Mustang Minutes
Sharing our Nashua + Mustang PRIDE
October 18 2024
Parent Updates
Have you signed up yet? Our conferences are by appointment only and start on Thursday October 24 and continue on October 30! You'll want to reach out to your team and secure a time if you have not done so. If you need an interpreter, we have those as well!
Please drive safely and slowly on the way into McCarthy. There are students who ride bikes, scooters, and walk through the lots. We have staff stationed along the route. Recently, there have been an uptick in parents who want to cut each other in the drop off line. To ensure maximum student drop off, please pull up as far as you can and wait for the traffic to move in the single line. Cutting out and speeding up puts the staff in danger AND creates unsafe walking spaces for our students!
Congratulations Ms. Gaffney and Ms. Chantler!
This year, two of our McCarthy (formerly Elm) teachers were honored with Excellent Educator Awards! Ms. Chantler and Ms. Gaffney were honored with 14 other Nashua educators on Wednesday night. It was a great event and many of their colleagues and friends turned out to celebrate!
Ms. Gaffney was nominated by a colleague who wrote "Jen's mathematical knowledge is extensive. She is also a kid at heart. She knows how to deliver the curriculum so that it is engaging to her students and is fun. One of her strengths in the classroom is relating what the students are learning to the real world, whether it be the next grade level or years down the road. She knows where the math is going, so she makes sure her students learn what they need to and lets them know why."
Ms. Chantler was nominated because of her drive for inclusion and belonging at Elm and McCarthy. Over the last few years, she has transformed her ELA skills into classes where literacy and collaboration can blossom. This year, she took on the task of the business literacy class -- teaching students how to be project based learners while applying real world skills. Most importantly, her class is accessible for everyone and requires everyone to reach their best self.
Thank you Continuum Arts Collective!
Thank you to the Continuum Arts Collective for empowering student musicians at McCarthy with a generous donation of two electric guitars, an electric bass, and a powered mixer to the McCarthy Music Department! Last weekend, Mr. Nguyen traveled to North Berwick, ME to attend the CAC Music Sale & Instrument Giveaway and received these instruments. It was worth the trip! We are excited for the variety of learning opportunities that these new instruments provide! For more information about the CAC, please visit: https://www.continuumarts.org.
Additionally, the McCarthy Music Department is open to receiving new or used guitars, basses, drums, amplifiers, and PA system to expand our educational offerings through our modern band program, general music classes, and more! If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Mr. Nguyen at nguyenp@nashua.edu
Student Updates and Activities!
Our McCarthy clubs are slowly taking form! Please look for updates as we add new activities for students in the upcoming weeks including Craft Club, Best Buddies, and STEM club!
Registration for Winter Sports began October 15! You can visit the McCarthy Athletics website for more information. Cheer begins as soon as November 6, and November 12 starts the Basketball season!
McCarthy Ski and Snowboard Club:
Sign-ups for the ski and snowboard club are open. We will be going to Pat's Peak on the first 5 Wednesdays in January/February. Use this link to sign up. Our access code is McCarthy2025. There is an early bird discount if you sign up before November 15 and registration closes on December 1. There is a separate bus cost, that information will come out in November . Please contact Dan Scarpati, scarpatid@nashua.edu, with any questions.
https://www.patspeak.com/plan-your-visit/lessons-rentals/learn-to-ski-ride-program/
McCarthy Players - Drama Club
The McCarthy Players are performing High School Musical in Spring 2025! Auditions will be Nov. 4 and 6 with Call backs on Nov. 7th. Auditions will run from 3-5pm. Please plan to stay the whole time. Sign up outside of Guidance during lunches! If you have questions See Ms. Rock O'Hara in C217