The SHARK Alert
Chatham Elementary School Community Update
Sunday, May 12th
Dear SHARK families and friends,
On behalf of our SHARKS and staff, I'd like to wish a Happy Mother's Day to our families! I would also like to thank all who were able to attend Friday's Arts Festival. Our music teacher, Mr. Toppa, and art teacher, Ms. Kidd, went above and beyond in showcasing the incredible talents of our SHARKS. I know I found myself blinking back a few tears throughout the performances. I am so grateful that our SHARKS have the confidence to take risks, perform solos, and share their special gifts with the entire community. Thank you for joining us and celebrating all of our students' hard work.
There are more chances to support our students and join in on the CES fun. Please make sure to keep an eye on the "Coming Soon to CES" section of the newsletter. This week, Grade 1 students have a very special field trip to Roger Williams Zoo. Our Fun Run is also just a few weeks away, see below to learn more about this great event and how you can be a part of it!
Have a wonderful day and an even better week!
Warmly,
Dr. Kelly
The CES Fun Run
What is the CES Fun Run?
The CES Fun Run will take place on Wednesday, May 24th, 2023. This school-wide event will celebrate fitness and community with our students, staff, families, and community members. The event begins with opening ceremonies at 11:30 am followed by two races for our students. There will be music, food, and a carnival-like atmosphere. The event proceeds will help fund our PTO-sponsored activities and extracurricular activities for the 2024-2025 school year.
The Fun Run is held at Chatham's Veterans Field on the Little League Field next to the large playground. Veterans Field is directly across the street from Chatham Elementary School.
11:00 Opening Ceremonies
11:10 Grades K & 1 Race
11:45 Grades 2 - 4 Race
12:30 Picnic Lunch
1:25 Dismissal
Check out the video of last year's Fun Run HERE.
Event Volunteers are Needed!
We are looking for volunteers to help with a number of race-related tasks. Do you have a little or a lot of time to lend a hand? We would love your assistance!
If you have time to assist with planning - specifically reaching out to local businesses for donations for food donations, please contact Deb Gebhardt dgebhardt@monomoy.edu in the Main Office. We truly appreciate your help!!
If you're interested in being part of the fun on race day please sign up HERE. Race Day volunteers must have a current CORI Form on file with the Monomoy Schools.
Sponsorship Information
The CES Fun Run and our PTO put the SUCCESS in S-H-A-R-K-S with the help and support of our community. Please consider sponsoring our Fun Run. Sponsorships helps not only with the running of this event but the many activities throughout the school year for our Chatham students. Sponsorships due by Friday, May 17, 2024.
- The Great Shark $500 - Large Banner on Race Course; Recognition in School Newsletter & School Social Media
- The Hammerhead Shark $250 - Medium Banner on Race Course; Recognition in School Newsletter & School Social Media
- The Tiger Shark $100 - Logo on Group Banner on Race Course; Recognition in School Newsletter & School Social Media
- Donations $1-$99 - Recognition in School Newsletter
How to Become a Sponsor
- Just fill out this short electronic form with your contact information and the level of sponsorship. FORM
- Next, send a check for your sponsorship amount to the CES PTO at Chatham Elementary School. 147 Depot Road Chatham, MA 02633
- Know that you are a totally Jaw-some person and have made a positive impact on the lives of some amazing kids!!
All donations are tax-deductible.
2024-2025 Monomoy Bus Registration
How to Register:
It is time to complete the transportation form in the Aspen family portal to let us know whether or not your student will be riding the bus for the 2024-2025 school year. This information will be used to create efficient and accurate routes and stops.
The form will ask:
- Please check ONE of these two boxes below regarding bus routes:
- Check this box if you plan to ride on a bus regularly
- Check this box if you DO NOT wish to be on a bus route
- Please verify your current street address or provide an updated address.
See below for screenshots of the process. Please note that you must complete a separate form for each student.
Click here to log into your family Aspen account, and select 'Start a new Bus Verification.'
Submitting this information now will help us make sure we have the right number of buses, on the right routes, with the right stops! There is no need to sign up for the bus just in case, if you don’t think you’ll need it. If circumstances change, your student can always be added later.
Please submit your responses as soon as possible, and no later than June 1.
If you have any questions, please contact Monomoy Transportation Coordinator Faith Rushnak at frushnak@monomoy.edu or (617) 848 0568.
Coming Soon to CES...
- Tuesday, May 14th - Gentle Dental visits CES
- Wednesday, May 15th - SHARK Assembly
- Wednesday, May 22nd - 2nd Annual Fun Run
- Thursday, May 23rd - Grade 3 to Salt Pond
- Friday, May 24th - 2nd Grade to Fort Hill
- Tuesday, May 28th and Wednesday, May 29th - Kindergarten Screening Dates at CES!
- Tuesday, June 4th - CES Field Day
- Wednesday, June 12th - SHARK Assembly
- Friday, June 14th - Grades K-3 Step Up Day & Grade 4 Celebration Day
- Tuesday, June 18th - 1/2 Day and Final Day of School
SHARK Shoutouts
THANK YOU to Ms. Cara Kidd and Mr. Frank Toppa for an amazing ARTS FESTIVAL on Friday! The creativity and talent of our SHARKS is AMAZING!! Thank you for all you do to encourage their expression!!
Thank you to the CES PTO and super volunteer Ms. Angie Sears for all the Teacher Appreciation treats and celebrations this week! Our staff is so grateful for your kindness!!
Walking and Talking Club with Ms. Peters
Super SHARKS
Congratulations to MRHS teacher Mr. John Dickson who has been awarded an American Lawyers Alliance Teacher of the Year Award for 2024.
Learn more HERE.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Circus Smirkus
Host families needed for Circus Smirkus youth performers
The Harwich Children's Fund is bringing Circus Smirkus to town this summer, and is in search of host families for the youth circus performers (ages 10-18). The dates are Monday, July 15, through Friday, July 19. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a host family for these 4 nights, please complete the form at this link: https://forms.gle/7F1aMEjXZ8KB42QQ9. If you have questions, contact Sheila House at hitthedunes@gmail.com.
Resources for Families
Mobile Crisis
MCI provides short-term service that is a therapeutic response to youth and family/caregivers experiencing a behavioral health crisis. MCI evaluates the situation, identifies the challenges, involved, assesses the needs, and begins to treat and stabilize the situation, reducing the immediate risk of danger to the youth or to others. MCI then provides up to 7-days of intervention and services post the initial encounter. Learn more about Bay Cove Mobile Crisis HERE.
Children's Place
Contact the Monomoy Family Resource Coordinator, Lucy Gilmore, lgilmore@monomoy.edu / 508-430-7216
for assistance and information regarding any of the following:
➢ Child Development Assessment Tool (Ages and Stages)
➢ Early Education Tuition Assistance Scholarships
➢ Support groups
➢ Free Parent / Child Playgroups and Family Activities
➢ Free Parent Education Classes
➢ Free Books, Diapers, and gently used infant and toddler Clothing
Spring Programming Schedules:
WIC Program
WIC is a nutrition program that provides nutrition and health care education, healthy food, and other services free of charge to Massachusetts families who qualify. WIC is for all kinds of families: married and single parents, working or not working. If you are a father, mother, grandparent, foster parent, or legal guardian of a child under the age of five, you can apply for WIC for your child.
Learn more about WIC at the following links:
Volunteer @ MRSD
All potential volunteers need to complete the Volunteer Registration Form and have a current CORI on file in order to volunteer in our schools or at school-sanctioned events.
Information can be found at: https://ces.monomoy.edu/parent-caregiver-resources/volunteering
Monomoy Regional SEPAC
Pre-School Vouchers
Application and information can be found: HERE
FAMILY SUPPORT: Lower/Outer Cape Cod Food Pantries, Clothing, Emergency Funds, and Services
Brewster Brewster Baptist Church 1848 Main Street Thursday 10:00-12:00 Walk-In food pantry
Chatham St. Christopher's 625 Main Street Tuesday 4:00-6:00 Walk In Thursday 3:00-5:00 Walk In
Eastham Eastham United Methodist Church 3200 State Hwy, Route 6 Monday 4:00-6:00, Tuesday 10:00-12:00, Thursday 2:00-4:00 Walk-In food pantry
Harwich St. Peter's Lutheran Church 310 Route 137 Monday 1:00-3:00 Walk In Wednesday 2:00-4:00 Walk In Thursday 11:30-1:30 Walk In Friday 10:00-12:00 Walk In food pantry
Orleans Orleans Methodist Church 73 Main Street (Across from the Library) Tuesday 10:00-12:00 Walk-In food pantry
Provincetown Methodist Church 20 Shank Painter Road Wednesday 10:00-2:00 Walk In Thursday 10:00-2:00 Pantry
Truro Community Center 7 Standish Way Tuesday 10:00-12:30 Walk In Wednesday 10:00-12:30 Walk In food pantry
South Wellfleet Grace Chapel Corner of 25 Lieutenant Island Road and Route 6 Monday 3:00-6:00 Wed. 4:00-6:00, Thursday 10:00-12:00 Walk-In food pantry
Harwich Cape Cod Family Pantry 133 Queen Anne Rd, (508) 432-6519 Sat 10 - noon Tues 10
am - 3:30 pm Wed. 10am-noon Th 10-3:30, 5-7 pm, closed on Sun, Mon and Friday
Lower Cape Outreach Council Financial assistance for emergency needs; food pantry, Katy’s Corner free shop 19 Brewster Cross Rd Orleans, MA 508-240-0694 www.lcoutreach.org
Mass-APPEAL Free shop: clothing, toys, books 2393 Cove Corner Wellfleet, MA 508-349-1173 Tues—Sat 9-12 www.capecodmassappealinc.com
Mustard Seed Kitchen Meals prepared and delivered to Outer Cape 155 Hopkins Dr. Wellfleet, MA 508-349-2049
Soup Kitchen in Provincetown (SKIP) Provides a hot and nourishing lunch to Outer Cape residents; November to April Monday-Friday 10 Shank Painter Rd Provincetown, MA 508-487-8331 www.skipfood.org
South Coastal Counties Legal Service Legal assistance Monday-Friday 9 am-1 pm 460 W. Main St. Hyannis, Ma 508-775-7020 1-800-742-4107 www.sccls.org
Sustainable CAPE (Center for agricultural preservation and education) Truro Cape Farmers’ Market Coalition www.sustainablecape.org
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program for healthcare and nutrition for low-income pregnant or breastfeeding women and infants and children under the age of 5 Appointments available in Harwich, Orleans, Eastham, and Provincetown 774-209-3212 www.outercape.org
Katelynn’s Closet serves children ages 4-18 who are in need and live on Cape Cod and the Islands. All orders for children in need must be placed by a social service agent or school nurse. All emails must be sent through a verifiable agency/school email. 508-367-2587 www.katelynns-closet.org
A BabyCenter clothing, toys, equipment, food and formula, shoes, and diapers 81 Willow Ave Hyannis, MA 508-771-8157 www.ababycenter.org
Cape Cod Children’s Place Family Support Program Info on childcare funds, food, diapers, referrals, and more 10 Ballwic Road Eastham, MA 508-240-3310 www.capecodchildrensplace.com
Childcare Network of the Cape & Islands / Community Action Committee 372 North Street Hyannis, MA 02601 childcare vouchers, emergency assistance, immigration assist, tax prep assistance., help with health insurance, women and children shelter.
Department of Transitional Assistance AND Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Cash assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP- provide nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of families in need) SSI, employment support 508-862-6600 www.mass.gov/dta
Fuel Assistance Program—Emergency assistance for fuel/heat 20 Willow Ave Hyannis, Ma 508-746-6707
Monomoy Early Childhood Family Resource Center Offers food, diapers, clothing, books, resources for parents, and tuition subsidies Harwich Elementary School, 263 South St Harwich, MA 508-430-430-7216 x3044 lgilmore@monomoy.edu
Homeless Prevention Council Comprehensive case management, professional counseling, and guidance to those at risk of becoming homeless. Our client services include advocacy and access to housing programs and funding and budgeting and negotiation for rent and mortgage payments. In addition, our case managers assist clients in assessing their ability to earn a living and, if appropriate, encourage them to pursue further job training and/or education. 14 Old Tote Rd. Orleans, MA 508-255-9667 www.hpccapecod.org
Women of Fishing Families Financial assistance for Cape Cod Fishing families 508-274-2092
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Mass 2-1-1 A free 24/7 resource to locate services Dial: 211 https://mass211.org
Parents Helping Parents of Mass Stress hotline 24/7 1-800-632-8188 www.parentshelpingparents.org
St. Vincent de Paul Helpline Food, clothing, emergency funds 508-385-3242
The Samaritans of Cape Cod and the Islands Provide support to those who are lonely, depressed, or suicidal www.capesamaritans.org 508-548-8900 / 800-893-9900 Crisis Text Line Text: 741741 24-hour texting service for people in crisis who need someone to talk to without calling
.
FindHelp.org - use the zip code to search and connect to support. Financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, or to find other free or reduced-cost help.
and snippets of some of our favorite SHARK-tastic activities!
Contact us:
Email: jakelly@monomoy.edu
Website: http://ces.monomoy.edu/
Location: 147 Depot Road, Chatham, MA, USA
Phone: 508-945-5135
Facebook: facebook.com/ChathamElementarySchoolPto
Twitter: @ChathamElemMRSD