February 28, 2016

Greetings Quashnet School Community,

It is hard to believe that this is the first week of March! The days are getting longer, the sun is getting stronger.  Spring will be here before we know it!

Thank you to all who came out for STEM Night last Thursday.  There were so many great learning activities that our teachers put together. Be sure to check out the photos of the night on the pictures tab above.  Thank you, Mrs. Giuggio and Mrs. Avtges, for organizing the event and to our wonderful staff for their planning and participation!

This Tuesday, March 1, is Super
Tuesday! Quashnet School is the polling location for the Town of Mashpee.  Please know that we have safeguards in place to ensure the safety of our students for the entire day.  There will be two police officers stationed at the school, one on the polling floor in the gym, and one near the front lobby.  We have a volunteer to monitor bathrooms during the lunch periods.  During the school day, the public access to vote will be through the gym doors.   I have also asked for a cruiser to be on site during arrival and dismissal to assist with traffic flow.  Although it is less than ideal to have the polls in our school, Mashpee Police Chief Carline has been extremely supportive in planning for election day.  I appreciate the cooperation from MPD, School Resource Officer Cuozzo, and all the officers in the work they do to support our students and staff.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding the election day, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I hope you had a chance to read the blog last week and mark your calendars for some great events coming up in Mashpee schools.   If you missed it....

March 7th - Early Release Day for students and the Cape and Islands Strings Jamboree (for strings students only)

March 15th - Dollars for Degrees - Cape Cod Five will be hosting an informational night on strategies to plan and save for college.  Having an early start is essential!
Introductions and Reception 5:30-6:00 PM, Presentation 6:00 - 7:00 PM - in the QS Library. Please join us for this important night. RSVP at 508-539-3600 x1131

March 17th - Music in Our Schools Month - District-wide concert at MMHS 6:30 PM

March 20th - Falcon Spring Skate Party at Gallo Ice Arena.  This is a FREE EVENT for all Mashpee families.  Thank you to our Miss Keohanes for planning this event! 4:30 -6:00 PM. Skate rentals will be available.

Order Before April 18th -- The 2015-16 Quashnet School Yearbook is on sale now!  Mrs. Nelson has been busy capturing great candids and special event pictures will be featured.  Reserve your child's copy online for only $25 at: YBPAY.LIFETOUCH.COM  Yearbook ID Code:  9872816

Mashpee students are frequently recognized for all the great work they do to help other people. Here are two ways to help support their efforts: 

1. Our K-Kids are at it again - doing great things for other people!  Between February 24th and March 11th the K-Kids will be raising money for the Leukemia Foundation through the Pennies for Patients program.  Although pennies are mentioned, any denomination is accepted!  Each homeroom has a collection in their class for loose change.  Make "cents" in the fight against this disease! Thank you for any and all support with this initiative! 

2. The message below is from Samantha Fraser, a current Mashpee senior and former Quashnet Student:

Donate backpacks today to help the local homeless!  Mashpee Senior Samantha Fraser is conducting a backpack drive taking place from March 1 to March 17.  She will be collecting new or gently used DURABLE backpacks to be donated to the Youth Street Reach program in Hyannis.  The program serves to educate youths on the struggles of homelessness.  The program consists of an overnight to organize donated clothing and listen to stories told by previously or currently homeless people, followed by a morning eating breakfast with the homeless attendees and distributing clothing, toiletries, and plenty of donated backpacks.  Drop boxes for the backpacks can be found in the Quashnet and Mashpee Middle High School main offices.  You can contact Samantha with any questions at  smfraser32@gmail.com.

A special shout out to Verizon for supporting education. Last week, we had a delivery of classroom supplies for our new teachers! We SO appreciate the recognition and support. 

I hope you all have a fabulous and productive week ahead!

Respectfully, 

Mrs. O'Brien