Art To Remember Deliveries

Art to Remember products have arrived! Over the next few days, please check your child's backpack for the items that you ordered. 

If your order is too large or too breakable to be placed in a backpack, please contact Katie Erickson at kerickson.play@gmail.com or 203.570.4503 to arrange a pick up.

Thank you for supporting our school!

Spirit Week Winners Announced

We hope everyone enjoyed Spirit Week before break! The class participation was terrific and we're excited to announce that Mrs. Rinn's class won with 150 points! They will get a "Parachute and Popsicles" party with Mrs. Vaughn. Great job!

2015-2016 School Year Calendar

Below is the approved calendar for the 2015-2016 school year. If you cannot download it, you can also view it HERE.

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, May 7th is Math & Art Night

Please join us at 6:00 pm on Thursday, May 7th at Frenchtown for Math & Art Night!

Every student will have a piece of artwork on display in the school gym. You won't believe the masterpieces the kids have created! And when you're done browsing, there will be fun interactive art projects, math-themed activities, and face painting and tattoo stations for the entire family to enjoy.

And that's not all. The PTG will be hosting their first annual class basket auction during the evening. Each Frenchtown classroom has assembled a basket to be auctioned off. Themes include Legos, BBQ, Arts & Crafts, Movie Night and more, and even the school's staff is getting in on the fun. You'll also be able to bid on custom portrait drawings and personal art tutorials from Mrs. Melmed, lunch for a student with Mrs. Vaughn, the chance for your child's class to get an extra 10 minutes of recess or to decorate the front walkway in chalk and much much more! The money raised go toward the events, assemblies and field trips sponsored by the PTG, and the class whose basket goes for the highest amount will win a Popsicle and Sock Hop party with Mrs. Vaughn.

More details on Math & Art Night and the class basket auction will be going home in backpacks this week (including information on how to volunteer!), and be sure to check back here and on the PTG Facebook page for photos of the amazing items that will be up for auction.

Hope to see you next Thursday!

Teacher Appreciation Week Is Coming

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8, and the PTG would like to thank the educators who support our children all year long.  Please consider donating to this week long celebration.  There are approximately 50 staff members. Here's the schedule for the week:

Monday: Savory snacks in the teachers' lounge
Tuesday: Cinco de Mayo luncheon
Wednesday: Mrs. Vaughn provides breakfast to the teachers
Thursday: Sweet treats in the lounge
Friday: Teacher gifts distributed

Please use this link to sign up to bring food, supplies (we need to flowers, cups, tablecloths, etc. as well as to borrow blenders for Wednesday) or to volunteer your time: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4dacab23abf94-educator

Donations can be brought to the school (there will be a box in the teacher's lounge) or to Donnah Plante's house at 65 Lenihan Lane.

If you have any questions, please contact Donnah Plante (401) 523-1952 or donnahmathews@live.com

Thank you for your help!  

Reading Fair Thank You & Winners

From Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Greenberg:

Thank you to all the Frenchtown Students and Families who participated in the 2015 reading Fair. Our second year was a great success! Thank you for all of the wonderful feedback we received about the event. We are so happy that this is such a meaningful literary experience for so many of our families and we are very proud of all of the participants. Please join us in congratulating this year's award recipients. They were so supportive of each other at today's celebration.

2015 FRENCHTOWN READING FAIR WINNERS

Kindergarten:

1st Place: Alaina Medina

2nd Place: Peighton Fleming

3rd Place: Gabrielle Medina

Fan Favorite: Cameron Gates

Grade 1:

1st Place: Kendyll Morandi

2nd Place: Ben Shapiro

3rd Place: Harry Verret

Fan Favorite: Rachel Quigg

Grade 2:

1st Place: Nick Ferguson

2nd Place: Elena Garcia

3rd Place: Daven Gopalkrishnan

Fan Favorite: Ani Gomez and Olivia Prior

Scavenger Hunt Winners:  Danielle Dronzek, Kelsey Tella-Torilli, Madison Hennessy, Radhika Vedantham

Spirit Week Day 5: Frenchtown Friday

Tomorrow is FRENCHTOWN FRIDAY! Here are some ways to discuss the theme with your kids:

Isn't it great to be a Frenchtown Bear? We show our spirit in a lot of ways. When we listen quietly, raise our hands, remember our manners and do our very best, we all work as a team to make Frenchtown the best school it can be. Frenchtown Bears have a lot to be proud of! 

On Friday, wear blue, white or Frenchtown apparel to show your school spirit.

Jump Rope for Heart

From Chris Carr, Frenchtown's Physical Education Teacher:

Frenchtown School will run a Jump Rope for Heart event between April 27-May 1, 2015 during Physical Education classes.

Jump Rope for Heart is a community service project that benefits the American Heart Association, Rhode Island Affiliate. Money raised by children, who participate in the event, will fund valuable research projects, as well as community service programs, including blood pressure screenings, CPR training and school site educational programs.

During the event, your child will be jumping rope as part of a team with approximately six other children during P.E. class. They will take turns jumping and work together to complete the entire event with other teams of children. I will monitor the jumping and insure safety.

Prior to the event, your child will bring home a Sponsor Form Envelope to use when collecting donations from family and friends who agree to sponsor his/her participation in Jump Rope for Heart. Children are encouraged to collect as many donations as possible, BUT THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED. If interested, we ask that children do not go door-to-door or ask strangers for donations. Donated money should be brought to P.E. class by Wednesday, May 6, 2015. Please convert all donated money into a check made out to The American Heart Association. No cash please! Disregard the prizes listed on the envelope… Prizes will be awarded to the individual classes that raise the most money.

We appreciate your consideration in allowing your child to participate.

Donations and Volunteers Needed For Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

May 4th-8th is Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week and the PTG Hospitality Committee needs your help to celebrate the Frenchtown men and women who work so hard for our kids.

Please consider volunteering your time or donating something to make their week extra special. Here's what we're looking for:

Monday, May 4th: Easy snacks (think bagged pretzels, cut up veggies and fruit, cheese and crackers, etc.)

Tuesday, May 5th: Water and blender drinks (we'll need water, mixes for the drinks, volunteers to make them as well as blenders we can borrow for the day)

Thursday, May 7th: Desserts (cookies, cupcakes, brownies, fruit, etc.)

A SignUp Genius link will be sent out as the week gets closer but mark your calendars now! In the meantime if you have any questions, please contact Donnah Plante (donnahmatthews@live.com). 

Spirit Week Day 4: National Pride

Tomorrow is NATIONAL PRIDE DAY! Here are some ways to discuss the theme with your kids:

There are many reasons to be proud to be an American. We show national spirit when we salute the flag with respect each morning, show gratitude to the men and women who serve in the military and by wearing our national colors: red, white and blue. On Thursday, warred, white and blue.

Spirit Week Day 3: Everyone's a Character

Tomorrow is EVERYONE'S A CHARACTER DAY! Here are some ways to discuss the theme with your kids:

Did you know Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States of America? We may be little, but we have a lot of state spirit. Rhode Islanders are proud of the things that make us a little different, like Del's lemonade and Duckpin bowling. We're proud to be a bunch of characters!

This week is also Reading Week so in celebration of our favorite books, Wednesday will be a day to dress up like our favorite book characters! Have fun and don't be afraid to be a little wacky.

Moms and dads: Costumes only - no props, especially swords or other toy weapons!

Class Basket PTG Fundraiser

This year, the PTG is holding an exciting new fundraiser - every class will be putting together a themed basket to be auctioned off at Art/Math Night on Thursday, May 7th. 

Themes include Legos, BBQ, Arts & Crafts, Sports, Movie Night and more and starting Monday, May 4th, we'll be featuring all of the class baskets here on the blog so the Frenchtown community can see all of the fabulous goodies that will be up for grabs. 

And that's not all - the school's staff is also getting in on the fun. You'll also be able to bid on custom portrait drawings and personal art tutorials from Mrs. Melmed, lunch for a student with Mrs. Vaughn, the chance for your child's class to get an extra 10 minutes of recess or to decorate the front walkway in chalk and much much more!

We hope everyone will consider contributing - not only will the money raised go toward the events, assemblies and field trips sponsored by the PTG but the class whose basket goes for the highest amount will win a Popsicle and Sock Hop party with Mrs. Vaughn. 

Basket donations are due by April 29th and all classrooms have collection boxes for them. If you have any questions about the fundraiser, please contact your class parent, Sarah Meleski  (sarahmeleski@gmail.com) or Danielle Medina (daniellemedina@gmail.com).  

Spirit Week Day 2: Team Day

Great job to everyone who dressed up for COLOR DAY today! The class counters hanging in the front office are already starting to fill up.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, is TEAM DAY so students should wear a shirt for any team like the Patriots, Yankees or Celtics!  Maybe a college? Maybe East Greenwich? Or maybe wear their own team shirt from a team they’ve been on!

Here are some ways to talk about team spirit with your child:

• Who is your favorite team?  
• Have you ever gone to watch your older brother or sister play for one of the High School teams, routing for the East Greenwich Avengers?  
• It’s fun to cheer for your favorite team, but we need to remember different people like different teams.  
• We show our spirit by encouraging our favorite team, and being a good sport when another team wins. 

Academic Newsletter For the Week of 4/13

From Mrs. Vaughn:

January 19:  Liam W

April 14: Maxwell H.
April 16: Isabella B., Keyonna D. & Kaylee V.
April 17: Constantin G.
April 19: Mrs. Sullivan
April 20: Peighton F. & Sophia W.
April 21: Markus R.
April 22:Brady N.
April 24: Miranda T.
April 26: Catherine S.


FRENCHTOWN NOTES

• Biomes was a huge hit! Special thanks to our talented actors and parent volunteers: Susan Morandi, Donnah Plante, Jen Right, Denise Lopez, Betsy Aulisio, Brian Leahy, Sean Foley, Sara Foley, Stephanie Elevate, Katie Erickson, Stephanie Ferguson, Judy Hart, Lora Marci, Maura McCarthy, Danielle Medina, Kerry Rowe, Carla Molina, Elyssa Engelman, Edda Garcia, Mandy Lehne, Beth Gibson, Sarah Meleski, Ruth Okere, Jennifer Parisi, Sarah Quigg, Cindy Speranza, Renee Syed, Meenu Vedantham and Bethany Verret. Also, thanks to COA for their support. And big thanks to Miss Valerie and Mackie Saylor for bringing out the talent in each of our gifted student actors!
• The Reading Fair is Thursday night from 6:00-7:00.
• April vacation is April 20th-24th.

IN THE CLASSROOMS
Kindergarten
Math:

• Writing and representing numbers to 20
• Parent Newsletter

E/LA:

• Goal: RF.K.3 - Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

Theme:

• Elson: Jj, jobs, jack and the beanstalk
• Rakovic: Uu, Up, /u/

Other:

• It's Spirit Week! Make sure to check to see what the theme is each day.
• Make sure you are using Reading A-Z with your student. If you've lost your login information, please let us know.

Grade 1
Math:

• We continue to work on multiple ways to solve and explain ways to solve addition and subtraction facts to 20. Methods include doubles, doubles +1, related facts or fact families, decomposing to 10 and using subtraction to solve addition facts.
• We continue to drill addition and subtraction facts for fluency. Please continue to reinforce and practice this at home. Subtraction is a particular challenge.

E/LA:

• The children have been focusing on comparing and contrasting factual texts.
• They are doing informational writing, referencing the texts for similarities and differences.
• Children are also being introduced to homophones and "r" controlled vowels.

Science:

• We are beginning our Pebbles, Sand and Silt kit with some lessons on volcanic rocks (tuff, scoria and basalt).

Other:

• Don't forget about Spirit Week!
• Congratulations to our young actors in the Biomes play. Bravo!

Grade 2

Math:

• Now that second graders have finished up the data and measurement unit, it's time to learn about arrays. This will allow for an easy transition to multiplication next year.
• We will also be learning to tell time to the nearest five minutes. This is something that should be easy and fun to practice at home as well.

E/LA:

• Students will be writing a biography on George Washington, and practicing writing poetry as well.

Other:

• Don't forget to check your child's backpack for information on Spirit Week!

Spirit Week Day 1: Color Day

Spirit Week is about more than just dressing up - it's about teaching our students about working as a team and having pride in their team. Here are some talking points to discuss with your child about Spirit Week:

• You are an important part of your classroom, and each of you contributes your gifts to make your class fun and unique.  
• Your class is a team in learning! 
• This week, we will focus on teamwork and team spirit.  
• Your classmates are your teammates; your class will earn points for everyone who shows their spirit each day – even your teachers! 
• You have team spirit, you encourage your teammates in a positive way and help each other out.
• Teams have good spirit when they work together and use kind words.

Spirit Week Volunteers Needed

Spirit Week is almost here and the PTG needs two volunteers each day from 11:00-11:30 to add macaroni to each class counter. It's super easy so please consider giving a half hour of your time during the week of April 13th-17th! You can sign up HERE.

Academic Newsletter For the Week of 4/6

From Mrs. Vaughn:

January 19:  Liam W

Happy Birthday to our Frenchtown Friends:
April 7: Mrs. Anderson
April 8: Madeleine A.
April 9: Ellie P. & Adeline P.
April 10: Sophia S. & Mr. Feuti
April 11: Natalie F. & Rishi G.
April 12: David A, Lauren E. & Daven G.


FRENCHTOWN NOTES

• Don't miss BIOMES at the Odeum on April 10th & 11th!

IN THE CLASSROOMS
Kindergarten
Math:

• Identify, describe, analyze, create and compare 2-D and 3-D shapes.
• Parent Newsletter

E/LA:

• Goal: RI.K.4 - With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.

Theme:

• Elson: Review
• Rakovic: Zz, zebra, /z/

Other:

• Make sure you are using Reading A-Z with your student. If you have lost your log-in information, please let us know.

Grade 1
Math:

• We are working on learning a variety of strategies ti solve addition and subtraction problems to 20.
• We are working on doubles facts, doubles +1, doubles +2 and decomposing numbers to 10.
• Further informatio on these topics was sent home last week.

E/LA:

• Children are learning to compare and contrast two texts.
• Children are learning to find information in texts and reference that information in their writing. This lays the foundation for reports they will be writing in future years.

Science:

• We will be beginning our new science kit on Pebbles, Sand and Silt shortly. The first unit focuses on rocks and other earth materials. They will learn to compare and sort rocks. They will learn the qualities of various types of rocks.

Other:

• Families are encouraged to join in the Reading Fair project. The children are excited about the idea and have been learning about it in class and in library.

Grade 2

Math:

• Second graders are enjoying plotting information into various graph forms.
• Please keep practicing adding coins and measuring with a ruler to the nearest 1/2 inch as well.

E/LA:

• Children will be reading and comparing different texts on the same topic. We are trying to introduce them tot he idea of researching multiple sources when they are working on informational writing.
• Since April is "Poetry Month" we will be reading and writing carious forms of poetry.

Science:

• We will be starting our unit on Insects. Stay tuned for further information!

Biomes is This Weekend

Frenchtown's school play is this Friday, April 10th at 6:00 pm and this Saturday, April 11th at 2:00 pm. Tickets are expected to sell out so get yours now, either online at www.theodeum.org ($5 + $1.10 processing fee) or by calling Main Street Music (401) 884-1430.

For those participating in the show, it's Tech Week! Here's the schedule:

Wednesday, April 8th @ Odeum

3:00 pm - All performers arrive (Grades k, 1 & 2)

4:00 pm - Kindergarteners dismissed

4:45 pm - Grades 1 & 2 dismissed

Friday, April 10th @ Odeum

3:00 pm - Grades 1 & 2 performers arrive for a brush up rehearsal/run-through

4:15 pm - Snack break

4:30 pm - Kindergarten performers arrive in costume and rehearse (snack time for grades 1 & 2 continue)

4:45 pm - Grades 1 & 2 get into costume

5:00 pm - Work through anything that needs fixing

5:30 pm - House opens

6:00 pm - Showtime!

Saturday, April 11th @ Odeum

All actors should be at the theater dressed in costume/make up ready at 1:00 pm.

Please note that parents are responsible for transporting their children to The Odeum from Frenchtown on Wed. & Fri. If you will be picking your child up from Frenchtown, you must send a car bear note for the office. It’s important that we utilize every moment of this rehearsal time, please help us by making sure your child has gone to the bathroom, had a snack and is ready to go at 3:00 pm at The Odeum.

BIOMES will be filmed and photographed. DVDs of the performance and photo CDs will be available for purchase. If you didn't receive an order form, you can buy them at the Odeum on show days.

Spirit Week is Coming!

Frenchtown PTG Presents... SPIRIT WEEK, April 13 - April 17!

What is Spirit Week?  It’s a fun filled week of simple activities aimed at getting the students thinking about things like teamwork, being a good sport, and what inspires pride.  Each day of Spirit Week will have a theme; students will earn points for their class “team” by participating.  Class points will be tracked in a display in the main office windows.

Be sure to check the Frenchtown PTG Facebook Page (if you haven't already joined, please do!) and  here on the blog for daily reminders of the next day’s theme, pictures, and some talking points on our daily themes.

Here's the schedule for the week:

MONDAY, APRIL 13: COLOR DAY
Rakovic (AM & PM) - Pink         Elson (AM & PM) -  Purple
Kowal - Yellow                             Kendall - White
Greenberg - Green                        Bushoven - Dark Blue
Serby - Orange                              Richards - Black
McGoff - Red                                Rinn - Light Blue

TUESDAY, APRIL 14: TEAM DAY
Wear any team shirt:  Professional team, college team, East Greenwich, or a team the student has been on (EGSA, EG basketball, etc)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15: CHARACTER DAY
Dress up as your favorite book character.  This can be very simple.  No props, especially any toy weapons please.

THURSDAY, APRIL 16: NATIONAL PRIDE DAY
Wear red, white and blue

FRIDAY, APRIL 17: FRENCHTOWN FRIDAY
Wear blue and white or Frenchtown apparel

To ensure as many students can participate as possible, please consider signing up to donate extra outfits pieces for students who may not have anything for Team Day or Book Character Day by signing up HERE. Donations can be dropped off at the school's main office until Friday, 4/10, and if you'd like your item returned to you, please label it and indicate you'd like it returned in the comment section of the sign up form.

SAVE THE DATE: Kindergarten & Grade 1 Transition Night is May 14th

Frenchtown April Newsletter

Here is Frenchtown's April Newsletter!

Get Your Biomes Tickets

One dark night an unlikely group of animals escape from the zoo!!!

They’re on a quest to find the right home…

They’ll search day and night

Will their adventure ever lead them to the right biome??

Find out when our amazing Frenchtown actors take to the stage on April 10^th & 11^th!

WHEN:      Friday April 10^th at 6pm

                  Saturday April 11^th at 2pm

WHERE:    The Greenwich Odeum, 59 Main Street, East Greenwich

TICKETS:  $5 + $1.10 processing fee can be purchased online at www.theodeum.org

                  or by calling Main street Music (401)884-1430