Broadmeadow Buzz
April 3, 2024
Broadmeadow Families,
Yesterday the Performance Center and upstairs hallway were filled with joyful music and clapping because of the 2nd Grade’s wonderful Dance Around the World Performance. Their learning this year focused on the people, culture and music of Brazil. The talented Mr. C. taught the students about Capoeira. In addition to learning about the mixture of martial arts and dance included in Capoeira the students also learned some Portuguese. Thank you to the PTC, volunteers, and teachers for making this happen for our children.
Do good. Be kind.
Please Check Out the Lost & Found on Display in the Lobby!
Our lost and found collection is very large. All of the item are now out on display in our lobby. Please encourage your children to take a look and feel free to drop by before Friday, April 12 to look for lost items. We are planning on donating what remains on Friday, April 12.
BUILDING VISITOR POLICY
- Community members who visit Broadmeadow must enter through the front door. Please ring the bell to your left when you arrive. All visitors must check-in at the office and sign our visitor log.
- After ringing the bell, families who arrive to drop off student materials are asked to label all items with their student’s full name and teacher name and place them in the bin on the office counter. The office will facilitate getting materials to the student’s classroom.
- Families who arrive to pick up students early will be asked to wait outside for their child to exit the building.
CORI FORMS FOR VOLUNTEERS
Any adult who volunteers at a school event will be required to complete the CORI review process at least 4 days in advance of their visit. Completed CORI and Confidentiality forms (linked below) can be dropped off at the office or emailed to Roberta Redpath.
- CORI FORM: Please complete both sides of the CORI form being sure to include the last 6 digits of your social security number. A copy of a license or passport is also required order for the CORI to be processed.
- CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT: In addition, please return a copy of a completed confidentiality form with your CORI documents.
School News
Solar Eclipse - April 8, 2024 - 2pm until 4:30pm
(Greatest coverage around 3:30)
A rare event, a solar eclipse, will appear over parts of the United States. This means that for a little over two hours, the moon’s orbit will take it between the Earth and the Sun. Here in Massachusetts, the moon will block out about 95% of the sun’s light. The Needham Science Center will provide safe viewing glasses to all elementary students at all elementary schools. Remind your children that these glasses are for eclipse viewing only. Never, under any circumstances, look directly at the sun without appropriate protection. Additional safety info from NASA.
The next solar eclipse to appear in the United States will be August 23, 2044. So let’s hope the weather cooperates for us this year. You can also view this livestream link, great in the event of inclement weather and curiosity of experiencing totality!
The Science Center wishes you a happy and safe viewing!
Resources
You might find these resources helpful as you get your children prepared for the eclipse:
- NSTA eclipse handout for families
- What will the eclipse look like in Needham & Boston? animation
The 2024 Total Solar Eclipse intro video
- SciShow Kids: What Will Happen During the Solar Eclipse? (From 2017)
- Word search
- Eclipse glasses crafts with paper plates: #1, #2
Grades K-2
Read alouds:
- Eclipse by Andy Rash
- Someone is Eating the Sun by Ruth Sonneborn from ECHO Science & Stories: A Solar Eclipse is Special
Total Solar Eclipse: A Stellar Friendship Story by Jayme Sandberg
Videos:
- What is a Solar Eclipse? (2 mins)
- Ready Jet Go! Total Eclipse Block Party (11 mins)
Grades 3-5
Read alouds:
- A Few Beautiful Minutes by Kate Allen Fox
- Totality!: An Eclipse Guide in Rhyme and Science by Jeffrey Bennett (Read by astronaut Steve Bowen on the International Space Station)
Videos:
- National Geographic: Solar Eclipse 101
- Eclipse demonstration
Needham Science Center 2023-24
Vegetarian Options at the Elementary Schools
Nutrition Services would like to bring awareness of the many vegetarian options available in the cafeteria's.
Everyday Options: Whole Grain Bagels with yogurt, cheese sticks, hummus or chickpea spread Whole Grain Pretzel with yogurt, cheese sticks, hummus or chickpea spread
Sunbutter & Jelly Sandwiches
Varying Options Depending on Menu of the Day:
On days we serve chicken - veggie nuggets
On days we serve a hot dog - veggie hot dog
On days we serve a hamburger - veggie burger
On days we serve ground turkey or beef - Deeply Rooted Pea Protein Crumbles
Every morning, your student is given the option to order these items in class.
Thank you so much for having your student eat meals with us and we are always open to new ideas, please reach out to us!
Needham Nutrition Services
follow us @NPSNutrition
Yellow School Bus Registration Begins on April 2nd!
Dear Families,
2024-2025 yellow bus registration for students residing in Needham will open on 4/2/24 at 8am. We will again be using MySchoolBucks for bus registration. Please note that there are different service fees depending on what form of payment you choose. Those differences are noted when you begin registration on MySchoolBucks. Please also note that you must put in a payment method in order to complete your registration, regardless of eligibility for free transportation. If you are eligible for free transportation, we will remove the fee when we process the registration on our end.
Click on the link below for more details and instructions regarding how to register your student(s) for the yellow bus if you live in Needham.
Bus Registration - Needham Routes
Please note that the links to MySchoolBucks and other registration forms will not "work" until 4/2/24 at 8am.
If you qualify for free and reduced lunch, please remember that you need to apply for free and reduced lunch annually. When you apply, you must check the box on the application that permits Nutrition to share the information with Transportation, so that we may waive your fee when we process your bus registration. Failing to do so will result in delayed processing of your bus registration.
If you intend to have a student ride the bus you must register for the bus, regardless of eligibility for free transportation or participation in the Free and Reduced Lunch program.
Thank you,
Shane Marchand
Transportation Director
Needham Public Schools
781-455-0400 X11234
Please subscribe to our Transportation listserv https://lists.needham.k12.ma.us/mailman/listinfo/transportation
or
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/NeedhamPSTrans
or
Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NeedhamPSTrans/
Register Now for Summer Explorations!
Summer Explorations 2024 offers classes for rising grades 1-9 students. Classes for rising grades 1-5 are held at Sunita Williams. Classes for Rising grades 6-9 are held at High Rock.
WEEK 1 : July 8 - July 12
WEEK 2 : July 15 - July 19
WEEK 3 : July 22 - July 26
WEEK 4 : July 29 - August 2
Enroll in any or all weeks.
Many of our classes have filled -- grab your spot today!
Summer Explorations Registration link
Summer Explorations Catalog link
Did you know that most of our Summer Explorations Instructors are Teachers and Staff of Needham Public Schools? We celebrate having such highly talented and extremely qualified Instructors. It is very likely that your student will see many familiar faces this summer, creating a comforting, creative and joyful experience for all!
Summer Explorations is open to ALL students, not just Needham residents. Invite your out-of-district friends and family to join in on the fun!
Scholarship assistance is available for students with financial hardships. No student will be denied access into an NCE program because of inability to pay. Any student on scholarship is eligible to join one week at a reduced rate. Those with hardship may apply for 60% off one NCE week per session, per student. Those participating in the State Public Assistance Program may receive 85% off one NCE week per session, per student. To apply for Scholarship Assistance, please contact NCE by May 15, 2024.
For questions regarding Summer Explorations registration and/or scholarships, please contact:
NCE Office: 781-455-0400 x5 -or- NCEsummer@needham.k12.ma.us
Scholarships: NCE Program Coordinator, Rita_Jarvis@needham.k12.ma.us
24-25 Placement
Up until Sunday, April 21st, guardians have the OPTION of offering feedback to the school in regards to their child's classroom placement for the 2024-2025 school year.
On our end, the process for developing class groupings involves input from the entire Broadmeadow faculty. We take a multi-tiered approach and include input from the current classroom teacher, special education liaisons, specialists, guidance team members, and administration. The faculty works for several weeks to create class groups that are balanced for learning style, ability, support required and social-emotional development. Last year we created this video which provides greater insight into our process and hopefully helps you have a deeper understanding of our practice.
In general, the open communication that you've had with your child's teacher over the course of the year supplements what our faculty knows about your child and provides the information that we need to complete the student placement process. However, on occasion, you as a guardian may wish to submit information regarding special or unusual circumstances that you want us to consider and about which you think that the classroom teacher may not already know. If you are so inclined, please complete this survey by Sunday, April 21st
Please note the following:
Guardian input will be considered as one part of a large, complicated and thoughtful process;
We do not accept requests for children to have (or to not have) specific teachers;
All Broadmeadow faculty will be able to read what you submit;
Classroom assignments will be emailed to families during the summer.
Are you moving, or do you have a child transferring into or out of Broadmeadow?
If you will be moving to a new address, enrolling a child into grades 1 thru 5, or leaving the district to attend private school, please be sure to notify Roberta Redpath via email at:
roberta_redpath@needham.k12.ma.us or 781-455-0448 x306.
Anyone moving within the Broadmeadow district or within Needham must also communicate directly with the town registrar, Penny Belezos (penny_belezos@needham.k12.ma.us) in order to officially change your address in powerschool. School secretaries are not able to make these changes, and can mail documents only to the address listed in powerschool.
Contact Information for Family Support
Andy Garlick, Principal
Chanit List, Assistant Principal
Laurie Blakely, K-2 Guidance
Katie Lizotte, 3-5 Guidance
Jacqui Murphy, Connections Guidance
Health News
SEASONAL ALLERGIES
Please start your student’s usual allergy regime BEFORE symptoms start in order to alleviate symptoms
Email or call me if your student is experiencing bad allergies on a particular day. Accommodations can be made in order to decrease exposure to pollen.
If your student is experiencing symptoms worse than their typical allergy symptoms and the symptoms are disturbing sleep and play, PLEASE consider keeping your student home.
Please note I DO NOT have allergy eye drops or antihistamines in the health office. If you forget to administer an essential medication, you need to come to school to administer the medication to your student.
Consider a hat and sunglasses to keep the pollen out of eyes and off of faces.
Consider skipping outdoor activities on high pollen days and/or windy days that blow pollen around. You may have to sacrifice baseball/soccer/ lax so your student can be more comfortable in school.
REMEMBER TO SEND IN:
Weather appropriate change of clothing- store in backpack
Water bottles- reusable. As the weather gets warmer, students will need them!
MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS
Please keep me in mind when your student has their annual physical- send a copy into school for their medical files (required in K and 4th grades)
All “orders” expire June 30th. That means if your student has an appointment with the allergist/psychiatrist/pulmonologist etc, the provider should give you updated allergy or asthma action plan and/or medication order dated after June 30.
Community News
Needham Junior Football & Cheer
- Needham Junior Football & Cheer’s Fall 2024 season is now open. Football is open to Needham athletes grades 4-8, cheer for grades 1-8.
- Email needhamjfc@gmail.com if you have any questions
- Visit our website for more information or to register: https://needhamfootball.net/
Parent/Guardian Education Event
Edibles, Vapes & Spiked Seltzers: Tips for talking with your teen about drugs & alcohol in today’s world will be presented on Tuesday, May 14, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm at Pollard Middle School auditorium
The program will include:
- A presentation by Dr. Safdar Medina, Pediatric Director at Tri River Health Center and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UMass Chan Medical School.
- A panel discussion with Tamatha Bibbo, Principal at Pollard Middle School and Sara Shine, Director of Needham Youth & Family Services. A Needham High School student from the SALSA program (Students Advocating for Life Without Substance Abuse) will speak about the prevention work SALSA does in the 8th grade Wellness classes.
Registration accessible here: https://tinyurl.com/3vybhwp4.
Needham Parent Survey on Youth Substance Use
Every two years, the Substance Prevention Alliance of Needham (SPAN), in collaboration with the Needham Public Health Division, surveys parents of 6th – 12th graders who attend school in Needham to learn about their personal beliefs and perceptions regarding underage drinking and substance use and misuse among youth. The survey is anonymous and helps inform SPAN’s work to address youth substance use in Needham. Interested parents can access the survey here: https://bit.ly/needhamsurvey until Friday, April 26.
Book, Game & Lego Drive
Girl Scout Junior Troop 70627, in partnership with Storytime Crafts, is doing a book, game and lego drive from April 8th through April 12th. The drive will benefit schools in the greater Boston area whose classrooms and afterschool programs need new / gently used games and books. Please help our troop by bringing in new or gently used books, games, and legos and leaving them in the collection bin by the library.
STEM games and legos are especially needed! Please keep in mind the following guidelines: No broken/ripped/worn/outdated game/puzzle boxes. (Minor box repairs may be done using packing tape only) No games are accepted that require batteries. No puzzles over 500 pieces. No games/puzzles are accepted in ziplock bags or anything other than the original package. Please check all game/puzzle boxes and contents for mildew stains and odors. Legos do not need to be full lego sets, loose legos are ok. Please have them in a bag/ container. Books should be easy readers, chapter books and elementary/middle school books. Thank you for helping us make this game drive a success!
Bring Your Ideas! NEF Accepting Spring ’24 Grant Applications
The Needham Education Foundation (NEF) is now accepting applications for small grants, up to $5,000, and large grants, up to $15,000, for the benefit of the Needham Public Schools. Needham Public School educators, administrators, or community members — including students and parents — are eligible to apply. All applications are due by Friday, April 5, 2024.
The NEF seeks applications for innovative programs that connect with the curriculum or the district goals in meaningful ways. The NEF also encourages schools to copy a grant that was funded at another school through the Express grant program or work together with multiple schools through the Multi-School grant program, which offers up to $3,000 per school.
Contact Sarah Winig at nef@nefneedham.org or talk to your NEF School Rep if you have any questions or would like guidance. To see what the NEF has funded in the past and to apply online, please visit: www.nefneedham.org/grants.