Memorial Buzz
News from Manchester Memorial Elementary School!
May 14, 2019
Principal's Note...
I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day weekend! Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperative, but hopefully the moms all got some time to relax!
Mrs. Tomaiolo had some great news to share with all of us yesterday! The Grade 5 Student Ambassadors had the idea to do a school-wide fundraiser to support a local charity that is near to their hearts. They chose to spearhead, organize, and execute a student fundraiser to support Sweet Paws Rescue. Each morning and afternoon, the Ambassadors rallied the troops over the daily announcements to encourage everyone to participate. When the fundraiser kicked off, we assumed that the student body would pull together to raise a few hundred dollars to help the organization. I was amazed to learn that the result of their efforts was $1972.09 for Sweet Paws Rescue! Wow! Well done Grade 5 Student Ambassadors and MMES!
Here is more information about the cause:
"Sweet Paws Rescue (SPR) is a registered non-profit animal rescue based in Massachusetts. We are a grassroots, boots-on-the-ground, shelterless, foster-based and volunteer-powered organization. We primarily work within two of the poorest counties in Mississippi and Alabama and since 2011, we have rescued over 7000 puppies, dogs and cats that would not have a chance at life otherwise. We are also a New England resource for the abandoned and displaced, and animals seized in cruelty cases within our home state.
SPR is unique in that our rescue efforts start when our southern team physically rescues an injured, sick or abandoned animal. This differs from other rescue organizations that may only represent one facet of the animal rescue process. We don't have the luxury of cherry picking our rescues and we become financially responsible for that being from ground zero, through medical treatment, transport, (state mandated) quarantine, the adoption process, and right into their forever home. In addition to providing the love, food, and basic veterinary care our animals need to thrive, we are providing Heartworm treatment to many of our adult dogs, and sometimes even life sustaining surgeries and emergency care. Our adoption fees only offset the costs associated with each life we save.
For an emerging organization, we rescue and home as many animals as other larger local brick and mortar organizations that have paid staff and endowments. As we work towards 1,800 additional adoptions this year, our vision is to be a Northeast destination for dog and cat adoptions and human-animal bond programing by using our experience and team of talent to change the national landscape of animal welfare, while continuing to advocate and rescue animals in under-resourced areas of the country."
Have a great week!
Best,
John
Grade 4 Concert!
Building Project Update
5-13-19: We are currently planning a ground breaking ceremony for early June that will include an assembly with the students and local dignitaries to officially kick off the project.
5-6-19: Staff in C-wing will need to move all items out of the wing so that it can be taken down this summer to make way for the new 2-story classroom wing. To achieve this, staff will work overtime (after school, weekends, etc.) to box everything up in preparation for moving in early to mid-June.
5-6-19: In early June, some site work will begin including the construction of fencing and erosion control around the jobsite. The jobsite will encompass a fairly large portion of the property including the path to Brook Street, the back playground, and Brook St. parking lot/tennis courts. Students and families will still have regular access to Brook St. for the remainder of the 2018-2019 school year.
5-6-19: The Brook St. field, path, parking lot, etc. will be inaccessible for the 2019-2020 school year between the hours of 7AM and 3:30PM. This means that back walkers will need to go over the footbridge and down Vine street to access the Brook St. neighborhood. All car pick up students will need to be dismissed via the front car line. We are hoping that families can ride the bus will ride the bus next year and/or carpool to lighten the number of vehicles in the front drop off/pick up line. If students live close enough to walk/bike safely (and they are old enough to do so), we encourage them to walk/bike.
5-6-19: We are currently working to schedule a parent meeting to discuss the logistical impacts and safety planning for the 2019-2020 school year. Stay tuned!
Spring 2019 MCAS Testing Schedule
Spring 2019 MCAS Dates
Grade 3
Thursday, May 16, 2019 Mathematics Session I
Friday, May 17, 2019 Mathematics Session II
Grade 4
Tuesday, May 14, 2019 Mathematics Session I
Wednesday, May 15, 2019 Mathematics Session II
Grade 5
Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Mathematics Session I
Thursday, May 9, 2019 Mathematics Session II
Monday, May 20, 2019 Science/Technology I
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 Science/Technology II
Upcoming Dates...
MAY
17 - Hit the Street for Little Feet
23 - 7PM Band and Chorus Concert (at MERMHS Auditorium)
27 - School Closed: Memorial Day
28-31 - Grade 5 to Camp Merrowvista
29 - Noon Dismissal: Professional Development
JUNE
5 - 9:30 AM - Grade 2's The Great Kapok Tree
6 - 5-7 PM Art Show at the Manchester Community Center
11 - 5th grade "Crossing the Bridge" ceremony
14 - Last day of school
Notes From Nurse Seaman...
Just a few reminders:
1. If your child is going to be absent or arriving late, please call either 526-1909 or 526-1908 to let us know.
2. If your child has a temperature of 100. F or over, they need to be temperature free for 24 hours (without relying on Tylenol or Motrin) before re-entering the school.
3. If your child is experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, we recommend that they are symptom free for 24 hours and are able to tolerate solid food before they return
4. If your child has a contagious illness such as conjunctivitis or strep throat, it is the school policy that they are on medicine for 24 hours before re-entering the building.
5. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL CLASSROOMS ARE PEANUT/NUT FREE
Physicals:
Updated physicals and immunization records are due for grades one and four. Also 5th grade students will need updated physicals and immunizations for camp trip in May. An updated physical is one that is not older than one year. Any physical completed or to be completed on your child since July 2018 and July 2019 is acceptable. Please do not go and make a new appointment. Just send me a copy of the physical when it is completed
Extra Clothing: ALL GRADE LEVELS
Occasionally a spilled drink, a fall in a puddle or even a ride down a wet slide occurs, if each child could have a change of clothing (head to toe) that would be great.
Thank you for your co-operation and continuing support.
Joanne
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A LIBRARY VOLUNTEER?
Ms. Silag is looking for a few good men or women to give an hour at the beginning or end of each weekday to shelve books, clean up projects and pack up iPads.
Hours are:
8:45-9:30 am each school day (M-W)
or
2:00pm - 2:55pm each school day (M-F)
If you are interested in signing up to be a Library Volunteer, please email Ms. Silag at: silags@mersd.org
You will receive a response with directions on how to sign up for an available time slot.
***IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE: ALL volunteers must be CORI'd PRIOR to working in the school. See Mrs. Dodge or Ms. Silag for a CORI form. The CORI checks expire after two years so you may need to update your CORI.
Help Wanted!
We are currently searching to build our substitute pool for the 18-19 school year. Do you know someone locally who has experience working with children in a school setting? Please have them email Mrs. Dodge directly at dodgec@mersd.org and we can take them through the application and screening process. Thanks so much in advance!
Notices From our Friends...
The Musary Music Lending Library
MMES is on Facebook!
Memorial School:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009186193553&hc_ref=NEWSFEED&fref=nf
MMES Library/Technology:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007713044842&fref=ts
"Like" our friends:
MERSD:
https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterEssexRegional/?fref=ts
MMPTO:
https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterMemorialPTO/?fref=ts