Only 1 week till our Pinewood Open House on Wed. August 31, 2016.  And only 13 days till back to school!

Welcoming New Pinewood Staff

Our PinewoodPride staff has had a few changes this past year.  We are very happy to welcome some great new members to our Pinewood team.  I have created this video to be able to show staff pictures with their new positions, I’m hopefully this is helpful for students and parents.  At Pinewood we try hard to build strong relationships with families ensuring families know who staff members are is important.  After watching the video you will be introduced to new staff  you are also able to find all other staff members listed on our website and you can access contact information.

New Pinewood Staff Video

Tips For Transitioning Back to School

In previous blog posts I have shared the following:

• Video Tour of Pinewood
• Student Welcome Back Video
• Supply List
• Video Showing all Resources on Web page
• Video Explaining Pick up and Drop off Procedures

I hope all of these posts have helped families start to prepare for the back to school transition.

Another very important part of a student’s back to school routine is getting back into their sleep schedule.  Sleep is essential for a child’s physical and emotional well being.  As a parent this is a part of the back to school transition that can easily be pushed to the back burner, you want to enjoy those last few late summer nights with your kids but if you are able to start them back on a sleep schedule 10 to 14 days before school you will be helping your child have a much more successful start to the school year.  Children who come to school tired are not as well prepared to learn.  The start of school is already such a big change for children when you add in a lack of sleep can create extra stress for parents and kids.  Here is a great article with tips on how to help get started with a back to school sleep schedule.  For myself as a parent the consistency of a set time and routine makes it much easier, and honestly having a quiet house by 9:30pm the last few nights has been kind of awesome.

Student Book Suggestion

The Cats of Tanglewood Forest                     By: Charles De Lint

                                                         Book Review By: Abby M.

The Cats of Tanglewood Forest is a book full of fantasy, magic, and fun! If you love these things you will love this book. It’s about an adventurous girl named Lillian. She lives with her aunt in a house near a cornfield. Past the cornfield there is the Tanglewood Forest. One sunny morning, and Lillian did her chores. Then she went in the forest to give the cats of the forest milk. Soon Lillian got tired so, she fell asleep under the old Beech tree. Little did she know, she layed down next to a snoozing snake! The snake struck and the pain woke Lillian up. After a second strike, then a third she fell. But, the cats of Tanglewood Forest circled around Lillian, who was dying. They used magic to turn her into something that wasn’t dying. A kitten! Find out more about Lillian’s adventures as a kitten by reading the book!

Pick up and Drop Off at Pinewood

Last week I shared a post that had an informational video explaining where you can find lots of helpful resources on our website; from the building calendar to before and after school care sign up our website is a great resource for parents.  If you didn’t get a chance to watch the video you can access it again by using the link below.

Information on Website

Today I wanted to share about pick up and drop off procedures at Pinewood.  Pinewood was built in the 1960s and the parking lot was designed to keep up with traffic flow and provide parking spaces for what was expected at that time.  This requires all of our Pinewood families to be patient and understanding during busy pick up and drop off times.  Students are able to start arriving at school and waiting out front or playing on the playground at 8:35 in the morning, we also have a breakfast program they can access by coming into our gym.  Our warning bell rings at 8:45 to welcome students into the building and the tardy bell that signals the start of class rings at 8:50.  If a parent wants to walk their child into the building after the 8:45 bell we ask that they exit the building by 8:50 so they do not disrupt classes.  This is especially important for our Kindergarten students and parents.  Many students will be sad at first and want parents to stay but this causes many more tears and usually prolongs the issues.  I know how difficult it is to leave your child especially when they are upset.  I experienced it with my own daughter last year, but please trust that our staff will love and care for your child and help them have a great start to their day.

Our school day ends this year at 3:41.  The bell will ring right at 3:41 and students will be dismissed to head out to their bus, to parent pick up, or to walk home.  If you would like to come into the school to get your child you are welcome to, but we do ask that you park your car in a parking spot, not the pick up and drop off lane, and that you wait to enter until the bell at 3:41.

Please take a few minutes to watch this video that gives a visual to the parking lot and explains our pick up and drop off.

Pinewood Parking Lot

Student Book Suggestion

Rhys W., 4th grade

Amulet Series

By: Kazu Kibuishi

I liked this book because it has action and the characters are unusual. The book is about a girl named Emily that lost her dad when she was young and her great grandfather has chosen her to be a stone keeper. A stone keeper is someone who has an amulet that gets more power as it is used. If the stone keeper loses control of the amulet, they transform into a revolting monster. She is going on a journey to save her mom with her brother Navin. You will have to read the book to find out more.

I think people who like action and fantasy will like this book.

Only 26 days Until We Welcome Our Students Back

I am so excited for the 2016-2017 school year to begin.  I have missed all of our students and families over the summer and can’t wait to welcome everyone back.  I have prepared two videos that I think, hope, will be helpful to families.  One is a Welcome Back video that both our students and parents will enjoy.  The second is a informative video for parents helping you find all of the information you need to prepare for back to school.  The information video will help you find our building calendar, pay for lunch, set up transportation, sign up for before and after school care, and find our supply list.  Please take a few minutes to view both videos.

Pinewood Student Welcome Back 2016-2017

Pinewood Parent Resource Video    (the sound is a little low you may need to turn it up to hear well)

Over the next few weeks I will add helpful information to help the transition back to school be as smooth as possible for all of our families.  If you have any questions or concerns you can always email me and I will get back to you as soon as I can, rbrown@jpsonline.org.

Student Book Recommendations

Reviewed By: Bradyn H

Wonder

Author: R.J. phlacio

At the beginning of the book it said,”I’m not going to tell you what I look like.” This really hooks the reader because you want to know why!  The main character is a boy named August. When he first went to school that was private, he was scared to go to school. He didn’t want to go to school because of the way he looks but his parents force him to.  Find out how he solves his problem by reading the book.   I recommend people that like funny book because parts are funny but other parts are serious.  I rate this book five stars.

 Kaiya V.

Book Title: Rabbit Hill

Author of Book: Robert Lawson

Along a hill there tons of animals. They can all talk but, father rabbit is the fanciest talker. They live near a old house that has not been used in years, the house is a mess! Suddenly, brand new people move in! Will there be traps or other dangers? Find out in Rabbit Hill!  People who like fantasies and talking animals would really like this book.

How do I rate this book?

1  2  3  4   5, a five!

Tom’s of Maine Grant Opportunity Top 10 Finalist

I learned about a very exciting grant opportunity for Pinewood today.  We are one of 10 schools from across the country selected to compete for the most innovative grant project.  Teachers and schools from all across the country submitted applications through Donor’s Choose and Tom’s of Maine selected their top 10, which Pinewood was one of them!  If you would like to help Pinewood qualify for one of the top prizes you need to go to the contest page and vote, and if you are able share with friends and families to vote as well.  People are able to vote daily from now till October.

Tom’s of Maine Contest

This is one example of many hands on authentic learning experiences teachers at Pinewood work very hard to create for their students.  From a school plant sale and garden project to student made bat houses.  Pinewood teachers really work to engage our students and provide them learning experiences, that will help develop key life skills such as; critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication.  We know that these skills are essential to helping students prepare to be happy, successful, and productive in their future.

One of my favorite days at Pinewood, and one of the days that highlights this type of learning and instruction, is our Teach Like a Pirate Day, this day comes from a book we read as a staff that focuses on working to provide meaningful engaging experiences to our students all of the time.  It encourages teachers to find their passions and share them.  We will have our third annual Teach Like a Pirate Day on Friday Sept. 16 this year.  This video will show you some of the fun things students and teachers do during TLAP day.

Teach Like a Pirate Day Pinewood

Student Book Recommendation

Jocelyn A 4th grade

Title: Smile                         

Author: Raina Telgemeier       

I really liked the book Smile. The book is very interesting, it’s about a girl named Raina. She gets her teeth knocked out and doesn’t want braces. She tries to not show anybody. If you liked the book Drama then you’ll love Smile, that is because they are written by the same author Raina Telgemeier. She writes amazing books, she’s my favorite author. If you like Drama I guarantee you’ll like Drama and Smile. They are great books.

Jocelyn A. with Smile by Raina Telegmeier