Blue Knight Highlights

What's Happening in the Sandwich Schools - April 19, 2025

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THIRD GRADERS CELEBRATE THEIR CREATIVE WRITING

On Tuesday Oak Ridge third graders held the annual Writing Celebration. Over the past two months the students have been busy learning about traditional tales over the past two months. As a culminating activity to the unit, our young authors wrote their own creative version of a familiar fairy tale, and shared them with their families during the celebration. Many thanks to the Oak Ridge 3rd grade team for creating this fun exhibition!

Two Oak Ridge 3rd graders are showcasing their creative writing projects at Tuesday's 3rd Grade Writing Celebration. They stand side-by-side, each with their handmade book and small craft project.

A large group of 3rd graders students are gathered in the Oak Ridge Multi-Purpose Room, celebrating their writing project. The students are standing behind tables laden with their work, and several are featured on a large screen display showing their creative stories.

BLUE'S BIG BIRTHDAY BASH!

This week marked the first birthday of Blue, one of two therapy dogs at Sandwich Middle High School. To mark the occasion, a birthday celebration was thrown in the school's cafeteria on Thursday, complete with cake and gifts! Blue, who is owned by SMHS teacher Michele Dunham and handled by Middle School Counselor Nicole Alexander, has become a mainstay in the community, being a gentle and comforting presence for students and staff alike. Joining Blue at his celebration were his older brother, Lance (also a SMHS therapy dog) and Cisco, one of Forestdale's therapy dogs.

Blue, light brown/fox red Labrador retriever puppy wearing a first birthday party hat and teal bow tie lays on a tiled floor. The puppy appears to be looking at a person who is only partially visible in the image. Parts of two other people’s legs and feet, clad in jeans and casual shoes, are visible. A gift bag and what appears to be part of a wrapped gift are also in the frame.

A group of people, students and some faculty, are gathered for a birthday party, indicated by the festive cone hats they are wearing. The group includes students, some wearing Sandwich Blue Knights attire. Blue, the labrador retriever dog, is also part of the group, and is wearing a party hat. The setting is the Sandwich Middle High School cafeteria, judging by the tiled floor and windows. The atmosphere is cheerful and inclusive.

SCENES FROM THE FORESTDALE BUNNY HOP

Yesterday marked the annual Forestdale Bunny Hop, a great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful, 60 degrees temperatures and get out and run or walk some energy! A fun time was had by all students and parents and grandparents that participated.

A large group of Forestdale elementary children are running outdoors on a paved surface. They are participating in the Forestdale Bunny Hop fun run, as they are casually dressed and some adults are interspersed within the group. The surrounding environment is the front of Forestdale with trees and parked cars visible in the background. The lighting shows a sunny daytime scene. The children are running in a loosely organized manner, not in a formal race formation.

Forestdale teachers and children walk together during the Bunny Hop event. They are outdoors, surrounded by trees and pavement. The group, which includes three girls, is dressed casually, with the adult in jeans and comfortable footwear. All three appear to be smiling as they stroll along.

Two Forestdale boys are the first two finishers of the Forestdale Bunny Hop race on the paved area in the school's front circle, with onlookers, including parents and grandparents, observing.

FROM THE NURSE'S OFFICE

Everything you need to know about the measles:

Flyer on the 2025 U.S. measles outbreak (712 cases as of April 10). There are current cases in Massachusetts; but there are nearby cases in Rhode Island and Vermont. There is an emphasis on the MMR vaccine for prevention, where the first dose should occur at 12to 15 months of age, and the second at 4 to 6 years of age. Adults born after 1957 should have at least one dose; some may need revaccination. Travelers over 12 months old should be vaccinated. Vaccines are available via VNA clinics, primary care physicians, CVS, and Walgreens.

For additional information, please use these links:

Barnstable County Public Health

Centers for Disease Control

COMMUNITY CORNER

PTA / PTSA - Who are they? What do they do? How can I get involved?

We’re a community of parents, teachers, administrators, and friends all working together to help our children thrive—both in school and in life. We’re here to support a learning environment where kids feel inspired, valued, and encouraged to lead, create, and care about their world and each other. By joining us, you’ll be part of a welcoming and energetic group that advocates for our teachers, lifts up every student, and brings families together to build a vibrant and inclusive school community. Come be a part of something special—the PTA and PTSA would love to have you!

Learn more and get involved by clicking below:

Sandwich Elementary PTA

SMHS PTSA

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's FREE for all April vacation week offerings:

Flyer for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s free Ocean Science Activities during April school vacation week (April 21–25, 2025). Events include a week-long scavenger hunt, a family movie about the deep-sea sub Alvin (April 22), a book reading and art display on Marine Snow (April 23), and a jellyfish-themed storytime and craft with author Michelle Cusolito (April 25). Events take place at WHOI’s Redfield Auditorium and Discovery Center in Woods Hole, MA.

🐬For more information, please visit the WHOI website! 🐬

WELLNESS COMMITTEE WISDOM

Guidance and resources for a healthier school community!

THE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION, Member OF CAPE COD Cape Cod Healthcare, holds Child Immunization Clinics for the following: COVID-19 (Updated) , Haemophilus Influenza Type B, Measles, mumps, and Rubella (MMR), Polio, Hepatitis A or B, Meningococcal, Seasonal Influenza, Tetanus, Diphtheria, pertussis (Dtap, Tdap), and Varicella (Chicken Pox). To make an appointment of for additional information, please call the VNA of Cape Cod Public Health and Wellness Department at (508)-957-7423. Vaccinations occur at the VNA of Cape Cod, Cranberry Plaza, 434 Route 134, South Dennis. Clinics occur on the Third Monday monthly, from 9am to 12pm. They also occur at the Sandwich Center for Active Living, 70 Quaker Meetinghouse Road, Sandwich. They occur on the First Monday monthly, from 1pm to 4pm.

CAFE NEWS

Did you know?

The Abbey Group has a Mobile Menu App! This option offers an easy way to view menus and nutrient information for products right from your smartphone.

The "Web Menus" mobile App includes:

Interactive Nutritional Menus

Daily menus
Menu item nutrient information
Menu item description
Menu item photos
Menu item allergens

PDF Documents
Link to Online Payment Provider
Link to Nutrition Services website
Info section “All About School Lunch”

This is just one more step in an effort to continually improve the quality of the menus they offer our students and raise the bar on the standards of school meals. Their focus is on enhancing the diet of students with more nutritious choices here at school and by providing nutrition education that will help students form healthy habits that last a lifetime!

The School Nutrition & Fitness Mobile "Web Menu" App is available in the App Stores!