Save The Date
* New *
- April 9, Monday – All Town Band Concert
- April 11, Wednesday – PTO Meeting – Parents only, 6-8 PM
- April 12, Thursday – Arlington EATS Community Dinner, 6-7 PM
- April 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 – No School
- April 22, Sunday 11:50 AM to 1:50 PM – Thompson Skating Party @ Rink
- April 27, Friday, Spirit Day: Wacky Socks
- April 27, Friday, 3rd Grade Trip to Plimoth Plantation
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.
PTO Update
Happy Spring to one and all! Dare we say winter is finally over? Here is a recap of events for January through March.
Kindergartners enjoyed a Kidstock Creative Theater performance teaching them about diversity and inclusion, while our 1st graders learned about weather from the Discovery Museum’s traveling program. Second graders visited the Japan House and tried their hand at Suminagashi. With a partial grant from the Mass Cultural Council, our 4th graders visited the Museum of Fine Arts to learn about Greek art. The 5th grade hosted the States of Matter program from the Museum of Science.
All school enrichment programs included Experiments to Gross you Out, a demonstration by Jessica Garrett, where she talked about gross science. Grades K-2 had an opportunity to attend an assembly led by local author and storyteller Norah Dooly, and 2nd grade participated in a storytelling workshop with Ms. Dooley. Thank you to the teachers for their support in making these activities happen and to the entire Enrichment Team for organizing them.
Between January and March, the PTO spent approximately $6,800 on enrichment activities. The success of our fall Direct Donation Drive, the sale of the Arlington Community Card, and other smaller fundraising efforts, allow us to support existing programs and to continue to explore new and innovative ones.
Our community events continue to be popular among families and we have seen our attendance numbers grow. The new year kicked off with the beloved parent only Winter Party. You know the party is a success when the fire marshal has to kick you out of Town Hall because the music and dancing would not stop! We held our first PTO-sponsored Arlington EATS community meal and were reminded of how powerful sharing a meal together can be. Despite a stormy and rainy night, Game Night saw a big turnout thanks to the enthusiasm of the kids and parents who braved the weather.
The showcase event of the year, the Science EXPLO, highlighted not just the level of interest the kids have in learning about science, but the amazing scientific parent community at our school. With 5 hours of science immersion activities the event was a big hit. We are grateful for all the volunteers who made this event happen including all the parent exhibitors who spent their Saturday showing our kids how cool science can be. None of these events would have happened without an amazing group of parents stepping up and taking charge. Thanks to the event chairs Ashley Lorenz, Gaggi DeStefanis, Jodi Auerbach, John Levins, Shauna Pellauer, Stacey Inhat, Chris Pacheco, Yael Beals, and Kate Murphy.
Although the Thompson Drama Project is not a PTO event, we want to recognize the tremendous effort and talent of all the actors who participated and the enthusiasm of the parents who made it all possible. Congratulations to the Thompson Drama Project team for another year of outstanding performances!
What’s coming next you ask? As the weather gets warmer, we get even busier!
Looking ahead to the final three months of this school year: Kindergartners will visit Wingaersheek Beach and learn about tide pools, while 1st Grade visits the Discovery Museum, the Franklin Park Zoo and a new program with “Discovering Justice.” Second Grade will go to see “Stuart Little” at Wheelock Family Theater. Third grade’s social studies curriculum will have them learn about colonial times with a visit to Plimoth Plantation, Jason Russell House and the Royal House Museum. They will also attend a program led by the First Light Foundation on Wampanoag culture. Fourth Graders will watch an IMAX movie at the Museum of Science on Lewis and Clark and 5th Grade will visit the Old South Meeting House, learn about birds of prey and visit George’s Island as their final Thompson field trip.
In addition, grades 3 to 5 will attend an ImprovBoston Workshop on anti-bullying, while 4th and 5th graders will participate in Yoga sessions during the MCAS season in April and May.
We will wrap up the year with the Skating Party on Sunday, April 22nd and the Family Picnic on Thursday, June 7th.
During this time, the PTO will recruit for its 2018-2019 open positions. If you are curious about a PTO role or know that you would like to be part of the PTO board, please reach out to us. As you can see, the PTO is growing and needs your participation to continue to offer Thompson students these amazing opportunities.
Nandana Mewada
Diana Trudell
PTO Co-presidents
Thompson News & Events
Ice Skating Party
Sunday, April 22nd, 11:50 am – 1:50 pm
Join your friends at the Thompson Skating Party! Sunday, April 22nd from 11:50 am to 1:50 pm at the Ed Burns Arena. Bring your own helmet and skates or rent them for $5/pair. Pizza and drinks will be available for sale. Entry to the event will be $3 per skater. Please note, the paper calendar incorrectly lists the event on Saturday, April 21st.
Run or walk a 5k and support Thompson PTO
The 5K run/walk, Cause + Event Boston, is coming back to Arlington on Sunday, May 13 (Mother’s Day) at 8:00 am.
C+E Boston is a fun, family-oriented event that celebrates health and wellness, the spirit of philanthropy among the runners, and the work of the nonprofits in our community. This race is unique – at least 50% of each runners’ registration fee is donated to their charity of choice. You can select the Thompson PTO or your favorite charity.
Over the past three years, Cause + Event has donated almost $1000 to the Thompson PTO as a part of the $60,000 donated to participants’ selected charities. This is the goal race for the FitGirls program so there will 250+ 4th and 5th grade girls running the 5K including 45 from Thompson!
Register today at www.causeandeventboston2018.racewire.com, and do it soon, last year the race sold out a month early!
You can learn more about the race at the Cause + Event Boston website. Questions? Feel free to contact Sara Wilkinson @swilkie49@hotmail.com.
The Thompson School Council Needs You!
For the 2018-2019 school year, we will be electing a new School Council. The School Council is a separate body from the PTO. If you are interested in becoming a School Council Member please email nmewada@gmail.com and diana_lutz@yahoo.com a brief bio and a statement of interest. The PTO will hold elections after the spring break.
The Thompson School Council is a representative, school-based committee composed of the principal, parents, teachers, and community members. School Councils were established by the Massachusetts Education Reform Act to improve and provide support for public schools. The School Council acts under the supervision of the Arlington School Committee.
The School Council members are elected and is comprised of equal numbers of parents and teachers. This year, we will hold an election for 2 Parent Representatives. We will meet once a month in the afternoon or early evening. Meetings of the Council are public, and all interested members of the Thompson community may attend.
The School Council is charged with planning, goal setting, and budgeting for improvements at Thompson. Specific responsibilities of the School Council include:
- 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
- Formulating a school improvement plan.
First Grade Discoverers!
The 1st grade toured the newly renovated Discovery Museum in Acton on Friday, April 6. They explored Discovery Woods and the new treehouse, saw STEAM principles at work in the Air Play, Sound Gallery, and Water Gallery exhibits, and created in the da Vinci Workshop.
Community
Arlington EATS NEEDS YOUR HELP!
The School Snack Program is growing by the day, and our kids are making good use of it. Students are encouraged to snack on fruit, which is generously supplied through our community partner, Food Link. However, the rest of the snacks offered are purchased. Helping us continue to offer this program and meet growing demands is as easy as adding another item or two to your grocery list and dropping it off in one of our marked bins.
For more information about our School Snack Program and a list of approved snacks, here’s our School Snack Program Fact Sheet. We appreciate your support!
SEPAC
This month, Kristin DeFrancisco & Stephanie Greiner will discuss the Gibbs during the Special Education Parent Advisory Council meeting.
When: Tuesday, April 10th, 7 p.m.
Where: Ottoson Media Center (Library)
Donations for Book Sale at the Robbins
Book and media donations are needed for the Friends of the Robbins Library’s annual Children and Young Adult Book Sale on Saturday, April 21st from 9:00 to 2:00 pm in the Robbins Library Community Room. Donations can be dropped off at the Robbins Library now. Look for the big blue bin near the Circulation Desk of the Robbins. Support Arlington’s libraries by purchasing children’s and teen books, movies, and music at the sale. There will be craft activities to keep children occupied as parents search for books.
School Librarian Information & Advocacy
Wednesday, April 11, 6:30 PM @ Robbins Library Community Room
Find out what school librarians do and how we can get them back into Arlington Public Schools at this information session open to all.
School librarians teach research skills, safety online, digital citizenship, and information communication skills. They are essential partners for teachers.
School library programs staffed by qualified school librarians have a positive impact on student academic achievement.
See School Library Advocacy Fact Sheet 2018 04
Dallin Auction
Looking for a fun evening out? Come to the Dallin Elementary School Auction at Town Hall on Friday, April 27th, 7-11pm. We have so many great auction items this year. Beverages and bidding all to benefit the Dallin PTO. Always a great evening! You can purchase tickets online HERE or by mailing in a check with the ticket form available on http://dallinpto.org/ . Questions about the event can be directed to: DallinSchoolAuction@gmail.com
Grandparents Support Group
The Town of Arlington offers a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group which now meets on the second Wednesday of each month from noon to 1:30 at the AYCC offices in the Whittemore-Robbins House behind the Robbins Library. Prospective members should email LAugust@town.arlington.ma.us or call the Council on Aging, 781-316-3410, for a short telephone interview before attending the group.
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.
Join The Annual Picnic Team
Spring is here and with it, one of our favorite events of the year – the school picnic. In addition to the dunk tank, bounce houses and of course the cake walk we are adding some activities this year and could use your ideas and help to make this the best picnic yet! Join the team!
Contact: Kate Murphy, thompsonschoolvoluntee
Ice Skating Party
A few volunteers are needed to help with set-up, clean-up and concessions at the party. Could be a great excuse to attend but not have to lace-up skates!
Sign-Up Here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49adad2aa0f49-thompson9
School Library Needs Help!
Help out at the Thompson Library! Miss Mak is looking for volunteers to help with book shelving and library upkeep on Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings. Please email amakrianis@arlington.k12.ma.us if you’re interested or have any questions!
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.