The MMES Buzz
News from Manchester Memorial Elementary School!
March 29, 2024
Principal's Note
Dear MMES Families,
As I have mentioned in previous notes, MMES has implemented some new, dynamic ways to get our students excited about writing. One of these ideas is the concept of "pen pals." Pen Pals are an exciting way to make connections to students outside of our school while practicing writing skills.
Our third grade has pen pals in Germany! They recently exchanged their first letters. Students were so excited to hear from their new friends! The children were surprised they had to wait two weeks to receive their letters from across the Atlantic. The classes had great geography lessons locating the home countries of our new friends. The Bavarian International School (BIS) is located in Munich, Germany and our new pen pals come from all over the world: Chile, Russia, South Korea, England, Spain, Italy and France to name a few! They are looking forward to writing and receiving our next letters!
Kudos go out to Mrs. Umile from the HS who organized an incredible STEAM night for our PK-12 students and families! It was such a great community-building event! I want to personally thank Mrs. Yutkins, Mrs. Decker, Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. Tomaiolo, Mrs. Seymour, and their students for presenting at the event. I loved seeing how proud they were to share their work, ideas, and knowledge!
MMES is Hiring!
As you all know, our beloved Nurse Seaman is retiring at the end of the school year. While her shoes could never be filled by another nurse, I have started the recruiting process to hire a nurse for MMES starting the Fall. I know our parents have a very strong network that would be great to tap into. If you know anyone who might be interested in being the next MMES nurse, could you direct them to the job posting that just went up? https://www.schoolspring.com/jobdetail?jobId=4580945 - Feel free to share on social media as well...thank you!
Have a great weekend!
Best,
John
Gr. 3 Penpals in Germany!
STEAM Night Fun!
Pre-School and Pre-Kindergarten Spring Collages
MMES’s youngest artists are our Preschoolers. Their ages range from 3 to 4. They made these amazing butterflies on large leaves. First they learned how to make green by mixing yellow and blue tempera paint with large brushes. They painted a large piece of paper using the green they had just mixed. The green paper was then cut into leaves.
The next week, using only the primary colors, they mixed red, yellow and blue playdough to make orange, green and purple. They had great joy seeing orange, green and purple appear instantly when squishing the playdough together. The six colors where arranged on a Popsicle stick to create rainbow caterpillars.
Then like magic, the caterpillars transitioned into beautiful butterflies when the students added tissue paper wings.
The Pre-Kindergarten students are the next group of little artists displaying their art. Their ages range from 4 to 5 years old. They also made secondary colors but with paint sticks and water on large paper. When dry, the painted papers were cut into flowers and glued to a painted mixed green background. The results created this beautiful field of wildflowers.
Claudette Yutkins, M.Ed.
Dates to Remember
2023-2024 Calendar
April
3 - Early Release, Professional Development, 11:45 Dismissal
10 – MCAS ELA G3-5 Session 1
11 – MCAS ELA G3-5 Session 2
11 – Elementary Poetry Café Night 5:30 Essex Elem
15-21 - Patriots Day/Spring Recess
May
1 - Early Release, Professional Development, 11:45 Dismissal
15 – MCAS Math G3-5 Session 1
16 – MCAS Math G3-5 Session 2
16 –Art Show and Spring Concert at HS 5pm
20 – MCAS STE-5 Session 1
22 – MCAS STE 5 Session 2
24 – Memorial Day Celebration
24 - Grade 5 Move Up Day at Middle School
27 - Memorial Day, no School
28 - G5 to Maritime Gloucester
31 - HS Graduation
June
3 - Field Day
5 - Early Release, Professional Development, 11:45 Dismissal
7 - Last Day Kindergarten
7 - Grade 5 Project Adventure
10 - Grade 5 to Boston
11 - Crossing the Bridge, Grade 5
13 - Last Day, No Additional Snow Days
19 - Juneteenth
Looking ahead to Back to School:
First Day of School - Wednesday, August 28, 2025
MMES Open House - Thursday, September 12, 2024 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Front Office Updates
PREKINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
It is time to register students for kindergarten! All students planning to attend Memorial as kindergarten students next year must complete the registration process with MERSD, including those currently enrolled in the Memorial prekindergarten program. This is a two-part process. However, current MERSD pre-kindergarten students will not need to complete residency again. Please Contact Mrs. Schmidt with any questions or for assistance at 978 526-1908 x5100.
STEP ONE: Proof of Residency. Before registering your child for kindergarten, it is required that you verify your residency in Manchester. Families with older siblings currently enrolled at MMES, must also complete this process, unless they are currently enrolled in the MERSD prekindergarten program, and should contact the district office to determine what is needed.
Proof of Residency information can be found on the District web site at www.mersd.org under “About Us.”
Please scan documentation to Amy LeJeune lejeunea@mersd.org in the MERSD district office (978-526-4919 for questions). Once your documentation has been verified you will receive notification from the district office confirming your child’s residency. The MMES (Memorial) office will also receive a copy of your verification and will send you a registration packet for completion.
Manchester Memorial PTO
Register for the Race:
https://www.athlinks.com/event/hit-the-street-for-little-feet-59073
Sign up to Volunteer:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409094EA5A62DA6FB6-48566479-hitthe
PTO Weekly Top 3
5k Committee Volunteers Needed!
We are so excited to bring back Hit the Street for Little Feet 5k, and we are looking for volunteers to help plan out the festival portion of the event. Reach out to mmptopres@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out!
Save the Date!
Hit the Street 5k - May 17, 2024
Field Day - June 3, 2024
Schedule of Monthly PTO Meetings:
The following are dates for the 2023-2024 PTO Meetings:
• Friday, April 26
• Wednesday, May 22
All meetings will begin at 9 am, and will be located in the Project room on the first floor of the school. All are welcome...we hope to see you there!
Health Room Updates
Postural screening in 5th grade will begin on April 1st. If you wish your child to opt out of this screening, please inform me by Monday.
We are seeing an increase in activity now that the weather is improving. We have many thirsty and hungry students. Please make sure to send water bottles and an extra snack.
The GI virus is around. Please make sure your child is 24 hours without vomiting or diarrhea and able to tolerate food before they return to school.
Physicals:
Current physical and immunization records are due for grades 1 and 4. Please do not make a new appointment. Send me the most current and then send me a copy of the new physical when it is completed.
Extra Clothing: ALL GRADE LEVELS
Occasionally a spilled drink, a fall in a puddle or even a ride down a wet slide occurs, if each child could have a change of clothing (head to toe) that would be great.
Just a few reminders:
1. If your child is going to be absent or arriving late, please call either 526-1909 or 526-1908 to let us know.
2. If your child has a temperature of 100. F or over, they need to be temperature free for 24 hours (without relying on Tylenol or Motrin) before re-entering the school.
3. If your child is experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, we recommend that they are symptom free for 24 hours and can tolerate solid food before they return
4. If your child has a contagious illness such as conjunctivitis or strep throat, it is the school policy that they are on medicine for 24 hours before re-entering the building.
5. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL CLASSROOMS ARE PEANUT/NUT FREE
Thank you for your co-operation and continuing support.
Any questions or concerns please call or email
Joanne Seaman, R.N.
978-526-1909 Fax 978-526-5209
Lunch Menu April
iReady My Path - Home Access
MERSD elementary students now have access to the iReady "My Path" program at home. This aspect of iReady is an online tool that provides students with learning activities and practice geared towards their individual skills and needs. Below you will find information regarding accessing this tool at home for extra skill practice in reading and mathematics.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qhiOnoPCkyzwb8HLql0PdEgwNC_tiKcN/view
Notices From Our Friends
Open Door Mobile Market
Mobile Market at Memorial - Open Door
- Mobile Markets will then run from 2:30-3:30pm in October and November on the first Wednesday of each month.
- Mobile Market will run on an early release schedule of 11am-12:15pm on the first Wednesday of each month starting in December for the balance of the school year.