Marathon Memo

March 2025

Important Dates

Tuesday, March 11

From Concern to Support: Understanding the SLD Process

7:00 p.m. join by Zoom Link

See below for details

Friday, March 14

Early Release, lunch served

No PM PreSchool

Dismissal 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 18

Kindergarten Screening

No Kindergarten for current Kindergarten Students

Friday, March 21

World Down Syndrome Day

See below for details

Friday, March 21

Marathon School Council 8:00 a.m. via Google Meet

Agenda with Google Meet Link

Thursday, March 25

Let’s Collaborate: An Event for Marathon Parents and Caregivers

6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

See below for details

Friday, March 28

Kindergarten Screening

No Kindergarten for current Kindergarten Students

Monday, March 31

Eid al-Fitr

No School

Notes From the Principal

Children Discovering Justice

Kindergarten and First Grade teachers implement a Massachusetts standards-based K-5 civics curriculum, Children Discovering Justice (CDJ).

The CDJ curriculum engages students in topics such as community, rules, leadership, and equity while answering the essential question: What is justice, and how do I use my voice to advocate for it? The curriculum provides students with the foundational knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be engaged, critical, compassionate, and active leaders of our democracy. It provides teachers with culturally responsive scaffolds and tangibles to explore critical topics and conversations.

To begin with, students learn about the community, listen to other ideas and perspectives, and respectfully agree or disagree.

The letter below is an example from a kindergarten lesson on injustice. How do you feel? What can you do? Imagine the reaction to that letter! It would be unjust if I wrote such a letter to our kindergarteners at Marathon.

CDJ provides the entry points and tools to facilitate critical thinking, rich civil discourse, and active engagement around justice, community, and advocacy.

From Concern to Support: Understanding the SLD Process

Learn more about the process to access supports for students with learning disabilities in reading, math, and writing.

Tuesday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. Join by Zoom Link

Let's Collaborate: An Event for Marathon Parents and Caregivers

Please join Marathon staff members Justin Lohwater (Adjustment Counselor), Sheila Diestel (School Psychologist), and Katherine Kirby (Kindergarten Teacher) along with fellow parents/caregivers as we discuss Marathon's social, emotional, and behavioral supports.

This evening will provide an overview of resources, language, and strategies with the goal of promoting increased collaboration between school and home. Please note this event is open to parents/caregivers of current Marathon students. There will be no childcare, so please do NOT bring your child(ren) with you to this event.

Please register for this event by completing this brief Google Form: Let's Collaborate Registration.

Tuesday, March 25

6:30-7:30

Marathon Cafetorium

Rock Your Socks for World Down Syndrome Day!

March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day. We celebrate and raise awareness by wearing our brightest, loudest socks. Wear your colorful, mismatched, or unique socks in celebration of people with Down syndrome and the joy of diversity!

The picture shows chromosomes. They look like socks, right? This is where the idea of Rock your Socks for World Down Syndrome Day was born from.

The one circled is chromosome 21 - note the three copies of the chromosome. This is Trisomy 21 also known as Down syndrome. You and I have just two copies of Chromosome 21. People with Down syndrome have 3 copies.

Why is WDSD held on March 21st? 21:3

Chromosome 21, 3 copies = 21st day of the 3rd month of the year

All are encouraged to wear fun, patterned, and even mismatched socks for our Marathon Community members and beyond.

Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor and Rafael Lopez

In this book (yes, written by the Supreme Court justice), a group of friends sets out to plant a garden. Along the way, they learn that asking each other about their differences, including Down syndrome, diabetes, asthma, stuttering, autism, and more helps everyone feel understood and less alone.

Sabeel and her Superheroes by Ayah Sayyed

As Sabeel, who has Down syndrome goes about her daily life, she discovers that she's surrounded by superheroes, from the crossing guard to her therapist to everyone in her family.

Eli, Included by Michelle Sullivan

Eli is a new student joining Room 46. This heartwarming story is beautifully illustrated and shares a lesson in appreciating the differences each of us has. It is a great tool for teaching about Down syndrome in an understandable way for peers.

Spring Ahead: March 9

We will soon change our clocks for daylight saving time and will lose an hour of sleep. Winter months can feel endless when it’s dark before many arrive home from their day. Added daylight can boost our sense of energy and days can quickly fill with increased activity. Regardless of whether it is light or dark outside, children require ample sleep. Being well-rested contributes to growing and learning. Click below for recommended sleep hours for children.

Adjusting to Daylight Savings: Help Your Kid Spring Forward

Looking Ahead: Field Day 2025

First Grade: June 10

Kindergarten: June 11

General rain dates: June 12 & 13

Our Wellness Teachers in collaboration with the HPTO coordinate station rotations on our recess field for Field Day fun each June.

This is a student event with parent volunteers facilitating the different station activities. Field Day is not a spectator event.

The HPTO will coordinate volunteers - details to follow.

Volunteers need a CORI on file with the Hopkinton Public Schools. If you plan to volunteer, check to see if your CORI is up-to-date at moffice@hopkinton.k12.ma.us or stop by the Marathon Office to complete the form with a picture ID (driver’s license or passport) between 10:00 am - 2:00 pm to complete your CORI application.

Seeking Host Families for International High School Students.

To learn more, contact Mr. Andrew Longoria at alongoria@hopkinton.k12.ma.us

SEPAC has asked our Marathon Elementary School special educators, related service providers, and paraprofessionals to make a wish list of items that would be helpful in their work with students with special needs. (Example: therapy supplies, items for the classroom, equipment for learning ADLs, or anything that would be helpful to students). The goal is to provide enriching materials that further the work that our educators do every day. Similar to how a PTO provides additional educational items and supplies, Project SHARK hopes to add materials and supplies that enhance and add to classroom materials.

SEPAC is proud to support our amazing teachers. We hope that this project puts a spotlight on special education, the phenomenal work of our educators, and the different needs of students with disabilities.

Donate to Marathon Elementary School Project SHARK in 2 ways:

Amazon.com Wish List – search “Hopkinton SEPAC” or use this link here.

Don’t forget to include a note of thanks to our wonderful educators in the “Gift Message.”
We want to thank families that donate! – Optional: Click “Share your default shipping address.”

Donate the following gently used items (Email ESeekell@gmail.com to arrange delivery):

K-1 Intensive Learning Specialist Classrooms

Flexible seating
Sensory equipment
Sensory materials
Toys for K-1
Games
Fine motor activities

Speech Therapy

Games

Occupational Therapy

Board games for children age 3+
Fine motor toys and activities for ages 2+

Adjustment counselor

Games

March 2025 SEPAC Events

March 24, 2025 at 10am-11:30am

Hopkinton Public Library, Betty Strong room

Hopkinton SEPAC is hosting a coffee hour for parents and care partners of special needs students. Come to meet other special needs parents and learn more about Hopkinton SEPAC. We will be serving coffee and donuts.