Wrentham elementary schools have been getting assistance from the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council MetroLEC, a group of law-enforcement personnel from the region, as school officials continue to work to improve safety and update their security plan.

The schools had a practice "lock-down," and police reviewed the procedures staff followed. School officials are also working with local police. "It is great to have that training. It is great to have that partnership," Superintendent Jeffrey Marsden said.

Gifted program expands

The gifted and talented program that was expanded this school year is working out fine, school officials say. A second, part-time teacher was added. "It has been very positive," Marsden said.

The program now involves about 24 of 180 sixth graders, who participate in independent study, among other activities. Other grades are also involved in the program, which includes an accelerated reading portion. Leslie Gibbons retiring

Longtime school employee Leslie Gibbons is retiring the end of the school year. Gibbons has worked for more than three decades in the local school system, including several years as director of pupil services. A search is being launched for a replacement.

"We are starting early to get a large pool of candidates," Marsden said. Gibbons was the wife of the late longtime and beloved principal Al Gibbons.

Students keep busy

Students were quite busy for the first half of the school year.

For third-graders, "Cranberry Day" celebrated the culmination of a study of the Wampanoag Indian Tribe. Members of the tribe also visited the students, telling about their history.

Kindergartners recited poetry and sang songs for Thanksgiving, and Thomas Stone's fifth grade class even wrote an elegant poem for the holiday. Also, fourth graders held a Thanksgiving feast.

Also, Jeff Kinney, author of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "Roderick Rules," was guest speaker at the bookfair. Kinney also signed copies of his book.

Scouts set yard sale

Senior Girl Scout Troop 4348 will have an indoor yard sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Trinity Church, 47 East St., to raise the final funds for a trip to Savannah, Ga., the birthplace of the founder of Girl Scouts. Listen to organic farmer

The Sohoanno Garden Club of Wrentham will host a free presentation by Christy Raymond, a local organic farmer, from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 at the Fiske Public Library.

Raymond established Wrentham's White Barn Farm in 2008. The farm employs sustainable farming techniques and organic growing methods. The event is open to the public.

This column is compiled by staff writer Stephen Peterson. Peterson can be reached at 508-236-0377 or via e-mail at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.