Save The Date
* New *
- June 4, Monday, 7-9 PM – AHS Building Project Forum, Town Hall
- June 5, Tuesday, 8:40 AM to 9:20 AM – One Day Community Sing Rehearsal
- June 6 & 7 – Field Trip, 2nd Grade
- June 6, 7, 12, & 13 – Field Trip, 3rd Grade
- June 7, Thursday 5 PM to 8 PM – Thompson Picnic
- June 12, Tuesday or June 15, Friday – Kindergarten Screening 20 min appointments
- June 13, Wednesday – 5th Grade Enrichment, Wingmasters
- June 13, Wednesday – All-School Enrichment Illstyle & Peace Productions
- June 13, Wednesday, 7-9 PM – Last PTO Meeting of 2017-2018 school year
- June 14, Thursday – Field Day (Rain date June 21st)
- June 18, Monday – Colonial Day Activities, 3rd Grade
- June 19, Tuesday – Celebration of Learning, 5th Grade
- June 20, Wednesday – Field Trip, 5th Grade
- June 25, Monday – Last Day of School, 11:30 AM Dismissal
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 here for a printable version of this month’s calendar.
Highlight of the Month
Save the date! The annual school picnic is coming!
Thursday June 7th from 5-8pm. (Rain date Friday, June 8th)
New this year the PTO is adding a Playspace by Knucklebones! There will still be the traditional favorites: Cake Walk, Dunk Tank and Bouncy Houses as well. And this year’s even will include a special Community Sing of the song “One Day.”
What’s for dinner? This year you can pre-order a picnic dinner from the Fuller Cup, purchase pizza at the picnic or plan to bring your own food.
As always we will need a number of volunteers to pull all of this off! Consider volunteering for a short shift selling concessions, helping with an activity or donating a cake.
You can sign-up here: https://tinyurl.com/ThompsonPicnic18
Thompson News & Events
School Council 2018-2019
We are delighted to introduce the three parents who will join the Thompson School Council for the next school year. The school council comprises of the Principal, equal number of parents and teachers, and a community member. For the school year 2018-2019, Maureen McCarty, Kate Mayers, and Anthony Fernandez will serve as parent representatives. Here are their brief bios.
Maureen McCarty
I feel so fortunate that my family and I are a part of the Thompson community and would be excited and honored to serve on the Thompson School Council.
I have worked professionally as an elementary school teacher and as an art museum educator. I taught first grade at a diverse, neighborhood public school in Milton using a number of the same curriculums now taught at Thompson School, including Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop, TERC Investigations, Responsive Classroom, and Discovering Justice. As an art educator at several museums (including the MFA and the DeCordova), I worked with various groups of young children encouraging discussions inspired by works of art. I am now the mother of four – two who are currently at Thompson (Greta in 1st Grade and Julian in Kindergarten) and two future Thompson School students (Francis, 4 years old, and Edie, 1 year old). My family will have at least one of our kids in the Thompson School for the next decade!
I will bring all of my commitment to the continued success of Thompson School and my experience as a mom, teacher, and art educator to representing all of our families on the School Council.
Kate Mayers
My name is Kate Mayers and I have a Thompson kindergartner this year. I’m interested in serving on the School Council. I started my career as a high school English teacher and have also taught math, science and GED prep classes. I am now a social worker and I teach and do field advising at Simmons in the Masters of Social Work program. In my advising role, I visit Simmons students who are doing internships in the Arlington Public Schools – so I have had the opportunity to hear about the learning going on at Dallin, Brackett, Ottoson, and the high school. In addition, I see therapy clients in a group practice.
I’m a lifelong advocate for public education, and I have a deep understanding of the challenges that kids and families face. I know it can be difficult for schools to meet all kids where they are and help them reach their educational goals – and I love how committed the Thompson community is to helping all kids succeed. I will be on the lookout for ways that I can help support the community and the school, and I think that serving on the School Council might be a place where my skills could be useful.
Anthony Fernandez
As an educator, I am eager to be involved in the strategic planning process and the goal setting discussions that will impact the educational experience of all of our children. I have gained a perspective on the overall educational philosophy of the school having experienced it through my older son, who is getting ready for his transition to the Gibbs after 5 years at Thompson. In addition, I have developed an understanding of the challenges and opportunities that exist within the school, as well as the resources that currently exist (infrastructure, personnel, and parent engagement) and those needed to strengthen and enhance both the curricular and extracurricular opportunities for Thompson students. As the parent of a student who at times requires additional support, I value the emphasis of the school district on social and emotional learning and am interested in how this is incorporated into the daily learning experiences of the students. As such, I feel that I can make meaningful contributions to the School Council that draw upon all of these experiences.
I have been an involved member of the Thompson community for 5 years and I currently have two sons, Lucas (5th grade) and Toby (1st grade), at the school and in the after-school program. I have volunteered in many ways from helping in the library to leading students in science experiments in and out of the classroom. I am an Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry at Merrimack College and during my almost 18 years at the college have spent a great deal of time focusing not only on my discipline, but also on how pedagogy influences the educational experiences of students and how to effectively incorporate technology into the classroom. For the past year-and-a-half, I have also been working with the Arlington Vision 2020 Education Task Group to facilitate a dialogue about how success is defined in our educational system and what values should guide our district as priorities are set and resources are allocated.
For all of the reasons noted previously, I would be honored to be one of the parent members of the Thompson School Council.
A Message from the Library
As the school year draws to a close, I am aiming to get as many books returned as possible. Notices with specific titles for overdue books will go home in a couple of weeks, but until then, please check your homes for any extra library books! Getting everything back means the library will be organized and full for the next school year. Any questions or concerns can be directed to me, Miss Mak, at amakrianis@arlington.k12.ma.us. Best, and happy almost summer!
Green Team News
The MA Department of Environmental Protection has awarded Thompson School the “Environmental Eagles” Certificate of Recognition, 470 bookmarks about waste reduction, a gift certificate to a garden supply store for our school garden and classrooms awards for Ms. Caplin’s 1st grade, Ms. Dichter’s 2nd grade, Ms. Armstrong’s and Ms. Jette’s 4th grade classes for their participation in Green Team curriculum in preparation for Science Explo this winter. Their Green Team projects will be on display in the Fox Library this month.
Thompson Community Sing
Chris Eastburn, the artistic director of the multigenerational Family Folk Chorale, will teach Thompson students and staff Matisyahu’s hopeful and uplifting song, “One Day,” on the mornings of May 29th and June 5th.
All parents are invited to attend the June 5th 8:40 AM to 9:30 AM rehearsal and join the Community Sing of “One Day” at the annual PTO picnic Thursday June 7th. Link to “One Day” is here.
Please contact Elizabeth Rocco at egrocco@gmail.com if you want to help with the Thompson Community Sing project.
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.
Picnic – June 7th
The Picnic is coming up this Thursday! We still need a lot of volunteer help to make it happen. Consider volunteering for a short shift selling concessions, helping with an activity or donating a cake.
You can sign-up here : https://tinyurl.com/ThompsonPicnic18
Field Day – June 14th
The annual Field Day is set for Thursday June 14th this year! The whole school will get together to participate in traditional outdoor summer games. We will need parent volunteers to help Ms. Brayfield to set up, help the teachers to supervise the kids and keep them together eating their lunch outside while the teachers go inside the school to have lunch. If you have time to spare that day please sign up here:
https://tinyurl.com/ThompsonFieldDay18
Kindergarten Screenings – Tues. June 12th & Friday June 15th
Volunteers needed during the afternoon time slots to welcome and assist families when they arrive for their Kindergarten screening.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4da4af2da64-help1
Help Throughout the Year
To check all current volunteer opportunities: http://tinyurl.com/ThompsonPTOVolunteers
Community
Arlington EATS
Community Meal Has Been Redesigned And Rescheduled
On June 14, many of our community members will be with their families and friends celebrating the end of Ramadan. Arlington EATS has made the decision not to hold a Community Dinner on June 14, in recognition of this.
Instead, we will hold a robust Pop-Up Pantry on Thursday, June 21, from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. The usual array of proteins, produce, eggs, milk and pantry items will be available, in addition to a number of other items that will help families get stocked up for the summer break.
Please remember to bring your reusable shopping bags.
We look forward to seeing you!
2018 FOX FESTIVAL
The 3rd annual Fox Festival Parade will kick off the Feast of the East in Capitol Square on Saturday, June 16 at noon. Please join us – this participatory parade was started to celebrate the Fox Library, community, creativity, and Arlington wildlife.
Make a mask, banner or puppet inspired by local birds and animals in a free workshop with artists Sara Peattie, Kari Percival and Greg Cook. Or make your own costume, flag, or signs inspired by the theme of nature and animals at home with family and friends.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Wednesdays At The Fox Library With Sara Peattie (With Pizza!)
- Wednesday May 30, 3 to 6 pm
- Wednesday June 6, 3 to 7 pm
- Wednesday June 13, 3 to 6 pm
- PLUS one Saturday at the Fox, June 9, 11;30 am to 2:30 pm
Porchfest Workshop Wtih Kari Percival And Greg Cook
Saturday, June 9, noon to 5 pm at Porchfest HQ – Whittemore Park in Arlington Center (where Pleasant Street intersects with Mass. Avenue)
PARADE SCHEDULE
Gather at 11:45 at the Fox Library, 175 Mass Avenue. The Parade starts at noon and will be led by the wonderful Second Line Social Aid & Pleasure Society Brass Band!
Support North Union Playground!
Recess, before school, after school, weekends, summertime, meet-ups, play dates and more. We all use this playground, and it needs our help!
We are organizing a friends group to advocate for and work to improve the playground at North Union park adjacent to Thompson School. If you would like to get involved, share your ideas or learn more, please email Phil Tedesco at philip.tedesco@gmail.com.
5th Grade Social
Friday, June 8th
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Ed Burns Arena, 422 Summer Street
Come celebrate with old friends and meet new friends!
Click HERE for details and to purchase tickets.
Arlington High School Building Project Forum : Design Feedback
Monday, June 4th, 7-9 PM, Arlington Town Hall
Get up to speed with the AHS Building Project and let the Building Committee know what you think.
The Building Committee will be submitting the Preferred Schematic Design Option for the new/rebuilt high school in July and is seeking community input.
At this Forum
- HMFH Architects will present more details about the four design options
- MSBA process and decisions to-date will be reviewed
- The Building Committee will outline criteria for choosing the preferred design
- Feedback will be gathered for future Building Committee decisions
Can’t attend? A forum recap and feedback form will be available by June 7th on the www.ahsbuilding.org web site.
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.
Coming in May! Thompson Tuesdays at Not Your Average Joe’s. Eat or get take-out at NYAJ’s on any Tuesday in May, mention Thompson when paying the bill, and 15% of your check will go to the PTO Enrichment Fund! You can use your Community Card to save yourself 10% too – SAVE and GIVE – a win-win!
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.