Brickett Banner News Highlights
The 05-06 school year seems to be quickly flying by for students, parents and staff. Many events are offered to enhance student’s academic and social development. Programs that encourage good citizenship, community service, and extra effort, develop skills/talent, and promote high standards, or academic excellence are the norm.
Student Council – Before school on Monday mornings Gr. 3, 4, 5 students meet with advisor / gr. 5 teacher, Mrs. Ferguson to implement student council planned events and special programs. This year’s elected council representatives: Jalyssa Pena, Kay-Lee Thompson, Charles Oliver, Tiffany Duong, Kevin Cardona, Suzanna McManus, Jeannie Mai, Justice Mathis, and Alicia Roeung have coordinated fundraisers to help Brickett School and the global community. Hundreds of dollars have been raised to donate to Hurricane Katrina victims, the Item Santa Fund and to help co-sponsor an upcoming Historical Perspectives theatrical presentation to introduce Abe Lincoln to K-5 students. Council members also help with the schools’ recycling program and our Coats for Kids Collection Program.
Radiant Readers – Each month a new grade of students is recognized for extra reading accomplishments. Coordinator & reading teacher, Mrs. Kassiotis collaborates with teachers to recognize extra reading effort and progress. Students’ photos are highlighted in the main foyer bulletin, and names are published in Banner News publications.
Certificates and bookmark awards are presented to recipients.
Family Literacy – To promote reading and family literacy, many community members, parents and Principal Moulison visit classrooms to demonstrate their love of reading and poetry at various times throughout the school year. Guest Story Tellers at this year’s fall /winter events included: Mayor Edw. (Chip) Clancy and Assistant, Andrea Scalise; School Superintendent, Nicholas Kostan; Police Chief, John Suslak; Mr. David Solimine; Mr. John Donoghue; School Committee member, Dan Cahill; Music Director, Mr. Joseph Picano; Lynn Teacher’s Union President, Alice Gunning; Mrs. Pearl Brown from the Lynn Historical Society; and the following friends and parents: Nancy Saunders, Demi Srey, Pat Smith, Maira Lopez, Johanny Castillo, Lauren Connolly, Bianca Travar, and Nadine Donovan.
Family Math Activity Day- Tuesday, March 14th has been scheduled to be our next combination Math Activity and Open House date. Staff, students and parents will be participating in math games and events that will increase students’ math skills, number sense knowledge and in general, have some family fun with math goals. The Banner Newsletter will provide more information to parents at a later date.
CHIPS ID Program – Students from Brickett and Harrington schools participated in the Massachusetts FreeMasons Child Identification Program on January 6, 2006. The Massachusetts FreeMasons, Mass. Crime Prevention Officers Association and the Mass. Dental Society provide this free safety /identification service to protect children. Volunteers from each organization collaborated to provide families with videotapes, fingerprints, tooth prints and DNA samples for the protection of children. The Mason Shriners’ clowns even provided entertainment for the children between visits to ID stations. The staff, parents and students left very impressed by the many volunteers, and the way this program provided individual ID Protection packets. It was a very impressive event.
Partnerships / Community Spirit
Angel Fund Network- Thanks to an offer from the Masons’ Angel Foundation, Brickett School staff have been working with MAF representatives; Raymond King and Michael Tenney to gain support for special projects and programs. Safety, health, social, and academic development are topics of discussion that often result in support and/ or financial assistance to enhance the lives of our children. Besides the co-sponsoring of the CHIP ID Program, the Masons’ Angel Fund Network help to provide students with special medical items, such as eyeglasses, hearing aides, and medical equipment or clothing. They may also assist with scholarships, and fees for field trips, lessons, and camp. We are grateful for this new association with the Masonic Angel Foundation, Inc.
Numismatics: The science / study of collecting coins, medals, paper money, tokens, and related objects; which are linked to one another by economic functions or physical appearance is the basis for the Kids & Money lesson to promote math / money skills and self-discipline.
John Donoghue, local businessman and member of Brickett’s School Improvement Council visits grade five classrooms each year to lend a hand at expanding student knowledge on the history of money, understanding the science of economics, and the importance of planning and investing for the future.
Eastern Savings Bank – School business partner, Eastern Bank has continued their school / business partnership with Brickett over the last six years. Bank employees visit grades three through five classrooms to encourage good money sense, math skills, and practical saving habits through a monthly Savings Makes Cents Program. In addition volunteers organized by Ellen Eager, visit Brickett during the holiday season to entertain K -5 students with songs, music, and skits.
Academic and Extra-Curricular Programs- To enhance our regular academic day, Brickett offers before and /or after academic support and a few extra-curricular programs of interest to our students. Many students participate in programs such as: Girl Scouts, girls and boys Intramural Basketball, Weather Club, Computer Clubs, Student Council, extra help night(s), reading and MCAS support programs. Family members are also offered opportunities to attend workshops or social events, join the PTO and SIC (School Improvement Council) and participate or volunteer in classroom activities, Open House events, Title 1 programs, and MCAS Preparation.
Chorus – Mrs. Donna Larisey, music teacher coordinates music programs and chorus. The Brickett School Chorus enjoys entertaining at local nursing homes and at school assemblies during the school year. Talent Show – Mrs. Sherrill Ellis and Mrs. Larisey have scheduled the school’s annual talent show for Feb. 9th & 10th. January 17th is the Tryout Day