Calendar of Events

January 31, 2020

Dear LES Families and Friends,

It is with great excitement that I share that author and illustrator, Jerry Craft, was just awarded the 2020 Newbury Medal and the Coretta Scott King Book Award!  We had the pleasure of having Jerry Craft as a visiting author at Leverett Elementary this past December.  His gift of noticing, describing, and illustrating what children often experience when trying to fit in and feel a sense of belonging was in full display.  Among other things, he shared his story of perseverance and experience of racism as a child and as a writer and illustrator. A big thank you to Donna Rivers, our librarian for organizing the event and for supplemental funding provided by the PTO.

A second area of excitement is that LES students are currently participating in an artist-in-residence program with storyteller/musician, John Porcino.  For the past 37 years, John has been performing and providing workshops around the country to audiences of all ages. “Thousands of performances and workshops later, he is still sharing, still in love with the laughter and insight a good story can bring.”   Thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s STARS residency grants, all are invited to attend the whole-school culminating event on February 13th from 1:15pm to 2:45pm.  During this combined assembly-classroom event, we will be celebrating the storytelling of LES students. 

As this is the midpoint in the school year, Day 93 to be precise, report cards are being mailed home on Monday.  When discussing report cards with children, I find it helpful to ask what are you most proud of, what is something you want to get better at, and is there anything about your learning or school experience that you would like me to know more about?  These kinds of questions offer a lens into a child’s sensemaking of school. Their responses can generate rich conversations about school and how to support their success. As always, feel free to reach out to teachers and staff with any questions you might have.   

On behalf of the entire staff a huge thank you to the PTO and LES families who donated more than $1600 of school items to LES during the holiday season.  

I am grateful for being able to work in such a generous and supportive community that places children and arts programming at the heart of what we do. 

Have a wonderful weekend! 
Rhonda

The school nurse is seeking donations of the following items:

PANTS: Kids medium (8-10), kids large (12-14), adult small

Only sweatpants, leggings, or athletic pants please - NO JEANS

T-SHIRTS: Kids 3, 4, XS (5-6), S (6-7), M (8-10)

OUTDOOR JACKETS: Kids medium (8-10), kids large (12-14), adult small

SNEAKERS: Big kid sizes 3-7

Come join the Johnny Jump Ups! 

We are a Morris dancing team for children in grades 3 and up that dances ancient spring ritual dances from England. The team has performed at LES on May 1st for the past three years, and dances at May Day celebrations in Cushman and Montague, among other venues.  No experience necessary. We practice on Sunday mornings Feb 2 - April 26 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the LES gym. Contact Seth for more details seth@tofutavern.com