Pine Glen Elementary School Principal's Blog

We Moved!

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 20:05:00 +0000

This will be my last post from this Blog. Please go to the Burlington Public Schools Web page: Burlington Public Schools Web Page or the Pine Glen Elementary School page Pine Glen Elementary School for events, news and information regarding Pine Glen Elementary School. Also, please follow us on the Pine Glen Instagram page Pine Glen Instagram.

Back to School Night for Grown-Ups 2018

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 12:42:00 +0000

Back to School Night for Grown-Ups is scheduled for this Thursday, September 20th from 6:00 to 7:30. The night will begin in the cafeteria at 6:00 with opening remarks from the principal. We will leave the back doors of the cafeteria open to parents in order that they can enter and exit the building through the cafe. At 6:15 parents are free to proceed to classrooms. We will continue to have two informational sessions. The first session will be held from 6:15-6:45. The second session will run from 6:55-7:25. Parents are welcome to attend either session.

This is a great evening when teachers and parents can discuss expectations, curriculum, classroom procedures and establish partnerships between home and school. We regret that we are unable to provide childcare. We appreciate parents making arrangements for the care of their children in order to attend this important evening.

New Guidance Counselor Alyssa Kendall

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 16:18:00 +0000

Ms. Kendall and Mr. Lyons visited first graders during lunch.

Welcome Back 2018

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 12:25:00 +0000

August 31, 2018

Dear Pine Glen Community,

It has been a wonderful summer and I am sure everyone has enjoyed this time with family and friends. This summer my family made its annual trip to Cape Cod for a week. My younger daughter participated in swim team and played water polo. My older daughter volunteered over 300 hours at a horse barn where she mucked stalls, groomed horses, and instructed campers in equine skills. My youngest daughter will be in fifth grade and older daughter a freshman in high school this fall. I also had a blast playing tennis with my wife and friends this summer. Throughout the summer I greatly missed seeing all the students. I have to thank our Pine Glen community for the incredible privilege you provide me with to educate your children and see them grow.

We will commence the 2018-2010 school year at Pine Glen Elementary School on September 4th for students in grades 1-5. Students can be dropped off starting at 7:55 am. Instruction starts at 8:10 am. Students will be dismissed at 2:15 pm. Kindergarten students’ first day is September 6th. Kindergarten hours are 7:55 am-12:45 pm.

We have 323 students enrolled and 56 staff for the start of school. Students and staff will be in a safe and secure learning environment learning from incredible teachers using the most cutting-edge technology, researched based curriculum, and instructional practices.

I would like to thank Barbara and her custodial staff for all their hard work this summer in preparing the building for the start of school. The floors look fantastic! This summer we had a new filter water bubbler/water bottle filler installed in the hallway outside the gym. We also had the parking lots repaved and new parking lines painted. In addition, over the summer we installed new high definition projectors in the classrooms. The projectors will display a much clearer picture of information on the board for students. This was a big undertaking as it involved electrical, carpentry, and technical expertise in the installation in the classrooms.

We are continuing to use our Positive Behavior Incentive System (PBIS) called Hoot. We continue to make WISE (Work to be APPROPRIATE, Important to be SAFE, Strive to be KIND, Everyone Matters!) choices and remember that teachers are like OWL’s (Observant, Wise, and Listening). Staff members will continue to hand out Hoot Cards in common areas (i.e., hallway, cafeteria, etc.) to any student making WISE Choices. The Hoot cards will be collected at the end of each day. On Thursday afternoon, a student will be randomly chosen from each grade. The students chosen will be announced on Friday morning over the loudspeaker, and they will be called down to the office to receive a pencil and have their picture taken. There is a large research base showing that a PBIS approach like Hoot improves social, emotional, and academic outcomes for all students. Hoot, along with other sound educational practices, are utilized at Pine Glen to make learning a joyful experience.

We are continuing to use Responsive Classroom. Research has shown a strong connection between social-emotional learning (SEL) and academic success. Likewise, research also tells us that cognitive growth occurs largely through social interactions. A program like Responsive Classroom is a key ingredient in helping students with peer interactions in order to grow not only socially, but academically too.

We continue to utilize a best practice and highly researched Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) often referred to as Response to Intervention (RtI) with staffing. A MTSS/RtI approach has allowed us the capacity to best draw upon our staff to address individual student needs. Please continue to be mindful of the fact that in utilizing this approach a student’s classroom teacher might be different than their reading or math teacher. This affords teachers the opportunity to work with a narrower teachable range, provide interventions, and maximize efficiency. This is not leveled instruction. We are providing flexibly grouped reading instruction that changes based on data. We continue to use an online universal screening to become aware of where to focus our instruction and provide interventions for students.

We will continue to use ST Math (ST Math) for math instruction this year. ST Math is a game-based learning program that guides students of all levels in visualizing math concepts through tricky puzzle challenges. As students play, they gain a strong conceptual understanding and develop a love for math and the rigors of problem-solving. We have been using ST Math for a couple of years and were very excited to be awarded a grant. Burlington was 4 out of 30 schools in Massachusetts to receive this grant. This grant will let students use ST Math for 60-90 minutes a week and teachers will receive embedded professional development to integrate our core math program, enVision Math (enVision Math).

State standards require all grades and all subjects to address literacy and comprehension strategies. To address this standard we are using Keys to Literacy (KTL). Last year teachers in fourth and fifth grade received professional development in teaching students KTL strategies resulting in all teachers in grades fourth through twelfth grade in Burlington using KTL. This year second and third-grade teachers will receive professional development in KTL strategies.

We are embracing KTL because it addresses the state standards and more importantly is a research-based best practice. KTL strategies help teachers address teaching literacy in content areas through instructing students in two-column note taking, creating top-down webs, main idea identifying skills, and categorizing, which provides for rigor in the instruction.

We are pleased to welcome new staff members to our Pine Glen Community. I am incredibly thankful to all the residents of Burlington for continuing to provide us with the financial means to attract and retain the highest caliber of teachers. Alyssa Kendall will be joining us as our new guidance counselor. Also, Khrystyna Leslie and Karen Kim will be our English Language Learners teachers. Emilie Manna is joining us as a kindergarten instructional assistant in Mrs. Petelle’s classroom. Kimberly Kerr is also joining us as a kindergarten instructional assistant and will be working in Mrs. Hoyt’s classroom. Casey Slejzer, Samantha Cacciola, and Jacinda Pedersen are joining our staff as special needs, instructional assistants. Daryn Starkey and Ojeny Kavlakian are our new Response to Intervention (RtI Tutors). Also, Britney Torres, Christine Spinale, and Allison Serafin are joining our staff as permanent substitutes.

I would like to thank Mrs. Gosselin and Mrs. Papadonis for all their hard work in the main office preparing us for this school year. In addition, I would like to thank the residents of Burlington for continuing to support students’ growth. I also wish to thank the PTO for all their assistance in providing great student enrichment like our River of Kindness. The PTO continues to serve as the best vehicle in which to volunteer and be active in our school community.

Thank you very much for the opportunity you entrust us with everyday in providing instruction to your children! This will be my tenth year as principal at Pine Glen Elementary School, and I love what I do. I take great satisfaction everyday seeing learning being a joyful experience for students. Thank you for your past and future support and partnership. Together we can continue to create a lifelong love of learning for everyone in our Pine Glen community.

If you have any questions or have great stories to share of your children’s learning journey, please do not hesitate to contact me at jlyons@bpsk12.org.

Sincerely,

John Lyons, M.S. Ed.

Instagram

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 19:53:00 +0000

I have heard from a lot of parents that they use and like Instagram. Please check out the Pine Glen Elementary Instagram page and Pine Glen PTO Instagram page.

Summer math & reading

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Small) — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 00:40:00 +0000

Check out these Google Documents to learn about great summer math and reading opportunities.

Burlington Summer Math Fun 2018

17-18 Summer Reading info

#DottieStrong

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 16:31:00 +0000

Everyone at Pine Glen Elementary School is hoping you get well soon Dottie!

BEF Star Awards

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 13:31:00 +0000

Congratulations to Ms. Varrell, Mrs. Hayes, Mrs. Visocchi, Mrs. Finn, Ms. Mills, Mrs. Bourgeois, and Ms. Tigges for receiving Star Awards from the Burlington Education Foundation (BEF)! Thank you to the Kashem Family, Walthall Family, Mahoney Family, Nan Hun & Debbie Kim, and Asrary Family for making donations to the BEF in the teacher's names.

All School Dance Party

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 09:30:00 +0000

Yesterday afternoon we had the staff vs. grade 5 students volleyball game. Following the game, we had our all school dance party to celebrate our fifth graders. Students greatly enjoyed doing the Floss dance. Students helped me to learn it but, I have not perfected it.

Students of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 15:38:00 +0000

Congratulations to Tyler, Owen, Haley, Arianna, Daniel, and Rowan for making W.I.S.E. choices and being our Students of the Week. Thank you for being role models!

Make W.I.S.E. Choices

Work to be appropriate

Important to be safe

Strive to be Kind

Everyone matters

Clapping Out Fifth Graders

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 15:37:00 +0000

This morning we had students and staff clap-out all the fifth graders on their way to the Moving Up Ceremony.

Five Star Generals

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 15:34:00 +0000

Congratulations to all our 5 Star Generals! Keep up the great work and keep on reading!

Dunk Tank 2018

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:05:00 +0000

Students had a great time today with the dunk-tank. Thank you to the PTO for funding this great all school activity! It was interesting how Mrs. Pavlicek disappeared and Gigi the penguin from ST Math showed up!

Thank You!

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 00:05:00 +0000

A very big thank you to Ted Naddaff and Kevin Coughlin for volunteering their time on Saturday morning! They did amazing work preparing the school grounds for our River of Kindness. These pictures show the school grounds pre and post.

Mrs. Gosselin’s Police Ride

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 23:57:00 +0000

Mrs. Gosselin won the raffle prize at the Pine Glen Carnival to have a ride to school in a police car. Staff and students greatly enjoyed seeing her arrive at school this morning.

College Day | 6/26/18

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Small) — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 15:35:00 +0000

Students of The Week

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 20:54:00 +0000

Congratulations to Joe, Matty, Drew, Jordan, Sophia, and Benjamin for making W.I.S.E. choices and being our Students of the Week. Thank you for being role models!

Make W.I.S.E. Choices

Work to be appropriate

Important to be safe

Strive to be Kind

Everyone matters

Grade 1 Author’s Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 19:13:00 +0000

The first graders did a terrific job sharing their writing at the Author's Breakfast this morning. We are all very proud of their work.

Spirit Week June 18- June 22

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Small) — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 18:30:00 +0000

2018-2019 School Hours

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Small) — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 17:35:00 +0000

Kindergarteners Trip of North America

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:56:00 +0000

Kindergarten students went on a trip today and visited several locations in North America. The trip featured travel agents, tour guides, passports, souvenirs, and suitcases. The students loved this lesson.

Girl Scouts

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:46:00 +0000

I am very proud of the Girl Scouts from Pine Glen Elementary School who made a presentation to the School Committee last night. The girls talked about making our school more green and a desire to have solar panels installed at Pine Glen.

Third Grade Concert

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 21:22:00 +0000

The third graders did a terrific job at their concert today!

Students of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 18:57:00 +0000

Congratulations to Abby, Jalal, Sophia, Aarushi, George, and Sumaya for making W.I.S.E. choices and being our Students of the Week. Thank you for being role models!

Make W.I.S.E. Choices

Work to be appropriate

Important to be safe

Strive to be Kind

Everyone matters

Congratulations Class of 2018

noreply@blogger.com (John Lyons) — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 18:07:00 +0000

Congratulations to the Class of 2018! It was so wonderful to see all of you graduate on Sunday.