Dear Mason Road Families:
As we welcome November, the season of gratitude and reflection, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the amazing students, families, and staff of Mason Road who make our school such a special place. With the continued support and open communication, we are able to create an environment in which our children learn, grow, and thrive every day.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The Dudley PTO and SHRHS Booster Club are hosting the Harlem Wizards as they come to SHRHS to play against the staff of Shepherd Hill, Dudley Middle, Dudley Elementary, and MASON ROAD! This event is so fun and entertaining and will leave your children talking about it for years! There are a few Mason Road staff members playing in this game - I wonder who they could be? COME AND FIND OUT! This event is taking place on Thursday, November 21st ~ 7:00pm at SHRHS. Doors will open at 6pm. BE SURE TO GRAB YOUR TICKETS HERE: Harlem Wizards vs The Fighting Rams and get ready for a night to remember! Tickets will need to be scanned at the door.
As I hope you have learned by now, all the staff of Mason Road School love and care for your child and want to give them the very best educational experience in school. This is where it all starts. Our job is to teach your child the fundamental skills for a future of successful learning. Teaching is not a "9 to 5" type of job. Teachers are constantly working to make sure that the learning adventure is fun, memorable, and that it provides your child with the necessary skills that go beyond the classroom. If you have a moment, send those who work with your child an email letting him/her know what you appreciate or have your child draw them a special picture. It is the little things that mean so much!
Thank you to all of those who have been able to donate towards the Shepherd Hill Holiday Food Drive! Because of you, WE EARNED OUR DANCE PARTY! Staff and families brought in over 300 donated food items that will be given to Shepherd Hill to support the upcoming holiday meals for those in need. While we met our goal, donations will continue to be accepted, and appreciated, through November 15th. Thank you all once again!
There continues to be a lot of information in my newsletters and I apologize BUT, I want to make sure you have as much information as possible. Newsletters will always be accessible on the MASON ROAD SCHOOL website. I love to incorporate pictures of the happenings inside and outside of school so please send in pictures! I know that students are always very happy when we can bring up something that happens outside of school like a cheering competition, football game, soccer win, or fun things that happen at home! This information is not shared on any social media tools but will be on the Mason Road Website (if pictures are taken sideways) and/or in the Mason Road newsletter.
Wishing you all a fabulous November! As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at jdesto@dcrsd.org.
Sincerely,
Jen D.
As much as I want to hold onto this warm weather, the inevitable is coming.....WINTER! As we all know, the weather in Massachusetts is unpredictable. One day it could be 70 and the very next day could be snow flakes. When the weather permits, it is always the goal to get all students out to recess. Students need the opportunity to run around and play in the fresh air. Before we know it, the snow will be here and will limit our chances of getting outside.
We ask that students are prepared with the appropriate clothing for outdoor recess everyday. Hats and mittens are strongly encouraged in the cold weather. We would never hold a child inside when others are out, but we are limited on the amount of extra hats, mittens, and coats we have available. Your attention and support to this request is extremely appreciated.
If you need assistance with providing your child with a hat, mittens, or coat, please contact Mrs. Desto, Nurse Moisan, or Mrs. Shelburne. We will see how we can help!
Once again, the amazing Dudley Fire Department was able to come to Mason Road School for kindergarten students. Additionally, they open their doors for grade one students to visit the fire station.
During this time, student learned all about fire prevention and what to do in the event of a fire. Great questions were asked and the students seemed to really enjoy this opportunity provided by the Dudley Fire Department!
THANK YOU DUDLEY FIRE!!
On Monday, September 23rd, your child came home with a flyer that shared information regarding our school wide fundraiser. This fundraiser gives directly back to the classroom teacher. The teacher is then able to purchase items for his/her classroom. It is truly a remarkable fundraiser and I could not be anymore grateful for the fundraising efforts you have put into this.
Your child can also receive some goodies! Once your child is signed up, he/she will receive a "Book Buddy" that they may have been talking about. You do not need to purchase anything for your child to receive the "Book Buddy," but they need to be signed up. We do ask that you share the information with family and friends. This fundraiser lasts the entire school year so if you find that you have some time to shop, know that you are giving back to your child's classroom! We truly appreciate all the donations that are coming in from this fundraiser! THANK YOU!
Mason Road Code:153567
Picture retake day is November 19th. If you did not like your child's photo and you would like to have it retaken please send the package that you ordered back to school with your child and they will have a new picture taken. If you did not order photo's yet but you do not like the photo that was recently sent home please let your child's teacher know that you would like the picture retaken. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Harris in the office.
Dear Mason Road Families:
The school year is well underway and the holidays are approaching quickly. We understand these times can be very difficult, both emotionally and financially for families. Each year, we work with local schools, companies, and organizations to help ease some of the financial burdens for those most in need by helping to provide holiday gifts for children.
If you need help providing some unwrapped gifts to your child(ren) this holiday season, please complete this form, Holiday Gift Help, by Friday November 8th.
This information is kept confidential; community members who sponsor your child(ren) are given no identifying information. If you have any questions or your financial situation changes after Friday, November 8th, please contact Mrs. Shelburne directly.
As we enter the holiday season, we’re excited to learn about the many ways our school community celebrates! We know that each family has unique traditions that make the holidays special and some who have different celebrations. Throughout this season, students will explore different holidays and traditions in age-appropriate ways, helping students learn and appreciate the wonderful variety within our community.
Please share with us what holidays/celebrations are important to your family and any traditions or customs you enjoy. Whether it’s a holiday meal, a family gathering, or a special activity, we’d love to hear about it! Your stories help us teach children the value of diversity, inclusion, and respect for others. Plus, it allows many of us (myself included) to learn about the different ways families celebrate.
Lastly, it is important that I inform all families of a tradition that has been taking place at Mason Road. I need your help because I would love to incorporate other traditions as well. At Mason Road, a lighted tree is put up at the front of the main office area (no decorations). There are two special little elves that visit the school and are often found in crazy places. These elves typically join us for the one week leading up to the holiday break and will make their appearance on December 16th. Students are also invited to attend the SHRHS Holiday Spectacular (more information to come) where there is a lot of Christmas themed songs and decorations. MRS will also be holding their winter concert on the same stage as the Holiday Spectacular so some of the decorations will still be up.
A HUGE thank you to Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Klatt, Miss Fazio, Mrs. Booth, and all the amazing teachers of Mason Road. The creative ideas, fun games and activities, and the very popular visit from Clifford the Big Red Dog made the storybook literacy nights one to remember!
A math literacy night is in the planning stages and will be held in the spring. I wonder who will visit us that night? hmm.... Again, more information to come.
Social Emotional Learning Spotlight
Emotions and Coping Skills
Last month SEL classroom visits focused on emotions and coping skills. We started off the month learning about many of the different emotions that we have and talked about how all emotions are okay to feel, but it’s important how we respond to big emotions. Later in the month, we started to learn about coping skills. We focused on 6 different deep breathing skills: belly breathing, bee breathing, “blow out the candle”, bunny breathing, snake breathing, and shoulder roll breathing. As we move into November, we’ll continue to learn about different types of coping skills, putting focus into skills that can be used within the school and classroom when feeling “big emotions”.
Sincerely,
Rachael Shelburne
Adjustment Counselor
At-Home Practice: Blow out the Candle breathing
If your child was in class this month when we talked about deep breathing skills, he/she should know this one! Have them teach it to you!
Hold your pointer finger in front of your mouth. Take a slow deep breath in through your nose. Slowly release breath through your mouth like you are blowing out a candle.
On January 3, 2023, the Commonwealth launched the new Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) and established 25 Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs). As part of the Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform, these programs are increasing access to mental health and substance treatment for people across Massachusetts, and offer insurance-blind behavioral health crisis services to anyone in the state.
Additionally, the Commonwealth has created a Behavioral Health Roadmap Toolkit, which includes pre-made public awareness and informational materials (including social media graphics, fact sheets, flyers, and more).
This years Winter Concert is going to be very different. For the first time, we are going to host a Winter Concert for a combined show of all Kindergarten students and all Grade One students. Due to the limited space at Mason Road, Shepherd Hill has opened its doors to let us use their auditorium. There will be trees lit up and the atmosphere may feel like Christmas. Please know that our concert is a Winter Concert.
SAVE THE DATE: December 16th - 6:00pm - SHRHS
* Note: I have learned that we are not able to have a make up date around this specific time. However, if our show needs to be cancelled due to poor weather conditions, we will make this up at some point once we return from break.
DUDLEY-CHARLTON REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 2024-2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR
* November 11th: No School - Veterans Day
* November 12th: Dudley PTO Meeting - 6:30 - DES Library
* November 13th:School Committee Meeting - 6:30pm - SHRHS
* November 27th: Early Release - All
* November 28th & 29th: No School - Happy Thanksgiving
* December 3rd: Dudley PTO Meeting - 6:30 - DES Library
* December 16th - Mason Road visits SHRHS for the Holiday Spectacular
* December 16th - K & 1 Music Show at SHRHS - 6:00 Auditorium
* December 20th: Early Release - All
* December 23rd - January 2nd: Happy Holidays/Holiday Vacation/Happy New Year
* January 3rd- Professional development - No school
Please refer to the District Calendar for future dates throughout the school year:
Dudley-Charlton Regional School District 2024-2025 School Year Calendar
The Dudley PTO is always looking for new members! Each one can contribute something so if you are interested, meetings are held every FIRST TUESDAY of the month at 6:30pm in the Dudley Elementary School Library.
If you are interested in joining the PTO or want to stay up to date on fundraisers, please click on the picture to access their website. You can also follow the Dudley PTO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DudleyPTO
Spirit wear will come with our new LOGO (website not updated)🌞
Mason Road School
20 Mason Road
Dudley, MA 01507
Telephone: (508) 943-4312
Fax: (508) 949-1005
Principal: Jennifer A. Desto
Email: jdesto@dcrsd.org
Administrative Assistant: Crissy Harris
Email: charris@dcrsd.org
School Hours PreSchool
AM: 9:10 am - 11:40 am
PM: 12:20 pm - 2:50 pm
School Hours K & 1
Arrival begins at 8:30 am
Late Bell at 8:40
Classes begin at 8:45 am
Dismissal begins at 3:00 pm
