Hello 2025!

Dear Linden Families and Caregivers,

Happy New Year! We hope this message finds you and your loved ones refreshed and ready for a wonderful year ahead. As we begin January, we are excited to share important updates, reminders, and upcoming events to keep you connected and informed.

Tips for Success in the New Year

• Returning to Routines: The start of the new year is a great time to set goals and re-establish routines. Encourage your student to stay organized and focused as we dive into the second half of the school year.
• Encourage Reading: A few minutes of reading each day can make a big difference in literacy skills.
• Stay involved: Check our monthly newsletters, websites, or social media for updates and opportunities to engage.
• Promote Healthy Habits: A balanced routine with plenty of rest, nutrition, and physical activity helps support learning.

Thank you for being an integral part of our school community. Let's work together to make 2025 a year filled with growth, joy, and success!

Ray Garcia

The month of January brings with it a fresh start and a host of exciting events at Linden School. Ways to stay updated

Communication Resources

• ClassDojo: An interactive platform to receive updates from teachers and the school.

• Linden School Website and Calendars: Visit for a comprehensive overview of events and important dates.

• Linden PTO Facebook Page: Follow for community discussions and updates.

Available Resources at the Main Office

The main office is your go-to place for additional materials. You can find:

• Monthly Newsletters: Containing detailed information about school activities and news.

• Lunch Menus: Plan your meals in advance by checking the monthly lunch menu.

• Flyers: Get information about school and community events through various flyers available.

Keeping up to date of these resources will ensure you don't miss any important school events or announcements.

Tips for Preparing Your Middle School Student for Success

Ensuring your middle school student is prepared for each school day is essential for their success and confidence. Here are some helpful tips to make sure they have everything they need.

Essential Items to Pack

To avoid any last-minute scrambles in the morning, make sure your student packs the following items the night before:

• Chromebook and Charger: The school provided Chromebook should be brought to school everyday. These are essential tools for learning and should be fully charged and ready to go.

• Student Planner: This helps keep track of assignments, projects, and important dates.

• Pencils: Always have a few extra, as they tend to disappear quickly.

• Notebooks and Folders: Staying organized with distinct notebooks and folders for each subject can help with managing homework and notes.

Start the Day with a Good Breakfast

A nutritious breakfast sets the tone for a productive day. Make sure your student has a healthy meal, either at home or at school. Linden offers breakfast starting at 7:45 a.m. in the Linden Cafeteria, providing a convenient option if mornings are hectic.

By following these tips, you can help ensure your middle school student is well-prepared and ready to tackle each day with confidence and enthusiasm.

As the seasons change and temperatures fluctuate, it's important to ensure that students are dressed appropriately for school. Below are some guidelines and helpful reminders to ensure your child stays comfortable and prepared throughout the day.

Importance of Dressing in Layers

Why Layering is Essential:

• Temperature Variations: Our school building has areas with varying temperatures. Some zones may be cooler than others, making it essential for students to wear layers that can be easily added or removed.

• Outdoor Activities: When temperatures are above 32 degrees Fahrenheit, students will participate in outdoor classroom activities and recess. Layering helps them adjust to the outdoor climate comfortably.

Locker and Clothing Management

For Grades 5-8:

• Locker Use: Students in grades 5-8 have been assigned lockers, complete with locks, to securely store their belongings. Encourage your child to use their locker to manage their layers effectively throughout the day.

For Younger Students:

• Labeling: It’s a good idea to label jackets and sweatshirts to prevent loss and ensure they can be easily returned if misplaced.

Additional Support

• Need a Jacket? If your child is in need of a jacket, please do not hesitate to contact our main office. We are here to help ensure every student is prepared for the changing weather.

• Lost and Found: If your child misplaces their jacket, families are encouraged to check the lost and found. We regularly collect and store found items, and visiting this resource can often reunite lost articles with their owners.

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your child remains comfortable and focused on their learning throughout the day. Thank you for your cooperation and support!

When it comes to maintaining a healthy school environment, it's important to understand when students should refrain from attending classes due to illness.

Here are the key guidelines to follow:

Symptoms That Require Students to Stay Home

Students should not attend school if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:

• Fever greater than 100 F – Your child may return when their fever has been gone for over 24 hours without medication, and if no other symptoms are present.
• Vomiting/ Diarrhea – Your child may return when symptom free for greater than 24 hours without medication or other symptoms
• Rash- Your child may return with a physician’s note that it is not contagious.
• Strep infections of any kind, strep throat, ringworm, conjunctivitis, or impetigo – These are all contagious infections and must be treated with medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school
• Head Lice – Your child may return after treatment; and no live lice present. – must follow up with the school nurse upon returning to school.
• Bad cold, with a very runny nose or bad cough, especially if it has kept the child awake at night – your child may return when symptoms resolve.
• Pain should be taken seriously, especially in young children. Earaches, toothaches, sore throats and headaches should be evaluated
• As a reminder – frequent hand washing is always our best defense against illness.

Returning to School

Students can return to school once they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours without the aid of medication. This ensures that they are truly recovering and not contagious.

Excused Absences

To have absences due to illness excused, students must provide one of the following:

• A doctor’s note confirming the illness and the need to stay home.

• Information from an appointment visit with a healthcare provider.

Further Health Concerns

If there are any additional health-related concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Linden Nurses. They can be contacted at lindennurses@maldenps.org. The nursing staff is available to provide guidance and support to ensure the well-being of all students.

School Arrival Procedures

Doors Open

The doors to Linden School open at 7:45 a.m. to allow students to enter the building. During this time, students can go directly to the cafeteria to enjoy breakfast. It is important for students entering the building at this time to proceed directly to the cafeteria.

Inclement Weather

In the event of inclement weather, such as temperatures below 32 degrees, rain, or snow, special procedures are in place. Starting at 7:45 a.m., all students should report to their designated indoor lineup areas within the building. Alternatively, students may choose to go to the cafeteria for breakfast during these weather conditions.

Start Times and Tardiness

Grades 7 and 8

• Arrival Time: Students must be in their homerooms by 8:00 a.m.

• Tardiness: Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. must check in at the main lobby or main office to obtain a tardy slip before entering their classrooms.

Grades 5 and 6

• Arrival Time: Students must be in their homerooms by 8:10 a.m.

• Tardiness: Students arriving after 8:10 a.m. must check in at the main lobby or main office to obtain a tardy slip before entering their classrooms.

Grades K-4

• Arrival Time: Students must be in their classrooms by 8:15 a.m.

• Tardiness: Students arriving after 8:15 a.m. must check in at the main lobby or main office to obtain a tardy slip before entering their classrooms.

By adhering to these guidelines, students can ensure a smooth start to their school day and avoid unnecessary tardiness.

February Read-A-Thon Excitement!

February is almost here, and with it comes the much-anticipated School Wide Read-A-Thon hosted by our beloved Media Specialist, Ms. DiNapoli. This is an excellent opportunity to ignite a passion for reading among students and to encourage reading both at home and on the go!

Get Ready to Read!

To make the most of this event, students are encouraged to visit the Linden Library or the Malden Public Library. These libraries offer a vast selection of books suitable for all reading levels and interests. By utilizing these resources, students can discover new worlds and broaden their horizons through literature.

Reading Logs

Reading logs will be sent home with students during the last week of January. These logs are essential for tracking the number of minutes each student spends reading. Encourage your child to fill them out diligently, as this will play a crucial role in the competition.

Prizes and Recognition

Prizes will be awarded to the classroom with the most read minutes. This friendly competition is a fantastic way to motivate students to read more and to foster a sense of community and teamwork within the classroom.

Tips for a Successful Read-A-Thon

• Designate Reading Time: Set aside specific times each day for reading to help build a routine.

• Create a Cozy Reading Nook: A comfortable and quiet space can make reading more enjoyable.

• Explore Different Genres: Encourage students to try various genres to discover what they love.

• Read Aloud Together: Family reading time can be a great bonding experience and sets a positive example.

Let's make this Read-A-Thon a memorable and enriching experience for everyone involved. Happy reading!