The Brown School Buzz

Welcome back to our first, second, and third grade families, and welcome aboard to our new Kindergarten and Preschool Families! Even though we haven't yet had our first official day of school yet, the Brown School has been very much alive. Teachers and staff members have in classrooms getting ready for children and families to start a new year. Many families stopped by yesterday to meet teachers and see their new classrooms. Our first second and third grade families climbed the stairs to the new classrooms, while our Preschoolers made their way to their classrooms and made some new friends. There was a lot of excitement and many smiles, and I could not be more excited to start the new year together. That said, it is not lost on me that some of our students might be feeling a little anxious about starting a new year. Shifting from summer schedules to school schedules can be challenging for all of us. Read on for tips from the National PTA organization for ways to help make your child feel positive about starting a new year.

We are all looking forward to a great year together. And remember, we are here to help, so please reach out if we can support you or your child in any way.

If your child is feeling a little anxious about a new teacher, classroom, or school. The National PTA has some great advice for helping your child feel ease the stress of a new school year and start on a positive note:

• Re-assure your child. Listen to and acknowledge your child’s feelings and demonstrate confidence that they can handle the situation. Encourage your children to talk openly with you and with teachers about concerns or worries they may have
• Point out the positives. Starting a new school year can be fun. Your child will see old friends and meet new ones. The first week of school offers a chance to learn about new things and pursue interests. Reinforce the fun and excitement of learning with your child
• Prepare ahead and start a routine. Start preparing your child for the upcoming school year by establishing or getting into back-to-school routines a week or two before school starts. Have your child pick out the clothes he or she plans to wear to school the next day. Encourage everyone in the house to go to bed early and get up 15 to 30 minutes earlier so they’re not rushing around in the morning. Allow enough time for a good breakfast, and make arrangements for your child’s lunch. During the first week of school, find out if any additional materials are requested (pencils, folders, etc.) and remember that your school, local nonprofit groups and PTAs often can help with providing school supplies
• Encourage safe traveling to and from school. Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your youngster can walk or bike to school, or ride with on the bus. Briefly review the basics of safe walking and biking. If you feel it is appropriate, drive your child (or walk with him) to school and pick him up on the first day.
• Plan for special needs. If your child requires medication, treatment or has special needs, talk to the school administrative staff, then talk to your child about how those needs will be handled at school (what time to go to the office for medication or what foods in the cafeteria to avoid, etc.)
• Prepare for emergency situations. What should your child do if you are late picking her up, or if no one is at the house when she arrives home? What should your child do if he feels picked on while at recess? Talking in advance with your child and having a plan will help minimize panic and stress.

We are happy to introduce Matt Manfredi as the new Assistant Principal at the Brown School.

Mr. Matt Manfredi holds a Bachelor's Degree graduate from Roger Williams College and a Master of Education degree from Endicott College. He comes to us with experience as a special education teacher, Assistant Principal, and Special Education Team Chairperson. Matt has had extensive experience developing programs and supports for students with challenging behaviors. He is very excited to be joining the Brown School Team and looks forward to helping us develop our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support model for Social Emotional Learning. He is also looking forward to meeting all of you, so please join me in welcoming Mr. Manfredi to the Brown School Community.

Marblehead is known for many wonderful things, unfortunately, seamless and efficient traffic flow during the school arrival and dismissal times is not one of them. :-) Traffic actually flows quite well, however, it does take some time for us all to navigate the narrow streets and roads when we are all traveling at the same time of day. You will find that the morning drop off is fairly efficient because the arrivals are a bit staggered. The end of the day is much more challenging as everyone is being dismissed at the same time. Coordinating busses, car riders, walkers, cyclists, and after school programs to assure the safety of 450 children is a tall order. We would ask everyone to please be patient, be kind and allow for extra time, especially the first week.

ARRIVAL

7:45-Doors open for Breakfast Students

7:55-Carline is supervised and begins

7:55-8:05-Playground is supervised for grades 1-3

8:05-8:14-Bell Rings and students arrive in classrooms

8:15-Late Bell Rings

*Some notes about arrival:

• The recess time before school is for grades 1-3. Kindergarteners are introduced to this recess time later in the year
• Arriving in the classroom between 8:05-8:12 is great! When students arrive close to 8:15, it can be challenging for them to manage their gear, locker and get to class in a timely manner.
• PK and K families will want to check with your classroom teachers on the best door to enter in the morning.
• CARLINE- Please move slowly, let children out of the car only on the passenger side, be patient and please, no phones while driving on our school campus.

DISMISSAL:

2:00-PK Dismissal

2:25-Kindergarten Dismissal begins

2:30-Grades 1-3 Dismissal

*Some notes about Dismissal

• The MAIN DOORS facing Baldwin Road are used to dismiss walkers who are independent and for those who are meeting a parent/care provider
• The WEST EXIT facing Dartmouth Road may only be used for students who are independently walking. We can't allow care providers to congregate on the West side of the building as we need to keep the Carline students safe.
• PK and K families will want to check with your classroom teachers on the best door for dismissal
• CARLINE- Please move slowly, let children in the vehicle only on the passenger side, be patient and please, no phones while driving on our school campus.

Thank you all for your support as we do our very best to keep everyone safe.

There are many positions across the District we are still trying to fill. If you, or someone you know is interested in working for the Marblehead School District, please reach out to Human Resources. Currently we have openings at the Brown School for a Special Education Tutor, a Reading Tutor, and a Recess Supervisor. CLICK HERE for EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

We are also in need of Substitutes. Please consider being a substitute at the Brown School for 1 or more days a week. You can name your days! Reach out to Human Resources for more information on how to become a substitute at the Brown School!

Tuesday, September 3-FIRST DAY FOR GRADES 1-3

Tuesday, September 3-Kindergarten Orientation 9:00-10:00 Am in the Cafe

Wednesday, September 25-PICTURE DAY

Thursday, September 26-OPEN HOUSE

Thursday/Friday October 3 and 4-NO SCHOOL-Rosh Hashanah

Thursday, October 10-PTO Meeting-8:30 AM in the Cafe

Monday, October 14-NO SCHOOL-Indigenous People's Day

Thursday, October 19-School Committee Meeting-MHS

Friday, October 18-Monster Mash

Email: maxfield.mary@marbleheadschools.org
Website: https://www.marbleheadschools.org
Location: 40-41 Baldwin Road, Marblehead, MA, USA
Phone: (781) 639-3112