Establishing Roots at Beal School
A message from Principal Girardi & Assistant Principal Hoey
Picture of the week- Beal's MakerSpace
September 19, 2021
This Friday, September 24th is an important date for new Major Howard W. Beal School as we will hold our formal Dedication Ceremony. This ceremony commemorates the opening of new Beal School and celebrates all the individual and collective work that has gone into this multi-year process. This ceremony will occur during the school day to allow our students to be an important part of the event. Peter Reynolds, Children's Author and Illustrator, will be our guest to celebrate his beautiful mural in our main lobby and hand out a signed copy of his book, The Word Collector, to all Beal students.
Unfortunately, due to space and logistics we are not able to open this event up to our parent community. It will be recorded and shared through Shrewsbury Media Connection for all to enjoy.
You are invited to an open house on Saturday, September 25th between 9:00AM-12:00PM to tour the facilities. As part of the Spirit of Shrewsbury weekend events, this open house is an invitation to our entire Shrewsbury community to come explore our new elementary school.
We made it through our first five day week and are getting into the groove of the school year. We wish you a good rest of the weekend and look forward to welcoming the students again tomorrow!
Sincerely,
Chris Girardi and Shelley Hoey
Chris Girardi
Email: cgirardi@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us
Website: https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/beal
Location: 214 Lake Street, Shrewsbury, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 841-8860
Twitter: @SPS_Beal
Shelley Hoey
Email: shoey@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us
Website: https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/beal
Location: 214 Lake Street, Shrewsbury, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 841-8860
Beal Curriculum Nights- Save the Dates
Monday, September 20th: Curriculum Night for Grades 3-4- 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Thank you to all families who attended our Grades K-2 Curriculum Night last week. It was great to visit with parents/guardians to discuss your child's education and be part of the collaboration between you and your child's teacher. We hope to see our Grade 3-4 families tomorrow night to do the same!
A few important reminders following Dr. Sawyer's Superintendent's Update last week:
-We request that only one parent/caretaker attend from each of a student's households. In most cases, this means one parent/caretaker will attend per student. In cases of separation/divorce where the parents live apart, each may come. If there are two students from a family in the same school but in different grades or classes, one parent/caretaker may attend for each student.
-Everyone who enters our school for Curriculum Night must wear a mask.
-This event is for parents/caretakers only- please no children.
Parking is available in the front of the building, in the south parking lot near the fields, and in the lower paved play area where student drop ff and pick up are held.
We invite you to join Principal Girardi and Assistant Principal Hoey in the Beal Gymnasium for a brief welcome to begin the night.
If you were unable to join us for Curriculum Night, here is a simple slideshow that Mr. Girardi and Mrs. Hoey shared with our guests, including information on Beal School Council: Beal School Curriculum Night Slideshow/ School Council information
School Picture Re-Take Day
***Arrival and Dismissal Routines***
Information from the Beal PTO
Let's build the Parent Teacher Organization for our new school!
The “former” Beal Early Childhood Center PTO has evolved into the “new” Beal PTO and we want YOU to help to build Beal’s new community, traditions and awesome memories. Parents and caregivers are invited to create and decide on ways to provide enrichment opportunities as well as support for staff and students by attending monthly PTO meetings this year.
Our first meeting will be held on Tuesday Sept 21st at 6:30 pm for an info session and elections. Please come to the meeting if you are interested in learning more or taking on a leadership role! the official launch for regular meetings will be held the following week, on Tuesday Sept 28th at 6:30pm.
Both meetings can be attended in person and through Zoom (link below.) Babysitting will be available- outdoors if weather permits.
Beal PTO Meeting Zoom link:
https://shrewsburyps.zoom.us/j/86881923873?pwd=NjRBUDVjSVJWQnoyUlBqeFJOL0FzZz09
Meeting ID: 868 8192 3873
Passcode: 138245
Food Services
Snack during the school day
September School Lunch Menu
Information from our School Nurse Department
Seeking Parent Representatives for the Shrewsbury Wellness Advisory Committee
Applications are now being accepted for parent representatives to the Shrewsbury Wellness Advisory Committee (SWAC). This district-wide committee meets at SHS approximately 5 times per year (dates/times below) to discuss current health issues affecting the Shrewsbury Public Schools community, and sets health related goals in conjunction with District Strategic Priorities. The committee is made up of the Superintendent, Department Directors, teachers, parents, and leaders of community-based organizations. Honest, constructive input from parents is a vital part of this committee!
We are seeking 3-4 parent/guardian volunteers with students in various grade levels across the district. To apply, please submit a brief statement outlining the reason(s) for your interest in this committee and how you believe you will be able to contribute to our meetings. Applications are due by Friday, October 1, and should be submitted via email to Noelle Freeman, the Director of School Nursing at nfreeman@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us .
The committee will meet on the following Thursday afternoons from 2:30 - 4:00pm at Shrewsbury High School. Attendance at meetings is important, so please be sure to check your calendar for availability before committing to participation on the committee. For the most part, the work of the committee takes place at meetings with minimal need for work outside of meetings.
2021-22 meeting dates: October 10, December 2, January 20, March 10, April 28. All meetings will be held from 2:30 – 4pm at Shrewsbury High School.
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COVID-19 Testing Update Shrewsbury Public Schools is partnering with the state COVID Testing Program to provide voluntary weekly COVID-19 testing and the Test and Stay option for close contacts at school. More details about these programs can be found on the SPS website here. Testing is voluntary and all staff and students are encouraged to participate. The required consent form can be found here. The Test and Stay option is now available for individuals identified as close contacts to positive cases at school. More information will be provided by school nurses if your child is identified as a close contact at school and qualifies for Test and Stay. Close contacts to positive cases outside of school are not eligible to participate in Test and Stay and must quarantine per Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines. The start date for Routine COVID Safety Check testing for students will be Tuesday September 28th (test kits will be sent home on Monday September 27th) and will continue weekly. More information regarding test distribution and collection will be provided prior to that time.
---------------- Reminder Regarding Masks Please be sure that your child arrives at school each day wearing a well-fitting mask, and please send a replacement mask in their backpack for use when their mask is damaged or soiled. Thank you in advance for your help with this.
School Social Media- Please follow us!
Follow Beal School on Facebook!!!
Our wonderful PTO also has a Feacbook page geared towards supporting families and community. Please find their information here:
Shrewsbury Public Schools Calendar 2021-2022
Important dates for your fall calendar
Friday, September 24th- Beal Dedication Ceremony- for students only held during the school day
Saturday, September 25th- Beal Open House to the public as part of Spirit of Shrewsbury Weekend- 9:00 AM-12:00 PM.
Tuesday, October 5th- Early Release Day for Staff Professional Development- 12:15 release time
Monday, October 11th- No School- Columbus Day/ Indigenous Peoples' Day
Tuesday, November 2nd- Parent Conferences- No School for students
Thursday, November 11th- Veterans Day- No School
Wednesday, November 24th-Friday, November 26th- Thanksgiving Vacation