Titan times issue 1 by Pembroke Public Schools

Issue 1

TITAN TIMES A publication of the Pembroke Public Schools

FALL HIGHLIGHTS 5 SCHOOLS WITH UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

OUR FIRST ISSUE BE CONNECTED THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

DISTRICT GOALS THE MANY WAYS OUR GOALS ARE INCORPORATED INTO EVERYTHING WE DO

Fall 2016

From The Superintendent Welcome to our first issue of Titan Times. We are excited to provide you with a glimpse into our work. We hope to convey that all of our students have a safe place here and are provided with the opportunity to learn, grow and become the best version of themselves. We embrace our differences and encourage individual expression that goes beyond the classroom through our incredible music, arts and athletics programs. We also strive to engage our students with the use of technology to support learning and achievement. As a district we have committed to social emotional/health and wellness for all of our students and we are working together to provide support systems, interventions and professional development in those areas. I am so proud to be a member of the team that works to make Pembroke Public Schools an amazing district. I hope this issue will provide you with a sense of the motivated, smart and kind students, dedicated and innovative staff and incredible parents and community members who are always willing to go the extra mile for our schools.

ERIN OBEY SUPERINTENDENT @PPSsupt

Contents

FEATURES 04 08 10 06 20 BC

Pembroke Ed Foundation Student Led Parent/ Teacher Night Beyond The Classroom In The News A Day in the Life Boks Launch

HIGHLIGHTS 05 12 14 16 17 18

Literacy IT Matters Artists Among Us Athletics Update Professional Development Communications

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GET D E V L INVO

FALL 2016

n w O T d n u o r A

The Pembroke Education Foundation (PEF) is a private, non-profit organization that raises funds for enrichment in academics,

activities and the arts for the entire school system of Pembroke. As a district we are so grateful for their support for our students. This is the 5th year that the foundation organized the Bootacular 5K Run/Walk as a fundraiser. The event is always a popular one in the community and many of our students and staff are active participants. The foundation also supports the schools with a number of grants each year to fund new and innovative programs. For example, this year some PPS students will experience a string night guest musician, a drone workshop, and a mass poetry day as part of the various grants given. Additionally, the foundation will help to fund alternative and flexible seating options in a number of our classrooms throughout the district with the purchase of stability balls, standing and lap desks. Advances in technology will also be made thanks to the work of the foundation with additional funding for devices, charging stations and laptop carts. The Pembroke Education Foundation (PEF) also celebrates the accomplishments of our teachers with an annual Teacher of the Year Award. Each teacher receives an unrestricted grant of $250, which can be used for any educational purpose they choose. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winners were Kyle Spearin of PCMS and Diane Becker of Hobomock Elementary School. Stay tuned for more information about the next large PEF fundraiser, the annual Golf Classic in May 2017.

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Pembroke Education Foundation

District Goal: Achievement

ENGAGING STUDENTS WITH

LITERACY “It is important for educators to engage students and promote a love of learning. That is achieved in different ways for different students. I am thankful to the PEF for providing us with so many mediums to achieve that result.” -Danielle Kay, Principal at Hobomock Elementary School

This year we welcomed a new principal, Danielle Kay, to Hobomock Elementary School. Principal Kay loves putting learning in the hands of her students and believes that technology can make learning fun and interactive for all grade levels. In just a few short months Mrs. Kay has already made headlines. In October, she and Assistant Principal, Elizabeth Drolet, made the cover of the Pembroke Mariner by participating in the Bootacular Road Race while dressed as the popular Dr. Seuss characters, Thing 1 and Thing 2. Throughout the race route, they posed for photos which will be used to bring the Dr. Seuss’ stories to life for Hobomock students during a “Snow Day Challenge.” On the first snow day of the season, students will be sent the photos and asked to create their own story using an educational app called “Bookcreator”. “Bookcreator” allows stories to be tailored to the grade level and the winners of the challenge will have the chance to serve as honorary Principal of the Day. The “Snow Day Challenge” is just one more reason for students to look forward to a snow day this year! NOMADIC | 24 TITAN TIMES 5

THE

NEWS

ARTIST CELEBRATION AT BRYANTVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL On Thursday, October 6th, the Bryantville Elementary School hosted a reception to thank Pembroke students and local artist Jean Guerini for the amazing mural in the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s front lobby. The mural was a class gift from the current grade seven students and they worked with Jean over the summer to design the mural when they were in the sixth grade at Bryantville. About twenty students participated in creating this piece of art which features well known places in Pembroke such as Dairy Twist and the Herring Run Park. The students used common classroom materials such as rulers and pencils to create 3D effects within the mural. PACTV Community News Channel came to the reception to cover the event. The episode can be watched on YouTube.

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ROBOTICS TEAM The PHS robotics team was featured in an article on WickedLocal.com for their participation in the Zero Robotics tournament and the Ten80 competition. The Zero Robotics competition is a purely programming event which involved 2D and 3D simulators. The club scored first in the U.S. and sixth best in the world during the preliminary 2D simulation challenge. The top 16 teams in the U.S. were invited to go to MIT and to have their coding programs tested by NASA as part of the Zero Robotics Competition. PHS completed two rounds before being eliminated in the final

TNEMEVEIHCA

round.

YGOLONHCET

PEMBROKE HIGH SCHOOL

Students are currently building an autonomous robot in preparation for the Ten80 Rover Invitational. They are also using Arduinos in the classroom with a curriculum developed and gifted to Pembroke from the U.S. Army. Elaine Griggs, the robotics team advisor and computer science teacher said that all of the work students are doing has helped them develop Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) skills that will benefit them in the future.

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FEATURE

Parent Teacher Conferences A NEW DIRECTION

This year Pembroke Community Middle School put the reigns of parent teacher conferences in the hands of middle school students and the results exceeded expectations. The new format breaks the traditional model of parent teacher conferences in favor of trying something new. Instead of parents meeting with teachers in a traditional format where the student is not present, students were able to lead the discussion in each content area, in some classes by preparing a presentation and in others by talking

Why PCMS students are taking the reigns TITAN TIMES 8

about their strengths and areas for growth. This format encourages students to accept responsibility for their learning and set learning goals.

"It's such an important topic to have the time in school to learn and talk about all the ways that we are different." - D O N N A M I D D L E

M C G A

I G L E ,

I N C I P A L

A T

P E M B

O K E

C O M M U N I T Y

S C H O O L

21st Century Skills Class Throughout the month of November, the middle school’s 21st Century Skills classes have been conducting a unit called “Respecting Diversity”. The topics include harassment, bullying, stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination. The goal has been on learning to celebrate and respect each other’s differences. The students have been taking part in numerous activities aimed to build awareness of diversity in areas such as learning styles, physicality, gender, race, and religion. Through videos, readings, class discussions and hands-on activities students are exploring others' perspectives and experiencing what life is like for people different from them. Being able to take differing perspectives can help increase empathy.

We hope that this unit will encourage family discussions so parents can again reinforce their family values, feelings and expectations regarding harassment and bullying.

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Taking Education All three Pembroke Elementary schools

Beyond the Classroom

participate in an outdoor educational experience in the sixth grade. The program is one that our sixth grade students look forward to, and it is seen as sort of a rite of passage as they embark on their last year before middle school. Students experience education from a new perspective, beyond the walls of the traditional classroom. These types of programs help facilitate student growth by teaching them to have a sense of place in the world, and providing them with an understanding of how each person touches and affects the others around them. TITAN TIMES 10

A typical day involves a variety of outdoor activities geared toward learning. Students take an active role in their educational experience by participating in hands on activities and project oriented classes. This hands on approach to learning is not only a great motivator but also helps students realize the importance of their classroom subjects and how they relate to the world around them.

"This type of experience helps build a foundation for a successful school year. I absolutely love it." - J E N N I F E

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A S S I S T A N T

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S C H O O L

AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE The students spend their day outside in Nature, learning different areas of science. They learn, and demonstrate responsibility, respect, and independence. They interact with different groups of each other, and some of them make friends they never realized before. Seeing the students in that different environment allows you to see different academic strengths and aspects of their personalities. They shine and share knowledge no one realized they had. Some take you by complete surprise. They thrive.

LASTING CONNECTIONS During the week you connect with students in your grade and the shared experience keeps that connection through the school year. These connections, between classmates and between staff and students, are vital to keeping a successful morale in the building. This type of experience helps in building the foundation for a successful year.

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THE ULTIMATE LIST OF

IT MATTERS TALES OF TECHNOLOGY Technology Vision Statement: Pembroke Public Schools are dedicated to engaging students with technology in order to enhance their education, and to ensure student achievement through excellence in teaching and learning. Engage, Enhance, Ensure, Excellence

DID YOU KNOW? Elementary Visual Art teachers use QLR codes to organize student work for the evening art shows for the community. Every classroom in all three elementary schools is equipped with at least 5 devices. This will be the 3rd year that PHS enters the Technovation Challenge- a National Competition for girls to develop mobile apps. 90% of teachers at PPS intergrate technology into their teaching every single day. Two brand new computer carts were added to the PHS library this year. Grades K-6 are now using the student driven learning program Lexia Core 5 to support literacy. Students in grades 4 and 8 will take the MCAS online this year. TITAN TIMES 12

INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARDS

District Goal: Technology

The interactive whiteboard is replacing the traditional overhead projector in many classrooms across the country. This amazing technology not only enhances the way teachers teach, but it also improves the way students learn by taking a typical lesson and turning it into a more interactive one. Research shows that students learn best when they are fully engaged, "hands on learning" is one of the best ways to do that. This new technology allows students to become part of the lesson. Recently teachers at Hobomock utilized the Interactive Whiteboards for a teaching experience with Plimoth Plantation prior to visiting for a field trip which helped provide students with a level of familiarity prior to going to the site.

“Using technology to make lessons interactive increases student engagement.” MARYBETH BRUST, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

GREEN SCREENS Green screens are another way to create an interactive lesson with students. A green screen is simply a green backdrop that allows you to create interesting digital effects. When students are filmed or photographed in front of a green screen they can become part of the lesson. Recently some of our fifth graders used green screen technology to bring their reports to life. Some students placed themselves in popular late night talk shows, news reports and even doctors’ offices. Watch the amazing videos on the Hobomock Facebook page. TITAN TIMES 13

ARTISTS AMONG US The stage was set for the PHS production of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Little Shop of Horrorsâ&#x20AC;? and what a show it was! Over 80 Pembroke High School students were involved in the production of this classic play about a hapless florist shop worker who raised a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh. The PHS Thespian Troupe #7127 gave three amazing performances over Veterans Day weekend in November and the community raved about the performances. Andrea Canevazzi, the show's director who has been with PHS for two years now, was excited to bring this show to the community because it was a big change from anything Pembroke has done in the past. She knew the show would be amazing due largely to the fact that the music education program headed up by Gwynne Chapman is outstanding and the student singers and performers constantly amaze her with their talents and hard work. Planning is already underway for the next production of "Peter and the Starcatcher" due to premiere February 10th and 11th.

LITTLE

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SHOP

HORRORS

DID YOU KNOW?

STRA

Pembroke Public Schools offer a range of music and art classes K-12. At the 7-12 level: 22 music courses, 7 extracurricular music ensembles, 16 Visual Art Courses, 2 Art clubs, and drama programs that include full scale musicals and plays. At the Elementary level: general music, visual art, chorus, band and orchestra introduce a love for the music and arts programs at an early

NOMADIC

age.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS:

CISUM

37 % of PPS students elect to play an instrument. The PCMS elective track allows students to choose their path based on interest in Visual Arts/ Music/Theater Arts. PPS offers an after-school, private lesson program for a very reasonable cost with 14 outstanding private lesson teachers on all band and orchestra instruments, piano, guitar, voice, and composition. PPS music performing ensembles perform for various local community events. On December 20th our elementary strings' players will perform a Holiday Concert at the State House. TITAN TIMES 15

PEMBROKE ATHLETICS

FALL

HIGHLIGHTS

Pembroke Public Schools welcomed a new Athletic Director, Justin Domingos to the staff. FOOTBALL

The team made the MIAA playoffs this year after not having won a game in 2015. Can't wait to see what next season brings! CROSS

COUNTRY

Girls Cross Country won the girls' Patriot League Championship meet which was hosted at PHS for the first time in league history. The girls' team placed 13th at the state meet. Boys Cross Country runner Justin Gaiser finished 14th place in the state individual meet. GOLF

Golfer Nolan Reardon qualified for the MIAA individual state golf tournament. Golfer Ryan Gibbons was named Patriot League Fisher Division MVP. SOCCER

Senior Gabe Noguer has been named an EMASS All Star, as well as All-State. The team had a great season, losing 2-1 in the MIAA South Quarterfinals to Bishop Feehan. CHEERLEADING

Cheerleading placed 3rd at the Patriot League Championship and were invited to the All-State meet.

TITAN PRIDE TITAN TIMES 16

PATRIOT

DIVISION

LEAGUE

FISHER

CHAMPIONSHIPS

Golf Boys Soccer Boys Cross Country Girls Cross Country

@PHS_Titans

For a video from PD Day check out the PACTV story on www.youtube.com

District Goal: Social Emotional/Health and Wellness

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Pembroke schools has made social emotional health and wellness one of the focus areas for 2016-2017. With an increase in social anxiety and depression amongst students at all grade levels, Pembroke has committed to creating resources for educators to help identify and support students who are struggling. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Research has shown that incompetency in these social/emotional areas hinders a student's ability to achieve academic success and emotional wellbeing,â&#x20AC;? said Jessica Duncanson, Director of Student Services. The district is committed to supporting students struggling and in recent months administrators and student services personnel have collaborated to implement a number of programs, policies and curricular work across all grade levels geared toward social/emotional development. To support the district wide goal a professional development day was held on November 8th with Social/Emotional Learners being the focus area. The keynote speaker for the day was Tracey Stoll from The Learning Solution and she spoke to the teachers about how social and emotional learning has an impact on their students. Teachers then chose from ten informative breakout sessions, each focusing on different strategies and best practices for supporting social/emotional learners.

10 Informative breakout sessions held.

2 Additional social workers hired

2016

89% Of meetings with school pyschologist and social workers are for anxiety or depression.

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District goal: Communications

BE CONNECTED Twitter .

Facebook

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD Each school manages their own Facebook page. Follow us for daily updates and event photos.

The Communications Department is always interested in finding new ways of communicating with our stakeholders, ways that encourage feedback and learning. Above all, we hope to foster an environment of open and honest communication aimed at building trust with all the members of our community. As part of that initiative, we

Mobile App

are recognizing one employee each month who demonstrates outstanding communication skills (internal or external )on a regular basis with other staff, and the community at large. The winner will be given a

The Pembroke Public School District is excited to offer a free comprehensive K-12 mobile app, for students, parents and teachers. Go to the App Store or Google Play and search for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pembroke Public Schoolsâ&#x20AC;?. TITAN TIMES 18

certificate and a token of our appreciation for their efforts. Please nominate someone you think has gone the exceeded expections by filling out a nomination form on our district website under the communications tab. September Winner: Jessica Walls October Winner: Carolyn Talbot

"Are you part of an Epic Team or know somone who is? We want to hear about it. Please send us your news!" @ P E M S C H _ N E W S

KEEP US IN THE LOOP! Pembroke Public Schools are proud of our community and especially proud of the student and staff members who take active roles within it. Did you know that the PPS music performing ensembles perform for various local community events such as the Pembroke Veterans Day Service, Pembroke Chamber of Commerce Annual Tree Lighting and the Memorial Day Parade, just to name a few. Also, the PHS visual art program supports local charities and causes by creating and painting for fundraisers such as PTAD. These are just a few of the amazing ways that our team gets involved and supports the community we live and learn in. Visit us on our district website today and help keep us in the loop so we can continue to celebrate our community and the people within it. Check out our communications page on the district website.

http://www.pembrokek

.org/pages/Pembroke

PS/Departments/Communications

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A DAY IN THE LIFE A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

Words cannot begin to express how proud we are of the amazing teachers, students, and staff we have here at Pembroke Public Schools. We could not begin to describe all of the incredible things that happen inside our schools every single day, but we hope these pictures show you a glimpse of what our students experience at all of our schools. Connect with us. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates and stories from our schools.