Moreau's Monthly Messenger - M3
August/September 2018
Moreau Hall Elementary School
Respect
Involvement
Determination
Excellence
Email: thiggins@easton.k12.ma.us
Website: www.easton.k12.ma.us
Location: 360 Washington Street, North Easton, MA 02356
Phone: 508-230-3235
Twitter: @Mr_H_MH_Hawks
A Message from Mr. H.
I found the above quote from Mr. Rogers a few years ago and thought to myself, "How simple!" It's been hanging in my office ever since. Kindness is such an integral part of being successful in life. In my job as principal, positive human interaction is critical. Like Mr. Rogers, I find joy in working with children to build their foundational skills in all areas, but most importantly in social and emotional learning. Watching Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood on TV as a kid was one of my favorite activities. Mr. Rogers always kept it very simple. I always learned something new, and I always left with a new wonder. Now as an adult, a father, husband, and principal, I try to focus on the small positive interactions that might bring kindness into someone's life. Our PK-2 schools have a shared theme this school year. Through the theme, "Choose Kind" students, staff, and families will have the opportunity to showcase the important work we do to support each other in the learning process. It could be my most favorite theme yet!
My wife (also an educator) and I had a chance this summer to see the documentary on Mr. Rogers entitled Won't You Be My Neighbor? I left the film thinking we should all try to be a little more like Fred Rogers. Three themes struck me as I watched.
1. Be a kid.
One of Fred's sons shared a heartfelt story about how his dad never forgot what it was like to be a kid. Mr. Rogers remembered, and cherished, what it was like to be 7, 8, or 9 years old. He remembered that the world can be a scary place to a child, and it's our job as adults to help them navigate their feelings and experiences. My great mentor, Al Cullum, told me in college, "Stop trying to make kids grow up so fast! You need to grow DOWN!" It was the best advice an aspiring teacher could hear. His message is the same as Fred's. Remember what it was like to be a kid!
2. Show love.
Fred believed deeply, as do I, that everyone is capable of great love, and everyone is capable of being loved. Every child that Fred met felt this immediate and immense connection with him. He gave them his time, and he listened to them. A simple way to show our children we love them is to listen to them. Throughout the school year, your child is going to make mistakes. They are to be expected and accepted as learning opportunities. They will visit me from time to time for positive reasons and some not so positive reasons. Please know that I care deeply about your children, and I love them. Even the ones I haven't met yet!
3. Be your most real, genuine self.
I have always seen Mr. Rogers as a sort of "Kindness Guru." It was apparent after watching the film that Fred was just as human as the rest of us. Doubt crept into his mind at times throughout his career. He questioned whether what he was doing what was right or important or impactful enough. He felt an enormous amount of pressure which mostly came from inside himself. I think we've all felt this type of doubt and pressure, but as Fred is well known for saying, "I like you just the way you are." The greatest gift we can give the world is to be our true self. As adults, it's important that we model this for our littlest learners.
Just three of my take-aways from watching this film. I highly recommend watching the documentary if you get a chance. I continue to feel privileged and honored to be your principal and to serve the families, faculty, and staff of Moreau Hall. I am super excited to begin a new school year and work closely with our Moreau Hall Family to Choose Kind!
Mr. H.
Free 2018 T-Shirt for MH Students
This school year, as part of our Choose Kind theme, we are ordering shirts for each student and faculty/staff member of Moreau Hall. The shirts will be purchased with funds from PAC and the school budget. Click the link below to select a shirt that will fit your MH Hawk! Shirts will be delivered to school and distributed. Orders will close on August 31st, so act fast!
https://www.customink.com/g/evm0-00be-qkgr
We will have MH themed spiritwear for purchase for the whole family soon! Be on the lookout!
Back to School Pizza Picnic
Teachers will be hosting a Bake Sale to benefit academic scholarships for high school graduates who are part of the "Moreau Hall Family."
Please RSVP to moreauhallpac@gmail.com ASAP!
Be involved!
At Moreau Hall each grade has a service project that we support. In first grade we help support School on Wheels of Massachusetts (SOWMA). As part of our service project, grade one collects school supplies to donate to SOWMA a couple of times during the school year. Our first collection will be during the Back to School Picnic on August 27th from 5-6:30 pm. When you and your student are back to school shopping, please consider picking up extra supplies for a child in need. We greatly appreciate your support to this worthy organization.
Thank you,
The Grade 1 Team
The following is a list of possible supplies to donate:
· pencils
· crayons
· scissors
· glue sticks
· highlighters
· markers
· colored pencils
· folders
· erasers
· pencil box
· ruler
· backpack
· lunch box
Back to School Night Schedule
Thank you!
Kindergarten - Thursday, August 30, 6:30-7:30 pm
Grade One - Thursday, September 6, 6:30-7:30 pm
Grade Two - Thursday, September 13, 6:30-7:30 pm
Morning Student Drop Off
We ask for your assistance and cooperation in ensuring that the “morning student drop off” procedure and rules are followed properly. Students who attend M.H. are afforded the opportunity to ride the bus. You may also choose to drive your children to school.
If you are dropping students off in the morning it is imperative that you park in a marked parking space and walk your children into the school. Simply pulling up and dropping children off while you wait in the car is unsafe and not allowed, as we have no crossing guard or staff member outside to supervise this. Children should not be walking across the driveway unattended. If you arrive before 8:55 am, parents/guardians are asked to stay with the students in the cafeteria until they are dismissed to their classrooms at 8:55 am. There is no “school supervision” before 8:55 am and students should NOT be left unattended.
Once your children are dismissed to their classroom, you should exit our parking lot through the Stonehill College access road that is at the far south end of the lot.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Bus Safety
Upcoming Events
Click here for the calendar on the school website
Monday, August 27
Grade One Open House 4:00 pm
Back to School Pizza Picnic 5-6:30 pm
Thursday, August 30
First Day of School for Gr. 1-2
Kindergarten Back to School Night 6:30-7:30 pm
Friday, August 31
K Open House 9:30-10:30 am (Jolly & Dutra) & 10:30-11:30 am (Police & Cerundolo)
School Bus on site from 10:00-11:00 am
Monday, September 3
No School - Labor Day
Tuesday, September 4
First Day of School for Kindergarten
Wednesday, September 5
Pre-K Open House 10:00 am
Thursday, September 6
First Day of School for Pre-K
Grade One Get Acquainted Night 6:30 pm
Thursday, September 13
Grade Two Get Acquainted Night 6:30 pm
Friday, September 14
International Dot Day - PK-2 Day of Creativity
Thursday, September 27
Parent Advisory Council Meeting 7:00 pm
PAC News - Parent Advisory Council
Kristen Finch and Colleen Pantazelos – Co-Chairpersons
Chrissy Sierra – TreasurerEve Reed – Secretary
The first meeting of the Parent Advisory Council will be held on
Thursday, September 27th at 7:00 pm
in the Moreau Hall Library.
All are welcome! Please come to find out how you can
participate in school events and fundraising!
Mark your calendar now for PAC Meeting dates...Please note these dates, times, and location are subject to change.
September 27th @ 7:00 pm
October 24 @ 7:00 pm
November 14 @ 7:00 pm
January 16 @ 7:00 pm
March 13 @ 7:00 pm
April 17 @ 7:00 pm
May 15 @ 7:00 pm
Email PAC at moreauhallpac@gmail.com
Follow PAC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moreauhallpac
School Council
Easton Public Schools Activity Fee
Each year we ask families to pay an activity fee, which goes to support various activities in town. For Moreau Hall, the biggest activity that is supported through this fee is our connection to Sheep Pasture. In addition to our students going to Sheep Pasture in the spring, the teachers from this great program visit Moreau Hall during the winter to work with each classroom. It is a fantastic learning experience for our students.
The Kindergarten fee for this year is included in K Tuition. The activity fee for grades 1 & 2 students is $45. Please click the link below to pay the fee by October 6th.Is your CORI check up to date?
We love having visitors in our building, but the safety of our students, staff and families is our number one concern.
If you or another family member plan to volunteer for field trips or to work in your child’s classroom, we ask that you complete a CORI form (Criminal Offender Record Information). These forms are good for 3 years. If you are a returning family and believe that you have a valid CORI form on file, please check with the main office.
New Faculty/Staff Members
Jenna Cerundolo, Kindergarten Teacher
Danielle Wintersteen, Developmental Skills Teacher
Stephanie Hastrup, PK-2 School Psychologist
Joe Arsenault, ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Technician
Ruth Bluestone, Speech/Language Pathologist
Kristin Kelly, Paraprofessional
Michelle Kirk-Vinocoor, Paraprofessional
Janet McCarthy, Paraprofessional
Thank you to our Custodial Staff
Core Values
Moreau Hall students, teachers, parents, and community members take P.R.I.D.E. in being a “bucket-filling” school. In order to provide a positive child-centered learning experience for all students we will follow our five core values:
Positive Attitude, Respect, Involvement, Determination, and Excellence
Be a “bucket filler” and show your Hawk P.R.I.D.E.!
Positive Attitude
Believe in yourself and your abilities and those of your classmates
Believe that effort will improve your future
Stay motivated, even when things don’t go well
Be excited and energized about learning
Respect
Take care of yourself
Treat others as you want to be treated
Take care of your school
Embrace new ideas
Involvement
Be present
Help your Moreau Hall family
Make a difference in your community
Share your talents
Determination
Show enthusiasm and actively participate
Finish what you start
Stay committed to your goals
Keep working hard even when you feel like quitting
Excellence
Kindness matters
Strive to be your personal best
Listen to understand
Show gratitude for all you have
Created with student input by the Moreau Hall School Council - January 2015
Moreau Hall Mission Statement
The mission of Moreau Hall Elementary School is to provide a positive, child-centered learning experience for all students.