Parent Update
In This Together
Dear Mayo Families,
The countdown is on! We are almost to the end of this crazy school year. As June 21st quickly approaches, we still have lots of learning and fun happening at Mayo. My favorite time of day each morning is greeting the students as they come off of the buses. Students are smiling (under masks) and excited to start their school day. We continue to have awesome enrichment programs from the Acton Discovery Museum, as well as virtual author visits, and a special outdoor day planned for 5th graders with Nature's Classroom. We also have MCAS beginning next week for our 4th graders. And then at the beginning of June our 3rd and 5th graders will complete MCAS as well.
I can't wait for our in person Buy One Get One Scholastic Book Fair that will arrive at Mayo at the end of Mayo! And did you know the Gale Free Library is now open with limited capacity? I am excited to be partnering with the children's librarian, Kevin McDonough, to bring the library to our students virtually as we begin to talk about and prepare for summer reading opportunities. And did you see the amazing new little free library that one of WRHS's seniors built for us at the top of the hill?! It's beautiful! And it will go perfect with our special book trail project that we are working on. I am also so excited to add some more outdoor learning and play opportunities with the help of the PTA before the end of this school year. Another huge thank you to all of you for helping with our read-a-thon fundraiser this year. I can't wait to give our kids even more outdoor options!
Thank you for your continued support. We are almost done...the finish line is in sight!
Sincerely,
Liz Garden
Principal
P.S. We are planning for "field day" type activities that will happen during specials the last full week of school. More information coming!
Scholastic Book Fair Coming Soon!
Notes from the Nurse...
Tick season is here. Below are some links to learn about types of ticks and what to do if you find one. The best way to dispose of a tick is to put it in a piece of scotch tape!!
Mass Audubon Lyme disease prevention and tips
Grade 4 parents...
Please send in updated physicals and immunization records. The state requires updated physicals for students in grade 4.
Covid 19 guidelines are changing often. Below is a link to travel guidelines from the state.
BinaxNow Testing Available in Schools
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has introduced Abbott BinaxNOW tests for use on symptomatic students and staff. BinaxNOW is a rapid antigen test that is administered with a nasal swab. Wachusett Regional School District has been approved to do this testing for symptomatic individuals (both students and faculty/staff) in our schools.
It is important to note that this testing will be optional for students, faculty, and staff. Also, it is crucial that students and faculty/staff stay home if they are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 (see COVID-19 Self-Screening document here). This testing program is an intervention that will help us to increase the health and safety for all members of our school community in conjunction with the other safety measures that we have in place. The BinaxNOW testing is voluntary, and there will be links sent from each school for parents/guardians to register their child(ren) if you choose to do so. Links:
Gale Free Library Info...
Did you know the Gale Free Library is open for lending? There are many easy and safe ways you can check out books for your kids. And with our Grab-and-Go and Curbside options, your books are bagged and ready for you when you arrange a pickup. Here are some links to get you started.
First: Need a library card? You can quickly fill out an application here.
In-Person Browsing. We have 30-minute appointments on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays in the children's room. Click here to make an appointment. You and your kids can visit together, and self-checkout in the children's room makes taking home books easy and safe.
Surprise Me! Bags. Fill out this form and the children's room staff will put together books for your kids based on your child's interests. Once your books are ready, you'll get an email to choose a grab-and-go pickup time. Let us pick books for you!
Online Catalog. Click here to put books on hold from your device. When ready, you'll get an email to choose a grab-and-go pickup time. There are plenty of ebook materials available as well.
Bookmark our Kids page to keep up with all we're doing, and like Gale Free Kids on Facebook. We have weekly online storytimes, book recommendations, take and make crafts and more.
Lastly, check out Gale Free Library's great new free digital resource for at-home learning: Lightbox. Thousands of instantly available nonfiction titles, all with embedded videos, google maps and activity sheets.
Thanks, we hope to see or hear from you soon!
Kevin McDonough (Mr. McDonough)
Kayla Casiello (Miss Kayla)
508-210-5564
Upcoming Dates to Remember
May 24, 27 - 4th grade MCAS (remote students will take MCAS remotely on Wednesdays)
May 31 - Memorial Day, No school
June 1, 3 - 3rd grade MCAS
June 4, 7, 8 - 5th grade MCAS
June 10 - 5th grade Nature's Classroom Day
June 16 - Mayo's End of the Year Reverse Parade, more info to follow
June 21 - New last day of school, half day
Connect with Mayo!
Email: liz_garden@wrsd.net
Website: http://www.wrsd.net/mayo/
Location: 351 Bullard Street, Holden, MA, United States
Phone: 508-829-3203
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LEMayoSchool/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Twitter: @MayoElem