Sippican Weekly Overview!

Dear Sippican School Families,

As we approach the week before April vacation, we wanted to take a moment to connect with you and share some exciting happenings at Sippican School. The energy and engagement we see from our students and staff continue to inspire us, and we are so grateful for the strong partnership we share with all of you. We are truly enjoying being part of the Sippican School community and look forward to all that the remainder of the school year holds.

This coming week is particularly special as we are thrilled to host our annual Arts in Action Celebration on Wednesday! This wonderful event showcases the incredible talent and creativity of our students across various art forms. We encourage you to join us if your schedule allows, as it's a fantastic opportunity to witness the hard work and passion our children have poured into their artistic endeavors. It's always a highlight of the year and a true testament to the importance of the arts in education.

Looking ahead to Friday, we will also be holding an All School Meeting. This is a valuable time for our entire school community – students, faculty, and staff – to come together. We will be celebrating achievements, sharing important updates, and fostering our strong sense of school spirit. These gatherings are essential for reinforcing our values and building connections amongst everyone at Sippican School. We wish you all a wonderful week ahead, filled with learning, creativity, and community spirit, as we head into a well-deserved April vacation.

Warmly,

Principal Dessert &
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

We believe outdoor recess is a wonderful part of the school day for all our students. We'll only have indoor recess if the weather is really bad. To ensure everyone's safety during playtime, could you please help us by making sure your child is dressed appropriately? Certain types of footwear, like decorative shoes and flip-flops, can sometimes pose a safety concern when kids are running and playing. For this reason, we kindly discourage flip-flops and other open-toed shoes for recess. We highly recommend sneakers as the best choice for active play.

Our cafeteria is transformed into a beautiful café’ for Arts in Action. Students perform through-out the event. Both Jazz Bands and Concert Choir will perform. Children are invited to perform on their own as well. Sing (karaoke works well), play an instrument you are studying privately, (Pianos will be on hand), dance, or gymnastics. Send your ideas to Mrs. Moore through the following link: Arts-in-Action Performance Sign-Up or pick up a pink paper form on the table outside the Band Room & Mrs. Richard’s room!

Sign-up by April 14th.

There is still time to sign up and perform at the café at Arts-in-Action. Return the pink slip available in the music room, or email Mrs. Moore (hannahmoore@oldrochester.org) with your details. Check out the performance schedule here: CafePerformances

Karaoke songs MUST be checked out by Mrs. Moore before Arts-in-Action, so get that information to her ASAP.

Into the Unknown from Frozen 2

Into the Unknown

April 16 - After Class Enrichment (ACE) Program Continues

https://students.arbitersports.com/programs/ace-program-spring-2025

April 16: VASE-Sponsored Artist, Roy Rossow, at Art in Action

Join us and local artist Roy Rossow at Sippican's Art in Action on April 16! We are so excited to continue VASE's tradition of sponsoring an "artist experience" at this community event. Check out his work here: https://rossow-web.com/cupola-series

If you would like to volunteer to help please email Ms. Smith at joannesmith@oldrochester.org

Staff Appreciation Luncheon - Volunteers & Donations Needed

Get your cowboy boots out for our Texas BBQ Staff Appreciation luncheon which will take place on Teacher Appreciation Day, May 6! We need your help to make this event happen. Please check out our Amazon wishlist and Sign up genius:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CADAB2BA6F4C34-55997165-teacher

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2QD2E9SEM5KK7/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2

Sign-Up for Upcoming Field Trips

See your Boosterthon dollars at work with these upcoming field trips!!

Grade 1 - Buttonwood Park Zoo

Students: https://students.arbitersports.com/v-a-s-e/2025-1st-grade-field-trip-to-buttonwood-park-zoo

Chaperones: https://students.arbitersports.com/v-a-s-e/2025-chaperone-for-buttonwood-park-zoo

Grade 2: Lloyd Center

Students: https://students.arbitersports.com/v-a-s-e/2025-grade-2-field-trip-to-the-lloyd-center-for-the-environment

Chaperone: https://students.arbitersports.com/v-a-s-e/2025-chaperone-for-the-lloyd-center-for-the-environment

Grade 3: Plimoth/Patuxet

Students: https://students.arbitersports.com/v-a-s-e/2025-3rd-grade-field-trip-to-plimoth-patuxet-the-mayflower-ii

Chaperones: https://students.arbitersports.com/v-a-s-e/2025-chaperone-for-plimoth-patuxet-mayflower-ii

Grade 4: Cape Cod Natural History Museum

Students: https://students.arbitersports.com/v-a-s-e/2025-4th-grade-field-trip-to-cape-cod-museum-of-natural-history

Chaperones: https://students.arbitersports.com/v-a-s-e/2025-chaperone-for-cape-cod-museum-of-natural-history

Grade 6: Balances Due for Camp Burgess

https://students.arbitersports.com/v-a-s-e/2025-6th-grade-outdoor-education-field-trip-activities-balance-due

To ensure the safety and smooth operation of our dismissal and absent procedures, please take note of the following:

Changes to Dismissal:

• For any changes to your child's dismissal routine, please contact Sippican Secretary, Shari Pacheco via email at sharipacheco@oldrochester.org or by phone at 508-748-0100 ext 6302.
• Please notify us of any dismissal changes no later than 2:30 PM. We understand that unexpected situations can arise, but this timeframe helps us manage the dismissal process efficiently.

• To report an absence, particularly due to illness, please contact Sippican School Nurse, Karen Bertram via email at karenbertram@oldrochester.org or by phone at 508-748-0100 ext 6306.

Important Note: Please do not send emails to Mrs. Rego as she no longer works at Sippican School.

Your cooperation and adherence to these procedures are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your support in keeping our students safe and accounted for.

Project GROW was established to provide high-quality pre-schooling to children in Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester.

The program aims to provide children with a part-day, high-quality preschool experience in a public school setting and an inclusive learning environment for children with special needs.

The program is be offered at three district schools:

• Sippican Elementary School, Marion (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

• Center School, Mattapoisett (8:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.)

• Rochester Memorial School, Rochester (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

The program consists of two section of classes:

• Tuesday and Thursday ($2,520/year)

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday ($3,780/year)

All classes follow the ORR public school calendar.

This four-hour program is open to all children residing in Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester who will be 3 years of age before Sept. 1, 2025.

Parents and guardians are reminded that they are responsible for providing transportation to and from the program each day.

Each preschool class is staffed by a certified teacher and assistant. The program aligns with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and follows the High/Scope curriculum.

For more information or to register your child for the program, click here.

April 16th - Arts-in-Action

April 21st-25th - April School Vacation

April 29th & 30th - 3rd & 4th Grade Math CAS

April 30th May 1st - 5th & 6th Grade Math MCAS

The 2025-2026 School Calendar was approved by the Joint School Committee earlier this month. We are grateful for the feedback received from stakeholders and the school committees' collaboration to approve next year's calendar. View the calendar here.

Tuesday, April 29th - Grades 3 & 4 - MATH

Wednesday, April 30th - Grades 3 & 4 - MATH

Thursday, May 1st - Grades 5 & 6 - MATH

Friday, May 2nd - Grades 5 & 6 - MATH

Thursday, May 15th - Grade 5 - STE

Friday, May 16th - Grade 5 - STE

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.

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