Dear Sippican School Families,

What a fantastic week it's been at Sippican! Learning has been buzzing in every classroom, and the energy has been truly infectious. We're especially thrilled with the enthusiasm surrounding our Boosterthon "Castle Quest"! "Nate the Great" has been an absolute hit during lunch, leading our students through fun challenges and reinforcing those crucial character words. The excitement is palpable, and we're well on our way to reaching our $20,000 goal! Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, to every family and friend who has contributed to this incredible fundraiser. Get ready for the grand finale – the Fun Run! It’s going to be an awesome event, and we can’t wait to see our students shine. Please check this week's SWO for the date and time, and we encourage everyone to come and cheer on their children.

Adding to the week’s highlights, we're eagerly anticipating the FORM Concert at Old Rochester Regional High School this Tuesday night. It will be a wonderful opportunity to see the incredible musical talent across our district, and we can’t wait to see our Sippican singers shine. We are very excited for this event.

It's weeks like this that truly exemplify the spirit of Sippican School. From fundraising successes and character-building activities to showcasing our students' artistic talents, we're building a community where learning, growth, and fun go hand-in-hand. Thank you for your continued support in making Sippican such a special place.

Warmly,

Principal Dessert &
Assistant Principal Thomas

Our Mission Statement:

The mission of our school district is to inspire all students to think, learn, and care. Sippican School is committed to fostering a respectful, responsible, and kind learning environment. We've launched the "3 to Be" initiative to remind our community of these important values.

"Sippican 3 to Be"

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

Be Kind

Please check the schedule for your child's grade level. To view the Boosterthon, park in front of the school and walk around the side of the building towards the bus loop and back field. Spectators should remain on the road behind the caution tape for safe viewing. Let's make this a fun and encouraging event! Please stay within the designated area and refrain from calling students over to ensure safety and a smooth schedule.

Project Grow M-W-F group: 3/10 @ 10:30-11:05 - This outdoor run will be a smaller version of the Fun Run on Tuesday.

Location: Outside, Front Field

3/11 Schedule:

Location: Outside, Back Field

Grade 6

8:55-9:35

Grade 4

9:40-10:20

Grade 2

10:25-11:05

Grade 5

11:10-11:50

Project Grow (T & TH Group)

11:55--12:30

Grade 1

12:35 - 1:15

Grade 3

1:20 - 2:00

Kindergarten

2:05 - 2:45

We're super excited for our Boosterthon on March 11th! And guess what? We're already planning a fantastic celebration!

Following the Boosterthon, we'll be having a Boosterthon Spirit Week from March 16th to March 20th to celebrate all the amazing goals our students have reached! We're finalizing some super fun incentives and activities to show our appreciation for your incredible support.

We're putting the finishing touches on the details to make sure we have a week packed with fun and energy, and to celebrate every milestone achieved.

A huge thank you to VASE and the entire Sippican Community for always championing our students and staff, and for making enrichment and performing arts possible. Your support is invaluable! Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the big event and the celebratory spirit week!

To ensure the safety and smooth operation of our dismissal and absent procedures, please take note of the following:

Changes to Dismissal:

• For any changes to your child's dismissal routine, please contact Sippican Secretary, Shari Pacheco via email at sharipacheco@oldrochester.org or by phone at 508-748-0100 ext 6302.
• Please notify us of any dismissal changes no later than 2:30 PM. We understand that unexpected situations can arise, but this timeframe helps us manage the dismissal process efficiently.

• To report an absence, particularly due to illness, please contact Sippican School Nurse, Karin Bertram via email at karenbertram@oldrochester.org or by phone at 508-748-0100 ext 6306.

Important Note: Please do not send emails to Mrs. Rego as she no longer works at Sippican School.

Your cooperation and adherence to these procedures are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your support in keeping our students safe and accounted for.

The F.O.R.M. (Friends of Old Rochester Music) Concerts are a highlight of our school year. All the musicians in the district come together to share our musical accomplishments and to raise money for ORR students to go on and study music. Each band takes a turn playing 15 minutes of music, and then watch the other groups perform from the risers throughout the evening. At the end, EVERYONE joins together to play two selections – last year it was over 500 students!

Tuesday March 11th

CHORAL CONCERT : 6:30PM ORRHS

Arrive by 6PM for warm-ups.

Enter through the Auditorium doors. Signage & ushers will show you to room 320.

Dress: Black pants/skirt, Blue Sippican Music shirt

Tuesday March 18th

BAND CONCERT : 6:30PM ORRHS

All Gr5 & 6 Band students performing(except Gr5 drummers).

Arrive by 6PM for warm-ups

Meet in the Library, where you leave your coats & cases.

Dress: Black pants/skirt, Blue Sippican Music shirt

Ticket Information

• $5.00: Children & Senior Citizens

• $10.00: Adults

• $25:00 Family Package

Parents attending both concerts should retain their ticket from the Choral Concert for free admission to the Band Concert.

All students are expected to stay for the entire concert, participating in 2 AWESOME group selections.

More details always available at sippicanband.com

Kindergarten registration is currently available for next school year at elementary schools in the Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55. All Marion children who will reach the age of 5 before Sept. 1, 2025, are eligible to register to attend kindergarten at the elementary school in the town they reside in for the 2025-2026 school year.

Families must complete pre-registration for their kindergarten student via the elementary school website:
Click here for Sippican School in Marion

Once pre-registration is complete, the child’s records must be provided directly to the elementary school building. Paperwork can be dropped off at the school anytime during the school’s regular hours of operation.

The required documents include:

• Child’s valid birth certificate and military records, if applicable
• Proof of residency (i.e., property tax bill, mortgage statement, utility bill, current signed lease with dates and address)
• Child’s medical records
• Child’s updated record of immunization, including DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus), MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Hib, Polio, Hepatitis-B, Varicella, record of lead testing, TB screening, and vision screening/Stereopsis

Families are encouraged to complete the registration process by March 14, 2025.

Families that have completed the kindergarten registration process will receive an email with a link to sign up for kindergarten screening.

A Kindergarten School Building Orientation will be held on March 27, 2025, at 6 p.m.This in-person orientation is an opportunity for parents/guardians to meet key staff members, learn about a student's daily schedule, and gain valuable insights into the transition to kindergarten.

Questions about the registration process should be directed to the Sippican School 508-748-0100

Project GROW was established to provide high-quality pre-schooling to children in Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester.

The program aims to provide children with a part-day, high-quality preschool experience in a public school setting and an inclusive learning environment for children with special needs.

The program is be offered at three district schools:

• Sippican Elementary School, Marion (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

• Center School, Mattapoisett (8:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.)

• Rochester Memorial School, Rochester (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

The program consists of two section of classes:

• Tuesday and Thursday ($2,520/year)

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday ($3,780/year)

All classes follow the ORR public school calendar.

This four-hour program is open to all children residing in Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester who will be 3 years of age before Sept. 1, 2025.

Parents and guardians are reminded that they are responsible for providing transportation to and from the program each day.

Each preschool class is staffed by a certified teacher and assistant. The program aligns with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and follows the High/Scope curriculum.

For more information or to register your child for the program, click here.

We kicked off our Sippican Fun Run fundraiser this past Friday! We’re looking forward to having fun and building community together while we reach our fundraising goals. Get an overview of our fundraiser by clicking HERE!

If you would like to volunteer for the Fun Run on 3/11, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CADAB2BA6F4C34-55419354-boosterthon

Here is the Key Information to help you during the fundraiser:

Fundraising Goal: $20,000

Fundraising Item: enrichment programs and performing arts

Event Date: 03/11/2025

All donations will be collected through our fundraising platform: MyBooster.com

How to Get Started on MyBooster.com:

• Click “Sign Up”

• Enter your School Name

• Enter your Information

• Once you sign up, get started by sharing via Facebook, email and text!

VASE SAVE THE DATES:

March 4 - ACE Registration is Open! Please keep an eye out for our sign ups coming out this week.

March 21 - 6th Grade Basketball Game 6 pm Gym - All are welcome!!
March 22 - 29 Scholastic Spring Book Fair - Shopping 24-28
March 26 - Science Fair - Mad Science Visits

Please note, Bingo night has been cancelled. We hope to bring this event back next year!

The 2025-2026 School Calendar was approved by the Joint School Committee earlier this month. We are grateful for the feedback received from stakeholders and the school committees' collaboration to approve next year's calendar. View the calendar here.

Tuesday, March 25th - Grades 3 & 4 - ELA

Wednesday, March 26th - Grades 3 & 4 - ELA

Thursday, March 27th - Grades 5 & 6 - ELA

Friday, March 28th - Grades 5 & 6 - ELA

Tuesday, April 29th - Grades 3 & 4 - MATH

Wednesday, April 30th - Grades 3 & 4 - MATH

Thursday, May 1st - Grades 5 & 6 - MATH

Friday, May 2nd - Grades 5 & 6 - MATH

Thursday, May 15th - Grade 5 - STE

Friday, May 16th - Grade 5 - STE

March 11th - Boosterthon Fun Run

March 11th Form Chorus Concert @ ORRHS

March 13th - VASE Meeting @ 9:00 AM

March 18th - Form Instrumental Concert @ ORRHS

March 21st - Report Cards Sent home

March 21st - Scholastic Book Fair in the Library

March 25th - Grades 3 & 4 - ELA

March 26th - Science Fair

March 26th - Grades 3 & 4 - ELA

March 27th - Grades 5 & 6 - ELA

March 28th - Grades 5 & 6 - ELA

Multi Purpose Room

4PM-6PM

A student may carry or keep a cell phone or Smartwatch in his/her backpack if authorized by the school office. The phone or Smartwatch must be shut off and kept in the child’s locker/backpack and may be used only for emergency or unusual circumstances as agreed by parents and administration. The phone or Smartwatch may not be used to receive or send messages anytime during school hours or on school buses. Student phones or Smartwatches used to make, or receive, unauthorized calls during school hours, or on a bus, will be confiscated by the school administration or the bus driver.

• Winning school receives a $5,000 grant!
• Winning student receives a $500 grant to donate to a non-profit of their choice, or to their school.
• Winning student also receives surprise gifts from The Feinstein Foundation!

Jr. Scholar Card Spotlight: Providence Children’s Museum

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We want to ensure that our school community remains informed and connected. To help us maintain accurate attendance records and provide the best possible support to your child, we kindly ask that you notify the school office or the nurse 508-748-0100 x 6306 if your child is absent for the day due to illness.

Please leave a message with the following information:

• Student's Name:
• Teacher's Name:
• Reason for Absence: (e.g., illness, doctor's appointment)
• Expected Return Date:

Thank you for your cooperation!

All of our schools continue to use Raptor Technology for all visitors entering our buildings.

All visitors and volunteers are required to have a valid driver’s license or Massachusetts issued identification card to be scanned-in upon entering the building for any reason. CORI checks are required for any parent/guardian volunteers and are available in the main office of your student's school.

Although one lunch each day and one breakfast each day are free this year, we still need families to complete the free and reduced lunch application forms. These forms need to be completed every year. The online forms can be found by using this link: orrschoolmeals.com

• Breakfast is served each day starting at 8:30 AM

• One breakfast and one lunch are free for all students this year.

• Additional milk, drinks or snacks can be purchased for a fee.

• Snacks range from $1.00 to a $1.50

• Milk costs .65 cents (Please note that students will need to pay for milk if they bring their own lunch.)

• Assorted Drinks range from $1.00 to a $1.75

• 2nd Breakfast: $1.75

• 2nd Lunch: $3.50

Just a reminder that students do have a snack each day. The snacks need to be packed separately from their lunch and need to be free from peanuts/tree nuts. All school lunches are peanut free and we do have an allergy table in the cafeteria. If you have any questions regarding allergies, please reach out to our school nurse, Mrs. Bertram.

District Policy Manual

District Bullying and Harassment Prevention and Intervention Plan

Bullying Reporting Form