Dear Memorial Families,

Exciting news!

An early sneak peek...

Every day we have a number of dismissal changes for students that we process between Mrs. Schmidt and all of the teachers. We have found a tool that will give parents an app that they can use to manage their students' dismissal plans which will reduce the number of emails and phone calls that parents need to make.

It is called "Pickup Patrol" and you can see an overview here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQDh4SJ4b0c

While we aren't quite ready to roll it out yet, I think this will really help on both ends - home and school! Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

Have a great weekend!

Best,

John

As the new school year begins, we are excited to welcome our K-5 students back to Technology Class! This year promises to be filled with creativity, exploration, and fun as we dive into the world of educational technology together! In our K-5 Technology Class, students will have the opportunity to engage with various tools and resources that will enhance their learning experience. Our curriculum is designed to be interactive and engaging based on the MA Computer Science and Digital Literacy State Standards. The units of focus for Technology Class are Digital Literacy, Creative and Collaborative Projects, Computer Science and Keyboarding at all grade levels K-5. We’re looking forward to a fantastic year ahead filled with discovery and innovation!

This week, we kicked off our first enrichment program of the year with an exciting visit from the "Butterfly Lady" herself, Suzanne Hale of Sassafras Garden Designs! She brought the magic of monarch butterflies to our Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade classes, who are currently studying their lifecycles and migration. Did you know monarchs born in New England this time of year are special? Unlike the earlier generations that live just 4-5 weeks, these butterflies can live up to 8 months as they migrate to warmer climates and hibernate until spring!

Suzanne also shared how volunteers tag and track the monarchs as they make this incredible journey. The students were thrilled to learn about the connection between the butterflies’ migration and Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebration when thousands of monarchs arrive like clockwork.

It was an awesome start to our 2024-2025 enrichment program, and we can’t wait to continue enriching our students' learning all year long!

Please send your change of dismissal notices to your student's teacher and the office by 1:30 so we don't miss the change. (schmidtm@mersd.org)

Health Room Headlines

Welcome back!

A couple start of the school year reminders:

· If your child is going to be absent or arriving late, please email the office: schmidtm@mersd.org, the nurse morrisseyj@mersd.org, and your teacher.

· If your child has a temperature of 100.4F or over, they need to be fever free for 24 hours (without the aid of Tylenol or Motrin) before re-entering the school.

· If your child is experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, we recommend that they are symptom free for 24 hours and can tolerate solid food before re-entering the building.

· ALL CLASSROOMS ARE PEANUT/NUT FREE

Physicals: Updated physicals and immunization records are due for grades PK, K,1, 4, and all new students in grades PK-5. Physicals expire within one year of last visit. Please send me a copy when physical is complete.

Forms: Please return permission to medicate, health update, and emergency forms as soon as possible.

Change of season: With the change of season comes many viruses this time of year. Let's kick start the year with some healthy habit reminders. Please stay vigilant with hand washing and keep up with drinking your fluids. Wash down surfaces frequently. Try to stay home when unwell to prevent the spread of illness.

Thank you all for your cooperation, any questions or concerns please call or email,

Jaclyn Morrissey, R.N.

978-526-1909

morrisseyj@mersd.org

2024-2025 Calendar

October

11 - Grade 1 Field Trip to Fire Station

14 – Holiday, No School

23 - Early Release, PD 11:45 am

29 -30 – Spring Book Fair

30 - Grade 4 Field Trip to Harvard Museum of Natural History

November

8 - Early Release, PD 11:45 am

11 – Veteran’s Day, No School

18 – Author Visit Hena Khan

27 – Early Release, 11:45 am

28-29 – Thanksgiving Recess No School

December

5 - Early Release, K-8 Conferences, 11:45am

6 – K-8 Conferences, No School

11 - Early Release, PD 11:45am

Winter Recess December 23-January 3: No School

MCAS Testing Windows - Please be mindful when planning family absences

ELA Testing Window - March 24 - April 18

Mathematics Testing Window - April 28 - May 23

STE Testing Window -April 28 - May 23

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We would like to extend a warm invitation to all members of the Manchester Memorial Elementary School (MMES) community to attend the upcoming MMPTO Meeting. This is a great opportunity to meet other families, learn about what we do, and find ways to get involved in supporting our school and making every student's experience memorable.

Date: October, 21
Time:8:30am
Location: First Floor Multi Purpose Room

Whether you are new to MMES or have been part of our community for some time, we welcome your participation and input. Your involvement makes a difference, and together, we can create amazing experiences for our children.

Hope to see you there!

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

Chili Cook-Off: To celebrate National Fire Prevention Week, the fire department is hosting an open house at the fire station. The event features a friendly chili cookoff between the firefighters, hot dogs, drinks, tours, and safety demos. Free and open to all.

Daisy's Beach Day: Let's help raise money for Daisy the Comfort Dog's care. Bring your dog to Singing Beach a day early on October 14 from 1 PM to 4 PM for a special fundraising event. Dogs are not allowed on the beach until October 15 but the Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea has given special permission for this event in Daisy's honor. A $10 Donation is Requested/Canine to enter the beach. Bring your dog or just come play with Daisy at this fun event to kick off "dogs on the beach" season.

The Manchester-by-the-Sea Museum's Autumn Art & History Saturday morning (11 AM to 12 noon) children's workshops will be as follows: on October 5th, participants will learn about Manchester's Fishery heritage and draw and paint a sea creature. On October 19th, we will look at the museum's collection of Charles Hopkinson's portraits, and then will draw and color a portrait. On November 2nd, we will learn about the Cape Ann Sea serpent, viewed by many people in the 1800s, and then put together a sea creature assemblage. On November 16th, we will look at paintings of Singing Beach, and then adapt our own version of beach activities. These workshops are made available by The Hooper Fund.

Saturday workshops are geared toward ages 5 to 12.
To register for one or more, please visit mbtsmuseum.org/autumn-art.

Manchester-by-the-Sea Museum10 Union St. Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944

Felted Ghost Project at Manchester Public Library

Tuesday, October 15, 4-5:30 p.m.

Get in the Halloween spirit with the library and Pop Up Art! Using just wool and a needle, you'll craft a decoration that'll put the "ooooo" in booooo! (Sorry, couldn't resist.) Recommended for ages 11 and up.

https://manchesterpl.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/pop-up-art-school-felted-ghost/

Manchester-Essex Travel Basketball Grades 5-8 registration for the 2024-2025 is now open. For more information and to register please visit www.MEtravelbasketball.com

• Mobile Markets will then run from 2:30-3:30pm through January 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 in February, March, May, and June.