Therapy dogs! Dogs, with their handlers, visited this week. Bubbles, Skipper and Maggie were ready to promote relaxation. Happiness ensued. There's something about a fluffy dog in the hallway. This is an optional activity since dogs aren't for everyone, but for those who like dogs, it's a fun and relaxing break from the daily rigors of academics.
Our Student Council leaders researched and wrote announcements about upcoming holidays. Then they announced them over the loudspeaker! Hearing your voice over the loudspeaker can be fun, and a little nerve- racking, but it's also great practice in public speaking. Nice work Student Council!
More celebrations! A read aloud about Hanukkah and menorahs in 2V!
2JP was exploring standard units of measure and some of the history of measurement this week. They cut out a replica of the "first ruler." Then they tried to find something in the classroom that was exactly a foot. Together they discussed if the item was exactly a foot or a little smaller or a little bigger. They also tried to focus measuring from edge to edge to make the measurement accurate.
We are so happy when families come and share their celebrations and traditions. Here are some Hanukkah and Christmas activities!
Thank you so much for your generosity to the children of Sister Pat's Camp, which supports children with cancer and blood disorders. Our 5th grade leaders help organize the gifts.
The day time 5th Grade Chorus and Band put on a great show for our students and staff! Mr. Geyer and Mr. Staluppi and prepared them well!
The 5th grade band and their leader Mr. Staluppi put on a great show!
More progress on Project Playground. The safe rubber surface has been poured. Looks great!
Online registration is open for Kindergarten and Grade 1 for the 2025-2026 school year. https://sites.google.com/westfieldnjk12.org/student-registration/home . Please share with Westfield friends and neighbors.
Congrats to our Music Students of the Month!
The Holidays are in full swing! Our snow globe is back. Parents are visiting classrooms to share family and holiday traditions! 1-H painted dreidels and learned to play. Many classes made Thanksgiving balloons to emulate the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.
Ms. Billing & Ms. Morano cooked up a Thanksgiving breakfast tradition for 4B and the staff!
Third graders in Ms. Boan's and Mr. Pask's classes investigated in Science together! Can you tell what they were dissecting?
So much progress this week on our playground!
Franklin's school newspaper, The Playground Press, meets at lunch and works on articles that interest them. They research, plan for interviews, take notes in their little reporter notebooks and keep their fingers on the pulse of Franklin School!
School Store is up and running! Our students love when they get to make purchases here and it's great practice in making change with money!
Recess and lunch are a time for a needed break from all of the hard work students do during the morning and are a chance to re-energize themselves for an afternoon of even more learning! But, this time is also more than just a break. It's a chance to try new things, take risks, build friendships and practice social skills. Students have time to connect with each other in a less structured atmosphere than the classroom which allows them to learn to play as a team like in basketball and football and to practice winning and losing at 4-square. Indoor recess works different "muscles". Students play Uno, Jenga, Battleship or Monopoly. They build with Legos or enjoy chatting with friends in other classes. Lots of fun and lots of learning as well!
Project Playground has broken ground! Looking forward to greater accessibility and fun! Thank you Project Playground!
Today is World Kindness Day! Franklin students are chalking the walk with messages of kindness and positivity!
