Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:33:43 +0700WeeblyThu, 04 Feb 2010 13:56:42 +0700http://www.oakhillpto.org/2/post/2010/02/meet-the-finalist-candidates-for-ohms-principal.htmlInterim Superintendent James Marini has announced that the Selection Advisory Committee has identified two finalist candidates for Principal of OHMS:

Bayard Klimasmith is currently the Interim Assistant Principal at Wayland High School.  He has taught Social Studies in the Juanita High School in Kirkland, Washington, was an ESL teacher in the Czech Republic and also worked in the private sector as an educational consultant.  He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Wesleyan University, a M.A.T. from the University of New Hampshire and a Masters in Education from Harvard.

Eva Thompson is currently the Interim Principal at Oak Hill.  Prior to coming to Oak Hill, Eva was an ESL teacher in the elementary and middle schools in Newton and principal of the Peirce Elementary School in Newton.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts, a Master’s in Bilingual Special Education/Psycholinguistics from Regis College and a C.A.G.S. in Educational Administration from the University of Massachusetts.


The finalists will visit OHMS on these dates to meet with faculty, staff, and parents:

Wednesday, February 10:  
     Bayard Klimasmith

Friday, February 12:
     Eva Thompson

The schedule for each visit will be as follows:

7:15-7:45AM  Meet with faculty and staff in Library
8:15-9:00AM  Meet with parents in Library

All members of the OHMS community are invited to meet the finalists and complete a "feedback sheet" indicating your impressions and observations.

Many thanks to the Selection Advisory Committee for their hard work in bringing the search to this point.  Please meet the finalists and provide your feedback.  As Jim Marini says, your voice in important in the search process.
]]>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:16:08 +0700http://www.oakhillpto.org/2/post/2010/02/parent-coffees-with-the-principal.htmlThere will be two coffees this week -- one in the evening and one in the morning -- for OHMS parents to talk with Interim Principal Eva Thompson.

WHO:  All Newton middle-school parents are invited to attend.

WHAT:  Coffee and informal discussion with the Principal.

WHEN:  Tuesday, February 2nd at 7:00-7:45 PM
               and Friday, February 5th at 7:30-8:15 AM

WHERE:  OHMS Library

TOPICS:  Open discussion]]>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:14:58 +0700http://www.oakhillpto.org/2/post/2010/02/internet-safety-meeting-feb-3-at-bigelow-ms.html
WHO:  All Newton middle-school parents are invited to attend.

WHAT:  Panel discussion about helping kids to use the Internet and cell phones safely and appropriately.

WHEN:  Wednesday, February 3, 7:30-9:00PM

WHERE:  Bigelow Middle School auditorium, 42 Vernon St., Newton

A panel will speak about bullying, cyberbullying, netiquette, texting, and legal issues.  They will share information about what the school district and schools are doing to teach students about these topics.  There will be time for questions and answers, and practical tips given for parents.

Topics include:

• The Dynamics of Bullying
• Bullying in the Context of Adolescent Development
• Defining Cyber-Bullying and Netiquette
• What is the District Doing? What is the School Doing?
• What Can Parents Do?
• Legal Issues

Panelists include:

• Todd Harrison, Bigelow Principal
• Mark Hall, LICSW, Prevention/Intervention Counselor
• Iris Leigh, Curriculum Specialist
• Gwen Smith,Coordinator of PE, Health & Wellness K-8
• Dave Spirito, Newton Police, Youth Officer
• Martin Kaufman, Bigelow guidance counselor
• Diane Montville, Bigelow librarian

Moderators:  Susan Linn and Nancy Holczer from the Newton Partnership (formerly the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grant)

Co-sponsored by The Newton Partnership and Bigelow Middle School.]]>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:13:21 +0700http://www.oakhillpto.org/2/post/2010/02/flu-update-8.htmlThis notice is from the Newton Health and Human Services Department.

Influenza-like illness in the Newton Public Schools and throughout Massachusetts remains low.  However, New England typically sees influenza cases peak in February and March.  It is unknown what this new type of influenza will do this winter.  Therefore it remains important for all people age 6 months and up to get the H1N1 flu vaccine.  The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommends the vaccine even for people who believe they already had the H1N1 flu.
 
The Newton Health & Human Services Department is offering one more opportunity to receive this important vaccine.  The vaccine is free, and anyone may attend this clinic.
 
H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinic
Wednesday, Feb. 10
2 to 4 PM
and
5 to 7 PM
American Legion Post 440
295 California St., Nonantum
 
Children under age 10 (those 6 months through 9 years) need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine spaced a minimum of three weeks apart.  Children age 10 and older and adults need 1 dose of the H1N1 vaccine.  Both first and second doses will be available at this clinic.  Both H1N1 flu shots and H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine will be available.  Download the H1N1 forms at www.newtonma.gov/flu.  Fill out and bring these forms to the clinic.
 
A limited amount of seasonal flu vaccine will also be offered - these forms will be available at the clinic.
 
More than 4,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine were administered at all Newton Public Schools during the December school-based vaccination campaign.  Many more people were vaccinated at community clinics.  If your child was vaccinated at a school clinic, the original vaccination record will be stored in your child's school health record.  If you would like a copy, contact your school nurse.  If your child was vaccinated at a public clinic, the original vaccination record is stored at the Health Department.  If you would like a copy, call the Health Department at 617-796-1420.
 
The school nurses are continuing to monitor absence levels daily, and request that parents let their child's school know the reason for any absence.
 
Remember to wash your hands, cover your cough, and stay home when you're sick.  Have a healthy winter!]]>Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:41:36 +0700http://www.oakhillpto.org/2/post/2010/01/7th-grade-teachers.html 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Dear Oak Hill Families,

The weeks have flown by since I last contacted you regarding our impending change of 7th-grade teachers.  I write to share that our hiring team has finished its work and we have hired two strong teachers to carry on the capable work of Ms. Anita Pilley and Ms. Susanna Szeto.  Please join me in welcoming Mr. Eric Lass, who will serve for the remainder of the year as the math teacher on Team 7-1, replacing  Ms. Szeto, and Ms. Linda Belamarich, the maternity leave substitute for Ms. Pilley.

A recent graduate of Simmons College with a master of arts in teaching degree and Gr. 5-8 math certification, Mr. Lass comes to us after spending 19 successful years in the business and investment world.  An MBA from Columbia University, Mr. Lass' prior experience in business, and his recent student teaching experiences in Brookline, qualify him for this position.

During his recent demonstration lesson, it was evident that Mr. Lass has a passion and natural skill for teaching adolescents.  As one of his references commented, "Eric does not merely teach mathematics as some fossilized subject; he helps the students to learn what it means to create and then use mathematics.  He can tolerate students' errors in order to allow them the luxury of finding and making their own corrections.  The result, of course, is that the students enjoy the class, enjoy the subject, and develop their capacity for individual thinking and problem-solving.  I have seen few student teachers (or even professional teachers) that can maintain so high a level of cognitive demand."

Some of you may know Mr. Lass for he is also a parent in our school community.  After discussing the benefits and potential conflicts associated with teaching in the school his child attends, we are confident in Mr. Lass' professionalism.  As a parent and educator, he brings a balanced perspective of the schooling experience.

Ms. Belamarich comes to us from Day Middle School in Newton where she has been serving as an ISS/in-house substitute for the last two years.  This year, during any unassigned periods, Ms. Belamarich spent considerable time observing, supporting and substituting in 7th-grade social studies classrooms.  Administrators at Day speak enthusiastically of her teaching skill and remarked, "She is the most highly requested substitute on staff; she will be a loss to our school as she goes above and beyond in all that she does." 

With over 10 years experience in educational publishing as an editor, writer, and project manager, teaching is a second career for Ms. Belamarich.  Certified in humanities/social studies grades 5-8, and English grades 5-12, Ms. Belamarich holds a master of education degree from the University of Massachusetts in Boston.  She is passionate about history, literature, writing, and teaching.  In her demonstration lesson, Ms. Belamarich displayed a warm, calm manner with students.  Her lesson engaged students with PowerPoint visuals, higher-level questioning, and opportunities for small group work.  Ms. Belamarich is enthusiastically looking forward to working with our students,

Thank you to the members of our hiring team who joined me in the interview process for both positions: math teachers Brian Marks, Gr. 8, and Kirsten Turner, Gr. 7; Trudi Sacks, Gr. 7 English teacher; Cleo Syph, Gr. 7 social studies; special education teachers Nina Campolito-Bennes and Caren Bobroff; and Mary Eich, K-8 math coordinator.  The participation and input of these teachers was invaluable throughout the hiring process.

The last day for both Ms. Szeto and Ms. Pilley will be Feb. 12, just before the vacation break.  During that week the district provides one overlap day between the teachers to ensure that pertinent student information is shared, and to review curriculum maps and resources for the remainder of the year.  Both incoming teachers will observe prior to the overlap day to gain insight about classroom structures, systems, and expectations to enable a smooth transition for our students and their teachers.

Looking forward, Ms. Pilley is uncertain when she will return from her leave; it could be 8 or 12 weeks from delivery or she may choose to remain at home with her child.  I will be certain to notify you as soon as I know.  The search for a permanent math teacher will occur later in the spring.  Mr. Lass is welcome to apply for that position.

To provide parents an opportunity to meet our newest teachers, I invite you to a 7th-grade parent coffee on Monday, Feb. 8, 7:45-8:15 AM.  Though there is never a time that works for everyone, I hope many of you can join us, even if briefly.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail.  I am happy to speak with you.

With regards,
Eva M. Thompson
Interim Principal

]]>Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:38:32 +0700http://www.oakhillpto.org/2/post/2010/01/thanks-for-help-with-staff-lunch.htmlThank you to everyone who volunteered their time and effort for the Oak Hill Staff Appreciation Lunch.  It was a huge success.  We had lots of main dishes, sides, and salads, lots of sweets, and lots of happy teachers.  Special thanks to those of you who helped set up, were on hand through lunch, and helped during clean up.  This lunch could not have happened without you.
 
If you brought a dish and/or serving utensil to school, you can pick them up from a box in front of the office.
 
Also, if you are the person who brought the pasta, turkey meatball, sun-dried tomato dish, Kathleen Pruy in the office REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wants a copy of your recipe.  She loved it!]]>Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:30:41 +0700http://www.oakhillpto.org/2/post/2010/01/1102951980805.htmlThank you to everyone who has volunteered to donate food for the Staff Appreciation Lunch, taking place this Thursday, Jan. 21 at Oak Hill.  But, WE NEED MORE.
 
Please help out by providing a salad, side dish, entree or dessert that can be brought to Oak Hill on the 21st by 10:15 AM.  We need lots of help since we will be providing lunch for 100 staff members.  Some suggestions are green salads, fruit salads, pasta salads, quiches, other entrees and desserts.  It is also fine to pick up sandwiches, chicken/tuna salads, or any of your favorite take-out foods to bring in.
 
If you can help out in any way, email Maryanne Weiss at mgw1022@aol.com.]]>Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:29:49 +0700http://www.oakhillpto.org/2/post/2010/01/community-meeting-on-biking-to-oak-hill-brown-and-south-thursday-night.htmlA community planning meeting on biking to and around Oak Hill and Brown middle schools and Newton South High School will be held this Thursday, Jan. 21, at 7:30 PM at the Newton South Auditorium.

What can and should be done to encourage safe biking to and from NSHS, Brown, and Oak Hill?  How can we promote healthy lifestyles and reduce car traffic to and from the schools?

Please join the school PTOs and the Newton Bicycle/Pedestrian Task Force for a community planning meeting to discuss opportunities and priorities for safe biking to and from the three schools.  What bicycle accommodations--bike lanes and other road striping, bike racks, signs, etc.--are desirable and necessary?  What are the best routes for biking to and from the schools?  What are issues and concerns?  What are the potential benefits to and impacts on the adjacent neighborhoods?  What are the biggest obstacles to safe biking and how can they be eliminated or reduced?

Community input from the meeting will be compiled into a draft plan, to be reviewed with the community and then provided to the City of Newton.  Please come and contribute.  For further information, please email newtonbikeped@gmail.com.]]>Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:29:02 +0700http://www.oakhillpto.org/2/post/2010/01/jan-19-newsletter.htmlClick here to read the Jan. 19 Oak Hill PTO Newsletter.]]>Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:21:52 +0700http://www.oakhillpto.org/2/post/2009/12/message-from-eva-thompson.htmlDear 7th Grade Parents:

I write to share information that has recently come to our attention.
 
There have been concerns about cyberbullying among 7th graders in recent weeks outside of school.  Some of the behaviors include:

• Posting hurtful information about one another on Facebook
• Logging onto Facebook as another user
• E-mail messages or instant messages sent with upsetting comments

 Our youth officer, Officer Mace, felt it would be helpful to provide an informational training session with students to highlight the detrimental effects of such behavior.  He plans to outline the boundaries and legal guidelines when using internet-based communication sites.  Officer Mace made himself available to offer this session to all 7th grade students tomorrow, December 23, before students depart for the winter break.
 
As background for those who are not aware of the youth officer's role, Officer Mace works closely with the middle schools.  Part of his work includes coming to the school, not in uniform, to offer assistance in a variety of ways, including talking with students about issues of safety.  Cyberbullying is a safety issue.
 
As a school, we want to support students with their understanding of what constitutes cyberbullying and teasing.  We suggest you speak with your children regarding their use of these communication tools.  If you have any questions at all, please contact Amy Geer, Ken Yee, or me.
 
Best wishes,
 
Eva M. Thompson
Interim Principal
]]>