Sippican Weekly Overview!

Dear Sippican School Families,

Welcome back to the first full week of the New Year! It was wonderful to see our students back in the classroom last week for a couple of days to ease back into the school routine. We appreciate your continued commitment to the success of our school community.

As we begin this new year, let's all work together to help our students become the best versions of themselves. A core value at Sippican School is embodied in our "3 to Be" expectations: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Kind. We encourage you to practice these values at home as well. Model respectful communication, demonstrate responsibility for your actions, and show kindness to all those around you. By consistently reinforcing these values, we create a positive and supportive learning environment for all.

We look forward to a productive and rewarding year filled with learning, growth, and community. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns. We are here to support you and your children in every way possible.

Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Principal Dessert and
Assistant Principal Thomas

Our Mission Statement:

The mission of our school district is to inspire all students to think, learn, and care. Sippican School is committed to fostering a respectful, responsible, and kind learning environment. We've launched the "3 to Be" initiative to remind our community of these important values.

"Sippican 3 to Be"

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

Be Kind

The Elizabeth Taber Library is excited to announce their upcoming Library Improvement Project that will modernize the Library space! With this renovation, comes changes to the Library that may impact Sippican families - especially independent walkers who may regularly visit the library. Starting January 6, the children's room and public meeting room spaces will be under construction and unavailable for us. Seating will be limited in the rest of the library and regular afternoon children's programs on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon will be paused during the renovations. Some programming will still take place and families are encouraged to look at the Library website or follow the Elizabeth Taber Library on social media for the most up to date information. The Library will be operating out of the Marion Music Hall beginning on Monday, February 3. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the library at 508-748-1252, or email children's librarian Macy Davis at mdavis@sailsinc.org

The Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 is working to update their Bullying and Harassment Prevention and Intervention Plan. Each school district, charter school, non-public school, Department-approved private special education school, and collaborative school must create a Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan (Plan) that prohibits bullying, cyberbullying, and retaliation. The Plan is to include information on reporting, notice to parents and guardians, notice to law enforcement as necessary, and counseling strategies and procedures for creating safety plans for victims. Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plans must be updated every other year (See M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O, added by Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2010.) When developing the Plan, school districts, charter schools, Department-approved private special education schools, and collaborative schools must give notice and provide for a public comment period.

The Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 is seeking the public's feedback on the draft, proposed Bullying and Harassment Prevention and Intervention Plan. Please provide any feedback on this Google Form here by January 6, 2025.

As we welcome the winter season, please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. Outdoor recess are scheduled for temperatures down to 20 degrees. However, if the wind chill makes it feel colder, we'll be relocating indoors for recess.

Kindly dress your children in warm layers, suitable jackets, along with hats and mittens to ensure their comfort during outdoor play. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for assisting us in ensuring that our students are well-prepared to enjoy the winter weather with smiles on their faces. Stay warm and enjoy the season!

A student may carry or keep a cell phone or Smartwatch in his/her backpack if authorized by the school office. The phone or Smartwatch must be shut off and kept in the child’s locker/backpack and may be used only for emergency or unusual circumstances as agreed by parents and administration. The phone or Smartwatch may not be used to receive or send messages anytime during school hours or on school buses. Student phones or Smartwatches used to make, or receive, unauthorized calls during school hours, or on a bus, will be confiscated by the school administration or the bus driver.

1/9 V.A.S.E Meeting at 9:00 AM

1/20 No School Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1/21 Sippican School Council Meeting at 3:15 PM

1/24 Kindergarten report cards go home with kindergarteners

1/29 K-6 Early Release Day at 12:20 PM lunches served Project Grow Early Release at 11:30 AM

1/30 Marion School Committee Meeting at 6:00 PM

Happy New Year from VASE!

January 9 - VASE Monthly Meeting

Join us via Zoom or in person!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86461301769?pwd=vu3q2hb6amTdRpuzSjYAv4CldXpnE8.1

January 15 - Grade 5 Field Trip to New Bedford Whaling Museum

Grade 5 will experience "History on the Hill" through a walking tour of the museum. Be sure to sign up by 1/8:

Students: https://students.arbitersports.com/v-a-s-e/2025-grade-5-field-trip-to-new-bedford-whaling-museum

Chaperones: https://students.arbitersports.com/v-a-s-e/2025-grade-5-chaperone-for-new-bedford-whaling-museum

Boosterthon Shout Outs!! Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors!!

Dr. James Hermenegildo, MD Robotic General Surgery
Children's Academy
Waterman Building & Remodeling
Coastal Orthodontics
Converse Company Real Estate
Morse Insurance Agency, Inc.
Burke Electrical Contractors, Inc.,
Southcoast Insurance Group
Heavenly Medical Aesthetics
Rose & Vicki's
Barden's Boat Yard Inc.
Bright Funds

• Winning school receives a $5,000 grant!
• Winning student receives a $500 grant to donate to a non-profit of their choice, or to their school.
• Winning student also receives surprise gifts from The Feinstein Foundation!

Jr. Scholar Card Spotlight: Providence Children’s Museum

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We want to ensure that our school community remains informed and connected. To help us maintain accurate attendance records and provide the best possible support to your child, we kindly ask that you notify the school office or the nurse 508-748-0100 x 6306 if your child is absent for the day due to illness.

Please leave a message with the following information:

• Student's Name:
• Teacher's Name:
• Reason for Absence: (e.g., illness, doctor's appointment)
• Expected Return Date:

Thank you for your cooperation!

All of our schools continue to use Raptor Technology for all visitors entering our buildings.

All visitors and volunteers are required to have a valid driver’s license or Massachusetts issued identification card to be scanned-in upon entering the building for any reason. CORI checks are required for any parent/guardian volunteers and are available in the main office of your student's school.

Although one lunch each day and one breakfast each day are free this year, we still need families to complete the free and reduced lunch application forms. These forms need to be completed every year. The online forms can be found by using this link: orrschoolmeals.com

• Breakfast is served each day starting at 8:30 AM

• One breakfast and one lunch are free for all students this year.

• Additional milk, drinks or snacks can be purchased for a fee.

• Snacks range from $1.00 to a $1.50

• Milk costs .65 cents (Please note that students will need to pay for milk if they bring their own lunch.)

• Assorted Drinks range from $1.00 to a $1.75

• 2nd Breakfast: $1.75

• 2nd Lunch: $3.50

Just a reminder that students do have a snack each day. The snacks need to be packed separately from their lunch and need to be free from peanuts/tree nuts. All school lunches are peanut free and we do have an allergy table in the cafeteria. If you have any questions regarding allergies, please reach out to our school nurse, Mrs. Bertram.

District Policy Manual

District Bullying and Harassment Prevention and Intervention Plan

Bullying Reporting Form