Thompson School News : March 19, 2018

Save The Date

* New *

  • March 19, Monday, Fit Girls Starts, grades 4-5
  • March 23, Friday: All School Spring Concert; K-2nd 9 am. 3rd-5th 9:45 am NOTE: postponed from last week
  • March 23, Friday, Spirit Day – Dress to Impress
  • March 23, Friday, Community Card Info Meeting, 8:15-8:45 AM Thompson Cafeteria
  • March 26, Monday – Grade 3 -5 Enrichment, ImprovBoston Anti-Bullying Workshop

School Calendar

Click http://tinyurl.com/ndp8spb for Thompson’s Google Calendar to get school holidays, early release days, and PTO events on your own calendar. Click http://tinyurl.com/y7u5k2on for a printable version of this month’s calendar.

Highlight

Science Week

Science Explo 2018

Thank you to the parents, teachers and Ms. Donato who helped celebrate science during Thompson’s first Science Week. Despite Mother Nature’s alternate plans, parents visited different classrooms and shared their knowledge of science. A special thank you to parent Anthony Fernandez who amazed all the kiddos with experiments involving liquid nitrogen during lunch. Ask you child about the frozen balloon or the smoking cheez doodles!

On Saturday, the Science Explo included more than 30 exhibitions on physics, robotics, chemistry, biology, earth science and more. Kids lined up to walk on “oobleck” (a mixture of cornstarch and water). Students programmed circuits and created animation videos. They explored chemical reactions and circadian cycles. None of this would have been possible without the many parents who took the time to plan a station and spent hours passing on some valuable knowledge.

Thank you to all of the many volunteers that donated their Saturday to make this event a success. A delicious and nutritious lunch was provided by Something Savory catering, thank you Jodi and John. The bake sale featured galaxy bars, dino fossils cookies, periodic table cupcakes, and more. It was a scientific treat.

Thank you Mr. Brahim for coming in on a Saturday, maintaining your good humor, and cleaning up our mess.

There were several impressive science themed raffle baskets featuring biology, chemistry, physics, programming, geology, astronomy and more. Basket items were donated by our incredibly generous Thompson Community. Additionally, we were lucky to receive donations from Empow Studios, Einstein’s Workshop, MIT Museum, The New England Aquarium, and more.

It’s events like these that invest in our future by inspiring our kids to become scientists and engineers. We look forward to the next Science Explo in 2020.

Thompson News & Events

Green Team

Green Team 2018 03 aThompson students transformed trash into art, education and collective action to gear up for the Science Explo and Arlington Ecofest Sat. March 24th.

The Thompson 4th graders in Ms. Armstrong’s class collected straws at lunch for 2 weeks to make their trashformation on the Superhero Decomposer, Red Wiggler Worms, and Composting. Inspired by their project 4 students in Ms. Jette’s class, wrote essays on the negative environmental impact of straws and a letter to the school food service director asking her to consider switching to compostable and reuse-able straws. After using their 2016 transformation, a sea turtle made from school cafeteria styrofoam trays, to inspire APS to switch to compostable trays, these students have their minds set on compostable straws and zero waste lunches.

EcoFest Transformations 2018 03 c

Textile Recycling Bin

Support Thompson while donating your unwanted clothing, shoes, linens, stuffed animals, and more (in any condition as long as they are clean and dry). Bay State Textiles gives the schools a share of their profit from the sale of these materials. The more you donate, the more the school will receive! The bin is located on the Everett Street side of the school, near the loading driveway.

You can learn more about the Bay State Textiles program at http://www.baystatetextiles.com/schools-box-program

See the acceptable items and other participating schools in the AHS Textile Recycling 2018 Flyer.

Community

Wonderful Town

AHS School Musical 2018 03Arlington High School’s spring musical production of Wonderful Town opens on Friday, March 23rd and runs all weekend. Shows are 7:30 PM on Friday and Saturday and 2:00 PM on Sunday. Order your tickets from a cast member, in the AHS main office, or by using this online link. Tickets are also always available at the door. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and children. The show is appropriate for the whole family, and we’d love to see you there!

Annual Arlington Trivia Bee

JOIN or come cheer on school & community teams as they compete in the 23rd Annual Arlington Trivia Bee hosted by Arlington Education Foundation!

March 25th from 3-5pm at Town Hall

On March 25th, Arlington’s Town Hall will be abuzz with the friendly yet fierce team-based competition of the Arlington Trivia Bee. Live music, kids activities and the opportunity for audience participation help create the lively, family-friendly atmosphere that defines this annual town-wide event.

Each Trivia Bee team consists of three adults who compete under a team name and may don a creative hat or team costume. Nearly thirty teams — made up of friends, neighbors, elected officials, school groups or community organizations — face off in multiple rounds of trivia questions on sports, literature, history, current events, music, science, and local lore. All proceeds help to sustain the Arlington Education Foundation’s work supporting students and teachers in Arlington. The Bee will include teams of fifth graders from each elementary school who will compete in their own round to kick off the event.

The event will feature Todd Bearson on the piano, and Irwin Grossman will once again be our lively MC. This year’s judges include Kathleen Bodie, Superintendent of Arlington Public Schools and Kevin Flood, Assistant Director of the Arlington Boys & Girls Club. The kids activities will include a presentation by Curious Creatures. Stop by on the 25th and join in the fun!

Volunteer Opportunities

The Thompson PTO has many volunteer needs both small and big. If you’re looking for a way to give back to Thompson, here’s a list of ways you can help.

Annual Picnic Organizers

Though it seems a long way off the planning for the annual June picnic is starting now. The PTO is seeking parent volunteers interested in taking an active role in planning to join the picnic organizing team.

Contact: Kate Murphy, thompsonschoolvolunteers@gmail.com

Safe Routes to School Coordinator

Looking for a parent interested in helping with the Safe Routes to School program. This is the program that has organized the Walk/Bike to School Day among other projects. The current parents in charge have graduating 5 graders. If interested there is a March 8th meeting about Safe Routes to School you might be interested in attending.

Contact Kate Murphy: thompsonschoolvolunteers@gmail.com

Join the Community Card Team!

2018-19 Community Card Spring Info Meeting TAKE 2!

Friday March 23rd, 8:15-8:45AM, Thompson Cafeteria

Our original meeting date got cancelled for snow, but the good news is, now you don’t have to make an extra trip to Thompson to attend! Come to the cafeteria before the School Concert starts, to hear how you can get involved with the 2018-2019 Community Card. This is Thompson’s 2nd most profitable annual fundraiser, bringing in a record $16,000+ this year for Student Enrichment. It’s no overnight task though; now is when we get the businesses on board and confirm our advertising and selling plans, so that we can relax over the summer, and then hit the ground running in September with successful Town Day (Sept 15th) and Fall Sales. Whether you are totally ready to jump on board, have some great ideas to suggest, or are simply curious before committing to anything – come to this meeting. You will get an overview of the program, and hear the long-term and short-term tasks needing attention over the next 6 months. Many talents are valuable here – we have important jobs available for introverts and extroverts alike, both behind-the-scenes and face-to-face, and of varying time commitments.

Questions? Comments?
Can’t make it to the meeting, but still want to get involved?

Help Throughout the Year

To check all current volunteer opportunities: http://tinyurl.com/ThompsonPTOVolunteers

Connect with Us

THOMPSON PTO BOARD

Nandana Mewada, Co-President
Diana Trudell, Co-President
Yael Beals, Vice-President
Danielle Gottesman, Communications Chair

If you have news to share with the community, please email ThompsonPTOevents@gmail.com by Thursday at 12 noon to be included in the next newsletter.

Please note that we will only include news from the Thompson School and Town of Arlington. Announcements of interest to the Thompson community from other non-profit organizations may be included at our discretion.

Thompson School News : March 12, 2018

Save The Date

* New *

  • March 12, Monday, Science Week Kick Off, Dress for Science
  • March 15, Thursday 7-9pm PTO Meeting (Parents Only) NOTE: Date changed
  • March 16, Friday, All School Spring Concert  K-2 9 am. 3 – 5 9:45 am Note: time change
  • March 16, Friday, Spirit Day – Dress to Impress
  • March 17, Saturday 11 AM to 3 PM – Science EXPLO
  • March 19, Monday, Fit Girls Starts, grades 4-5
  • March 26, Monday – Grade 3 -5 Enrichment, ImprovBoston Anti-Bullying Workshop

School Calendar

Click http://tinyurl.com/ndp8spb for Thompson’s Google Calendar to get school holidays, early release days, and PTO events on your own calendar. Click http://tinyurl.com/y7u5k2on for a printable version of this month’s calendar.

Highlight

Science EXPLO Saturday, March 17th, 11 am – 3 pm

Science Explo 2018 aThe biennial Thompson Science EXPLO is back! Join us on March 17th as the Thompson school is transformed into a space filled with scientific explorations and hands-on learning. More than 50 exhibitors from the Thompson community will present interactive demonstrations to engage, enthrall and entertain students.

Besides the engaging exhibits, there will be a science-based scavenger hunt, raffle baskets, a bake sale and lunch options at the Brain Fuel Cafe.

As one of the showcase events of the year, the Science EXPLO is well attended and the perfect time to volunteer while your children are exploring and learning; please sign up to volunteer https://tinyurl.com/scienceexplo18

Science Week

The Science EXPLO will mark the culmination of Thompson’s first Science week; a week of celebrating science at school. Morning announcements will include fun scientific facts and music, the library will showcase science-themed books, and parents are encouraged to present a science topic to their child’s class.

Raffle Baskets

Each grade is sponsoring a basket to be raffled off at the end of the event as an easy and fun way to raise funds for school enrichment. Please consider helping even in a small way. Please bring all donations to school by Wednesday, March 14th.

Ecofest Trashformations

EcoFest Transformations 2018 03 aEcofest Trashformations “Ecosystem Superheroes” will focus on “The Decomposers, Nature’s Recyclers!” Thompson classrooms and families are encouraged to submit a 100% non-recyclable trash sculpture of their “Ecosytem Decomposer Superhero” at the Science Explo. Students can include a comic strip about their superhero’s super power to recycle nature’s waste into food and energy for the food chain.
Trash-straws, toothbrushes, non-recyclable plastic including silverware, mix material trash. Trashformation entries less than 5″ x 5″ x 5″. Comic strips- on 8.5 x 11″ paper (on back of reused paper).

EcoFest Transformations 2018 03 bInformation about trash, ecosystems and decomposers: 1. Arlington recycling guide 2. Ecosystem video for young readers 3. Decomposer video 3. Worm video 4. Video on amazing fungi systems in forests 5. Gut microbiome 6. 15 min. Decomposers video for older students

“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” – Carl Sagan

Thompson News & Events

Green Team

Green Team 2018 03 a
Green team first graders show off their soil bacteria trashformation. “There are more organisms in a teaspoon of dirt than there are people on Earth.”

For Science Week the Green Team challenges Thompson parents to go in the classroom and make a Trashformation of an Ecosystem Superhero Decomposer with our children this week!

Optional themes:

  • Kinders – worm super heroes
  • 1st graders – gut bacteria super heroes.
  • 2nd graders – fungi, moss, mold and lichen superheroes on a tree
  • 3rd graders – wood wide web; mycorrhiza fungi in forests
  • 4th graders – red wiggler worm super heroes, composting and plastic villains.
  • 5th graders – micro-organism super heroes

Picture: Green team first graders show off their soil bacteria trashformation. “There are more organisms in a teaspoon of dirt than there are people on Earth.”

Interactive Fun!

Science Explo 2018 Interactive Fun aOh Ick! Jessica Garrett, author of Oh Ick: 114 Experiments Guaranteed to Gross You Out, visited Thompson to build excitement for the upcoming EXPLO.

In 2 assemblies, she explained why we burp, and made a stinky burp factory before our very eyes-and noses. Pee ew! Students learned about the chemical reaction involved in making the ever popular slime, and the entire audience became a model for how a polymer is created on a molecular level! Student scientists performed a viscosity race to test the hypothesis that molasses is the slowest liquid in the kitchen. Mustard, ketchup, dish soap were the challengers. Which was the most viscous? Ask your student!

Norah Dooley

Science Explo 2018 Interactive Fun bStoryteller and author Norah Dooley, Everybody Cooks Rice, lead an interactive assembly with K-2 learners. Norah shared how telling stories became a pathway to becoming an author, and her first book was inspired by her neighbors in Central Square Cambridge. She then regaled the group with traditional tales from around the world. The students participated right along with her, bringing the story to life with sound effects and chants.

Second graders extended the learning with theater/storytelling workshops. Students worked with Norah to use their voices and their bodies to create character and to harness their imaginations to create a detailed driven adventure.

Textile Recycling Bin

Support Thompson while donating your unwanted clothing, shoes, linens, stuffed animals, and more (in any condition as long as they are clean and dry). Bay State Textiles gives the schools a share of their profit from the sale of these materials. The more you donate, the more the school will receive! The bin is located on the Everett Street side of the school, near the loading driveway.

You can learn more about the Bay State Textiles program at http://www.baystatetextiles.com/schools-box-program

See the acceptable items and other participating schools in the AHS Textile Recycling 2018 Flyer.

Community

SEPAC Meeting Notice

In accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30A Section 20, notice is hereby given for the following meeting of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council on Tuesday, March 13 th , 8:30 a.m. at the Jefferson Cutter House.

Gibbs Parent Forum

March 14th, 2018, 7-9 pm, Stratton School Cafeteria

Kristen DeFrancisco, principal of the the Gibbs 6th Grade School, will be hosting a parent forum. On the agenda:

  • Building a Social Emotional Responsible School
  • Academics and Courses
  • Schedule
  • Busing
  • PTO Plan

Thompson’s representative on the Gibbs Parent Advisory Committee is Juliet Moir (juliet.moir@gmail.com). Please reach out if you have any questions!

Annual Arlington Trivia Bee

JOIN or come cheer on school & community teams as they compete in the 23rd Annual Arlington Trivia Bee hosted by Arlington Education Foundation!

March 25th from 3-5pm at Town Hall

On March 25th, Arlington’s Town Hall will be abuzz with the friendly yet fierce team-based competition of the Arlington Trivia Bee. Live music, kids activities and the opportunity for audience participation help create the lively, family-friendly atmosphere that defines this annual town-wide event.

Calling all Thompson 5th graders! Form a team and join the competition, or stop by on the 25th and join in the fun! Find more information HERE.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Thompson PTO has many volunteer needs both small and big. If you’re looking for a way to give back to Thompson, here’s a list of ways you can help.

Annual Picnic Organizers

Though it seems a long way off the planning for the annual June picnic is starting now. The PTO is seeking parent volunteers interested in taking an active role in planning to join the picnic organizing team.

Contact: Kate Murphy, thompsonschoolvolunteers@gmail.com

Science EXPLO – March 17th

One of the biggest PTO events of the year, the Science EXPLO requires many helping hands! There are many ways to get involved – here’s the list:

We are in need of a few Cafe Coordinators to help run the Cafe on the day of the Explo. If you can help with this task please contact Yael Beals and/or Chris Pacheco at thompsonexplo2018@gmail.com or Kate Murphy at thompsonschoolvolunteers@gmail.com

Explo Day-Of Volunteers

https://tinyurl.com/scienceexplo18

Bake Sale

https://tinyurl.com/ExploBakeSale

Raffle Items

Safe Routes to School Coordinator

Looking for a parent interested in helping with the Safe Routes to School program. This is the program that has organized the Walk/Bike to School Day among other projects. The current parents in charge have graduating 5 graders. If interested there is a March 8th meeting about Safe Routes to School you might be interested in attending.

Contact Kate Murphy: thompsonschoolvolunteers@gmail.com

Join the Community Card Team!

Believe it or not planning begins NOW for the 2018-19 Community Card! This is Thompson’s second biggest fundraiser each year, bringing in $16K+ annually for School Enrichment.

Whether you’re totally ready to take something on, have some good ideas to pass on, or are just curious about what’s involved before committing to anything, please email the co-chairs:

Help Throughout the Year

To check all current volunteer opportunities: http://tinyurl.com/ThompsonPTOVolunteers

Connect with Us

THOMPSON PTO BOARD

Nandana Mewada, Co-President
Diana Trudell, Co-President
Yael Beals, Vice-President
Danielle Gottesman, Communications Chair

If you have news to share with the community, please email ThompsonPTOevents@gmail.com by Thursday at 12 noon to be included in the next newsletter.

Please note that we will only include news from the Thompson School and Town of Arlington. Announcements of interest to the Thompson community from other non-profit organizations may be included at our discretion.