Viewing: August, 2018
August 28, 2018
A terrific first day!
Day 1 is in the history books! We had a terrific start to the school year! We began the day with some time for the kids to ask me ANYTHING, whether it was school related or something totally random (like my preferred flavor of toothpaste). Many students were able to put their early nerves to rest by asking about our class, our year to come, and how things worked in fourth grade. The opportunity for questions is ongoing, so feel free to help your fourth grader to brainstorm ideas this evening. We practiced our security routines and learned the routines for lunchtime in the cafeteria. To end the morning, we played a fun game called Two Lies and a Truth, in which students must come up with two untrue statements to keep us from identifying their third, truthful, statement. It’s a fun way to get to know one another, as both the truths and the lies helped to spark some conversations about things we have in common. Plus, it was a fun dose of competition, as we worked to see whether kids could identify the true statements better, or if I could detect the truth more successfully! (We still have three kids waiting for their turn tomorrow, so stay tuned for the nail-biting conclusion to the game… which the kids currently lead by four points… :-D)
Also, today, we had a visit from the Avon Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Carnemolla, and our Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Rusack. It was nice to have them visiting our school to start us off on a great note! We went to library today, enjoyed the bell ringing ceremony (remotely, this year, due to the heat), and ended the day by sharing one good thing about the first day of school.
I must tell you: Your children are TERRIFIC! I’m really enjoying them, and I can’t wait to see all that is in store for us this year! Please feel free to email me any time you have a question.
Below, please enjoy some photos from the day, and please scroll down further to access two parent surveys to help me learn more about your child.
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
August 28, 2018
Family Surveys for the New School Year
Hello, families! I’m excited to get to know your kids better. Would you please take a few moments to complete TWO surveys for me? These help me to better target instruction to meet your child’s needs and to best address your goals. The first survey is a general survey that helps me to learn about your child. The second survey focuses on technology and will help me to understand more about your child’s access to and comfort with different forms of technology. Thank you for completing these at your earliest convenience. (I’d love to have them by Friday, if possible.) If you prefer to complete them on paper, please email me or send in a note, and I’ll print them for you.) The surveys are embedded below this paragraph. You do not need to complete both of them at once, but the surveys will NOT save your responses if you leave this page and come back later. (So, for example, consider completing and submitting ONE survey, then come back and do the other at a later time.) Both parents, or other individuals responsible for your fourth grader’s care are welcome complete these to share their different insights on their child, if that is helpful to you. Thank you so much. As a parent, I know how much time these can take and how busy the start of school can be.
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss
August 22, 2018
Welcome to Room 209!
Hello! Welcome to the online home of PGS Room 209. During the school year, I will update this web site regularly with information about activities happening in Room 209, bulletins and news items, current events related to what we’re studying in social studies, online assignments, and much more.
It’s going to be a great year in fourth grade. There are so many new things to learn, and there are some really interesting activities coming up! Remember, I’m hosting a meet & greet on Monday, August 27th, at 3:00pm.
About Me
I asked my son, Charlie, who is starting third grade, what I should tell you about myself. Here’s his report:
- I have a terrific dog named Rimley.
- I like to go biking and watch Star Trek.
- I hate glitter.
- I’ve been teaching fourth grade for nine years.
- I love taking naps.
- I enjoy reading.
- Charlie and Caroline are both going to be in the same school this year.
Caroline, who is starting kindergarten, would also like you to know:
- I bring her to movies sometimes and took her to Disney on Ice.
- We like to go to the library, and she has her own library card. (Do you?)
I live locally with my wife, my son (Charlie), our daughter (Caroline), and our dog (Rimley). In my spare time, I like working on home improvement projects, making things in my woodworking shop, especially using my lathe, finding “good eats” at local farmers’ markets, or just relaxing by cooking, listening to old time radio shows from the 1940s and 50s, reading comic books, or watching the news. I collect old reel to-reel tapes of music, antique or unusual telephones, submarine paraphernalia, and all things related to Star Trek. I have been hoping to learn to play the guitar for a few years, but I haven’t gotten the time to focus on practicing. Maybe this is the year! This summer, I spent a lot of time working at a local summer camp, setting up my classroom, and I had a week to travel with my family. (We go to Atlantic City each year, which is where I was born.)
I enjoy tinkering with my computer and coming up with interesting ways in which I can use technology in the classroom. (You can definitely expect to use computers a lot in Room 209! I enjoy using Chromebooks, our class’ SMART Board, and other technologies while teaching.) Of course, I also love cheering on my favorite sports teams, the Boston Red Sox (Don’t worry Yankees fans, I promise not to be mean!) and the New Britain Bees!
Click “more” to learn more about me and fourth grade!
Posted in Class Updates|By Jon Moss