1.      All Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students and teachers were issued usernames and passwords to "The Digital Classroom."  The Follett management online product allows teachers to post course news and upload assignments, website links, resources, and documents to their students' class folders.  Students can download lessons and view their daily, weekly, and/or monthly planner for each of their courses.  Parents can track their child's assignments from any computer that has Internet access.  Parents, teachers and students can send online messages.  The top ten interesting facts about the Digital Classroom are: #10) Many MVMMS students are using the Digital Classroom regularly.  #9) Teachers can edit student and parent information on the "Settings" page and teachers can change their passwords too.  #8) Teachers can share links and documents with other teachers at MVMMS by placing them in the District Repository.  #7) Teachers can see everything a student has uploaded as an assignment or put in his/her "Bookbag".  #6) Teachers can create a collaboration space for groups of students in the "Project" area.  #5) Teachers can create assignments in advance and then archive them for students to see at a later date.  #4) Teachers can change the due date for an assignment by dragging it to a new date.  #3) Teachers can create assignments for all their classes at once and change the due dates for one class by dragging it out of the stack.  #2) Teachers can create generic assignments using templates and later edit the details when the assignment is dropped on a day.  #1) Teachers can convert an assignment into a template by dragging it to "My Resources"; the template can then be reused.  For more information, select "The Digital Classroom" at www.melroseschools.com/mms.

2.      Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students, their teachers, and guests respectfully recognized America's Veterans at the annual MVMMS Veterans Day Assembly on Monday, November 10, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. in the auditorium.  Nearly every seat was taken as the lights dimmed and 863 students watched Jennifer Love Hewitt explain how we can honor veterans in a video produced by the VFW 2008 National Veterans Day Committee.  After the video, over 80 local veterans and guests took their seats on the stage.  The State Honor Guard presented colors for the Pledge of Allegiance.  While the audience stood silently, second-grade student Joey Grieve sang the National Anthem.  The "Patriotic Trilogy" performed by Mr. Buckley's Middle School Band was outstanding.  Shannon L., 8C, was the first to deliver a student address.  She stated in part of her address, "Some people take for granted the rights that soldiers have protected for us.  Without veterans we would not enjoy the rights we have today."  Mrs. Weeks conducted the Middle Orchestra as her students meticulously performed "America the Beautiful," "Grand Old Flag," and "God Bless America."  As part of his student address, Zeke V., 8B, said, "We should appreciate veterans and not take their sacrifices in vain; we should try to make a difference in our lives."  Later, you could hear a pin drop as Sarah R., 8C, accompanied by Mrs. Corkum on the piano, sang "America."  The audience was delighted by the musical performances of Lia K., 8B, and Eli K.  Pianist Lia played "Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum" from Claude Debussy's "Children's Corner;" Eli performed "Minuet" by J.S. Bach on cello.  This was followed by the singing quartet of Alyssa A., 7B; Marlena D., 8B; Sarah R., 8C; and Katelyn P., 8C.  The girls sang the "Ballad of the Green Beret" written by Sgt. Barry Sadler and Robin Moore.  A group of students then took the arrangement of flowers that were at the base of the podium and placed them on the outdoor memorial sites that are on the Middle School campus and at the Knoll.  The speeches from the guest speakers were impressive.  First, Maggie McClory, a Congressional Aide to U.S. Representative Edward Markey, addressed the audience.  She shared with the students how she once sat at Melrose Middle School Veterans Day assemblies, and she recalled the impact it had on her.  Massachusetts State Senator Richard Tisei and Massachusetts State Senator Thomas McGee delivered their inspiring Veterans Day messages.  Massachusetts State Representative Katherine Clark also spoke elegantly to the audience.  Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan delivered his patriotic address, and he too recalled how he once was a student at Melrose Middle School.  Melrose Public Schools Superintendent Joseph Casey recited the memorable poem "In Flanders Fields" by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae.  He then invited the students to rise from their seats and offer a round of applause and welcome to the veterans.  Principal Brow read the names, the branch of service, and the period of enlistment of the 80 local veterans who were being honored at the assembly.  Katelyn P. took her place at the microphone to sing the "Battle Hymn of the Republic."  After a moment of silence Jordan R., 8B, and Julia F., 8A, performed "Taps" on the bugle to end the assembly.  As the students returned to their classroom to reflect about the assembly, they could faintly hear the sounds of bagpipes, songs, and speeches that were being delivered at the base of the MVMMS flagpole as it was dedicated to Mario DiMeo (1921-2007), a local veteran who served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II with pride and distinction.  The Veterans Day lessons at school were well learned.  We are thankful that our guests joined us at the assembly, and we are all very proud of the veterans, Melrose, and our country.

3.      Mr. Babineau, Math Department Head, and Mrs. Singer, English Department Head, have announced the weekly MCAS Math Practice Mondays and MCAS English Practice Tuesdays.  Practice questions are being provided weekly to all Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students as part of the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School 2008-2009 MCAS Action Plan and School Performance Evaluation Instrument.  The practices questions are also posted weekly online at www.melroseschools.com/mms.

4.      Mr. Greer, Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School technology education teacher, was the recipient of a grant from the AIAA Foundation Classroom Fund.  Mr. Greer received $200 for RockSim software and site license.  For more information about AIAA visit www.aiaa.org.  Congratulations to Mr. Greer and the technology education students! 

5.      All Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School teachers and students received usernames and passwords for the online English, mathematics and science practice MCAS instruction programs found at: www.studyisland.com.  This initiative is part of the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School 2008-2009 MCAS Action Plan and School Performance Evaluation Instrument.

6.      Ms. Ginia Pasciuto, Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School PTO Enrichment Committee, informed the faculty that several thousand dollars are available for Enrichment Programs during the 2008-2009 school year.  The Enrichment Committee is seeking help to identify projects, presentations, and/or materials that would enhance curriculum at our school.  For an application for PTO Enrichment funds, visit the main office or contact Ms. Pasciuto at 781-662-2335 or email vpasciuto@comcast.net.

7.      The Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Math Team is competing in the Intermediate Math League of Eastern Massachusetts against the following middle school teams: Marblehead Middle School, Swampscott Middle School, Immaculate Conception School (Revere), Baldwin School (Cambridge), and St. Joseph School (Salem).  The members of the MVMMS Math Team are Nick M., 8C, Katherine B., 7C, Joe V., 6C, Colin H., 6C, Jennifer Rose S., 6A, Leah Markt 6B, and Matt M., 6C.  The next Math Team will be held at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School on December 4, 2008.  For more information about the competition visit www.imlem.org.  Good luck to the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Math Team!

8.      Auditions for the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Drama Club are well underway.  Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland," will be produced by Mr. Whitmore, Team 7C pre-algebra teacher, and directed by Mrs. McGrath, Team 6A English teacher.  The production will be performed in the auditorium on May 1-2, 2009.  Best wishes to the MVMMS Drama Club!

9.      There are currently several intramural activities and clubs at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School.  They are: Board Game Club (Mr. Crooks), Tuesdays; Free Rice and Chocolate Club (Mrs. Keefe), Tuesdays; P-Slam Book Club (Mr. Stanton), Tuesday; Environmental Club (Ms. McCoy), Tuesdays; Intramural Flag Football (Ms. Gaines), Wednesdays; Scratch Club (Mrs. Arnold), Wednesdays; Math Team (Mr. Najar), Thursdays; Intramural Basketball (Mr. Blaus and Mr. D'Antonio), Wednesdays and Thursdays; and the Library Club (Mrs. Arnold) Monday-Friday.  For more information, contact Mrs. Dubiel, Intramural Director, at 781-462-3106.

10.  A cohort of teachers is reading Saphier, J., Haley-Speca, M. & Gower, B. (2008). The Skillful Teacher: Building Your Teaching Skills. Carlisle: Research for Better Teaching.  The group of teachers is studying teacher beliefs and the eighteen parameters of teaching.  The fifth meeting of the Skillful Teacher Book Club X was held on November 17, 2008.  Principal Brow facilitated a discussion about the 24 Principles of Learning and Ms. White explained how to effectively use classroom time.  The fourth meeting of the Skillful Teacher Book Club X was held on November 3, 2008.  Mrs. Murray led a discussion about the use of classroom space and Principal Brow demonstrated the use of summarizers.  The third meeting of the Skillful Teacher Book Club X was held on October 20, 2008.  Principal Brow facilitated a discussion about using activators, and Ms. Ritz discussed elements of the momentum parameter.  The second meeting of the Skillful Teacher Book Club X was held on October 6, 2008.  Principal Brow facilitated a discussion about the fifty-three categories of attention moves, and guest speakers Dr. Kepple, Mrs. Means and Ms. Beane discussed how they implemented the memory peg system in their classrooms.  The first meeting of the Skillful Teacher Book Club X was held on September 15, 2008.  Principal Brow facilitated a discussion about the eighteen parameters of skillful teaching and a memory strategy involving the peg system.  This year's book club consists of pre-K teachers, elementary school teachers, middle school teachers, high school teachers, and administrators.  The next meeting of the book club will be held on December 1, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. in the third floor Project Room at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School.  All teachers are welcome to attend.

11.  A cohort of students and teachers is reading Blanco, J. (2008). Please Stop Laughing at Me.  The group voted to rename the book club the P-Slam Club.  At each meeting, teachers and students share stories of bullying incidents along with ideas about how to stop bullying.  The P-Slam Book Club meets every other Tuesday in the Third Floor Project Room.  For more information contact Mr. Stanton, MVMMS assistant principal, at mstanton@melrose.mec.edu.

12.  Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School was well represented in the 44^th annual Charles River Regatta on October 18, 2008.  Ms. Huntley, Team 8C science teacher, was coxswain for her team's boat from Gentle Giant Rowing Club.  Ms. Huntley's team completed the race in 17 minutes, 27 seconds.  Congratulations Ms. Huntley!

13.  The Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV) sponsored the 13^th annual "Candlelight Vigil and Walk," that was held on Sunday, October 19, 2008.  The participants met at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School and walked around Ell Pond.  The purpose of the walk is to unite Melrose as a non-violent community and to commemorate the lives lost to domestic violence in Massachusetts.  Groups of Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students participated in the event.  A special thank you to MAAV!  For more information, call Mrs. Mooney at 781-662-2010 or visit www.maav.org.

14.  The New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS) is presenting a workshop titled "Emerging Technologies: A Professional Development Experience for Middle School Educators" with Sally Loughlin on January 14-15, 2008 in Sturbridge.  For more information visit www.nelms.org or call 978-887-6504.

15.  The third Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School faculty meeting was held in the third floor project room on October 15, 2008.  The professional development session included a presentation by Mr. Whittier, Ms. Shute and Mr. Crooks titled "Technology and Professional Learning Communities."  Mr. Crooks and Ms. Shute demonstrated how to create a one-way blog on the Digital Classroom.  Mr. Whittier presented a website that creates a word splash of most often used words from a written selection.  Next, Principal Brow explained the course news section of the public portal of the Digital Classroom.  Mr. Greer and Ms. Shute presented a video of an Edline Easy Grade Pro web seminar that was filmed on campus.  Later, another video filmed on campus titled "Participatory Democracy" was presented.  This was followed by the presentation of the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School "Educator's Award (2007-2009)."  This award is presented monthly by the faculty to individuals for their dedication to the students at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School.  The eighth Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School "Educator's Award (2007-2009)" was presented to Ms. Lisa Waldron, eighth grade guidance counselor.  Past recipients of the "Educator's Award" include: Mr. Bert Whittier, Mrs. Kristen Bracey, Mr. Jerry Greer, Mrs. Jennifer Myette, Ms. Maureen Walsh, Mrs. Wendy Warren and Mr. Morgan Crooks.  The faculty meeting concluded after a discussion about teaching and learning, old business and new business.  The next faculty meeting is scheduled for November 19, 2008.

16.  The Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School "Campus Awards (2005-2007)" were presented by the faculty to individuals for their dedication to the students at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School while the school was located on three campuses during the construction of the new middle school.  Past recipients of the "Campus Awards" include: Mrs. Ahern, Mr. Clinard, Mrs. Sullivan, Mrs. Wolfman, Mr. Mateus, Mr. Aylward, Mrs. Orcutt, Mrs. Corbett, Mr. Allison, Mr. Whittier, Ms. Dwyer, Mrs. Mayo, Mrs. Naslas, Mrs. Arnold, Mr. McCarthy, Mrs. Dylengoski, Mr. Steven Hurley, M.P.D., Ms. Parker, Mrs. Dina Mancini, Ms. Leisk, Ms. Corkum, Ms. McCarthy, Mrs. Silvestri, Dr. Smith, Mr. Babigian, Mr. Stanton, Mr. Miner, Ms. Osgood, Ms. Prouty, Mrs. Baline, Mrs. Peterson, Mr. Dooner, Mr. Federico, Mr. Greer, Mrs. Dubiel, Mrs. Myette, Mr. D'Antonio, and  Mrs. Passarella Brandao.  Congratulations!

17.  The Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School "Apple Award (1999-2005)" was given by the faculty to individuals for their dedication to the students at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School.  Past recipients of the "Apple Award" include: Mr. Kenneth Mitchell, Mr. Robert Holden, Ms. Mamie Reardon, Mrs. Esther Sullivan, Ms. Kathryn Tuck, Ms. Joanne Leisk, Ms. Judy Grace, Mrs. Trudy Dooner, Mrs. Voula Connors, Mrs. Jayne Morgan, Mr. Marty Stanton, Ms. Sheila Striar, Mrs. Susan Wales, Mrs. Helen Overlan, Ms. Judy McCarthy, Dr. Susan Smith, Mrs. Elaine Mead, Mr. Ross Nelson, Mr. Gerry Greer, Mrs. Helen Fennell, Ms. Marianne Dwyer, Mr. Stephen Clinard, Mrs. Jane Martin, Mr. Doug Haller, Mrs. June Murphy, Mrs. Elena Orcutt, Mrs. Lisa Jendrysik, Mr. Thomas Pennell, Mr. James Dooner, Mr. Thomas Brow, Mrs. Laura Dubiel, Mrs. Deborah O'Connor, Mrs. Barbara Durney, R.N., Mrs. Lisa Dooley, Mr. Tim Hurley, Ms. Aimee McCarthy, Mrs. Gale Babin, Mrs. Eileene Stergiou, Mr. David Pignone, Mrs. Beverly Kirby, Mr. Thomas McCarthy, Mrs. Anne Ahern, Mrs. Marie Cahalane, Mrs. Cheryl Luongo, Mrs. Susan Cochran, Mr. John McLaughlin, Mr. Randy Barnes, Ms. Jessica Shute, Ms. Karen Parker, Mrs. Marian Knight, Mrs. Julia Anderson, Mrs. Linda Gould, Ms. Christina Fabiano, Mrs. Sarah Haney, Mr. Sean Miner, and Mrs. Mary Wolfman.  Congratulations to the recipients.  For more information about the "Apple Award," see Principal Brow.

18.  As of November 19, 2008, the current standings in the race for the three grade-level Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School trophies are as follows:  Grade 6:  6B - 388, 6A - 387, 6C - 366 points.  Grade 7:  7C - 411, 7A - 308, 7B - 277 points.  Grade 8:  8C - 266, 8A - 240, 8B - 223 points.  Each Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Team will have many opportunities during the 2008-2009 school year to win points toward the Sixth Grade Guidance Trophy, the Seventh Grade Vice Principal's Trophy, or the Eighth Grade Principal's Trophy.  These annual awards are presented to the winning team of each grade at the end of the school year.  Past recipients of the team competitions are as follows:  Sixth Grade Guidance Trophy – Team 6A (2008), Team 6A (2007), Team 6A (2006), Team 6B (2005), Team 6A (2004); the Seventh Grade Vice Principal's Trophy – Team 7A (2008), Team 7A (2007), Team 7A (2006), Team 7B (2005), Team 7A (2004); and the Eighth Grade Principal's Trophy – Team 8A (2008), Team 8B (2007), Team 8B (2006), Team 8A (2005), Team 8A (2004). Good luck to all the teams this year!

19.  Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students are invited to participate in the Massachusetts Letters About Literature Program.  Students are encouraged to write letters to authors whose work has made a significant difference in their lives.  The deadline to enter is December 13, 2008.  The awards will be presented at the Massachusetts State House in April 2009.  For more information visit www.massbook.org.

20.  A group of Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students participated in the VFW 2008-2009 Patriot's Pen Youth Essay contest.  This year's theme is "Why American Veterans Should Be Honored!"  On November 14, 2008, Melrose VFW representative Walter Comeau announced that Isabella N., 8A was this year's winner.  Jonathan H., 8A took second place and Bionca S., 8C took third place.  Congratulations to Isabella, Jonathan and Bionca!

21.  Representatives from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's School Programs have invited Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School to participate in the "Pennies for Patients" program.  Students collect spare change for a three-week period in February or March 2009 in honor of local survivors or current patients.  See Principal Brow for a registration form or call Randi O'Hara at 1-800-688-6572 or visit www.lls.org.

22.  Office Depot is offering its "5% Back to School Program" to Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School.  Here is how it works.  When teachers, parents, students, and friends purchase items at Office Depot, please state the following Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School special ID Number: 70044541.  MVMMS will receive credits equal to five percent of purchases to use for FREE supplies.  For more information, call 1-887-567-5287.

23.  The Target store awarded Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School with a check of $135.79 in September 2008.  This payout is a direct result of the parents, teachers, and MVMMS supporters who participate in Target's "Take Charge of Education Program", which has earned MVMMS $1,305.06 since 1997.  Sign up at Target to donate up to 1% of every purchase you make at the store.  For more information, visit www.Target.com/tcoe.

24.  Professional development is ongoing at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School.  Some of the professional development activities the faculty/staff participated in are as follows:  October 2008:  "MCAS Assessment," Mrs. Dubiel, 10/3/08; "Skillful Teacher Book Club (Memory Strategies)," ten teachers, 10/6/08; "P-Slam Book Club," seven teachers, 10/7/08; "School Learning Communities," faculty meeting, 10/15/08; "Skillful Teacher Book Club (Momentum)," ten teachers, 10/20/08; "P-Slam Book Club," seven teachers, 10/21/08; "Alternative MCAS Training," Mrs. Meegan, 10/22/08; "Foreign Language Conference," Mrs. Dooley, Mrs. Brandao, Ms. Rodas, and Mr. Miner, 10/31/08.   September 2008:  "Universal Health Care Precautions," faculty meeting, 9/02/08; "Skillful Teaching (Introduction)," 17 teachers, 9/15/08; "Mandated Physical Restraint Training and Analysis of Annual Yearly Progress (AYP)," faculty meeting, 9/17/08; "Digital Classroom Workshops, entire faculty, 9/23/08 and 9/24/08.  The Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School faculty is truly a community of learners!

25.  The first draft of the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School 2008-2009 MCAS Action Plan and School Performance Evaluation Instrument has been written and disseminated.  The plan requires teachers to assign and assess essays using the MCAS Writing Scoring Guide Rubric.  Teachers are required to submit to the principal sample practice essays prior to the end of each quarter.  The MCAS (Grade 7) English Language Arts Composition Test will be administered on March 31, 2009.  The MCAS (Grades 6,7,8) English Language and Literature tests will be administered on March 30 – April 8, 2009.  All other MCAS content area tests (History and Social Sciences – Grade 6,7, 8; Mathematics - Grades 6, 7, 8; and Science and Technology/Engineering – Grade 8) will be administered on May 11 – 27, 2009.  Good luck on the MCAS tests!

26.  The Educational Department of Add2Net, Inc., is providing FREE web hosting for educational purposes to all public schools.  The goals of the free web hosting program are to increase visibility for the school, to facilitate communication between teachers and parents, to share information, and to provide a means to post assignments.  For more information, contact Mr. Greer, MVMMS technology teacher, or visit www.lunarpages.com/education.

27.  The following Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students are representatives on the Melrose Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition: Zeke V., 8B and Sarah M., 8B.  The Coalition's next meeting will be on December 15, 2008.  The Coalition provides resources to schools in an effort to create a safe and healthy environment for learning.  Mrs. Kara Showers, Melrose Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, announced that Melrose has received an additional $95,000 per year for the next three years from the SAMHSA Office of National Drug Control Policy.  Melrose was one of six Massachusetts communities to receive the federal grant.  Congratulations to Zeke and Sarah, and a special thank you for representing our school!

28.  Members of the United States Army National Guard from the Melrose Armory were on the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School campus on November 14, 2008.  Seventy active service men and women ran a two-mile course around the track on the athletic field as part of their fitness requirement.  Go Army!

29.  All Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School sixth grade students attended an art history assembly in the auditorium titled "Mary Cassatt: A Great American Artist" on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at10:00 a.m.  An actress portrayed Mary Cassatt (1884-1926), who was invited to display her Impressionist paintings in Paris, France.  A special thanks to Mr. Messina, Melrose Fine Arts Director, for coordinating the assembly. 

30.  Mike Baer, Adopt-a-Platoon, has invited Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students and staff to send cards and letters to the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.  This organization supports all branches of the U.S. Military.  For more information visit www.adoptaplatoon.org.

31.  Lois Ruby visited Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School on Thursday, October 23, 2008, and spoke at eighth grade assemblies in the third floor project room. She is the author of Shanghai Shadows, a book that all current eighth grade students read during the summer.  A special thank you to Ms. Ruby and the MVMMS PTO Enrichment Committee for sponsoring the assemblies!

32.  The Fulcrum Institute of Leadership in Science Education at Tufts University is recruiting middle school teachers for a tuition-free series of three graduate school courses designed to build quality science teaching.  For more information, visit http://fulcrum.tufts.edu.

33.  The Bureau of Education and Research (BER) is presenting the following workshops: "Writing about Mathematics," with Sue O'Connell in Woburn on November 21, 2008; "Strengthening Foreign Language Instruction," with Jan Herrera in Waltham on December 4, 2008; and "Co-Teaching in the Inclusive Classroom: Powerful Stratgies for Creating Success for All Your Students" with Dr. Rebecca Hines in Waltham on December 15, 2008.  For more information, call 1-800-735-3503 or visit www.ber.org.

34.  Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School was honored to have several United States Veterans speak in the classrooms onFriday, November 7, 2008 from11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. as part of the Veterans-in-the-Classroom program.  Some of the speakers included: Jim O'Brien, U.S. Navy Medic, who served two tours in Iraq; John Quinn, U.S. Army Guard, who served one tour in Afghanistan and one tour in Iraq; Robert McVoy, U.S. Marine, who served one tour in Iraq; Bob Driscoll, U.S. Air Force, who served one tour in Iraq; and John Dunne, U.S. Marine, who served in Vietnam.  A special thank you to the guest speakers!

35.  Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students on Team 7A walked to the Middlesex Fells Reservation on Friday, October 24, 2008.  The students were engaged in an interdisciplinary team project that involved English, mathematics, science and local history.  The students seemed to enjoy their outdoor excursion!

36.  The Massachusetts Computer Using Educators' 2008 Conference will be held in Sturbridge on November 19-20, 2008.  For more information visit www.masscue.org.

37.  The Melrose Youth Ballet has announced its 2008 matinee school performance of "The Nutcracker" on Friday, December 19, 2008, at Melrose Memorial Hall.  The cast will include 130 dancers from Melrose and twenty-three surrounding communities.  Tickets are $7.00 per student.  For more information, visit www.melroseyouthballet.org or call 781-665-4692.

38.  The Northeast Youth Ballet has announced its 2008 matinee school performances of "The Nutcracker" on Tuesday, December 16, 2008, and Thursday, December 18, 2008 at the Lynn Memorial Auditorium.  Rachel B., 8B is one of the leading dancers in the production.  Tickets are $9.00 per student.  For more information, visit www.northeastyouthballet.org or call 781-665-2236.

39.  The North Shore Children's Hospital Education Series is presenting a FREE workshop titled "NetSmartz: Educating Children on Internet Safety" on November 20, 2008 from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. in the Lynch Conference Room in the North Shore Children's Hospital.  For more information, call 978-354-2660.

40.  Developmental Resources is presenting a workshop titled "Bullying: Mean Girls" with Kaye Randall and Allyson Bowen in Boston on January 7, 2009.  For more information call 1-800-251-6805 or email dr@sc.rr.com.

            Posted by Principal Brow - 11/19/08