Bresnahan Weekly Wednesday
February 28th, 2024
MCAS Dates
Below are the scheduled dates for our 3rd Grade MCAS assessments:
ELA - Tues 4/9 and Wed 4/10 (Make up dates on 4/11 &12)
Math - Tues 5/14 and Wed 5/15 (make up dates on 5/16 &17)
Mid-Year Data Update
At the end of January, we wrapped up our mid-year data assessments for grades K-3. Interventionists have used this current data to adjust groupings, identify new students, and tailor their lessons to meet the needs of their students. Below are some key takeaways from the data:
i-Ready math mid-year data
48% of students in Grades K-3 are on or above grade level this compares to 19% from the beginning of the year data.
72% of our Kindergarten students are early on, mid, or above grade level compared to 32% at the beginning of the year
3% of students are 2 or more grade levels below compared to 13% based on the beginning of the year data.
DIBELS mid-year data
68% of our K students are at or above benchmark in foundational reading skills compared to 39% at the beginning of the year
As a school 59% of students were at or above benchmark at the beginning of the year, compared to 68% at mid year
New data shows a decrease from 21% to 16% of students significantly at risk in foundational reading skills
Book Character Parade
We are about to kick off our Clipper Read-a-thon! More details will be coming from the PTO soon. To celebrate, there will be an outdoor Book Character Parade on Friday 3/29 at 8:35 am! Parents and guardians are invited to attend. Students will exit door 1, parade outside along the sidewalk and re-enter the building through door 4. We will start with our Grade 3 students and finish with preschool. Parents and guardians, please stand behind cones set up along the sidewalk.
School Safety Reminders
Bike Safety
If your child rides a bicycle—that’s great! Bike riding is fun and it can give your child a sense of independence. Here are a few important reminders to hep keep your child safe:
Kids younger than 10 years should ride on the sidewalk and avoid the street and walk bike across any crosswalks.
Have your child wear a helmet every time they ride a bike—no exceptions.
Teach your child the rules of the road to keep them safe while riding to and from school.
Make sure your child’s bike is kept in good working order.
Crosswalk Safety
If there is a crossing guard, we are encouraging our families to teach your child to wait until the crossing guard has given kids the go-ahead or is escorting a group across the road. Tell your child that it is never safe to cross the road without the right-of-way, even if there appear to be no approaching vehicles. Please only cross at crosswalks from the parking lot to the sidewalk regardless if there is a crossing guard on duty.
Please support our staff's efforts to keep the crosswalks and sidewalks safe!
STEAM FAIR Volunteers needed
Do you have experience related to science, technology, engineering, art or math? Are you looking for an opportunity to share your knowledge with Bresnahan students? If so, the STEAM Expo is your chance!
The 2024 Bresnahan STEAM Expo will be Thursday May 23, 2024 (8-1:30). Exhibitors will run 4, 12-minute sessions per grade level. If you’d like to exhibit, please fill out this google form. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Sokolowski (jsokolowski@newburyport.k12.ma.us).
Clipper Courses
Our second session of Clipper Courses will end the week of March 4th (next week)! Please be sure to update your School Dismissal Manager as needed. Our third session will begin the week of April 1st and end the week of May 27th. Registration will be sent out on March 18th.
Reminder - Mitten Drive
The 3rd Grade leadership club is collecting mittens and gloves for students in our school who may arrive at school and not have mittens for a cold recess or outdoor PE class. The students created posters (with LOTS of love and pride) that are hanging in the hallways. If you would like to donate, you can drop off mittens at the Bresnahan. We are so proud of our 3rd grade leaders.
Mark Your Calendar! NPS International Cultural Festival
The Newburyport Public Schools International Cultural Festival will be held on Wednesday, March 6th, from 6:30PM to 8:30PM at Newburyport High School! We invite all members of our community, young, old and in between to come and enjoy the displays, workshops, art exhibits, foods and live performances. Bresnahan student artwork from Cultural Arts class will be on display! NHS students will run a multicultural reading circle and world crafts table for students from the Bresnahan to participate from 6:30 to 7:30. Please reach out to Tran Jost (tjost@newburyport.k12.ma.us) with any questions.
Lost and Found
We are cleaning out our Lost and Found this week! Please pick up your items by this Friday. All remaining items will be donated.
Therapeutic Rec Carnival
NBPT Rec is thrilled to invite families to join us for our first Therapeutic Rec Carnival (indoors). Feel free to invite others as well, people do not need to have a child with special needs, but must be respectful of all who attend.
Does your child have an IEP, 504, physical disability, anxiety or is just wired differently? Come Join us!
Saturday, March 30th 1-4pm at the Bresnahan School.
This is a family event, supervision is not provided. In addition to carnival games, a dance party, snacks and treats we have a number of community resources and partners on hand as well. On hand will be some local practitioners, as well as SEPAC, NBPT Schools Special Ed representatives, NBPT Rec and more!
The space will be divided with games and music in the gym and a quitter area with snacks and treats in the cafeteria. In there we will have a “chill zone” for anyone who needs to take a break.
All the games should be accessible to all with the exception of one inflatable bounce activity. The event is Free however, snacks will be sold. You are welcome to bring your children’s “safe” treats with you.
If your child may need any specific accommodations, please contact us prior. Email Joe Pauline, Rec Director, JPauline@cityofnewburyport.com.
PTO Updates
March PTO Meeting
March PTO Meeting will be at the Bresnahan Library on March 14th 7-8.
PTO Clipper Read-a-thon!
The PTO Clipper Read-a-thon starts on March 15th and we need volunteers to help us organize the events! There are so many ways you can get involved, and here are some examples: digital (video/flyers) creators, community outreach, marketing, graphic design, library campout organizer, reader volunteer coordinator, event organizers, crafty creations, etc. If you are interested in volunteering, please email us at newburyportpto@gmail.com.
PTO Parents’ Night Out
Mark your calendars for our first PTO Adult Social/Opportunity Night on Thursday, March 7th 6-9PM @ Virtue Jewelers and Charleston and Coco. Prepare to be dazzled by one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces including the raffle for a $2,500 diamond pendant, a $5,000 diamond tennis bracelet and a $500 goift card to Charleston & Coco. Charleston & Coco, and Virtue Jewelers have extended their hours and opened their stores to celebrate and support the PTO. The evening will feature live music, drinks, light