Weekly Wednesday

10/20 - PTO Fall Festival, 10 AM - 12 PM

10/31 - Bresnahan Costume Parade, 8:50 AM (see details below)

11/6 & 11/20 - Parent Teacher Conferences (scheduled with classroom teacher)

• Instructional Assistants
• Lunch/Recess Monitors
• Crossing Guards
• Substitute Teachers

• Cafeteria/Kitchen Staff (All Schools, if interested please contact ttitelbaum@newburyport.k12.ma.us)

To celebrate the season, we are excited to host an outdoor Costume Parade on Thursday 10/31st at 8:50 am! Parents and guardians are invited to attend! Please stand behind cones set up along the rider area, bus area, and walker areas. Students will exit door 1, parade outside along the sidewalk around the entire building and re-enter the building through Door 4.

When preparing for this exciting event, please be mindful of costume choices. Students need to be able to move/walk on their own (for example, some students struggle to walk on their own in inflatable costumes). We also ask that students refrain from wearing full face masks and costumes with weapons.

We will have a parade alternative in the library for students who do not wish to participate in the parade. Please email your classroom teacher directly if you would like to opt-out of the parade.

As we continue to strive for excellence in teaching and learning, it’s important that we remain open to new ideas and approaches as we establish a culture where teacher experimentation is valued and predicated on a robust process of evaluating its efficacy. To foster a culture of innovation, we encourage teachers to explore, research and implement new strategies, techniques, or tools that foster student achievement. Administration works alongside teachers to evaluate the effectiveness of these shifts in pedagogy and practice.

Here are some examples of what is happening right now at the Bresnahan!

Play Buddies are beginning between our Pre-K/K and Third Grade students. Together, students are choosing from among activities like games, reading, art and creative play. Our older students are being responsible role models and caring friends to their younger peers, and our youngest students enjoy every minute!

To read more about the value of play experiences visit NAEYC.org or Project Zero/Harvard.edu

Students are using the new Native Pollinator Gardens to learn about pollinators such as bees and butterflies. They are learning about the essential role pollinators play in the health of our ecosystems and food crops. By planting native plants and supporting these pollinators, students in grades P-3 are learning how plants and animals depend on their surroundings and other living things to meet their needs, a critical foundation for becoming responsible stewards of the planet. They will also learn about the life-cycle of insects and plants as the year progresses. Through observation and inquiry, they are connecting with the natural world around them in an engaging and playful way.

On Friday, November 8th from 8:45 - 9:15, we will host an assembly to honor our Veterans. If anyone in your family (parent, grandparent, or other close family member) is a Veteran, they are welcome to attend the assembly. Our students would love to sing to you and thank you for your service. Please RSVP on this Google Doc we can plan seating for our guests. If you have any questions, please reach out to our school principal, Jamie Sokolowski (jsokolowski@newburyport.k12.ma.us).

Our veterans and guests do not need to go through the CORI and Fingerprinting process but will need to sign in through the Main Office/Door 1.

Please review the Official 24-25 Bres Student & Family Handbook to learn more about our policies and procedures.

Scan the QR code

Please be aware that if your child has missed 5 or more days of school you will be receiving a letter regarding the attendance policy. The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has made attendance one of its statewide priorities and requires us to be in communication with families about this. As a school it is our responsibility to know that children are safe and accounted for during the school day. Please know that we understand there are times where children are sick and/or extenuating circumstances occur; we are here to support you as you support your child to be as present as possible.

Our Bresnahan school family is looking forward to welcoming visitors and volunteers into the building.

This is a friendly reminder ALL visitors and volunteers must provide a current, driver's license before gaining access into the building. There will be no exceptions to this district expectation as the safety and security of our school family is our #1 priority. Thank you in advance for doing your part to keep us safe.

CORI Process

• All volunteers must have an up-to-date CORI on file with the Newburyport Elementary Schools.
• Bring the completed CORI form along with your driver's license to the Administrative Assistant at our school office.
• Please note CORI's are only valid for three years; after that you must reapply.

Fingerprinting

In keeping with Newburyport's continued focus on safety, volunteers/parents are required to be fingerprinted in two instances:

1. If you are going on a day or overnight field trip and will have direct and unmonitored contact with children;
2. If you are a lunchroom volunteer and will be bringing children out to the playground. Parents who volunteer in the classroom DO NOT need to be fingerprinted, if there will always be another adult present.

Massachusetts has contracted with MorphoTrust for fingerprinting. To book an appointment, visit the Massachusetts IdentoGO Website.

Please be aware there is a $35 fee for fingerprinting. Fingerprinting does not expire.

Forms and Information

• CORI Form
• Fingerprinting Info

Does your family need help this holiday season? Let our community elves help fulfil your family's needs and wishes. Family to Family Holiday Program, a partnership between Newburyport Rec & Youth Services and YWCA Greater Newburyport serves families with children living in Newburyport or YWCA Greater Newburyport housing. You can sign up for holiday assistance here. Please visit our website for more information or call NRYS Support Coordinator Trish Boateng at 978-572-6189 to apply over the phone. Deadline to apply is November 1st. Questions? Email us at familytofamilyholiday@gmail.com

Important Dates:

Wednesday, Oct 16: Spirit Wear pick up from from 3-7 pm @ Nock/Molin (see below)

Thursday, Oct 17: Spirit Wear pick up from from 3-7 pm @ Nock/Molin (see below)

Friday, Oct 18: Spirit Wear pick up from from 3-5 pm @ Nock/Molin (see below)

Sunday, Oct. 20: Bres Fall Festival, 10AM-12PM

Tuesday, Nov. 5: Election Day Bake Sale @ Senior Center

Bresnahan Fall Festival: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!

The PTO’s family Fall Festival is on Sunday, October 20 from 10am-12pm. There will be games, food, a singalong with Mr. RM, face painting, and Ms. Harding’s Bresnahan Community Garden stand! We will also offer a sensory-sensitive early opening from 9:30-10. Admission is free and is open to all Bresnahan families.

Volunteers: We still need volunteers if you would like to help out (set-up, clean-up, donate cider and/or compostable cup donations) OR if you have an older child who would like to help run the games, please sign up here!

SpiritWear Pick-ups:

Spiritwear orders are ready for pickup!

Pick-up your orders: Nock/Molin Auditorium (use the side entrance by the skate park)

• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16th from 3-7 pm

• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17th from 3-7 pm

• FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18th from 3-5 pm

Please make every effort to pick up your gear. This is our greatest challenge for these sales. We do not have the place to store orders and cannot do home deliveries. If you have an extreme hardship, please email us and we will help you. Remember you can also have a friend pick up your order for you! Thank you so much for your support! If you missed this sale, there will be a holiday sale in November.

Teachers and staff only: if you used your school email address, we have delivered your order to your school (you should have received a separate email). Otherwise, please pick them up at one of the pick up times. Our apologies. We will fix this glitch for the next sale and have teacher orders at their respective schools.

Volunteers: If you have an hour or two to help staff pick-up: sign up here

PTO Election Day Bake Sale Fundraiser for 8th Grade Field Trip:

All proceeds of the Election Day Bake Sale will be dedicated as scholarship funds for the 8th grade Philadelphia trip. Please sign up here to donate and/or sell baked goods at the PTO Election Day Bake Sale on November 5 at the Senior Center! One hour shifts and/or donating baked goods are two easy ways to help make a huge impact.

NEF Class Baskets:

The Newburyport Education Foundation’s Annual Lighthouse Auction is fast approaching. Each year the auction raises over $100k that goes directly to Newburyport Public Schools. Each classroom is asked to create an amazing themed basket to be auctioned. Baskets can range from hand-made kid crafted items to lottery ticket wreaths to a cozy winter weekend in a basket. You are invited to be a Class Basket Leader for your child’s classroom!

Sign-up to volunteer here: https://www.newburyportef.org/lighthouse-auction/.

Ongoing Fundraiser: PTO EcoBins

Did you know that the EcoBins (large yellow donation bins) at the Bresnahan and Nock generate funds for the PTO? There are two bins at the Bres, three at Molin/Nock. The bins take all textiles including stained/torn items, pillows, stuffed animals, shoes, so please drop off your unwanted items.

Do You Want to Get Involved?

We are currently seeking to fill PTO Board positions:

• Vice President

• Molin Teacher Representative

• Communications Co-Chair (Social Media)

Email us at newburyportpto@gmail.com to join the PTO Board or ask questions.

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