Memorial Buzz
News from Manchester Memorial Elementary School!
December 7, 2018
Principal's Note...
The Winter holiday season is knocking on our door! This is a very exciting time for everyone, especially children! Along with the excitement, other emotions and feelings also often surface for many children, parents, and families. This can be a very stressful time for everyone financially and we are all strapped for time trying to make everything perfect for the little ones! MMES has access to resources for families who may be in need this time of year. Mrs. Seaman, Mrs. Carlson, and myself are here for you if you need anything...just ask!
We take great pride at MMES at being an inclusive environment where all of our children and families feel welcomed, connected, and safe! Each week in the month of December, staff will be highlighting some of the things we do to promote a an inclusive and welcoming culture at our school. This week, Ms. Silag talks below about the multi-cultural education that she provides to our children this time of year in the library. We are so proud of all of our students and value the diverse backgrounds that they bring to our school each day!
Have a great weekend!
Best,
John
Library Notes
READ UP! WORLD HOLIDAYS
From Ms. Silag
Naturally, I think the School Library is always a fun place to be but especially this time of year. December is upon us and I have to admit, I love the season as much as our Memorial kiddos! Why? Because I get to share some of my favorite stories and world holiday texts in the library. From DK’s beautiful book CELEBRATIONS to other non-fiction texts about Winter Solstice and Kwanzaa to Patricia Polacco’s many picture books with diverse characters of different faiths and celebrations, I love reading about and discussing different world celebrations with students every year! And bonus: this theme ties right into the Library’s Multicultural Reading Challenge for Grades 3, 4 and 5. Plus its just plain fun and relaxing for all! To be honest, there so many great books about interesting traditions throughout the world this time of year, along with heartwarming tales of sharing and caring, that each year I worry we won’t have enough school days this month to get to all of them…but I’ll keep trying! Regardless of what your family celebrates this holiday season, I hope it is one of joy and peace…and of course, lots of great stories!
Upcoming Dates...
DECEMBER
10 & 11 - 3:00-4:40 Fifth Grade Play Auditions
20 - 7PM Band and Chorus Concert (at MERMHS Auditorium)
21 - 10:00 AM - MMES Winter Concert (MMES Gymnasium)
24- January 1 - No school: Winter Recess
JANUARY
1 - No school: Winter Recess
18- No school for students: Professional Development
21 - No school: Martin Luther King Day
FEBRUARY
6- Noon Dismissal: Professional Development Day
18-22 - No school: Midwinter Recess
MARCH
12- 1:45 - K & 1 Concert
20 - Noon Dismissal: Parent Conferences
APRIL
3 - Noon Dismissal: Professional Development
12 - 1:45 - 2 & 3 Concert
15-19 - No School: Spring Recess
MAY
1 - Noon Dismissal: Professional Development
23 - 7PM Band and Chorus Concert (at MERMHS Auditorium)
27 - School Closed: Memorial Day
28-31 - Grade 5 to Camp Merrowvista
29 - Noon Dismissal: Professional Development
JUNE
TBA - 4th grade concert
TBA - 5th grade "Crossing the Bridge" ceremony
13 - Proposed last day of school (if no snow days)
Memorial's Fantastic Food Drive Dash!
Dear All,
I am so excited to report that we collected 1,048 lbs. of food! (Last year was 669) The Cape Ann Food Pantry was extremely thankful for our donation! Can you believe it??? This was truly a team effort. The 5th grade Student Ambassadors and the entire school community should be really proud of this one.
Best,
Jenai Cohen
Thank you Mrs. Cohen, our Endicott student teachers and our Grade 5 Student Ambassadors (led by Mrs. Tomaiolo) for a very successful food drive!
A Note From Nurse Seaman...
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A LIBRARY VOLUNTEER?
Ms. Silag is looking for a few good men or women to give an hour at the beginning or end of each weekday to shelve books, clean up projects and pack up iPads.
Hours are:
8:45-9:30 am each school day (M-W)
or
2:00pm - 2:55pm each school day (M-F)
If you are interested in signing up to be a Library Volunteer, please email Ms. Silag at: silags@mersd.org
You will receive a response with directions on how to sign up for an available time slot.
***IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE: ALL volunteers must be CORI'd PRIOR to working in the school. See Mrs. Dodge or Ms. Silag for a CORI form. The CORI checks expire after two years so you may need to update your CORI.
Help Wanted!
We are currently searching to build our substitute pool for the 18-19 school year. 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...
The Musary Music Lending Library
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