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The Buzz at Leeds
October 11, 2022
Message from Principal Wenz
Happy Indigenous People's day! I would like to respectfully acknowledge that Leeds Elementary School sits on the traditional territory of the Nipmuc and Pocumtuc. I hope everyone had a peaceful long weekend.
All students and staff will have their pictures taken this Thursday, 10/13. We have a re-take date of 11/16.
We will have an early release day on Wednesday, 10/19 at 11:30. Students are eligible for a free bagged lunch. Kindergarten through grade 2 students will eat at school during their regular lunch times. Our grades 3 through 5 students will bring their bagged lunches with them. Sign ups for Caregiver/Teacher conferences (10/24 through 10/28) were started at Open House. If you have not signed up for a time, please reach out to your child's teacher. We will have early releases every day during the Caregiver/Teacher conference week. The Northampton Parks & Recreation Department has a School's Out Club program. They are providing services for early dismissals and full days with no school. Check out their website.
We will have our annual PTO Trunk or Treat on Saturday,10/29 (rain date 10/30). Anyone who would like to celebrate is encouraged to come to Trunk or Treat.
We are so excited to have our annual Harvest Week celebration back at Leeds from October 31st through November 4th. We will have a week filled with lots of fun activities. Please join us on Wednesday, November 2nd from 3:15-5:00pm for some garden fresh foods. There will be potato leek soup, mashed potatoes, squash, salads, applesauce, roasted sunflower seeds, hot local apple cider and lemon balm mint tea. Click here for the flyer.
We are looking for substitute teachers and paraeducators to help us when our staff are absent. If you or anyone you know are interested in subbing at Leeds, please let me know.
With kindness,
Chris Wenz, Principal
Leeds School Council Members
Get involved in the LES School Council
Learn about how Leeds Elementary School operates, and help the school to grow and improve.
Officially, school councils are to assist principals in:
- Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards
- Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school
- Reviewing the annual school building budget
- Formulating a school improvement plan
Beyond that, a School Council’s identity is determined by the members working in tandem with the Principal. It can entail many things. The council the last few years focused on community and engagement. As a result, we created the Class Representative program, the parent survey, Literacy Night and Technology Night, Math Night, the World Cafe, social justice projects, and the all-school read.
What’s the difference between the School Council and the PTO? At LES, the PTO runs fundraising and social events, whereas the School Council is involved more with curriculum and school priorities - though the two groups occasionally work together.
How do I become an elected member of the School Council? Contact Jean Monska, PTO President at Jean@leedspto.org. There are currently two open caregiver positions on the council. If more than two people are interested in serving as official council members, we’ll have an election in October.
If I don’t become an elected member of the School Council, can I still come to meetings? Yes. You are welcome at any/all meetings, and you can help out on projects and sub- committees, if you want. Much of the time, there’s little difference between the roles of elected and unelected members. The meetings are friendly and relaxed, so feel free to drop in on one.
How much work is involved? We meet approximately six times a year. Meetings generally last 60-90 minutes. Outside of meetings, you may choose to work on some of the Council’s initiatives, like the Class Rep program. Or maybe you’ll bring something new to the group...
Leeds PTO
2022 Leeds PTO T-Shirt Design Challenge!
We’re looking for a new design for our Leeds school t-shirts for this year! Send us your Leeds t-shirt design and it could end up on our school 2022-2023 t-shirts.
*Designs are due Friday, October 14th and can be submitted via email to meghan@leedspto.org or dropped off at the school. Thank you to everyone who has submitted their design.
Important things to remember:
T shirt design challenge is only open to kids this year! 😀
Include first and last name as well as teacher’s name on the entry
Design must be submitted on 8.5 x 11 size paper or in jpg or png formats
Only original artwork; no copyrighted material allowed
If the entry does not incorporate the words “Leeds Elementary School” it will be added to the final design. We’re the Leeds Leopards, but we can always “bee” Leeds!
Ideally, designs are drawn in black ink
Select designs will be chosen at the general PTO meeting on October 18th for a final vote by students at Leeds.
2022-2023 PTO Board Members
Jean Monska, Co-President
Meghan Steed, Co-President
Jenna Recuber, Vice-President
Mary Penney, Treasurer
Nedra Shield, Co-Secretary
Rebecca Hamlin, Co-Secretary
Our PTO members will be looking for volunteers next year for many fundraisers and events. Stand by for the calendar of events.
NPS Early Childhood Center Free Fall Workshops!
From the folx at the Early Childhood Center:
The Early Childhood Center at the Northampton Public Schools is offering free caregiver and professional workshops for those caring for and working with young children ages birth through 8. During September and October join local organization Translate Gender, educational consultant Chrissy D'Agastino, and our own Caregiver Cafe series! Register and learn more here.
Family Community Garden Tour with Grow Food Northampton: Join the NPS Early Childhood Center and Grow Food Northampton for a sensory tour of the Community Garden and a chance to harvest sunflower seeds to grow at home! Meet us at the front of the garden to the left once you enter the driveway. 140 Meadow Street in Florence.
Translate Gender: How do we talk about gender with young children? What messages are we sending? Join our community for an interactive online session to bolster our support for LGBTQ+ youth and families! James Shultis (he/they), Co-Director at Translate Gender, will talk about gender identity and expression, and the resources available to support youth and families in their experiences. We will also explore how to facilitate age-appropriate dialogue about these topics at home and helpful resources. Bonus! The first 10 people who register AND participate in either workshop will receive a copy of the book, Being You: A First Conversation About Gender by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli. Illustrated by Anne/Andy Passchier. (Limited to local delivery (Northampton, Leeds, Florence, Hadley) or pick-up from downtown Florence) Workshops for Families & Professionals with Developmental Specialist Chrissy D'Agostino: Chrissy will present a lecture on the first two evenings in the series then invite those that attend to a full Q&A/conversation with her on the third evening. Caregiver Cafés*: At the Caregiver Cafés we share information and ideas that help us take care of ourselves, build strong relationships with our kids, and raise children who thrive. Together we can talk about the challenges of caring for children and build the resilience we need to be good caregivers and parents. We will create a community that supports us in keeping our children safe and our families strong! Come to one, two, or all three gatherings. Dinner and childcare provided. Kestrel Land Trust Walks: Join us as a Kestrel Volunteer leads families on conservation land walks. We will walk the same trail in the fall, winter and spring tuning ourselves to the changes each season brings. Saturdays 11/5, 2/4 & 5/16 Register and learn more here. Get in touch! earlychildhood@northampton-k12.us
Volunteers Needed at Leeds!
All volunteers will needs to go through Volunteer in Northampton Schools (VINS). We are asking that if you would like to volunteer, you submit your paperwork to Candy.
- Please contact Candy Tauscher.
- Phone: 413 552-9447
- Email:(vinsvolunteer@gmail.com).
- If you completed the application last year, you should be all set. Just check in with Sandy Bombard.
- You will need to complete the application form, provide a copy of your current vaccination status and complete a CORI check. Here is a link to the forms. Even if you have been a past volunteer, you cannot volunteer without Candy receiving a copy of your vaccination status. You may NOT provide it to the school, it needs to go directly to Candy. If you have not had a CORI check done before or if it is more than 3 years old, you will need to complete that paperwork. Also, she goes over protocols that must be adhered to. If you contact Candy, she will be able to assist you.
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Calendar of Events
Upcoming Dates
10/10 No School - Indigenous Peoples' Day
10/13 Picture Day
10/17 Leeds School Council Meeting @6:15 (rescheduled)
10/18 Leeds PTO Meeting @6:30
10/19 Early Release Day - K-5 dismissal at 11:30 / No Session 2 for Preschool
10/24-10/28 Early Release Days - Caregiver/Teacher Conferences by Appointment
10/29- PTO Trunk or Treat
11/2 - Come celebrate harvest week 3:15-5:00
11/8 - No School - Professional Development - Don't forget to vote!
11/8 - Leeds School Council @6:15
11/11 - No School - Veterans' Day
11/15 - Leeds PTO Meeting @6:30
11/16 Picture Retake Day
11/23 Early Release Day - K-5 at 11:30 / No session 2 for Preschool
11/24-11/25 Thanksgiving Break
12/6 - Leeds School Council Meeting @6:30
12/7 - Early Release Day - K-5 at 11:30 / No session 2 for Preschool
12/23 through 1/2/2023 No School - Holiday Break
1/3/2023 School resumes
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Contact us:
Gabrielle Hollender, Early Bird/Late Bird Afterschool Coordinator
(ghollender@northampton-k12.us)
Chris Wenz, Principal
Email: sbombard@northampton-k12.us
Website: http://www.northamptonschools.org/project/leeds-elementary-school/
Location: 20 Florence Street, Leeds, MA, USA
Phone: (413) 587-1530