School-Wide Math Morning!
On Friday, February 28, Haggerty had their first school-wide family math morning! Every classroom participated in interactive math games for families to play with their students. Students were able to teach our visitors and caregivers were offered some supplies (playing cards, dice, and cubes) to continue playing these games at home. Thanks to all the families who were able to come and spend some time in classrooms, and thanks to Nili Pearlmutter our Math Coach for the tools and packet describing games at each grade level.
Spaghetti Dinner - Thank You!
On Thursday, February 13, our school community gathered for a Spaghetti Dinner to benefit our 5th graders upcoming trip to Outdoor Classroom in April. The spaghetti dinner and raffle help to defray costs of this trip for our fifth grade students - along with a grant from Friends of Haggerty. The fifth grade is so grateful for all the families that were able to come to the dinner and support them through raffle tickets! We had a great turnout and the food was delicious (thank you to Carol and Donna in the kitchen)! Thank you to our many local businesses who supported this event. Thank you to the businesses that donated food: Pemberton Market, Iggy’s Bread, and Star Market (Mt. Auburn Street). Thanks also to the Haggerty staff who donated experience-based raffle prizes - student’s favorites - and to the many local businesses who donated gift cards or items: Whole Foods, Comella’s, Bagelsaurus, New England Aquarium, Apple Cinema, Bouldering Project Somerville, Intelligentsia, Sheeps and Flour, Porter Square Books, Indigo Fire, Shine On Salon, Spindler Confections, Lizzy’s Ice Cream, Pyara Spa and Salon, Formaggio Kitchen, The Boston Bruins, and Seraphine Photography. Outdoor Classroom here we come!
Music Corner
Our Musician of the Month for February was Lamine Touré, griot drummer from Senegal. Lamine’s family have been drummers for generations. Before cell phones, they would play phrases that sent special messages from village to village. Lamine started playing with his cousins when he was 5 years old.
The most exciting thing is that our Musician of the Month came to Haggerty School! Lamine gave two lessons to the 3rd and 4th grade classes and then they gave a performance to the Haggerty Community where our students played with Lamine and his friend and amazing dancer, Azziz.
This was a valuable opportunity for our students to immerse themselves into the culture and music of Sabar drumming. I was thrilled to see students shine with confidence, respectful attention and skill as they learned to be silent, attend and then to play together on the signal “Am!” We all learned “Wow Wow” which means “great job.”
We would like to thank Andrea Zuniga, Director of Visual and Performing Arts and Principal Nancy Campbell for making this incredible experience possible. Thanks to our colleagues who assisted in setting up the performance space. We also thank the family and caregivers who could come and be part of our most interactive moment!
Art Corner by Anthony Reynolds
This month fifth grade is working on recording their Aesop's Fables shadow puppet shows. Second through fourth grade are recording their Paper Eats cooking segments. And kindergarten students got a chance to play with snow and droppers of liquid watercolor.
Library Corner
March symbolizes renewal and growth as winter transitions to spring, inspiring us to rejuvenate goals and embrace new opportunities. It's an ideal time for students to enhance their independent reading habits for personal and academic growth. Independent reading opens doors to adventure and knowledge. Here are tips to help students maximize reading time this March:
Choose What Interests You: Students should select books that spark curiosity for a more enjoyable experience.
Create a Comfortable Environment: Create a comfortable reading nook for relaxation, or simply grab a soft pillow and a warm blanket.
Set Achievable Goals: Students can begin by dedicating five-minute reading sessions or aim to read just five pages each day. Gradually increase either the duration or the number of pages to improve your reading stamina over time.
Set a Routine: Set aside a specific time each day for reading to maintain a regular habit.
Create a Reading List: Students can maintain a log of the books they have read as well as those they are eager to explore, fostering both organization and enthusiasm.
Discuss What You Read: Students are encouraged to share their thoughts on the book with friends, family, and their community, or they might think about joining a book club.
By using these strategies, students can improve their independent reading stamina and foster a love of reading.
If you have any questions regarding library classes or books, please feel free to reach out. You can contact me at
[email protected].
Happy Reading!
Coach’s Corner
ELA
In April, the Haggerty School will be hosting our exciting Book Character Day! This event is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their favorite characters from beloved books by dressing up in character-inspired outfits. It's a day filled with creativity, imagination, and a celebration of the stories that captivate young minds. Book Character Day is more than just dressing up; it’s about celebrating the joy of reading and the endless adventures that books provide. If you have any questions or need assistance with ideas, please don’t hesitate to read out. We are here to help make this a memorable event for everyone.
Stay tuned for additional information regarding the event! More details will be provided in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for updates.
Suzanne Russell (ELA Coach -
[email protected]) and Brianna Mency (School Librarian:
[email protected])
Annual Used Book Sale
We will be selling gently used books for both adults and children. We typically have a large selection of children’s books, including board books, pictures books, and early readers.
Hardcovers $2
Paperbacks & board books $1
Proceeds support Friends of Haggerty
Spring cleaning? We will gladly accept your gently used books for our sale! Drop them off in the school lobby during regular school hours on Friday, March 7 & Monday, March 9.
Upcoming Haggerty Events
Haggerty Used Book Fair & Sale
March 12 - 14 | School Lobby
Staff Professional Development Day, No School for Students
Wednesday, March 19
Haggerty School Advisory Council Meeting
Friday, March 21 | 7:45-8:45AM | Library & Virtual
Rock Your Socks Day
Friday March 21
No School, Eid al Fitr
Monday, March 31
5th Grade Instrumental Concert
June 3 | 5PM
View all Community Events >>