McGovern News

It was great to see so many families at Back to School Night last night. We are grateful for your partnership and are looking forward to a great year ahead. If you were unable to attend, your child's teacher will send home the slides so you can view what was discussed. You can fnd a video from me which covers important highlights for families here.

It's hard to believe that next week marks the end of September! It has been a joy getting to know your children and watching them settle into the new school year. As a reminder, there is no school on Thursday, October 3rd, in observance of Rosh Hashanah. There is also no school on Monday, October 14th in observance of Indigenous People's Day.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions. Have a great weekend and please read below for important information and updates.

Best,

Amy McDonald, Principal

Each class is given a color and class t-shirts are an elementary tradition. Class t-shirts are used for building class community, special event theme days, field day and field trips. Our goal is that every child at both elementary schools has a t-shirt. We do not want any child to feel left out on these special days.

The cost of the shirt is $6. We will collect payment through the office, cash or check (check made payable to McGovern Student Activities)

Please complete this survey by Friday, October 11th so we can place our order promptly.

Even if you are not ordering a shirt please fill out the Google form below. If you have any questions please call the main office at 508-533-6626.

We are excited to share that solar panels are going to be installed at McGovern. This project is projected to start soon and will be ongoing over the next few months. The staging area will be behind the building and there will be little impact to the school.

We are also happy to share that four air units with separate settings for air conditioning and heat have been ordered for the cafeteria. Next month, the district's facilities team will work to install them during times to insure minimal disruption to your child's school day

If you plan on volunteering at McGovern this school year, you must complete the online Volunteer Training, linked below. Please fill out this Volunteer Sign-Off Form agreeing that you have completed the training. In addition, you will need an updated CORI on file in the office.

If you intend to be a mystery reader, you do not need to complete the training or a CORI

Thanks to the Massachusetts state legislature all Medway Public School students receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day this school year.

The USDA and Massachusetts DESE define a free breakfast or lunch as a "reimbursable meal". A reimbursable meal consists of 5 components (A meat or meat alternate, a fruit, a vegetable, a whole grain and a milk), and a student must choose at least three components and one of the three chosen must be a fruit or vegetable in order for it to be considered as a reimbursable meal.

Our food services team must account for each individual student's meal so that the district will be reimbursed for the meals served. Each student is assigned a personal identification number (PIN) in accordance with the state requirement. These PINs remain with the student for their entire Medway Public School experience.

On Monday September 30th a paper assigning your child's PIN will be sent home in their backpack.

As we move through October, there are several important awareness initiatives and cultural heritage observances taking place. These events highlight critical social issues and celebrate the diverse histories and contributions of various communities. While not all of these topics are discussed in detail at school, we share this information to keep you informed and aware. Here’s a brief overview of some of the key recognitions this month:

National Disability Awareness Month
This observance promotes understanding, inclusion, and awareness of the contributions, challenges, and rights of individuals with disabilities, advocating for accessibility and equity.

Breast Cancer Awareness

Dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer, this observance promotes early detection, supports those affected, and funds research for a cure.

Bullying Prevention
Focused on addressing the impact of bullying, this awareness initiative promotes kindness, inclusion, and respect in schools and communities.

Domestic Violence Awareness
Highlighting the issue of domestic violence, this observance supports survivors, raises awareness to prevent abuse, and advocates for healthy, safe relationships.

Filipino-American Heritage
A celebration of the rich history, culture, and contributions of Filipino-Americans, recognizing their impact on the United States.

German-American Heritage
Honoring the influence of German-Americans, this heritage celebration acknowledges their cultural legacy and contributions to American society.

Italian American Heritage
A celebration of Italian-American culture, recognizing the diverse contributions and rich history of Italian immigrants in the United States.

LGBTQIA+ History
Recognizing the history, achievements, and contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities, this observance promotes inclusion and equality.

Polish-American Heritage
Highlighting the history, culture, and contributions of Polish-Americans, this celebration honors their rich traditions and impact on the nation.

Rosh Hashanah is begins at sundown on October 2 and ends at nightfall on October 4. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time of reflection, prayer, and renewal. It marks the beginning of the High Holy Days and is celebrated with the blowing of the shofar (ram’s horn), festive meals, and traditions that symbolize hope for a sweet and prosperous new year.

World Mental Health Day is on October 10th and is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health issues, promoting mental well-being, and advocating for better mental health care worldwide. It serves as a reminder of the importance of taking care of our mental health and supporting those who are affected by mental health challenges.

Yom Kippur begins at sunset on October 11 and ends at nightfall on October 12th. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It is a day of fasting, prayer, and reflection, where individuals seek forgiveness and commit to personal growth in the year ahead. Many observe this day with extended synagogue services and periods of introspection.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is on October 14th and celebrates the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous peoples while recognizing the injustices they have endured. This day encourages education and awareness, promoting understanding and reconciliation to honor Indigenous rights and heritage in today’s society.

Dussehra, also known as Durga Puja or Vijaya Dashami, celebrates the victory of goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The festival features vibrant processions, cultural performances, and the immersion of Durga idols, particularly celebrated in West Bengal and other regions of India. Dussehra is celebrated on October 24th.

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a major Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It involves lighting oil lamps (diyas), decorating homes, exchanging gifts, and enjoying festive meals with family and friends. The festival symbolizes hope, renewal, and the victory of knowledge and wisdom, making it a time of joy and celebration for millions around the world. Diwali begins on October 31st and ends on November 1st.

Halloween is a festive celebration marked by costumes, trick-or-treating, and creative decorations. Originating from ancient Celtic traditions, it has evolved into a day when children and adults alike embrace the spirit of fun and fright. Popular activities include carving pumpkins, attending costume parties, and exploring haunted attractions, all centered around themes of mystery and excitement. Halloween is celebrated on October 31st.

These observances and celebrations help educate our community, promote awareness, and celebrate cultural diversity. If I have unintentionally omitted a celebration or holiday, please let me know.

As a school our teachers have been provided the opportunity to participate in research study to help us learn about Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD). SRSD helps students become strong writers. SRSDOnline with Providence College is offering support to school leaders and teachers to teach SRSD in the classroom.

McGovern School is part of a research study to look at how well SRSD supports teacher​s’​ writing instruction and writing, academic achievement, and writing attitudes for students in Grades 1 through 5. The study is taking place during the 2024-2025 school year. American Institutes for Research (AIR), a non-profit research organization, is leading the study. The study is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. All students in your child’s class are invited to be part of the study.

This research study is part of our partnership that focuses on developing students' writing skills using the self-regulated skill development (SRSD) method. This instructional framework has been in use for over thirty years and many schools are now adopting it as their primary approach to teaching writing. Twice this the school year, teachers will collect writing samples from students, who will also be asked to participate in surveys in the fall and spring. The information gathered will help us understand students' attitudes towards writing. In addition to writing samples and surveys, some classes will participate in classroom video observations, and we will also collect and securely store students' demographic information. The goal is to examine the impact of these practices on the development of students' writing skills.

Over the last few years, our school has focused on the Science of Reading, reading instruction and assessment. We are excited to focus more time and professional development on writing. To assist with this initiative, we have partnered with Providence College for the next two years. There are two parts integral to the study: the research study and professional development. Providence College will provide professional development in collaboration with our literacy specialists to support our instructional approach. In the first year, 2024-2025, the focus will be on grades 3-5, and next year, the focus will shift to grades K-2. Right now, grades K-2 are part of the research and next year we will receive more training.

For the research aspect of the study, we will collect writing samples twice a year. Student names will not be collected, and instead, each student will be assigned a unique number. Student information will be solely used for the research study and not shared elsewhere. However, you have the option to exclude your student's work samples from the study if you wish. If you want to opt out, please fill out the form linked here. The deadline to submit the Opt-out form is October 4th, 2024. The student work that is collected is crucial for the improvement of writing practices and the enhancement of our students' writing skills.

If you have any further questions about the collection of student’s work, please reach out directly to Mrs. Shelby Holt sholt@medwayschools.org who is responsible for managing the student data for this project.

We have completed our beginning-of-year testing, which provides valuable insights into each child's strengths and areas for growth. This information is essential for differentiating instruction to meet the unique needs of every learner. Parent reports will be sent home on Friday, October 4, 2024, via backpacks.

Please note that sub-tests are prioritized differently throughout the year. It’s also important to recognize that, particularly at the beginning of the year, this testing format may be new for your child, especially in kindergarten. If you see a score that you weren’t expecting, please don’t panic; it’s common for children to take time to adjust to new assessments. If you have any questions about your child's score or need assistance interpreting the results, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher.

Please remember that approximately twice a month there are no preschool classes as it is an "Arena day". This is when we complete assessments for students in an IEP evaluation cycle, hold IEP meetings, and/or conduct training. Upcoming arena days are:

• October 18
• November 1
• November 15
• December 6
• January 10
• January 24
• February 7
• March 7
• March 21
• April 4
• May 2
• May 23
• June 6

The Fall SCHOLASTIC Book Fair is coming to McGovern!

Monday, October 21st to Friday, October 25th

Students will visit the book fair during their library time.

• Students will get a chance to browse, read, and buy amazing books!

• Books can be purchased with cash, eWallet, or check.

• We do recommend the setting up of an eWallet to make the book fair easier for teachers and students.* Directions for setting up an eWallet can be found by scanning the QR code below.

• If you are sending your child in with physical money for the book fair please send it in a ziplock bag and label it with their first and last name as well as their teacher’s name.

• Please account for Sales Tax when sending your child in with money or setting up an E-Wallet.

• Parents and guardians can shop online and have items shipped directly to them too. There is free shipping on all book orders over $25.

• Please email Mat Holt at McGovern MHolt@medwayschools.org if you have any questions.

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/mcgovern

*Please note that any money you put onto an e-wallet is considered store credit. Any remaining funds will be turned into a Scholastic Gift Card and non-refundable.

Picture day for McGovern School is on Friday October 11th, with a make up day on October 22nd. Flyers have been sent home. You can scan the QR code below to learn more about Geskus' packages and pricing. If you have any questions please reach out to Mrs. Rice in the main office.

We welcome all students and staff to participate in the following special Theme Days we have coming up:

Special Dates:

October 4th - Football Team Day

October 31st - Wear Orange & Black Day

November 1st - Cozy / PJ Day

Tuesday, October 8, 2024 - 8:35 a.m.

**rain date - Thursday, October 10, 2024 - 8:35 a.m.**

______________________________________________________________________

All McGovern students (Preschool through 1st grade) are welcome to celebrate "International Walk to School Day" on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 (rain date is Thursday, October 10, 2024). We have been participating in this event for over 10 years which was created in 1997 by SafeRoutes to School. The goal of the event is to help promote healthier habits, a cleaner environment, pedestrian safety, and a number of other community benefits such as less traffic and improved accessibility for all students. Please read below for grade-specific information on how the event will run.

Kindergarten and 1st grade: McGovern students can either be dropped off at the VFW by their family or by their bus at 8:35. Alongside many staff members and any family members that want to join, students will walk the half mile to school! To help ensure the students’ safety, Medway Police Department will be on hand to assist with crossing Holliston Street in two different places.

Preschool students and families….you will be participating in your own “Mini'' Walk to School Day! You or your child’s bus will drop them off at the top of the McGovern driveway and then the preschool students will walk to school as a class with their teachers. The Medway Police Department will also be posted at the McGovern crosswalk to ensure the safety of the Preschool students being unloaded and walking down the driveway to the school.

Please fill out the Google Permission Form below for each McGovern student in your household by Wednesday, October 2, 2024, even if you are choosing to not have your them participate in the walk. This way we will be able to keep track of all students.

Children need healthy meals to learn. Medway Public Schools offers healthy meals every school day. As you may know, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, through the recent passage of the state budget, will again allow local districts to provide breakfast and lunch for all students at no cost.

However, families who submit an application for free or reduced lunch which is approved based on income guidelines may qualify for discounts on specified school fees, including but not limited to athletic fees, transportation fees, and preschool tuition. A district cover letter, the application and instructions can be found here.

Medway Schools is inviting our parents/guardians to participate in a community book read of The Anxious Generation, a book that explains how a generational decrease in youth free play and an increase in mobile device use has sparked a child mental health crisis. It also offers parents/guardians practical strategies about how to flip the script to improve youth mental well-being. Thanks to the support of the Medway Foundation For Education, free books are being provided to community members. To request one or more books, please complete this form.

The book read will take place now until November 30 and will culminate with a panel discussion on December 4 at 6:30 PM at Medway Middle School that will feature Dr. Peter Gray, who is spotlighted in the book. To register for this event, please click here.

Fall Brochure

We are delighted to share our latest program offerings with the Medway community, as well as with our neighbors in nearby communities! It is time to celebrate autumn with friends and families - join a sports program or gather with friends for a fun night of crafts, wellness and laughs. Many new programs are offered, plus our popular all-time favorites!

The fall brochure may be viewed here with registration access to Arbiter using the following links - Youth & Teen Programs and Adult Programs. Registrants may use the UniPay link for program payment. Questions with registering? Please contact Community Education at communityed@medwayschools.org or call 508-533-3222 option 4.

After School Programs - W.I.N. Support & Enrichment

We look forward to sharing exciting plans with families for fall programming within our schools. Additional details to follow include Academic Support programs beginning the week of October 8; Enrichment programs beginning the week of October 21; Early Release Day programs on October 23, November 20 and December 11; 4th Grade Musical Instrument Lessons, start date to be determined.

MEPTO is our Medway Education Parent Teacher Organization. Please click on the link below for their newsletter.

Please read the 2024-2025 Elementary School Handbook as it has important information for both McGovern and Memorial Schools.

As you may know, numerous cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, better known as EEE, a virus spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, have been detected in Massachusetts. Currently, Medway is considered “low risk” for EEE transmission, as indicated on this map, but there are still precautions you can take, which are described here. We will be in regular contact with Medway’s Board of Health, and if advised, we may take additional precautions, which may include changes to athletic schedules if Medway’s transmission risk increases.

As a reminder to all families, when picking up your child, you will need to bring your license or identification with you to the main office. Not only is this for safety reasons, but we also have new staff in the front office. Please understand that you will be asked to retrieve your ID from your car if you forget to bring it in. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Under the National School Lunch Program, the USDA and the State of Massachusetts reimburse the school district for the cost of the meals served. Students must take three of the components with at least one component being a fruit, in order for the meal to be reimbursable.

Any item separate from these three component meals, such as a single milk, must be paid for by the student. Students will be charged to their school accounts by using their personalized pin numbers. Please find a resource below for setting up your account if you have not already done so.

To create a MySchoolBucks account to conveniently and securely add money to your student’s meal account online or with the mobile app.

With MySchoolBucks you’ll be able to view cafeteria purchases, check your student’s balance, receive low balance alerts and pay for school milk or ala carte items.

from anywhere!

1. Go to myschoolbucks.com or download the mobile app
2. Create your free account and add your students using their school name / student ID
3. Add funds using your credit / debit card or electronic check
   Note: For each transaction, you will be charged a program fee of $2.75 if using a credit or debit card and $2.49 if paying by electronic check.
4. Set up automatic payments and never forget to send in lunch money again.

We appreciate you using this online option as a way to help reduce the amount of physical cash and check handling that would typically happen in the serving line.

If you need assistance with your account, or need help accessing your student's ID number, Please contact our Director of Dining Services, Shawn Fallon, at sfallon@medwayschools.org

In partnership with Medway’s Department of Public Health, we will be hosting a flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Burke-Memorial School cafeteria on October 7th from 3-6 PM. Pre-registration is required and can be completed here.

A copy of the approved 2024-2025 school year calendar can be found here.

Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:

1. Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
2. 2. Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.

English

To open the SMORE newsletter, click on the link above. Then, to translate the SMORE newsletter, click on the “Translate” button at the top of the page. Use the drop-down menu to select your language. The newsletter will then be translated.

Portuguese

Para abrir a newsletter SMORE, clique no link acima. Em seguida, para traduzir a newsletter SMORE, clique no botão “Traduzir” no topo da página. Use o menu suspenso para selecionar seu idioma. O boletim informativo será então traduzido.

Spanish

Para abrir el boletín SMORE, haga clic en el enlace de arriba. Luego, para traducir el boletín SMORE, haga clic en el botón "Traducir" en la parte superior de la página. Utilice el menú desplegable para seleccionar su idioma. Luego se traducirá el boletín.

Arabic

لفتح النشرة الإخبارية SMORE، انقر على الرابط أعلاه. وبعد ذلك، لترجمة نشرة SMORE الإخبارية، انقر فوق الزر "ترجمة" الموجود أعلى الصفحة. استخدم القائمة المنسدلة لاختيار لغتك. سيتم بعد ذلك ترجمة النشرة الإخبارية.

Haitian Creole

Pou ouvri bilten SMORE a, klike sou lyen anlè a. Lè sa a, pou tradui bilten SMORE a, klike sou bouton "Tradwi" ki anlè paj la. Sèvi ak meni ki dewoule a pou chwazi lang ou. Lè sa a, y ap tradui bilten an.

Medway Public Schools believes it is important that families and the broader community are provided with information about the important work going on in our schools. There is a great deal of communication that happens in the district. You can expect the following:

• Community Update from the Superintendent, monthly
• McGovern News from me, bi-weekly
• Teacher newsletters, bi-weekly

All community updates and the McGovern News will be emailed and can also be found on the district and school websites or through our Medway Public Schools app which can be accessed through the QR Code below. Teachers will email their newsletters directly to their class.

McGovern Elementary School:

Twitter: @McGovernElem

Facebook: @mcgovernelem

Instagram: @mcgovernelem

Thursday October 3rd: Rosh Hashanah (No School)

Friday October 11th: Picture Day

Monday October 14th: Indigenous People's Day (No School)

Friday October 18th: Arena Day (No Preschool)

Monday October 21st: Book Fair (day 1)

Tuesday October 22nd: Book Fair (day 2)

Picture Retake Day

Wednesday October 23rd: Early Release

Preschool Dismissal at 11:30 am

Kindergarten & 1st Grade Dismissal at 12 pm

Thursday October 24th: Book Fair (day 3)

Friday October 25th: Book Fair (day 4)

Monday October 28th: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm MEPTO Meeting in Middle School Cafeteria

Friday November 1st: Arena Day (No Preschool)

Sunday November 3rd: Daylight Savings, turn the clocks 1 hour back

Tuesday November 5th: Election Day (No School)

Monday November 11th: Veteran's Day (No School)

Thursday November 14th: Parent-Teacher Conference Night 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Friday November 15th: Arena Day (No Preschool)

Wednesday November 20th: Early Release

Preschool Dismissal at 11:30 am

Kindergarten & 1st Grade Dismissal at 12 pm

Wednesday November 27th: Early Release

Preschool Dismissal at 11:30 am

Kindergarten & 1st Grade Dismissal at 12 pm

Thursday November 28th & Friday November 29th: Thanksgiving Holiday (No School)