Dedham Savings Bank Holiday Card Contest
For more than 25 years the Walpole Elementary Schools has partnered with Dedham Savings Bank and participated in their Holiday Card Contest. If students would like to participate in the contest, we are asking that this take place at home and possibly at indoor recess (if applicable). Students will need to drop their completed cards off at the front office.
Here are the details:
- All cards should be on 8.5 by 11 white paper
- On the back of the card, please put the student's name, school, and grade.
- The cards need to be returned to school by Friday, December 8th
Below are the generous prizes for each grade(district-wide) donated by the Dedham Savings Bank:
- 1st Prize $100
- 2nd Prize $50
- 3rd Prize $25
Counselor's Corner - November Edition
What are the Students Learning in Media/STEM?
Book Fair Update: Success!
We are thrilled to share the wonderful results of our recent book fair. We were able to raise $4,500! The Boyden PAC has donated the money in its entirety to Boyden School. It will be used to purchase books and resources for classrooms and the media center. Thank you so much for your generosity.
The success of the book fair goes beyond numbers. It was heartwarming to see both families and students excited about books and reading. Thank you to all the families who contributed their time as volunteers or as shoppers. A special thank you to Mrs. Caressimo for organizing the event and Mrs. Conroy and Mrs. Hasler for all their support.
Media/STEM Update: Coding Time
Boyden media has a new addition to it’s elementary curriculum: the Sphero Indi Robot. Grades K-4 have begun exploring this robot during media time. Indi robots use color tiles which are pre-programmed to direct the robot how to move. Students create mazes, solve puzzles and create pathways to drive. Indi robots provide students with the fundamentals of computational thinking and computer science. Students are currently working on coding and designing a parade project.
Grade 5 students have recently begun using Scratch. It is a programming language that allows students to create games, stories, animations and more. Last year, students used Scratch Jr. and were able to build knowledge in block coding. For the next several weeks, 5th graders will work on several Scratch projects.
As always, book checkout continues! Every other 4 day cycle our students have the opportunity to browse the collection and chose a book(s) that interest and excite them. Thank you for your support in helping your child read and return library books.
Walpole High School Fall Musical
What is Fact Fluency?
You may have heard at your parent-teacher conference that your child’s fact fluency is a strength or maybe it is an area for growth. But what exactly is fact fluency? In days past, fact fluency was taking home a set of flashcards and practicing them until they were memorized. There was not a lot of conceptual understanding behind those facts, it was just practice until you knew them. Unfortunately, that did not work for all students, especially those who might process information in a different way or struggle with working memory.
Building fact fluency today is based on conceptual understanding and concept development so students can apply strategies to solve facts, therefore giving them a stronger foundation for future learning. There is a specific sequence to learning the facts (and it’s not just 1-10) as certain facts build on other facts learned in all operations. Have you heard of the doubles +/-1 for addition and subtraction or the double, double, double strategy for multiplying by 2s, 4s, and 8s? These are just two of the many strategies students learn to help them become more fluent with their facts and therefore more efficient mathematicians. Listed below are the fact fluency expectations for each grade level. The links take you to a document that describes the specific strategies for that operation in the order they are taught. When supporting your student at home, using this common language will help them in their journey toward mastering fact fluency.
Our Family Math Site has a special section for families devoted to Fact Fluency as well as a page for students with resources for fun practice.
End of School Year Fact Fluency Expectations:
- Kindergarten: Fluently add & subtract within 5
- Grade 1: Fluently add & subtract within 10
- Grade 2: Fluently add & subtract within 20
- Grade 3: Fluently multiply all products up to 10x10 and related division facts
- Grade 4: Fluently multiply all products up to 12x12 and related division facts
- Grade 5: Keep practicing all facts for fluency!
PAC News
BOYDEN PAC is excited for our annual Holiday Breakfast and Shop on December 2nd.
For new families, food is provided in the cafeteria, children are able to shop by themselves (we have older kids to help younger students) for family members at the "Holiday Shop" in the gymnasium, and who can forget the famous raffle baskets!
To have this be a successful event we need donations and volunteers, please see the links below!
Minted Fundraiser
If you order holiday cards or other gifts from Minted.com this year, use code FUNDRAISEBOYDEN at checkout. You'll receive 20% off and 15% of all sales will be donated to the PAC. Anyone can use the code and there is no expiration.
Walpole Wheel of Fortune
If you aren't a member of the Walpole Wheel of Fortune Facebook page, join us! The Wheel is a fundraising page managed by the Boyden PAC where items are raffled to raise funds for the school. Raffles will be held weekly on Wednesday or Thursday nights.
Boyden Friendship Directory
Want to add your child's name to the Boyden Friendship Directory? Fill out this quick form and you will be all set! CLICK HERE
Important Dates
November 22nd - Early Release (12:25 Dismissal)
November 23rd/24th - No School (Thanksgiving)
December 8th - Early Release (12:25 Dismissal)
December 13th - School Council Meeting (3:30 - 4:30 PM)
PAC Meeting (7:00 PM)
December 18th - Student Council Spirit Day - Walpole Day!
December 25th to January 1st - School Closed for Vacation
Click Here for the Walpole Public Schools School Year Calendar
