The Weekly Scoop
OCTOBER 29, 2022
QUARTER 1 CLOSES ON 11/9/22
7-12 NEWS
COVID-19 TESTING KITS AVAILABLE
The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) are pleased to announce that they will provide schools and districts with a one-time distribution of at-home COVID-19 test kits. These tests are for optional testing prior to returning to school following the Thanksgiving and December breaks. Interested families can access up to four tests (two boxes of two tests each) for each student in their household.
Please complete the form below if you would like testing kits for use after the Thanksgiving and December breaks.
A form is required for each individual student in your household.
PICTURE RETAKES
PRSD TIERED FOCUSED MONITORING REVIEW
During the week of November 28, 2022, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Pentucket Regional School District. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child's special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson(s) of the district's Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews with district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.
Parents and other individuals may contact Dee Wyatt, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at dee.wyatt@mass.gov to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.
Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the district with a report with information about areas in which the district meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the district requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 1 - Staff Meeting
November 1 - School Committee Meeting
November 8 - No School for Students (Staff PD)
November 11 - No School (Veterans Day)
November 14 - Essex Tech Presentation (12:20 pm)
November 15 - Department Meetings
November 23 - Early Release (Thanksgiving Break)
November 24 - No School (Thanksgiving)
November 25 - No School (Thanksgiving Break)
November 29 - MS Team Leader Meeting
LUNCH MENU
Monday
Cheese or Pepperoni French bread Pizza
Spicy and Regular Chicken Sandwich
Hamburger or Cheeseburger Sandwich
Entrée - Beef Nachos w/Sides-
Tuesday
Cheese or Pepperoni French bread Pizza
Spicy and Regular Chicken Sandwich
Hamburger or Cheeseburger Sandwich
Entrée –Baja Beef Rice Bowl-
Wednesday
Cheese or Pepperoni French bread Pizza
Spicy and Regular Chicken Sandwich
Hamburger or Cheeseburger Sandwich
Entrée –Italian Meatball Sub w/Tater Tots-
Thursday
Cheese or Pepperoni French bread Pizza
Spicy and Regular Chicken Sandwich
Hamburger or Cheeseburger Sandwich
Entrée –Chicken Tenders w/Waffles-
Friday
Cheese or Pepperoni French bread Pizza
Spicy and Regular Chicken Sandwich
Hamburger or Cheeseburger Sandwich
Entrée –Chicken Pasta Alfredo w/Breadstick-
There is always the daily choice of different Sandwiches, Salads and Fruit Parfaits !!
Your Value Combo Meal includes a Veggie or Fruit Side and 1 Milk; Additional Cold Veggie and Fruit Sides are Available
ATHLETICS
WINTER SPORTS REGISTRATION
Registration for the winter sports season is now open, and all sports begin on Monday, November 28, 2022. Please use the link below to complete the registration process. If you have any questions, please contact Dan Thornton.
THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Pictured above are students in our grade 8 robotics class. Students are building devices that can provide some helpful solutions to supply change concerns.
MIDDLE SCHOOL FALL DANCE
DATE: Oct. 28, 6-8 pm
WHERE: 1st Floor Dining Commons
Cost: $5
Free Food and Drink
Costume Contest with Prizes
*Sponsored by the MS Student Council and West Newbury Police & Fire*
COMMUNITY NEWS
TEEN EVENTS AT OUR PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Your Public Libraries have some fun and helpful teen programming coming up...
- Homework Help Mondays 3-5 PM at GAR Library in West Newbury
- Sketchbook Club 4-5PM Wednesdays 10/ 26 ; 11/9 ; 11/30 ; 12/14 at Merrimac Public Library
- "Stranger Things" Fandom Party Thursday, October 27, 6-7 PM at Merrimac Public Library
It doesn't matter which town you live in, you are welcome at any of these programs.
They are also looking for teens to join the Tri-Town TAG (Teen Advisory Group).
For more information about programs or TAG, Contact your teen librarians at your public library for more information...
- West Newbury-->Kelly Scott kscott@westnewburylibrary.org
- Groveland--> Begen Daley bdaley@langleyadamslib.org
- Merrimac-->Tracy Shaw tshaw@mvlc.org
WEST NEWBURY LIBRARY BOOK SALE
The Book Sale runs from Wednesday 10/26 - Saturday 10/29. Wednesday 10/26 from 5-8 pm in West Newbury night and is reserved for West Newbury residents to shop the sale before it opens to the general public. On Saturday 10/29 from 9 am-12 pm, we are offering one free 'Thank You' bag of books for teachers to use in their classrooms, so they may want to mark their calendars if they're interested.
We are also looking for volunteers to help with Set Up, the Book Sale, and Clean Up. This is a great way to support the Library as well as a way for students to gain community service hours if they are interested. Here's the volunteer SignUp link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49AEA82AA0FBC52-october1
FLAG FOOTBALL WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE
This Sunday, October 30th, WNYL Flag Football will be collecting new and gently used winter clothing to benefit the Lazarus House in Lawrence. As a thank you from the league you'll receive a football or raffle ticket to win one of a number of great gift cards. Donations can be brought to Pipestave from 8:30 am until noon, or email Matt Felzani (mfelzani@gmail.com) to arrange for a pick-up or with any questions.
BAGNALL SCHOOL COAT DRIVE
The Bagnall Community Service Group is running its yearly coat drive now through November 1, 2022. Clean, gently used coat donations are truly appreciated! We hope to beat our last year's drive which collected 400 coats to keep individuals in need in our community warm this winter. There is a drop-off bin at the Bagnall entrance door.
MERRIMAC LIBRARY - TEEN ADVISORY GROUP
The Merrimac Public Library's Teen Advisory Group (TAG) is looking for Merrimac students in grades 6-12 who want to help the library and the community by planning and promoting youth events and services in Merrimac. Each TAG member will earn community service hours for attending meetings and participating in any other volunteer opportunities with the group.
We will meet the second Thursday of each month (Nov - May) from 4:00 - 5:00 PM at the library. Our first meeting will be held on Thurs, Nov 10 from 4-5pm at the Merrimac Public Library. Snacks will be provided! Email Tracy Shaw: tshaw@merrimaclibrary.org or Trish Horgan: thorgan@merrimaclibrary.org for questions or more details. To sign up go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/444128589567
24 Main Street
West Newbury, MA 01985
Phone: (978) 363-5507
Fax: (978) 363-2730