McGovern News

Thank you to all family members who were able to participate in conferences last night. This is an important way for teachers to communicate how your child is doing in all areas. A reminder that conferences will continue on Wednesday November 20th, with earlier meeting times available as it is an early dismissal for the students. Conferences will conclude after school on Wednesday December 4th.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Veteran's Day bulletin board. It was great to see so many classes visit the front hallway, to listen to the students discuss their special family members and learn of significance of their veterans' service. It's important to take a moment to honor and remember the sacrifices made by veterans. Their service is greatly appreciated.

Please see below for all reminders and highlights of events we have coming up as November continues.

Have a great weekend!

Best,

Amy McDonald, Principal

A reminder that there will be an early dismissal on Wednesday November 20th due to parent/teacher conferences. Preschool will be dismissed at 11:05 am, kindergarten and 1st grade will be dismissed at 12 pm.

As the district works to improve morning arrival times for some problematic bus routes, one identified challenge has been buses losing minutes waiting for students to run up the street/leave their car/walk down the driveway etc. It would be helpful if parents could ensure that their child is fully at the bus stop waiting to board the bus as it arrives at the stop. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

We have partnered with Joshua Winer, an artist who specializes in the design and creation of public art pieces, to bring one of his Artist in Residence creations to McGovern. With Mr. Winer's vision and talent, we are looking to create a "Windows and Mirrors" mural for our front hallway. Joshua Winer will come to the school Wednesday November 20th to introduce himself and the project to the students, with kindergarteners and preschoolers will be assembling together first from 9:20-9:50 am, and 1st graders following from 10-10:30 am. Please click below to learn about Joshua Winer and view the talent, detail and composition demonstrated in some of his most accomplished Artist in Residence projects.

All the pictures our students and staff have shared of their military service members has made this a great focal point for our front lobby this month. Below is Mrs. Liberto's class sharing and discussing its significance.

What an amazing turn out for this year's food drive to help support the Medway Food Pantry and the Medway Village Food Pantry. What an overwhelming amount of food, hygiene products, and all necessary non-perishables to support the supply of both pantries. Thank you to all who donated, and a special thank to Ms. Whitfield for organizing such a beneficial contribution for our community!

The Kindergarten classes finished their first Reading & Writing unit about "Going Places". To culminate their 6+ weeks of learning, all children participated in project-based learning. They selected a museum they would like to visit, gave a reason, and then all 8 kindergarten classrooms were transformed into museums! The teachers and children participated in fun activities related to what you would see at that type of museum. Ask your child which "museum" they went to and why it was special. Please some of the photos that were taken while completing their projects for this unit.

What a treat it was to have MEPTO surprise us with lunch this past Wednesday. Delicious soup, tasty treats, and refreshments were served for our faculty and staff. Thank you MEPTO for thinking of us!

The crisp fall weather is here! Please make sure your child is dressed properly for the weather as we have noticed that students arrive in the morning without a coat. For our recess times we go out as often as we can and a jacket, hat and mittens/gloves are essential to keep your child warm for the length of time they are outside.

School Picture Retake day is set for Friday November 22, 2024. Retake day is for new students and staff members, transfer students, or for anyone who may have missed the initial picture day, OR for anyone who was unhappy with their original picture and would like to give it another try. If a student would like the retake photo to replace the original photo, please have the student return the original picture package to the photographer on picture day. We will replace the original package at no additional cost.

If this is the first time being photographed, just have the student/staff go to the camera and we’ll create a proof for them that will be sent to the school (and/or to their family email if we have that information). These proofs will be delivered approx. 4 weeks after picture day. An order code will be on the proof along with ordering instructions.

Dec. 6th: Wear White in celebration of Winter Solstice and the winter season

Dec. 11th: Ugly Holiday Sweater Day

Dec. 13th: Kwanza Day - wear black, red and green

Dec. 19th: Hanukkah Day - wear blue and white

Dec. 20th: Christmas/Holiday/Cozy Pajama

The short week before Thanksgiving break we will have dress-up Theme Days:

Monday November 25: Dress in your favorite fall colors

Tuesday November 26: Dress up as your favorite hobby or school activity

Wednesday November 27 (early release day): Wear you comfy clothes for a relaxing day before the early dismissal

For the last several years, Medway Schools have collaborated with the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth (MPY) to provide professional development for our staff. MPY now offers a library of 10-minute videos and handouts for parents. Over 24 offerings include tips for parents regarding school success, student mental health, and more. The library can be accessed for free by clicking here.

Last year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of MassLinks, the first fully virtual educational option for Massachusetts adults statewide who are seeking their high school equivalency or English language instruction. MassLinks classes are free for all adults, and Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with DESE’s Office for Adult and Community Learning Services, will deliver the instruction.

Please remember that approximately twice a month there are no preschool classes as it is an "Arena Day". This is when we complete assessments for students in an IEP evaluation cycle, hold IEP meetings, and/or conduct training. Upcoming Arena Days are:

• December 6
• January 10
• January 24
• February 7
• March 7
• March 21
• April 4
• May 2
• May 23
• June 6

As a reminder to all families, when picking up your child, you will need to bring your license or identification with you to the main office. Not only is this for safety reasons, but we also have new staff in the front office. Please understand that you will be asked to retrieve your ID from your car if you forget to bring it in. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Children need healthy meals to learn. Medway Public Schools offers healthy meals every school day. As you may know, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, through the recent passage of the state budget, will again allow local districts to provide breakfast and lunch for all students at no cost.

However, families who submit an application for free or reduced lunch which is approved based on income guidelines may qualify for discounts on specified school fees, including but not limited to athletic fees, transportation fees, and preschool tuition. A district cover letter, the application and instructions can be found here.

A copy of the approved 2024-2025 school year calendar can be found here.

Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:

1. Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
2. 2. Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.

English

To open the SMORE newsletter, click on the link above. Then, to translate the SMORE newsletter, click on the “Translate” button at the top of the page. Use the drop-down menu to select your language. The newsletter will then be translated.

Portuguese

Para abrir a newsletter SMORE, clique no link acima. Em seguida, para traduzir a newsletter SMORE, clique no botão “Traduzir” no topo da página. Use o menu suspenso para selecionar seu idioma. O boletim informativo será então traduzido.

Spanish

Para abrir el boletín SMORE, haga clic en el enlace de arriba. Luego, para traducir el boletín SMORE, haga clic en el botón "Traducir" en la parte superior de la página. Utilice el menú desplegable para seleccionar su idioma. Luego se traducirá el boletín.

Arabic

لفتح النشرة الإخبارية SMORE، انقر على الرابط أعلاه. وبعد ذلك، لترجمة نشرة SMORE الإخبارية، انقر فوق الزر "ترجمة" الموجود أعلى الصفحة. استخدم القائمة المنسدلة لاختيار لغتك. سيتم بعد ذلك ترجمة النشرة الإخبارية.

Haitian Creole

Pou ouvri bilten SMORE a, klike sou lyen anlè a. Lè sa a, pou tradui bilten SMORE a, klike sou bouton "Tradwi" ki anlè paj la. Sèvi ak meni ki dewoule a pou chwazi lang ou. Lè sa a, y ap tradui bilten an.

Medway Public Schools believes it is important that families and the broader community are provided with information about the important work going on in our schools. There is a great deal of communication that happens in the district. You can expect the following:

• Community Update from the Superintendent, monthly
• McGovern News from me, bi-weekly
• Teacher newsletters, bi-weekly

All community updates and the McGovern News will be emailed and can also be found on the district and school websites or through our Medway Public Schools app which can be accessed through the QR Code below. Teachers will email their newsletters directly to their class.

McGovern Elementary School:

Twitter: @McGovernElem

Facebook: @mcgovernelem

Instagram: @mcgovernelem

Wednesday, November 20th: Parent/Teacher Conferences

Early Release --

Preschool Dismissal at 11:05 am

Kindergarten & 1st Grade Dismissal at 12 pm

Wednesday, November 27th: Early Release

Preschool Dismissal at 11:05 am

Kindergarten & 1st Grade Dismissal at 12 pm

Thursday, Nov. 28th & Friday, Nov. 29th: Thanksgiving Holiday (No School)

Wednesday, December 4: Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3:20 - 4:15

Friday, December 6: Arena Day (No Preschool)

Theme Day -- Wear White in celebration for the Winter Solstice

Wednesday, December 11th: Ugly Holiday Sweater Theme Day

Friday, December 13th: Kwanza Day - wear black, red and green for the theme day

Thursday, December 19th: Hanukkah Day - wear blue and white for the theme day

Friday, December 20th: Pajama Day

Monday, Dec. 23 - Tuesday, Dec. 31: Winter Vacation – No School

Wednesday, January 1: Winter Vacation (continued) -- No School

Thursday, January 2: Return to School

Friday, January 10: Arena Day (No Preschool)

Monday, January 20: No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Wednesday, January 22: School Site Council Meeting 3:20-4:20 pm

Friday, January 24: Arena Day (No Preschool)

Monday, January 27: MEPTO Meeting at McGovern Library 6:30-7:30 pm

Friday, February 7: Arena Day (No Preschool)

Monday, Feb. 17 - Friday, Feb. 21: Winter Vacation - No School