Memorial Buzz
News from Manchester Memorial Elementary School!
NOVEMBER 17, 2017
Principal's Note...
It was great to see many of you last week at the grade 5 fundraiser, "Are you Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" The costumes were hilarious and it was great to feel all of the positive energy as we worked together to raise money for the grade 5 activities this year. Thank you to The McCavanagh's and their team (especially the amazing host, Mr. O'Leary) for a great event! Check out the link below to see more photos from Mrs. Donellan-Valade!
https://vdjv.smugmug.com/MMES201711095thGradeGameShow/n-pMw38w/
I am working with a local Veterans’ group on a project to introduce our students to local Veterans as a way for us to thank them for our service and learn about their careers in the military. Unfortunately, we were not able to time it with Veteran’s Day, but Thanksgiving seems like a perfect time to do it. Hopefully, this will become a new Veteran’s Day tradition at MMES going forward.
Next Wed., 18 veterans from the local community will come into the school, and each K-5 classroom will have one of them visit their classroom. They will read the book, Veterans - Heroes in Our Neighborhood to the class and will talk to the students about their experiences. Students are welcome to bring in drawings, letters, or cards of gratitude for the veteran who visits their class. Some classes will also make cards in school to give to the Veterans.
This is the time of year where time seems to really fly by! It is so hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week and the other winter holidays are right around the corner! We are very thankful, especially this time of year, for having all of you as partners in your child's education. Thank you to all of the parents who sent in items this week for the staff luncheon. I can't tell you how much we all appreciate those gestures!
This can also be a tough time for families as well. If there is anything that we can do to help your family through the holidays, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Seaman or I (confidentially). There is some information about local resources below as well.
If I don't see you before next Thursday, have a wonderful Thanksgiving break with your family!
Best,
John
Fun at MMES!
#Spirit
Your Host...
Mr. O'Leary was born to be a TV Gameshow host! Thanks so much!
Team Willis Deep in Thought
Contemplating the Final Answer...
Rockstar Parents!
Hmmmm...lol
Everyone Loves Music Class!
A Visit from Plimouth
A Visit from Plimouth
Family Resources:
Create Holiday Magic
For some families, the holidays find parents in the position of choosing between buying gifts for their children or falling behind on their bills. Support from Wellspring’s Holiday Store eases this stress and financial strain.
For one weekend each December, Wellspring House transforms into a toy store. Low-income parents are invited to "shop" for toys and gifts for their children. $2 buys three toys and a book or video. Now in its 21st year, Wellspring’s Holiday Store relies strongly on toy donations in order to operate. Last year’s Holiday Store served 644 children from 284 homeless and low-income families from our region. That’s over 1500 toys!
This year, our Holiday Store will be held on Saturday, December 9th and Sunday, December 10th. Please consider making a child's holiday and easing the financial burden on those in need by heading up a toy drive or making a financial contribution. Churches, book groups, dinner clubs and birthday parties are great places to get started. Also a perfect service project for your student. For more information, please contact Katie Misuraca at kmisuraca@wellspringhouse.org or 978-281-3558 ext. 303.
Families can start calling us on Thursday, Nov. 16th until Wednesday, Dec. 6th between 9AM -4PM to set up appointments to shop. Families must speak to a staff member via ext 304 as we will not return phone calls.
www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/basic-needs/vg A great website to find out what programs are available
Fast and Furious Food Drive!
Start Your Engines
for Memorial School’s
Fast and Furious
Food Drive!
November 13-20, 2017
Thanksgiving is early this year and the Open Door Food Pantry needs our help!
Please send in non-perishable food items. Donation boxes are located in the lobby and in each classroom.
Thank you for your generosity!
Notes From Our Friends
Safety Tips From the Manchester Bike and Pedestrian Committee
As we all think about our holiday travel plans please consider “Holiday safety is an issue that burns brightest from late November to mid-January, when families gather, parties are scheduled and travel spikes. Take some basic precautions to ensure your family remains safe and injury-free throughout the season. Many people choose to travel during the holidays by automobile, with the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation." (National Safety Council)
Safe Kids Worldwide provides important tips for those who will be on the road this Thanksgiving and during the upcoming holidays:
Watch out for Distracted Drivers and Pedestrians
- Watch out for small kids and distracted drivers in parking lots that are busier than usual during the holidays.
- Remind your inexperienced teen driver to be extra alert during the holidays when people are more distracted and the weather can be tricky.
- Avoid distractions while driving. No text message or playlist is worth the risk of taking your eyes off the road. Set your GPS to voice activated so you can concentrate on driving without having to look at your phone.
Make Sure Every Passenger has a Seat Belt, Car Seat or Booster Seat
- Everybody needs their own restraint. Make it a rule: everyone buckled, every ride, every time, whether it’s the long trip to visit family or around the block to the mall.
- If you are flying, take your car seat with you and use it on the plane. It will be a benefit to have it with you at your destination and when you travel to and from the airport.
- Check your car seat before holiday travel. Seventy-three percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly, so check it before you hit the road. Here’s a quick car seat checklist to help you out. It takes only 15 minutes. If you are having even the slightest trouble, questions or concerns, certified child passenger safety technicians are able to help or even double check your work.
- Safety in the car goes beyond your little ones. Kids who have outgrown a forward-facing harness seat are not ready for a seat belt or front seat yet. They are safest in a booster seat that enables the adult seat belt to fit properly. Even when children have graduated from booster seats, they should remain in the back seat until they reach the age of 13.
Expect the Unexpected on the Road
- Have an Exit Strategy on the Road. So now the car is packed, the kids are in the right seat, the seats are installed properly, and you’re on the open road. Nothing can stop you now, right? Wrong. That’s when you hear that all too familiar “howl" that means “I want food” or “Change my diaper.” When it happens, please don’t worry about making good time. Instead, get off at the next exit and find a safe area to feed or change your child.
- Expect the unexpected. Secure loose objects. Put hot foods, large gifts and anything that could fly around in a crash in the trunk.
MBTS Master Plan
MBTS citizens… Your input is needed! The work on the Town’s new Master Plan is entering a critical phase and the committee has a final survey that residents are urged to fill out on line. A large response rate is essential to ensure that we are capturing the collective viewpoint of the community. This is important as the Master Plan will prescribe specific action steps that will shape the look and feel of the community for years to come as well as influence the financial resources we have available going forward.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPC-Survey-Fall2017
We also ask that you join us at the Master Plan Community Forum on Tuesday, December 5th from 6-8 PM at the MERHS where survey results, and preliminary Master Plan recommendations will be presented for community discussion and response.
BRADFORD SKI PROGRAM
The Bradford Ski & Board Program is happening again this year for students in grades 4-12!!!! Jump on the bus after school gets out and head up to Bradford for the afternoon. Take a lesson, or head straight to the lift to enjoy the mountain. Sign up with your friends, or come on your own for an awesome opportunity to meet new like-minded friends! Meets on Mondays for 6 weeks starting January 8th! Registration is open until DECEMBER 1 or until the program is filled!!!
REGISTER HERE
Upcoming Dates...
NOVEMBER
22- Early Release - Happy Thanksgiving!
23/24 - NO SCHOOL - Happy Thanksgiving!
DECEMBER
6 - NOON DISMISSAL: Professional Development for Staff
8 - REPORT CARDS SENT HOME
19 - CHORUS & BAND CONCERT - 7PM
22 - MEMORIAL WINTER CONCERT - 9AM
22 - NOON DISMISSAL
25-Jan 1 - WINTER RECESS
JANUARY
2 - STUDENTS RETURN FROM WINTER RECESS
15 - NO SCHOOL -Martin Luther King Day
31 - NOON DISMISSAL - Professional Development for Staff
FEBRUARY
19-23 - MIDWINTER RECESS
MARCH
7 - NOON DISMISSAL - Parent Conferences
16 - REPORT CARDS SENT HOME
27 - K/1 CONCERT - 2PM
APRIL
16 - 20 - PATRIOTS DAY/SPRING RECESS
MAY
2 - NOON DISMISSAL - Professional Development for Staff
16 - CHORUS & BAND CONCERT - 7PM
23 - GRADE 4 CONCERT - 2 PM
28 - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
JUNE
6 - NOON DISMISSAL - Professional Development for Staff
13 -LAST DAY OF SCHOOL ((if no snow days) / REPORT CARDS SENT HOME
Help Wanted!
We are currently searching to bolster our substitute pool for the 17-18 school year. Many of our favorite substitutes have gotten full-time jobs recently (hooray for them), and we need to "restock our bullpen." Do you know someone locally who has experience working with children in a school setting? Please have them email Mrs. Dodge directly at dodgec@mersd.org and we can take them through the application and screening process. Thanks so much in advance!
Notices From our Friends...
Crosby's Receipts
“Shop at Crosby’s Marketplace & Henry’s Fine Foods, save your receipts & send them to school with your student or place in the red bucket at the front office to help us earn free classroom equipment! Thank you!"
2017-2018 Calendar
MMES 17-18 School-wide Theme
Check out the video that inspired our theme for the year!
MMES is on Facebook!
Memorial School:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009186193553&hc_ref=NEWSFEED&fref=nf
MMES Library/Technology:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007713044842&fref=ts
"Like" our friends:
MERSD:
https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterEssexRegional/?fref=ts
MMPTO:
https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterMemorialPTO/?fref=ts