Clough School Art Exhibit at Local Uber Cafe

Giving Thanks

It really is wonderful to work in a school such as the H.P. Clough Elementary.  The size of the school, the dedication and professionalism of staff, along with the involvement and support of parents and community members are significant factors which contribute toward providing a quality educational experience for the students at Clough.

We are grateful for the collaboration of ideas, time, energy, and resources our school receives.  Without everyone working together, we certainly could not do what we do. A special thank you to every single person connected to our school. 

On behalf of my staff and students I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Math Information Night

Please join us on Wednesday, October 30^th at 7 PM in room 218 to learn more about our math program, Investigations in Number, Data, and Space.  Our Math Curriculum Assistant, Kristen Berthao, will help parents better understand how number sense is developed through the teaching of addition and subtraction.  Parents will learn strategies to support their children at home and encourage deep mathematical learning.  

Harlem Wizards Game

 

Harlem Wizards Game yesterday was a huge success! We had over a thousand people in attendance. What an unbelievable turnout!  There are so many people to thank for this memorable event. First off let me express my deepest gratitude to the Clough and Memorial PTO for working together to bring this spectacular event to our Mendon and Upton Communities. I would like to thank the local businesses who sponsored the game: Friendly's Ice Cream - Corporate Office, Imperial Cars, Murphy Insurance, Phipps Insurance, Uber Café, and Varney Bros. Sand and Concrete.

I would like to sincerely thank our students and families who came out to this fun event, not only on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, but while the Patriots were playing too. Now that’s what I called commitment to the school community!

Finally, I would like to thank the incredible staff at Clough and Memorial for their participation in the basketball event.  To all the staff who participated in the event whether you played, coached, volunteered, or came to watch – thank you! The strong showing of the staff  truly showed that your commitment to the children is more than just teaching them academics. Thanks to you giving up a Sunday afternoon, you helped make yesterdays event fun for everyone who attended.

What a wonderful afternoon for our communities.  “One team, One goal, No limits!”

Miss Kornblum recognized as Massachusetts Arts Exceptional Educator of the year!!!

I am thrilled to share with you that our very own art teacher, Miss Alexis Kornblum, has been selected as the Massachusetts Art Education Association Exceptional Educator of the 2014 year. Massachusetts Art Education Association recognized her for making a significant contribution to the field of Art Education in Massachusetts. She will be presented this prestigious award on November 9^th on the campus of University of Massachusetts.  We are so proud of Alexis and this amazing acknowledgment  by the Mass Art Association!!

NFL Player Devin McCourty #32

What an exciting day for the staff and students at Clough School! Having NFL Player Devin McCourty come to our school and speak with the students on eating healthy and being active and then…… leading close to 600 people on a school wide walk around the school was beyond exhilarating.

I would like to express my deepest thanks to Dan Hayes our PE teacher, for bringing the Fuel Up to Play 60 Program to our school last year. I would also like to thank Mary Lee Siple, our Cafeteria Manager and Tara Bellefontaine our school nurse for jumping on board and supporting Mr. Hayes with this important program.   Lastly, I want to thank all the students and their parents for participating in the Scavenger Hunt Challenge. It’s pretty amazing that we won a “NATIONAL” contest. It just goes to show you, here at Clough, we truly live by our school motto “One Team, One Goal, No Limits” and this is proof of what can happen when everyone works together for a common goal.

Press Release

Henry P. Clough Elementary School Wins Visit from

New England Patriots Player Devin McCourty

School’s exceptional contest entry wins national Fuel Up to Play 60 Physical Activity Challenge.

School also awarded $3,999 by New England Dairy & Food Council for Fuel Up to Play 60.

Four hundred sixty students from Henry P. Clough Elementary School in Mendon, Mass. had the opportunity today to meet Devin McCourty of the New England Patriots due to their winning entry in the national Fuel Up to Play 60 Activity Scavenger Hunt Challenge. The Challenge encouraged students to submit photos of their favorite physical activities. Henry P. Clough Elementary School was selected from hundreds of entries nationwide with their creative approach to getting active at school through wheelbarrow races, bicep curls using milk jugs, hula hoop contests, piggyback races and building human pyramids.

During a school-wide assembly, McCourty talked to the students about the importance of eating nutrient-rich foods like low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. He also encouraged physical activity by leading the students in a walk around the school building. Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program created in partnership with National Dairy Council and the National Football League that encourages students to eat healthy, be active and implement positive, healthy changes at school.

“We could not be more impressed by the Challenge submissions sent in by students and schools across the country and here in New England,” said New England Dairy & Food Council Nutrition Specialist Diane Krol, RD. “It is truly inspiring to see how these kids are making a difference in their health and at their schools.”

Henry P. Clough Elementary School was also recently chosen to receive $3,999 to support its Fuel Up to Play 60 initiative. The school will use the funds to implement a Grab ‘n’ Go breakfast station, add a new salad bar to the cafeteria, and purchase scooters for the before-school activity program. This nationwide funding program offers schools up to $4,000 to help them increase awareness of and access to healthy foods and physical activity opportunities for students. Funding for this competitive program is provided by New England Dairy & Food Council and the dairy farmers of Massachusetts.

Nearly 73,000 schools are involved in Fuel Up to Play 60 nationwide, including almost 2,200 schools in Massachusetts. Funds for Fuel Up to Play 60 provide support for a variety of activities and tools, such as foodservice materials and equipment, nutrition and physical education materials, student and staff incentives, staff development and overall Fuel Up to Play 60 implementation.

For more information about Fuel Up to Play 60 or to sign up for the program, visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com or www.newenglanddairycouncil.org. 

Welcome Back!

I would like to take a moment to welcome everyone to the 2013-2014 school year. I am extremely excited to have the students and staff back.  It was very quiet at Clough during the summer months. We have had a fantastic first few weeks. I am amazed at how smoothly the transition has been for everyone going from the summer break to a full day of school. Speaking of full day.... I am thrilled to announce that we were able to implement full day kindergarten for ALL of our kindergarten students this year.
I look forward to a productive school year.
As always, I would like to thank the  parents and Community for their constant support. Working together truly makes a difference in the lives of our children.
"One team, One Goal, No limits:

Clough Golf Classic

Talk about commitment to our children...... Yesterday was a true testament of the commitment our parents and local businesses continue to provide our school with.  The PTO has been working tirelessly all year to plan our Second Annual Clough Golf Classic Tournament at Shining Rock in order to raise much needed funds to help us provide our students and staff with valuable digital learning tools. Even with the impending rain storms that were correctly predicted for our outing, 104 brave souls still came out and weathered the storm to play 18 holes of golf to support the PTO fundraising efforts. To say I am overwhelmed with gratitude and pride for our two communities would be an understatement. On behalf of my staff and students please know how appreciative and touched we are by your support.
THANK YOU!!

Our fabulous Art teacher, Miss Kornblum will be displaying ten student art pieces at the Massachusetts Art Exhibit at the Transportation Building in Boston. The following students will have artwork in the exhibit: Kindergarten students, Eliza Kurze and Amanda Cinelli, First Grade students,  Kelsey Fournier , Sierra Sherwin, and  Madison Macleod, Second Grade students , Carson Matckie and Danielle Walsh, Third Grade student , Lucienne Nicholson and Fourth Grade students Maryn Shilale and Paige Allen. The exhibit will be on view: May 20 - June 14, 2013 on the second floor of the State Transportation Building in Boston. The hours are Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Closed Holidays, Closed Saturdays & Sundays except June 8th & 9th.

CONGRATULATIONS CLOUGH STUDENTS! We are so very proud of you!

“A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart. “ ~Author

Teacher Appreciation week is officially May 6-10^th. I would like to personally express my sincere appreciation for my amazing staff. Their dedication, commitment, and professionalism truly makes a difference in the lives of our children every day! I hope you will join me in thanking Clough staff for all that they do!

Parent Investigation Information Evening

On Thursday evening Mrs. Kristen Berthao, third grade teacher and Math Curriculum Assistant  for Clough School held an information evening for any parent who was interested in learning more about our K-5 math program. We had a great turn out in spite of the impending blizzard that was to hit us on Friday. Feedback was extremely positive. We will be looking to hold another evening like this for parents in the spring.  We hope if you weren't able to attend the one on February 7th you will be able to attend our next one. Once we pin down a date and time we will let everyone know.

“We cannot hope that many children will learn mathematics unless we find a way to share our enjoyment and show them its beauty as well as its utility.”               - Mary Beth Ruskai