May 22, 2016

Greetings Quashnet School Community,

Welcome to our KCC friends who are soon to join the Quashnet School Community. On (most) Sundays I send out a link to this blog which includes a review of the week, a link to the district calendar, great pictures from the previous week, and a quick school update.  Click the tabs above to find dates on progress reports, report cards, standardized tests, our school Report Card and more.  I hope you and our Quashnet families find it helpful!

It was great to meet second graders at KCC this week and then also welcome them to Quashnet School for a visit.  Thank you families for coming Thursday night to Step-up. If you were not able to make it please feel free to email or call and we will be happy to arrange a good time for a tour. Of course there will be time this summer as well when we welcome our new third graders for a scavenger hunt in August. It was great to have our outstanding third grade teacher team, nurse, counselors, special subject teacher, and others available for step-up night.  A special thank you to four of our outstanding National Elementary Honor Society students who were helpful tour guides.   


It is always great to welcome new third grade students, but that means our amazing sixth graders will also soon be moving on. This Thursday night, May 26th at 6:00 PM Sixth Grade Step-Up night will be at MMHS.  Principal Balestracci and his team at MMHS are thrilled to welcome our Quashnet scholars.  I strongly suggest that you make every effort to attend so you and your soon to be seventh grader will be informed and ready to make the transition to Mashpee Middle School. 

Assessment Update:  We have now completed PARCC ELA testing and Grade 5 Science MCAS tests.  This week we are onto PARCC Mathematics tests.  Grade 3-5 will test Tuesday-Friday for 60 minutes per day. Grade 6 will test Tuesday - Thursday for 80 minutes per day.  All testing will begin at approximately 8:30 AM.  Being on time is extremely important everyday, but on PARCC days once students begin testing, a late student cannot join the class. This is a state regulation.  PLEASE BE IN SCHOOL AND ON TIME EVERYDAY. There are still some students who will need to do makeups in both ELA and Science - they will be scheduled for afternoon sessions.  

Getting to bed early and having a healthy breakfast with protein are two strategies to have your child ready for their state assessments.  Your positive message of confidence in your child's ability and encouragement to try their best is very beneficial.  In PARCC assessments, never leave a blank.  Students should always try their best - one of my favorite math quotes: "Struggling in math is like sweating in basketball - it means you are in the game!" It is okay when something is hard  - stick with it to do your personal best! Although students do test on Chromebooks, every student is provided scratch paper for calculations. What a great opportunity to "show all you know" - work hard everyone! 

Thank you Mrs. Richard's and friends for all your work preparing for and hosting another fabulous paint night at Quashnet School.
Who knew we had so many talent artists? More pictures on the picture tab.  


This coming Monday, May 30, school is closed in recognition of Memorial Day.  A great way to remember and honor our Nation's veterans is by visiting the National Cemetery in Bourne. The Memorial Day Ceremony is on May 29 at 1:00 p.m.  Mashpee's own Veteran's Memorial at the Community Park is also worth a visit. It is a lovely walk from the ball fields at Heritage Park after a baseball or soccer game.   
    

Thank you Quashnet Community for your continued support!  
Wishing you a wonderful and productive week ahead. 

Respectfully, 
Mrs. O'Brien