The Compass Rose
March 22, 2024
Principal's Message:
To the East Elementary community:
At our All-School Meeting this morning we reviewed expectations for safe and kind bus behavior, announced this year's Field Day theme, and highlighted the new addition to our hallways- the Living Wall. This venture, taken on by Julie Curatola and Mark Rulli of our Grade 5 team, is an amazing addition to our school! Thank you to the volunteers, donors, and students who all pitched in to make this happen!
With the upcoming MCAS tests serving as a reminder about devices on-campus (no electronic devices are allowed within the testing environment, aside from student laptops) I'm again sharing the electronic device policy from our student handbook (see below). Please help us in enforcing this policy by reminding your students that cell-phones and smart watches are not allowed to be used during the school day. They will need to be off and stored in the student's locker or backpack.
Enjoy your weekend!
-Mr. Hawes
Electronic Device (cell-phone, smart watch) Policy
Please note, within the elementary handbook is language regarding the use of electronic devices during the school day. Many of our students bring phones and AppleWatches to school with them each day, however, they're prompted to put them into their backpacks or lockers. We recognize that students may be able to use these devices appropriately and without incident, but the temptation and opportunity for distraction and/or misuse drives the intentions behind this policy.
Handbook section 1.M.: "The use of electronic equipment that can include devices that can make or receive phone calls or text messages, such as cell phones, smart watches, etc. in school is not permitted as it can interrupt instruction or interaction with peers. Devices that are used solely for reading are allowed. All other devices should be off and in the backpacks."
CARE SOLACE
As we start the new school year, we want to remind you of the invaluable resources available to our community.
Aspire Health Alliance To Make an appointment 617.847.1914 In a Crisis 800.528.4890
Quincy Family Resource Center 617.481.7227
Plymouth Family Resource Center 774.283.6531 aarcuri@baystatecs.org
South Shore Coalition of Independent Therapists Find a licensed mental health provider near you
The Baker Center for Children and Families 617.232.8390
Boston Child Study Center 617.800.9610
In addition, Care Solace offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you and your child with appropriate community-based providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need.
To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/hinghamschools: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
MCAS Information Session
Thank you to those who attended Wednesday evening's MCAS information session. The slides from this presentation are linked below:
Reminder! ELA MCAS testing beings Monday April 1st!
March Toolbox Tools of the Month: Garbage Can and Using Our Words tools
This month, Ms. Young (Guidance Counselor) and our classroom staff are guiding our students through their use of the Garbage Can Tool and the Using Our Words Tool. In this work, students will be focusing on "letting the little things go" and "using the 'right' words, in the 'right' way".
With the Garbage Can tool, we'll coach the students can take responsibility for what we do with other peopleโs words and actions. Sometimes we need to listen more carefully to what is behind the words and find a resolution but sometimes the best choice is to throw harmful words away.
When using the Using Our Words tool, we're empowering students to recognize that careful use of words encourages understanding & connection and that careless or offensive words harm relationships. By learning the importance of words and how they impact relationship, they can use this tool to give us a voice to ask for what we want and need.
Please check out the resources below to extend this at home:
Save The Date ๐
NO SCHOOL
Friday, Mar 29, 2024, 07:00 AM
MCAS Testing Begins
Monday, Apr 1, 2024, 09:00 AM
Contact Us:
Have questions or need assistance? Reach out to us!
Jonathan Hawes, Principal: jhawes@hinghamschools.org
Dr. Amanda Donovan, Assistant Principal: adonovan@hinghamschools.org
Karen Mariani, Administrative Assistant: kmariani@hinghamschools.org
Elisa Nelson, Administrative Assistant: enelson@hinghamschools.org
Tel: (781) 741-1570