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October 11, 2007

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From the Superintendent's Desk

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Carlisle Education Foundation News

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October 11, 2007		Jump to: Superintendent's Desk Principals' Corner School Events & Information Photos CSA News Other Community Interest Items Buzz Information

	www.carlisle.mec.edu


	Carlisle Education Foundation Dinner and Auction -- November 2, 2007 Get Your Tickets Now! *Click Here for More Information.*

			Oct. 11 Thurs. 3:30 pm: Field Hockey at Clark Cross Country Home with Acton Boys' Soccer Home with Clark Girls' Soccer at Clark 7:00 pm School Building Committee	Oct. 12 Fri. School Pictures
Oct. 15 Mon. 3:30 pm: Cross Country at Tyngsborough Boys' Soccer Home with Blanchard Girls' Soccer at Blanchard	Oct. 16 Tues. 11:51 Early Release 5 - 8 12:30 Early Release K - 4 9:00 am CSA Meeting 5:00 pm Spaghetti Supper	Oct. 17 Wed. 3:00 - 5:00 pm Author Reading and Book Signing (Marcella Pixley) 3:30 pm Field Hockey at Concord 7:00 pm School Committee	Oct. 18 Thurs. 9:00 am CSA Parent Informational Coffee 3:00 pm: Field Hockey at Stony Brook CrossCountry at Diamond Boys' Soccer at Acton-Boxborough Girls' Soccer Home with Acton-Boxborough	Oct. 19 Fri. Middle School Interim Reports Distributed 6:30 pm CSA Bingo Night Buzz Deadline
Oct. 22 Mon. 3:30 pm Cross Country Invitational at Great Brook Boys' Soccer at Stony Brook Girls' Soccer Home with Stony Brook 7:00 pm Guiding Good Choices	Oct. 23 Tues. 9:00 am CSA 2008 House Tour Planning Meeting 3:30 pm Field Hockey Home with Tyngsborough	Oct. 24 Wed. 3:30 pm Girls' and Boys' Soccer Home with Newton 7:00 pm Title 1 Math Informational Meeting	Oct. 25 Thurs. 3:30 pm Girls' and Boys' Soccer at Concord Field Hockey at Blanchard Cross Country Home with Wayland 7:00 pm School Building Committee Meeting	Oct. 26 Fri.
Oct. 29 Mon. 3:30 pm Field Hockey Home with Bedford CrossCountry at Needham Boys' Soccer at Weston Girls' Soccer Home with Weston 7:00 pm Guiding Good Choices	Oct. 30 Tues. 3:15 pm Math Curriculum Review Team	Oct. 31 Wed. 10:30 am Halloween Parade	Nov. 1 Thurs. 8:45 Kindergarten to Drumlin Farms 2:30 pm Math League Meet at Diamond	Nov. 2 Fri. Buzz Deadline 7:00 pm Carlisle Education Foundation Dinner and Auction


		From the Superintendent's Desk Marie H. Doyle

Dear Parents,

Professional Development Days

While families in Carlisle hopefully enjoyed an extra long Columbus Day weekend, the staff at Carlisle Public School spent hours collaborating on curriculum. All departments met to discuss vertical articulation of the curriculum (what happens from one grade to the next).

The math teachers gathered during the morning to discuss feedback from the Math Review Team. Led by Liz Perry, teachers reviewed the survey information and gave feedback on the pros and cons of our program. After a hearty discussion, most teachers agreed that Every Day Math, supplemented by additional materials, met the needs of our students. Another area found important was communicating expectations of the program and assignments to parents.

The English Language Arts teachers (ELA) met to look at the writing program in each grade level. Susan Laporte and Steve Bober had previously gathered information on what each grade level teaches in writing. The information was compiled prior to the meeting so that subsequently our teachers could review the vertical articulation and make recommendations to address gaps or overlaps in the curriculum. This is one of the first phases of the ELA audit that has begun this year.

The afternoon was spent with teachers discussing children. Each grade level met with another grade level team to share important information to help enhance the learning experience of all students in Carlisle Public Schools. Teachers had a busy, yet rewarding day during our full release day.

Finally, we look forward to the return of Sarah Ward during our next early release day. This expert on executive functioning addressed our staff on opening day and gave strategies to help all children learn more effectively. The staff requested that we bring Sarah back as they found her techniques to be helpful. Executive functioning has been described by Elkhonon Goldberg by
using the metaphor of the orchestra conductor to the functions of the brain's frontal lobe. Dr. William R. Stixrud, a psychologist, described executive functioning as " a set of processes that include planning, organizational skill, maintaining a mental set, selective attention, and inhibitory control – for which the prefrontal regions of the brain are specialized.” The more that we understand how students learn, the better we can meet their needs.

Thanks for supporting our early release days and professional day as this provides us with valuable time to work together.

Sincerely,
Marie Doyle

We write about two related topics today, security and achievement. The security of our children, in every sense of the word, is imperative if we expect them to take risks and perform outside their comfort zones so that they may reach their academic and personal best. They need to feel secure in their classrooms and at home, valued and loved for who they are and what they bring to the table as individuals. If you as parents and we as educators want to encourage their quest, we must find that delicate balance between support and challenge, making sure there is just the right amount of both to keep them moving forward.

You help them feel secure and valued at home by modeling language, attitudes, and through your actions, influencing how they feel about themselves and treat others. We do so at school by modeling language, attitudes, and actions that positively influence learning. Collectively, we share in modeling how to positively navigate life and learning.

In order to help children develop the ability to take risks to achieve beyond their comfort zones, we too, must model these behaviors and attitudes. Not being afraid to risk making unpopular decisions we believe to be in their best interests, is one example of this. Further down the spectrum, not being afraid to apologize to them for making mistakes in our words or actions, is another. Harder still, is having the courage to explain what we ourselves have learned from our mistakes and the most difficult, is to allow children to make their own mistakes, suffer the consequences, and learn from them.

In the last couple of weeks in the CPS, we have had fire and bus evacuation drills, safety assemblies, curriculum nights, Student Council elections, fall sport games lost and won, and last spring’s MCAS scores released. The vast majority of students have prepared for or responded to each of these positively and with confidence, secure in their ability to handle challenge, surprises, and even prepare for potential emergencies. They do so because of the courage and resiliency they have personally developed and to some extent learned from the examples and modeling of significant adults in their lives.

During our Professional Development Day on Tuesday, October 9, the staff had the opportunity to meet for several hours to discuss vertical and horizontal articulation of curriculum and student progress from grade level to grade level from the previous year’s experiences. The collegial interaction among staff members and the content covered was truly insightful and exceptionally worthwhile. All of the many meetings were very productive, focusing on how we can additionally support the students of Carlisle.

School Pictures Tomorrow!
School Pictures will be taken on Friday, October 12. Order forms will be sent home with students. Parents must fill out all necessary information on both sections of these forms, make a package selection, and enclose full payment in the prepay envelope. (Please be sure to include your child's classroom/homeroom teacher.) Students must bring the prepay envelope with the attached camera card directly to the photographer at their scheduled time on October 12. All students will be photographed for school I.D.'s. However, picture packages will not be produced for students who do not pay at the time pictures are taken. If the photographs are not satisfactory, the money will be refunded.

Author Readings
Marcella Pixley will read from her new book, Freak, and sign your copy in the school library on October 18th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Please come and meet Marcella and learn about the book.

Grade 5 teacher Alan Ticotsky and his wife, author Jane Sutton, will present a talk at Cary Memorial Library in Lexington at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, October 16, entitled “Is There Room for Two Authors in the House?” The presentation is free of charge and will be open to the public. Following the short program, the authors will answer questions and be available to sign copies of their books. More details are available from the newsletter of The Friends of Cary Library through the following link: http://carylibrary.org/aboutus/fr_fall07.pdf

8th Grade Parents -- Graduation Planning
It's never too early to begin planning for this year's graduation. Parents interested in serving on the graduation committee should contact Middle School Principal Jim Halliday at Jhalliday@carlisle.mec.edu.

Carlisle Parent Advisory Council Meetings:
The next PAC meeting will be on the evening of Thursday October 25th from 7-8:30pm at the Gleason Library Hollis room.

The next parent support group meeting will be on the morning of Friday October 26 at 9:00am at Carol Yelle's house, 484 Cross St.

All parents of children with special needs are welcome. Questions, please call Kris Tocci 978 371 6498 or Lori
Tucker 978 371 3292.

Daily Substitute Teachers Needed
If you know someone who would like to be on the substitute teacher list for the school, please contact Patrice Hurley at phurley@carlisle.mec.edu.

Intramural Basketball
The Physical Education Department is once again offering an intramural basketball program during November for grades 4 and 5. Please click here to access a flyer about the program.

	*Spaghetti Supper* Come to the Annual Sixth Grade Spaghetti Supper on Tuesday, October 16, 5:00 - 8:00 pm at the Carlisle School Corey Dining Room. Let the sixth graders serve you a delicious “home-cooked” meal at this important fundraiser for the class of 2010. Adults are $7.00, children and seniors $5.00. Tickets sell fast, so don’t delay and miss your garlic bread! Add to the fun by buying raffle tickets, $1 each, or buy a packet of six raffle tickets for $5. Golden Raffle tickets are $20 each and your odds are good - we sell a limited supply! Tickets can be purchased from any sixth grader or at Ferns.

Art Supplies Needed for Elementary Classes
The art room is in need of small cardboard jewelry boxes that have removable lids as well as paper towel rolls. They will be used for our Greek Architecture Unit. If you have either of these at home, please have your child drop them off in the art room at his or her convenience.

Legos Needed for After School Science Clubs
Has your child outgrown his or her Legos? If so, or if you have extras, please consider donating them to the school for use in the after school Lego classes. Please bring your Lego donations to the Main Office. Thank you.

Title 1 Math Clubs 2007-2008
We are pleased to announce that the Carlisle Public Schools has received a Title 1 Grant for this school year. Therefore, we will be offering before and after school Math Clubs for grades 2-5. If your child meets the criteria for participation you will receive a letter in the mail for students in grades 2 and 3. Students in grades 4 and 5 will receive a letter included with their MCAS information.

There will be an informational meeting on Wednesday, October 24, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the school library. You will be given information regarding the selection criteria, the goals of the program, the strategies and materials being used, a typical 45-minute work session, and some resources you can use at home. In order to strengthen the parent-school team and satisfy our grant requirements we will also be sharing our Home-School Compact, a document that explicitly states each stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities. Lastly, there will be time for your input and questions regarding the program.

Please join us for this important meeting if your child is eligible to participate or if you are just interested in learning more about our program. If you can not attend please be sure to sign and send in the participation form by October 25, 2007.

Morning Math Clubs (Grades 2-4) begin the week of November 5, 2007
First session will begin the school library and move to a classroom

Grade 2 meets Monday mornings 7:50-8:40 begins Monday Nov. 5, 2007
Grade 4 meets Tuesday mornings 7:50-8:40 begins Tuesday Nov. 6, 2007
Grade 3 meets Wednesday mornings 7:50-8:40 begins Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007

After School Math Club (Grade 5 only) begins Wednesday Nov. 7, 2007
First session will meet in 5th grade lobby and then split up to other 5th grade classes

Destination Imagination
Are you creative or mechanical? Are you musical or humorous? Do you have a unique talent? If so, you belong in Destination Imagination (DI), an international program that promotes creative problem solving within a team setting. Open to all children in Carlisle’s K-thru-8 Public Schools, the DI program allows kids to have fun while solving a problem and working with a team of similar-aged children. If your child is interested in participating in the program, please contact the Carlisle DI coordinator, Nicole Bloomfield, by email (nikipu@comcast.net) or phone (978-371-0235) to register. The deadline for signing up for the program is Friday, October 12th.

*Chess Club* www.carlislechess.org
*Chess Club* www.carlislechess.org
Chess Club Expands Offerings The Carlisle Chess Club began its second year (2007-2008) on September 21st… This year we have expanded to include a middle school program. Please see the attached flyer for all the information. Remember, the chess club has a rolling admission policy, so join us as soon as you can – there is no need to wait until a new session begins. Also, although we do have a fee this year, your child(ren) are welcome to attend few sessions before making any final decisions about participation and payment – so give it a try! Thanks!!


	Mr. Ticotsky's 5th grade math class working on the plaza

CSA News
www.carlisleschoolassociation.org

Parent Informational Coffee
The first Parent Informational Coffee, sponsored by the Carlisle School Association (CSA), will be held on Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 9:00am in the Corey Dining Room. The topic for this meeting is “How the School Budget Affects the Town Budget”. Guest speakers include Dave Model from Carlisle’s Finance Committee. With the school’s budget being the largest line item in the overall town budget, this is a topic worth discussing and further understanding. Refreshment will be served.

Carlisle School Association (CSA) Meeting
The CSA meets monthly in the Corey Dining Room. Meetings are open to the public and all are invited to attend. The CSA organizes and plans a number of events throughout the school year and offers a broad range of activities and opportunities for parental involvement. If you would like to gain an insight into this hard-working group of volunteers and become a part of it, join us at our next meeting on Tuesday, October 16th at 9:00am. Additional information about the CSA, monthly meetings, and activities, please visit its website at: www.carlisleschoolassociation.org.

House Tour Volunteers Needed
The CSA will be holding a planning meeting for the 2008 House Tour. The committee is seeking volunteers and organizers for this event. If you are interested in getting involved, please join the meeting on October 23rd at 9:00 am at 438 Concord Street or call Holly at 978-369-2875.

Save Your Receipts!
The CSA and the Carlisle Public Schools are excited to inform you that we are participating in the incredible “Register Tapes for Education” program again this year. This program allows us to earn school equipment at no cost to you! Last year we collected over $120,000.00 in register tapes from Donelans alone, which allowed the Carlisle School to get two cordless microscopes, two inclined stereo microscopes, and some gym/playground equipment with a total value in excess of $1,200.00 for FREE!

This year we are setting an even higher goal of $150,000.00 of register tapes to collect, so start saving those register tapes from Donelan’s and new this year Crosby’s. Please send any tapes that you have collected dated between Sept. 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008 with your child to the collection box in the school library.

B - I - N - G - O!
The Carlisle School Association is pleased to bring a FREE family-oriented, fun-filled evening of BINGO once again this fall. Come join in the games and refreshments on Friday, October 19^th from 7:00 – 8:30 pm at the Corey Dining Room on the campus of Carlisle Public Schools. Children not yet in fifth grade must be accompanied by an adult.

*GPL News*

				www.gleasonlibrary.org
2007 Great Pumpkin Spectacle Attention children in Kindergarten, Grades 1, 2 & 3!! It wouldn’t be Halloween without bringing your decorated, carved, or decorated and carved pumpkin to the Gleason Library on Tuesday, October 27th (starting at 4:00) for the annual Pumpkin Spectacle. Storyteller Carolyn Martino will present a program of Spoooky Tales for Halloween suitable for this age group at the Cory Auditorium of the Carlisle Public Schools at 6:45. See the library website at www.gleasonlibrary.org for more information or call the library and ask for the Children’s department. Early Release Movie, October 16th Discover a secret getaway, a magical world with fantastic creatures, hidden dangers, and amazing triumphs. Cross the bridge between reality and fantasy on Tuesday, October 16^th (early release day) at the Gleason Public Library, 3^rd floor Hollis Room. Movie starts at 2:45pm and ends about 4:30pm. We will provide snacks and drinks. Grades 5-8 only. Movie rating is PG. Any questions, please call 978-369-4898 (Gleason Public Library). Also, don’t forget to check out the Carlisle Recreation open gym from 12noon-2:30pm (grades 5-8) before the movie. (Open gym requires you bring a permission note including a cell phone number from parents in order to attend.)

Carlisle Recreation Commission
Join the Carlisle Recreation Commission in Lowell at a Lock Monsters hocky game. For details, click here.

Center for Parents and Teachers
The Center for Parents and Teachers is now accepting registration for the following workshops. These classes fill up quickly so please sign up asap! Contact Angela at: amartinez@colonial.net or 978-202-1146 to register or for more information.

Parent Ed Workshops in Carlisle!
Guiding Good Choices -- New Dates for Workshop!
Through a unique one-time grant, the Center for Parents and Teachers is able to offer in Carlisle, “Guiding Good Choices,” the highly-popular and effective four-part parent education workshop for parents of 5th-8th graders. It will take place at the Carlisle Public School Robbins Library and will meet for four weeks (please note date changes) on Mondays: October 22, 29, November 5, 19 from 7-8:30PM. Kathy Bowen, K-12 Health Curriculum Coordinator for the Concord Public Schools, who is well-versed in this program, will facilitate the group. The workshop will help you gain a clearer understanding of the teenage social environment and your relation to it. You will gain confidence in communicating your values to your children to help them make good choices and avoid harmful behavior as they navigate the adolescent years. The fee for the workshop is $40. Register now as space is limited to 15. Please contact the Center for Parents and Teachers at amartinez@colonial.net or 978-202-1146 to register and for more information. (The workshop is funded through the Northwest Suburban Health Alliance/CHNA 15 DoN funds from Lahey Clinic.)

“H.E.L.P.: How to Enjoy Living with a Pre-Adolescent”
Presented by Dr.Kathryn Yamartino at the Carlisle Public School Robbins Library. Thursday, November 8, 7-9 p.m. No fee. For planning purposes, pre-registration is appreciated: amartinez@colonial.net or 978-202-1146.

Dr. Yamartino will help parents see the world through the eyes of their budding adolescents. Moving from theory to practical application (always with a great sense of humor!), Dr. Yamartino will address the range and motivation of many early adolescent behaviors offering strategies for constructive parental response

Dr. Kathryn Yamartino is a psychologist, working with teens and their families at North Bridge Psychological Associates in Acton. She has been running well-received parent education programs in the area for many years. Funded through the Northwest Suburban Health Alliance/ CHNA 15 DoN funds from Lahey Clinic.

Kicks for Cancer
On Saturday, October 13, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. the CCHS Men’s Varsity Soccer Team will play a night game in memory of Lois Wells, who passed away earlier this year after a courageous battle with cancer. Lois is the mother of Steve Wells, a former aide at the Carlisle School, who is the team’s assistant coach. All proceeds from the evening’s game against Boston Latin High School will be donated in memory of Lois Wells to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute to support cancer research. The team invites you and your family to come watch a great soccer match and help support cancer research. Tickets are available at Fern’s Country Store, from a member of the men’s varsity team, or at the gate the evening of the game – all tickets are $5.00 each.For additional information, please contact Karen Verrill at 978-369-7294. Thank you

Primary Source Fundraiser
This past summer, two Carlisle teachers, Cyd McCann and Megan Fitzharris, had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Ghana with a Primary Source Cultural Study Tour. On their trip they visited many schools, orphanages, villages, and cultural and historical sites. They will be sharing their experiences with students, faculty, and the community throughout the year. Teachers from Ms. McCann's and Ms. Fitzharris’s tour created a calendar poster to support Primary Source’s African program. All of the pictures and quotes about Ghana on this calendar were taken and written by teachers. If you would like to support Primary Source, you can do so by purchasing calendars for display in your home, office, or classroom. Calendars are $10 each. Please contact Cyd MCann at cmccann@carlisle.mec.edu to place your order. The Carlisle School membership in Primary Source is funded by the Carlisle Education Foundation.

Pumpkin Contest at the Pumpkin Festival
Saturday October 20 10:00 am– 4:00pm held on the Carlisle Common and in Union Hall. Do you like to grow, cook or decorate pumpkins? There are many categories for you to enter in this fun Pumpkin Contest open to all ages. Bring your entries to Union Hall between 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm on Friday October 19 or 8:00 to 10:00 am on Saturday October 20. Watch the judging from noon to 2:00 pm, then see who takes home the blue ribbons. For further information on contest rules, entry forms, and fees, please go to www.pumpkinsonthecommon.org

"Pumpkins on the Common" October 13 through 20
Support Carlisle's nonprofit organizations and local farmers by purchasing your pumpkins at "Pumpkins on the Common: A Carlisle Community Fundraiser." Locally-grown pumpkins of all sizes, colors and kinds, mums, and other autumn specialties will be offered right here on the Carlisle Town Common.

The Pumpkins on the Common festival kicks off on Saturday October 13 and runs through the week. It ends October 20 with a Festival featuring music and a variety of pumpkin judging events geared to all ages. The Saturday Pumpkin Festival runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pumpkins will also be on sale during the week from noon to 6:00 p.m. Steered by the Carlisle Garden Club, the event will also raise funds for the Carlisle School Association, Friends of the Council on Aging, Carlisle Kids House, and other local non-profit groups. Music is provided through a grant from the Carlisle Cultural Council. Information can be accessed at our website (www.pumpkinsonthecommon.org). Volunteers are still needed for a variety of tasks throughout the week. If you would like to raise funds for your favorite local organization, or need community service hours, check the website or contact Carol Nathan (carol.nathan@comcast.net). Watch around town for our scarecrows!

Next Buzz Issue
The nex Buzz will be published on October 25th. Please email your submissions to Claire Wilcox at cwilcox@carlisle.mec.edu by Friday, October 19th at Noon. Please attach information to the email in a Word file. To view the Buzz schedule for next year, click here.

To add your email address to the Buzz notification list or to make changes in your email address for the Buzz, please visit the following web address: http://lists.carlisle.mec.edu/mailman/listinfo/buzz.

Principals' Corner

Jim Halliday, Middle School Principal
Patrice Hurley, Elementary Principal