North Pembroke Elementary School
Weekly Update
October 11, 2024
A Note from the Office
Dear North Pembroke Families,
We are thrilled to share some exciting updates and news from the past few weeks!
First and foremost, we are happy to announce that we have exceeded the fundraising goal for our annual Fun Run! Thanks to the incredible generosity and support from our community, we raised more than we ever expected. These funds will go directly toward supporting the enrichment programs, classroom resources, and various other student-centered activities that the PTO provides to enhance our students’ educational experience. Your contributions make a real difference, and we couldn’t do it without you—thank you!
In addition, we were proud to partner with the Pembroke Fire Department to hold fire safety assemblies for all our students in recognition of Fire Safety Awareness Month. The students learned valuable lessons on fire prevention, how to react in an emergency, and important tips on staying safe at home. It was an engaging and informative event, and we thank the Pembroke Fire Department for their time and dedication to keeping our community safe.
Mr. Murphy and Mrs. Charpentier
Volunteers are needed!
North Pembroke Elementary School is looking for a few volunteers to assist us in the library as students come in during the week. Please reach out to Elise Desmond if you are interested in helping out. Elise can be reached at elise.desmond@pembrokek12.org
Thank you to our PTO for decorating the front and side entrances to the school!
A note about student absences:
ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS
Attendance at school is mandated by state law and is recognized as beneficial for all students beyond the mandated age of attendance desirous of attending. The School Committee, therefore, exercises its responsibility in enforcing and encouraging timely attendance at school. Absence from school is strongly discouraged as it negatively impacts student learning and disrupts the educational process.
The principal, or designee, monitors attendance through the use of letters and/or meetings to remind the parents about the importance of attendance; to remind parents of attendance policy; to identify an effective solution to the problem that improves attendance and addresses instructional issues raised by the student's absence.
Any child who arrives at school late must check in at the main office to ensure they are not marked absent. Parents must accompany students upon late arrival. Students will receive a tardy pass and will then proceed to their classrooms. Excessive days of a late arrival will be brought to the attention of the principal, or designee. The principal, or designee, will meet with the students and parent/guardian.
Personal illness is the usual reason for absence from school; however, student absence for other reasons may occasionally be permitted upon the request of parents or legal guardians, subject to the following regulations:
When absence from school becomes necessary, parents should notify the school as soon as possible using the absence line. Please do this even if you have previously notified your student’s teacher. This is the main means of communicating your student’s absence. Be sure to include the reason for your student’s absence and any symptoms they may be experiencing. You can access the attendance line by calling the main school phone number and choosing option 3.
Please send school excusal notes from your child’s physician directly to the school nurse.
Bryantville: Valerie.phillips@pembrokek12.org
Hobomock: Andrea.depaul@pembrokek12.org
North Pembroke: Margaret.leach@pembrokek12.org
No student who has been absent or suspended (in or out of school) from school is to participate or attend any school activity or function during the day or evening of the absence or suspension unless the school is provided with a doctor’s note excusing the absence (i.e. medical appointment). This approval will be at the principal’s discretion.
If parents/legal guardians fail to contact the school regarding a student’s extended absence, the school will contact the parents/guardians within 3 days of the absence.
In accordance with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 76, Section 1B, the principal is required to provide notification of when a student has had 5 or more unexcused absences. An excused absence is defined as a personal illness accompanied by a physician’s note excusing the absence; an absence attributable to a death in the family; an observance or practice of a religious holiday; a legal matter requiring a personal appearance; or a college visit. The Principal, or designee, will make reasonable efforts to meet with the caregivers of a student who has 5 or more unexcused absences to develop an action plan for the student’s attendance at school. In accordance with provisions of the mandated attendance law, continued absence from school for any reason, or especially absence from school due to truancy, shall be addressed by the principal.
IMPORTANT DATES
Mark Your Calendar
10/14- No School- Columbus Day
10/17- NPES picture retakes (Lifetouch)
10/18- 4th-grade field trip to the New Bedford Whaling Museum
10/21- NPES Dental program visit
10/25- Boo Bash 6:00-7:30
10/30- ERD with student dismissal at 1:10 PM
10/31- 3rd-grade field trip to Plimouth Pawtuxet
DISTRICT UPDATES & REMINDERS
Handbooks
As part of the registration process in PowerSchool each summer, families are asked to review and sign off that they have read the Pembroke Public Elementary Schools’ Handbook. Since this summer’s registration process, the School Committee has approved updates made to the handbook for the 2024-2025 school year. The updated handbook can be found by visiting the Pembroke Public Schools website. Click here for the direct link.
The handbook can also be accessed once on the PPS website by clicking on District, District Policies, and Student/Family Handbooks, or it can also be found under the Students and Families and then clicking on Family Resources. Copies of the handbook can be provided by the front office upon request.
It is required that all families provide updated documentation that they have reviewed the approved 2024-2025 handbook. Upon your review of the updated handbook, please sign and return the bottom portion of the form that was sent home in backpacks by Friday, October 18. Please reach out to the school front office with any questions or concerns.
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY
North Pembroke is currently in talks with the council on aging to bring a reading opportunity to our students! Members from the council on aging will be coming to North once a month to read and participate in fun activities with our students.
Spotlight on Our Community/Learning in Action
Thank you to the Pembroke Fire Department for your continuing support and for providing assemblies for our students on the importance of fire safety.
Here are our September character trait award winners!
LEARNING IN ACTION
Our NPES chorus has started!
It is not too late to sign up. Students in grades 4-6 who are interested should see Mrs. Foley. The chorus meets at 7:30 AM on Wednesday mornings.
Titans of Character
NURSE'S CORNER
TRENDING TOPIC: Should They Stay or Should They Go? When School Children/Youth are Sick
Attendance is important – but your child should not come to school when too sick to learn or there is a risk of making others ill.
When you are questioning whether to send your child to school or not, please keep the following guidelines in mind:
Fever ~ A temperature greater than 100.0 is considered a fever. Your child should be fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
Vomiting and Diarrhea ~ Your child should be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to school.
Rash ~ A rash is usually a sign of a viral illness. It may also be a reaction to a medication or chemical (plant, detergent). If your child has an unusual rash or it is associated with a fever, contact your doctor. Keep your child home until you have discussed the rash with your doctor.
Cold, sore throat, cough ~ Children average six to eight colds per year. Your child may attend school if there is no fever. If cold and cough symptoms are associated with a fever or they do not readily improve, call your doctor.
If your child has anything contagious (i.e. chickenpox, Fifth disease, strep throat, conjunctivitis, impetigo, MRSA, measles, pertussis, etc.), I need to know so we can take the necessary steps to prevent an outbreak.
If your child is being treated for an illness (pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infection, asthma), even if they don’t need medication at school, it is helpful for me to know, so I can provide the best care for them at school.
If your child has sustained an injury ask your healthcare provider when it is safe to return to school and physical activities (physical education and recess). Inform me so we can make the appropriate accommodations at school.
Children with allergies or asthma are often affected more seriously by respiratory infections and may need to see a healthcare provider.
PTO NEWS
PTO MEETINGS
November 6 (restaurant)
December no meeting
January 8 (school library)
February 5 (restaurant)
March 5 (school library)
April 9 (restaurant)
May 14 (school library)
June 4 (restaurant)
Box Tops for Education
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR SCHOOL! Help our teachers and students get the resources they need! The Box Tops app makes it easy to earn cash for our school. Just download the app and start scanning those receipts.
Save the Date for the Boo Bash and Monster Mash
NPES Halloween Boo Bash & Monster Mash is just around the corner!
Friday, October 25
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
North Pembroke Elementary School
Get ready for a night of spooky outdoor fun with a DJ, dancing, games, crafts, a costume contest, a bake sale, and so much more!
We need YOU to make this party a success! We're looking for:
Baked goods, waters, & individually wrapped snacks for the bake sale
Help with games & activities
Volunteers for set-up & clean-up
We can't run this event without our amazing volunteers! Ready to join the fun? Sign up now!
Class of 2031 Titan Gear Fundraiser $35
North Pembroke Class of 2031 is selling Flannel Pants. All orders need to be submitted by Sunday, October 27th. A scheduled pick update will be made when the order comes in and is ready for pick up. Please contact Andrea Mikkola at 339-933-1923 or andreamikkola@gmail.com with any questions. Payment is due prior to or at pick up.
Payment Options:
Venmo when order is submitted - @NorthPTO please DO NOT click on Purchases. PLEASE LABEL LOUNGE WEAR
Cash when order is received.
Check when order is received - please make all checks payable to North Pembroke PTO
Fill out separate form for each PAIR
Thinking of volunteering at North
Please take a moment to check with the main office to see if your CORI is up to date. CORI’s are good for (3) years. Forms are available in the main office. You will need to physically bring your license to the main office for us to complete the background check. Thank you.
COMMUNITY NEWS
PHS Music Department Mattress Fundraiser
Saturday, October 12, 2024
10 AM-4 PM.
Pembroke Public Library Events
October 2024
Storytime Mondays and Tuesdays at 10:30am
Toddlers (ages 2 to 5) and their caregivers can enjoy an interactive storytime with songs, dances, and a story that encourage language development and social skills. Each themed storytime is followed by a craft. There will be no Storytime on Monday, October 14.
Baby Lapsit Thursdays at 10:30am
Designed for babies and toddlers from 6 to 24 months, Lapsits are a great chance for caregivers to bond with their child. Each 30-minute program includes stretches, songs, and rhymes followed by an open play time that allows babies to play and grown-ups to chat.
LEGO Club
Tuesday, October 8 from 4:00-5:00pm
Kids ages 4+ are welcome to visit and build with the library LEGOs. Bring neighbors, big siblings, and school friends and get creative. This month's theme is "Good vs. Evil." This is a drop-in event; no registration is needed.
Anime Club
Thursday, October 10 from 4:00-5:30pm
Ages 11 - 15 are invited to watch anime, snack, craft and socialize. This is a drop-in event; no registration is needed.
Chess Club Wednesday, October 16 from 4:00-5:00pm Youth and families can learn and play chess at the Library. This is a drop-in event; no registration is needed.
Puppy Dog Tales Thursday, October 17 from 4:15-5:00pm
Readers of all ages may read to a certified therapy dog to develop their literacy and presentation skills as well as build confidence and self-esteem. This is a drop-in event; no registration is needed. Monster Mash Mystery Room (ages 9-16) Tuesday, October 22 from 4:00-5:00pm Ages 9-16 are welcomed to test their skills in this Monster Mash Mystery Room. First you'll discover if you're a Vampire, Werewolf, or Witch then work to earn enough doubloons by doing tricky tasks and mind tickling games to become the leader of your monster clan. Participants will be put into teams of similar ages and work together with peers and friends. Registration required; sign ups open October 1st at 9AM and close October 21st at 8PM; visit https://linktr.ee/pembrokepubliclibrary or call 781-293-6771 to sign up. Boo-tacular Candy & Costumes Thursday, October 24 from 4:00-5:30pm All ages can visit the Library and the Council on Aging for a special event of treats (no tricks!). Both locations will have treats/candy and activities. Violet the Clown will be visiting the Library for face painting and balloon twisting! This event is free and open to all youth; costumes are encouraged but not required. Non-food treats will be available. Witch's Storytime (ages 4 - 8) Tuesday, October 29 from 4:00-5:00pm Ages 4-8 can join Miss Kiki in a bewitching storytime "Wanted: Witch's Cat" by Jay H. Davidson. Kids will then get to craft their own cats with paper, wiggle eyes, glitter glue, and more! Registration required; sign ups open at 9:00am on Oct. 1 and close at 8:00pm on Oct. 28; visit https://linktr.ee/pembrokepubliclibrary or call 781-293-6771 to sign up.
North Pembroke Elementary School
Email: michael.murphy@pembrokek12.org
Website: pembrokek12.org
Location: 72 Pilgrim Road, Pembroke, MA, USA
Phone: 781-826-5115
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthPembrokeElementarySchool/