Winchendon Weekly News
Updates from the Winchendon Public Schools
November 2, 2022
From the Desk of the Superintendent
Greetings Winchendon Families,
We are close to wrapping up the first quarter of the 2022-2023 school year, and I am extremely encouraged by the progress I have seen in our schools so far. We are off to a great start this year, and we will continue to head into our second quarter with great momentum.
As you may be aware, Spring 2022 MCAS scores were recently published and individual student reports will be sent home soon, if they have not been already. The MCAS presentation made to our School Committee can be found at https://www.winchendonk12.org/article/87270.
I am very proud of our students' progress across the district, despite the effects the pandemic has had on education these past few years, and I would like to congratulate Murdock Middle School in particular. Mrs. Vezina and her staff have taken Murdock Middle School out of turnaround status and increased its state accountability rating by 16 percentile points, to an overall accountability rating of the 23rd percentile in the state. Congratulations to the staff and students who put in the hard work to make this possible and to the families of those students who continue to support them.
Winter will soon be upon us. The district will continue to use ParentSquare to notify parents of emergencies and/or weather-related school closures. Don't forget that ParentSquare allows you to personalize how you recieve updates; simply log in to your account online, or download the app, to specify how you would like to receive notifications.
Parent/Teacher conferences will take place November 21 and 22. If you have any concerns about your child's education, I encourage you to schedule a conference on one of these days.
As always, let us know if you have any questions, or if we can assist you in any way as we continue "Working Together" in Winchendon.
Thad King
Superintendent
District Wide Information
Upcoming Dates:
- Friday, November 4: MMHS End of Quarter 1
- Friday, November 11: Veterans Day, No School
- November 21-22: Half Days, Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Wednesday, November 23: Early Release
- November 24-25: Thanksgiving Break
We are hiring!!
https://www.schoolspring.com/jobs/?&employer=12786&status=public
MEMORIAL PRE-K UPDATES
Upcoming Dates:
- Nov 2: Playgroup at Memorial
- Nov 3: Playgroup at Library
- Nov 9: Playgroup at Memorial
- Nov 10: Playgroup at Library
- Nov 11: Veterans Day, No School
- Nov 23: Playgroup at Memorial
- Nov 24: Thanksgiving Day
- Nov 30: Playgroup at Memorial
Memorial Elementary News
Upcoming Dates:
November 7-10: Book Fair
Wednesday, Nov 9, 6-8pm: Book Fair & Art Show
Friday, Nov 11, 2022: No School- Veterans Day
Monday, Nov 14, 2022 Picture Retake Day
Monday, Nov 21, 2022-Tuesday, Nov 22, 2022 Parent Teacher Conferences (Night Conference- Monday)
Wednesday, Nov 23, 2022: Early Dismissal 11:30- NO LUNCH served
Friday, December 2: Report Cards Go Home
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2022: Half Day PD
Popcorn Friday Volunteers Needed
We are looking for six volunteers to help pop and distribute the popcorn from 8:30-10:30. If you are available and interested, please signup using the link below!
https://forms.gle/UqKbbpgDFZS9mQnM7
Operation Winchendon Cares
Operation Winchendon Cares is looking for donations to send to our local active military men and women. Donations can be taken to Memorial Elementary.
Winter care packages will be put together and shipped on November 12, 2022, from 9-10:30am at the American Legion located at 295 School Street, Winchendon, MA 01475.
These care packages will be the last batch to go out before Christmas and we would love to show our military men and women how much we truly appreciate all they do and the sacrifices they make!
Donation suggestions: candy, gum, pumpkin seeds (no shell), nuts, Ramen noodles, cup of soup, tuna/chicken packets, easy mac & cheese, slim jims, Pringles, beef jerky. Travel size shampoo & conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, soap, shaving gel, travel unscented baby wipes, etc. We have approximately 30 active military men and woman.
Donations will be collected until November 10th. Please help us support our active service men and women!
If you would like to support our military men and women but do not have time to shop, you can Venmo Linda Sordoni @Operation-WinchendonCares and the money will go towards buying hygiene essentials, snacks, and mailing costs for our care packages. You can also mail a tax deductible check to P.O. Box 136 Winchendon, MA 01475.
Parent Drop-off and Pick-up
Please click the link below to view details on Parent Drop-off and Pick-up for Memorial School:
Memorial PTO Wants You!
Memorial PTO is looking to fill positions.
PTO has had a couple people already reach out so Thank You so much!! We working to making sure we have a full committee of volunteers who will make the many aspects of the organization work so we have a successful year for OUR KIDS! They deserve it and the efforts of the PTO are what make the activities, fundraisers, assemblies and monthly gatherings happen. Please consider volunteering.
If you have not filled out our volunteer survey yet
Click Here: VOLUNTEER FORM LINK
Toy Town Elementary News
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Nov 11: No school
- Nov 14: Picture Retake, PTO
- Nov 21,22: Conferences with 1/2 Day
- Nov 23: Early Release at 11:15- No lunch served
- No School: Nov. 24, 25
Student Council is Coming to TTE
The purpose of a student council is to:
- Encourage student leadership
- Give a student voice to school improvement such as spirit days, field trips, ..
- Improve public speaking skills
The student government will be comprised of 1 representative per classroom, and classmates will vote on their representative.
Students who are interested should:
- Complete the Student Council Application Form and the signature page (we ask that 2 TTE Staff members and 1 parent sign off on their participation)
- Be prepared to share their Student Council Application on November 7th.
Murdock Middle School News
Upcoming Events:
11/11: No School- Veterans Day
11/14: Picture Retake Day
11/21 & 11/22: Parent-Teacher Conferences
11/23: Early Dismissal 10:30 No Lunch Served
Murdock High School News
Upcoming Dates:
- November 1 & 3: Musical Auditions
- November 7: UMass Amherst Visit
- November 11: Veterans Day, No School
- November 14: Picture Retakes
Varsity Football Game: Friday, 11/4
GOOD LUCK DEVILS! Bring home a win!!