Tuesday is the First Day of School
I am one of those lucky people that has had a first day of school each year, since I was 5 years old! That is a lot of first days!! I still have back to school dreams. Your child (and yourself) will likely to have those dreams or some butterflies about starting the new year. A mentor once told me, “Your daughter can feel your energy. If you are nervous, she will be nervous. If you are excited about the upcoming year, she will feel that excitement. If you believe she is ready and will meet success, she will believe that too.

You can help your child enter the new school year with confidence by projecting confidence that the year ahead will be a wonderful learning adventure. Remind your child to always, “Do their best work, not their fastest.” and don’t say “I can’t do it,” but rather, “I can’t do it, yet.”

Back to School Picnic, SEPT. 9^TH 5:30-7:00 PM
The Back-to-School Picnic is a Lincoln-Eliot tradition to begin the school year. L-E families and staff bring a picnic dinner and a blanket and meet on the playground to eat, socialize and play. Pizza and water are available for sale for those who want an easy dinner.

REMINDERS

Beginning of Day
The doors for all elementary schools will open at 8:20. The day will begin promptly at 8:30 and attendance will be taken at that time. Students entering the classroom after 8:30 will be marked tardy. It is important that children arrive on time to begin the day with their classmates.

End of Day
Your child’s classroom teacher will inform you about which door his/her class uses for dismissal. Students should be promptly picked up at the end of each day. (3:00 on Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri. and 12:30 on Tues.) If your child is being dismissed early, please send a note to the office so we can have him/her waiting for you. It is very difficult to dismiss a student during lunch/recess if we do not know beforehand.

 Parking: The Blue Zone
runs along the perimeter of the school. This is a LIVE drop off area ONLY. Families may not park and leave their car. Blue Zones are also NOT areas to sit with a live car running. If parents want to walk their child to the classroom, they must park farther away from the school on Pearl or Jackson or one of the side streets. The Blue Zone on Jackson Road is a live drop off area where staff will greet you each day and help your child exit onto the sidewalk. There is a lot of traffic in the morning. PLEASE teach your child to cross ONLY at the crosswalk where the crossing guard and traffic light are located. 

Update Emergency Contact Information
Families will receive a reminder the first week of school to check and update phone numbers, e-mail, and emergency contact information through ParentConnect on the website. It is important to keep your information updated throughout the year should any information change in case of an emergency. Jena Rossi and Sharon Fugazzotto in the office will be glad to help you.

Lunch Accounts
The first day for school lunch is on Wednesday, Sept. 9^th. When you scroll down to the Food Services and Menu Tab on the NPS website, you will find the menu for each month.

http://schools.whitsons.com/ma/newton-public-schools?page=menu

School Lunch accounts are managed through “My School Bucks” also accessed through the Newton Public School Website. Here you can add money to your child’s account and check your balances. If your balance seems low, check to see if your child is purchasing extra snacks from the cafeteria. This can be managed through My School Bucks as well.

https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home

 Every Tuesday and Friday e-mail notices are sent out from Whitson’s Food Service notifying families of outstanding balances. If you are not receiving these e-mails, please call the school to let us know. Students with negative balances, over 3 lunch purchases ($9.00), receive an alternate lunch of a cheese sandwich, fruit, and milk. The Lincoln-Eliot office also sends home a hard copy notice of outstanding balances to ensure families are informed.

Families apply for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program on-line. This must be renewed each year. This program applies to breakfast and lunch at the school.  If you need assistant please call or email the office at (617) 559-9540 or e-mail Sharon Fugazzotto at Sharon_fugazzotto@newton.k12.ma.us.

FUNDRAISING…

FROM THE FIFTH GRADE COMMITTEE, L-E PIZZA TUESDAYS! 


From 12:15-1:00 pm at the Jackson Road Entrance
$2 per slice

Pizza is popular and disappears quickly!  Avoid disappointment and pre-order your 
Whole Pizzas by Mondays at Noon –$10.00 each.

Email Jenn- jrogan78@verizon.net to order!

Proceeds benefit the 5th Grade 2015 Graduating Class…
We appreciate your support!
PIZZA SALES START TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8^TH!!

STOP & SHOP
Don’t forget to register you Stop & Shop card for the Stop & Shop A+ Rewards! Great News!  If you registered your card last year, it will re-register automatically! If you are new to the program, just log on to www.Stopandshop.com/aplus to register online.  Our school ID is 05887.  Or, dial 1-877-275-2758 to register your card over the telephone.

AMAZON SHOPPERS
With the upcoming holiday season, don’t forget to access amazon.com through the PTO website. Our school receives up to 10% of all purchases simply purchased through this link.

COMMUNITY NEWS…

FALL NEWTON COMMUNITY ED CLASSES (NEC): Newton Community Education will be offering 3 classes at L-E this fall: LEGO Jr. and Actor’s Studio on Wednesdays and Spanish Class on Fridays. Watch for the brochure and sign up sheet early in September.

Welcome Back!  On behalf of the PTO we hope you had a great summer and are looking forward to a new year!

KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM VISITS: Kindergarten families are invited to come to school on Thursday, September 3^rd from 9:00-10:00 to meet their classroom teacher and visit their classrooms. After the visit, we join together on the playground to meet one another and to give the children a chance to play together.

BACK T0 SCHOOL PICNIC, SEPT. 9^TH 5:30-7;00 PM : The Back-to-School Picnic is a Lincoln-Eliot tradition to begin the school year. L-E families and staff bring a picnic dinner and a blanket and meet on the playground to eat, socialize and play. Pizza and water are available for sale for those who want an easy dinner.

REMINDERS:

Beginning of Day
The doors for all elementary schools will open at 8:20. The day will begin promptly at 8:30 and attendance will be taken at that time. Students entering the classroom after 8:30 will be marked tardy. It is important that children arrive on time to begin the day with their classmates.

End of Day
Your child’s classroom teacher will inform you about which door that class uses for dismissal. Students should be promptly at the end of each day. (3:00 on Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri. and 12:30 on Tues.) If your child is being dismissed early, please send a note to the office so we can have him/her waiting for you. It is very difficult to dismiss a student during lunch/recess if we do not know beforehand.

PARKING: THE BLUE ZONE
The Blue Zone runs along the perimeter of the school. This is a LIVE drop off area ONLY. Families may not park and leave their car. Blue Zones are also NOT areas to sit with a live car running. If parents want to walk their child to the classroom, they must park further from the school on Pearl or Jackson or one of the side streets. The Blue Zone on Jackson Road is a live drop off spot where staff will greet you each day and help your child exit onto the sidewalk. There is a lot of traffic in the morning. PLEASE teach your child to cross ONLY at the crosswalk where the crossing guard and traffic light are located. (See the attached BLUE ZONE information flyer from NPS.)

LUNCH ACCOUNTS: The first day for school lunch is on Wednesday, Sept. 9^th. When you scroll down to the Food Services and Menu Tab on the NPS website, you will find the menu for each month.

http://schools.whitsons.com/ma/newton-public-schools?page=menu

My School Bucks
School Lunch accounts are managed through “My School Bucks” also accessed through the Newton Public School Website. Here you can add money to your child’s account and check your balances. If your balance seems low, check to see if your child is purchasing an extra snack from the cafeteria. This can be managed through My School Bucks as well.

https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home

Every Tuesday and Friday e-mail notices are sent out from Whitson’s Food Service notifying families of outstanding balances. If you are not receiving these e-mails, please call the school to let us know. Students with negative balances, over 3 lunch purchases ($9.00), receive an alternate lunch of a cheese sandwich, fruit, and milk. The Lincoln-Eliot office also sends home a hard copy notice of outstanding balances to ensure families are informed.

Free and Reduced Lunch Program
Families apply for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program on-line. This must be renewed each year. This program applies to breakfast and lunch at the school.  If you need assistant please call or email the office at (617) 559-9540 or e-mail Sharon Fugazzotto at Sharon_fugazzotto@newton.k12.ma.us.

FUNDRAISING…

FROM THE FIFTH GRADE COMMITTEE:
Incoming 5^th Grade parents –

Please join us at the L-E playground on Wednesday, September 2^nd from 6:30-7:30pm for an informal conversation about the direction we’d like to take our 5^th Grade fundraising efforts during the 2015-16 school year.  We want to hear all of your ideas, questions and concerns.  Feel free to bring your kids (they can play in the park while we chat)! Questions? Contact Andrea Hemment at ahemment@gmail.com.

STOP & SHOP
Don’t forget to register you Stop & Shop card for the Stop & Shop A+ Rewards! Great News!  If you registered your card last year, it will re-register automatically! If you are new to the program, just log on to www.Stopandshop.com/aplus to register online.  Our school ID is 05887.  Or, dial 1-877-275-2758 to register your card over the telephone.

AMAZON SHOPPERS
With the upcoming holiday season, don’t forget to access amazon.com through the PTO website. Our school receives up to 10% of all purchases simply purchased through this link.

Dear Lincoln-Eliot Families,

I’m sorry to say I will not be returning to Lincoln-Eliot in the fall.  This summer, I will be offered a teaching position in the town where I live and it’s an opportunity I can not pass up.  I had hoped to know definitively about the new position before the end of the school year, but it has been pushed into the summer.

I have thoroughly enjoyed being a teacher to so many Lincoln-Eliot kids over the last seventeen years.  Lincoln-Eliot is such a special school.  I look forward to being here every day.  The kids and the staff are the only reason I’ve made the long commute day in and day out.  As Ruby Bridges told us during her visit a few years back, “This is what schools are supposed to look like.”

Unfortunately, the commute to and from school has become too much of a burden for my family and me to bear.  I typically spend 2 ½ to 3 hours every day in the car.  In foul weather or when there are accidents, my driving time extends far beyond the three hours.  I’m constantly forced to make choices between things like seeing my kids when they wake up and getting to school on time, or between preparing the classroom for the next day and getting to my kids’ games.  My commute is making me less effective as a teacher and as a parent.  It’s not how I can continue to live and work.

I will truly miss you all – especially the younger kids and siblings who stop me in the hall to tell me they want to be in my class when they are in fifth grade.  It’s a wonderful compliment and it’s one of the reasons I’ve stayed here.  I look forward to seeing you all in the future when I’m back to visit my friends here.

Sincerely,

Sean Davan

Lincoln-Eliot 2015 Supply List

It would be very helpful for all children to have age appropriate dictionaries that they can use at home and library cards for Newton Free Library. 

KINDERGARTEN

FIRST GRADE
(Please do not put names on supplies)

SECOND GRADE

2^nd Grade Materials for Home

THIRD GRADE

FOURTH GRADE

4^th Grade Materials for Home

FIFTH GRADE

5^th Grade Materials for Home

Dear Lincoln-Eliot Families,

I hope everyone is enjoying this glorious summer. Remember February?  The seasons are what make New England so special.

Over the summer there is much happening at Lincoln-Eliot to get ready for the upcoming school year. Our custodians, Jay Shippie and Geary Calmus, are emptying every classroom to wash and wax every floor. We have several school improvement projects based on the work of our School Site Council including: painting, Plexiglas window replacements, carpet removal, and other small projects to spruce up Lincoln-Eliot.

To help you get ready for the upcoming school year, you will find the grade-level supply list attached to this e-mail. We like to get this out early so you can find supplies when they are on sale before the school year begins.

There is some faculty news to share as well. Lincoln-Eliot veteran fifth grade teacher, Sean Davan, has accepted a position in his hometown of Hopkinton. This is a big loss for Lincoln-Eliot but a huge gain for the Davan family, as Sean will save hours a day in commuting. We wish Sean well in his new position and thank him for his years of teaching and commitment to the Lincoln-Eliot community. Please read Mr. Davan’s letter that is attached.

The school office will open the week of August 24^th. If you need to reach me, I am always available by e-mail at Marcia_uretsky@newton.k12.ma.us .

Please put the following dates on your calendar:

Best,

Marcia Uretsky

Now that the summer is fully upon us, I want to thank you all for any help, support, and interest in LE PTO this year.  Obviously, site content will not be coming quite as frequently over the summer, but we will be back at the end of the summer/beginning of the school year to keep you updated on events and announcements from the school.

One thing to note as we sign off is that the structure of the PTO governance is changing for next year.  We are moving from a group of officers (President, Treasurer, Secretary, etc) to a council.  We’ve recognized that parents have different demands for time spent with the family and feel that sharing responsibility among a larger group of parents may work best for our school.  We feel that this will allow parents to help with an event or two, as opposed to holding an officer position and having to manage several events and meetings.

We are also going to try to focus our fund raising next year into concentrated periods of time and/or couple them with student events, instead of a constant trickle of requests throughout the year.  We think this will have more impact and be easier for parents to manage, and will combine events students like with an opportunity to help fund future events.  Please bear with us while we go through this change, there will be a lot of moving parts and streamlined fundraising may not happen right away, but we think it’s worth the effort in the long run.

So thanks everyone, if you would like to help the LE PTO please contact the Principal, Marcia Uretsky, at the beginning of the school next year.  We are frequently in need of volunteer help for events and appreciate anything you can do.  We’d also like to give Marcia a shout out for assuming the role of President this year and doing much to manage PTO events like the Halloween Dance, Science Night, and many others.  Marcia is a big reason why our kids had lots of extra curricular events this year, so, THANKS!  And thanks to the many parents working behind the scenes to manage our fund raising and helping out with events, we could not have done it without lots of hands.

Have a happy summer,

Lincoln Eliot PTO

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT
Our Lincoln-Eliot community celebrated our annual International Night on Thursday, June 4^th. The evening featured a Cultural Museum of artifact tables from Russia, Ukraine, Austria, China, Italy, Dominican Republic, Sweden, France, Mexico, Italy, Ethiopia, USA, Nigeria, Ecuador, Ireland, and Brazil. The International Buffet was a feast of flavors and dishes from around the world! The evening ended with a talent show of International dress, singing, Irish Step Dance, Belly Dancing, and Rock and Roll. If you were unable to join us this year, we hope you can attend next year. International Night is a highlight that brings our wonderful community together.

TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
Save the Date / Volunteers Needed:
The Teacher Appreciation Luncheon is planned for Tuesday, June 16^th (12:30pm-2:30pm in the Cafeteria).  We need volunteers to help with set-up, serving and clean up, as well as donations of side dishes (ie. salads of any kind), drinks and desserts!  Cash donations to purchase supplies are also welcome.  Food/Drinks can be dropped off in the office all morning on June 16^th or can be brought to the cafeteria at noon.   If you have questions or can help, please contact Andrea Hemment at ahemment@gmail.com or Miriam Alandydy at mealandydy@comcast.net.  Thank you!

TITLE I FAMILY MATH MORNING OPEN HOUSE: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10^TH
Come learn about the math your children are doing in class and learn ways to practice skills over the summer to prevent summer loss.

FINE ARTS NIGHT: THURSDAY JUNE 11^TH 6:00-8:00 PM (All school art exhibit and Gr. 4 & 5 Concert.)

GRADE 5 GRADUATION CEREMONY: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24^TH 10:30 AM in the Gym.

DONOR’S CHOOSE:

Mr. Raisner, Grade 2
My Project: Interactive Projector
Total Project Cost: $1945.00
$1279.00 TO GO (25 days left!)

My Project: Having an interactive projector will allow my students to use this technology as a tool for their learning. The work that’s projected on the board can be moved around and manipulated. For example, when learning about geometry, students will be able to transpose shapes on top of each other. Using an interactive projector is a 21st century skill for students. Several upper grade classrooms have this technology available to them. Getting them used to it now will help them in the future.

You can support Mr. Raisner’s Project by linking to:
http://www.donorschoose.org/raisner

The Lincoln-Eliot School Auction opens for bidding on June 1, 2015 at 8:00 AM EDT Time.

Our goal this year is to support our wonderful school. We need your support! This is an exciting and fun way to help us, and at the same time have a chance to win cool items!

We’ll be adding new items to our auction for you to preview as the auction date approaches. Check back often to see what’s new. Feel free to place a Watch on your favorites, so that you’ll know as soon as bidding begins!

Click here to bid!

TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
Save the Date / Volunteers Needed: The Teacher Appreciation Luncheon is planned for Tuesday, June 16^th (12:30pm-2:30pm in the Cafeteria).  We need volunteers to help with set-up, serving and clean up, as well as donations of side dishes (ie. salads of any kind), drinks and desserts!  Cash donations to purchase supplies are also welcome.  Food/Drinks can be dropped off in the office all morning on June 16^th or can be brought to the cafeteria at noon.  (See the attached flyer.)

If you have questions or can help, please contact Andrea Hemment at ahemment@gmail.com or Miriam Alandydy at mealandydy@comcast.net.  Thank you!

 Joint Site Council and PTO Meeting: Tuesday, June 2^nd is the final Site Council and PTO Meeting of the year. The meeting will be held from 8:30-9:15 in the cafeteria.
Please join us to hear a summary of the Site Council’s work this year and to give input into the PTO budget for next year. We are also looking for a few more family members to join the PTO council. The council will be a steering committee for PTO events and fundraising.

LINCOLN-ELIOT PTO COUNCIL
The L-E PTO is looking for parents to join the PTO council. The PTO council will meet, at an agreed upon time, 6 times throughout the school year and act as a steering committee to lead the direction of PTO community events and decision-making. We are looking to comprise the council of a diverse group of families to represent the many interests of the Lincoln-Eliot community. If you are interested or have any questions, please send an email to the Principal Marcia Uretsky (marcia_uretsky@newton.k12.ma.us).

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, JUNE 4^TH FROM 5:30-7:00. International Night is a celebration of the many cultures and backgrounds of our families. The night consists of informational tables about our various cultures, a talent show by the children and parents, and an international Pot Luck dinner. We hope to see ALL our families attend this end of the year celebration. It is not too late to sign up for food, to participate in the talent show, or to host a cultural table. (See the attached flyer.)

NewtonPAC FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AWARDS
The Board Members of the NewtonPAC for Special Education are hard at work planning the 6th Annual Awards Ceremony!

The event will take place on Wednesday, June 10th at 6pm at Newton North HS. We invite parents and/or guardians of children with Special Needs (on a current IEP or 504) to nominate Newton Staff Members who have made a positive impact on their children.

Attached please find the nomination template, which you can use to make a nomination.

Thank you for taking the time to recognize our wonderful Special Education Teachers and Staff.

SAVE THE DATES… 

• TITLE I FAMILY MATH MORNING OPEN HOUSE- WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10^TH Come learn about the math your children are doing in class and learn ways to practice skills over the summer to prevent summer loss.
• FINE ARTS NIGHT- THURSDAY JUNE 11^TH 6:00-8:00 PM (All school art exhibit and Gr. 4 & 5 Concert. See attached flyer.)
• GRADE 5 GRADUATION CEREMONY- JUNE 24^TH 10:30 AM

There’s nothing like summer camp at the Y. One session or the whole summer. Indoors and out. On their own or in a group. Archery to arts, canoeing to cannonballs, with the West Suburban YMCA your kids will have an amazing experience, all in a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment.

Camp Chickami        Ages 6-14     Outdoor day camp in Wayland, MA

Camp Frank A. Day  Ages 7-15     Overnight camp in East Brookfield, MA

Camp Pikati             Ages 6-13     Sports and Enrichment Day Camp at the Y

Camp Polliwog         Ages 3-6       Preschool / Early Education Day Camp at the Y

Our camping season begins on Monday, June 15 and runs through September 4.

Registration is ongoing and we are currently offering discounts if you register at one of our upcoming events:

Camp Blast-Off Party – a Free Event Open to the Community
Saturday, May 30^th from 4:00-6:00 pm

Join us at the Y as we count down the days to the start of summer camp season.

This free event is open to all, not just families who have already registered for camp this summer. Meet our camp directors and counselors and join us for “camptivities” such as face painting, crafts, family relay races, and gaga ball. Take a tour of our on-site day camps and enter to win a raffle!

Camp Information Night at the Y
Wednesday, June 3^rd from 5:00-6:30pm

Open House at Camp Chickami
139 Boston Post Road, Wayland
Saturday, June 6^th from 4:00-6:00pm

Open Houses at Camp Frank A. Day
125 South Pond Road, East Brookfield, MA
Sunday, June 7^th 1:00-4:00pm

For more information, email campingservices@westsuburbanymca.org or visit www.westsuburbanymca.org/camps.

Free Skate Park at the Y
The Skate Park at the West Suburban YMCA, made possible with funding from the US Department of Education Carol M. White Physical Education Program, to the Newton Public Schools/Newton Partnership, is supervised at all times and FREE. We welcome skateboarders, razors/scooter, in-line skaters and roller skaters of all ages.  Visitors need to sign in at the Y’s front desk. Skaters or parents of participants under 18 must sign a waiver that is available on our website.

Current schedule:

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 1:00 – 7:00 pm
• Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

For more information, please visit www.westsuburbanymca.org/skate-park

 Band Night at the Y
A Free Concert in conjunction with the Newton Festival of the Arts
Wednesday, May 27 at 7:00pm

Featuring local bands: The Bad Babysitters; Toy Boat; NSH Boy; Cole Brightbill;
and The Dominoes.

The Y is currently hiring Lifeguards and Swim Instructors
The Aquatics Department is hiring Lifeguards, Swim Instructors, and Swim Coaches for the remainder of the spring and into the summer. If you are interested, please contact Amanda Pierce at amandap@westsuburbanymca.org.

Lifeguard Certification Classes
Need certifications? Need to renew your certifications? We are offering Lifeguard Certification and Re-certification classes throughout the month of June. For class schedules and more information, please visit www.westsuburbanymca.org/LGT.

Annual Golf Tournament – On Course for a Cause
The West Suburban YMCA’s 12^th Annual Golf Tournament is Monday, July 20^th at Brae Burn Country Club in Newton. When you give to the Y, by playing in or sponsoring our Golf Tournament, you make our community stronger. Your participation helps us nurture the potential of children and teens, improve community health and well-being and support our neighbors in need. Registration is open now at www.westsuburbanymca.org/events. Please contact Rosie Carey for more information at rcarey@westsuburbanymca.org or 617-244-6050 x3099.

Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs
The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization and it is our mission to never turn anyone away due to their inability to pay. Please contact our Membership Department at 617-244-6050 x3653 for financial assistance on any of these programs.

Lisa LaVallee
Marketing & Communications Director
WEST SUBURBAN YMCA
276 Church Street, Newton, MA 02458
(P) 617-244-6050 x3036  (F) 617-964-8472

(E) llavallee@westsuburbanymca.org  (W) www.westsuburbanymca.org