Dear Memorial Families,

I hope you had a great week! We certainly did here at school. The kids are full of energy and loving learning...we are certainly in the swing of things!

We officially flipped the switch to using our Raptor Technologies to screen visitors and keep track of who is in the building. Thank you to all of our "test subjects" who helped us work out the kinks. Just remember to bring your drivers license or state issued ID if you are coming to visit the school. As a side note, folks do not need to sign in when dismissing a student or dropping off a forgotten item.

I am happy to report that we had two candidates step forward for our two vacant School Council positions. Thank you to Lindsay Banks who will be doing another term with us and Corey Reishtein who will be joining us. They will serve for the next two years as parent representatives on the council.

While breakfast and lunch is available and free for all students, milk by itself is not free. If your child wishes to purchase milk, please check their account to make sure they have money in it.

Have a great weekend!

Best,

John

As part of the Department of Justice Project Safe Childhood Initiative aimed at combatting the online sexual exploitation of children, the US Attorney’s Office is hosting a virtual internet safety presentation for parents. The presentation will educate parents on the dangers children face on the internet and how to keep them safe online.

What: Webex Webinar – Keeping Children Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents

When: Wednesday, October 9th @ 6:30 pm (log in begins at 6:00 pm)

Registration link: https://usao.webex.com/weblink/register/r3c6f24c5e409d764c38ac82d069f700e

*Registration is required. Space is limited. The Webex platform has a maximum capacity of 1000 attendees. If you have any questions or if we have reached registration capacity, please email USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov to be put on a waitlist for the next presentation.

Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 are invited to signup up for the Savings Makes Sense program sponsored by Cape Ann Savings Bank. All registered students receive their own savings passbook, a banking bag, deposit tickets, and a piggy key chain. Cape Ann savings will match the initial $5 deposit. Each Tuesday morning, a representative from the bank will be in the Hub to receive deposits from registered students. The deposits will be made at the bank and an updated passbook returned to the student. Look for a sign up form to come home with your student this week.

We are very excited to welcome students back to Memorial. Here are a few important notes to get us all off to a good start:

Please look at our calendar below for updated end of year activities.

District Calendar is available on our website - Check out the newly published district calendar for 2024-2025: Calendar

Reminder - No phones or smart watches during school day

CORI requirements - We love having volunteers and mystery readers back in the building. Please note that all adults must have a completed CORI on file before filling volunteer or mystery reader positions and will not be admitted without one. Please plan to come in at least one week before your scheduled volunteer time to complete your paperwork. CORIs are good for 3 years. Please contact the office to see if yours is valid.

Absence, Late Arrival, and Early Dismissal:

Please plan to email your student's teacher, Nurse Morrissey (MorrisseyJ@mersd.org), and the office (schmidtm@mersd.org) with all attendance updates: Absence, Late Arrival, Early dismissal. This will allow us to coordinate with your teachers.

Students who need to be dismissed early, must be released to a parent or guardian from the main office. When possible, please notify the office and your child's teacher ahead of time. When you arrive for early dismissal, your student will be called from the classroom. Please be prepared to show your ID if we are not familiar with you.

2024-2025 Calendar

October

2 - Parent Movie - Screenagers Memorial Gym 6:15pm UPDATED DATE/TIME

9 - Webex Webinar – Keeping Children Safe and Secure Online

14 – Holiday, No School

23 - Early Release, PD 11:45 am

29 -30 – Spring Book Fair

November

8 - Early Release, PD 11:45 am

11 – Veteran’s Day, No School

18 – Author Visit Hena Khan

27 – Early Release, 11:45 am

28-29 – Thanksgiving Recess No School

December

5 - Early Release, K-8 Conferences, 11:45am

6 – K-8 Conferences, No School

11 - Early Release, PD 11:45am

Winter Recess December 23-January 3: No School

MCAS Testing Windows - Please be mindful when planning family absences

ELA Testing Window - March 24 - April 18

Mathematics Testing Window - April 28 - May 23

STE Testing Window -April 28 - May 23

Date: September, 23
Time:8:45am
Location: First Floor Multi Purpose Room

Hope to see you there!

Room Parent

We still need Room Parent Volunteers for First and Third Grade. Please email mmptopres@gmail.com to support your class!

Room Parent Volunteers play an essential role that connects classroom teachers, families, and our dynamic Parent Teacher Organization (PTO.) Together, we cultivate strong communities focused on enriching every student's learning adventure.

There are typically TWO Room Parents for each class. Responsibilities may include:

· Periodically distributing PTO information via email to parents in the class for which you volunteer

· Acting as the contact parent for the classroom teacher

· Assisting the teacher and coordinating volunteers for special projects/events

· Organizing class gifts at holiday time and year end

· Arranging a family meetup / playdate to strengthen grade community

FAMILY EVENT COORDINATORS

Family Event Coordinators for our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), work to build our community by collaborating on exciting, inclusive activities designed to engage students and their loved ones alike. Our core mission revolves around organizing one to two memorable events per school semester—such as Bingo Nights, Messy Art Evenings, and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Extravaganzas—that cater to diverse interests while nurturing an enriching atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.

We encourage parents from every grade level to actively participate, ideally having at least one dedicated representative for each grade. By doing so, we can capitalize upon unique perspectives, talents, and insights that contribute towards creating truly exceptional experiences.

WHAT DO I DO:

If you are interested in volunteering, please send the below information to mmptopres@gmail.com SUBJECT: Interest in Room Parent Position; Interest in Family Event Coordinator Position

· Your name:

· Your child’s name, grade and teacher:

· Your preferred email address and phone number:

· Have you been a room parent before? If so, which year(s)?

Please let me know if you have any questions. As assignments are made, I'll be in touch with further information and next steps.

Best,
Lisa Watkins

MERSD elementary students now have access to the iReady "My Path" program at home. This aspect of iReady is an online tool that provides students with learning activities and practice geared towards their individual skills and needs. Below you will find information regarding accessing this tool at home for extra skill practice in reading and mathematics.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qhiOnoPCkyzwb8HLql0PdEgwNC_tiKcN/view

MANCHESTER LIBRARY EVENT

Coral Reef Craft at Manchester Public Library

Tuesday, September 24, 4-5:30 p.m.

Ages 8 and up

JOIN US

For a free screening of the new documentary film Screenagers: Elementary School Edition

WHO:

Parents, Educators, and Elementary Students

WHAT:

Screenagers: Elementary School Edition, the latest film in the Screenagers series, addresses issues that elementary school-aged kids, parents, and educators are facing:

• Smartphones and smartwatches in class

• Unhooking from and monitoring video gaming

• Social media pressures

• Exposure too young

• Research around healthy amounts of screen time

WHEN:

Oct. 2, 2024 @ 6:15pm

The film is 54 mins long.

WHERE:

Manchester Memorial Elementary, Gymnasium

WHY:

This new version of the original Screenagers movie addresses issues that elementary school aged kids, parents and educators are facing, i.e., smartwatches in class, unhooking from and monitoring video gaming, social media pressures, exposure too young and what research shows is a healthy amount of screen time. With many solutions to these and other challenges. Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition, is an essential watch for all those looking to address and support mental wellbeing in the digital age.

HOW MUCH:

IT'S FREE

(small donations are gladly accepted to cover the licensing fee)

Manchester-Essex Travel Basketball Grades 5-8 registration for the 2024-2025 is now open. For more information and to register please visit www.MEtravelbasketball.com

• Mobile Markets will then run from 2:30-3:30pm through January on the first Wednesday of each month.
• Mobile Market will run on an early release schedule of 11am-12:15pm on the first Wednesday of each month in February, March, May, and June.