Counselors, Ms. Green and Mr. Bayse"Parental Stress Line”

When you need someone to listen, call the Parental Stress Line at 1-800-632-8188. The Parental Stress Line is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week anonymous, statewide toll free service for parents, caretakers, grandparents and foster parents to call in for support, information and assistance coping with the many challenges of parenting."

Needham Public School Happenings

OPEN HEARING ON SCHOOL CHOICEThe Needham School Committee will hold an open hearing on the School Choice Program at its meeting on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Broadmeadow School Committee Room. All interested parties are invited to attend.

Needham Happenings

Need A Tutor?The Needham Youth Commission offers the Peer Tutor Program for elementary and middle school students (grades 3-8) who have demonstrated a need for academic assistance or a need for support in developing successful study habits.   High School students provide one hour of tutoring each week throughout the academic year at designated sites.  This program is not appropriate for students with advanced learning needs or behavioral issues. 

Applications are being accepted through May 18, 2007.  Previous applicants who were on our wait list must reapply with a current application. Applications are available in the Youth Commission office, through your child’s guidance office or on our website at www.town.needham.ma.us/Youth/youthcommissionpeertutor.htm. Parents will be notified of their child’s status in the program by early June.  There is a fee associated with this program, which can be waived in the event of financial need.  For more information contact Alexandra Hogan at the Needham Youth Commission at 781-455-7518 x266 or e-mail ahogan@town.needham.ma.us.

Want to be a TUTOR?The Needham Youth Commission seeks high school students for its Peer Tutor Program 2007-2008.  The Peer Tutor Program provides high school students with an exciting volunteer experience that matches them with elementary or middle school students needing help with study skills and specific school subjects.  Tutors provide one hour of tutoring each week throughout the year at designated sites.  All tutors are eligible for Community Classroom Credit.    Applications are available in the Guidance Department at Needham High School, at the Needham Youth Commission office in the ground floor of Town Hall, or online at www.town.needham.ma.us/Youth/youthcommissionpeertutor.htm.  8th graders who will be entering 9th grade in September 2007 are encouraged to apply.  Applicants will be notified of their status (accepted or wait listed) on an ongoing basis.  Available tutor slots are limited and they fill up quickly – apply now! For more information contact Alexandra Hogan at the Needham Youth Commission at 781-455-7518 ext. 266 or by e-mail at [ mailto:ahogan@town.needham.ma.us ]ahogan@town.needham.ma.us.

 Styron to Speak about Depression and Suicide Rose Styron will visit Needham on Sunday, May 6th to share her family’s experiences while her husband, the noted author William Styron, wrestled with bouts of depression and suicidal impulses in his later years. Invited by the Needham Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Styron will tell the story – recounted in her husband’s powerful memoir Darkness Visible – from the perspective of an individual who struggled to understand and help a cherished family member recover from this debilitating mental illness.  “In Conversation with Rose Stryon” will begin at 2:00 pm in the Community Room at the Needham Public Library on Highland Avenue.  This special event is free and open to the public. Copies of Darkness Visible will be available for sale (at a 30% discount) after this event and at the New England Mobile Book Fair. Circulating and/or free copies are at the Library’s reference desk, the Needham Community Council, and the Needham Youth Commission. For information, call Rosalie Fox at 781-455-8497 or Jon Mattleman, Youth Commission Director, at 781-455-7518.   

“Lyme Disease” is Topic of May 7 LectureBy World-Renowned Authority Jonathan A. Edlow @ Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham

Dr.. Edlow, who is also deputy chief of emergency medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, authored the book “Bull’s Eye: Unraveling the mystery of Lyme Disease.”  In his lecture, he will discuss how to recognize disease-carrying ticks and the Lyme Disease rash, as well as provide information about symptoms and treatment of this serious disease.

The presentation, cosponsored by Parent Talk and the Needham Women’s Club, is free and will be held in the hospital’s Dickerson Room, on May 7, from 7-8 p.m. For more information, call 781-453-3622.

Science in the News: An Evening Seminar on Mental Health”For science students or anyone who seeks to learn more about mental disorders: Schizophrenia and Post-Traumatic Stress

Monday, April 30, 2007, 7:30 PM Community Room, Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, Mass.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Needham Public Library.Free and open to the public

 Presented in laymen’s terms, Science in the News (SITN) is a free evening seminar aimed at explaining and discussing current high-profile scientific topics with members of the general public. Run entirely by graduate students in the Division of Medical Sciences at Harvard University, SITN was founded seven years ago to address the inadequate level of scientific literacy within the general public. Science in the News feels that it is the responsibility of scientists to act as communicators so that the public can make intelligent decisions when they encounter science in their daily lives. No prior scientific background is necessary to participate in our lectures, and audience questions and lively discussion are encouraged.  Mental Health: In Your Mind or in Your Brain? -- Sandra Chow What is the relationship between the mind and the brain? Using this question as a launching point, the introduction will cover a variety of topics such as how the brain functions and communicates, how we can study mental illness, and the difficulties in studying mental illness. This will provide a good basis for delving deeper into two specific psychiatric disorders: 1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder -- Kelly Dakin 2. Schizophrenia -- Tim Cherry

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder -- Tim Cherry Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, is a debilitating anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. A discussion of this particular mental illness is timely due to the myriad of recent world events and natural disasters that have exposed people to traumatic situations. In the third portion of our lecture, we will further define PTSD in terms of symptoms and precipitating events. We will also cover what is known about the physiological causes of PTSD and why some individuals develop it while others exposed to similar trauma do not. Lastly, we will discuss current and future exciting possibilities for treatment.

Schizophrenia -- Kelly DakinSchizophrenia is a common, but widely misunderstood psychiatric disorder. We will begin by discussing how Schizophrenia is currently diagnosed by physicians; however, the majority of this portion of the lecture will be devoted to examining what is known about the biological underpinnings of this mysterious disorder. Treatment options will also be discussed.

For Additional Event Information: please contact the Needham Free Public Library at (781) 455-7559.

Cheerleading Clinic American Youth Cheerleading is excited to announce a cheerleading clinic at Exxcel Gymnastics

Monday, June 25 and Tuesday, June 26, 2007 1st - 5th GradersElite Camp-(min. 3 yrs. cheer exp.) 5th-8th Graders 3:00 pm-8:00 pm

Clinic includes the following: Cheer and Sidelines, Dance, Stunt techniques for all abilities, Tumbling, Fun team building games, Awards, Air Conditioned facility with gymnastics mats and tumble track. Cost - $90.00 To register contact Carol Stento 617-244-3300 Location is @ Exxcel Gymnastics 88 Wells Ave. Newton, MA 02459. Space is limited - First come, First serve.

Needham Community Theatre to Present World Premiere of Sara CreweFriday, 5/11 at 8 pm; Saturday, 5/12 at 2 pm; and Sunday,

5/13 at 4 pm (special Mother's Day time) at the Newman Elementary School

Needham Community Theatre will present Sara Crewe, a world premiere musical based on the classic book A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, from May 11 through 13. The show depicts the musical journey of a pampered child of wealth from her isolated world of make-believe, through the depths of despair - and finally into the world of human reality and human love. About the show, author Miriam Raiken-Kolb says, "Through the years there have been many versions of A Little Princess on stage and screen. Every generation finds something new to relate to in the story. Our version differs fromothers in that it changes Sara from a character who is predominantly acted upon to one who is confronted with choices. She struggles with her place in the world and comes out stronger. Most importantly, Sara learns the value oftrue friendship and to see beauty in the real world instead of hiding in a world of pretend."

The cast includes the following Needham students: Amy Lipman and Jeremy Sutherland of Broadmeadow, Ben and Marla Perelmuter of Mitchell, Melissa Mullen of Eliot, Emily Hilder of British School of Boston, and Flossie Neale and Emily Vershoor-Kirss of Pollard. For tickets or more information visit www.needhamtheatre.org <http://www.needhamtheatre.org/> or call 781-444-4740.

St. Bartholomew Soccer - For: 1st and 2nd grade boys and girlsFall/Spring 2007/2008 Registration

Saturday, April 28, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm - Outside, next to St. Bart’s soccer fields (corner of Greendale Ave. and Great Plain Ave. - rain location - St. Sebastian's cafeteria)

St. Bart's Soccer is a co-ed instructional program for Needham boys and girls born August 1, 1999 - July 31, 2001. All children who meet the age requirement but will be in kindergarten in the fall must have a copy of their birth certificate at registration. Registration is for both the fall 2007 and spring 2008 season. A mail in registration period will begin after April 28 through May 25. Applications will be available at town hall on a first come first serve basis starting April 30. Please call the St. Bart's Soccer hotline with any questions at 781-444-6559.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME BASEBALL?? Calling all girls and boys... Join the Needham Regional Pepsi Pitch Hit and Run competition at 12:30 pm on Sunday, April 29 at DeFazio Field on Dedham Street.  The competition is free to all students from 7-14 years old. Test your skills with the opportunity to compete at Fenway Park and at the All-Star Game in San Francisco in July. For additional information contact Laurie Spitz at Laurie@smileboston.com.  Birth certificates or baptismal records must be shown to enter competition if not registered with Needham Little League/Softball League. Hosted by Smileboston and Needham Little League.  Pre-registration is available at needhambaseball.com.

From The Eliot Office

For the safety of your children: Parents please remember that children should not arrive to school until 8:20 a.m.

And... thank you for waiting outside for your children at dismissal time.

Our next bulletin will be published, Friday, May 11, 2007

Please see the following:Program for the Celebrating Cultural Diversity event

Flyers for: CAP, Parent Talk, BID Needham Hospital, Great Bear Run, and Needham Community Theatre

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Celebrating Cultural Diversity At Eliot

Saturday, April 28, 20072:00 – 5:00 p.m.

IN THE PERFORMANCE CENTER

Chinese Lion Dance performed by the Gund Kwok Asian Woman Lion & Dragon Dance TroupeOrganized by the Woo Family

African DrummingPerformed by Needham Public School students Jake Alpert, Russell Bramante, Isaac Hamlin, Sarah

McConchie, Miles Opton, Micaela Rosin, Katherine Schaeberle, Teddi Shapiro, Geoffrey Skelly, Christopher Smith-Mark, Jacob Svirsky, Benjamin Windhorst. Led by Corey Steinman and Tom Hirschi

Classical piano songs by Aisha TipnisKalinka, a Russian folkdance

Performed by Eliot students Max Berezin, Joshua Chan, Teddi Shapiro, and Maeve Sussman with Zhanna Berezina on piano

* * * * * INTERMISSION * * * * *

Sampling of Cultural Foods

Chopin’s Nocturne on piano by Zhanna Berezina

Contemporary Indian DancingPerformed by Eliot graduate Aliya Padamsee and her friends Sanne Sharma and Hiba Dhanani

Music on Chinese harp (Gu Zheng) by Krystie Wong

Irish Step Dancing with Audience Participation Performed by Eliot students Elaine and Rosie Bannon, Melissa Mullen, Breanna O’Neil, Jocelyn Sabin,

Annemarie and Tess Walsh, and Newman student Jessica KentAnd you!

IN THE GYM from 2-3 p.m. and 4-5 p.m.Origami with Hiroko Hardebeck and Takako Hirayama

Peteca, a Brazilian gameIndian Dress-up

Draw the World MapCultural Books

Thank you!

to all of the Eliot families who made this event possible.

to Robert Deutsch, our Master of Ceremonies.

to our generous donors: Bertucci’s, Brother’s Pizza, Chef Dane’s, Dragon Chef, Fuji Steakhouse, Green Tea Restaurant, Masala Art, Pho Pasteur, Sudbury Farms, Trader Joe’s.

CAPChild Assault Prevention Program

Seeking Volunteers for 07-08 School Year

Each year CAP volunteer Prevention Specialists present 60 workshops to students in Needham’s elementary schools in grades 1, 3 and 5. The CAP Prevention Specialists work in three-person teams to deliver the CAP curriculum during school hours.

The curriculum teaches children simple strategies to reduce vulnerability to assault and violence by presenting basic, age-appropriate, skill-oriented workshops that focus on bullying, stranger safety and assault by known persons.

The curriculum consists of discussion and role-plays for each of the topics. It ends with Review Time when the children have the opportunity to talk 1:1 with a Prevention Specialist.

Skills:

• Lead discussions with children 5-11 and respond to their questions and comments• Participate in simple, short, scripted role-plays

• Listen non-judgmentally to children in Review Time and support their problem solving skills• Work as part of a team under the direction of the designated team leader and the Director of the CAP

program, giving and receiving feedback

Time Commitment:

• Attend all 7 sessions of the training, 21-24 hours over a 4 week period• One school year, October – May, presenting three 2-hour classroom workshops each month, based on

school schedule and your availability

The next training will begin in mid-October, 2007.

For more information, call Gail Sommer at 781-444-2415 x 18, or email cap@needhamcommunitycouncil.org

BID-Needham Open House to Include Dinner and Lecture:

“Stop Stroke Before It Stops You!”

Free May 23 Event Open to Entire Community

Members of the community are invited to a free May 23 early bird dinner and educational open house at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham on how to avoid stroke and how to respond when it strikes.

The event will also include information and resources for family care givers.

As part of national Stroke Awareness Month, the hospital is holding an open house entitled “Stop Stroke Before It Stops You” as part of a commitment it made to community education when it became a designated stroke center in 2005. BID-Needham was one of the first hospitals in the state to meet rigorous requirements for treating stroke established by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Stroke, or “brain attack,” occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain, according to the National Stroke Association. When either of these things happens, brain cells die and brain damage occurs. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of adult disability.

When occurs, it is essential to recognize the symptoms and go immediately to the nearest stroke center. Stroke can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices and treatment of high blood pressure and other conditions.

The event consists of a number of activities from 5-7 p.m. in or near the hospital’s Dickerson Room:

Light buffet supper starting at 5 p.m. and continuing until 7 p.m.

Lecture at 6 p.m. on preventing and treating stroke by GiGi Girgis, M.D., champion stroke neurologist for the hospital’s Stroke Committee

Blood pressure and blood sugar screenings Educational activities led by BID-Needham social workers, physical therapists, emergency

department nurses and nutritionists

Education information from the American Stroke Association Complementary booths from other health care and community organizations

Registration is not required. For more information, call 781-453-3622.

The program is part of the state’s Stroke Collaborative Reaching for Excellence (SCORE) initiative, a program created by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the American Stroke Association to improve stroke care in Massachusetts.