Family Buzz
May 3, 2024
Dear South School Community,
A huge thank you goes out to Any Gredler, Victoria Smyth, Moriah Rogers, Mary Kate Paris, Camille Martel, Alison Chamberlain, Shevawn Rollins and the ARMY of volunteers who helped make South School Shines Night such a great success. Thank you all for attending and especially for celebrating the hobbies and art work of our students!
As we approach Educator Appreciation Week this coming week, we also want to thank Parents and Caregivers who are the first and always educators of our children! It does indeed take a village!!!
We are grateful to the PTO and especially Erin Esposito and Carrie George who have all kinds of wonderful surprises planned for the staff!!!
Class Placement 24-25: Class placement for 24-25 is in full swing as lists are being worked on this whole month. Back in March, we sent the links to collect Parent/Caregiver Input for 24-25. This email message included a letter explaining the Class Placement Process and our probable class configuration for 24-25. The links that we sent are no longer live as we compiled your input and will work diligently on classes for the rest of May and June. It is a major SES Team effort! Going forward, if you do have input please contact me directly (meastwood@hinghamschools.org). Thank you for understanding that once the lists are sent in mid-August (around the 18th), changes cannot be made.
MCAS NEWS: Students in grades three and four gearing up for the 2024 Math MCAS (My Chance At Shining) . Fifth grade students completed the math last week and will also be taking Science MCAS (see below for specific grade level dates). They are ready! Thank you in advance for sending them to school rested and ready to do their best
Quote of the Week for 5/6/24: “It is the supreme art of the “educator” to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”- Quote is by Albert Einstein
Staff News
None this week
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PTO NEWS/Thank You :
Dismissal Notes: The Change of Dismissal Note Pads are BACK!!! We have them for sale in the Main Office. $5.00 each. The Main Office loves these types of dismissal notes. Easy & Clear. They are always available in the Main Office. Families may also send in $5.00 in an envelope addressed to the Main Office (marked attendance pad), we will make sure a dismissal pad is placed in your child’s mailbox.
OTHER NEWS AND REMINDERS:
School Committee Showcase: A huge thank you goes out to the entire staff for brainstorming this year's showcase,a nd a special mention to Mrs. Manning and grade level liaisons who organized the student presenters at random. Thank you to parents who will be transporting students as well! It will take place this Monday at the School Committee Meeting at 6:30.
Author Talk–Table Talk Math Save the date! On Wednesday, May 8th, John Stevens, author of Table Talk Math, will join HPS parents and caregivers for a virtual author talk to discuss strategies for bringing math into everyday conversations at the dinner table and beyond. Please register at the attached link. This event is sponsored by Title I funds.
LINK to Table Talk Math Graphic to embed in newsletter:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W_QIxW85Y5QExu7D9T9lZ-Qdw4T9odnJ/view?usp=sharing
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL: Thank you for reminding your walker/biker or child who is dropped off that they should arrive from 8:40 on...and should wait on the rainbow until the 8:40 bell. We have had a number of students coming out back before that time...We just want to make sure that we have adult supervision at all times and that starts at 8:40. THANK YOU!!! Also, if you arrive with your child after 8:50 and staff has already left the rainbow, please come to the front door and escort them in.
Bike Riding: Spring has arrived and it is fine to ride bikes to school (wiht parent permission, of course). Thank you for informing your child's teacher about a change of dismissal to biking on a daily basis and for reminding your children:
1. That only students in grades 3-5 may ride to school independently. Students in K-2 are welcome to ride with adult supervision from home.
2. All bikes should be walked on school property at arrival and dismissal.
3. No motorized scooters and/or bicycles are allowed at arrival and dismissal.
4. To follow the biking rules by riding far to the side of the road going with traffic; to yield to traffic and pedestrians by saying: passing on your right...using crosswalks! ( We have had calls that students are darting across Main St. NOT using crosswalks!) We want to keep everyone safe!
5. To park their bike in the lower lot (if coming from lower main) and in the bike racks by the rainbow if coming from upper Main.
6. To listen for a different dismissal announcement asking for bike riders to come to the hall outside the Computer Lab (Upper Main St.) Lower Main St. goes out with the Lower Lot Dismissal line...
Quick Reminder: PLEASE do not make two car lines in the driveway...if you cannot get in in the single line; please drive past and come back...we will NEVER leave your child alone while they wait for you.
Second Grade Poetry Festival: A huge thank you to ALL involved in this wonderful event, especially the second grade team and our woderderful second grade poets ! It was tremendous
Update/New Principal Tansition 24-25: Tara Boening was kind enough to attend our Floor Hockey Game on Wednesday, April 3! She also visited over vacation to discuss the transition. On April 26, she attended our Buzz Assembly, and this past week, many of you had a chance ot meet her at South School Shines Night! We both want the transition to be as smooth as possible and will continue to work hard on that goal for as long as is needed.
New Assistant Principal: We are interviewing this coming week.
Grade Three History at Home Program: This will take place on Wednesday, May 29 @ 9:30 AM in the cafeteria. Parents/Caregivers/Grandparents etc...are welcome...
Grade Four States' Fair: This will take place on May 22 from 1:15-2:15 in our cafeteria.
South School Field Day: This will take place on Friday, June 7, with a rain date of Monday, June 10.
KIA NEWS: Enrollment for next year's K-5 KIA is in full swing... See link for information.
Behaviorial Health Help Line LINK-Please Share
Wellness Wednesdays: See this flyer from the town on Wellness Wednesdays.
Cafeteria Accounts: Please take a moment to check your child's (ren's) account(s) to make sure there is not a balance. Even though lunch is free, there is a charge for a la carte items (like Thursday ice cream), therefore, your child may have a balance. Thank you for taking care of that!
Items for Buzz:
Noon Release Reminder: The next/last one will be June 5 (Professional Development) and possibly, June 14, the last day of school (TBD)
First Grade Musical Tour of the World: This will take place on Thursday, June 6 @ 1:30 PM in the SES Cafeteria. Parents/Caregivers/Grandparents are welcome to attend.
On that Note: With so many end of year activites happening at each grade level, thank you for understanding that is it our practice to NOT dismiss children from other grade levels to attend activities of siblings as the year ends as this would be extremely disruptive to teaching in the other grade levels. The only exception to this is the Fifth Grade Farewell Ceremony which takes place on the second to last day of school...
Special Additional Note: In the case of the First Grade Musical, all students will attend the Dress Rehearsal on June 5...
Absent Letters: It is our responsibility to send letters to students who have excessive absences per DESE. If you receive one about your child, please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns. We like to encourage all stduents (unless ill) to attend school on a daily basis as it makes such a difference to their education over many years! It's also very important to help them access the curriculum and build confidence and independence for adulthood!
Bus Reminder: We need your help! We have had some reports of unkindness on our buses. Thank you for working with us to remind students that they should be kind at all times, even when no one is looking...and to treat others as they would like to be treated...and it might also be worth reminding them that we do have cameras on all of our buses...
Some Tips About Pick-Up and Drop-Off:
· If you are the first car, please pull up to the red sign across from the fire station as this gets more cars off of Main St.
· If you are walking to pick up your child, please stand on the larger/grassy area at the end of the school by the OT Room as this will help to clear the small sidewalk.
· Please do not stand in the driveway!
· If you are also riding a bike to/from school; please do not ride it on school property during arrival/dismissal for safety reasons and also to be an example to students who are trained to walk their bikes on school property at these times.
· We also do not allow scooter riding on school property during arrival/dismissal for safety reasons; thank you for walking them as well.
Calling all CORIs: We love to have you all volunteer either at school or on a field trip. Don’t forget that ALL need to be CORIed for these activities. This has to be newly done each school year. Please drop in with you driver’s license and fill out a form should you wish to be CORIed. The turn-around takes about two weeks. Kudos to those of you who already came in
Subscribe to the Calendar: Want to have all school events downloaded to your phone? Click this link to find step-by-step instructions on how to subscribe to calendars. Get started at hinghamschools.org/calendar.
We have also introduced an Athletics Calendar and Fine Arts Calendar. You can subscribe to these the same way as the schools by going to hinghamschools.org/calendar.
Some Important Links and Still Relevant Reprints from Past Newsletters:
Parent/ Caregiver Resource: A new, free resource for families- MPY Parenting Solutions Library. Learn more about how to inspire your child or support your anxious child. Gain more knowledge about menthol health and our youth. Help your neurodiverse child thrive. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions empowers parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections and safeguard their children's mental well-being. The Parenting Solutions Library may easily be accessed using the link. No login or passcode is needed.
Care Solace: As we start the new school year, we want to remind you of the invaluable resources available to our community:
· Aspire Health Alliance To Make an appointment 617.847.1914 In a Crisis 800.528.4890
· Quincy Family Resource Center 617.481.7227
· Plymouth Family Resource Center 774.283.6531 aarcuri@baystatecs.org
· South Shore Coalition of Independent Therapists Find a licensed mental health provider near you
· The Baker Center for Children and Families 617.232.8390
· Boston Child Study Center 617.800.9610
In addition, Care Solace offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you and your child 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:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/hinghamschools: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
By joining hands and working together as a community, we can provide a nurturing and inclusive environment that supports the mental health and well-being of our youth. Let's continue to prioritize their emotional growth, and together, we can create a brighter future for our children.
Thank you for being caring and involved parents and guardians in the Hingham Public Schools. Your dedication to supporting our youth is truly commendable.
Most current DESE COVID guidance is as follows:
Important Dates
Wednesday, May 22 - Fourth Grade States' Fair @ 1-2 PM; SES Cafeteria
Thursday, May 23 (note date change) - Kindergarten Orientations and Screening; Personal Invitation to Follow
Monday, May 27- School Closed in recognition of Memorial Day
Thursday, May 30 - Fifth Grade Spring Concert @ 9:10 AM/ SES Cafeteria (parents and caregivers welcome)
Wednesday, June 5 - Noon Release for Professional Development
Thursday, June 6 - First Grade Musical @ 1:30 in the SES Cafe; Parents/Caregivers Welcome
Friday, June 7 - Field Day (rain date 6/10)
Friday, June 14 - Last Day of School
Fifth Grade End of Year Dates
Tuesday, May 21: Booth Day: 9:15-10:00
Wednesday, May 22: 5S/5M: Hingham Historical Society Tour 9-12
Thursday, May 23: 5T/5H: Hingham Historical Society Tour 9-12
Friday, May 24: Move Up Day to HMS; Memorial Day Ceremony at 2 PM
Thursday, May 30: Spring Concert @ 9:15 AM in SES Café
Monday, June 3: Main St, Walking Tour to The Barrel- Rain Date 6/4
Friday, June 7: Field Day; Rain Date 6/10
Wednesday, June 12: Class Trip: Plymouth Harbor Historical Cruise
Thursday, June 13: Farewell Ceremony @ 1 PM (Families Invited)
Friday, June 14: Last Day/ Yearbook etc…
MCAS DATES:
Math
Grade 5: May 1.2
Grade 4: May 6,7
Grade 3: May 8,9
Science/Technology and Engineering:
Grade 5 ONLY: May 14/16
Last date for make-ups = May 24
More Dates to Follow in the weekly “Buzz”
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any other questions.
Sincerely,
Mary M. Eastwood (: and Lori A. Jacobs (: