CUTLER MIDDLE SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER
APRIL, 2017
NO SCHOOL
Monday, April 10, 2017 – Friday, April 14, 2017 – Spring Recess
Dear Cutler Families,
As we begin the month of April, much is happening at Cutler throughout the spring to nurture our
students academically and socially to help them reach our collective hopes and dreams we hold for their futures.
Despite the anticipated warm up in the weather for the coming month we are still striving to keep students
actively engaged in learning. As always, we welcome your visits and calls. If you would like to schedule a
conference for April 20, please call the office at (860) 572-5830. Remember, Friday, April 21, will be an early
dismissal day for students (12:32 p.m.). We look forward to seeing you soon.
Peter Bass
SBAC Testing Schedule by Grade
Tuesday, April 18th
Wednesday, April 19th
Thursday, April 20th
Grade 8
Grade 7
Grade 6
Language Arts
Language Arts
Language Arts
Tuesday, April 25th
Wednesday, April 26th
Thursday, April 27th
Grade 8
Grade 7
Grade 6
Math
Math
Math
Tuesday, May 2nd
Wednesday, May 3rd
Thursday, May 4th
Grade 8
Grade 7
Grade 6
Math
Math
Math
The testing session will be from 8:30 am. – 10:00 a.m. During some testing periods students will be provided
earbuds or headphones for the given subtest. Attendance is critical during this period of testing. Please be sure
that your child is present, on time, and has had a good breakfast and good night’s sleep. It would be in your
child’s best interest to avoid scheduling any appointments outside of school that conflict with the testing schedule.
No dismissals from school are permitted while tests are being administered.
Students arriving during a testing period will not be admitted to class.
TEAM NEWS
Team A
Math: In Unit 6 the grade 6 Math classes will use variables to represent two quantities in a real world
problem that change in relationship to one another. We will write an equation to express one
quantity, thought of as the dependent variable, in terms of the other quantity, thought of as the
independent variable. We will analyze the relationship between the two variables using graphs and
tables. Please encourage your child to make their best effort when studying and completing
assignments. Remember to use the online resources if you or your child has any questions regarding
the homework. Your student should have the website information. (connected.mcgraw-hill.com)
Language Arts: We are finishing the novel Walk Two Moons and completing the remaining centers
that correspond to the book; using “Reader’s Theater” has helped bring this story and characters to
life which has aided students in analyzing character traits. Next the students will use this
understanding to write a character analysis essay of one of their favorite characters from the novel.
The next book we will read as a class is True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi. A field trip to
Mystic Seaport is planned for April 6th which relates to the setting of this novel. SBAC testing starts
the week of April 18th so we are also reviewing test taking strategies to help prepare for this test.
Social Studies: In Social Studies during the month of April students will begin their study of Asia by
investigating the Middle East. Attention will be given to the physical geography, history, and culture of
the region. We will start with a look at the physical geography and the affect it has on the people that
live there. Students will also be assigned a culture project in which they will be required to research
and write about an Asian culture of their choosing. More details regarding this project will be
forthcoming.
Science: Hard to believe it is April already! As we continue with our unit on Weather students in
Science are learning the composition and function of our atmosphere. This involves learning the
makeup of air and the different layers of the atmosphere, what each layer does and why they are
different. We will take our knowledge of the atmosphere and learn how to predict weather. We will tie
our knowledge of the atmosphere and weather to learn that weather on Earth is caused by the daily
changes in the temperature pressure and amount of moisture in the lower atmosphere. We will use
our class barometers to check local air pressure which will help us determine the weather in our area.
As we wrap up our unit on weather we will discover that clouds can help us predict weather.
Team B
Social Studies: We have completed our study of Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent and the
beginnings of civilization. Students will continue their study of the Middle East by exploring Middle
Eastern Countries geography and culture today. We will also touch on the major religions of the world
as we explore Asian countries. We will be leaving the Middle East in May to explore South Asia
including India’s ancient history, geography, and culture. We will then be sprinting over to South East
Asia and then East Asia.
Language Arts: Happy Spring! In Mrs. Panucci’s Language Arts class students are currently
working on their writing skills with their Argumentative Essays. Students will use their knowledge,
specifically in character analysis, to help them write their argumentative papers! After, we will set sail
on a new reading adventure by reading The True Confessions on Charlotte Doyle, by Avi. The True
Confessions on Charlotte Doyle, by Avi, is a historical fiction novel, written in 1990, about a thirteen
year old girl, Charlotte, on a voyage across the sea. Students will dive into life at sea and be able to
further their annotation, inferring, and character analysis skills!
Science: Science students will continue with their unit on weather learning about local and global
winds, high and low pressure areas, convection within the atmosphere, and the effects of the Atlantic
Ocean on Groton’s weather. We will then explore ecosystems and learn how all organisms within a
specific ecosystem are dependent upon one another as well as non-living things such as water, air,
and nutrients. We will look at food webs for the local woodlands as well as freshwater ponds and
Long Island Sound.
Math: We will be finishing up Unit 5: Ratios by the beginning of April. Afterwards we will be moving
into the next unit of variables and patters. In this next unit we will be practicing how to use variables
to represent numbers, and to recognize patterns in sequences. We will still be using the CMP3
program for the majority of this unit.
Team C
Language Arts: In Language Arts this month we finished our novel Nothing But the Truth. We had
many animated discussions over the plot and characters. Students were surprised by the twist at the
end of the story because they wanted to see a happy resolution to the conflict. We were reminded,
not all good stories have happy endings and books do not always end the way we want them to end.
We discussed the author’s purpose in ending the book the way he did, and we shared alternate
endings that the students would have found more satisfying. Needless to say, Avi kept us actively
discussing and extending our thinking all the way to the end. We have begun our unit on debate
which will be a great springboard into argument writing. We viewed a sample debate from the Middle
School Public Debate Program at Claremont McKenna College titled: “Television is a bad influence
on children 13 and under”. This video introduced: vocabulary essential to the debate, the argument
process, the importance of clear talking points, and the value of supporting ideas with specific cited
evidence. Students have chosen topics and have started researching for their debates.
Social Studies: Happy Spring! During the month of April, Ms. Panucci’s Social Studies students will
continue with their journey of Africa, the land of many cultures. We will examine the ways in which
the survival skills of early Africans changed over time, find out about early civilizations that arose
along the Nile River, learn about the Bantu migrations, examine the forces that shaped the history of
the North African trading powers, find out how West African kingdoms gained wealth and power,
discover what motivated Europeans to explore the African coast, find out how the Atlantic slave trade
developed in the 1500s, and learn how Europeans colonized regions of Africa. Congratulations to the
Team C and Team D Social Studies students for doing a beautiful job working collaboratively and
creating their European/Russian Inquiry Based Research Projects!
Science: Spring is here and Scientists are hard at work learning all about the role of bacteria in our
society. We will be going on a field trip to Groton’s wastewater treatment plant and having a debate
about the benefits and dangers of bacteria. Students will even be making their own bacteria-filled
yogurt! Following this mini-unit, students will begin to learn all about Earth’s layers and geological
features….it is really going to “ROCK”!
Math: PAST: Winter? check. Snow? check. Pi Day diversity spirals? check. PRESENT: Spring?
check. April showers? check. FUTURE: Sunshine? check. May flowers? check. And to check out
math…Algebra students will continue with linear functions to make sure we have a clear
understanding of standard form, slope intercept form, and point-slope form, then utilize our
knowledge from linear functions to apply it to analyzing functions using different representations, such
as scatter plots and trend lines. Pre-Algebra’s efforts with ratios, proportions, similar figures and
inequalities will lead into percents, while Math 7 students will work towards the same end. In addition,
SBAC? check.
Team D
Language Arts: I cannot believe that we are marching into April sooooo quickly! Let’s
see….students in Language Arts have finished reading Nothing But the Truth and completed their
first self-selected “Circle Book”. Small groups or pairs of readers selected independent chapter books
from our class library. Students met daily to discuss the story, decide how many pages to read, and
to assign a purpose for reading. While sharing, some groups reported back to their members about
characters, settings, or how the conflict was developing. At the end of the book, each child took a
comprehension test to assess his/her understanding of the story. Presently, Room 28 readers are
entrenched in their second “Circle Book.” Jane Eyre, The Beasts of Tarzan, Crispin, The Secret of
Bunratty Castle, Time Stops For No Mouse, The Jungle Book, and Tom Sawyer are some of the
selected titles that students have been enjoying. We have also entered into our Research Unit.
Students are busy gathering information for a debate based upon Lance Armstrong. The skills
learned during the debate will provide a smooth transition into the writing of a research paper.
Attention! Attention! Attention! Mystery Eggs will be arriving to our classroom soon! Please e-mail
me at [email protected] if you are interested in egg-sitting over the weekends and
possibly over April break. When egg-sitting, families must be willing to pick up the eggs by 3:00 p.m.
on Friday and return the eggs Monday morning. The eggs will need to be rotated three times a day
and the humidity must be strictly monitored. Families with noisy cats or hungry dogs will need to
think about keeping the incubator tucked away safely.
Math: In April, Pre-algebra and Math 7 students studying geometry concepts. Algebra students are
factoring and solving quadratic equations. SBAC preparation and testing will be in full swing all
month. Our daily warm-ups will be SBAC-type questions until testing is complete. As always there
will be daily review problems and occasional life lessons for both classes.
Science: April will bring our students to the third and final major unit of 7th grade. Before we get
there, the students will be participating in a mini unit focusing on bacteria. Students will be visiting the
Water Treatment Facility in Groton to see some of the benefits of bacteria in everyday life. Then,
students will be exploring how earth’s surfaces are constantly changing through tectonic movement,
weathering, and erosion. I also hope to have students choose a plate boundary and explore how it
has changed over time and make a prediction how will look 10,000 years or so into the future. This
unit is full of tasty, hands-on experiments for students to observe how tectonic movement creates
different landforms. Overall, students are doing tremendously well on unit assessments! I am very
proud of students who have stayed after school before tests because putting in the extra time has
certainly paid off. As a friendly reminder, I will continue to stay after school on Wednesdays for
homework, project, and quiz help. Lastly, I hope everyone has a much needed, relaxing and
enjoyable April break.
Social Studies: in Social Studies, we will be busy traveling throughout Africa using our geography
skills to study the various landforms, learning about the land and water, climate and vegetation, and
the resources and land use of this unique continent. We will discover how HUGE Africa is and why it
is called the plateau continent. We will be making a variety of mini projects some of which include
letter writing and African landmark cubes. I invite any parent who has anything to share with the
class about Africa to please call the school and ask for Mrs. Waddicor.
Team E
Social Studies: In 8th grade Social Studies with Ms. Portelance and Mr. Clark, students are looking
at a new spirit of change for our nation. New immigrants, social changes, abolition, and women’s
rights are the subject students will be studying. We are headed for disaster as our nation begins to
split apart due to major differences. This will result in the Civil War.
Science: Students are currently reviewing for the CMT Science test which will be administered
Tuesday, April 4th. Students will then move back into the study of genetics and will come to
understand how genetic mutations can cause genetic diseases and how many different genetic
diseases can occur. Students will complete their study of genetics with a report on the genetic
disease of their choosing.
Math: Algebra II students are nearing the end of their unit of study on polynomial functions. We are
deriving various techniques to factor, find the roots, and find the zeros of high degree functions. The
next unit of study will be on inverse and rational functions, which will utilize all skills previously
learned in the quadratics unit. Pre-Algebra students have begun the linear relationships unit, which
will help us prepare for the SBAC test. This unit covers representing linear relationships using
multiple methods: verbal phrases, function rules, function tables, ordered pairs, graphs, and sets of
domain and range. The unit is primarily about graphing relationships and soon we will be able to
write equations of linear relationships from looking at the graphs.
Language Arts: Can you believe it is already April? In just a few short months, the 8th graders will
be walking across the stage receiving their promotions to high school! In the meantime, we still have
plenty left to do in Language Arts. Students will be working on a narrative which they will bring to final
copy, incorporating a number of concepts and writing techniques we have learned and practiced
since September. In addition, we will have finished The Outsiders, so students will dress up as a Soc
or greaser for extra credit the day we watch the movie on April 8. Also included will be an ice cream
social and a contest for best dressed! The kids should look great! With the beginning of spring and
April also comes poetry, short stories, more writing, and grammar. Dr. Davis will be in on Mondays to
kickstart poetry with me and explore a variety of poetry formats. I am especially excited about working
on altered books this spring with students so they can showcase their poetry. Happy Spring!
Team F
Science: The month of April will begin with a review for the CMT. We will then revisit our third unit,
genetics and heredity, to complete a few activities including the extraction of DNA from plants! The
fourth and final unit of study will explore bridges. Students will learn what factors are important to
consider when faced with the daunting task of constructing a bridge and then we will put these
bridges to the test!
Social Studies: In 8th grade Social Studies with Ms. Portelance and Mr. Clark, students are looking at
a new spirit of change for our nation. New immigrants, social changes, abolition, and women’s rights
are the subject students will be studying. We are headed for disaster as our nation begins to split
apart due to major differences. This will result in the Civil War.
Language Arts: During the month of April in Language Arts, we will be working on different genres
of poetry. Some of the poets we will be reading include Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, and Walt
Whitman. In addition, we will also be reviewing for the SBAC. Last but not least, we will continue
working on vocabulary and grammar.
Math: Pi Day was a huge success! There were many exceptional projects submitted using a wide
range of media, including Legos, clay, wood, cardboard and paper. Thank you to students and
parents for their enthusiasm in learning about Pi. Pre-algebra students are currently working through
the second part of the study of Linear Relationships. In this unit, students will determine the rate of
change of data given an equation, given two points, and given a point and a y-intercept. Additionally,
students will discover the connection between proportional relationships, lines, and linear equations in
different forms. Algebra students are using their knowledge from the previous unit in our current unit,
Systems of Equations. In this unit, students will determine the number of solutions a system of linear
equations has, if any, by using three methods: graphing, substitution, and elimination. Additionally,
students will determine the best method for solving systems of equations and apply systems of
equations to real-world applications. We are heading into the home stretch for our 8th graders.
Please remember that homework is an extension of classroom lessons and learning. It allows
students the opportunity to practice, review, reinforce, and/or apply what they have learned in class.
Please encourage your child to make their best effort when studying and completing assignments.
Thank you!
OTHER NEWS
Attention Grade 8 Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 students: the final exam has been scheduled for
Monday, June 12th. The exam will last approximately two hours and will take place during periods 3,
4, and 5.
Suspensions after March 1
We want to remind parents that students who receive a suspension after March 1 must make an
appeal to determine their eligibility to attend their grade level’s end of year field trip. Letters will be
mailed home in May to the affected students informing them of the process for appeal.
Club Internacional
On Wednesday, May 3rd Club Internactional will enjoy its annual "Cinco de Mayo" fiesta. Please join
us in Room 41. All you need to bring are a few treats --- coins or wrapped candies--- to contribute to
the contents of our piñata. After a few Mexican snacks, we will string up the piñata and have fun until
we break it and share the contents! See you in Room 41 from 2:45 p.m. until 3:45 p.m. on May 3rd!
Student Council
The Student Council has been very busy planning for an exciting spring at Cutler. The Student
Council is planning a spring dance and a couple fundraisers for the Relay for Life.
Guidance News:
Cougar Award
Congratulations to the 2nd Trimester Cutler Cougars: Grade 6: Isaiah A, Aurora C, Nicolas C,
Tynasia G, Alice H, Dezmyn I, Noah J, and Charlotte M; Grade 7: Charles C, Lily C, Emily G, Parker
J, Calvin L, Kishan P, Isabelle S, and Alayna W; and Grade 8: Casey A, Dymond A, Riley G,
Makayla M, Elena M, Jacob P, Justin P, and Mia P.
Trimester 2 Honor Roll
Grade 6 High Honors: Isaiah A, Sophie A, Connor B, Gianna B, Annalyn C, Ryan C, Sophie C,
Benjamin C, Sophia C, Alana C, Derek D, Ariel E Tynasia G, Richard G, Kahrin G, Alaina H, Mia H,
Ashleigh H, Alice H, Andres J, Maxwell J, Noah J, Hannah J, Amelia L, Charlotte M, Camron M,
James M, Cecilia M, Dylan M, Ryan M, Derek O, Macy P, Madison P, Julia P, Morgan R, Meriel R,
Kamri R, Riley S, Kathryn S, Vincent S, Hayley T, Tucker T, Luca U, Michael W, Mason W, and
Maisie W; Grade 6 Honors: Raymond A, Jacqueline B, Anders B, Nicolas C, Angel C, Greyson D,
Alyssa D, Nimyel G, Chloe G, Roman G, Jacob G, Mason H, Elizabeth H, Evan H, Reynaldo H,
Tayshaun H, Maya H, Dezmyn I, Grace J, Christian J, Koray K, Elizabeth L, Loren L, Corey L,
Norman M, Diego M, Cheyenne M, Benjamin M, Elise M, Steven M, Isabella M, Andre N, Shivkuman
P, Kaitlyn P, Sham Q, Avery R, Chase R, Jaice R Josiah R, Emily S, Van S, Charles T, Sarah T,
Pedro T, Brandon V, Shavonn W, and Evan W ; Grade 7 High Honors: Matthew A, Colin A, Viraj
B, Alana B, Annum B, Tiffany C, Lily C, Nora C, Mary C, Audrey C, Lilly D, Alyanna E, Thomas F,
Cooper F, Sadie G, Emily G, Nathan J, Peter K, Hayden K, Jackson K, Jeffrey L, Molly L, Carlos L,
Kristine L, Stephen L, Alexis L, Nathan L, John L, Calvin L, Timothy L, Charles M, Nathan M,
Cameran M, Conor M, Cal M, James M, Owen M, Luke N, Riley N, Ava O, Emma P, Kishan P, Nikhil
P, Roodra P, Hunter P, Caroline P, Elliot R, Carson R, Matthew R, Natalie R, Ariah R, Tate S,
Alysson S, Rita S, Allison S, Madeline S, Jayden S, Vanessa S, Isabelle S, Carly S, Jasmine S,
Angelina W, Alayna W, and Edison Z; Grade 7 Honors: Ty A, Gavin A, Alexander A, Aidan B, Ellie B,
Izaac C, Charles C, Xavier C, Jordan C, Antonio D, Amanda D, Niall F, Alexander G, Marin G, Jason
H, Colin H, Saleana H, Parker J, Reid K, Nathaniel K, Harmony L, Rebecca L, Nicholas L, Colin M,
Jack N, Kate P, James P, Kevin P, Peter P, Sean P, Jack R, Max R, Ethan R, Quinton S, Rose S,
Reily S, Amanda S, Ian S, Fiona T, Hayden T, Daniel V, Erien V, James W, and Ventley W; Grade 8
High Honors: Casey A, Caithlyn-Joy A, Kathryn B, Olivia B, Nicholas C, Allyson C, Camden
C, Simon C, Elizabeth C, Zoe C, Deja D, Michaela E, Elizabeth F, Riley G, Matthew H, Nathan J,
Fiona K, Emma K, Hayden K, Seth M, Quinn M, Mayson M, Janessa N, Cierra O, Janell P, Effie P,
Justin P, Haley R, Jessica R, Katie S, Ashley S, Michael S, Emily T, Anna T, Anna T, Kelsi U, Ian W,
Railey Ann W, and Kylee W; Grade 8 Honors: Jasmine A, Theodore A, Lein A, Owen A, Phoebe B,
Kalei B, Charlotte C, Izabel C, Noah C, Simon C, Hannah C, Andrea C, Fernando C, Ava C, Alex D,
Jason E, Seth F, Luke F, Gabriela G, Bridget H, Hanna H, Alexander J, Arizona J, Devyn J, Kayla L,
Ryan L, Mary L, Makayla M, Andrew M, Aidan M, Jakson M, Elena M, Janessa N, Britney N, Ethan O,
Nicolas i, Nidhi P, Om P, Jacob P, Mia P, Marlo S, Caroline S, Esteban S, Makaila S, Sandy S, Ella
T, Mary Rose V, Ani W, Steven W, and Carly Z.
Mediterranean Trip 2017
Several members of Cutler's Class of 2018, some of their parents, Madame Pezqueda (West Side
Middle School) and Senora Widham are spending their April vacation in Italy, France, and Spain.
Please wish them safe, but exciting travels! Stay tuned for details upon their return!
"QUEBEC 2018" FIELD TRIP
Current 7th Graders during the April 2018 vacation are eligible to attend a terrific trip to Montreal and
Quebec City. Please read the attached flyer, then plan to attend our introductory meeting on April
18th.
Stamp Club
During April members of the Stamp Club will be preparing for our trip to Philatelic Show 2017 in
Boxborough, Massachusetts. This show, sponsored by the Northeastern Federation of Stamp Clubs,
(www.nefed.org) is the largest show in New England and one that has national recognition. Some of
our members are already preparing exhibits for the youth area, where they will be displayed for the
duration of the show, Friday through Sunday and will be returned to us by mail. Philatelic Show,
which is held in the very nice Boxborough Regency hotel (formerly a Holiday Inn), includes a youth
area, formal exhibits (some of which are national prizewinners), and a bourse of over 60 dealers. Our
trip will be by a Curtin Livery van. We can take nine students. Permission slips were distributed on
March 23rd and must be returned with a check for $20 by the meeting of April 6th. Departure will be
from Cutler at 9:00 a.m. with a return at approximately 5:00 p.m. (depending on traffic in Worcester!).
For many years students from Fitch Middle and later Cutler Middle have attended this show. Because
of the generosity of the Northeastern Federation and Miller’s Stamp Company who made donations to
help offset transportation costs, we are once again able to make the trip to Boxborough.
PTO NEWS
PTO OFFICER POSITION: The “treasurer” position for the PTO will be vacant as of June 2017.
Anyone interested in filling this position should submit their name prior to the May 2017 meeting.
NEXT MEETING: The next PTO meeting will be held in the CMS Media Center on Tuesday, April 18,
2017 at 6:00 p.m.
DINE-OUT for a CAUSE FUNDRAISER: Take a time out from cooking! Join us at Manana Mexican
Café (Long Hill Road, across from Big Y) Monday, April 3rd, 11:30 a.m.to close! A portion of the
days’ sales goes to CMS PTO!! It’s the easiest thing to do… show up and eat!! THANKS JUSTIN!
STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON: Our spring luncheon will be held on Tuesday, May 16th. We
are always looking for helping hands, in addition to food and monetary donations. More information
to follow on how you can help us thank our CMS community!
CHECK IT OUT: Like us on Facebook to keep up to date with the latest happenings with the CMS
PTO. Also stay informed by clicking on the PTO link on the CMS webpage. Check out the ways in
which you can help:
• Corporate or Company Sponsorship / Matching Funds
• Inkjet Cartridge
• Stop & Shop School Rewards
• Amazon Smile
• Target
Parent involvement is critical for a successful school, so please consider volunteering and/or
helping with one or more of our many fundraisers and events throughout the school year.
Dedicated TEACHERS, STAFF, and PARENTS make Cutler Middle School great! Thank you
for supporting Cutler Middle School. Your involvement makes a difference!
8th GRADE END of YEAR ACTIVITIES:
The next meeting of the 8th grade year end activities committee will be on Thursday, April 6th at
Mystic Indoor Sports at 6:45 p.m. We will be discussing future fundraising and looking at where we
stand with funds. We may need to discuss culling some items if we aren't closer to goal after the
upcoming Karaoke night.
Mark your calendars for a fun Karaoke evening on Friday, April 21st at Christopher's Cafe' from 7:00
p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be reserved by emailing: [email protected].
We hope to see everyone for a fun evening. Proceeds will support year-end activities.
Athletic News:
Volleyball
Congratulations to the Cutler Volleyball Team for winning the Groton Middle School Volleyball
Tournament. Both Cutler teams made it to the championship match with Cutler A winning the
championship. The team also placed second at the Waterford Middle School Tournament. Members
of this year’s team were: Gabi G, Emma K, Effie P, Jessica R, Rita S, Marlo S, Fiona T, Carly Z,
Charlotte C, Nora C, Ava C, Hayden K, Janessa N, Caroline P, Natalie R, Haley R, Kelsi U and Mary
Rose V. Great job girls!!
Girls’ Softball
Congratulations to this year’s girls softball team: Ariana A, Sophie A, Annallyn C, Riley D, Leah G,
Kimberly H, Bridget H, Alice H, Hannah H, Grace J, Molly L, Riley N, Kiley R, Alysson S, Madeline S,
Fiona T, and Kylee W.
Mr. Magee, Coach
All games begin at 3:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted
Monday, April 24
Thursday, April 27
Monday, May 1
Thursday, May 4
Monday, May 8
Thursday, May 11
Wednesday, May 17
Friday, May 19
Monday, May 22
vs Wheeler at CMS
vs West Side at West Side
vs Chariho RI at Chariho (4:00)
vs Wheeler North Stonington at Wheeler (4:00)
vs Bennie Dover Jackson at CMS
vs West Side at CMS
vs Chariho at CMS (4:00)
vs Old Lyme at Old Lyme (3:45)
vs Bennie Dover Jackson at Toby May Field
*home games in bold
Track and Field
Denise Descheneaux and Carol Ann Gray, coaches
All meets begin at 3:30 p.m.
Monday, May 1
Wednesday, May 3
vs West Side and Bennie Dover Jackson at Fitch High
vs Chariho, RI at Chariho
Monday, May 8
Monday, May 15
Wednesday, May 17
Tuesday, May 23
Thursday, May 25
vs Colchester at Bacon Academy
vs Colchester and East Lyme at Fitch High
vs Clark Lane at Fitch High
vs Clark Lane Waterford at Waterford High
vs West Side and Bennie Dover Jackson at Fitch High
*home meets in bold
Music Department News
Orchestra News
The CMS Spring Orchestra concert will be on Thursday, May 18th at 7 p.m. in the Cutler gymnasium.
At that time we will be paying special recognition to our outgoing 8th grade musicians. We hope you
can join us for this celebration which has culminated in many years of performing in elementary and
middle school. Hopefully, we will see some of our Cutler students in the Fitch High School Orchestra
for years to come.
Concert Band
The Cutler Spring Band Concert is scheduled for May 9th at 7:00 p.m. in the CMS gymnasium.
Congratulations to 8th graders, Simon Choi (clarinet) and Mayson Murphy (flute) on their acceptance
into the prestigious Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. They have both been accepted into
the Honors Concert Band.
Mr. Mazzarella may be reached via email [email protected]
School Based Health Center
Finally spring is here and it’s time to get outside to enjoy the fresh air. It is also time to change those
winter sedentary habits and get our bodies into shape. Studies show that heart disease can start in
childhood. More children are being diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and
Type II diabetes. All these conditions are preventable. There are many things you can do to keep
your child (and you) healthy and in good shape.
At the SBHC we use the MyPlate guidelines when talking about healthy diets. The recommendations
are:
Make half of your plate fruits and vegetables
Make at least ¼ of the plate from whole grains
Proteins should be only ¼ of the plate and vary the choices
Switch to skim or 1% milk
Groton’s school lunch program is using these guidelines and are offering many new healthy options.
The salad bar has been a big hit and more students are trying this option. Ask your child about the
new things they had for lunch.
For more information about the MyPlate you can check out the web site www.MyPlate.gov
We are also focusing on the Let’sGo recommendations that are easy for children and families to
remember.

5 Five or more fruits and vegetables a day

2 No more than 2 hours of screen time a day

At least 1 hour of physical activity a day

Zero sugared drinks daily, more water and only low fat milk
The Let’sGo web site is www.Letsgo.org
Move your body! Go for a family walk in the evening. Encourage bike or scooter riding. The track
team sign ups have started which include both track and field events. Many of the town teams
(baseball, lacrosse, spring soccer) are holding sign-ups.
Make sure your child has regular physical exams. During these exams your child’s weight, BMI (body
mass index), and blood pressure will be checked. Current recommendation from the American
Academy of Pediatrics is that children with a family history of high cholesterol, heart disease, high
blood pressure or diabetes, or children who are obese, should have their cholesterol tested after age
2 but no later than age 10. A school physical is required during the 6th grade year and then yearly for
children participating in a school sport. These should be done by your primary care provider (PCP)
but can be done at the SBHC if you cannot get a PCP appointment or have no PCP.
Smoking prevention. Children should have no or minimal cigarette smoke exposure to protect their
heart and lungs. This includes preventing them from starting to smoke (primary prevention), being
exposed to smoke in the house or car (secondary prevention), and prevention of exposure on
clothing, furniture and carpet (third hand prevention). Stopping smoking can be very difficult for a
parent. There are many programs to help, most free or covered by insurance. Ledge Light Health
District has ongoing programs to help stop smoking. Their web site is www.llhd.org
The SWAT team: The Student Wellness Activity Team is a 6 week program that focuses on exercise
and healthy cooking. The weekly group begins with a ½ hour “Fun and Fitness” program followed by
a 2 hour cooking class that teaches cooking skills and nutrition information. The families come at
5:30 p.m. to enjoy what the students have prepared. The free program is sponsored by Ledge Light
Health District and the SBHC. This year’s group starts Wednesday, April 26th. More information and
permission forms are available at the SBHC.
If you have questions about any of these recommendations, or you would like me to check your
child’s weight, BMI or blood pressure, or would like a SWAT team application, please let me know. I
am at the SBHC Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (860-572-4448).
Happy, Healthy Spring,
Anne Ravenscroft APRN
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
LONG RANGE PLANNING
Monday, May 1
Monday, May 1
Tuesday, May 2
Wednesday, May 3
Wednesday, May 3
Thursday, May 4
Thursday, May 4
Thursday, May 4
Friday, May 5
Friday, May 5
Monday, May 8
Monday, May 8
Tuesday, May 9
Tuesday, May 9
Thursday, May 11
Monday, May 15
Tuesday, May 16
Wednesday, May 17
Wednesday, May 17
Wednesday, May 17 Saturday, May 20
Thursday, May 18
Friday, May 19
Monday, May 22
Tuesday, May 23
Thursday, May 25
Friday, May 26
Monday, May 29
Tuesday, May 30
Friday, June 2
Friday, June 2
Friday, June 9
Thursday, June 15
Track vs West Side and Bennie Dover at Fitch High 3:30 p.m.
Softball vs Chariho, RI at Chariho – 4:00 p.m.
Grade 6 FT – Garde Arts Center – 8:55 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
French I FT – Hilstead Museum, Farmington – 8:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Track vs Chariho, RI at Chariho – 3:30 p.m.
Room 29 FT – Big Y, Groton – 9:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Softball vs Wheeler North Stonington at Wheeler – 4:00 p.m.
Spring Recital – gym – 7:00 p.m.
Stamp Club FT – Boxborough, MA – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Student Council Spring Dance – gym – 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Track vs Colchester at Bacon Academy – 3:30 p.m.
Softball vs Bennie Dover at CMS – 3:30 p.m.
Early Dismissal for TLI – 12:32 p.m.
Spring Band Concert – location TBA – 7:00 p.m.
Softball vs West Side at CMS – 3:30 p.m.
Track vs Colchester and East Lyme at Fitch High – 3:30 p.m.
PTO meeting – media center – 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Track vs Clark Lane at Fitch High – 3:30 p.m.
Softball vs Chariho at CMS – 4:00 p.m.
Hiking Club FT – White Mountains, NH – 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Spring Orchestra Concert – location TBA – 7:00 p.m.
Softball vs Old Lyme at Old Lyme – 3:45 p.m.
Softball vs Bennie Dover at Toby May Field, New London – 3:30 p.m.
Track vs Clark Lane Waterford at Waterford High – 3:30 p.m.
Track vs West Side and Bennie Dover at Fitch High – 3:30 p.m.
Grade 8 FT – Galaxy Roller Rink – 10:15 a.m. – 1:20 p.m.
No School – Memorial Day
Spring Choral Concert – location TBA – 7:00 p.m.
Cutler Singers FT – Groton Senior Center – time TBA
Grade 8 dance – café/gym – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Grade 8 FT – Lake Compounce – 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Early Dismissal – last day of school – 12:32 p.m.
This calendar will be revised on a continuous basis as events are added or deleted