March 6, 2022 

Dear Quashnet School Community, 

Smiles abound at Quashnet School! 😊 💙

It has been a wonderful week back after vacation. Having a choice to mask or not has been very refreshing, and thank you all for being respectful of individual choices. 

It is truly a pleasure to be able to see expressions and hear each other clearly. 

Our next transition will be on Tuesday, March 8, with a new lunchroom configuration.  Last week, students adjusted to free seating, being able to sit where and with whom they would like. At Quashnet, students in grades 3&4 have never had free seating. It is a learning process on how to ask a friend to share a table. Students took advantage of recess time to talk to friends about this. By Friday, students were comfortably coming into lunch with a buddy or two and seemed to enjoy sitting in different locations. These are social skills that haven't had a chance to develop with COVID protocols in place. Students only sat with their homeroom class and their seat assignments didn't change. The new lunchroom configuration will include several tables that are not facing others for those that are more comfortable with the single table. It is an exciting and awkward time, but we will be sure to help all students navigate the change as they get more comfortable with the "old" normal! 

A sixth grader shared that last week was the BEST week ever - no masks and free seating in lunch!  😊  It has been a long time coming! 

               

              ST Math Update 

A very special thank you to Mrs. Brooks, MPS Director of Instructional Technology, SRO Hennessy from Mashpee PD, Mrs. Kett and Ms. Plourde from MMHS, Barnstable County Deputy Sheriff Cahill, and Mrs. Morrison for their work in preparing a very informative social media training for Grades 5 and 6.  Here are a few key takeaways:  

If you have followers on social media that you have NEVER met in person - unfriend them or stop allowing them to follow you. 

Identify a trusted adult to go to before there is a problem.  If you feel something is not right, it probably isn't. A trusted adult can help a child make good decisions. 

Nothing you post is temporary - screenshots can be taken by others and servers store your information.  Posts and pictures NEVER go away completely and can be traced back to you.  

Hopefully, you were able to discuss safety and safe choices with your child.  

Students were all very attentive and asked good questions. 

Dates to Know 

Monday, March 7 - Early Release Day with student dismissal at 12:30 PM 

Tuesday, March 15 - Term 2 Ends 

March 16 & 17- Grade 6 Virtual Field Trips to NASA

Friday, March 18 - No School for Students - Staff Professional Day

Thursday, March 24 - Term 2 Report Cards Issued 

MCAS is coming! Quashnet School testing dates are below.  

ELA MCAS - Grades 3-6           April 5 & 6, 2022
Math MCAS - Grade 3-6             May 3 & 4, 2022
Science (STE) - Grade 5 ONLY   May 10 & 11, 2022

Please see the opportunity below - 

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.  

Respectfully, 

Principal O'Brien