Weekly Wednesday

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

11/5 - Early Release - Preschool/PreK at 11:15 & Kindergarten - Grade 3 at 11:40

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

11/8 - Honoring Veterans 8:45 - 9:15 (More information below)

11/11 - No School (Veterans Day)

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

11/27 - Early Release - Preschool/PreK at 11:15 & Kindergarten - Grade 3 at 11:40

11/28 & 11/29 - No School (Thanksgiving Break)

Bresnahan is an allergy sensitive school, meaning we work to assure we are aware and plan regarding student allergies, and assure staff are trained in prevention, mitigation, and emergency response. Peanut and nut products continue to be the most prevalent allergens, and pose the greatest danger. When students consume even a trace amount of the allergen they are at risk for anaphylaxis, a potentially life- threatening allergic reaction. Strict avoidance is the best way to provide a safe environment.

In order to provide a safe learning environment for all our students throughout the year, we need your help. For this reason, we are asking that you do not send your child to school with snacks or lunch items that contain any peanuts or tree nuts.

Before sending in any food to be eaten in the classroom (snacks) or cafeteria, please do the following:

• Read the product label—do not send in foods that list nuts or peanuts as an ingredient or possible ingredient.
• Send foods in their original packages or attach the ingredient label to the outside of a sealed package (ask your child to bring the labels home so they can be reused). Home baked goods should not be given for snack but can be consumed at lunch.
• Please remind your child not to share snacks or lunches. Although sharing is well intended by your child, it could have serious consequences. Sharing of food is not promoted at the Bresnahan School.

This information is also located in our Student and Families Handbook

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Weather in Massachusetts is unpredictable. It can be frigid one day and warm the next. There can be snow one day followed by rain and mud. Please check the weather prior to arriving at school and send your student to school with weather appropriate clothing,outerwear and footwear.

Extra set of clothes for students to be kept in their locker

Please send in an extra set of clothes for your student to be kept in their locker or cubby, regardless of their grade. This will allow them to change from clothes that might have become wet or muddy so they can stay comfortable and ready to learn. Please include socks in this set of clothing, as these are frequently requested items.

Clothing donations needed

We have a high need for the following clothing in all genders.

• PANTS in sizes small, medium, large

• LONG SLEEVE TOPS AND SWEATSHIRTS, size small

• SOCKS, all sizes.

There will be a bin located outside of the Main Office at Door 1 labeled “clothing donations” through November. There will also be a bin outside the nurse’s office so students can drop off donations.

Please be sure all donations are washed. If your student borrows clothing from the nurse’s office, please wash and return it so it is available for another student.

Thank you,

Nurse Valerie and Nurse Michelle

Students have begun earning tokens for the NEF Book Vending Machine. For the first term, students will work on completing a level in Lexia, one of our digital literacy resources. Every Friday we announce the students who have earned a token and they come to use the vending machine. This has been a lot of fun! Students are filled with joy and wonder as they choose a book. They engage in turn taking and cooperation while using the vending machine in a group of peers. One frequently asked question is, “Do I get to keep this book?” The answer is YES! Thanks to the NEF we are excited to gift these books to students. “You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book!” – Dr. Seuss.

As a small French Bulldog puppy from Gloucester, MA, Ivy entered the lives of Maureen and Chris Harrington as a birthday present for Chris’s 30th birthday. Never did they imagine the love and joy that their new puppy would bring into their lives, and they would soon come to find out that she would also teach them some of the most important lessons in life.

Ivy is a sweet French Bulldog who was diagnosed with a disease that left her back legs paralyzed called Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Although she had to make some adjustments to her new way of living, she never let that hold her back from living her life to the fullest! Ivy continues to show children and adults alike that although life comes with setbacks, they only make us stronger when we find our inner strength. For additional information, please visit Ivy's website. https://www.ivysbook.com/

This past week I have been teaching a lesson about hurricanes and Hurricane Helene to K-3 students. Students made art to cheer up people in North Carolina who are staying in community centers because of Hurricane Helene. Through a community connection, the art will be sent to a FEMA team in North Carolina.

• 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.

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:

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

Saturday, Nov 9: Newburyport Education Foundation Auction Event

Wednesday, Nov 13: Monthly PTO meeting 6:30 pm Bresnahan School Library

PTO Election Day Bake Sale Fundraiser. Help our 8th Graders Get to Philadelphia!:

All proceeds of the Election Day Bake Sale will be dedicated as scholarship funds for the 8th grade Philadelphia trip. We have some volunteer slots and baked good items still needed, sign up here and be part of 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/#auctionform

Coming Soon: PTO Holiday Spirit Wear Sale and Holiday Raffle Calendar!

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.

THANK YOU! To all the families that attended and the amazing volunteers that made the Fall Festival possible. A special shout out to the Bresnahan Parent Reps - Kate Umbro, Corey Wainwright, Claire Contrada, and Christy Teel - who flawlessly planned and executed the event. A major thank you to Mrs. Harding and Mr. R-M for always being there to support our students. It’s the little things, like seeing their educators show up, that turn into big things—helping kids feel loved and making school a place they truly enjoy.

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