PK-4 Yearbook on Sale!

It's time to order Memorial Elementary's Pre-K through Grade 4 yearbook !

As many of you know, this year - in addition to the memorable fifth grade yearbook - Memorial is producing a yearbook designed specifically for children in Pre-K through Grade 4.  This soft cover, black and white yearbook will feature, for each class, (1) individual student portraits, (2) a class photo, and (3) a selection of candid classroom photos provided by your child's teacher.  The yearbooks will also include photos of teachers, administrators, a selection of photos from school-wide events and specials classes, and lastly "autograph" pages so that students can sign their classmates' yearbooks at the end of the year.

The Pre-K through Grade 4 yearbook costs $15.00, and will be distributed to students in June.  All proceeds from the sale of these Pre-K-Grade 4 yearbooks will go to the Memorial PTO.

You may purchase the yearbook online, at the Jostens website by clicking the link below.  (Note: if you plan to order more than one yearbook, read the details at the bottom of this email.)

Link to Josten's order page:  http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09867361

Questions?  Please contact alisa_zalosh@yahoo.com or meganmdavis@comcast.net

To order more than one yearbook:

1. Click on link to Josten's site and then click on "add to cart"

2.  Enter student #1 contact information

3.  Click "continue shopping" above order form

4.  Click 2014 yearbook

5.  Click "add to cart" and enter contact information for student #2

Grade 5 Fundraiser...

Please consider supporting our grade 5 students as they raise money to spend 4 days learning at Camp Merrowvista.  Two options are below...

1.  Tired of lost gloves, jackets, sports equipment and water bottles? Summer camp is just around the corner- order these great labels and support the 5th grade as they will receive a small percentage on every order.

The special site will stay active until the end of June. But you must order through this link:
www.manchester.mabelslabels.com

Any questions? contact Gail Coote at:    thecootes@gmail.com

2.  

Springtime Student Showcase

Manchester Memorial School invites you and your family to…

Springtime Student Showcase

A calendar of events to showcase the, growth, achievement, and talents of “the greatest students in the world!”

March

·      “Empty Bowls” – School-wide Art/Community Service/Global Responsibility Evening

o   3.6.14 @ 5:00-7:00 PM @ MMES Cafeteria

o   Join us for an evening to raise funds to end world hunger while showcasing student clay creations (student-designed bowls can be purchased for a minimum donation of $10)

April

·      “Sing Across America” – Grade 4 Concert

o   4.17.14 @ 1:30 PM @ MMES Auditorium

May

·      “Student Showcase Night”  - Join us at MMES to enjoy our Art Show, grade-level academic displays, and student work displays from “specials” classes.

o   5.28.14 6:00-7:00 @ MMES Core – more information to follow

·      “Hooray for the USA!”  - Grade 1 Concert

o   5.1.14 @ 1:00 PM @  MMES Auditorium

·      “Hit the Street for Little Feet” – Family and Community 5K Road Race and 1 Mile Fun Run – Walk-in registration available

o   5.3.14 @ 8:00 AM @ MERMHS

·      “A Recorder Concert” – Grade 3 Concert

o   5.22.14 @ 1:30 PM @ MMES Auditorium

·       “MERSD Annual Elementary Spring Concert”  - Chorus and Band Performance

o   5.28.14 @ 7:00 PM @ MERMHS Auditorium

June

·      “The Great Kapok Tree” – Grade 2 Performance/Play

o   6.10.14 @ 9:30 AM @ “The Kapok Tree – outdoor lawn between A and B wings

·       “The Kindergarten Concert”

o   6.16.14 @ 9:00 AM @ MMES Auditorium

·       “Crossing the Bridge” – Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony

o   6.19.14 @ 6:00 PM @ MERMHS Auditorium

Take a Walk in My Shoes

“Take a Walk in My Shoes”

April 14, 2014

6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m.

Manchester Essex Regional Middle School First Floor Meeting Pod

The Special Education Parent Advisory Council is pleased to offer an evening of conversation to discuss the social and emotional needs of the students in the Manchester Essex community. Our keynote speaker, Sarah Cullen, will share her family's journey and encourage us to find common threads in our unique, personal, sometimes heart-wrenching stories. The discussion will be an incredible opportunity to connect with other parents, caregivers and teachers to enlighten for us the social/emotional challenges that all students face on a daily basis.  

Sarah Cullen is the Family Support Director for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, where she has overseen the "Parents First Call Program” for over ten years. Sarah will share the story of her two sons with special education needs and the social/emotional impact it has had on her children in their schools and community.

Please RSVP Rosie Read if you are interested in attending the event.

Phone: 978-525-6060

Email:  readr@mersd.org

Olympics at MMES!

While the Olympics are taking place in Russia, many of our teachers are using the Olympic Theme to teach our students different content.  A couple of examples include Mr. Boria and Ms. Mentus who have been transforming the gymnasium into an Olympic Village of sorts.  Classes are beginning with the Olympic theme song and the national anthem.  A mini-unit is being implemented where students are all participating in modified Olympic events such as the skeleton (double scooters for upper body strength/coordination), cross country skiing (upside down carpet squares and ski poles protected by tennis balls), and luge (single scooters for upper/lower body strength/coordination).  The kids have been having a ball while working on their strength, cardiovascular capacity, and coordination!

Another example of the Olympic theme can be found in our K classes where they will participate in a "Mini Classroom Olympics."  Students will participate in miniature versions of Olympic events (ie. popsicle stick skiing, cotton ball hockey, etc.) in the classroom complete with a closing ceremony and medals awarded on a tiered podium just like the real Olympians!  Go USA!

  

Are we indoors or outdoors for recess today???

This is a question that the children ask us often.  Mrs. Seaman has the unenviable task of determining if it is appropriate for the children to go outdoors for arrival and recess or not.  Our goal is to get the children outdoors EVERY day as long as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

When it is raining hard, it is an easy call that the children need to have indoor recess.  However, the snow, ice, and cold temperatures often make the call more challenging.  Typically, our maintenance staff are able to get the ice and snow cleared off the blacktop.  The standard for temperature that has been used for years in MERSD has been 20 degree windchill.  If the windchill is 20 degrees or higher, the children go outdoors.  If it is 19 degrees or lower, the children have indoor recess.

The school council will be re-examining the temperature guidelines to decide if we should change the threshold for indoor/outdoor recess.  If you have thoughts, ideas, etc. please feel free to communicate that to your school council representatives.  As the father of an active second-grade boy, I know very well how important it is for them to get outdoors as much as possible...let's hope for a January/February thaw!

Parenting Your Shy or Introverted Child...

MMPTO Presents….

Parenting Your Shy or

Introverted Child

Thurs., Jan. 30, 7-8:30pm

MMES Auditorium

Do you have a quiet child, one who is slow to warm up to other people, if at all? Would your child rather be alone in his bedroom than play ball outside?  Do sudden transitions cause your child to meltdown? Does your child cling or hover in large groups?  For many parents, the shy or introverted child presents a particular challenge.

In this interactive seminar and Q&A, we will discuss:

·       the nature of introversion as a normal and healthy personality trait

·       the challenges and the joys of raising a shy or introverted child

·       the strengths and gifts hidden in your child’s introversion

·       how to help our kids develop healthy self-esteem as well as effective social skills

Psychotherapist Jason E. Smith will discuss how understanding your child’s introverted nature can help you and your child find greater enjoyment and satisfaction in their growth and development.