At Coelho, Visual Arts teacher Janice Newman and sixth grade teacher Cheryl Carter  have combined efforts with Math Coach Tami LaFleur to improve their students’ math skills through the creation of original games. Hoping to engage students in a very different and creative way, this threesome designed a project that would help their own students and, later, reach out to elementary school students.

Twenty-eight of Mrs. Carter’s sixth graders brought in their favorite board games to research games that were already on the market. They then chose to focus on specific Massachusetts math standards, and wrote their own standard-based math questions for the games. Working in small groups, the students decided on fun themes that would appeal to younger students in 4th grade. Once the teams had researched the math, Mrs. Newman stepped in to introduce the power of art and design. Students worked on creating eye-catching gameboards, clay playing pieces, and unique game boxes that would intrigue any Attleboro student to want to practice math!

The game RACE IN SPACE, designed by 6th graders Dan Batista, David Austin, and Thomas Brodeur, is based on the state standard “Students will be able to compare attributes and other features of 2 and 3 dimensional geometric shapes and forms.” Using the theme of space travel, the object of the game is to answer math questions correctly, and to reach Planet Earth with the most accumulated space money. This team even designed and printed their own, original play money in a variety of denominations.

All of the games were test-marketed by 5th graders at Coelho, and revisions were made before taking the games “on the road”. Last week, the 6th grade game inventors visited Hill Roberts Elementary School and introduced their games to 4th graders in Pam Puccio’s class. The younger students enjoyed meeting the middle-schoolers and quickly got down to the business of playing the math games. The Coelho students were delighted to see their games being played and their math questions being discussed and answered. When asked what they thought of the sixth graders’ math games, the Hill Roberts students’ answer was unanimous, “Awesome!”

On a recent Thursday evening, the Coelho Middle School Cafeteria in South Attleboro was transformed into a colorful and exciting gallery of student artwork. This fun-filled event was created by Art Teachers, Sue Casey and Janice Newman, with much support from the CMS PTO. Hundreds of student creations were beautifully framed and displayed for crowds of parents and friends to view, with refreshments, balloons and raffles adding to everyone’s enjoyment. Frames were for sale, with funds raised to purchase art display boards for the school. The evening culminated in a musical Spring Concert of the CMS bands directed by Music Teacher, Jonathan Burre. “The arts enhance the intellectual and emotional lives of all of our students,” stated Mrs. Newman. “We are so proud of our whole school’s high quality, creative efforts!”

8th grade twins: Rebecca (left) and Brianna (right) Swierk hold up

their art work.

The colonial farmhouse, which was built in 1908, sits on the main street of route 123 and had served as the original farmhouse for the land to the right and around the back of Bray Road. The Chenard family says, “We are fortunate to have bought this house in 1988, 20 years ago, where many generations before us have raised their own families, with one bathroom I might add. It has now become the “Chenard Compound” with our family in the midst of raising 4 boys, still with one bathroom! The house still has much of its original charm and looks, but a few modern conveniences have been added. It has become our home. We added a wood stove in the kitchen the first year we bought the house, thank goodness! We have used it to supplement heating and we cook on it every winter, since 1988. The front porch is a favorite spot to relax and "watch traffic," a simple activity that is obsolete these days except in the Chenard household. We hope to someday share this "old soul of a house" with our grandchildren and sit
on the front porch and watch traffic.”

(SA residents) Photo caption: Sue and Don Chenard stand outside of their 100 year old house. Their four son, not pictured, are Pete, Andy, Michael, and Kevin.

At The 80th Annual State Convention of The Massachusetts Lions Multiple District 33, held on May 9-10-11 2008, in Nashua, New Hampshire, The South Attleboro Lions Club was selected as the "Best club in Massachusetts" in the large club category with 56 members.  Over 500 Lions attended the convention.  This is a tremendous honor for the South Attleboro Lions Club because this means the South Attleboro Lions performance is better than 225 Lions Clubs in Massachusetts, represented by 8100 lions members in the state.  The South Attleboro Lions President Raymond Moreau said the guest speaker for the weekend was Lions International 2nd VP Eberhard J. Wirfs.  The Lions are truly international, with 1.4 million members in 200 countries or geographical areas.  The main project for the lions is sight conservation and work with the blind.  The Massachusetts Lions donate to 14 eye research hospitals in the Boston area.  The South Attleboro Lions Club donated over $26,000 last year to the Attleboro community and all kids sports teams.  We raise our funds from the annual antique auto show, meat raffles held with the American Legion Post 312, White Cand Days, Texas Hold-Ems card nights, county breakfast, and the annual golf tournament.  Anyone interested in more information about the South Attleboro Lions Club should  contact membership chairman David BArbour at 508-397-3853, or King Lion Ray Moreau 508-222-4736. Publicity Chairman Don Leedham 508-761-6292.

Once completed the facility will serve as the official home of South Attleboro Girls Recreation (S.A.G.R.A.) softball. An official dedication ceremony is scheduled for Saturday May 3rd. The day will begin at with a parade kicking off from the Robert J. Coelho Middle School at 9:00 and proceeding to the new complex.

The project is being spearheaded by the Attleboro Recreation Department in collaboration with S.A.G.R.A. and local companies.

A true community project, the conversion is being done at minimal cost to the taxpayers of Attleboro due to the generosity of local companies. Walsh Contracting has donated the use of their equipment and personnel to excavate the existing infield areas and to spread the new stone dust for the new diamonds. Lorusso Corporation of WRENTHAM / PLAINVILLE donated the 1,500+ tons of stone dust required for the project. Dennis Brolin, owner of Sports Turf Specialties, has donated his time to perform the final “laser grading”. Lisco Irrigation, owned by Dave Perry Jr. of Attleboro donated the services required to reconnect the irrigation lines and to add quick connects at each of the fields. Without these donations totaling in excess of $35,000.00 the project would not have moved forward so a debt of gratitude is owed to the community minded owners of these businesses.

As community contributors once again, members of the Attleboro Education Association banded together to welcome spring by successfully participating in the American Cancer Society’s Annual Daffodil Days fund-raiser held recently on March 18th, 2008. For the sixth consecutive year, AEA Building Representatives and members in each school building eagerly volunteered their time and dedicated themselves to raise a grand total of $3,195 for the American Cancer Society.
Funds raised from Daffodil Days support the American Cancer Society’s mission to prevent cancer, save lives, and diminish suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and services for local cancer patients and their families.
Michele Kuffrey, system-wide AEA Daffodil Days Coordinator from Studley, announced that the Attleboro Education Association volunteers who organized this year’s annual Daffodil Days drive in their home schools were: Kathy Abreu from Hyman Fine, Mary-Lynn Hanley from Hill-Roberts, Sandy Ryle from Thacher, Sue Keane and Jo-Ann Carlson from Willett, Missy Riley from Brennan, Janice Newman from Coelho, Judy Davignon from Wamsutta, Karen Spina and Jeanne Dyer from Attleboro High School.

Registrations are now being accepted for the 2008 SMARTS Summer Institute. Since 1986 this unique arts program provides students with an opportunity to study creative writing, dance, drama, film/video, instrumental, strings, vocal, and visual arts at three levels.

The Elementary Program is for students grades 1-3 and runs from June 30- July 18, 2008. The Junior Program is for students grades 4-7 and runs from June 30 – July 25.. The Senior Program is for students grades 7-12 and runs July 7-August 1. All programs are Monday through Friday, 8:30-3:30 PM and take place at the Brennan Middle School in Attleboro, MA.

Taught by dedicated and dynamic master artists/educators, the SMARTS Summer Institute emphasizes the importance of process rather then product. The theme this summer is “Cross Roads”. All program levels provide skill and technique training, critical thinking and problem solving, aesthetics, and performance experiences. The SMARTS Summer Institute embraces all ability levels and offers challenges that empower students to make connections and build self-awareness and self esteem.

Call SMARTS Monday-Friday, 9-1 PM for more information - 508/222-8484 or email at info@smartscollab.org or go to www.smartscollab.org (Contact and Forms) to print out a summer brochure.

Hill-Roberts.... Gone to the Dogs

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Congregation Agudas Achim of Attleboro

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