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Schools

In the Schools: Canton's January 23 Edition

Authors-in-Residence at JFK and student ambassadors at CHS.

JFK Continues Author-in-Residence Program
The Author-in-Residence program, sponsored by CAPT, is continuing its successful run at the . Barbara O'Connor, the first such author, presents an annual biography workshop for all fifth grade students. This program lasts for five days, spread over a two-week span. First through fourth graders meet with different author or author-illustrators, who tailor their presentation to the grade with which they are working.  

According to JFK librarian Nancy Mark, the experience of meeting real people who create books gives more meaning to the students' own writing.

“For some it's realizing they can come up with ideas from their own lives,” said Mark. “For others, it's finding out that real authors rewrite over and over, and for still others, it's recognizing that real authors were once kids, who wrote like kids. All the students come away with new appreciation of the power of writing.” 

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Author Suzanne Bloom has been with the first grade classes for three years (see photo.) She reads her works to the children, pulls them into her pictures and creates new illustrations with their ideas. Says Mark, “Her experiences with her own children and their friends work their way into her animal characters, whose behavior bears an uncanny resemblance to small children and their take on the world.” 

St. John’s to Celebrate Catholic Schools Week
Catholic Schools Week, a national event highlighting Catholic education, is January 29- February 4. With the theme of “Faith, Academics, Service,” is celebrating an opening mass at 9:30 on Sunday, January 29, at . A community breakfast will follow. Contact the school at 781-828-2130 for more information about open house and other events during the week. 

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Canton Public Schools FY ’13 Budget
Superintendent Jeffrey Granatino recently made a presentation to the School Committee on the Canton Public Schools budget for fiscal year 2013. The presentation, which explains goals, standards, and the impact of level-funded vs. level-service budgets, can be found here

Mass. Children Healthy Smiles
The Canton Public Schools are offering dental services to students through the Mass. Children Healthy Smiles program. A team of dental hygienists will come to the schools and perform cleaning, fluoride sealants and other preventative services. More information and permission forms can be found here.  

CPACSS Workshop Tomorrow
The Canton Parent Advisory Council for Student Services is sponsoring a free parenting workshop tomorrow. With presenter Charlie Applestein, of Applestein Training Resources, LLC, the workshop, titled “Helping your kids be all that they can be,” will focus on key principles and techniques for strength-based parenting. Topics covered will include: What is strength-based parenting, verbal interventions that engage and inspire, strategies for enhancing self-esteem, self-management techniques for children, how to use consequences instead of punishment, and strategies for parents to manage their own emotions and responses. The workshop takes place on Tuesday, January 24, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., in the Distance Learning Lab. Find more information at www.parentrapsody.com. 

CHS Launches Ambassador Program
Canton High School Principal Doug Dias announced the creation of a Student Ambassador program at the high school. The program is designed to welcome visitors, oversee the sign-in process and give directions.

“Initially, the objective of this program may have been a method to better support visitors and parents,” wrote Dias in his blog, “but we have come to realize that the real value is to allow students to increase and develop pride in their school by giving them the opportunity to demonstrate real responsibility.” 

Students are currently being trained and scheduled to serve as ambassadors. 

Upcoming CPS Events

  • Tuesday 1/24: Kindergarten Registration, , 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
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  • Wednesday 1/25: Kindergarten Registration, Luce School, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
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  • Thursday 1/26: Kindergarten Registration, Luce School, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. 
  • Friday 1/27 and Saturday 1/28: JFK play at CHS auditorium, 7:00 p.m.  
  • Wednesday 2/1: Early release day for professional development 
  • Thursday 2/2: School committee meeting, 7:00 p.m., CHS distance learning lab
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