Magic Show and Acceptance

Before we get to the winners of the character word of the week we have an exciting announcement.  The grade which collects the most BOX TOPS will win a Magic Show!  That's right.....the grade which collects the most will be entertained on March 5th at 1:30 by a magician.  So start collecting, there is more info coming home in the Tuesday Folder so keep your eye out!

The word of the week for last week was acceptance.  The winners for this week are.......

We're cruising along!

Mid-Winter and another week down!  Things continue to go great here at HBB.  Kids and teachers are all working hard and with each day we come closer and closer to warm weather…..which we are all looking forward to.

Union Beach

This week we received a treat in the mail.  We received a framed picture from the students of Union Beach New Jersey thanking us for all the donations.  If you would like to see a picture you can visit our website or look at the bulletin board when you enter the school.  Thank you all for assisting us in helping them!

Read To Succeed

Please remember to turn in your READ TO SUCCEED reading logs.  A couple months back we sent home reading logs.  All students who complete at least 6 hours of independent reading at home will receive a free ticket to Six Flags New England.  The deadline is fast approaching so please get those reading logs in!  If you need a new reading log there are more available in the main office.

Scott Cannon

We are very excited to have singer songwriter Scott Cannon here this week for grade 3.  Scott will be working with classes to write, record and perform an original song.  This is a great opportunity for kids to learn to work together on a fun, creative and collaborative project!

Take a stand against bullying

In our efforts to ensure that HBB is a Bully Free Zone we do a lot of work to create positive behavioral expectations.  This approach is different than simply establishing rules and consequences because we are not telling our kids what they can’t do, but rather we choose to focus on establishing expectations around the kind of community we want to be. 

These expectations are communicated through our character word of the week and the Burkland’s Best (Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Caring, Be Healthy and Try your hardest).   

We want to make sure that all of our students know we believe in them and when they make poor decisions it is not just about breaking the rules or doing something bad.  It is important to let them know what they should do instead so we focus on following the expectations for our community.  When poor choices are made we focus on accepting responsibility and repairing relationships.  

It is our belief that when students understand what it takes to be part of the HBB community and those expectations are clearly laid out, students rise to the occasion and treat others with respect.

To support these efforts we held an assembly today and our students in grades 3-5 heard a presentation from the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center on Bullying.  During this presentation students learned about ways they can take a positive stand against bullying and help create a positive school community.

As mentioned numerous times we are VERY proud of our student council members for raising $1400 for the Wish Foundation.  Today they were presented a plaque that will be hanging in the main office.

The entire staff of the Middleborough School District participated in an incredibly powerful professional development a week ago with Todd Whitaker.  Todd Whitaker is an internationally recognized speaker and is best known for his books What Great Teachers Do Differently and What Great Principals do Differently.  He had many great messages for us but one challenge he laid out for us that I thought I would pass along to the entire HBB community is to........

Raise the Praise

and

Minimize the Criticize!

While this is pretty simple advice it can be powerful if we all do our part!

And lastly....our Character Word of the Week for last week was Courage.  Our winners are..............

Word of week winners and a few other items

Happy Monday HBB Community!

Before we get to the character word of the week winners I want to take a moment and remind everyone that we will be having another wear your PATS gear to school day on Friday.  Students who are not Patriots fans are also welcome to wear the gear from their favorite team!

Skate for a cure

I have been asked to share with everyone that we have a couple of parents who will be running the Boston Marathon to raise money for Cancer research and on February 16th they are hosting a fundraiser at the Silver City Skate Complex in Taunton.

Admission is $10 and includes skate rental.  This is a great way to get out with your family to have some fun, and help a good cause.  There will be a 50/50 drawing and other prizes.  For more information call Jennifer Stadelmann at (617) 281-1564 or Melissa Bowers at (508) 901-0165.  For directions to the Skate Complex go to http://www.silvercitysportscomplex.com/     We hope to see you there!

Character word of the week

The word of the week was integrity.  The winners are...........................

End of the week

BOX TOPS

It’s that time of the year again!  Starting February 4^th we will begin collecting all BOX TOPS again.  We will be accepting BOX TOPS until Feb 15^th.  For this collection we will have a VERY EXCITING prize for the group that collects the most (more info on that soon)  So please start collecting!

DIBELS

We just want to let everyone know that DIBELS testing will begin this week for all students in grades 1-3.  We are simply checking in to see how students are progressing in their reading ability. 

Drop Off in the AM

We have noticed a larger number of parents dropping their students off in the morning and traffic has been backed up.  We are asking that if you are dropping off, please pull up as far as you can and if you see a staff member on the walkway it is ok to let your child out and have them walk down….hopefully this will help move the line along.  Please do not pass each other when kids are getting out of a car.

Hand Washing

It is flu season and although we talk a great deal with kids about the importance of washing their hands here at school, it always helps when parents reinforce the message.  So please help us prevent the spread of germs by encouraging your child to wash their hands….thank you!

Snowflakes

HBB grade 2 students created snowflakes which were sent to the students at Sandy Hook Elementary School for their first day back.  The school was decorated with snowflakes from around the country as a way to welcome the kids back....thank you to Mrs. Conley for leading this project! 

Patriots Gear Day

Today we had of first of what will hopefully be a weekly celebration.  The Friday before the weekend that the Patriots play in the playoffs has officially been declared a day to wear your Pats gear.  If you are not a Patriots Fan please feel free to wear the gear from your favorite team!  Our first such day was today....which explains to goofy hat I was wearing all day!

That's it for now, have a great weekend!

Humble Students

The character word of the week for last week was Humility.  Congratulations to our winners of the Character Word of the Week award!

Short week and a Wish Come True

It has been a short week and there is not too much to report.  All our kids came back with enthusiasm and excitement and we quickly picked up right where we left off. 

As you probably know, our student council organized a coin drive for the Wish Come True Foundation.  This is an incredible organization which grants wishes to very sick children.  Check them out http://www.awish.org/

Our student council members completely filled a 5 gallon jug with donations.  It was so heavy Mr. Gobeil had to cut the bottle top off and we loaded the change into buckets because we could not carry it!  We brought the change to the bank where it was counted and when added together with the money raised from Hat Day they raised roughly $1400!!!!!! 

We are VERY proud of our student council members.  This was their first fundraising event this year and they did a great job and the money is going to a great cause.

If your child is on student council give them a high five.  If your child made a donation, thank you!

That's it for today, have a great weekend!