Happy December Melrose Families,

December is always a very busy month in an elementary school. It is a fun month but always a little bit hectic for both families and the school staff. At this point in the year teachers are deep into the rigor of grade level curriculum. While this is always a very important time for learning, we try to balance the challenging work with a little fun before our holiday break. Check out our 10 Days of Holiday Cheer below. Please know that we recognize that many people celebrate in different ways and we want to recognize and honor that. This is Melrose's way of weaving in some fun for our students.

We are very much looking forward to sharing your student progress with you at parent teacher conferences Tuesday December 5. Teachers have been hard at work organizing student work that will showcase your child. Just a few helpful hints, the conferences are brief and the teachers have many of them back to back, please do your best to be a few minutes early so the transition can be smooth. If you are unable to attend the conference please reach out to the classroom teacher to let them know or to Maggi who can also let them know as soon as possible. Thank you for helping us to provide a productive and support conference day.

You will see the "new" Unified Arts Newsletter attached to this Principal's Post. At this time in education, with the rigor of academic expectations, our Unified Arts teachers are deeply engaged in curriculum. Unified Arts goes well beyond the simple description of "music, art, physical education, and library" as many of you probably know. In fact, the complexity of this curriculum is supporting the needs of a 21st Century student in wonderful ways here in Jamestown. As a way to share with families the learning happening in our unified arts and 21st Century classes, our teachers and our SEL team, has committed to creating a newsletter every quarter. We hope this supports our families understanding of this unique and innovative curriculum while also giving families a way to talk to students about what they are learning. Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out by email to teachers for clarification. Unified Arts teachers and our SEL team is available during the conference day, should you want to pop in and see them or discuss your child.

Happy Holiday Season to all of you!

Beth Roman

Not only is Ms Connolly our Jamestown Teacher of the Year. She was also honored as the 2024 RI Outstanding Art Educator of the Year & Elementary Art Educator of the Year. Here in Jamestown, we know how AMAZING Ms. Connolly is to the arts, but now the rest of RI knows too!!! Congratulations Ms Connolly! Your incredible dedication and love for what you do is so special.

Check out the article in the Jamestown Press https://www.jamestownpress.com/articles/connolly-tabbed-as-states-best-art-teacher/

A few reminders. . .

There will be Jamestown Gear available for purchase at this event.

The Lawn basket raffle fundraiser, which will support the new Lawn sound system, will be set up for families that would like to enter for a chance to win a basket.

All event information and registration can be found on our flyer

Click this link to find the 23-24 Curriculum Spotlight Document

Mrs Connolly is excited to offer another Art Night on January 17 from 5:30 -6:30. The December Art night has been rescheduled to February 7 as it overlapped with the Winter Concert at Lawn.

Here are the future dates:

January 17

February 7

March 13

The Melrose Art Show is scheduled for May 3

To Jamestown Families,

The next PTO Meeting will be a morning meeting from 7:30 - 8:15 on Thursday December 14th. (This is a rescheduled date). There will be support for your children on the playground at 7:30. We hope to see you there.

If you have any questions, please contact jamestownripto@gmail.com.

December

12/5 Melrose Parent Conferences - No School (please sign up with your child's teacher)

12/6 Gr 1 and 3/4 Kindness Club Meets at Lunch

12/7 Gr 2 Kindness Club Meets at Lunch

12/11 Teacher Professional Development 3 - 4:30

12/14 School Committee Meeting 6-7:30pm

12/14 - Morning PTO Meeting 7:30 -8:15am @ Melrose Library

12/15 Holiday Community Celebration Concert

12/16 Family Fun STEAM Night 4-6:30pm

12/19 Kindergarten & Gr 1 Winter Chorus Concert 5:30 - 6:30pm

12/18 -12/22 - Classes will be going to the Math Arcade throughout the week

12/22 4th Grade Trip to Lawn for their Holiday Concert

12/25 - 1/1 Winter Holiday Break

January

1/1 No school

1/2 Back to School

1/8 Military & New Families Coffee Hour

1/10 Tomaquag Storyteller Whole School Assembly

1/11 School Committee Meeting

1/12 Melrose Lockdown Drill

1/12 Community Celebration

1/15 MLK Day - No Schools

1/16 Professional Development Day - No School

1/17 Melrose Family Art Night 5:30 - 6:30 - Puppetry

1/18 School Committee 6-7:30pm

1/25 SIT Meeting 3-4pm

1/25 School Committee Meeting 6 - 7:30pm

Melrose Principal Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/rose.offi.1291/

Jamestown Schools Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/jamestownschool

Jamestown PTO Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1652723198228818

Jamestown Schools website

Email: roman.beth@jamestownschoolsri.org
Website: https://mel-jsd-ri.schoolloop.com/
Location: 76 Melrose Avenue, Jamestown, RI, USA
Phone: (401) 423-7020
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rose.offi.1291/