Dear Memorial Families,

It has been so great to see our playground become such a community gathering space over the past few years. When I look out my window after school is out, I love seeing all of the kids and families enjoying each other out there. Just a couple of reminders...

• If you are enjoying our playground after hours, please reinforce our school expectations out there: BEE KIND - BEE SAFE - BEE RESPECTFUL
• I have noticed groups of children gathering at the top of the hill near the building and zooming down across the lawn, walkway, and playground. If you see this, please remind your children that this is not safe.
• I have also noticed children climbing up into the funnel game and sitting in the funnels - again...not safe. Thank you for reminding them if you see it.

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.

Health Room Headlines

Welcome back!

A couple start of the school year reminders:

· If your child is going to be absent or arriving late, please email the office: schmidtm@mersd.org, the nurse morrisseyj@mersd.org, and your teacher.

· If your child has a temperature of 100.4F or over, they need to be fever free for 24 hours (without the aid of Tylenol or Motrin) before re-entering the school.

· If your child is experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, we recommend that they are symptom free for 24 hours and can tolerate solid food before re-entering the building.

· ALL CLASSROOMS ARE PEANUT/NUT FREE

Physicals: Updated physicals and immunization records are due for grades PK, K,1, 4, and all new students in grades PK-5. Physicals expire within one year of last visit. Please send me a copy when physical is complete.

Forms: Please return permission to medicate, health update, and emergency forms as soon as possible.

Change of season: With the change of season comes many viruses this time of year. Let's kick start the year with some healthy habit reminders. Please stay vigilant with hand washing and keep up with drinking your fluids. Wash down surfaces frequently. Try to stay home when unwell to prevent the spread of illness.

Thank you all for your cooperation, any questions or concerns please call or email,

Jaclyn Morrissey, R.N.

978-526-1909

morrisseyj@mersd.org

Here are a few important notes to get us all off to a good start:

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

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. 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

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

JOIN US

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

WHO:

Open to all Parents, Educators, and Elementary Students

Limited Child Care Available

"To reserve a spot, text Maile Madigan 603-398-4216"

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

(PLEASE NOTE THE NEW TIME!)

The film is 54 mins long, and will be followed by a panel discussion

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)

The Manchester-by-the-Sea Museum's Autumn Art & History Saturday morning (11 AM to 12 noon) children's workshops will be as follows: on October 5th, participants will learn about Manchester's Fishery heritage and draw and paint a sea creature. On October 19th, we will look at the museum's collection of Charles Hopkinson's portraits, and then will draw and color a portrait. On November 2nd, we will learn about the Cape Ann Sea serpent, viewed by many people in the 1800s, and then put together a sea creature assemblage. On November 16th, we will look at paintings of Singing Beach, and then adapt our own version of beach activities. These workshops are made available by The Hooper Fund.

Saturday workshops are geared toward ages 5 to 12.
To register for one or more, please visit mbtsmuseum.org/autumn-art.

Manchester-by-the-Sea Museum10 Union St. Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944

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.