Sokolowski Weekly Updates (for 6/17/24)

20 Hilarious Teacher Memes

Here are a few announcements to help you for the last day of school to make sure you have an AMAZING SUMMER!


PLTs

No PLTs!


Last Day Logistics- 6/17

8:30-12:00 Last Day of School & 4th Grade Clap out

Students will have a bag lunch. I will try to deliver them; if not, staff will be stationed at the end of the hall at dismissal. 

12:00-12:15 Dismissal

12:20-12:35 Closing Remarks

12:35-1:35 Lunch

1:35-2:50 Clean up and Closeout


4th Grade Clap Out

  • All classes please line the hallway at 11:35.
  • 4th-grade classes will process down the hallway and go down the stairwell near 201 to the first floor, walk down the first-floor hallway to the community entrance stairwell and go up to the third floor, walk down the hallway and go down the stairwell near 301 to the second floor, and then back down the second floor for dismissal.

Please encourage your students to cheer, clap, and give high fives. With the obvious reminder to stay under control and be respectful that this is the 4th grade students’ time to shine.

Once the 4th graders pass, you can go back inside your classroom and begin your dismissal routine. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.


Staff Check-out

Please complete the Staff Check-out Form to complete your end-of-year tasks before leaving for the summer. 

15 rooms will be used at Sokolowksi over the summer.- Please ensure your stuff is labeled, packed, and put away before you leave for the summer.

A request from buildings and grounds- Please clean out anything you have in the teacher lunchroom fridge.


Important dates- 

6/17 Last Day of School- Students and Teachers- Staff Lunch


 

Sokolowski Weekly Updates (for 6/10/24)

 

(student of the year ceremony)

What a great spring concert! Again, thank you to all the teachers and Ms. Wivcahr for an amazing show!

A longer blog this week, but I want you to have everything you need to finish the year strong.

This is my penultimate blog post, so I am feeling many emotions, mainly gratitude for my Shark family.❤️🦈

Here are a few announcements to help you start your week and finish strong!


PLTs

Coverages (updated 5/17)

Just a few PLTs this week.

Tuesday – 4th Grade

Wednesday – Teaching and Learning


Field Day

We will need help setting up. If you are able to help out, please let me know and meet me at the community entrance at 7:30. Thanks!

Please read the field day logistics email.

1st email sent by KStew on 5/29 @ 9:50

2nd email (forwarded by Nate) on 6/7 @ 8:47

After lunch, we will enjoy school-wide movie time and popcorn in homerooms!

A parent who works at a movie theatre is donating buckets and popcorn, which we will pass out during the movie.

HERE is a folder of movies you can select from to watch with your class. I recommend downloading them first instead of playing them over the internet.

Please reach out with questions.


End of Year Checklist

Please use this end-of-year checklist to make sure you have completed all the tasks needed to close out the year, including clearing out offices/classrooms and disposing of materials.

Click HERE for the form.


End of Year- Parent Square

Happy almost end of the year! As we approach the last day of school, we wanted to share with our teachers some important information about ParentSquare as it pertains to the end of the school year.

Friday, June 28, is our district’s “archive posts date”What does this mean? On this date, your posts sent to your classes will be archived, and you will no longer be able to post to your classes from this school year. Your permissions will resume when you are associated with active classes for the 2024-25 school year.

Teachers will retain access to posts that they authored. This slide deck pertaining to archiving and end-of-year information is available for teachers to review. If you have any questions about the archiving process, please contact your school’s administration. Communications Director Michael Sullivan and the District’s Digital Literacy coaches are also available for additional support.

Our district and schools will still be able to post to schools, grade levels, and groups all summer long. However, accurate school enrollment and class rosters for next school year will not be available until after rollover occurs in August and schedules are committed on ASPEN. Teachers will be notified by their administration once they are able to access their classes for the 2024-25 school year.

During the summer months, if you have any questions pertaining to ParentSquare, please contact your school administration or CPS Communications Director Michael Sullivan at sullivanm@chelseaschools.com.


Staff Meeting 6/11

We will have our final staff meeting of the year on Tuesday. It will be used to share our strong iReady data and finalize the class grouping process.


Important dates- 

6/10 Field Day

6/11 Staff Meeting

6/14 4th Grade Moving on Ceremony

6/17 Last Day of School- Students and Teachers- Staff Lunch


 

🏳️‍🌈 Happy Pride Month Sharks!

APS Celebrates Pride Month - Arlington Public Schools

Progress Shark is the gay icon we didn't know we needed

June is recognized as Pride Month to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall riots at New York City’s Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969. It’s a great time to help LGBTQ+ children feel safer and more affirmed but most importantly, it is another opportunity to share the theme of equality and respect for ALL. Below, you can find a broad list of resources that can be used to get the conversation started.


Videos:

Favorite Read-Alouds:


GetEpic Links:


Good Read for Educators:

    1. Include LGBTQ children’s literature in your class library
    2. Rethink practices that reinforce the gender dichotomy
    3. Capitalize on teachable moments

District Policies: 

Important End of the Year Technology Cleanup/Updates

Hello Everyone,

We are reaching out to share directions for the end of the school year classroom digital/technology clean up. These slides are a guide for end of the year digital clean up of digital platforms and information about what to do with the technology supplies in your classrooms such as the macbooks, headphones. 

Please fill out this form by June 12 to confirm that you have completed all of the necessary technology-related end-of-year procedures and to provide us with some information about technology materials such as chromebooks. Thank you!

Remotes for projectors/camera and pens will be collected in a bin in the office when checking out. You will receive a ziploc bag with a checklist. This will ensure that these items do not go missing over summer. Headphones will remain with the carts. Sort headphones into 2 piles – working and broken and label.

End of the Year Digital Clean up!
Tech Check out Form

Reach out with any questions or if you need support!

Thanks,

Mercy and Eptee

School's out for summer

 

Sokolowski Weekly Updates (for 6/3/24)

LGBT History Month Flyer

Short and sweet.

Here are a few announcements for next week.


PLTs

Coverages (updated 5/17)

We will be finishing placement sheets and beginning the class grouping process.

Monday- Teaching and Learning Team

Tuesday – 1st Grade

Wednesday – 2nd Grade

Thursday – 3rd Grade

Friday- 4th Grade

If a paraprofessional/teacher team would like a paraprofessional to attend a PLT, please contact Nate to arrange coverage. It does not have to be every week and can be based on the topic.


Parade of Graduates:  June 7

What: On Friday, 6/7/24, the MCB Complex will celebrate this year’s CHS, COA, and CVLA graduates! About 100 members of the Class of 2024 will board buses from CHS after their morning graduation rehearsal and “parade” around the elementary complex.

See our parade route on this map.


Report Cards due Friday June, 7

Report Card Grades are due in Aspen on 6/7 by 3:00 pm. Remember to POST for each rubric in order to view and print.

As you know, we have experienced significant delays in getting report cards from the copy center, s0 6/7 @ 3 is a hard deadline.

Report Cards will be printed and sent home on June 14. IEP Progress Notes and EL Progress Notes will go home with report cards.


From the Kitchen

Staff members should NEVER be walking through the kitchen.  This is a personal safety and a food safety issue.’


Important dates- 

6/3 4th Grade Poster Making

6/4 4th Grade Middle School Presentation

6/7 Spring Concert

6/7 Parade of Seniors

6/7 Red Triangle School Meeting

6/7 Staff Happy Hour

6/7 Report Cards Due

6/10 Field Day

6/11 Staff Meeting

6/14 4th Grade Moving on Ceremony

6/17 Last Day of School- Students and Teachers- Staff Lunch

Sokolowski Weekly Updates (for 5/27/24)

The True Meaning of Memorial Day! - Roger Crawford

 

I am sending this out early this week. As I am not in today, I was lucky to have been selected, and I could not pass up going on my son’s field trip to the North End for his economic unit.

I hope you have a restful and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. You all deserve it. The weather looks extraordinary!

Enjoy Mr. Machado’s last school day of the 23-24 school year. You are all in good hands next year!

Sorry, no announcements today. But in Funny Friday spirit: What happens to an illegally parked frog? It gets toad away. 🤣

Here are a few announcements for next week.


PLTs

Coverages (updated 5/17)

Next week’s grade-level PLTs will focus on completing placement forms to prepare for the 23-24 class groupings process. The goal is to complete the placement forms by the end of PLT. We will quickly orient the work and give you as much working time as possible. 

Tuesday – 1st Grade

Wednesday – 2nd Grade

Thursday – 4th Grade*

Friday- 3rd Grade*

If a paraprofessional/teacher team would like a paraprofessional to attend a PLT, please contact Nate to arrange coverage. It does not have to be every week and can be based on the topic.


Grades 1 and 2 concert rehearsal

This Wednesday morning, May 29th, all 1st and 2nd grade classes please come to the cafeteria at 8:45 for concert rehearsal. They will be finished before 9:30.


MCAS

MCAS is officially done. Rejoice! 🎉

Shout out to JZ and Vanesa for the help with completing make-ups!


iReady

The iReady assessment window remains open. 

Some of the preliminary math and reading data looks 💪.

Double Check your testing day- HERE


Important dates- 

 

5/28- Career Day

5/28 Staff Meeting

5/29 Grading window opens*

5/29 4th Grade Field Trip

5/30 Sokolowski Cultural Night

5/30 3rd Grade Field Trip

5/31 1st Grade Field Trip

6/3 4th Grade Poster Making

6/4 4th Grade Middle School Presentation

6/7 Spring Concert

6/7 Parade of Seniors

6/7 Red Triangle School Meeting

6/7 Staff Happy Hour

6/10 Field Day

6/11 Staff Meeting

6/14 4th Grade Moving on Ceremony

6/17 Last Day of School

6/18 Teacher Day and Staff Breakfast

Sokolowski Weekly Updates (for 5/20/24)

Teacher Memes

Which one speaks to you?

 

It’s a busy time of year. Less than 20 school days left. We are tired, but excited!

Shout out to 3rd and 4th Grade teachers and accomdoators. Thank you for making the MCAS season run so smoothly!

MCAS is just about over, and iReady is up. 

I did the best I could to include important dates at the bottom of the blog. Let me know if I need to include anything. 


PLTs

Coverages (updated 5/17)

Next week’s PLT will focus on Panorama data led by the SEL Team

Monday- HOMie Ambassadors  

Tuesday – 1st Grade

Wednesday – 2nd Grade

Thursday – 3rd Grade

Friday- 4th Grade

*NEW*– If a paraprofessional/teacher team would like a paraprofessional to attend a PLT, please contact Nate to arrange coverage. It does not have to be every week and can be based on the topic.


Student of the Year Input

It is that time of year that we select our student of the year, which we use to honor a 4th grader. This year we would like to get input from the school. 

One name from each class has been put forward for consideration. We ask that you cast a vote and add a comment “why.”

Disclaimer: Your input will help us decide but will not be used to make a traditional majority wins type decision. In other words, the student with the most vote may not win. This is due to many reasons, such as some students not being at Soko for all four years, so not all teachers may know a student. Another reason is that maybe a teacher never taught a student on the list. We hope all staff have a voice by doing it this way, but we also minimize unintended favoritism.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Please make your vote by the end of the morning of Thursday, 5/23.

LINK: https://forms.gle/tG17czi8H2TYQpkj8


iReady

The iReady assessment window opens this week. 

Double Check your testing day- HERE


Rotary Club

It is that time of year when the Chelsea Rotary Club looks for 20 deserving Chelsea students between age 7 and 15 who would benefit from a week of overnight camp at Camp Rotary in Boxford, MA.  Please encourage students to participate.

Flyers: EnglishSpanish


Important dates- 

5/20 Grade 1 Civics Presentations- Valerie Tutson

5/22 Tanya Paris Author Visit

5/22 Student Council Field Trip

5/23 Youth Mental Health Wellness Day

5/23 FELL celebration

5/24 Grade 2 Civics Presentation- Earth View 

5/24 Pyramid of Success School Meeting

5/28- Career Day

5/28 Staff Meeting

5/29 4th Grade Field Trip

5/30 Sokolowski Cultural Night

5/30 3rd Grade Field Trip

5/31 1st Grade Field Trip

6/3 4th Grade Poster Making

6/4 4th Grade Middle School Presentation

6/7 Spring Concert

6/7 Parade of Seniors

6/7 Red Triangle School Meeting

6/7 Staff Happy Hour

6/10 Field Day

6/11 Staff Meeting

6/14 4th Grade Moving on Ceremony

6/17 Last Day of School

6/18 Teacher Day and Staff Breakfast


 

 

Youth Mental Health Day Volunteer Form

Dear Staff,

 

We are excited to announce that we are looking for volunteers to host tables at the upcoming Youth Mental Health Day event. This is a wonderful opportunity to support our students and promote mental well-being within our community. If you are interested in hosting a table or volunteering at the event, please complete the following form: Youth Mental Health Day Volunteer Form.

Open to all CPS students and families. Event Details:

  • Date: Thursday, May 23rd
  • Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Location: Middle School Complex, 180 Walnut Street

Your participation will make a meaningful impact on our students’ lives. We appreciate your support and dedication to creating a nurturing environment for our students.

Brenda Pena, MSW
Director of Social Work | SEL | Specialized Student Supports
Chelsea Public Schools

 

Sokolowski Weekly Updates (for 5/13/24)

I hope you had a lovely weekend and a happy Mother’s Day. I hope you were celebrated by your loved ones or were able to celebrate someone important to you! We have a lot of amazing Shark moms! I spent a lot of the day celebrating the moms in my life and reflecting on how much energy and strength I still get from my late mom. So, I included a picture of my mom’s reading award, which is given out annually in her honor at the middle school where she taught reading for over 35 years!

Sorry for the longer intro, but I wanted to start off the week with an overdue THANK YOU. Thank you for your appreciation and surprise. It really meant a lot to me that all the students were included in the surprise. I love their poemand I even love how much the students know that I sweat 😅. It is moments like this that I will truly miss. We have a special school community, and I am so proud to be a part of it. I am grateful for all of you and grateful for the Sokolowski Way. 

Thank you again for helping students write me the recommendation letters. I brought them home, and they have brought Ben, Reese, and me a lot of joy. I will be sure to bring them to my office next year! Thank you for all the other gifts, too—the golf gift card, birdseed ornament, buffalo chicken dip, candy, and the AMAZING spread on Friday. YUM!

Thank you again, Sharks. I truly felt appreciated. 🤗 🦈

 

Here are some announcements to start the week.


Shout Out

Ivonne Cano– Bravo! Her organization of the parent breakfast on Thursday and Friday’s scavenger hunt made the week truly special. We are glad you are our Family Liaison! Thank you!


PLTs

Monday– Teaching and Learning Team

No PLTs- MCAS week


Fishtank Survey

Many of you probably saw this survey come through your inbox last week. The survey does have some Chelsea specific questions to help us gather feedback. Thank you

Click Here to Start the Survey


Math MCAS Dates

Due to the number of small groups, all spaces will be used, including 317 from 9-12 Tuesday-Friday this week. Please plan accordingly. I appreciate your flexibility. Please reach out with any questions.

 

3rd Grade- May 14 and 15

4th Grade- May 16 and 17


iReady Testing Dates

Grades 1 & 2 are testing ELA first so that we have more time to review math. Grades 3 & 4 are testing math first so that we build on all the review teachers have done for MCAS.

Week of:

5/20 

Grades 1 & 2 ELA

Grade 3 & 4 Math

5/27 

Grades 1 & 2 Math

Grades 3 & 4 ELA

6/3 (*window closes 6/7)

****Testing Sign Up****


Rotary Club

It is that time of year when the Chelsea Rotary Club looks for 20 deserving Chelsea students between age 7 and 15 who would benefit from a week of overnight camp at Camp Rotary in Boxford, MA.  Please encourage students to participate.

Flyers: EnglishSpanish