Originally delivered on 10/20/2024 8:43 am

SUBJECT: Sprague Pulse | Week of October 20th

Stay connected with Sprague Pulse, your weekly update.
Weekly Newsletter - October 20, 2024
President's Message

Hi Sprague Community, 

WOW! 7 days until FALL FEST! Don't forget to get advanced tickets so you won't stand in line to get in! You may be wondering how much to buy — for reference, items range from $1 to $8. You can always purchase more on-site, but it's a good idea to start with $15/kid. Purchasing ahead of time also helps event organizers prepare. We also need LOTS of hands to help make the event run smoothly — please sign up for a 30-minute slot.

Annual Appeal **FINAL WEEKEND**

Our organization spends over $175 per student per year directly on field trips, community building and classroom support. Our request this year is a donation of $150 per student, but any donation amount is greatly appreciated. Ask your employers if they have a gift matching program. Sprague PTO is a tax-exempt 501(c) (3) organization. 

Our participation goal is 75%, and Leigh Petrowsky has offered a special Comfy Cozy Day for our students if we hit that goal. Even a $1 or $5 donation would count toward this participation goal, so please, donate today.

Grade 3 & 4 Grade Social Hosts Needed

Email us if you're interested in hosting a casual get-together for Grade 3 or 4!


Best, 

Rose & Wendy

Sprague PTO Calendar
Monday, October 21
School Bus Safety Week
Tuesday, October 22
School Bus Safety Week
9:30a CAS Event: 3rd Grade - Plimoth Patuxet
Wednesday, October 23
School Bus Safety Week
8:30a Yellow Spirit Day
Thursday, October 24
School Bus Safety Week
8:45a CAS Event: 2nd Grade - Museum of Natural History
10:00a CAS Event: 4th Grade - Lisa Moore Eco Walk
Friday, October 25
School Bus Safety Week
9:00a CAS Event: 1st Grade - Puddlestompers
5:00p Fall Fest & Movie Night
Bus Safety Week October 21-25

As part of our commitment to promoting bus safety and recognizing the vital role our bus drivers play, we are asking everyone to take a moment to show gratitude to our wonderful bus drivers who ensure our students arrive safely to and from school every day. Encourage students to make thank you cards or write a note to express their appreciation.

**Yellow Spirit Day - Wednesday, October 23rd. **
To raise awareness about school bus safety we are having a theme day where students & staff can wear yellow or white!

Sprague Fall Fest & Movie Night: Friday, October 25th

The Annual Fall Fest & Movie Night is a Sprague family favorite! Yummy food and treats, pumpkins, crafts, costume sale, and a special viewing of Monsters University. 

Skip the line by purchasing Fall Fest tickets in advance.

Date: Friday, October 25, 2024
Time: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Where: Sprague Field & Playground

We need volunteers to help with tasks leading up to the event, as well as to work tables for 30-min shifts during the event.

Sign up to help!

Questions? Contact Social Events Co-chairs Kim Hall and Lauren Grignaffini-Morris at social.events@spragueschoolpto.com.

Walk/Ride/Roll-to-School: Wednesday, November 6

All are encouraged to join by walking or rolling to school! Meet Ms. Flitsch, P.E. teacher, and the Sprague parent volunteers at the Sprague main entrance to receive your footie necklace.

Add to calendar

PTO Meeting: Wednesday, November 6

Join us for our PTO meeting on Wednesday, November 6th! We will be gathering in the Sprague Library or, if you prefer, you can join us virtually via Google Meet

This is a great opportunity to connect with other parents, discuss upcoming events, and share your ideas for the school year. We look forward to seeing you there and working together to make this year amazing for our students!

Add to calendar

Upcoming Grade Socials

Grade

Date
TimeHostRSVP Link
KNovember 8
7:00 - 10:00 pm
Hayes Family
RSVP
1stNovember 157:30 - 9:30 pm
Benedikt & Newman Families
RSVP
2ndNovember 157:00 - 10:00 pmDrummond & Cross FamiliesRSVP
5thNovember 87:00 - 10:00 pmSpivak FamilyRSVP
Events & Programs
CAS
Creative Arts and Sciences (CAS)

LAST WEEK'S EVENTS

This fall, our 5th graders are tackling a new project featuring "tiny homes." Students are using their new knowledge of volume to expand upon the Dream House unit from grade 4. Moving beyond two-dimensional floor plans, students are tasked with adding a 3rd dimension to area and perimeter, considering specific design, sustainability and budget criteria. 

On Thursday, our fifth grade students had the chance to meet by Zoom with Canadian Tiny Home expert designer and builder, Heather Fritz, to learn about tiny living and thoughtful design. (Among her nuggets of tiny home wisdom, she even sprinkled in some life lessons about perseverance and following your dreams!)

  • Ask your 5th graders:
    • What are some key aspects of tiny home design?  
    • What might you want to ask your clients if you were designing a tiny home?
    • What is dual purpose design? Can you give me an example?
    • Why is the intended location of the tiny home important? 
    • Photos are available on our website!

THIS WEEK'S EVENTS

Tuesday: Our third graders will be visited by Plimoth Patuxet Museum for the "People of the Dawn" program. Students will learn about the Wampanoag People's relationship to land, respect for all living beings, and seasonal ways of life. Students will handle traditional artifacts and animal furs and may also play a traditional game.

Thursday: Second graders will embark on their very first field trip! At the Harvard Museum of Natural History, students will take a tour "around the globe", from lush rainforests to frozen tundra, in search of the plants and animals who call these different places home. Using live animals, plants, and other natural objects, we will explore the individual features and behaviors of these organisms and compare how they survive and thrive in their environments.

Thursday: Fourth graders will be visited by town-native and former Sprague parent, Lisa Moore of the Wellesley Natural Resource Commission (NRC). The students will walk around the Sprague campus and adjacent areas to learn about weathering, erosion and deposition.

Friday: First graders will be visited by a school favorite, Puddlestompers! The students will learn how mammals and insects continue to use fall leaves once they have fallen from the trees. Outside, they will explore and learn about seed caching for winter, animals preparing their winter dens, and be introduced to the concept of fall as a transitional season, which leads to winter, a season of rest. 

Learn more about CAS or email cas@spragueschoolpto.com.

Merchant Fundraisers
Shop & Dine for Sprague!

Fundraising opportunities that give back to our school:

Learn more about our Fundraising Program!

Want to recommend a partner?Email us!

Sprague Garden Clean-Up

Thank you to the 21 Students with their families that came out to help put the Sprague garden to sleep for the winter! Keep an eye out in April for opportunities to help with planting in the spring.

Questions? Email GreenTeam@SpragueSchoolPTO.com


2024 Cradles to Crayons Drive Ends November 1

Join Sprague Elementary’s efforts to make a difference to the children served by Cradles to Crayons! Drop off donations of new or gently used children's clothing in the main lobby from now until November 1st.

Show Your Sprague Spirit!

Spikey got a glow-up, which means it's time to update your Sprague swag! 


Order your Sprague gear from 1stPlaceSpiritwear

Yearbook
Send in Yearbook Photos

The yearbook team is already hard at work gathering memories for the yearbook. Send in your First Day of School photos - and whatever else you've snapped so far this year - to yearbook@spragueschoolpto.com

Community - WPS
SEPAC

The Wellesley Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is made up of parents and caregivers whose children receive special education services (IEPs) or accommodations (504 plans). The SEPAC advises the district on matters relating to the education and safety of students with disabilities AND provides support and community for families of children with IEPs and 504 plans or who are going through the evaluation process. 

If you’d like to learn more, share input or feedback, or just get connected, contact Sprague SEPAC rep Nicole Katz at sepac@spragueschoolpto.com

Stay Connected
Sprague PTO's Socials

Follow the links below to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Share your photos with social.media@spragueschoolpto.com

Sprague Family Directory

Find a friend on Sprague's Family Directory.

Facebook
Facebook
Instagram
Instagram
Sprague PTO Board

Meet and connect with the Board.

Interested in joining as a Co-Chair or Committee Member? Email presidents or the relevant contact on our Board page, or join us at an upcoming PTO Meeting to learn more.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -