Haggerty Holler: December 6, 2024

Posted on 12/06/2024

Haggerty Fun Run

On Wednesday, November 27th, we had our annual Haggerty Fun Day in the gymnasium. Coach Materazzo, our Physical Education Instructor, invited a couple grades at a time to work collaboratively. Kindergarten and 5th grade, 1st and 4th, and 2nd and 3rd were partners in a variety of activities to get around the gym including using scooters or on a “bus” made of foam pool noodles. It was so much fun! Thank you so Coach Materazzo for the joyful time together.

Pigeon Day in Preschool/Kindergarten!

The Annual Pigeon Day returned to Haggerty Kindergarten/Special Start on November 26th. This celebration of Mo Willem’s books started at least ten years ago and is a real favorite of students and staff. It begins with all the students making their own pigeon hats. The four classrooms start together with reading a Mo Willem book - this year read by Ms. Doherty. They then mix together and break into four new groups to visit each of the classrooms for a variety of Mo Willem themed activities.

Save the Date! Lantern Making Family Event

Wednesday, December 18 | 5:30-6:30PM | Art Room

Bring your family to make some colorful lanterns to light up these dark days! This is not a drop-off event, so all students should be accompanied by an adult. Please sign up so that I am sure to have enough materials.

Upcoming Haggerty Events

Haggerty Annual Peace Concert
Friday, December 13 | 8 - 9:15AM | Gymnasium
Preschool - 4th Grade & the Haggerty Chorus will perform. Please join us for this beautiful annual event.

Caregiver Coffee
Friday, December 13 | 7:40 - 8AM | Cafeteria

Fifth Grade Visit the House of Blues

On Tuesday, December 3rd our fifth graders made their annual visit to the House of Blues workshop/concert! The Blues Schoolhouse puts on a lively show that “traces the history, evolution, and impact of blues music, highlighting the role music plays in reflecting the human condition and driving social change”. More information can be found here. A big thanks to Friends of Haggerty for paying for the bus to get us there!

Winter Coats

Winter has arrived and we have a pretty large assortment of new winter coats! If your child needs a new winter coat this year, please come and check out the main lobby coat rack, or please email Lissa.

Arrival Reminders and Update!

Please remind your child to come into the main office to say hello if they arrive after the front door has closed at 7:45AM. It is difficult for the main office to identify students after they ring the bell - particularly in big heavy coats. Please ask them to just say hello to the adult at the front desk, so we can mark them present for the day.

New procedure: If your child arrives at or after 7:40AM, and they would like breakfast, we are asking that they take a grab and go breakfast from the main lobby - and not go to the cafeteria. Students arriving between 7:40-7:45AM, who then go to the cafeteria are arriving very tardy to their classrooms. The cafeteria is open from 7:10-7:40AM for breakfast. There is grab and go breakfast available in the lobby beginning at 7:40AM. Thanks for your help!

Coach’s Corner

Dear Caregivers,

I know at this time of year some of our families are considering holiday gifts or thinking about how to keep busy and have fun over the December vacation. I’d like to suggest math games!! There are many different types of math games, from those that use a regular deck of cards to various commercial games. Playing games that involve numbers, shapes, or strategic thinking are all ways to help your child get better at math while having fun!

Here are some ideas for games:

A deck of cards!! (All ages - here are lots of game ideas)
Rolly Poly or Tiny Polka Dots (Preschool - 2nd grade)
Clumsy Thief in the Candy Shop (1st-2nd grade)
Qwirkle, Rat-a-Tat Cat, or Connect 4 (1st grade and up)
Zeus on the Loose or Genius Square (2nd grade and up)
Mastermind or Quixx (3rd grade and up)
Prime Climb (4th grade and up)

And don’t forget classics like Checkers, Chess, Backgammon or Go!

Mathily Yours, Nili, AKA Ms. Pearlmutter, Haggerty Math Coach

P.S. To learn more about our math curriculum and what your children are learning, you can always go to this website to find videos and letters about each unit.

Library Corner by Brianna Mency

December weaves a colorful tapestry of holiday traditions that encourage joy and unity. One notable event is the Peace Day Concert, a harmonious celebration aimed at promoting global peace and unity through music and art. On December 20, 2024, the Bionic Project will be visiting, offering students and staff a chance to reflect on and challenge any unconscious biases they might hold regarding individuals with disabilities. Their initiative aims to foster empathy and strengthen connections through the transformative power of education, storytelling, and sports.

For those seeking to deepen their understanding of peace and empathy, several insightful books are recommended. I Am Peace by Susan Verde is a wonderful exploration of mindfulness, offering young readers a gentle guide to finding inner calm. Daron Roberts' A Kids Book About Empathy encourages children to embrace compassion and understanding towards others and themselves. Tenacious by Patty Prevo tells a compelling story of utilizing adaptive equipment, resilience, and the power of determination, while Fighting for Yes by Maryann Cocca-Leffler provides an empowering narrative about advocating for oneself and others. Additionally, A Kids Book About Disability by Kristine Napper offers a thoughtful perspective, helping children understand and appreciate the diverse experiences of individuals with disabilities. These literary works provide valuable perspectives on empathy, perseverance, and the pursuit of peace, resonating with the themes celebrated throughout December.

Music Corner by Ms. Susie

4th Grade Recorder

There is way more to playing the recorder than simply putting your fingers on the holes and blowing in the instrument. Come to the Peace Concert where 4th graders will demonstrate the steps needed to focus and prepare breath, fingers, and the melody all together to be able to play songs we learned when we were young!

Art Corner by Anthony Reynolds

Younger grades have been reading the book We Are Water Protectors, and using it as inspiration to illustrate things from nature that they would like to be the protector of. Students illustrated a variety of things, from pandas to puppies to the ocean to their families. Older students have started to create symmetrical name creatures. This project focuses on bilateral symmetry and abstraction. The last few classes of the calendar year will feature stations, where students can finish unfinished work and then choose the station that they are most interested in.

Friends of Haggerty Winter Appeal is on NOW!

Help Learning Come Alive
Friends of Haggerty funds our school's enrichment programs so that families are never asked to pay for field trips, author or artist visits, or other community events. Your contributions to FOH make that possible. We are always welcoming new members from the Haggerty Community to join FOH. Talk to one of the FOH members to find out how to get involved to help bring more enrichment opportunities to Haggerty students. Learn more about FOH here.

Winter Fundraising Goal: $10,000
Learn more on how to donate here.

Online: Scan the QR code here or use this link.
Cash: Please place your donation in the pre-labeled envelope provided, and leave it in the main office or return in your child's gold folder.
Check:Payable to Friends of Haggerty
- Send by mail or leave in the main office.
  Friends of Haggerty
  110 Cushing St.
  Cambridge, MA 02138

Resources

Food, Nutrition, & Gardening

CHA Mobile Market | December 7 | 10:30-11:30AM | CHA Revere Care Center
- Every first Saturday of the month, CHA holds a mobile market in Revere at the CHA Revere Care Center! All CHA patients are welcome to attend. Please see here for more details, including the market’s 2025 schedule.
Cambridge Warming Center
- From December 2nd until May 2nd, the City of Cambridge is bringing its Warming Center, a space available as a safe drop-in location for adults experiencing homelessness to be sheltered from weather conditions. Located at the Cambridge Senior Center. Adults experiencing homelessness will have access to a free meal, beverages, and space to rest. Please see here for more details.

Mind, Movement, & More

Yoga for Better Balance | December 6 | 10:30-11:30AM
- The Cambridge Council on Aging is bringing Yoga for Better Balance! This activity is geared towards seniors aged 60 or older, with options to do yoga with mats or chairs.
Navigating Loss: An Informal Conversational Group (3-part Series)
- The Cambridge Council on Aging also brings a 3-part in person series on Navigating Loss: An Informal Conversational Group. The first part of this series occurred on Monday, December 2nd; the next upcoming part of the series will be on Monday, December 9th, from 2-3PM. Please see here for more information.

Upcoming Community Events

Planning for the 2025-2026 Budget
We will offer in-person and virtual community engagement/information sessions this budget season! Our in-person session will be held on Wednesday, December 11. Students are welcome to participate as well!

The 2025-2026 budget aims to align resources to objectives and initiatives outlined in the CPS District Plan, which has been extended in the interim for school year 2025-2026.

Community Budget Meeting 2

When: Wednesday, December 11 | 6 - 7 PM (Dinner will be served at 5:30PM)
Where: Cambridge Street Upper School Multipurpose Room (850 Cambridge Street)
Transportation and childcare are provided.

At these sessions, we will briefly review budget basics and the District Plan using the Budget 101 process developed by caregivers last year; attendees will share their thoughts on budget priorities with Administration. Your feedback is needed to fully inform budget priorities for the upcoming school year. We look forward to working with CPS staff, parents, caregivers, and Cambridge community members to develop a budget inclusive of our shared priorities and operational responsibilities.

Additional in-person and virtual information sessions on the school year 2025-2026 budget will take place in January.

Community Art Center's Canvas & Cookies
Saturday, December 7 | 1-3PM | Community Art Center
Join the Community Art Center for a fun afternoon of painting with artist & art educator, Cky Murphy! As the holiday season approaches, we are thinking about all things merry & bright - select a festive holiday scene and Community Art Center instructors will help you paint a masterpiece. We will get our creative juices flowing as we paint and enjoy delicious cookies. This in-person event is perfect for art enthusiasts of all levels. Space is limited, so don't miss out on this opportunity to unwind, socialize, and create something beautiful! Registration required! Please sign up here.

Haitian Affinity Group Meeting
Wednesday, December 11 | 6:30-8PM | Zoom
Come join us as we discuss navigating life in the United States. Register here >>
View flyer: English & Haitian Creole

Save-the-date For Our Upcoming Community Social
Thursday, December 19 | 5:30 - 7:30PM | Cambridge Street Upper School Cafeteria (850 Cambridge Street)
You’re invited to join the Family and Community Engagement Team and our community partners for the December Community Social. The theme for this event will be “Color Your World with Joy! Come and join the festivities, indulge in delicious food, participate in our raffle, and take home some swag! Check out the Community Social flyer here.

Questions? Contact Mia Ferej or call 617.349.9786.

Empower Your Digital Journey: Free Help From Digital Navigators

Digital Navigators provide one-on-one support to help you access the Internet, set up devices, and use online services effectively. Our mission is to bridge the digital divide in our community.

You can receive a free laptop if: you live in Cambridge, are low-income, and looking for a job or career development classes. You can receive free internet hotspot if: all of the above AND you don’t have internet access at home. Learn more about the program here.

Ready to get started? Call us today and start your digital journey! When calling in, please be sure to state your name and city you live in.

Call 888.551.2167.
massdigitaljedi.org

Volunteer in Our School Cafeteria

The City of Cambridge is looking for volunteers to help our students recycle and compost properly after breakfast and lunch.