Bucket Filling Nation

This week, the Lynch staff was treated to a wonderful teacher appreciation luncheon. The luncheon held annually is put together by the LPA and is always a lovely party hosted for the staff in appreciation for all of the things that are done each and every day for the children here at Lynch. This year was no exception. The party was unique in the sense that it was a multicultural theme, decor, and foods (all delicious). In addition, the Octet choir from WHS sang some beautiful tunes. Each staff walked away with a creative and generous raffle that was so much fun to receive. By far the highlight of the afternoon was the thoughtful video that was created for the Lynch staff. I know that I was surprised and touched by it. Although we do need to have the video under password protection as students are on it, I can email you the link (ckelley@winchester.k12.ma.us), if you send me an email. If you would like access to it, you may email me for the password and user name and let me know why you wish to see it (if you are not a Lynch family).

Thank you to Lynch Parents’ Association and the students at our school who make every day Teacher Appreciation Day.

The fifth grade hubcap project has been installed at Lynch! Next time you visit, please take a look inside and outside of the cafeteria. Fifth grade students worked in pairs to create one of a kind, rotationally symmetrical works of art out of hubcaps found by Ms. Rosenberg. This project was inspired by a gallery/ website called landfillart.org in which artists across the country transform hubcaps into works of art and display them in a gallery space and online Students started by choosing a hubcap and creating a draft of their design on paper. Students then used tempera paints and found objects to transform their “trash” to a true “treasure” Finally, the hubcaps were spray painted with clear gloss. A special thanks to Eli Rosenberg, Meghan Harvey, Stephanie Golas and Jan O’Keeffe for donating hubcaps and helping with installation.

Autism Video on YouTube
This Monday, April 2 is Autism Awareness day. This international day of raising awareness about autism is gaining momentum and many national and international landmarks will be lit blue in the coming days (see- http://www.lightitupblue.org/Markslist/home.do). We here at Lynch are also happy to participate in the day as we always seek to inform and educate our students about each other. This morning at the ASM, Mrs. Flaherty (one of our special educators) and Mrs. Bove (our school psychologist) spoke briefly about celebrating the day and asked all students and staff to wear blue on Monday (also Home Depot is selling blue lights and will donate some of the proceeds to autism). In addition, they showed a great film that helped our boys and girls learn more about autism. One of the thing that makes Lynch special is our commitment to learning more about each other regardless of the language they speak or the way that they learn. Please help us raise awareness together by watching the video and by having your child wear blue to school on Monday.

This week, we were treated to some great Irish step dancing as part of our annual celebration. For the last five years, former school secretary, Mrs. Bonnie Hourican has brought along her daughter and some of her friends from the Goulding School of Irish Dance in Medford. This year, the great performance followed another star studded presentation of our Drama Club’s “Character Matters.” What a great day for the arts here at Lynch. A huge thank you to all of our budding thespians and the Irish dancers who made the March 16th All School Meeting one truly to remember!!!

“This year,” the teachers vowed, “this year was ours!” We trained, we worked hard, yet in the end, the fifth grade proved victorious! This year’s annual grade five versus the staff basketball game was held on February 16th with a final score of 40-38. The planning committee chaired by Jen Foundas was excited for the big night and pleased with the turnout! The event, which is in its fifth year, is the major fundraiser for the fifth grade. The proceeds help fund activities for fifth grade in the last few weeks of school, the fifth grade moving up ceremony, and the fifth grade yearbook. It is also a fun night of basketball playing, teamwork and dance.

This year’s half time show was once again coordinated by Jen Foundas, Jenny Bove, and Anna Nolty and included dance routines from the movie/Broadway show “Grease”. Due to district guidelines, I am not able to link the video here but the Flaherty family recorded a great video of the show. You can reach it by going to YouTube and search for Lynch School Halftime Show 2012.

We had a great night and the Lynch Thunder spirit was so infectious! Win or lose, it is always a great event (but there is always next year, staff)! Again thank you to our committee (Jen Foundas, Paige Bertocci, Kathy Williamson, John Dupuis), the fourth grade parents who helped man concessions, our Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Mouradian, former parent, Denyse Miller who designed and made the t-shirts (you can still order more), the Flaherty family for taping the event, and all of the staff and family who came out for a great Lynch night. A huge thank you to Mr. John Dupuis who does a great job refereeing the night and making sure that every fifth grader who wishes gets their fair share of playing time (it is truly no easy feat). Again, a special thank you to Jen Foundas who planned the event while on maternity leave this year knowing that it is such an important night for the Lynch community. Lynch IS the word!

This week, Governor Deval Patrick identified, Jan. 25th as “No-Name Calling Day” here in Massachusetts. We at Lynch thought that it was an excellent idea and quickly came up with a plan to celebrate here at school. We deemed, Wednesday, January 25th as Compliment Day here at Lynch. Our fabulous PE teacher, Mr. Dupuis and I spent last week’s all school meeting explaining how to give and receive a compliment. We explained that everyday is “no-name calling day” here at Lynch, but on compliment day, we asked students to pledge to really spend time giving thoughtful compliments to one another. The art of complimenting is at times a lost art. We don’t feel that way here at Lynch School! Our Lynchies Care to Compliment each other this week and every week. For more tips on how to stress good manners check out:

http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr232.shtml

See_Sargent_Groux_Read__OfficeThis year at Lynch School our reading incentive is themed Reading Through the Decades. We have decorated the halls with cool decade themed items. In addition, we are promoting award winning books from throughout the decades. This week at our ASM, we started sharing our Favorites reading their Favorites! This week, we had Sergeant Groux, Winchester Safety Officer reading a Caldecott Award Winning Book, “Officer Buckle and Gloria.” Each week, we will feature another reader! So please shut off the television and commit to reading at least 20 minutes every day!

If you are like me, Thanksgiving is a great holiday to take a step back and remember how much we have to be truly grateful for. Most years, we host at the Kelleys. Though our number is around twenty, it truly is mostly just our immediate and local family. Through the years, I have worked on projects with my children and nieces and nephew in preparing for our feast. Some years, our Thanksgiving projects have been bookmarks or other cute gifts. As the children have grown, our ‘craft’ has adjusted to develop a trivia game of sorts where every guest had to stump the others with their knowledge about the first Thanksgiving. This year, I decided to focus on being grateful. To me, I am thankful most days for my life and all of the key members in it. However, often I don’t move my thankfulness into truly feeling grateful. So this year, I set out to give all of our 19 guests a chance to write down what they are grateful for. As each guest came, my son, TJ (who is almost 11) approached them with a xeroxed cornucopia. They had to write their name on one side and write what they are grateful for on the back. Right before dinner, each person picked another’s message and read it to the group. Most of those present commented on being grateful for family, food, shelter. A few others mentioned recent good health. In my thinking of this, I realize that not one aged from 10 to almost 80 mentioned any items that could be bought or sold. We had put no restrictions on what you could be grateful for yet everyone present wrote the basic things that they were grateful for: health, happiness, a home, and family. As we move into this final stretch of the calendar year, I look back on this year as one of thankfulness. I am very grateful to be Lynch’s leader and I wish you a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for.
ps-The picture is from our Thanksgiving celebration in the kindergarten last week. Great job!

At this year’s Lynch Halloween party, I donated a raffle item called, “Lunch with the Principal.” The winner was first grader Alex T. in first grade. We arranged to have lunch together a few weeks ago.
Alex arrived at our date with his lunch in tow. I apparently hadn’t truly explained that lunch would be take out (his choice) and my treat. Instead, Alex informed me that he had brought money and would be buying me (HIS date) an ice cream for dessert as all good dates buy ice cream. Alex showed impeccable manners and I proudly enjoyed my frozen treat.
The next week, we had a second lunch date as I bought the special meal planned by Alex. We therefore got to spend two wonderful luncheons together! Alex told me that each time he spent in my office were “the best ever!” I agree! I so enjoyed spending my time with this adorable and engaging first grader.
We will have opportunites to win other luncheons and days with the principal this year…and I love doing so. Spending time with the Lynch Thunder and seeing just what interests them is the BEST part of the work we do!
On behalf of all of the staff, I wish all the Lynch families a very Happy Thanksgiving. I know that I have so much to be thankful for!

This past Friday, I was honored to accompany some of our fifth grade student council members at the annual Veterans’ Day Parade and Ceremony. This year, marked the destinction of the ceremony as it was offered at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, in the eleventh month of this our eleventh year. Brooke Stevenson gave a wonderful speech on why it is important to take time out of our busy schedules to remember those who served our country, especially during war times. Our school is named for two young men who gave their lives in service to our country during World War II. Andrew and Joseph Lynch grew up in Winchester and graduated from Winchester High School. Their family paid the ultimate sacrifice in sending their young boys off to war and were saddened when they didn’t return. Brooke explained in her speech that we are honored to have our school named for these two young men and it is great for us to remember that.
In addition, I was proud to unveil our new banner showing off our new Lynch colors (black and yellow) and our school’s mascot, the Lynch thunder. Thank you to Mr. Dupuis who helped in the planning for our new logo and Ms. Rosenberg who designed it. In addition, thank you to the Lynch Parents’ Association (and all of you) who generously paid to have our new vinyl banner created that we will proudly display at Lynch events, parades and the annual WFEE Trivia Bee. I am proud to be a Lynch Thunderette!