Thank you MMPTO!

A HUGE thank you to the MMPTO for helping us "make our space a better place!"  The PTO donated funds last year to improve the aesthetics of the building for our students and staff.  One big component of this interior revamp is a mural project that began this summer.  Artist Tina Lamond, of Rockport, began in the main lobby with an ocean-themed mural that will stretch throughout the school hallways.  Currently, the mural project is about 30-40% complete with much, much more to come.

 Another aspect to the project are new classroom door signs that hang outside of each room of the building.  This will help our students and guests find the right classroom or office space.  In the photo at the left, we feature everyone's favorite school nurse, Mrs. Seaman!









All of this would not be possible without the support of our parents and my two administrative interns, Mr. Gugino and Mrs. Egan.  Mr. Gugino has worked on the signage project throughout the building and grounds and Mrs. Egan spearheaded the mural aspect of the project.  I am looking forward to the next phase of the project!

New Lunch and Recess Format

This year, we will be following a new lunch and recess format.  Instead of having two grades (roughly 160) students go out to recess together followed by two grades in the cafeteria for lunch, we are having one grade go out to recess while another grade eats lunch.  After the first period of time, the two grades switch places.  This means that only 80 students (roughly) are at recess or at lunch at a time.  There are a number of benefits to this new model including:

• There is more room in the cafeteria for students and staff to spread out.
• Students are able to purchase their lunch quicker since half of the typical number of students are buying lunch at once.
• The noise level in the cafeteria is much lower leading to a much calmer environment for the students.
• There are less students to supervise at recess leading to fewer (we hope) injuries and misbehaviors.
• Transitions from one location to another have been smoother and more efficient.
• Students with medical needs (allergies, etc.) can be more closely monitored. 

The staff and I have been VERY pleased with the smaller feel to the lunch periods and recess sessions. In talking with some students today, it appears that the new setup is making the children feel more at ease with the relaxed environment.  To quote one young lady, "It is so great this year...finally it is not so loud in here!"

Open House

Just a reminder that Open House will be next Tuesday from 6:00-6:45.  The teachers are all planning for a great evening, and I am working on another scavenger hunt for the students to partake in this year.  Hope to see you all then!

The Great Kapok Tree

Thank you to all of the staff and parents who helped make The Great Kapok Tree a huge success!  A special Thank You to Wendy Sullivan who volunteered her time to do the make-up/face painting for our actors and actresses!  Although her children are in the upper grades, she still comes back every year to do the face painting for The Kapok Tree...thank you!  The teachers (Mrs. Gould, Mrs. Cellucci, Mrs. Morgese, and Mrs. Wood) led a crew of very creative and talented performers from our second grade to put on quite a show!

 Mrs. Wood and her musicians...so creative!

"The Crew!"

Summer Reading Challenge!

Thanks to a partnership with Cape Ann Savings Bank and the Manchester Public Library...

Summer reading challenge!  Students who read and record 800+ minutes of reading this summer have the chance to win a brand new bicycle!  Cape Ann Savings Bank has generously donated a bicycle (winner can choose size and color) for this extra motivation!  Be sure to stop by the library (MMES Library and Public Library) for recommendations...

Thank you to Ken Davis of Cape Ann Savings Bank and Samantha Silag for their work on this project!

Mother Duck!

A mother duck has taken up temporary residency in our friendship garden.  She is sitting on a nest with eggs, and we are all excited to hopefully see some baby ducks hatch soon!  Thanks to Mrs Seymour (see message below), we have a live webcam set up so that you can share this event with your children from your home.  Please DO NOT attempt to visit the nest as it will scare the ducks.  Enjoy the feed (sorry for the pop up ads...we used the free version of the software)!

I've set up a video camera with a live video feed of the mother duck in the Friendship Garden. Below is the link to watch a live feed of the duck. She is to the right of the white wall on the left of your screen. Please share with your students. Just a heads up that there are ads the initially pop up, so please be aware of this and close out of the ads before showing to your students.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/memorial-mother-duck

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL:

June 27, 2013 – Noon Dismissal (no lunch served)