MacArthur Notes
March 15, 2024
Principals' Update
Greetings MacArthur Families,
Thank you to all who were able to join us this week on any of our trio of community meetings. It is always exciting to share our updates with the School Council or during a PTO meeting or Principals' Forum. We are looking forward to all of the wonderful events in the works for the remainder of the year. Please remember to keep an eye on this space for regular updates on upcoming dates to add to your calendar.
Next week brings a very special community event, Rafflemania! This extra special PTO event is a tropical themed dance party and is fun for all! Through the generosity of our amazing community, we have 100 raffle baskets / prizes that you can win! Students and families are encouraged to join us on Friday, March 22nd from 6pm - 8pm. Thank you to all who have donated or signed up to volunteer.
Spring Picture Day is Thursday, March 21st. Our Class Code is C9BQYK2C. Please see the fliers below for more information. Class pictures will be taken. Students who pre-register for individual photos will have their photos taken. Please reach out to Ms. Santana with any questions. (781) 314-5722.
This week brought us to the end of our second term for Grades 2-5. Grades are being finalized and will be shared with families on our students' report cards on Thursday, March 28th.
MCAS begins in April for students in Grades 3-5. Please be on the lookout next week for a detailed email outlining a special request to support the students. Grade 3-5 will participate in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math assessments. Grade 5 will also participate in a Science/Technology and Engineering assessment as well this year. Dates for testing are included below.
Grade 3 - April 3 and 10 (ELA) May 1 and 8 (Math)
Grade 4 - April 4 and 11 (ELA) May 2 and 9 (Math)
Grade 5 - April 2 and 9 (ELA) April 30 and May 7 (Math ) May 14 and 15 (STE)
Read below for more information regarding the ongoing project in MacArthur neighborhoods and its impact on traffic in the area. Traffic Advisory
In addition, a reminder that Wednesday 3/20 is and early release day. Thank you for planning accordingly.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend and start to the week!
In Partnership,
Mr. Kmiec - (781) 314-5721 kevinkmiec@walthampublicschools.org
Mr. Howes - (781) 314-5725 roberthowes@walthampublicschools.org
Lunch Menu
Reminder, Breakfast and Lunch are free for all students!
Waltham Recreation
Healthy Waltham Food Pantry
Next Dates - 3/14 and 3/28
PTO Weekly Update
Rafflemania - Join us NEXT WEEK on Friday, March 22nd from 6pm-8pm! This year's theme is TROPICAL! A list of the awesome raffle prizes will be coming out soon!
To prepay for admission to the event click here. Tickets may be purchased the night of using cash only.
To Volunteer for the event sign up here!
MacArthur 5K & Fun Run - "Save the Dates" went out this week for our first ever 5K and Fun Run which will be held on Saturday, April 27th!
Interested in helping out with planning? Email Gretchen at gretchen@pineo.net There will be plenty of opportunities to volunteer the day of as well so stay tuned!!
Movie Night is back! Join us on Friday, April 5th for a fun family night. Volunteer sign ups coming soon!
Art to Remember - Be sure to place those orders by March 18th to get awesome products with your child's art work on them! Thank you to Ms. Smidt for her hard work with the students to make this fundraiser possible!
Spring Lacrosse:
Pre-K / Kindergarten Program is now OPEN for Registration. For the 2024 Season we welcome Scoops Lacrosse to Waltham
Scoops Lacrosse will be running a 6-week super cool Spring lacrosse clinic open to boys and girls ages 3-6, Scoops Clinics are designed for kids who are interested in learning as well as continuing their development of lacrosse. Kids will be broken into different groups based on age and/or skill levels. Most importantly, Scoops Clinics are designed for maximum amounts of fun, confidence building, and pure lacrosomeness!!!
The only equipment necessary is a lacrosse stick. The program is pad free! At Scoops the modo is Sticks and Smiles!!!
Family discount of 15% off the 2nd Scooper for any family who is registering multiple kids for a Scoops Spring Clinic. Please use the code: Siblingsscoops
Dates: 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31, and 6/7
Times: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Price: $150 per session (Includes - 6x classes, Scoops Spring t-shirt, scoops stickers)
Location: Waltham High School PIT, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA 02452
Registration Link: https://www.scoopslax.com/register/walthamspring24
Please reach out if you have any questions to walthamyouthlacrosse@gmail.com
Lost and Found
Kindergarten Registration: All families who have a student who will be five years old before September 1st are encouraged to register their child for Kindergarten. This online process can be found here on the Parent Information Center section of the Waltham Public Schools website.
https://www.walthampublicschools.org/page/kindergarten-registration-information
Traffic Advisory
Special Notice to residents of the neighborhoods around Lincoln St, College Farm Rd, Curve St, Bigelow Rd, Pond End School, and Malvern St; amongst others.
Starting Monday 3/11/2024 contractors for the city will be installing new curbing and sidewalks on Lincoln St from Lexington Street to Winter Street.
Due to the amount and scope of work happening in that stretch, Lincoln St will be shut from Winter St to Lexington St during work hours which will begin at 0700.
Vehicles will be detoured at College Farm Rd and Lexington St.
Residents of the affected neighborhoods will be allowed to come in and out of the neighborhood from either end.
Commuters are advised to continue avoiding the area of Piety Corner and Lincoln St as much as possible.
Emergency vehicles and school buses will continue to have access as well. At this time, it does not appear any pickup/drop off areas will be impacted.
Read Across America - MacArthur Reading Challenge!
Read Across America - MacArthur Reading Challenge!
This month, we will be capturing our minutes of reading both at home and at school to READ ACROSS AMERICA. Each minute read equals one mile traveled. We have a map on the second floor showing the route from Waltham to San Diego, CA (see below). We are going to chart our progress each week. The class with the most minutes read per child will receive a special activity with Mr. Kmiec and Mr. Howes. Thank you for keeping track of your child's reading here and sending in your minutes read each week using this Google Form.
ST Math
Has your student come home talking about Jiji? Do they want to play ST Math at homeFor Grades 3-5: Log into Clever, select ST Math and play! (They should know their username and password.)
For Grades K-2: Follow these steps to have them play! Go to the Clever login, found on the school’s website, or scan the QR code below and allow camera. Scan your student’s QR badge (sent home in their folder). Click ST Math and play!
MacArthur Elementary School
Absence Line - (781) 314-5722
Email: kevinkmiec@walthampublicschools.org
Website: walthampublicschools.org/macarthur
Location: 494 Lincoln Street, Waltham, MA, USA
Phone: 781-314-5721