Memorial Mustangs

Dear Memorial Families and Caregivers:

As we enter 2024, we often create resolutions as this is a natural time to “reboot.” At Memorial Elementary School, we take this time to reemphasize our philosophy of continuous improvement, and our goal of giving kids what they need, when they need it. We live these words each day as we constantly adjust our instruction to meet the needs of kids in “real time.”

What that means to us is that each day, we strive to deliver the best instruction, based on what our kids each need individually. We believe that Memorial Elementary School is a GREAT school, in a GREAT school district, because of this philosophy. In 2024 we continue our promise to meet the needs of each child, each day, so that they can reach their potential in life! 2024 brings with it our continued commitment to your children!

2024 also brings with it the cold and snowy weather! With that, I would like to remind all families of our playground expectations during this winter weather. In order for students to play in the snow (field, playground, etc.) they must have snow pants, boots, hats, and gloves. Teachers will be reminding the students of this as well. In the event that a student does not bring boots or snow pants to school, they will be allowed outside, but will have to remain on the sidewalk and blacktop area. This is also a good time to remind your children that in the event they misplace any belongings, to check our “lost and found” which is located in our school lobby.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind parents that throughout the year, we practice safety drills such as fire drills. In the months ahead, we will continue to hold safety drills to remind our students of our district safety procedures. We obviously hope that we never have to use one of these procedures in an actual situation, but will continue to hold student safety and emergency preparedness as our top priority.

As always, my door is open and I welcome you to stop by, email us, or call anytime that you have questions, comments, or concerns. Take care and stay healthy and warm this winter!

Respectfully,

Troy

During classroom walkthroughs this week, I was able to stop by Ms. Araujo's classroom to see her scholars begin to write sentences and read me their "I am" books. They are beginning to write longer words, write left to right, and use writing (letters, pictures and words) to express their own meaning.
They are well on their way to becoming 1st graders. Way to go K Team.

1. Dates To Remember:

• Monday, January 15, No School/Martin Luther King Day
• Wednesday, January 24: Early Release Day. Students dismissed at 12:40pm

2. ROSP (Report Of Student Progress)/Report Cards are released to parents to view in Powerschool on January 26th @ 3:00pm. If you need help with getting into Powerschool please email: pssupport@natickps.org

3. If your child will be tardy or absent, please notify the school before the start of the school day (8:50 AM). A tardy or absent notification can be done at any time of the day or night and there are 2 ways to notify the school of tardies and absences:

1. PickUp Patrol - Please make a plan change for your child if they will be absent OR enter a late arrival for your child if they will be tardy.
2. Absence/Tardy voicemail only phone line - 508-647-6591 - Please leave a voicemail if your child will be absent or tardy.

We do not accept emails as a method of communicating absences or tardy arrivals.

4. WINTER IS HERE

A quick reminder that the weather is getting chillier each day! We will go out to recess in most weather conditions unless it is dangerous. Please help your child(ren) remember to bring/wear their cold weather gear to school each day, including a hat and gloves. When the snow arrives, in addition to hats and gloves, students will be required to wear snow boots and snow pants in order to play on the playground or field.

5. SEEKING LUNCH MONITOR AT MEMORIAL: We are seeking one lunch monitor to support students in our lunchroom Monday through Friday. The position is 2.75 hours a day (11:00 - 1:45 pm). If you are interested or know someone that might be a good fit, please have them contact Pat Marra @ pmarra@natickps.org.

The Memorial PTO is a parent and teacher run, non-profit organization committed to enhancing and enriching the education of our students and fostering a sense of community within our school. The PTO provides assistance to teachers within the classroom settings, raises funds for educational materials and experiences, advocates school and family social interaction, and provides an unbiased forum for sharing information on issues that impact our students. We believe in cultivating a positive learning environment to allow for students to achieve their highest potential. Please become an active participant in the PTO. Below is the link to their website:

https://www.memorialnatickpto.org/

or email them at:

pto@memorialnatickpto.org

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