Carver Elementary Coyote Newsletter
February/March 2022
Dear Families,
On February 14, 2022, the Carver School Committee voted to make wearing a mask during the school day and at Carver Public School events optional for staff, students, and families once the mask mandate has been lifted as of February 28, 2022. When the students and staff return from the February break this will go into effect.
The wearing of masks is still required on school buses and in the nurses’ offices per federal and state guidelines. The School Committee also voted to require masks for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 who are returning to school after 5 days of isolation following the protocols outlined below. DESE and the Department of Public Health (DPH) strongly recommend that students and staff also wear masks in certain situations. We strongly urge parents/guardians to continue to communicate with the school nurses. Remember that it is important that we are notified if your child will be absent from school for any reason. You may do so by emailing cesabsent@carver.org.
To view the full memorandum from the district, please follow this link: COVID-19 Protocols 2-15-22
Thank you to those of you who have opted to participate in the CES COVID testing program. Test kits were distributed yesterday and an email was sent to your inbox reminding parents/guardians to check their child's backpack for the test kits. As part of the testing program, parents will be asked to test their children on Sunday evenings and report ONLY if their child tests positive to our school nurses at berkobeinv@carver.org, goldsteins@carver.org, or shirkusm@carver.org. The testing runs through April 22. Anyone that would like to opt-in can do so by completing this form: https://forms.gle/GFLxCfemmWQv8WSj6
We want to thank you all for your patience and support as we continue to navigate the updated protocols. For more information, please feel free to reach out to me or any of the administrators and/or school nurses.
Sincerely,
Ruby C. Maestas
Calendar of Events
Kindergarten Registration is Open for the 22/23 School Year (see more information below)
Wednesday, 3/9/22 Marks Close for Term II
Friday, 3/18/22 Report Cards for Term II Issued via Aspen
Thursday, 3/17/22 Early Release Day - Lunches are not served
Thursday, 3/17/22 Parent/Teacher Conferences for Grades K-2 (by appointment)
Wednesday, 3/9/22 Spring Photos by Lifetouch
Thursday, 3/10/22 Sibling Photos by Lifetouch
MCAS Testing Dates
Grade 3:
ELA: Tuesday 4/12/22 and Wednesday, 4/13/22
Math: Thursday, 5/12/22 and Friday, 5/13/22
Grade 4:
ELA: Thursday, 4/7/22 and Friday, 4/8/22
Math: Tuesday, 5/3/22 and Wednesday, 5/4/22
Grade 5:
ELA: Tuesday, 4/5/22 and Thursday, 4/7/22
Math: Thursday, 4/28/22 and Friday, 4/29/22
Science: Tuesday, 5/10/22 and Wednesday, 5/11/22
From the CES Health Office
The CES Health Office is happy to announce that we are resuming Massachusetts Mandated School-Based Health Screenings. These screenings include vision for all grades, hearing for grades K-3, BMI for grades 1 and 4, and postural screening for grade 5. Please contact the school nurses with any questions by emailing: goldsteins@carver.org or berkobeinv@carver.org.
Healthy Families Newsletter
The Greater Plymouth and New Bedford Healthy Families Programs are accepting referrals!
Healthy Families is a home-based family support and coaching program that supports young, first-time parents and helps them create stable, nurturing environments for their children. It's a FREE and voluntary support program for young, first-time moms and dads across the state. You can sign up for the program during pregnancy and continue up to your child’s third birthday. Everyone is eligible regardless of income and our services are always free, voluntary and 100 percent confidential. With Healthy Families by your side, you can build the bright future you see for yourself, your baby, and your family!
Healthy Families is also starting a Parenting Tips Newsletter for Young Parents!
This newsletter is free and simple to sign up and allows young parents to get some tips and tricks from experts completely FREE! This newsletter also gives more information about our program and how to sign up if and when a person is ready to recieve support. Now regardless of eligibility, first time parents everywhere can recieve some parenting support! Here is how to join the newsletter:
First to go: https://www.kdc.org/healthy-families/
Healthy Families - Kennedy-Donovan Center
Home-based family support and guidance to first-time parents, ages 24 and younger, from pregnancy until the child turns 3.
Second, scroll down to the bottom of the page to the section labeled "Stay in Touch"
There, you can insert your email and join our newsletter!
CES Faculty & Staff Members of the Month!
Congratulations to Ms. DeMarsh, the Faculty Member of the Month!
Learn a little more about Ms. DeMarsh below:
Goals & Accomplishments - My biggest goal right now is to hike the Appalachian Trail. It starts in the state of Georgia and ends in northern Maine.
Motivation/Inspiration - What or who motivates and inspires you each day
I had several teachers and coaches who have really motivated me. They did this through their example by going after big goals of their own or through their kindness and support. I am really motivated by having a big challenge ahead of me and planning how I will try to achieve it.
Favorite Things - I enjoy being outdoors running, hiking, biking, and playing soccer. I love teaching and coaching. One of my greatest joys is watching my students learning to ride a bike. Last, but not least, I love spending time with my two daughters and my dog.
Words of Wisdom - I would say find a physical activity that you enjoy and make time for it. It can be walking, running, playing a sport or some other recreational activity. Never stop being active even when you get older. Always set goals and go after them. Don’t worry if you fail because sometimes that’s when you learn the most.
Congratulations to Mr. Thompson, the Staff Member of the Month!
Learn a little more about Mr. Thompson below:
Goals & Accomplishments- Since joining the team here in September 2020 I worked to sort all the books in the Book Collection by genre. This was done to help students have an easier time making a selection based on the topic they are interested in reading. Going forward one of my goals is to expand the Book Collection's catalog of books featuring diverse characters and lifestyles in order for all of our students to see themselves and their stories represented in our collection.
Motivation/Inspiration- I am consistently motivated and inspired by the appetite for reading that is present in many of our students, across all grades, as well as the support from the rest of the faculty and staff at the school. The never-ending work of keeping the Book Collection organized is also a great motivator!
Favorite Things- Obviously I love reading, that should go without saying. Aside from that, I enjoy spending time outside, whether it's hiking, fishing, gardening, or just wandering!
Words of Wisdom- "UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - The Lorax, Dr. Seuss
Staff of Carver Elementary School
In each newsletter, we will be sharing pictures of our school staff. See below.
Health Office Staff
Mrs. Shirkus, Nurses Office Assistant
Mrs. Goldstein, School Nurse
Mrs. Berkobein, School Nurse
Kindergarten ESP's (Education Support Paraprofessionals)
Mrs. Manning, Miss Pendleton, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Eby
Mrs. Melody, Mrs. Alsheimer, Miss Alberti
CES Math ESP's (Education Support Paraprofessionals)
Ms. Ovian, Ms. Paton, Mrs. Renzi-Gentile
ALP Class (Alternative Learning Program)
Mrs. Lyerly, ESP (Education Support Paraprofessional)
Mrs. O'Reilly, Teacher
Ms. Folco, ESP (Education Support Paraprofessional)
Mrs. Wetherell, RBT (Registered Behavior Technician)
Preschool
Mrs. Swanstrom, ESP (Education Support Paraprofessional)
Mrs. Blackden, Teacher
Mrs. Welch, ESP (Education Support Paraprofessional)
Being Prepared for Outdoor Recess
It is officially winter and we need your help to ensure that children get outdoors for fresh air, exercise and play as long as it is safe to do so. Please help us by ensuring that children have the proper outdoor gear. If they do not have the proper gear to play outside, students may need to remain inside to enjoy a book or engage in a brain break. Also, please be aware that we have plenty of outdoor equipment, playground balls and other games that the students can access for recess. There is no need for students to bring in any of their own play equipment.
Cafeteria News
All Student breakfast and lunches are free again this year until 6/30/2022.
Milk by itself is an a la carte item and is not free. It is $.60. If a student brings a lunch from home and forgot a drink, they may purchase milk for .60 or filtered water is available in all cafeterias for them to fill up their water bottles.
If students bring their lunch from home they can supplement their lunch with free, healthy options. To qualify, students must select three of the five offered components, and one of those must be a fruit or vegetable. Please note, milk is not free by itself.
Pick 3 Free! Add a fruit, veggie and milk for FREE!
All students need their ID# and must enter their number into the POS system this year.
Grab n go meals will be available on early release days. More information to come.
SPOTLIGHTING OUR KIND STUDENTS AT CES!
The theme at CES this school year is "Above All Be Kind." Students are being challenged to be the "I" in Kind. Teachers will nominate students who have gone above and beyond to demonstrate kindness to others. From recent nominations, the following 5 students have been selected to showcase in this newsletter.
PICK UP PATROL
To make changes to your child's dismissal plan, please use the PickUp Patrol system. If you are new to PickUp Patrol check your email inbox for a Registration email to create your account.
Then, whenever there is a change in your child's schedule, simply enter that information into PickUp Patrol and the school will be notified - no need to send in notes or call the office! Start by downloading the PickUp Patrol app using your Smart Phone.
New to PickUp Patrol follow this link: https://app.pickuppatrol.net/parents
Already used the PickUp Patrol app before:
- Open this link: https://app.pickuppatrol.net/parents
- Log in and then add the page to your home screen. (Instructions for how to do this vary by phone and platform, but are easily located on the internet.)
- Delete the old app. Any plan changes already submitted will be saved.
Try It Tuesday!