Lilja Lions

Library has been a busy place as Fall turned into Winter. Library patrons large and small have been honing their library navigation skills, exploring new ‘neighborhoods’ and new books, as well as revisiting favorite authors and series. From Kindergarten through fourth grade we’ve been learning more about call numbers and how they help us organize and locate books and we’ve all explored alphabetical and numerical order in the library. Even our 4th graders are growing through the practice of these foundational skills.

Kindergarteners are now using their dual-function library tickets, as both shelf markers, when they are searching for books, and as a library card when it is time to scan out their own books.

K-4 students are growing their awareness of our library catalog, and circulation database, Follett’s Destiny. Second through fourth grade students are currently exploring Destiny Discover as a tool for navigating the library collection. Hopefully they are sharing their excitement about the library catalog at home. Lilja's Destiny Discover* is web-based and therefore accessible from home via this link or from the Lilja home page. The library is linked under the School Information tab. There is lots to explore on this site, beyond our library holdings!

In December, to celebrate Computer Science Education Week, we spent a couple of weeks with our library Chromebooks, learning about coding in grades K-4. Kindergartens collaborated around ‘unplugged’ programming using directional gestures and paper and pencil, while first through fourth graders tried out block coding with code.org on our library Chromebooks. First and second graders explored the Pre-reader Express Course and third and fourth graders dived into the Express Course (both from Code.org.) These courses and other coding activities are available year round via these links and from Lilja’s Destiny Discover Library Catalog.

We are very excited at Lilja, and across the district, about our growing elementary world language collection, housed in the Lilja Library, and generously funded by Natick Education Foundation. Books in Spanish and Portuguese are trickling in and our English Learners are thrilled to discover library books in their native language! Native English speakers are pretty impressed as well. We will continue to expand this collection!

Enjoy the rest of Winter, the best season to get cozy with a good book!

ROSP OPENS 3PM FRIDAY, JANUARY 26TH

The ROSP (Report on Student Progress) will be available via Powerschool at 3pm on January 26th. This report provides you with an update as to your child's progress on grade level standards.

MCAS DATES:

ELA MCAS

4th Grade: March 26 & 27th

3rd Grade: April 2 & 4

Math MCAS

4th Grade: May 7 & 8

3rd Grade: May 14 & 15

As MCAS approaches, we want to reassure you that we are dedicated to supporting and preparing your children for success. We understand the expectations of this assessment and are committed to providing a positive and encouraging environment for your child. Together, we will work to ensure that each student feels confident and prepared. Please structure your routines so that your student gets plenty of rest and a good breakfast. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in your child's education.

CHORAL KALEIDOSCOPE THIS WEEKEND:

At 7 PM on Saturday, January 27, the Lilja 4th Grade Chorus will be performing at the Choral Kaleidoscope in the Natick High School Gymnasium. The Lilja students will join the choruses from Bennett-Hemenway Elementary School, Kennedy and Wilson Middle Schools, and Natick High School, to share performances and combine for a grand finale featuring hundreds of musicians.

ACTIVE KIDS (BOKS) SPRING REGISTRATION:

Active Kids (formerly BOKS) is a before school physical activity program. Active Kids prepares children for a day of learning and is an important step in helping children gain an appreciation of the benefits of exercise and healthy choices that will last a lifetime. Active Kids was inspired by Dr. John Ratey’s book – SPARK. Dr. Ratey, of Harvard Medical School, states that, “exercise is the single most powerful tool that we have to optimize the function of our brains.” Classes are filled

with team-oriented games and provide plenty of opportunity for play, since the program focuses on fun!

Active Kids will run every Wednesday and Friday morning from 7:40am to 8:20am. Drop off will begin at 7:30. The session starts Wednesday February 28th and ends Friday May 24th.

Please see this letter for full details. Registration form is here.

GLOBAL CHILD SPRING REGISTRATION:

Please see the linked flier for information on Global Child, a program that introduces students to new languages. This program meets at Lilja after school once a week for ten weeks.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: MARCH 13TH:

NEW FAMILY EARLY RISERS/ASAP '24-'25 SCHOOL YEAR REGISTRATION

Please see the linked flier for information on registering your student(s) for the Early Risers/ASAP program. Space is extremely limited for this popular program

At this time of year, we work to determine the number of children who will enter kindergarten at Lilja Elementary School for the coming school year.

Do you have a younger child at home or know someone who does? Will they be five years old by August 31, 2024? Are you a resident of Natick? If so, your child is eligible to start kindergarten this coming fall.

Please fill out the google form to let us know if you will enroll your child in kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year by January 5, 2024.

A quick reminder that the weather is getting chillier each day! We will go out to recess in most weather conditions unless it is dangerous. Please help your child(ren) remember to bring/wear their cold weather gear to school each day, including a hat and gloves. When the snow arrives, in addition to hats and gloves, students will be required to wear snow boots and snow pants in order to play on the playground and fields. If you are in need of support in purchasing cold weather gear for your child(ren) please reach out to Courtney Simoni (csimoni@natickps.org).

The Lilja PTO is a group of volunteer parents. Our goals are to enrich the education of our children, support the teachers and staff, and serve the Lilja community as a whole.

Want to learn more about the PTO? Have a question or suggestion?
Contact our team at pto@liljapto.org
Visit us online at liljapto.org
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
Donate to the PTO

Natick Public Schools does not discriminate in employment nor its educational programs, services, and activities based on race, creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Please be aware all electronic communication to and from Natick Public Schools is public record and subject to public disclosure per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 66, Section 10.

• Title I: Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
• MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5