Brown Bears

Dear Families,

The time seems to go so fast. We are already almost halfway through the year (not quite, but almost). There is some important information below regarding the BOKS program, ROSPs (think report card), enrichment options, MCAS dates and more. Please take some time to read these updates, especially in regards to the ROSP, so that you can access your child's information.

Best,

Aidan McCann, Principal

1- BOKS

BOKS is a physical activity program designed to get kids active and establish a lifelong commitment to health and fitness. Brown Elementary will be offering this as a before school program in the coming weeks. Here is the BOKS Registration Form Link where interested students and families can sign up.

2 - ROSP INFORMATION

The ROSP (Report of Student Progress - think report card) will be available to parents on the last Friday of January at 3:00. You can access the ROSP through the Parent Portal in PowerSchool. Teachers are currently in the process of thoughtfully writing progress updates for each of our students. This is one way of sharing information with you about how your child/children are doing. I am linking directions here that will explain how to access the ROSP and navigate this tool. Access to the ROSP will close at the end of February.

3 - ELEMENTARY ENRICHMENT OPTIONS

The Elementary Enrichment Program runs for two 8-week sessions per year. This session we have courses offered at Ben-Hem, Brown, Johnson, Lilja and Memorial. Classes are designed and led by NPS staff and focus on hands-on exploration and collaborative fun and is open to students who attend the school at which each course is offered. Here is a link to their newsletter.

4 - INCOMING KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

We will begin the Incoming Kindergarten Registration process in early February. If you have not filled out the "Intent to Register" form, and you have a student who will be of age for Kindergarten in the Fall, please reach out to our office as soon as possible so we can get this information to you. We look forward to meeting all of our new Kindergarten families very soon.

5 - THINKING AHEAD

I'm sharing some important MCAS dates that you may want to add to your calendar. I know families appreciate having these dates far in advance as they plan for the Spring.

April 3 - 4th Grade ELA MCAS 1

April 4 - 4th Grade ELA MCAS 2

April 11 - 3rd Grade ELA MCAS 1

April 13 - 3rd Grade ELA MCAS 2

May 9 - 4th Grade Math MCAS 1

May 10 - 4th Grade Math MCAS 2

May 16 - 3rd Grade Math MCAS 1

May 18 - 3rd Grade Math MCAS 2

All the best to our families,

Aidan McCann, Principal

The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a volunteer organization made up of parents, teachers and staff with the goal of enriching the educational experience of our children at Brown School. We send out a weekly email newsletter that is separate from this one: please sign up to receive our updates at http://eepurl.com/gCRzwH and follow us at facebook.com/BrownSchoolPto. Questions? Want to volunteer? Contact us anytime at brownptonatick@gmail.com.

Natick Public Schools does not discriminate in employment nor its educational programs, services, and activities based on race, creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Please be aware all electronic communication to and from Natick Public Schools is public record and subject to public disclosure per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 66, Section 10.

• Title I: Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title II
• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title VI
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Title IX
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
• MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5