Chickens and the Arts

Did I get your attention with that post title?  :)

This post will be a bit more random than my last ones, as I have a few updates on unrelated topics.

First of all, thanks to those of you who attended our fist PTO meeting last Tuesday.  We appreciated the information presented by school counselor Marlene Lifshin and school psychologist Laura Vance about transitions.  For next month's meeting, we would love to have a presentation and discussion about internet safety, and are looking for someone who is qualified to present on this!  If you have anyone who you know of, please have them contact me!

Related to the PTO, the Magazine Drive/ Cookie Dough fundraiser is under way, with October 8 being the last day for orders.  I don't want to be a "Debbie Downer" here, but numbers are down this year.  We have seen this falling trend over the last few years as digital media options rise, which is understandable.  Yet we did hope for better results this year, given that the PTO has tried hard to narrow down their funraising efforts to only one fundraiser (this one) and have tried to balance the money they need to raise with having a greater Direct Donation amount that families can donate to the PTO.  If you haven't already turned in your Direct Donation and yet intend to do so, please know it is not too late and any donations will be appreciated.  In addition, if you or your family do enjoy receiving a magazine or two and could purchase or renew them through your child, the school benefits directly!  And what does this have to do with chickens?  For every 2 orders of cookie dough or magazines, a baby chick gets donated to a needy family in Bangladesh!  That's pretty neat!

Now to switch gears.  As most of you know, the Town of Reading and the Reading schools believe strongly in incorporating the arts in our curriculum and extracurricular opportunities.  As I have been updating the Comet and Edline calendars, it is evident that there are many exciting opportunities to take part in the arts.  After school activities include:

• Tuesdays: Chime Choir
• Tuesdays: Advanced Choir
• Thursdays: Jazz Band
• This Thursday: an informational meeting about the middle school production of "Seussical"
• Fridays: a student-developed acapella group (the "Trouble Clefs")
• Second Semester: Art Club

In school, it is a pleasure to walk around and to hear the 6th and 7/8 bands and chorus groups filling the rooms with instruments and voices, to hear songs from "the days of old" in the History of Music class, to see students composing their own music in the Music Composition class, and to see students of all grades engrossed in stimulating art activities in the art room in both art and enrichment classes.  With students feeling increased pressures in academics and sports, it is nice to see them finding an outlet, and inspiration, in the arts.  In addition, it directly benefits brain development as well.  Encourage your son/ daughter to take part in these opportunities and to stick with them, as they truly are enriching!

I have been asked to post one deadline related to the arts: Advanced Chorus students who wish to see "A Christmas Story: The Musical" in December need to hand in a permission slip by Tuesday, October 8 to Mrs. Prindiville. Feel free to email her directly for more information or for a copy of the permission slip (samantha.prindiville@reading.k12.ma.us).

Also for your calendars, I want to highlight that Friday, October 18 is our in-school Open House.  It's a great time for parents to shadow their son/daughter to see what a school day looks like at Coolidge!  You are welcome to attend for all or any part of the day!  Also, be aware that there is no school on Monday, October 14 (Columbus Day) or Tuesday, October 15 (which is a staff in-service day).

Have a great week!