January 22, 2017     


Dear Quashnet School Community, 

This week is KINDNESS WEEK at Quashnet School!  K-Kids have a variety of activities planned.  On Tuesday, we will be entertained and challenged by DJ Ooch to find our own superpower.  Thank you PTO for providing this great event! 

Please participate in NO NAME CALLING DAY this Wednesday and EVERYDAY!  Our very own Quashnet K-Kids lobbied to have this law passed in 2010.  Gov. Deval Patrick signed the law as part of the anti bullying law. According to the law, "An Act Relative to Bullying, the purpose of No Name-Calling Day is to increase public awareness of the devastating effects of verbal bullying, to encourage students to use positive dialogue and pledge not to use hurtful names on this designated day, to promote tolerance and respect for differences and to reaffirm the commitment of the citizens of the commonwealth to basic human rights and dignity."  

Going right along with Kindness Week is the Quashnet School Service Dog Initiative. Under the direction of Mrs. Emery and Mrs. Johnson, the sixth grade Student Council leaders are working during their lunch and recess blocks to get this up and running in the classrooms. Students will be able to pay their earned "right choice tickets" forward by donating their ticket to the cause. Earned student tickets are being converted into dollars by generous donors supporting our students in their right choices.  This truly is a community based initiative and we SO appreciate all of the support. Perhaps you saw the article in the Cape Cod Times.  As a result of it, we received several checks from Cape Codders who recognized the value in this initiative. If you would like to jump on board, be on the lookout for a letter coming home this week to see how you too can support this initiative.

Are you ready for some Friday night Basketball?  The place to be in the QS gym this Friday at 6:00 PM.  Wear your Mashpee gear and cheer on the KCC and QS parents and staff during a friendly competition.  Last year was a blast, and it is sure to be a fun-filled game!  Students and staff, show your team spirit ALL day FRIDAY by wearing BLUE AND WHITE!

As a warm-up for Friday, Thursday at 4:15 PM our Unified Basketball Team will be playing taking to the court.  This is a great team effort by all of our student players.  We so appreciate the referee help from MMHS students.  Come cheer on our Unified Team! Go Team Quashnet!

Up date on Chinese Exchange Program - Currently, 20 out of 24 students have been matched with host families.  There are four boys ranging in age from 9-12 who still need to be placed. Students will be with the host family for a total of 7 nights over the weekend of February 11th and 12th.  They are seeking to expand their use of English, learn about our culture, and make new friends.  The benefits to our students is to broaden their cultural awareness, to make friends, and be exposed to a new language and interests. What a great opportunity!  If you are interested in participating please call, stop in, or email me at mobrien@mpspk12.org  for more information. 

A HOST FAMILY MEETING is scheduled for MONDAY, JANUARY 30th, at 6:00 PM in the QUASHNET LIBRARY.  We will be meeting with Ms. Wendy Wu, from Boston Ivy Global Education. She will share what to expect and how to prepare for the students.  THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING in this new Quashnet School program! 

This Friday, January 27th is time for Progress Reports!  To see how your child is performing at this midway point in Term 2, log onto PowerSchool.  We no longer send home hard copies of Progress Reports. If you do not know how to access PowerSchool, call the front office at 508-539-1550, and we are happy to assist.

A very special thank you to MMHS teacher, Mrs. Amanda Hough, for bringing her team of awesome and knowledgeable high school students along with Cape Light Compact to QS last Friday for an Energy Carnival. Our students participated in 24 different stations set up in the gym focused on energy.  This was great collaboration and an active engaged learning opportunity for our students.  

A FEW DATES TO KNOW:
Wednesday, 1/25 - PTO Meeting at 6:00 PM QS Library 
Thursday, 2/2 - GRADE 6 Students and Families
                           Program of Studies Night  MMHS 6:00 PM
Monday, 2/6 - Early Release Day for Students (11:30 AM Dismissal)
Thursday, 2/9 - STEAM Night at Quashnet School 6:00-7:30 PM
Feb. 20 - 24 - February Vacation 

Wishing you all a wonderful and productive week ahead.   

Respectfully, 
Mrs. O'Brien 

GO Pats!