Much of the 'Scoop this week is about biking/scootering and street safety. Our amazing Physical Education teachers Nikki DeNardo and Kristin MacDonald have put together a comprehensive unit on street safety and riding scooters and bikes. There was a guest presentation to our K-2 students from Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Program, a helmet check/bike check practice in class, some guest helpers from SMHS and a day of practicing scooters and bikes outside! This is great preparation for our upcoming annual "Walk, Ride or Roll to School Day" , which will be on Wednesday, May 6th. Look below for more details of this fun, family and school event!
I hope you enjoy these fun images from our week.
-Kara Schofield, Assistant Principal
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K, 1 and 2 April REACH award recipients...
Our school security guard noticed some new residents on the Forestdale premises. We have birds living in our new birdhouses that encircle our garden! We welcome our new house guests.
Preschool students in SEL take daily walks through Forestdale, often in search of their favorite friend, Lennon. Here Lennon is getting lots of gentle love from her biggest fans.
Students enjoyed disco music lunches in Ms. Schofield's office - for finishing their reading logs, and there was a student sighting off campus at a climbing gym. Of course, we needed to take a photo!
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To kick off our PE Bike Unit, our K–2 students participated in an engaging bicycle safety presentation led by the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Program, a statewide MassDOT initiative that helps schools promote safe biking, walking, and rolling for students. On Tuesday, April 28, Colleen Pekrul from Mass Safe Routes presented bike safety to K 1 and 2 students in the MPR.
During the presentation, students learned how to get their bodies ready to ride by wearing a properly fitted helmet, closed-toe shoes, and bright, comfortable clothing. They were taught the important Helmet Fit Check using the “Head, Ears, Mouth” method to be sure helmets are secure and safe. Students also learned how to get their bike or scooter ready to ride by using the ABC Check—Air, Brakes, and Chain. Each student was given a reflective strip to wear as an anklet, bracelet, or attach to their backpack to take home.
This fun and informative visit was the perfect way to build excitement while teaching our young riders the safety skills they will use throughout our upcoming bike unit in PE!
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The next unit of study for students in Physical Education classes is road safety and riding scooters and bikes safely. Students who had PE this week were encouraged to bring their helmets to school. Students who did not have a helmet borrowed a school one (we have shower caps and disinfectant to clean helmets between student use). Students got the helmet fitted just right to their head and reviewed safety signs on the road (yield, stop, crosswalks, etc.)
The class activities included bike safety "stations" in the gym - scootering, ABC check on bikes, and balancing activities. Where did the scooters and bikes come from? Our wonderful PTA funded the purchases of these items for this particular purpose. They were assembled by the Sandwich Rec program on "bike safety". Forestdale School now has a combined class set of scooters and bikes to use for this Physical Education unit. Thank you to all who helped make this a reality for our young students.
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On Friday May 1st, Mr. Taylor's 4th period Grade 8 Civics class traveled to Forestdale School to help teach Bike Safety to Ms. MacDonald's and Ms. DeNardo's Grade 2 PE class. The 8th graders have been researching issues surrounding Biking in Sandwich as part of their Civic Action Project and determined that this was an "Action" they could undertake to have a positive impact in our Town. This followed after meeting with various Town officials, including Sean Polay of the Bike and Pedestrian Safety committee. This class is also pursuing Bike Trail maintenance with the Cape Cod Chapter of the New England Mountain Biking Association.
The Civic Action Project is a part of the Massachusetts Civics curriculum, which aims to empower students with the skills and knowledge to make positive, real world impacts in their communities now and in the future. We are so thankful for the District wide collaboration that has gone into this bike/scooter safety unit. Our second graders were thrilled to have the "big kids" help with their first outdoor adventure of scooter and bike riding. Thank you Mr. Taylor and Grade 8 Civics class.
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Students who had PE this week had PE class outside. K students practiced scooters - going around a track and sharing the scooter with the next student waiting a turn. 1st and 2nd grade students split into two groups and practiced riding bikes or riding scooters, and then switched to try the other activity. Students who were waiting turns got to draw road safety messages in chalk in the empty parking lot spaces. Students who have PE in their upcoming rotations will have a chance to participate in this fun filled unit as well! For more information about this bike program, please reach out to NDeNardo@sandwich.k12.ma.us or KMacDonald@sandwich.k12.ma.us.
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In Physical Education, students will continue learning about helmet safety and will have opportunities to ride scooters and bikes. Notices will be sent home to inform families of the specific days students will be riding, so they may bring their own helmets to school if they choose.
If a student does not have a helmet or forgets to bring one, helmets will be available to borrow at school. Please check your child’s helmet before sending it in to ensure a proper fit and working condition, which will help maximize their riding time during class.
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Students gathered in the MPR on Friday afternoon to celebrate Mr. D on Principal's Day. You can feel the energy of these students singing to our fearless leader! |
As we continue to nurture a supportive and inclusive environment for all our students, we’re excited to continue Special Persons Day—a heartfelt celebration that honors the meaningful connections in each child’s life.
Instead of traditional Mother’s or Father’s Day celebrations, Special Persons Day provides a more inclusive opportunity for students to recognize and celebrate the important people who support, love, and guide them. Whether it’s a grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, caregiver, mentor, family friend, or community member, this day is about embracing all types of family structures and ensuring every child feels seen and valued.
We are excited to celebrate Special Persons Day on Friday, June 5th!!
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The DEIB/CARE team paired with the PTA to create a lending library of books for both staff and families.
The books span a wide range of topics that support diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. The hope is that students benefit from these books to further their understanding of themselves and others. Teachers or parents/guardians can make selections through the concept of books serving as either windows or mirrors. When books become windows, students can view more about the world around them. When books become mirrors, students can see themselves represented in the book’s plot or characters. (Reference- Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop-Ohio State University)
We look forward to expanding the collection in years to come.
We will showcase a few books in upcoming principal newsletters.
Our school librarian has developed a simple checkout procedure for families to browse the collection, request a book and then pick up the book at Forestdale. Just click on the link to get started!
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May
4-8 Teacher Appreciation Week
5 - Susan Verde (author) visit (2nd grade)
5,6,8 - 1st Grade Field Trips
6 - Walk, Ride, or Roll to School
8 - Big Ryan (PK)
11- Forestdale Garden Dedication
12- K Field Trip
12 - PTA, 6PM, FD
15 - PTA movie night, 5:30, FD
19, 21 - 2nd Grade Field Trips
29 - Salt the Whale visit (2nd grade)
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