Dear Mason Road Families:
Are you curious to know who your child's classroom teacher will be? All assignments will be available on the parent portal as of August 20th. By this time, everyone has received information regarding the parent portal but if you have any necessary questions, please be sure to reach out to Mrs. Harris at (508) 943-4312 or charris@dcrsd.org. Note: Classroom assignments are subject to change. Families will be notified, individually, if any changes are necessary prior to the start of the new school year.
The first day of school can be a scary time for some children (and parent(s)/guardian(s) too!). Starting school is something that children have mostly likely been thinking about all summer. As the new school year begins, especially that very first day…walking into a new classroom with new kids, all new grown-ups, and a new environment can be extremely emotionally. There may be tears from children and parent(s)/caregiver(s) as well! Have no fear – we got this!
Here are a few tips to support this new transition and educational endeavor for everyone:
* Trust the teachers and staff! Knowing that parent(s)/caregiver(s) can be as emotional as the children is one of our strengths! Children will pick up on any sense of nervousness, anxiety or sadness that their parent displays. Remain calm and confident when dropping your child off. We promise to love and care for them as if they are our own.
* It is imperative that you limit your time at drop off. Everyone will need to understand that the first day is a big transition day and will require more time, especially our kindergarten students (first day is September 3rd). We promise to give your child the love and comfort as they get used to their new learning environment. The sooner we can get students out of the car and into school, the better it will be. We cannot hold up the car line as there are many families who will be waiting drop off/pick up. When it is time for you to leave, say your “good-byes”, even if your child is crying and upset. Once you are gone and out of sight, your child will be just fine and they WILL have fun. I can assure you... it might take some time, but it does stop! We will give them the love, hugs, and attention that they will need as they begin their new journey in an new environment.
* Whenever things at home are unsteady or out of “sync”, children are very perceptive and can pick up on the stress. We encourage you to inform your child’s classroom teacher of anything that may/may not impact your child’s emotional state and/or behavior while at school.
The majority of the teachers and staff at Mason Road School are parent(s)/caregiver(s) themselves. We understand the difficulties that come with the start of a new school year (whether your child is 3 or 18). We will provide you child with as much love and emotional support that they require in order to allow them to have a successful school year.
Please be sure to check out the additional Tid Bits that provide very important information!
I am sending out a warning that the monthly newsletters will be lengthy, but the information included is always important. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at jdesto@dcrsd.org or check out our website page at MASON ROAD SCHOOL.
Sincerely,
Jen D.
PICK UP/DROP OFF LINE: I know this is not the best situation, but it is the best we have given our limited space. As stated above, it is imperative that you limit your time at drop off. Everyone will need to understand that the first day is a big transition day and will require more time, especially our kindergarten students (first day is September 3rd). We promise to give your child the love and comfort as they get used to their new learning environment. The sooner we can get students out of the car and into school, the better it will be. We cannot hold up the car line as there are many families who will be waiting drop off/pick up. When it is time for you to leave, say your “good-byes” ~ even if your child is crying and upset, once you are gone, they WILL calm down and they WILL have fun. I can promise you... it might take some time, but it does stop! I can promise you that we will give them the love, hugs, and attention that they will need as they begin their new journey in a new environment.
ALL PICK UP/DROP OFF will be in the BACK OF THE BUILDING!! Any student dropped off after 8:45am or leaving before 3:00pm must utilize the front door and check in at the main office. An adult must be present with the student coming in late.
1. Please be sure to stay in the line to drop your child off/pick your child up. We will assist at taking out and putting students into their cars, 4 at a time, closest to the building. Please do not get out of your car unless you are one of the 4 up front. We do not want little ones running around the parking lot, in between cars. If this is frustrating, please consider the bus.
* Preschool families are asked to park and come to the door to retrieve their child, just like drop off.
2. Please be sure to have your child enter/exit the car closest to the school. This keeps your child out of the way of the main parking area.
3. DO NOT PASS OTHER CARS! I get it. We are all in a rush to get somewhere but I need the students to be safe in all areas of the school. Drop off is the most important. We have little people getting in and out of cars and they are required to be buckled. They need help and it is ok! This is not expected to be a fast moving line given those factors. PLEASE just be patient and stay in line.
BUS vs. PICK UP: All adults are to notify the main office if their child is going to be a pick up OR if their child is regularly a pick up and needs to take the bus. We will not go on the word of a child.
Riding the big, yellow bus is often a very exiting experience for students. This is a place that they are able to be independent and social. Riding the school bus is a privilege provided by the School Committee for the purpose of an equal and maximum opportunity to all children in the district to obtain their education. There are quite a few rules students will be required to follow with SAFETY being the number one priority especially while boarding, disembarking, or being transported on the buses.
STUDENTS SHOULD EXHIBIT BEHAVIOR ON THE SCHOOL BUS WHICH RESPECTS THE RIGHTS OF OTHER STUDENTS AND THE BUS PROPERTY. ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO:
1. Remain seated at all times while the bus is in motion. Wait until the bus stops before leaving your seat.
2. Show due respect for the driver and bus equipment, including proper removal of waste paper and debris.
3. Refrain from smoking on any school bus. (State Law)
4. Board buses in an orderly, quiet and courteous manner_.
5. Refrain from any excessive noise that might distract the driver.
6. Never hang arms, clothing, or other objects from bus windows.
7. Never walk between buses.
8. Never walk in back of a bus. Students leaving a bus are to walk in an orderly manner in front of the bus to cross to the other side of the street. The bus will remain stationary with lights flashing until you have crossed safely.
9. Leave the bus only at the regular stop. Do no ask to be left at special places.
NOTICE TO FAMILIES: The school district uses a form entitled NOTICE TO FAMILIES CONCERNING BUS BEHAVIOR (aka bus card) as a vehicle by which infractions of above rules are brought to the attention of the Families. This form, properly filled out by the driver, is given to the school principal for consideration of disciplinary action. Families are urged to direct any questions regarding their child’s behavior on the bus to the building principal and not to individual drivers.
FAILURE OF STUDENTS TO EXHIBIT PROPER BUS BEHAVIOR MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF BUS TRANSPORTATION PRIVILEGES.
Feel free to visit the District Transportation Website for any questions pertaining to transportation. Don't forget! There is a Parent First View app that allows you to track the bus!! Download the Parent First View Set Up guide. It is pretty spectacular!
As stated previously, a message regarding POTTY TRAINING:
Students entering kindergarten and grade 1 are expected to be potty trained. At this time, teachers are finding that there are quite a few students who are not fully trained. We will do the best we can, but we cannot do it alone and need your support and consistency at home. Unless there is a medical need, please send your child into school in regular underwear and pack a few outfits in the event of accidents. This is a method that will work! I assure you.....it will work! While not the best, students learn quickly that they do not like to be uncomfortable and learn to use the bathroom appropriately. We do have all students on a bathroom schedule and make sure to put those in need in the bathroom more frequently.
In the very near future, staff and students of Mason Road School will participate in a fire drill and a lockdown drill. All teachers will be preparing students on the necessary steps to take in such an event. The lockdown drill is always a "soft" drill and not meant to stress students out or cause anxiety. ALL FAMILIES will be notified prior to and after our lockdown drill. Families are not notified of fire drills that take place. There is an expectation that these drills will take place 3 times throughout this school year. Again, ALL FAMILIES will be notified of any lockdown drills.
We have our dates scheduled for school pictures! Information will be sent home to families prior to picture day. Mark your calendars now so you are ready for it!!
PICTURE DAY: October 7th ~ GRADE 1 & Preschool
PICTURE DAY: October 8th ~ Kindergarten & Preschool
PICTURE RE-TAKE: November 19th - Anyone who missed picture day or needs to re-take pictures (pk students are asked to come to the school if they are not in session and need pictures/re-take)
If you have any questions, please contact the main office at (508) 943-4312.
What are the main areas of responsibility for school councils?
The law outlines four major areas of responsibility for councils. School councils are to assist principals in:
Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards
Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school
Reviewing the annual school building budget
Formulating a school improvement plan
If you are interested in being on our school council, please complete the following form: 2024-2025 Mason Road School Council Interest Survey by September 27, 2024. From there, I will see how much interest we have. If there is a great deal of interest, a voting form will be sent out to all families. The goal this year is to obtain 3 parents/caregivers.
The student handbook is available on-line (click on the picture on the right) and contains important information about school policies, procedures, and expectations for student conduct. It is reviewed annually by the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District School Committee and placed on file with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Students and parent(s)/caregiver(s) are encouraged to take the time to review the handbook and become familiar with its contents. If you prefer a hard copy of the student handbook, please notify the main office at (508) 943-4312 and we will be sure to send one home.
It is important to note that forms have been sent home for your consent so that the school has permission to have your child's photograph taken. If we do not receive a form back from you, we will assume we have your permission. Any photographs taken are only shared through classrooms , via monthly newsletters and/or on the DCRSD website. They are not posted on social media in any form.
Matter of fact, there is no social media webpage for Mason Road School (no Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram). There may, however, be a parent/caregiver created page that you are welcome to join. I, however, am not part of that. While I know it is an amazing venue for information, I will be sure to notify parent(s)/caregiver(s) as often as necessary through email, phone call, or text messages.
I would like for our newsletters and district website to include pictures of students here at MRS so that all families can see the positive energy and fun that is taking place throughout the school day. Permission to have your child's picture taken and shared is required. If we do not receive a response from you, it will be assumed that we have your permission.
Thank you!
Students will be provided with a snack break as part of the school day. Depending on their lunch time, students could enjoy a snack in the morning or in the afternoon. They are allowed to bring in personal water bottles. Please have your child's bottle labeled with their name. Any liquids from home must either be in a juice box that can be thrown away or clear liquid if in a water bottle. Mason Road School has two hydration stations that students can refill their bottles as necessary.
Mason Road School is not a peanut free school but we do have peanut free classrooms. We strongly encourage that students bring a peanut free snack to school especially since they are eaten in the classrooms.
* The lunchroom is not peanut free but necessary arrangements are made for those who are allergic. For lunch, pack as you wish and know that your child will enjoy!
DUDLEY-CHARLTON REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 2024-2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR
* August 27th - First Day of School for Grade one
* August 29th - Orientation: Preschool/Kindergarten at 10am & 1pm (you pick what time); Grade One at 4pm
* August 30th - Half Day of School - Labor Day Weekend
* September 2nd - No School
* September 3rd - First Day of School for Preschool (Tuesday/Thursday) & Kindergarten
* September 4th - First Day of School for Preschool (Monday/Wednesday)
Please refer to the District Calendar for future dates throughout the school year:
Dudley-Charlton Regional School District 2024-2025 School Year Calendar
You can also follow the Dudley PTO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DudleyPTO
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