Center School Newsletter
March 2023
Dear Center School Community,
We have had a terrific month of learning and growing at Center School! March is an exciting time. Students are making great progress and are applying their knowledge and skills to increasingly complex learning experiences.
Project Grow children are learning about the five senses through multisensory activities. They are also learning about simple machines and how they work through exploration.
Kindergarten students are learning to read and spell words with beginning blends. They are doing a great job reading words with blends in their poetry journals. In math, kindergarteners use manipulatives to build numbers in the teens.
First-grade students made Valentine’s Day cards for children at local pediatric units at nearby hospitals through the Friends of Jack Foundation. Thank you, first graders, for creating cards from your hearts!
Second-grade students are learning how to add and subtract 3-digit numbers! Then they apply their computation skills to solve multi-step problems.
Third graders are applying their written language skills in science class, describing the results of their experiments with batteries and electromagnets.
All staff members participated in professional development in the afternoon on February 8th, focusing on building an equitable school environment through trusting relationships and a sense of belonging. We read and discussed research articles on how trusting relationships with adults boost student success and support students’ motivation, engagement, and school belonging.
We celebrated Black History Month in February. Mrs. Johns has a wonderful collection of books on display in the library for students and teachers to select and read throughout the year. We also have a lobby bulletin board display of Black American leaders to spotlight their influential accomplishments.
A few reminders:
Please remember that students need to pack a snack each day.
Please make sure to notify the school office whenever your child will be absent.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership!
Warmly,
Linda Ashley
Guidelines for when to keep your child home from school ● Fever greater than 100 degrees (must be fever free without fever reducing medication for 24 hours) ● Vomiting and/or diarrhea prior to coming to school ● Persistent cough ● Lingering sore throat ● Rash of unknown origin ● Asthma flare up if you have not provided necessary medication to the Health Office ● Red eyes with or without drainage Please provide Mrs. Balsis, school nurse with written guidelines from the physician if any illness/injury will affect school activities such as participation in PE, recess, stairs or written tasks. Once activities are restricted, we also need clear guidelines from the physician about when the child may resume full activities. | Please be sure that your child is properly dressed with warm clothing (coats, hats, gloves/mittens) for outdoor recess. We only have indoor recess if it is raining or very cold. We strongly recommend sneakers for all students. Decorative footwear, flip-flops, or shoes that can easily slip off, such as Crocs, are not allowed. Thank you! | Free Breakfast and lunchJust a reminder that breakfast and lunch meals are free for all students this school year. Students have the opportunity to eat breakfast in the cafeteria between 8:15 and 8:30 am. There are a wide variety of breakfast items available buffet style each day. Please check here for the ORR Food Services Website for more information |
Guidelines for when to keep your child home from school
● Fever greater than 100 degrees (must be fever free without fever reducing medication for 24 hours)
● Vomiting and/or diarrhea prior to coming to school
● Persistent cough
● Lingering sore throat
● Rash of unknown origin
● Asthma flare up if you have not provided necessary medication to the Health Office
● Red eyes with or without drainage
Please provide Mrs. Balsis, school nurse with written guidelines from the physician if any illness/injury will affect school activities such as participation in PE, recess, stairs or written tasks. Once activities are restricted, we also need clear guidelines from the physician about when the child may resume full activities.
Please be sure that your child is properly dressed with warm clothing (coats, hats, gloves/mittens) for outdoor recess. We only have indoor recess if it is raining or very cold. We strongly recommend sneakers for all students. Decorative footwear, flip-flops, or shoes that can easily slip off, such as Crocs, are not allowed. Thank you!
Free Breakfast and lunch
Just a reminder that breakfast and lunch meals are free for all students this school year. Students have the opportunity to eat breakfast in the cafeteria between 8:15 and 8:30 am. There are a wide variety of breakfast items available buffet style each day.
Please check here for the ORR Food Services Website for more information
Important Dates:
March 7 New Bedford Ballet in-school assembly - PreK - 3
March 7 PTA 7:00 pm
March 8 Early Release Day K-3 12:20 pm Dismissal - Lunch is served; Project Grow 11:30 am Dismissal - No lunch is served
March 10 6th Grade Students vs Mattapoisett Staff Charity Basketball Game; Doors open @ 6 pm - Tip off @ 6:30 pm
March 15 Report cards issued - Term 2
March 23 Center/OHS Art show @ Center School 4 - 6 pm
March 29 Author Visit in-school assembly - Alec Carvlin
April 4 PTA 7:00 pm
April 7 Good Friday - No School
April 11 MCAS Grade 3 ELA
April 12 MCAS Grade 3 ELA
April 17 Patriots’ Day - No School
April 17 -21 Vacation Week
May 2 Lifetouch Spring Picture Day
May 2 PTA 7:00 pm
May 16 MCAS Grade 3 Math
May 17 MCAS Grade 3 Math
May 29 Memorial Day - No School
June 6 PTA 7:00 pm
June 7 Early Release Day K-3 12:20 pm Dismissal - Lunch is served; Project Grow 11:30 am Dismissal - No lunch is served
June 7 Grade 3 Concert - Grade 3 families invited 6:00 pm
June 9 Field Day
June 12 Field Day rain date
June 14 Flag Day
June 15 Last day of school (as of 3/3/23)
Mattapoisett PTA Information
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