QUASHNET SCHOOL

October 22, 2017

Dear Quashnet School Community,

What a beautiful weekend! I hope you have been able to get outside and do something fun. With an 8:30 PM Patriots game there is plenty of time! We need to take advantage of these sunny and warmer days. Students have been active at recess and enjoying the new playground, kickball, football, soccer, the swings, tennis courts, and all the playground equipment. Lately, we have had some rough housing with students acting out video games. The roughness is in fun, not malice, but it is not appropriate play to get rough or physical at recess. The Falcon Five states to respect others and be responsible. No hands or feet on others please! Thank you for reinforcing this at home as well.

MCAS scores are here! For all students who participated in last year's testing, individual student results will be sent home as soon as they are received from the Commonwealth. Please be sure that your mailing address is up-to-date on the reregistration form to ensure you receive your child's scores. This applies to students who are currently in Grades 4-6. Over the next several weeks, we will be reviewing the scores to determine areas of strength and weakness in regards to curriculum and reviewing instructional strategies. MCAS 2.0 was first administered last year. The previous two years, students took the PARCC assessment, and before that MCAS. You might have heard in the news that the scoring/reporting is different and harder with the new test, which does make it challenging to compare year to year. Regarding QS performance, we did out-perform the state average in most categories, but there will be more to specifics to come as we analyze the data from a school-wide perspective. Please click this link to an informative guide from the Dept. of Education to better understand MCAS 2.0, MCAS Parent Guide. Dates for this year's test are listed on the MCAS 2.0 tab above for all Grade 3-6 students.

To follow your child's current progress in school, be sure to sign into PowerSchool. All grades were updated as of October 18th. Progress can be monitored online. If you are not sure how to log in - see the Progress Report/Report Card tab above with screen views and directions. Keep in touch with your child's teacher if you have any concerns. Coming soon - November conference sign ups.

Mrs. Hanscom with Southport Falcons

We were very excited to welcome visitors last Friday from Southport, our retired neighbors up the street! Approximately 50 people boarded a yellow school bus at Southport and toured all three schools, KCC, QS, and MMHS. They represent a newly formed group called, Southport Falcons. They are interested in volunteering in our schools to support students and teachers. Volunteer opportunities include reading with students, being pen pals, tutoring, assisting in the library, art room, STEM lab, evaluating junior and senior projects at MMHS, and conducting mock interviews for the older students, are just some of the areas volunteers can help. Supporting students and education is an investment in the future. Thank you Southport Falcons and all of our wonderful volunteers! FYI- Every volunteer must complete an application with the Superintendent's office and have a current CORI check on file.

If your child goes to the Boys & Girls Club, they too are working to support the academic success of students. Please see the letter from Lloyd Wilson from the B&G Club.

QS students are busy - have you been to Stop & Shop this weekend? Student Council members and National Elementary Honor Society students are seeking donations for the Quashnet Family Falcon Fund through the sale of raffle tickets for a New England Patriot basket that includes game tickets! Students will be at Stop & Shop in Mashpee today and on November 5th between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. All proceeds go directly to support Quashnet families in need.

Hurricane relief buttons are quite the hit! K-Kids have earned almost $200 to help victims of this devastating hurricane season. This campaign is still going strong.

Calling all veterans! We sincerely hope that you will be able to join us for our annual Veterans Day assembly on November 8th, 2017. Students and staff are anxious to celebrate our American heroes. Please RSVP to ewunder@mpspk12.org or epagano@mpspk12.org if you are able to participate. If you have any questions, please call Mrs. Pagano at 508-539-1550.

This Tuesday, October 24, town voting will be conducted at Quashnet School. The polls are open from 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm. There should be no interruption in arrival procedures. At dismissal, there may be more traffic than normal, please be aware. During the course of the day, voters enter the school through the outside gym door. The access between the gym and school are restricted. We are very fortunate to have the full support of Mashpee Police Chief Carline, our SRO Brett Calhoun, and the entire MPD to ensure to safety and security of students and staff during voting days.

Last but not least, the PTO never stops working for our students. There are several notices and events coming up. When you support the PTO, you support all Quashnet Students! There is a PTO meeting this Wednesday, 10/25 at 6:00 PM in the QS library, and the book fair starts this Friday.