From the Principal's Desk
Progress reports were made available for viewing through your Powerschool Parent Portal on Friday, January 31st. If you have questions about your child’s progress after reviewing this report, please contact your child’s teacher directly. If you need help with access or would like a paper copy of your child’s progress report, please email [email protected]. In late March, teachers will be offering another opportunity to formally meet about your child’s performance.
Please know that we are always open to communication that will enhance your child’s educational experience with us and welcome your questions and feedback at any time.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
February Vacation - 2/24 - 2/28
Sincerely, Carol MacArthur
Principal, Grade 4-5
Office Reminders
- Student arrival begins at 8:20 AM.
- School begins at 8:50 AM. If your child arrives after that time, they are tardy and need to check-in at the office before going to the classroom.
- You can report absences, communicate transportation plans/changes or make general inquiries by calling the main office at 829-4815 or emailing [email protected]
We greatly appreciate your attention to these procedures, as they help to ensure that our routines run smoothly and efficiently.
Lost & Found
If you are missing something, encourage your child to take a look at the racks & bins just outside the cafeteria.
Community Corner
February is for Friendship
Friendship is truly one of the joys of life. Making and keeping friends is a skill we learn from our families and from observing others. It comes more naturally to some and it's important to talk with our kids about friendship so they can both BE good friends, and nurture healthy friendships.
Today, take a few minutes to watch this PBS Kids video of kids and parents talking about friendship. There's a lot of wisdom shared, and some nuggets that just may help your child be a better friend. If you'd like further reading for yourself and your child, Usborne books has a title, All About Friends, that has great reviews.
Happy Friendship February,
Katie Campbell, School Social Worker
Ali Waterhouse, School Counselor
Amy Vincent-Cross, School Social Worker
A Look Into Literacy
As we transition into February, we are excited to report that our 4th and 5th-grade students are nearing the conclusion of their informational unit. Throughout this unit, 4th graders have been diligently researching their chosen animals, while 5th graders have focused on various ecosystems.
Students have been utilizing Final Project Organizers (FPOs) to compile the information gathered during their research. A significant emphasis has been placed on understanding main ideas and supporting details, which are essential skills in this unit.
As we approach the end of this learning journey, students will begin assembling their final projects, showcasing the knowledge and insights they have acquired. We encourage parents to engage with their children about what they have learned and to inquire about their upcoming final projects.
This unit has been a dynamic experience filled with reading, writing, research, and the synthesis of information, fostering a deeper understanding of the subjects explored. Thank you for your continued support in your child's education.
Check out these cool events going on at PML! 
Janet Giguere, Literacy Specialist
Math Matters!
In Unit 4, fourth-grade students learn how to multiply multi-digit numbers using extended multiplication facts and partial-products multiplication, where the value of each digit in one factor is multiplied by the value of each digit in the other factor. They partition a rectangle into smaller parts to help them understand how the method works. The example below shows how to use partial-product multiplication to find 456 * 4.
Fifth Graders are deepening their understanding of fractions and developing strategies for adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators. They also connect fraction-of-thinking to multiplication and generalize a fraction multiplication algorithm. Students are encouraged to create and use mathematical models as they work to make sense of and solve problems involving fractions. Using concrete models helps build a conceptual foundation for students to understand and use more efficient strategies later. Experience with different types of models and the connections between them can help students think flexibly about problems in the future.
Shannon Peterson, Math Specialist
Check This Out!
Join the Winter/Spring Session of Newspaper Club
The sign up for the winter/spring session of newspaper club is open now through Friday, February 14th.
Meetings are on Thursdays after school until 4:10 (late bus will be available). The winter/spring session runs from February 27th through mid-May.
There is a capacity limit of 16 members for each session to ensure a quality experience for all. Please only sign up if you are passionate about the writing process and you are available to consistently attend meetings.
When more than 16 students sign up priority for membership goes like this:
- 5th graders who have not participated in newspaper club because this year is their final opportunity to participate
- 4th graders
- Students who already participated this year
The last day to sign up is Friday, February 14th and Mrs. Fiess will be in touch with all families who fill out the sign up form by Tuesday, February 25th.
Contact Melissa Fiess at [email protected] with any questions.
**Link to sign up: Winter/Spring Newspaper Club Sign Up Form
The Late Bus
In addition to regular, daily dismissal, a late bus is also available on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday for students who stay for co-curricular activities or after-school academic support. Buses pick up students from GMS at 4:15pm and transport them home. Please be aware that depending on the number of students riding the late bus on a given day, your child's arrival time at home may vary. If you have specific questions about the late bus, please feel free to call the Transportation Garage at 829-4820.
Co-Curricular Activities
Monday:
5th grade Band (starting in Jan) - Mr. Barry Saunders [email protected]
Tuesday:
Chorus - Mrs. Jennifer Caton [email protected]
French Club - Ms. Taylor Poulin (GHS French Teacher) [email protected]
Thursday:
Newspaper Club - Ms. Melissa Fiess [email protected]
5th grade Ukulele Club - Mr. Barry Saunders [email protected]
5th grade Math Team - Mrs. Laurie Poissonnier [email protected]
During the School Day:
Green Team - Mrs. Monica Moore [email protected]
Civil Rights Team - Mrs. Katie Cassessee [email protected], Mrs. Jane Kilbride-Dupuis [email protected], Ms. Molly Russell [email protected]
Stay Connected
