Nurse Parmelee Conducts Vision / Hearing Screenings

Most people know that Nurse Parmelee takes care of children when they are not feeling well. She is wonderful at that part of her job!

 

What some don't know is how much more she does for the children of Macdonough School. One example is the vision and hearing screenings. Nurse P does both vision and hearing screenings for every child at Macdonough School!

 

The hearing and vision screenings will start next week!

Test Prep Fun is at Macdonough!

www.TestPrepFun.com is a website dedicated to providing opportunities for students in grades three, four, and five to improve their reading, writing, and math skills. Each student has a special password enabling them access to this resource.

The site has thousands of questions to help children sharpen their skills. In a few weeks, the site will open "The Official CMT League" to challenge students across the state to compete for the title of MVP (Most Vigorous Player). Prizes are available to students for simply completing grade level games.

Many of our students practice at home, others come early to school each morning at 8:00 a.m. to work on their skills!

CHC Rooftop Cinema!

Macdonough School students, family members, and staff have been invited to participate in a special program at the Community Health Center called Fall Movie Night!

The movie nights will take place on Fridays in October begining at 7:00 p.m.

Free Book Friday

Today is Free Book Friday! All the kindergarten children received a book to keep and bring home with them.

Teddy Bear Week!

Kindergarten had a great week full of teddy bears! They were surprised to see a giant teddy bear from Ms. Jukins. The students read, rested, and played with him! They even had a tea party with the giant teddy! Thanks Ms. Jukins!

Teddy Bear Picnic

Today, all the kindergarten classes had a Teddy Bear Picnic to celebrate Bear Week.  They all enjoyed bear shaped treats with their teddy bears.

Girngerbread Man

Today, the kindergarten classes read The Gingerbread Man.  After reading the story, the students helped their teachers make a gingerbread man, and then dropped them of at the cafeteria to be baked.  When the students went back down to the cafeteria, they discovered the Gingerbread Man was missing.  The kindergartens went on a hunt around the school in search of their missing Gingerbread Man.  After the students found the Gingerbread Man, they enjoyed a piece of the gingerbread cookie.

Box Tops for Education

Help Macdonough School earn money by clipping Box Tops from your favorite products. This is one of the easiest way to earn, because we buy these products daily! All you have to do is Clip, Turn-In and Save!

 

Another great way to earn Box Top points is by registering online. Once you register through Box Tops for Education Website, you have the opportunity to receive coupons and promotions on Box Top products that you can use at the local grocery store.

 

You'll also get: Macdonough's complete Box Tops earnings details, money-saving coupons for Box Tops brands, over 100 recipes using Box Tops products, and exclusive chances to win Bonus Box Tops. Best of all, membership in http://www.boxtops4education.com/ is absolutely FREE!

Pancakes with my Principal

Three Macdonough School students took a field trip to O'Rourke's Diner to have pancakes with the principal.

They were treated to a delicious pancake breakfast. The group also saw important people like Miss Maley (a former Macdonough teacher) and Firefighter Al. They also met Brian O'Rourke (the owner of the diner).

It was a fun morning!

Students were selected for exhibiting SURFS up behavior (Self-responsibility, Understanding, Respect, Fairness, and Safety).

Equal This

Yesterady, fifth graders in Mrs. Ellis' class got to go on a field trip to Bushy Hill Nature Center in Deep River. This is part of a grant that 5th graders participate in called Equal This. Fifth grade students from Macdonough are partnered up with fifth grade students at Jack Jackter Intermediate School in Colchester. Throughout the year, students get together to explore various themes in sciene, and to gain an appreciation for math and cultural diversity awareness.

On Tuesday at Bushy Hill, students participated in different trust activities. They also reinfoced team building by completing various parts of the low ropes course. We had a great day!

I Spy....

third graders from Ms. Waterman's class reading the I Spy books. Classes can earn having the I Spy books in their class for a week if they bring in all their library books 3 times. Great job Ms. Waterman's class for showing outstanding responsibilty!

Mobile Dental Program visits Macdonough School

Our Health Center has been transformed into a dental clinic this week as Macdonough School is visited by the Mobile Dental Clinic. Many of our students will have the opportunity to see the dental hygienist for check-ups and cleanings!

The Mobile Dental Clinic visits Macdonough School twice each year - once in the fall and again in the spring.

If you would like your child to have access to this program, please call the school and ask for information on the Community Health Center at Macdonough School

SURFS Up Visitors to Kindergarten!

Mrs. Lenihan's kindergarten class had two SURFS winners visit from first grade to read to  her students.

Teddy Bear Week in Kindergarten

This week in kindergarten is Bear Week!  The kindergarten students brought in a teddy bear from home.  Today, the kindergarten teachers read the story Brown Bear to their students.  The students used picture cards to help them retell the story.

Farmer's Market

On Friday September 21, fifth grade classes walked to Main Steet to visit the Farmer's Market. Each student was given tokens to buy fresh fruits and vegetables to bring home to their families. We had a wonderful day!

 

Happy Birthday Ice Cream!

Did you know ice cream was invented in Italy on September 22nd?

 In honor of this day kindergarten celebrated with a delicious ice cream cone snack. 

I scream, You scream, We all scream for ice cream! 

Happy Birthday Ice Cream!  

Happy Birthday Johnny Appleseed!

On Thursday, the kindergarten classes had a wonderful time celebrating the birthday of Johnny Appleseed! They were busy tasting different types of apples and graphing their favorite. Kindergarten was very excited to learn all the amazing things about Johnny Appleseed.

Monday is Bread Day at Macdonough!

Thanks to a generous donation from a local business, dozens of loaves of bread are delivered to Macdonough School each Monday afternoon. Families are welcome to take a loaf of bread, package of muffins or bagels, or other related product. The bread is free to all Macdonough families.

This program is supported through the efforts of our friends from Wesleyan University.

Macdonough Smoothie Cart

Each Friday, a different grade level will get to enjoy fresh fruit smoothies during breakfast in the classroom! Today, first graders loved having this delicious addition to their breakfast!



 

Macdonough School Welcomes Student Teachers

We are delighted to welcome four student-teachers to Macdonough School this semester.

Miss Kristin Robbins is working with kindergarten under the direction of Mrs. Kelly Lenihan.  Mrs. Ashley Walsh and her first grade class have been joined by Miss Sarah Sita.  Miss Jillian Cipriano is working with second grade under the direction of Ms. Joanne Jukins.  Mrs. Kym Ciccia and her first grade class have been joined by Miss Crissy Ripley.

 

Miss Robbins, Miss Sita, Miss Cipriano, and Miss Ripley are all seniors at Central Connecticut State University majoring in Elementary Education.  They are very happy to be here at Macdonough School!

Bikes For Kids On Walking Wednesday!

A lucky first grader received a bike and helmet on her way to school on Walking Wednesday. You never know when you will be picked to receive a bike so work hard to show SURFS Behaviors at school and at home!

Book Buddies

First graders in Mrs. Walsh's class and fifth graders in Mrs. Ellis' class met today for the first time for a program called Book Buddies. First and fifth graders will be getting together every Monday afternoon for this program. During their time together, fifth graders read stories to their first grade buddies, and soon first graders will be showing off their reading skills to their fifth grade partners too. We all had a blast today!

 

First Graders Visit the Farmer's Market

On Friday, first graders visited the Farmer's Market on Main Street.  All three classes walked down to the market and had four dollars to spend.  Students bought fresh fruits and vegetables and were able to bring their purchases home! It was a very enjoyable day!

 

 

 

 

Miss Claffey named to the 2012 ING Hartford Marathon's Elite Inspiration Team!

The 2012 ING Hartford Marathon Elite Inspiration Team

In an effort to recognize the many amazing personal journeys that compel participants to run the ING Hartford Marathon, the Hartford Marathon Foundation is proud to present the 2nd annual Elite Inspiration Team.

 

Among the ten honorees who have inspired and motivated others, is Miss Sarah Claffey, a Macdonough School teacher.

 

Sarah Claffey

In 2009 Sarah Claffey, a fourth grade teacher at Macdonough Elementary School, ran the ING Hartford Half Marathon on a whim. The school planned to have a few teachers run the course, picking up and dropping off students and colleagues at designated mile marks along the way. Despite having never run a road race before, Sarah completed the 13.1 mile course and along the way discovered her new passion: fitness.  She serves as a role model for her school’s community; and thanks to her encouragement, many students, parents and teachers regularly participate in road races. Led by Sarah, Macdonough’s student running club will participate in the ING Hartford Marathon programs and will cheer her on as she completes her first marathon.

 

Friends from Wesleyan at Macdonough!

Today we had a special treat at recess!  Athletes from Wesleyan University came to our school to lead us in games of football, soccer, basketball, and 4 square.

Are you ready to RUN?

Macdonough students are gearing up for the Macdonough Marathon Club. 3rd grade students from Mr. Ferrero's class have been informing the student body how they can join (see picture). Open to everyone, students will have the opportunity to run laps during recess earning a "foot" for each mile they run. They have to run around the entire field 5 times to earn a mile "foot". Ms. Shaniece, our new recess duty aide, will be guiding and encouraging students during the recess waves. Good luck to all our marathoners.

The Little Red Hen

 On Thursday the Kindergarten classes read The Little Red Hen. The students enjoyed baking bread and eating it for a yummy snack! Unlike the characters in the book, all of the students helped out and shared!

Lemonade in the Shade

Lemonade in the Shade

 

 

The staff at MacDonough School were treated to lemonade and snacks during lunch time. Country music and a peaceful spot in the shade made for a great afternoon outside!