Spelling Bee Competition Buzzes with Excitement

The annual Spelling Bee competition at LFMS had a terrific turnout by students. Seventh Grade English/Language Arts teacher, Mrs. Acritelli, and several distinguished staff judges assisted ‘Bee-Master, Mr. Akerman. Typically, students find it daunting to stand before their peers and parents to compete in an academic-based competition, but our fine group of spellers surmounted their anxiety and chased the butterflies in their stomach away. According to the rules of competition, students need to repeat the word, and then spell it correctly.

They have the option of asking for a definition, or an example of how it is used in a sentence. They may also ask what is the word’s root derivative—French, Italian, etc.Round after round, our LFMS students competed with each other, doing their best to spell such words as ‘apothecary,’ ‘salient’, or ‘interlace.’ By process of elimination, the winner of this year’s Spelling Bee was Caleb Berry. We commend all participants for their efforts and enthusiasm. Remember, literacy is a large part of our day at LFMS, and spelling is only one component.

LES Students and SOX TOPS Make a Difference

Our K-2 Special Education Teacher, Susan Wiles, coordinated this year’s Sox Tops for Kids, sponsored by Hood products. Students were asked to bring in caps, which were redeemed by the company for 5 cents each. In a month’s time, students collected 11,052 Hood caps, and earned $552.60 for Livermore Elementary School. The money will go to support the student-run bookstore, in order to provide low-cost books and supplies for our students. Mrs. Wiles and her students are the managers of this enterprise and we appreciate their willingness to donate time and effort to such a worthy endeavor. (The pirate costume is just one of many learning events Mrs. Wiles creates at LES.)

Welcome to Choices Class
Julie Bolduc

The purpose of this course is to prepare our 8th grade students to find greater success in the high school experience: academically, emotionally, physically, and socially. Some of the concepts discussed throughout the course are self-esteem, recognizing our value system, resisting peer-pressure, setting and establishing goals, career exploration, decision-making process, and problem-solving skills. Students will examine the impact these areas have on their future experiences. Time will be devoted to familiarizing students with the expectations, routines and structures of L.F.H.S.

The course includes journal writing, authentic assessments, self-reflections and student-directed conversations. Collaboration and differentiated instruction is used to frame all learning opportunities.