Principal Mark McAneny ​mmcaneny@arlington.k12.ma.

us

Bishop Weekly Update: January 03, 2019

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

TOMORROW​, 1/4/19 (Fri): Spirit (Wear) Day
Morning Coffee: AHS Project Update with Amy Speare
1/09 (Wed): PTO meeting with an AYCC Presentation
1/11 (Fri): Bishop Movie Night (Kindergarten host)
1/21 (Mon): Martin Luther King, Jr., Day (No School)
1/23 (Wed): Bishop Night Out (1st grade host)

In This Issue:
PRINCIPAL’S CORNER
Arlington EATS update

PTO NEWS
In Search of Volunteer Leads

UPCOMING PTO-SPONSORED EVENTS

Morning Coffee: AHS Project Update with Amy Speare
PTO Meeting
Bishop Play 2019
Family Movie Night - “Small Foot”
Save the Date: Bishop Night Out
Green Team
January Enrichment Update

STAFF SPOTLIGHT!

COMMUNITY NEWS
Guiding Good Choices Parenting Series (Sponsored by Arlington Youth Coalition)
Try Family Yoga
Robbins Library needs bags for books

KEEP UP TO DATE
How to Register for Stop & Shop A+ Rewards
 PRINCIPAL’S CORNER

Bishop Community ~
Welcome Back; Happy New Year!

We are excited to begin 2019 and are looking forward to our continued home/school collaboration. There are many
exciting, new happenings going on in the classrooms and throughout school. Please be sure to ask your child about
his/her day, as you all come together at the end of each day.
If you find yourself having difficulty getting information from your child as it relates to his/her school day, consider
asking open-ended questions that require an answer other than, yes or no. Here’s an article of interest that might be
useful:
https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/understanding-childs-challenges/talking-with-your-child/
how-to-say-it-questions-to-ask-your-child-about-school

Note From Nurse Martin

Dear Parents/Guardians,
The Commonwealth of MA requires that we collect and review physical exams for children attending school.​ If you
have a Fourth or Fifth Grade Student​,​ and have not already done so, please email your student's 2018 physical
exam to ​kamartin@arlington.k12.ma.us ​ or send a paper copy to me at school as soon as feasible.

Thank you very much for assistance with this.

Kind regards,
Katie Martin

Having Courageous Conversations about Race with Our Children

Dear Bishop Parents and Guardians,
One of the actions the parent-led Thompson Diversity and Inclusion Group (DIG) is to organize an educational forum
to help parents and guardians with the challenges of talking to kids about race and racism.

FORUM:​ Having Courageous Conversations about Race with Our Children

DATE:​ Thursday, January 31 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
LOCATION:​ Thompson School gym at 187 Everett St, Arlington, MA 02474
COST:​ ​Free but you must register
REGISTRATION:​ ​https://tinyurl.com/CourageousRegister

The forum will be led by ​Dr. Liza Talusan​ who has “22 years of experience in Pre K-20 education, Liza is an engaging
facilitator in conversations about diversity, racism, unconscious bias, privilege and power and creates environments
that allow for people to discuss these difficult topics openly.” You can read more about her at her website:
http://www.lizatalusan.com
Dr. Talusan will lead a workshop entitled “Having Courageous Conversations about Race with Our Children.” To
encourage community participation, the Thompson DIG invites parents and guardians of all elementary students
within the Arlington Public School district to register and attend.

Please register in advance because the Thompson gym has limited seating.
REGISTRATION: ​https://tinyurl.com/CourageousRegister
Notes:
(1) The event is for parents/guardians of students who attend an elementary school within the APS.
(2) No childcare will be provided, and attendance is limited to adults only.
The forum will have a Question and Answer section at the end. We ask that questions be submitted online prior to
the forum date. All questions are anonymous. Depending on volume, we may not get to every question.
ASK QUESTION to DR. TALUSAN: ​https://tinyurl.com/CourageousQuestion

Parent-led Diversity and Inclusion Groups have the support of and collaborates with principals and district
administration. Each Arlington School has a DIG. The parent-led group's overarching goal is to raise awareness for all
our children and their respective families regardless of race, color, religious views, national origin, sex, gender,
identity and expression, age, ancestry, family-marital status, sexual orientation, disability, source of income and
military status to help maintain a safe and welcoming learning environment. The Thompson DIG-organized forum is
one example of initiatives started by DIGs. The Bishop School DIG will be having its third meeting of the school year
in January. Please contact Sarah Popper at ​sarahepopper@gmail.com​ if you would like more information about
Bishop's DIG initiatives.
We encourage you to take advantage of the January 31st forum to support our community’s efforts to make APS an
inclusive and welcoming learning environment for all of our children and families and staff.

1st and 2nd Grade End of Unit Writing Celebration

Dear Arlington Community,
We are excited to present a wonderful end of the unit writing celebration that some first and second grade
classrooms participated in this week. One of our goals is to empower our young writers to write for an
authentic audience, and therefore we asked local libraries and businesses to display our stories at their
location.
This week we delivered baskets of stories to six different locations all around Arlington. Below is a list of
participating locations and schools. The displays will remain at each location until the end of January. The
baskets are displayed with a sign explaining our Writing Workshop model and the Narrative Unit of Study.

Location School

Not Your Average Joes Stratton

Fox Library Stratton and Hardy

Cafe Nero Bishop

Kickstand Cafe Bishop and Peirce

DAgostinos Thompson

Robbins Library Peirce

Our writers are so excited and proud to show off their hard work with the whole community of Arlington! If
 you are able to visit a location feel free to email Ally Magalhaes at amagalhaes@arlington.k12.ma.us with
any comments/compliments and she will be sure that the classroom receives your feedback.
Enjoy!

2018-19 District Calendar Link

http://www.arlington.k12.ma.us/calendar/

​ 018-19 MCAS Dates

2
http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/cal.html

PTO NEWS

In Search of Volunteer Leads

Science Night Coordinator (5th grade host). ​The Science Night Coordinator is responsible for creating
new hands-on demos, collecting and organizing student poster presentations, managing competitions and
organizing a pizza dinner. Science Night is taking place on April 4, 2019.

Fundraising Assistant. ​The Fundraising Assistant will assist the Fundraising Coordinator in the following
duties: The Fundraising Coordinator shall oversee and schedule PTO fundraising events with the
Co-Presidents, generate ideas for future events, and manage ongoing fundraising initiatives.

Spirit Wear Coordinator.​ The Spirit Wear Coordinator is responsible for keeping inventory of all spirit
wear and ordering new inventory when needed, with the approval of the Executive Board. The Spirit Wear
Coordinator shall staff booths at school activities and manage spirit wear sales.

We’re also looking for the volunteers for the next year. Please get in touch with one of the board members or
volunteer leads to find out more about activities you’re interested in.

UPCOMING PTO-SPONSORED EVENTS

Morning Coffee: AHS Project Update with Amy Speare

This Friday, 1/4/2019, at 8:15 am, in the lobby
Amy will update us and answer any questions regarding the AHS renovation project.

PTO Meeting
Wednesday, 1/9/2019, at 7 pm, Bishop Library
Justine Bloch from AYCC will present about its history, its mission, and the services it provides. There will be
some time for a Questions and Answers.

Bishop Play 2019

If you registered a child/children for Mary Poppins Jr, you should have received emails about the cast list, the
tentative rehearsal schedule, the Bishop Player Behavior Contract, and additional details. For questions, please
email thebishopplay@gmail.com or visit the ​www.bishopschoolpto.com/bishop-school-play

● Mary Poppins Jr Cast List​q

● Tentative Rehearsal Schedule

Family Movie Night - “Small Foot”

Friday, 1/11/2019, at 6 pm

Doors open at 6 PM Bishop Family Movie Night is a great way to kick-off

the New Year with our school community. This year's featured film is Small
Foot! There will be pizza, water, and popcorn for sale. Cash only please,
kids are welcome to wear PJs! Please note, this isn't a drop-off event. All
children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Please reach out
to Sheelagh Stirling at s​ heelaghstirling@yahoo.com​ ​with questions.

This a Kindergarten sponsored event, so we’re looking for Kindergarten

parents to help set-up, sell concessions, and break-down at the end of the
night.
 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45AFAB23ABFF2-2019

Save the Date: Bishop Night Out

Wednesday, 1/23/2019, at Town Tavern, 201 Mass Ave, Arlington

Look for more information about the annual night out in the next week’s newsletter. Please note that we have
incorporated your suggestions and moved it to mid-week.

Green Team
Friday Mornings @ 7:30 AM
Green Team's craft fair table was a success. The kids made and sold reusable snack bags, non-toxic cleaners
and hand stitched eco-monsters. Thanks to everyone who helped make it a fun and rewarding experience for
the kids. Green Team will be meeting in the main office conference room this Friday at 7:30 AM. We will
continue learning about storm drains, why they are important, and what our community needs to know about
them.

Please contact ​Jen Davidson-Jardeleza​ with any questions or suggestions.

January Enrichment Update

Wednesday, 1/9, for 4th Grade

Museum of Science Electromagnetism
This presentation features high-tech Museum equipment and students explore voltage, current, resistance, and
the interrelationship between magnetism and electricity. See someone’s hair stand on end, create a human
extension cord by sending an electric current through several people, and shoot a metal ring to the ceiling of the
school!

Wednesday, 1/13, for 3rd Grade

A Native museum teacher will speak with students about the history and culture of the Wampanoag people, tell
stories, bring artifacts, and guide the children through several traditional Wampanoag games and activities.

Friday, 1/18, for 1st Grade

Eyes on Owls
First-graders will meet six live owls (from small to huge) up close. Everyone participates in a hooting lesson and
learns tips on how to attract and protect owls that live nearby. The presenters will also bring a touch table of
Arctic wildlife artifacts and photos.
🔼

STAFF SPOTLIGHT!

Each week we spotlight a member of the Bishop staff on the bulletin board outside the main office to get to
know them better. Did you guess the last month’s staff?

STAFF OF THE WEEK: Will resume the first full week in January.

From Last Newsletter:

Family: Husband, daughter, mom, dad, brother
Birthday Month: March
Hobbies: decorating, organizing, watching HGTV
Pets: two-year-old dog, Katie
Favorite Book: A Day at the Beach
Favorite Food: Cheese and crackers with apples
Favorite Color: Periwinkle blue and pale green
Favorite Candy: Milk chocolate and peanut butter
Favorite Vacation: Disney, beach, New Hampshire in the Fall
Favorite Music: When concentrating: classical; free time: classic rock (80s and 90s)
When I grow up . . . I want to work with animals at Habitat, a zoo, or an aquarium.
Answer: Jennifer Spencer, Kindergarten Teacher
🔼

COMMUNITY NEWS

Guiding Good Choices Parenting Series (Sponsored by Arlington Youth Coalition)

Monday nights (January 7, 14, 28 & Feb 4th & 11th)
6:30-8:30 at The Whittemore Robbins House (670R Mass Ave)

Guiding Good Choices (GGC) offers proven techniques:

● Control and express anger constructively.
● Strengthen family bonds and trust.
● Prevent children from engaging in substance use and other risky behaviors.
● Improve communication with their children.
● Develop healthy family values and behavioral expectations
GGC consists of 5 workshops, held once a week for five consecutive weeks. This is an evidence-based
program that requires participants to attend all five workshops. Please register via email:
kkoretsky@gown.arlington.ma.us

Try Family Yoga

Sunday, 2/3, 2 - 3:15 PM, 369 Mass Ave, Arlington
Join Charlotte Oft at the Arlington Center and experience the benefits of Family Yoga, for age 7 and up. $15
per person to pre-register at ​www.stowyaga.com​. Please see: ​Family Yoga Flyer​ for details.

From Charlotte:
“I first experienced Family Yoga at Kripalu in 2001. I was amazed at how energized I felt after a weekend of active “play” with
my kids

After this discovery, I was inspired to expand my yoga training by getting certified in Circus Yoga and Yoga Ed. I have been an
assistant at the circus yoga program at Kripalu several times in addition to running Family Yoga workshops and teaching
children in the school system.

After an early introduction to yoga, my children 20, 24 and 25 continue to practice and receive the benefits of yoga. It has been
a tremendous tool for them to use as they navigate life.”

Robbins Library needs bags for books

Robbins Library is looking for donations of reusable bags to carry books. They can be used paper bags, retail
store bags, or gift bags--just not those one-time-use plastic bags that are banned in Arlington. Donations can
be dropped off at the front desk any time.
🔼

KEEP UP TO DATE

Bishop PTO Facebook page:​ ​https://www.facebook.com/groups/BishopPTO/

Websites:
Bishop School: ​https://bishopschool.net
Bishop PTO: ​http://www.bishopschoolpto.com/

Contact PTO Executive Board members:

Co-Presidents: ​Sarah Eastman​ (Senior) and ​Elisa Komoni​ (Junior)
Co-Treasurers: ​Ami Fatula​ (Senior) and ​Karin Moellering​ (Junior)
Fundraising Coordinator: ​Christian Na
Communications Coordinators: ​Junko Nagano​ and ​Christina Marko
Recording Secretary: ​Sheelagh Stirling
🔼

How to Register for Stop & Shop A+ Rewards

To support Bishop school PTO (and one more school, if you like), you first need your 13-digit Stop & Shop Card
number found on the back of the card.
● Visit ​www.stopandshop.com​, click on ​SIGN IN, MANAGE MY ACCOUNT, SAVINGS & REWARDS​ to
create or log into your online account.

If you have a Stop & Shop Card but do not know your 13-digit Stop & Shop Card number, call the Stop & Shop
Card Hotline at 1-877-366-2668 and select Option #1. The representatives will be able to provide you your Stop
& Shop Card number. If you need a Stop & Shop Card, please visit your local store to obtain one or click here:​ ​I
NEED A STOP & SHOP CARD​.​ It can take up to seven (7) days for a new card to get into the system. After your
first purchase, it can take an additional seven days to see the points from your initial purchase to appear on
your receipt.

More info on the Stop & Shop A+ Rewards Program is available here:
https://stopandshop.com/frequently-asked-questions/#/faqs/a-plus-school-rewards
(​Back to PTO News​)