Wishing All A Very Joyous Holiday!!!

Please know that I'm sending the most sincere wishes for a very happy and healthy holiday season!  I do hope that our Daisy families are enjoying time with family and friends during this holiday break.

We had a wonderful Daisy Sing-A-Long on December 23, where we celebrated many wonderful "Acts of Kindness" that our students and staff are involved in.  Our "Mitten Tree" is pictured here, which is an incredible project that our Computer Teacher, Kim Godfrey, has led for the past ten years.  This year, our very generous students and staff donated 100 pairs of mittens and gloves for needy children.

At our Sing-A-Long, I was delighted to share the store of "The Mitten Tree" with our students.  As many of us were dressed in cozy pajamas, we discussed how the holidays are more about giving than receiving.

Ms. Garofalo's class recited their "Kindness Pledge," which they created themselves.

We also recognized the work that Andrew and James Scotella have done with their "Bottle It Up" program at school.  Through their recycling efforts, they have donated $1,500 to Smilow Cancer Center.

Many chose to donate to a very special fundraiser on that day, called "Mad For Madeline."  Madeline is a third-grader from neighboring East Lyme, who is preparing to undergo a bone marrow transplant. Our Daisy community raised $242 to help her family with this effort.

We also sang some traditional holiday songs, under the expert direction of Music Teachers Michele Hammond, Jennifer Bellizzi and Rachael Allen.

 I just have to add that one of my most memorable, and cherished, events during this holiday season was being invited to help "flip the switch" on Westbrook's Christmas Tree on the green.  What an honor!  The best part of all of that was seeing so many of our students and families at the event.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!

Warmly,

Mrs. Rose

Daisy's Climate Initiatives Featured in "Parent & Child" Magazine

The December/January 2015 issue of Scholastic's "Parent & Child" magazine includes an article on what it really takes to stop bullying.  In this article, Dr. Jo Ann Freiberg, co-chair of the National School Climate Committee, who has also trained Westbrook staff in School Climate, is featured as well as our very own Daisy Ingraham Elementary School.

In discussing what schools can do, it's imperative that staff is trained on how best to intervene the moment a clash happens.  Also, not all mean behavior is bullying; some of it is just unkind and must be addressed at the onset.  Here's a quote from the article:

"That's why all the adults at Daisy Ingraham Elementary School in Westbrook, Conn., are learning strategies that help create a more civil environment," says the school's principal, Ruth Rose.  

Also, in discussing Restorative Discipline and how students can "right a wrong," Rose says that "Sometimes kids fear they've dug a hole too deep to get out of.  We need to give them a chance to make things right."

For the complete article, click on this link:  http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/parent-child/bullying-epidemic-over

Daisy's Fabulous "Mrs. Murray's Greenhouse" Recognized at CAS "Excellence in Education" Recognition Program

Last night, our very own Mrs. Murray's Greenhouse/Garden was recognized as a program of excellence at the Connecticut Association of School's "Excellence in Education" Recognition Program.

Thanks so much to everyone who has had a part in contributing toward the success of our greenhouse and garden, a wonderful remembrance to former teacher, Mrs. Murray.

Plans to further integrate this program into our curriculum as a true experiential learning method continue.  In fact, there is a meeting of the Garden Committee today (Thursday, Nov. 20) at 3:15 pm, beginning in the office and then heading out to the greenhouse.  Anyone interested is welcome to come join this meeting!

Accepting the award on behalf of the entire Daisy Community are: Sylvia Guinan, Elizabeth & Devin Xenelis, Ruth Rose, Dawn Hendrixson, and Melinda & Dwayne Xenelis.

Not present for the picture, but also honored last night in their absence, were Kit Bishop, Ellen Tucker and Darcie Orloski for their part in seeing the garden to fruition.  Thank you, all!!!

Veterans' Day Assembly on Nov. 11

As is our Daisy tradition, we will honor our Veterans on Veterans Day, November 11, as school is in session on that day.

We invite an family members who are Veterans, or who are currently serving our country, to join us for a school-wide assembly on Tuesday, November 11, at 9 am.  Veterans are encouraged to come in uniform and we encourage our students and staff to wear the patriotic colors of red, white and blue on November 11.

Halloween Candy for Veterans

One of our third-graders, Julia  Kukta, had the fabulous idea of donating her Halloween candy to our troops.  On her own, she brought in bags of the candy that she had collected while trick or treating and decided to "treat" our troops.  Bravo, Julia!!!

If we have other students--or adults--at Daisy who would like to "Treat our Troops," please leave your donations of candy or other items in the collection box outside our main office.  THANK YOU!

REMINDER---FAMILY MATH NIGHT TONIGHT, NOV. 6

We have had a great response and look forward to welcoming everyone to our first FAMILY MATH NIGHT at Daisy tonight, Nov., 6.

Here's the schedule:

5:00-5:45 pm----Grades K, 1, 2

5:45-6:15 pm----Pizza in the Cafe

6:15-7:00 pm---Grades 3, 4

Our Math Specialist, Mrs. Harrington, and I will meet families upon arrival and direct you to your grade-level location.  Our students will be very involved in this evening as they teach families some of their favorite Math games.  I thank our teachers for providing this exceptional opportunity for our students and families!

Child care will also be available, which will be provided by our very own Westbrook High School students.

We look forward to having some FUN WITH MATH tonight!

Sincerely,
Ruth W. Rose

REMINDER--NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS ON TUESDAY, NOV. 4

Please remember that there is NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS on Tuesday, November 4, Election Day.

Teachers will be in school all day on Tuesday, working on Professional Development, specifically on further study of the implementation of the Writers' Workshop Model for our students.

Our teachers and students have enthusiastically embraced our new writing program, which has helped motivate students to write in a variety of genres.  Look for more news on our students' writing progress as well as samples of student writing!

We look forward to welcoming our students back to school on Wednesday, November 5.

Sincerely,
Ruth W. Rose

Festive Fall Fun---"Orange & Black Day" on Oct. 31 at Daisy

Daisy's First Graders are wishing everyone a very festive fall season!

In the spirit of festive fall fun, students and staff are encouraged to wear the colors of orange and black on Friday, October 31st.

There will be lots of fall-themed activities going on in classrooms, including Pumpkin Math Investigations; "spook-tacular" reading, writing and art activities; as well as special snacks.
(Photos to follow.)

Wishing all a very happy ending to October and thanks to all for an exceptional month of work and fun at Daisy Ingraham!

Mrs. Rose, Principal

Daisy's Trick-or-Trot was a Resounding SUCCESS!!!

What a fabulous weekend it was!  I can't thank our volunteers (and sponsors) enough for making the 2nd Annual Daisy Ingraham Trick-or-Trot a resounding success!

We have the most incredible students, families, staff, friends, school and town community at Daisy Ingraham in Westbrook!  Everyone came together to have fun, in a healthy way, at our 5K Run/Walk and Kids' Fun Run.  The weather only added to the festivities as we were treated to an exceptionally nice Fall day.

Here are a few highlights of the day:

 Thanks to our wonderful PTO Parent Volunteers as well as to our Daisy Staff who helped out!

 Ready, set, go!!!

 It was wonderful to welcome back Mrs. Kit Bishop, as well as to welcome our Superintendent, Pat Ciccone.

 Children had fun painting pumpkins, as well as faces : )

THANK YOU ONE AND ALL!!!
IT WAS FABULOUS FUN AND A WONDERFUL PTO FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND OUR SCHOOL!!!

More Volunteers Needed for Daisy's "Trick or Trot"

Our "Trick or Trot" Team is in need of additional volunteers to help on Race Day, October 25, specifically in the areas of:

• Parking
• Face Painting
• Pumpkin Painting
• Clean-up

If you can lend a hand, please contact Adrienne Bransfield at bransfielda@gmail.com

Every volunteer effort is sincerely appreciated!!!

Welcome to the "Principal's Blog!"

In an effort to provide better communication within the Daisy School Community, I have created this Principal's Blog.  Hopefully, parents of Daisy students, as well as staff and members of the greater Westbrook community, will visit often to learn about important news and events at our Daisy Ingraham Elementary School.  Welcome!

Daisy "Trick or Trot"

Daisy's fabulous 5K "Trick or Trot" is scheduled for October 25.

For the very latest details on the big event, please visit: http://www.daisytrickortrot.com/