MacArthur Notes
October 6, 2023
Principals' Update
Greetings MacArthur Families,
Happy Friday! Today's spirit day was a perfect end to the week! We love seeing our students and staff dressed in their MacArthur best and bringing the energy to end the learning week. This week also brought the return of two exciting programs to MacArthur and our first field trip of the school year.
BOKS returned for the first time since the 2019/2020 school year. BOKS is a before school exercise class run by MacArthur family members and coordinated by the PTO. The first session has just begun and potential winter and spring sessions are possible for later in the year. Thank you to all of our parents for helping to bring this program back to MacArthur and to Christine Sullivan for coordinating.
GirlStart is an after school STEM program for students in Grades 4 and 5 interested in science and engineering. This program is back once again this year. For those that did not sign up for the fall session, please keep a look out for sign ups for next session in the new year.
In addition, our 3rd grade students enjoyed their field trip to the Discovery Museum. As a reminder, all family members interested in attending field trips need both a CORI and fingerprinting. Please plan to connect with Ms. Santana in the office about completing a CORI form. Fingerprinting is completed by an offsite agency. Information about fingerprinting can be found here.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has passed new K-3 Early Literacy Screening Regulations. Please review the letter below to learn more about how Waltham Public Schools utilizes literacy screening tools to support instruction and how we will be communicating with families this year as a result of this new regulation.
Spanish Portuguese Haitian Creole
Finally, we would like to continue to promote participation in the PTO Online Family Directory. This directory is your opportunity to access contact information for your children's classmates and is helpful for setting up playdates or party invitations. We are unable to share contact information from the school level for privacy reasons. We encourage you to sign up for the PTO website here. https://macarthurpto.membershiptoolkit.com/home In creating a login for this website, you will have access to contact information for your children's classmates. The more families that sign up, the more effective this is as a tool for our community. Currently, we have 217 students signed up for the directory.
A reminder that Waltham Public Schools are closed in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day and Columbus Day on Monday. Here is a link for our school calendar to track all upcoming schedule changes. We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday!
Wishing everyone a wonderful long 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
Elementary Student Handbooks
Thank you for reviewing the updated Waltham Public Schools Student Handbooks linked below. This includes information regarding smart watches on Page 18, which is new for the 2023-2024 school year.
2023 - 2024 ES Handbook English
2023 - 2024 ES Handbook Spanish
Notes from the Nurse
Latest Covid Protocols
For those who test positive: isolate at home for 5 days, return to school on day 6 as long as they are feeling well and fever free for 24 hours AND wear a mask through day 10.
For those who are a close contact: come to school as long as they are feeling well and symptoms free, test on day 6, or at the first onset of symptoms AND wear a mask through day 10. Testing when they find out about being a close contact is a good idea also.
ForsythKids will be providing preventative dental services to those students enrolled in the program. Students without a dental home are able to enroll. Information on enrolling will be sent home with students soon. For those who have previously enrolled, ForsythKids will be at MacArthur on 10/31/23 to provide their dental service.
Danielle King, BSN, RN
781. 314.5723
danielleking@wathampublicschools.org
PTO Weekly Notes
Trunk or Treat, 10/20: Trunk or Treat will run from 6:00pm-7:30pm. We are still looking for volunteers for this event so please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C48AFAB2CA6F58-trunk1#/
Pre- Registration for the event closes on Wednesday, 10/18. You can pre-register here: https://macarthurpto.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/1121
Thanksgiving Pizzi Pie Fundraiser: Flyers for our pie fundraiser went out this week! Please consider ordering a pie for your Thanksgiving dessert to support the MacArthur School!
Restaurant Night at Jake N Joes: This event will take place on Tuesday, October 17th. You can dine in or order out, just let the server know that you are participating in the MacArthur Fundraiser and to flag your check!
5th Grade Committee - Help Wanted!
We are looking for parent/caregiver volunteers to run fundraising events to support our 5th Graders! These fundraising efforts go toward the cost of the 5th Grade Celebration, Yearbook, Class Gifts, etc. If you would like to get involved please email the 5th Grade Committee Co-Chairs, Jen Cronin (jencronin33@gmail.com) and Amy Neal (rangeramy306@aol.com).
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