Center School Newsletter

October 6, 2024

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month

World Dyslexia Awareness Day is celebrated on October 8th every year and Dyslexia Awareness Week is celebrated during the first full week of October, which this year is October 7th to 13th. Dyslexia Awareness Month is celebrated throughout the month of October.

Did you know that Walt Disney was dyslexic? There are many famous people with dyslexia who are very successful. Just like Albert Einstein, Whoopi Goldberg and Tom Cruise, just to name a few. The International Dyslexia Association will be sharing stories from people living with dyslexia throughout the month. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Early screenings and intervention help to identify and support students who demonstrate reading challenges. It is important for our educators to make data informed decisions to drive their instructional practices. This year, across the Tri-town's, each elementary school is administering the DIBELS assessment and the RAN to help identify student's reading abilities.

Over the past few years, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has prioritized the importance of schools implementing reading programs aligned to the Science of Reading along with administering assessments. You can read more about the state's initiatives here.

To learn more information about dyslexia the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity has great information that defines dyslexia, along with answering frequently asked questions.

Halloween

It has been our tradition for many years to invite the students and staff to wear costumes to school on Halloween. On Thursday, October 31, the students and staff will have that opportunity once again. The choice to dress up is voluntary.

Students who choose to participate are reminded that they must not wear a costume that interferes with their ability to sit down in the classroom and cafeteria. Any type of costume that depicts violence will not be allowed. Props, masks, and large headwear will not be allowed. Appropriate footwear must be worn.

Feinstein Leadership Program

We will be participating in the Feinstein Leadership School program this year. The Feinstein Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) based in Cranston, Rhode Island, founded by Alan Shawn Feinstein in 1991 to recognize and encourage youngsters to do good deeds and be kind whenever possible. There are now over 600,000 children who have participated in the Feinstein Leadership School program and are recognized as Feinstein Jr. Scholars for promising to do good deeds to make our world a better place!

Each student (Junior Scholar) receives an identity card that gives them and their guests complimentary admission to prominent attractions throughout Southern New England. Tickets were sent home with students last week.

Each student will also receive a Golden Ticket. Each week, the Feinstein Foundation will select 5 Golden tickets. The winners will receive $5,000 for their school and $500 for the charity of their choice. You can find more information about this fantastic program at www.feinsteinfoundation.org.

How it works

Random drawing each Monday of 5 new Golden Ticket numbers -- announced on WPRI Channel 12 during their 4:30pm programming and shared the following day (Tuesdays) on the Feinstein Virtual Journal, Facebook.
Winning numbers are valid the week of their posting.
Jr. Scholars with a winning ticket number should notify their school/teacher immediately to claim their prizes!
Winning ticket must be in hand to claim prizes.

Prizes!

Winning schools receive a $5,000 grant!
Winning students receive the opportunity to gift a $500 grant to a non-profit of their choice, or to their school!

Student Absence Call in Procedure

It is important for us to know if your child will be absent from school. Please call 508-758-2521, Press 2 for the School Nurse, and leave a message by 8:30 AM. Thank you!

As part of our arrival procedures, if parents/guardians do not notify us of their child's absence, we will call you to ensure your child's safety.

Click for Arrival and Dismissal Information

District Calendar

Breakfast and Lunch Menus

Click here for Breakfast and Lunch Menus

Community Flyers

Please click here to view Community Flyers. All flyers are posted online on the linked community page

PTA Events and Information

-Sign up to be a part of the 2024-2025 Mattapoisett PTA! We are open to all teachers, staff, families, and the community. Dues to become a member are $10. Submit the form (and payment online for $0 processing fees) at bit.ly/3yRZcYC

-We have several open volunteer positions; become a member to help the PTA continue to support Center and OHS

-Please fill out a CORI form at Center or OHS (annually) to ensure you can volunteer in PTA or classroom events.