November Calendar
11- No School, Veteran’s Day
12- Early Release, 12:05pm
13- PTO Creative Enrichment, Grade 2, Native American Dan Cripps
14- Food Pantry
18- PTO Creative Enrichment, Grade 2, Catherine Hunter
19- Early Release, 12:05pm
21- Report Cards
26- Early Release, 12:05pm
27&28- No School, Thanksgiving Break
December Calendar
1- No School, Teacher Professional Development Day
10- Early Release, 12:05pm
12- Food Pantry
24-31- No School, Holiday Recess
 

Check out the PTO Website
www.LoringPTO.org

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From the Principal’s Office

Dear Loring Parents, I want to give a big “Thank You” to all that helped with the Spaghetti Supper/Book Fair/Spooky House. It was an amazing success! Here are some “PAWESOME” facts to share with you.

• Over 300 additional books were donated to teachers and staff through the generosity of the Loring Families.
• Many families donated their change to the ONE FOR BOOKS campaign and because of that 83 books were donated by Scholastic to needy children’s programs in the name of the Loring Community.
• At least 37 parents volunteered at the Book Fair over the week.
• Mr. Dees’ bag was emptied with over 50 books donated to the library(I am not sure about sitting in jello, but I will do whatever it takes).
• Loring students were enthusiastic and polite at the Book Fair and were often heard recommending books to each other.
• Mrs. Keene and Ms. Mayasi gave up their Library space and time for over a week so the Book Fair could be successful. Please thank them when you see them.
• The 5th graders earned $838.00 in Spaghetti Supper tips and the Spooky House brought in $598.00. The grand total for the 5th Grade Class Gift is $1429.00.
• We had over 600 settings for the Spaghetti Supper. They were all taken!!! What an amazing school!!!
• Spaghetti Supper: 626 people, grossed $3, 694.00

As you read through the simple facts allow them to remind you that we do have a wonderfully PAWESOME School!!!

Upcoming Dates:
Wednesday November 6th @ 7:00 Israel Loring School Council Meeting Loring Library
Wednesday November 12th @ 7:00 Sudbury School Committee Meeting Loring School Dinning Room
Thursday November 20th @ 7:00 Loring Parent Meeting (Follow-up with AYP/MCAS plans) Loring School Dinning Room

Dare To Dream,

Mr. Dees

From the Assistant Principal’s Office

dis•ci•pline

How often do we hear of a student being sent to the principal or assistant principal to be “disciplined”? What quasi-medieval images come to mind as we shudder at the thought of having to slink down to “the office”? Poor “discipline”. Sadly, the word has been allowed to develop a bad reputation over time – a reputation it does not deserve. Please permit me to swim against the tide for a few whimsical moments. Together with you, I’d like to resurrect the original meaning of this often-used, seldom understood word.

Most broadly defined, discipline refers to systematic instruction given to a student. This meaning evolves from the word’s origin, which is Latin disciplina “instruction”, from the root discere “to learn,” and from which discipulus “disciple, pupil” also derives. I love reminding myself of this, for it keeps me focused on the fact that discipline is first and foremost about teaching and learning, not pain and suffering. Do you think of punishment or “consequences” whenever discipline is mentioned? I always did. How refreshing, then, to know that any time learning is going on at Loring School (or any other place), any occasion when the moment cries “aha!”, discipline is engaged. Reading is a discipline. Math is a discipline. Art is a discipline, as is Social Studies, Music, Science, and so on. In the spring of 2008, several of our adventurous teachers studied and piloted IIM, a research model designed to be taught at the elementary level. Imagine how we as adults might now benefit from having begun the intricate discipline of academic research while only in the fourth grade.

I invite you to reflect upon the various disciplines you yourself have undertaken in life, whether they be rocket science, rock climbing, or rock-n’-roll. Furthermore, consider the staggering number of disciplines our children are now exposed to. Beyond the various content areas of school, our kids are disciples of equestrianism, theater, Hebrew, and taekwondo, to name a scant few. And, yes, there is the discipline of proper self-control. That’s the discipline so often associated with my position, and I regard it with the utmost respect. That discipline, practiced well by all, creates the environment in which all others may thrive.

George Eliot said, “Genius at first is little more than a great capacity for receiving discipline.” So true. At Loring School, we are all about giving and receiving discipline in its broadest sense so that the first, flickering flames of genius may be lit.

David Leong

Assistant Principal

From The PTO Co-Chairs

It is hard to believe that November is already here. It is a time for giving thanks and being grateful for what we all have. We are especially grateful to the parent volunteers that help organize PTO events and support the PTO fundraisers. You all help to make a difference in enriching our children’s education at the Loring School.

We are off to a good start this year. We are optimistic that fundraising events to date will meet our budgeted projections. This is great news in light of the uncertain times that we are facing. Thank you very much for your support! Once all of the events are finalized we will be able to report net results for the various fundraising programs to date. These will be reported at our November PTO meeting.

Thank you to all who made these events possible:

• The Book Fair: Thank you to Maryanne Connelly, Mimi Cahill and Mary Krumsiek for chairing the fair. And to the many parent volunteers:

Jane MacKeen, Jane Murphy, Kristen Flanagan, Kelly Becker, Laurel Martin, Barb Gogan, Linda Roth, Linda Croteau, Danielle Agabedis, Carla Gregorich, Anne Lee, Caroline Libby, Denise Garzone, Karen Palumbo, Bethanne Hinkle, Tanya Broadbent, Sandy Gold, Jody Marcoux, Jan Acquaviva, Kristen Bisson, Meg Knaul, Sheila Cusolito, Cheryl Boland, Robin Generoso, Colleen Madden, Maria Dawson, Betsy Whipple, Elizabeth Shealey, Jesseca Timmons, Michelle Titus, Veronique Schejtman, Karen Darmer, Gretchen Warland, April Surin, Lisa Gormley, Fran Tinkov, Pat Manzi, Janie Schneider, Margie Giles, Jodie Greenhouse, Christina Granahan, Kate Delmore, Veronica Ortiz Mena, Ocllo Mason, Diane Weisman
 

• The Spaghetti Supper: Thanks you to Tricia McCabe and Ann Childs for chairing the event. And to the teachers and the parents who helped during the night:Nick Furman, Suzanne Foley, Paul Berardi, Dawn McNair, Julie Ward, Adreanne Orlandi, Sara Fischer, Carolyn Reinstein, Julie Particelli, Laurie Triba, Audrey Swennes, Bethany Weart, Jonane Longo, Janet Hamonds, Brad Jones, Susan Laufer, Kelly Harrington, Karen Blumberg and David Leong, Susan Kennedy, Kim Darcy, Carla Gregorich, Colleen Labib, Marci Murray, Nikki Misra, Fran Tinkov, Dan Cinicola, Elizabeth Shealy, Liz Blicher. And to the many people who generously donated deserts.
   
• The Spooky House: Thank you to Ted Klein for chairing the event and to Ronnie Schejtman , Patty Kenney, Lisa Armour, Rene’ Greene, Jane Murphy, Cara Maxwell, Laura Semple, Denell Nickerson, Robin Generoso, Nancy McCarthy and Lisa Freeman for helping create the event, the 5th graders who worked all night and of course the tour guide for the event, Jeff Dees. And thank you to the 5th grade parents that donated decorations for the night.

The tips from the Spaghetti Supper and the donations for the Spooky House raised over $1,400. This is a great start to fundraising for the 5th grade gift to the school. If you have ideas for the gift please contact Rene’ Greene, Jane MacKeen or Susan Smith (the 5th grade events coordinators)

• Innisbrook: Thanks to Robin Cavanaugh and Kathy Kinzfogl for chairing the drive and to the grade level coordinators: Beth Maier, Katey DeTraglia, Trisha McCabe, Jennifer Jarzynka, Michelle Titus, Leslie Hamilton and Mary Krumsiek, for organizing all of the orders.

Upcoming Events for November include:

1. School Committee Meeting at Loring: November 12 7PM
2. The November PTO meeting is being rescheduled a new date will be announced shortly
3. Learning Express: November, exact date will be announced in next week’s Thursday Notice Shop at Learning Express on this day and 20% of your sale will be donated to the Loring PTO.

Thank you for all of your involvement and support, it is truly appreciated.

Susan Smith
443-6874
skmksmith@comcast.net

Robin Cavanaugh
443-4605
rmcavanaugh@verizon.net

Social Action Committee (SAC)

       On November 15th, 5th graders, teachers, and parents will participate in the “Fall Senior Lawn Clean-up Program.” Students will be divided into teams and under the guidance of parent and teacher chaperones, they will be raking leaves at the homes of Sudbury seniors who are no longer able to rake the leaves themselves. The Loring Community’s response to this clean-up program has been terrific, and we want to thank all the parents and teachers who have volunteered their time and energy for this wonderful community service project! If you have any questions, please contact Christina Granahan (978-579-9499), the parent organizer for this event.
        The Kindergarten classes will be planning their annual Buddy Dog Drive this month. We are very pleased that Bethany Weart has offered to be the teacher liaison this year, and Michelle Titus has volunteered to be the parent coordinator. The Kindergarten classes will be baking dog biscuits and collecting animal food and supplies for the Buddy Dog Humane Society. If you are interested in helping with this project, please contact Michelle Titus at (978) 443-4183.
         If you have any questions about any of the projects, please feel free to contact me at (978) 579-6964, or by email at jeffreyandkarenina@comcast.net.

Thanks for your support!

Karen Darmer

LORING LINK DEADLINES

The Link is published the first school day of each month. Articles should be submitted by email, preferably as a Word .doc file attachment to Ilene Ben David (bendavid4@verizon.net) or Marta Hersek (mhersek@verizon.net). Please note the issue editor and include “Loring Link” in the subject. If you cannot send your article via e-mail, please call us directly so that we can arrange to include it. Looking forward to next year:
 

Month	Deadline	Editor
November	10/29	Ilene
December	11/25	Marta
January	12/23	Ilene
February	1/28	Marta
March	2/25	Ilene
April	3/27	Marta
May	4/28	Ilene
June	5/27	Marta

Loring Families Needed to Bake Holiday Cookies

The PTO Hospitality Committee is looking for 75 bakers to make 3 dozen holiday cookies for our annual Holiday Cookie Sampler. Last year was a tremendous success. It was the first year that we were confident we had enough cookies for the entire staff.

On Monday, December 15th, your delicious contributions will be offered to the ninety-five staff members, including bus drivers, cafeteria staff, custodians and crossing guards. They will be given the opportunity to choose two dozen of their favorites to take home and enjoy.

Last year there were over 20 dozen chocolate chip cookies baked. We would appreciate if families baked holiday cookies or bars so we can provide as much of an assortment as possible. There are staff who have peanut allergies, so please label your cookies if they include nuts.

If you find yourself with little time to bake in December, you can always bake ahead and freeze the cookies, or the dough. There are plenty of cookie freezing ideas on Google.

To make this as easy as possible there will be volunteers to collect cookies at car drop off from 7:45 until 8:30. Baking racks will be in the lobby from 8:30am through 10:00am. If you are unable to drop off cookies on Monday, you can make special arrangements with Diane Weisman or Maria Dawson to drop off the cookies the weekend before at their homes.

Please email Maria at dawson6@comcast.net, or phone at 978-443-0780 with your commitment to bake so we can keep an accurate count of our volunteers.

Thank you for your time and generosity.

The Hospitality Committee

 

Sudbury Park and Recreation Ski & Snowboard Program 2009

The Sudbury Park and Recreation department is offering a ski and snowboard program for elementary school students (grades 1-5) again this winter at Nashoba Valley in Westford. This year we are offering the program on either Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon. The program begins on Tuesday, January 6th or Wednesday, January 7th (depending on the day you are registered for) and runs for six weeks ending on Tuesday, February 10th or Wednesday, February 11th.

Students may choose to sign-up for ski lessons, snowboard lessons, or lift tickets. Lessons will start at 5:15pm sharp. You have the option to free ski or snowboard either before the lesson (starting at 3:00pm) or after the lesson (until 10pm.) Participants not taking lessons may ski between 3-10:00pm.

Students must be in Grades 1-5 to participate. Snowboard lessons are for students in Grades 3-5. Transportation will not be provided for this program. It is up to the participant to make their own arrangements for transportation.

Ski and snowboard rentals are available. Skis, boots, and poles are available as a complete package only. The fitting date will be on Wednesday, December 3rd from 7:00pm-8:00pm at the Fairbank Community Center in Room 1. Helmets are available for purchase as well. If you cannot make the fitting date, please make arrangements with Nashoba before lessons start.

If the program is cancelled on a particular day due to inclement weather, a make-up session will be added on at the end of the program.

Registration takes place on-line at www.recreation.sudbury.ma.us or register in person at the Fairbank Community Center. Space is not limited, but we would still encourage you to sign-up early. The deadline for all registrations is Wednesday, December 3rd. If you would like more information you can download and print a copy of the pamphlet at www.recreation.ma.us or pick up a pamphlet at the Fairbank Community Center. If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at (978) 443-1092 ext. 3227.

Jessica Bendel
Youth Coordinator
Sudbury Park and Recreation