MacArthur Notes
October 27, 2023
Principals' Update
Greetings MacArthur Families,
Happy Friday! Thank you to all who stopped by to join our PTO Trunk or Treat event last week. It was wonderful to see so many members of our community together. Thank you to all who helped to put this event together, especially our event co-chairs, Leanne Manousaridis and Melanie McDonough.
This is a reminder that we will not be having any formal Halloween activities during the school day on Tuesday 10/31. Students who celebrate are encouraged to enjoy their costumes at night and not dress up during the school day. Please note: 5th grade students are participating in a curricular activity where the students have written two voice poems where costumes are a part of the presentation. We also ask that students keep any candy collected during their trick or treating at home, as we have several students with severe food allergies and we want to limit exposure to potential allergens. Thank you for support in this area.
NEW AND IMPROVED Panorama Family Survey - Feedback Wanted: Waltham Public Schools is gathering information from families once again this fall with our fall family survey. The district has worked to reduce the number of questions to increase participation from families. Please share your feedback on your MacArthur experience here. surveys.panoramaed.com/waltham/fall23family
Additional information on the student survey and family survey can be found here. Letters explaining the surveys are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian Creole. Students will be completing the survey starting Friday, November 3rd. If you have any questions regarding the student survey after reviewing the letter, please contact kevinkmiec@walthampublicschools.org via email.
We have our first Equity and Inclusion (E&I) committee meeting on Monday 10/30 from 3:45pm - 4:30pm. E&I is a group made up of MacArthur faculty and family members that focuses on working to ensure that we are providing an inclusive, welcoming learning environment for all of our families. Please contact kevinkmiec@walthampublicschools.org for more information if you are interested in participating.
Multicultural Festival: The MacArthur School Multicultural Festival is returning to November this school year! We have enjoyed this event later in the school year over the past two years and we are eager to have it during the first half of the school year once again this year. Please join us on November 16th for this special event. If you are interested in signing up to participate and share some of your cultural heritage, please complete this Google Form.
Finally, in addition to free breakfast and lunch from Waltham Food Services, a free fruit and vegetable snack program is starting this week. All students are eligible to participate! This new program will take place weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Click here to see the November menu/schedule.
Have a wonderful weekend!
In Partnership,
Mr. Kmiec - (781) 314-5721 kevinkmiec@walthampublicschools.org
Mr. Howes - (781) 314-5725 roberthowes@walthampublicschools.org
Lunch Menu
Healthy Waltham Food Pantry
Reminder: Forsyth Dental will be at MacArthur on 10/31/23. The students who were previously enrolled and newly enrolled will receive dental services on that day. Forsyth Dental consent forms were sent home this week to enroll your student . Forsyth Dental is a free program for students that do not have a dental home. They provide preventative dental care.
We are starting to see an increase in winter illnesses at school. If your student isn’t feeling well, please keep them home. This helps us to reduce the spread of germs and illness. Please reach out with any questions as they arise.
Danielle King, BSN, RN
781. 314.5723
PTO Weekly Notes
-Pizzi Pie Fundraiser has less than a week to go! Orders must be placed by November 1st via our website or sending in the order form and payment with your child.
-Our 5th grade committee will be holding a Bake Sale on Tuesday, November 7th for election day! Feel free to stop by for some yummy treats to support our 5th graders.
-We will be holding another Restaurant Night at the Chateau on Tuesday, November 14th! A percentage of your order will go directly to the MacArthur PTO.
-Flyers for our Holiday Shop went home with students this week! The Holiday Shop is a fun opportunity for students to purchase gifts and wrap them for their family members to give during the holiday season! There will also be concessions and a craft table for all to enjoy.
*To purchase tickets ahead of the event, visit our website here: https://macarthurpto.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/1651
*To volunteer to help make the event a success, visit our Sign Up Genius here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C48AFAB2CA6F58-45506686-holiday#/
Hello MacArthur Families, On Tuesday, November 7th (Election Day), the 5th grade class will be hosting a bake sale to raise funds for the 5th grade celebration! While we are hoping to have lots of volunteers from the 5th grade class, we invite the entire MacArthur community to consider donating a baked good (home-made or store bought) or raffle price to help with our fundraising efforts. Please see the Sign-Up Genius below for more details on how you can help. *Please reach out to Kristen Buckley with any questions - kristen.buckley44@gmail.com* Much Thanks, The 5th Grade Committee
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C48AFAB2CA6F58-45297123-election#/
Xfinity ACP
Xfinity is proud to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides qualified households with a credit of up to $30/mo towards internet and mobile services.
Wings for Autism
WINGS FOR AUTISM: Travel is stressful in general but can be particularly stressful for families who have a child with special needs. Here is an opportunity for a “test run”. Gain the familiarity and confidence necessary to take future trips. Children will experience:
Entering the airport The check-in process and checking bags Security screening Boarding the plane Preparing for take-off Exiting the plane When: November 4, 2023 @ 9:00 a.m. Where: Boston Logan Airport, Terminal E Cost: FREE!! Registration is required! ALL attendees must register - including parents, siblings, etc.) Adults 18 years and older must show valid identification at the airport, in order to participate in WIngs over Autism. Link for Event Registration
MacArthur Elementary School
Absence Line - (781) 314-5722
Email: kevinkmiec@walthampublicschools.org
Website: walthampublicschools.org/macarthur
Location: 494 Lincoln Street, Waltham, MA, USA
Phone: 781-314-5721