Estabrook Buzz

Dear Estabrook Families,

For over two decades, Estabrook students and staff have benefitted from the work of the Lexington Education Foundation in supporting new initiatives, advanced learning and opportunities to further enrich the life of all in our schools. Estabrook has routinely been the recipient of this important and generous work. This edition of the Buzz features a guest column by two teachers who were the recipients of a grant that provided a once in a lifetime opportunity to enrich their teaching. Also included is an important announcement about a major community event coming to Estabrook this spring, sponsored by the LEF.

For more information or to make a contribution to the LEF, please visit their website here.

Jeff LaBroad

Principal

Submitted by Second Grade Teacher Lori Verity and Third Grade Teacher Amy Royal. Ms. Verity and Ms. Royal took part in a two-week citizen scientist experience in India last spring. They traveled with Lexington's Elementary Science and Social Studies Department Heads, and engaged in work directly related to their Science and Social Studies curriculums. In addition, the team was able to Skype LIVE with their students from India, teaching them content from across the globe.

Many aspects of our LEF funded trip to India have had an impact on student learning. Earthwatch provided us with the context needed to develop and implement the new Natures Partners science unit. We learned real life information related to pollination and how to use the engineering design process to tackle problems that may arise in natural systems. Working closely with Kullu Valley scientists and acting as a citizen scientist has impacted our teaching in that we are now better equip to engage students in the science practice standards. Furthermore, the training Lori received in the field has augmented her teaching philosophy around science. One example of this is evidenced by her participation in creating new curriculum written for second graders in Lexington that will engage them in the engineering design process through hand pollinator creation. Our journey to India has also impacted student learning in the area of social studies. Our world cultures unit on India now has greater depth and improved resources. Students will benefit from additional unit artifacts, photographs, and a new and improved PowerPoint presentation. We have also learned more about the Indian culture allowing us to better connect and engage with our India-American students and their families.

Please know that this small blurb only scratches the surface of how invaluable and productive our trip to India was.

Circle TUESDAY, MARCH 21 on your calendar, and plan to join us as we welcome New York Times bestselling author Jessica Lahey to Estabrook School. Lahey is the author of the hugely popular book, The Gift of Failure, and writes about education, parenting, and child welfare for The Atlantic, Vermont Public Radio, and the New York Times. She will speak to Estabrook staff and parents on student stress and emotional well-being. More information to come!

This event is sponsored by the Lexington Education Foundation in collaboration with Estabrook School and the Estabrook PTO.

Fourth graders were treated to a special guest--make that two--on Tuesday, November 22. Lexington Police Officer Sal Mirabella and the police robot "Romeo" visited Estabrook. The students were treated to a demonstration of Romeo along with the opportunity to as Officer Mirabella questions about its use. Students are currently studying a unit on robotics, and were able to get a better sense of real-world robotics applications.

Read all about Romeo's visit to Estabrook in the Lexington Minuteman here.

Computers are everywhere. They're in our pockets. They're on our walls. They're in our cars. They're a critical piece of our infrastructure, from power grids to traffic lights to the inner workings of our financial markets. And all of these computers have one thing in common. They depend on software to tell them what to do. But who exactly is going to write this software? Likely, many of our Estabrook students will!

Next week, December 5-11, is Computer Science Education Week. Estabrook students in all grades will join the tens of millions of students who have participated in the Hour of Code, demystifying the subject of computer science and hopefully whetting their appetites to go on and learn more.

Visit www.csedweek.org to learn more and be sure to ask your kids all about it.

The Estabrook Book Fair has expanded its hours! The sale will now be open tomorrow, Friday from 3-6 p.m. The sale will still still be open today, Thursday until 1 p.m., Friday until 12:30 and Sunday during the Holiday Marketplace. Don't miss your chance to get some holiday gifts or a new read for yourself! The Book Fair takes place in Room 105, right across from the cafeteria.

The Holiday Marketplace, featuring homemade crafts, treats, and holiday gifts made by your children and their friends, is coming to the Estabrook School Sunday, December 4th from 2-5pm! The Estabrook Book Fair will be open during this time as well.

Tour the world next Thursday, December 8, 6-8 p.m.! Join Estabrook faculty, staff and parents who will teach others about their particular country. Join us for a Potluck dinner in the cafeteria, followed by a visit to countries from around the world. For more information contact Lori Verity (lverity@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us).

Please join Mr. LaBroad on Wednesday, December 14 at 8:45 in the Estabrook Library for a conversation about the increasing opportunities and challenges facing our children as consumers of electronic media. Our Librarian, School Counselor and Instructional Technology Specialist will share Lexington's work around Digital Citizenship instruction, and share tips with parents on how to best support their child's life online.

Submitted by the Estabrook PTO

Help us make the holidays bright for women and children living in the REACH Shelter for Domestic Violence, located in Waltham. To contribute a gift, please sign up HERE. Gifts are due by Monday, December 5. Thank you for your generosity and support!

Starting Monday, December 5 and lasting through the winter, students arriving between 8:15 and 8:30 will proceed directly indoors to assemble in the gym prior to heading to classrooms. We will return to an outdoor morning lineup in the spring.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS.

Click here for the complete Estabrook School Calendar

Click here for the complete 2016-2017 Academic Calendar

BOOK FAIR | Through Friday, December 2, Room 105

WINTER HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE | Sunday, December 4, 2:00-5:00 p.m.

PICTURE RETAKE DAY | Tuesday, December 6

HOUR OF CODE | Tuesday, December 6 & Wednesday, December 7

STAFF APPRECIATION BREAKFAST | Wednesday, December 7

Sponsored by Grade 4

PASSPORT NIGHT | Thursday, December 8, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL DAY | Wednesday, December 14

PRINCIPAL COFFEE | Wednesday, December 14, 8:45-9:30 a.m.

ALL SCHOOL ASSEMBLY | Tuesday, December 20, 9:15-9:45 a.m.

Hosted by Grade 1. Parents of first graders are invited to attend.

Estabrook Buzz is the parent and family newsletter of Estabrook School, published regularly and distributed to families via email and shared at estabrook.lexingtonma.org

Website: estabrook.lexingtonma.org
Location: 117 Grove Street, Lexington, MA, United States
Phone: 781-861-2520