The Talbot Sunday Update

• ACCESS Testing for English Language Learners continues this week.

• February 8- We are hosting a Community Dinner here at Talbot from 4:30-6 pm.

• February 19th- February 23rd-No School- February Vacation

Last Friday, we came together to celebrate our school community. Several fifth grade students served as MCs for the event. Our choir led the singing of our school song and 4th graders presented their new learning about animal defense mechanisms.

One crowd favorite was shared by Martha and Benilson.

PreK: Students are currently working on a rainbow collage! We've already covered red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. Now to tackle indigo and violet using our tearing, cutting, and gluing skills.

K: Kinders have been working hard on using their lines and knowledge of shapes, with a soup theme. They've made alphabet soup, then a giant pot of stew inspired by "Thank you, Omu!" Next up: patterns.

1: Most recently, 1st graders painted pigeons inspired by Mo Willems books. It's hard to tell if they're pigeons or floating otters. Floating otters are cuter, though.

2: 2nd graders recently made implied texture with owls hiding in a tree using oil pastels. We'll be using our imaginations to create "cool" colored jungles and forests. Ask your second grader how the textures could be different. Would the shapes be organic, or geometric?

3: Third graders made dogs shaking off rain, inspired by artist Iris Scott. Can you see the movement through pointillism? Next up, we dive into categorizing shapes. Henri Matisse was an amazing artist who never let his sickness stop him from making art. We'll "draw with scissors" to make shapes.

4: Art is collaborating with learning in their classroom - we're making scientifically accurate renderings of animals and their defense mechanisms. Ask 4th graders what animal they're drawing.

5: Students are finishing up their Jen Aranyi inspired winter landscapes, and about to utilize lines in new ways. A little bit of architecture, a little bit still life.

Bridge: Bridge students recently made moon dough, and helped our school wide project. We're also working on coming into the art room, choosing a center, and sitting at a desk to create art.

All students are contributing to a school wide Dale Chihuly inspired project. Look out for multiple sculptures hanging in the school in the month to come!

If you'd like to stay up to date with the Art projects happening at Talbot, follow @artsoconnor on Instagram

-Ms. O'Connor

Thursday, February 8, we are hosting a Community Dinner here at Talbot from 4:30-6 pm! February's focus is on social-emotional learning, and we will be inviting families to engage in reading & storytelling to support discussions around emotions. Fliers for this event will be going home with students soon!

The Maine DOE and I’m Your Neighbor Books have announced a new PINE Project, which will provide no-cost Welcoming Libraries to 16 schools across Maine. Each library contains 60 books allowing immigrant and New American students to see themselves and their families reflected in what they are reading and providing all students with picture books featuring stories of immigrant families and the diversity of America. Among the 16 schools are East End Community School and Gerald E. Talbot School.

We continue to have families driving into the bus loop to drop off and/or pick up students. It is important that families follow school procedures. The bus loop is restricted to buses so children can enter or exit the bus safely. We have had several complaints from parents and bus drivers. Thank you for not driving into the bus loop!

Dec 4 2023

It's the time of year in Maine to expect snow storms and other types of inclement weather events. In advance of the changes in the weather, Superintendent Ryan Scallon presented the Portland Public Schools' snow day plans for the 2023-2024 school year to the Board of Public Education meeting at its Nov. 14 meeting.

Here are the details:

Overview

In cases of inclement weather, the Portland Public Schools will use up to three traditional snow days. Our schools will be closed on those days and students will not be expected to go to school in person or learn remotely. No school meals will be provided on snow days. Those days would be made up in June.

This would mean that the last possible day of school for students would be Monday June 17th, and the last possible day for teachers would be Tuesday June 18th.

If there are more than three days of inclement weather, we will have remote learning days in lieu of a snow day. On remote learning days, students will stay home and will be expected to complete academic assignments. Remote learning days will not need to be made up at the end of the year. If an inclement weather remote day is called, the district will make school meals available for families to pick up (see below).

Remote Learning Expectations

● Elementary (grades PK-5)–Students will be provided with hard copy materials to be completed at home and returned to school the next day.

Food Service Plans for Remote Learning Days

Meals available for pick up at eight school locations, typically from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m:

● Lincoln Middle Schools - Leland Street, back parking lot delivery door

● King Middle School – Front Door, drive-up service available

● Lyman Moore Middle School – Front Door, drive-up service available

● Peaks Island Elementary School

● Portland High School – Delivery door next to garage on Chestnut Street side

● Presumpscot Elementary School – Front Door, drive up service available

● Reiche Community School – Current building entrance on Clark Street side

● Talbot Community School – Front Door, drive-up service available Families may pick up meals at any location most convenient to them.

Communication

Final decisions regarding snow days and remote learning days will be communicated by School Messenger and through various media outlets no later than 5 a.m.