Zervas Elementary School PTO

Spring Library Gift Book Sale

zervaspto — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:27:21 +0000

The Library Gift Book Sale is going to take place the last week of this month on May 29th, 30th, 31st, and June 1st . Parents are needed each morning to help with this important fund raiser. Please consider helping out by clicking on the link below to sign up or get additional details.

To check out the volunteer opportunities, please click here.

Color Day is Coming – Tuesday, June 5th – Volunteers Needed

zervaspto — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:59:47 +0000

Come join the fun while helping to make Color Day a success once again this year! We are looking for parents to help run stations for a shift or all morning (there are plenty of us who have fun staying all morning!). Below are the time slots we will need help with:

9:00-10:30 – help with the stations ****these are the most important to fill
10:30–12:00 – help with the stations ****these are the most important to fill

Please follow the link to sign-up online:

http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/992345635643956092

or send in paper form that you will receive later this week. The form can be handed in at the front office.

Any questions? Please email Matt Goldstein at mattabgoldstein@gmail.com, Len Brown at lenxbrown@yahoo.com or Meryl Miller at merylt@rcn.com.

Sunday May 20th – Memorial Day Parade

zervaspto — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:44:26 +0000

Do you like to walk or bike to school? Come join other kids and parents in a bicycle flotilla or walk alongside handing out prizes, as the Newton Safe Routes to School Task Force participates in the annual Newton Memorial Day Parade. Show your support for our neighborhoods and safe walking/biking routes to school. The parade convenes Sunday May 20th, at 1:00 pm in front of Our Ladies Church on Washington and Adams St.

If you would like to decorate your bike, please join us at 12:30 pm at the church. Please ask for Alicia Bowman, Event Coordinator. Everyone is invited, with their families, to the hot dog & burger picnic at Pelligrini Park after the parade.

For further info or if interested in participating please contact Joe Sypek, jpsypek1@verizon.net or cell: 617-721-9058.

Honor Thy Teacher

zervaspto — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:55:44 +0000

It’s that time of year again to honor exceptional Newton teachers and staff who have touched your child’s life. The suggested donation is $25 per teacher/staff member.
Newton Schools Foundation celebrates Newton Public Schools teachers and staff by:

• Notifying honored teachers and staff of your gift
• Listing all honored teachers and staff in the Newton TAB
• Sharing honoree names with the Superintendent and Principals
• Ensuring your donations go to support teaching & learning in Newton schools.

To honor a teacher or staff person please go to www.newtonschoolsfoundation.org.

Help Wanted

zervaspto — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:50:58 +0000

Newton Community Education would like to expand their Kids & Teens program. To do that they need some help. They are looking for an elementary school parent available to work part-time (maybe as few as five hours a week or so) to help plan the Fall program. You would be involved in brainstorming ideas for new programs and recruiting teachers to work for NCE. The ideal candidate for this position is an elementary school parent who has been involved in the PTO and has some awareness of other Kids program offerings around Newton. If you’re interested, please email a cover letter and resume to: lisa_rucinski@newton.k12.ma.us.

Cape home available to rent

zervaspto — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:46:56 +0000

Beautifully decorated and completely new 4 bedroom, 4-bath house in Eastham for weekly or monthly stay. Elegant custom designed home features central AC, beautiful kitchen, master bedroom suite and much more. Enjoy easy outdoor living in the screened porch watching the ball game. Bonus room above the garage with game console for kids to enjoy. One mile to First Encounter Beach and short walk to Herring Pond. Located on a peaceful cul de sac ensures a tranquil stay. A terrific way to enjoy a comfortable vacation on the Cape.

4 Bedrooms; 6 Beds: 2 King, 2 Queen, 2 Twin.
4 Baths: 2 Full, 1 3/4 (shower-only), 1 Half.
Limit: 8 people.

Contact Suzanne Slattery for photos and availability, sslattery33@msn.com or 617-827-4875

Summer program for your pre-schooler

zervaspto — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:45:52 +0000

Your child will love art, music and play at the Newton Cultural Center. Time for Partners is for children 18 months to 4 years, with an adult. One day a week (or more), Mondays through Thursdays from 9:30 am – 11:15 am, June 25th – August 2nd. Art and Music every day, and a chance to make new friends while learning and having fun. Time for Families is similar program in June only, with one price for the whole family. Summer Swing is a half-day drop-off program for children ages 3 – 6. Art, music and creative movement with experienced and nurturing teachers and assistants. Visit www.newtonculturalcenter.org or call 617-527-8283 for more information.

Week-Long Summer Art Programs

zervaspto — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:43:14 +0000

Join the fun and creative week-long sessions for children and teens this summer! Be inspired by exciting and educational themes in the Children’s Program for grades 1-6. Daily classes in Visual Arts, Drama, Ceramics and Sculpture/3D, give children the opportunity to learn and grow with friends while being creative and having fun!Special presentations booked weekly with our favorite community partners! June 25-Aug. 31, 9:00-3:30 pm, Grades 1-10.

Teen Afternoon Ceramics, for students entering grades 7-10, 3:30-5:30 pm, gives teens more opportunity to work on hand-building skills and on the Potter’s Wheel. All skill levels are welcome. Tuition: $115/wk. Early Drop-Off, Extended Day options available. To register or for more information, visit www.NewArtCenter.org or call 617-964-3424.

Pippin

zervaspto — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:35:59 +0000

The musical Pippin tells the hilariously crazy, darkly surreal, but ultimately uplifting story of Pippin’s journey through a Wonderland-based alternate reality to find purpose and complete fulfillment in his life. Join us for a night of spectacular magic, catchy Stephen Schwartz tunes, and Fosse-inspired dances; challenge with us unsettlingly relatable portrayals of mindless war, sex, and political corruption; and, just maybe, believe again in love.

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson
Directed by Pamela Chen and Sonya Maria Douglas
Musical Director: Melissa Weikart
Choreographer: Maddie Cetlin
May 24th, 25th, and 26th
7:30pm, Tickets $8 for Students and $10 for Adults
Theatreink.net

Car Wash

zervaspto — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:33:59 +0000

5th Grade Car Wash for Charity at the Bowen Elementary School On May 20th: Stop by our 2nd annual carwash! Funds raised will benefit Child Fund International, one of the world’s oldest, most respected child relief/development organizations. 9:00am-11:00am, $7 per … Continue reading →

No Parking: How Parking Affects Traffic, Business and Our Lives in Newton.

zervaspto — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:32:06 +0000

How does parking affect village vitality? What effect does it have on traffic and safety? What are Newton’s rules, and where do they apply? Explore the fascinating world of parking management, technology and economics with Jason Schrieber, a principal at the transportation planning firm Nelson/Nygaard and Candace Havens, planning director for the City of Newton. Schrieber has developed parking management plans across the country, but most recently for Needham and Salem, MA. Havens will outline what Newton’s current parking practices are, and how various experiments with parking policy have turned out. Matt Cuddy, who helped develop recommendations around parking in Newton for the Transportation Advisory Committee, will be on hand to explain the TAC’s parking goals.

When: May 17, 7:00-9:00 pm
Where: Druker Auditorium, Main Library
Details at www.lwvnewton.org

Meet the Robots

zervaspto — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:30:12 +0000

Please join the Newton LigerBots for their annual spring event, Meet the Robots. The event will feature robots from this year’s FIRST Robotics, FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Lego League Competitions. There will also be an underwater robot from the MIT Sea Perch Competition and iRobot will be there with some robots of their own. In addition, there will be a number of STEM (Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering) oriented activities with prizes. All ages are welcome to attend so come on down with the whole family and have some fun learning with the Newton Ligerbots!

Rythmic Gymnastics Open House

zervaspto — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:29:30 +0000

Rhythmic Dreams, New England’s elite non-profit rhythmic gymnastics school located in West Newton, is hosting a FREE Summer Program Open House on Monday, May 28th, from 2:00-4:00pm. Since 2002, Newton’s “best kept secret” has produced many local and national champions in this beautiful sport for girls, under the expert coaching of former champions from Romania, Ukraine, US and Russia. Stop by on Memorial Day to have fun with ribbons, balls, and hoops and learn tips for improving your flexibility, strength and coordination. This is a great opportunity to see what this Olympic sport is about and to learn more about our summer program or Fall 2012 afterschool program.For more information and to reserve a spot, please email info@rhythmicdreams.com or call 617-233-4493.

Possibilities in Conversation…

zervaspto — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:26:54 +0000

Talented Artist and Newton Parent, Vani Sayeed, has an opening of her art exhibit at the Newton Free Library on June 6th from 7:30-8:00pm. She donates a portion of the proceeds of the sale of her art to Newton Serves.The reception is free of charge, and she would like to invite the community to join her.

Monotypes by VaniChandra Sayeed, June 2nd-28th, 2012

Newton Free Library
330 Homer Street
Newton,MA 02459
617-796-1306
Opening Reception: June 6th, 7-8:30pm
www.newtonfreelibrary.net

Basketball Camps

zervaspto — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:52:11 +0000

ASA Hoops & Nike basketball is offerings camps in both Newton & Brookline starting June 25th and running until August 31. These camps are for boys & girls ages 7-17. The ASA staff takes pride in not just teaching skill development but teaching one how to play the game of basketball. For more information visit www.asahoops.com/camps or contact Coach Smith at: Coachb@asahoops.com / 617-909-5990.

Principal’s Letter

zervaspto — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:25:30 +0000

Dear Zervas Families,

Usually, at this point in the year, we have a fairly clear idea of classroom configurations and staffing for the following year. However, this year there are a few unresolved issues which have resulted in delays in making some final decisions about next year. One still unresolved issue is how many kindergartens we will have next year. At this point we have 46 registered students for next year’s kindergarten classes. However, there are several students who we are fairly certain will be coming who have not yet registered and there are a few requests from families who live in other Newton school districts to have their children enroll in K at Zervas next year. I continue to feel positive that we will have sufficient numbers for three K classrooms, but we will not be assigned a third K class until there are more confirmed registered students and the decisions are made about the out of district requests. A final decision is not likely to be made until the beginning of June. At that time we will then determine who will be teaching what grade. We have also not worked out all the details for our expected co-taught classrooms at fourth and fifth grade. I apologize for all of this uncertainty, and will let you know as soon decisions are made.

This past Friday our fourth graders took part in our annual bike safety program. Safety Officer Gourdeau from the Newton Police came and educated our students on bike safety through a classroom presentation and an instructional bike ride through the Zervas neighborhood. Our fourth graders (and current fifth graders) can now ride their bikes and scooters to school on their own with their parents permission and if they are wearing a helmet. Younger students can ride bikes and scooters to school if they are accompanied by their parents and are wearing a helmet. It is legal to ride on the sidewalk, (except in commercial areas) but please be careful as you get closer to school. If there are a lot of pedestrians, please walk your bike. Now that the weather is getting nicer, consider walking or riding bikes to school every day. It is healthy and makes the blue zone safer for everyone if there are fewer vehicles using it.

At the end of this month all of our classes will simultaneously spend a week or so focusing on the natural environment. As mentioned in an earlier principal’s letter, this is a result of a discussion begun in a Zervas School Council meeting focusing on ways to increase creative and critical thinking in our classroom curriculum through project based learning. Planned projects in our classrooms include research reports, three dimensional dioramas, Rube Goldberg machines, classrooms turned into various habitats, student made movies about the environment, etc. We will share these projects on May 29th between 6:30 and 8:00 pm. That evening will be designed for you to visit the various classrooms on your own schedule, so come anytime during the 6:30 to 8:00 pm time, depending upon your evening sports and dinner schedules. And speaking of the Zervas School Council, there will be two parent openings on the council next year. There will be an election to fill the open positions in June. Please consider running for one of these spots. More information will be coming in a future Zervas Notes.

Diana Beck, the new Zervas principal, will be visiting Zervas a few times before the end of the school so that she can become familiar with the staff and some of our routines. She is hoping to stop by the Zervas Fair this Saturday with her two sons, so give her a friendly welcome when you see her. She begins her tenure at Zervas on July 1, so wait until then to ask her technical questions. It takes a lot of people to make the Fair run smoothly, so please sign up to volunteer right away. I hope to see you there.

Warmly,

Steve Griffin

Co-Presidents’ Letter

zervaspto — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:25:05 +0000

Hello,

We would like to share some of the PTO sponsored programs from April. Thank you to the Respect for Human Differences committee and Amy Behrens for bringing in Ooch the Yo-Yo guy to Zervas. On Thurs., Apr. 26th grades K-2 saw a “positive spin” program and grades 3-4 experienced his “secrets to being social” show. Sunday, April 29th was Newton Serves Day. A big thank you to Linda Thayer and Caroline Wilson for coordinating this event for Zervas, and to all of the volunteers who took time out of their busy schedules to come by and help beautify Zervas. Also in April the Understanding Our Differences Team, let by Carla Brigham, Lisa DePalma and Jen Smelson presented a unit on “special medical conditions” focusing on epilepsy, asthma and allergies.

May 2nd was Walk to School day and May 9th was Bike to School day. Thank you to Joe Sypek for coordinating and promoting these days.

Coming up…
the Spring Fair is on Saturday, May 12th from 11:00 am -2:00 pm. We hope you’ll come by (and even consider working a shift). The fair is always a big hit with the kids and promises fun for all ages.

Creative Arts and Sciences Presentations:
Kindergarten – Author/illustrator Emilie Boon, who will help students create a short book of their own
2nd grade — Virtual trip to Ghana, Africa with Tufts University Professor Nani Agbeli, playing drums, dancing and learning about their culture
4th grade – Mitali Perkins, Life Between Cultures and Jeff Davis, American Folk musician
5th grade – Valerie Tutson “The Right to … Liberty” (stories from the Revolutionary War)

Finally, on behalf of the fifth graders, thank you to everyone who helped support the 5th grade graduation by purchasing cookie dough.

Jane and Joanne

Zervas Spring Fair!! Volunteer Today for one short hour!

zervaspto — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:24:19 +0000

We still need many more volunteers to make the Fair a success. We are especially in need of volunteers from 1-2, but also have open spaces from 12-1. Please sign up for one short hour so that we can run all the games and make this a fun and memorable day for the kids. Zervas alums in middle and high school are welcome to volunteer. Thanks for your help!

We want to put on a fantastic, fun Spring Fair for the kids of Zervas, but we need your help to do it! The Fair needs lots of parent and alumni volunteers to make it work. And that’s one of the things that makes the Fair so special–having the whole Zervas community coming together to create a fun event.

We’re again using VolunteerSpot (an online sign up and reminder tool) to schedule volunteers for the Fair. Time is getting short, so please sign up today – here’s how it works in 4 easy steps:

1) Click this link to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot:

2) Enter your email address. VolunteerSpot will then send you a PERSONAL signup invitation coded to your email address. (No registration required!) Please note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone or send spam emails.

3) Go to your email inbox and open the invitation from VolunteerSpot – click “Sign Up Now” to choose your spots.

4) Don’t forget to click the “Your Info” icon on the lefthand side of the VolunteerSpot website to enter your name (especially if it’s not obvious from your email) after you choose your spots.

Note: If you have trouble accessing the site or prefer not to enter your email address – please email Helen Haley at haleyhe@gmail.com and she can sign you up manually.

The great games, food and prizes aren’t the only reason kids love the Zervas Spring Fair. They also secretly love this fair because they get to see their moms, dads, teachers, brothers, sisters and other Zervas grads* helping out. Whether you’re running a game, serving food, or giving out prizes, volunteering at the Fair is a great way to participate in the life of the Zervas School!

* Zervas alums in middle school and high school are welcome to volunteer and much needed to help staff all the games. If your alum child or child’s friend wants to volunteer, please email Helen Haley at haleyhe@gmail.com to sign them up.

See you at the Zervas Spring Fair!!
Saturday, May 12
11:00 am – 2:00 pm

The Fifth Grade Graduation Bake Sale Fundraiser needs donations!

zervaspto — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:23:21 +0000

Please bring a baked goodie to be sold at the bake sale on May 12th during the Zervas Fair. Donations should be brought that morning to Zervas, or can be dropped off the night before at 15 Kingston Rd between 6:00 and 8:00 pm.

If you can, please wrap individual portions to make sales easier and more sanitary.
Feel free to contact Erin Jospe with questions at ejospe@mac.com
Thank you for your help!

5th Grade Social Action: Birdathon

zervaspto — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:22:17 +0000

The 5th graders are about to embark on their next social action project, a Birdathon! On May 22nd, the 5th graders will be led through Cold Spring Park by Mr. Griffin and a Mass Audobon guide, with a goal of spotting as many of the birds that make the park their home at this time of year as they can. 5th graders will be asking for pledges prior to the Birdathon. You can either make a lump sum donation or sponsor a student for an amount per bird spotted. All proceeds will go to one of Mr. Griffin’s favorite charities, the Audobon Society, as a part of this year’s 5th grade donation.

So, please find your nearest 5th grader, if they don’t find you first, and sponsor them for the Birdathon! (If you are not connected to any 5th graders, you can make a donation in the Zervas main office or at the Zervas Spring Fair.)

There will also be an opportunity to donate to the Birdathon at the Zervas Spring Fair this Saturday. 5th graders will be staffing a Bird House decorating table and will have sponsor sheets available.

We still need as many pairs of binoculars as possible. If anyone in the Zervas community has binoculars that they are willing to let the 5th grade borrow, we would be very grateful. Please bring them to Zervas and leave them in Rebecca Deeks/Kate Gacicia’s mailbox in the office. Make sure to label them with your full name, so that they can be returned. Thank you so much.