Category Archives: From the Principal

Today’s Dismissal

Today at dismissal a school van hit the back bumper of a school bus.  There was limited damage to the van.  The police, firefighters and EMTs responded as a precautionary measure.  All students are safe.

Globe Santa would like to reach out to families who are in need of holiday gifts this season.  Please see attached letter for additional information.  Globe Santa Letter

November School Assembly

 Throughout the year our school holds School Assemblies to promote school community, reinforce core values, and showcase student learning and work.  As part of the School Assembly, 5^th Grade Student Council Representatives make announcements and students or classes share.  Here is an outline of today’s School Assembly:

 1.             Good morning, welcome to our November School Assembly.  We would like to remind you when you are in the auditorium we want you to show your school listening look, including silent voices and quiet bodies.  Can you please show us your best school listening look now?

 2.             Please stand and join me in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. (I pledge…)

 3.             We have a number of Bowen students and teachers who celebrate their birthdays in October and November. If you have a birthday in October or November, please stand so that we can sing the birthday song to our friends.

 4.             We would like to thank you for participating in last month’s “Bowen Walks the Walk Walkathon.”  Through walking and fundraising, we were able to raise more than $8200 while promoting a healthy lifestyle and celebrating being part of theBowenSchoolcommunity.

 5.             This month the PTO will be hosting Bowen’s annual book fair in the library.  Each class will have the opportunity to visit the book fair to preview books and purchase books if you would like to do so.  You can also attend our Book Café this Thursday evening to view art work made by Kindergarten, 1^st grade and 2^nd grade as well as listen to the 5^th grade chorus.

 6.             We would like your help in improving morning arrival at Bowen.  We have noticed that students are not always making the best choices while waiting to enter the lobby.  Please remember that we must follow the school rules and be respectful when we arrive to school everyday so each person feels safe and valued.

 7.             This month the 5^th grade student council is happy to announce that each class will be receiving recess equipment, including balls and jump ropes.  It is important that each class be responsible for the equipment and remembers to bring it inside after each recess. Equipment cannot be left outside on the playground.  This is just one way we can demonstrate a Bowen Core Value, respect for our environment.

 8.             The 5^th Grade Chorus would like to kick off the musical season with a fall concert that can also be heard at this week’s Book Café.

 I hope this outline allows you to have a follow up conversation at home.  Our next School Assembly will be held on January 19, 2011.

 Have a great day,

Diana

Cypress Street is Closed!

Cypress Streetis blocked due to the wild weekend weather.  Unfortunately, there are power lines down and we are unsure of when they will be restored.  The school driveway will be opened in the morning to create a natural turning point, until the road is cleared.  However, the driveway will not be opened in the afternoon so please plan accordingly.  I would advise families to walk to school or park on Jackson or Langley Path.  This is temporary and I appreciate your flexibility.  Thank you for your help!

Bowen CAN Walk the Walk!

Today the Bowen PTO organized our first walkathon, Bowen Walks the Walk.  Students were invited to raise money for our school as they walked for 30 minutes.  During this time, students exercised with teachers and parent volunteers by walking, running, skipping, jumping, etc. around a track created on the upper field.  There was a great deal of excitement as students celebrated how many laps they completed during 30 minutes.  There was also a strong sense of school pride as children wore their very own Bowen Walks the Walk t-shirt.  I would like to thank you, the PTO and volunteers, as well as Ms. Tabor and our staff for making this a successful event and a highlight of the year! 

**It is not too late if you would like to donate.  Donations are still being collected in the Front Lobby.  You can also contact the PTO.  Thank you!

Dear Bowen Community.

It is with great sadness that I share with you that Avigail Eshet, a former student of Bowen, passed on Monday, October 10, 2011.  Avigail is the beloved daughter of Dan Eshet and Sigal Yawetz and big sister to Yonaton. 

Avigail attended Bowen from September, 2008 – December, 2009 as a Kindergartner and 1^st grader.  As a member of our community, she was known as a smart and beautiful little girl with a bright smile and great sense of humor.  She was cheerful and tenacious, and loved reading and music.  She touched the hearts of all of us who had the honor of working with her.

A service has been planned for Friday, October 14, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the Newton Cemetery, 791 Walnut Street, Newton Center, MA 02459.  Members of the Bowen community are welcome to attend.

We have not informed our students of Avigail’s death.  This news may impact students in various ways.  Children may feel scared or confused, while others may show no emotion.  We invite those families, who feel it is appropriate, to speak with their children.  Children may need reassurance that they are safe and that the death of a child is very rare.  If you need information, there are several resources for parents regarding death and loss.  Our staff, including Libby Sanderson, Stephanie Baumann and Barbra Rosen, are available to support you.  The Newton Public Library also has resources that you may find helpful.

If we can help you or your family in any way, please do not hesitate to call.  Please join me in sharing our deepest sympathies and support for the Eshet family.  They are in our thoughts and prayers. 

Sincerely yours,

Diana Guzzi, Principal

The Blue Zone Pick-up

We have successfully integrated the Blue Zone into our morning arrival routine.  Now, we need to improve the afternoon Blue Zone pick-up.  The Blue Zone, required by city ordinance, is designed to improve traffic flow and to insure safe drop off and pick-up of students. 

How the Blue Zone works during afternoon pick-up: 

• The first car to arrive at the Blue Zone must pull up as far as possible (at the driveway entrance/exit located next to the wooded area).
• Each car must pull in directly behind the car in front of them.
• Drivers must stay in the car, drivers may not exit the car to pick-up or greet a child.
• The children will cross to the Blue Zone at the designated crossing path painted on the driveway in front of the main entrance doors.
• Student will wait for a Blue Zone pick-up on the sidewalk marked by the blue curb.
• Students will load into the car once the car has come to a complete stop in the Blue Zone. Students may not load into the car in front of the school driveway or on the street.
• Students must be able to load into the car independently, the driver must stay in the car. If children need assistance to get into the car, the driver must park in a legal spot outside of the Blue Zone.
• Once the child is properly belted in the car, carefully pull out of the Blue Zone. Please use caution and remember that there are other cars traveling onCypress Street.
• Cars must continue onCypress StreettoParker Street. Please do not make a U-turn onCypress Streetas this is extremely dangerous.
• Cars that continue to wait for a child should move forward, there should be no gaps.

If you want to use the Blue Zone, you must follow the Blue Zone procedures.  It is also important that you communicate your pick-up plan with your child and teacher.  Students must be able to independently walk to the Blue Zone.  Older siblings can pick-up younger siblings and walk them to the Blue Zone.  If your child is not able to walk to the Blue Zone independently or with a sibling, you must park in a legal parking space and walk to pick your child up.  It is essential that all families follow the procedures and communicate these expectations to any other caregiver who may pick up at dismissal time.

Thank you for your help by following the Blue Zone procedures.  The Blue Zone can be a very effective system in the afternoon as long as we work together.

This weekend marks the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. You and your children are likely to view images or hear commentary about that event in our history. If your children ask questions, it is recommended that you share the basic story lines of 9/11, realizing that their interest may be limited as this is not part of an elementary child’s experience. Given that, we are not planning any official remembrance activities at the elementary level. Teachers are prepared to discuss the anniversary should students raise questions or have comments, but in general we believe it is in the best interest of elementary students to proceed with their typical routine.

Sincerely,
Diana

Dear Bowen Parents,

The staff and I are looking forward to seeing everyone this Tuesday morning for the start of the new school year.  As many of you may have seen this past Thursday, we have a new Blue Zone in front of the school.   This will affect the flow of traffic during both drop off and pick up.  The Blue Zone is intended to allow the school traffic to be more fluid and to provide a safer environment for our kids.

The Blue Zone, marked by blue curbs and new signs, is located just outside the driveway on Cypress Street (please click here to see where the Blue Zone is located).   They are in use by many other schools and require cooperation to function properly.

During drop-off and dismissal times, as marked on the signs, the Blue Zone is to be used for active drop-off and pick-up only.  The driveway will be used for buses only and will be strictly off limits for cars during this time so that children may safely access the school to and from the Blue Zone.  You will not be allowed to turn into the driveway during this time.  Note that during other times of the day the driveway will be open and the Blue Zone will be available for parking.  Please see more detailed procedures for use of the Blue Zone below.

Your patience is appreciated while we adapt to this new system and work out the details. For at least the first week, we will have several staff members outside during the morning drop off to help facilitate the new system.  As always, walking and taking the bus are strongly encouraged to reduce congestion.

Thank you for your cooperation.  Please contact us if you have any question or concerns.

Sincerely,

Diana

DROP OFF

At drop off, Blue Zone will function much as the driveway did:

• If you plan on using the Blue Zone for drop off, please access Cypress Street from Jackson St (this will avoid U-turns on Cypress which are dangerous)
• Stay in line.  Pull up as far as possible
• Children must be able to exit the car themselves and be ready to do so as you pull up to the Blue Zone.
• The driver must remain seated in the car at all time.
• Drop off children on the passenger side only, and quickly depart.
• Never enter the driveway or parking lot
• Please do not make a U-turn on Cypress in private driveways or on sidewalks.  This creates danger for pedestrians and disorderly traffic patterns
• If you do not wish to proceed north along Cypress, do not use the Blue Zone; use a different drop off point further away from the school.   Langley Path is available for drop off and parking, as well as on-street parking throughout the neighborhood.

PICK UP

Dismissal plans for the Blue Zone are still being worked out for the various grades, so the Blue Zone may not be an option for everyone just yet.

• Make arrangements to have your child meet you and exit promptly.
• Do not leave your car idle.  It’s the law.
• Never double park
• Never enter the driveway or the parking lot
• If these options will not work for you, or your child, please take the time to park elsewhere
• For older children, consider alternative pick up zones away from the school
• Do not make a U-turn on Cypress.  Keep our school zone safe.

August 26, 2011

Dear Bowen Families,
 
I hope every family is enjoying the last days of summer.  We are excited about the upcoming school year.  This week we have been preparing for the opening of school, including welcoming new families to the Bowen community. 
 
We would like to share the class placements with you. The staff worked collaboratively to create each class.  When the classes were created, teachers were actively involved in the process and provided insightful information about each child.  Families also had the opportunity to provide information about their children.  Please share your child’s class placement with them to help prepare them for the new school year. We look forward to a year filled with exciting learning experiences, individual growth and building friendships (old and new).  Your active support will help ensure that each child has a successful transition back to school.
 
Please be sure to check out the updated school website (http://bowen.newton.k12.ma.us), as well as the update PTO (http://bowenpto.org).  These websites will help you stay informed with what is happening at school throughout the year.  I look forward to seeing you during our Classroom Visit Time on Thursday, September 1 from 10 – 10:30 a.m. and on the first day of school, Tuesday, September 6.  It is going to be a great year at Bowen!  We are looking forward to seeing you soon!
 
Yours truly,
Diana
Diana K. Guzzi
Principal