April 29, 2018



 Ni hao Quashnet School Community,

It was such an honor to represent Mashpee and Quashnet School on a trip to Beijing, China over April vacation week.  Mrs. Avtges and I traveled with a group of administrators from Sandwich, Bourne, Dennis-Yarmouth, Monomoy, Wareham, and Needham with BostonIvy Global to visit our sister schools in the Daxing District of Beijing. What an incredible city of 30 million people! Along with visiting the schools, we also had the opportunity to visit the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and other cultural sites. The purpose of the trip was to explore exchange opportunities and learn about schools in China and share our instructional practices. Surprisingly, we share many practices with schools in Daxing. School days are very similar as they are in session from 8 am to 3 pm. A difference is that all students must participate in an after school club from 3-4 pm. Currently, there is a push from the government to encourage cultural activities. Many clubs are based on Chinese cultural visual and performing arts.  Next year, we hope to welcome more exchange students to Quashnet. 

There was a lot going on here at Quashnet over the break.  The building was power-washed, and construction on the building is in full swing! Four grade three classes have been displaced, but they have adjusted well to their temporary rooms.  Although there was a fear of protesters at school last Tuesday, that did not materialize. Student safety is the first priority and I can't thank the Mashpee Police Department and our SRO Mike Worrick enough for their support.  Should their be any concerns with the project, you will continue to be notified. Construction will stop during MCAS this week, to ensure students are not disturbed during testing. 


Mathematics MCAS is this week! 
All Quashnet students will be participating in  two sessions of testing this week, one on Tuesday and the second on Wednesday.  Each session is expected to take approximately 1 hour. MCAS is not timed though, so students can take as much time as they need within the school day to complete the test. Effort is the most important when testing. Students have been working all year and this is the time to show all they know.  MCAS is a celebration of learning. To be prepared, please have children go to bed early to get a good night sleep, eat a healthy breakfast with protein, and get to school on time! Most importantly, reinforce your confidence in their ability.
          We know... Mashpee Children Are Smart!

Congratulations to our 2018 Spelling Bee Winners! 

After 20 rounds of our finalists going head to head, it was declared that sixth graders Piper Milde and Taylor Willman were the co-winners of this year's Spelling Bee. 
Congratulations to fifth grader, 

Samara Andalib, who took 2nd place. 

We are very proud of all of the contestants who studied and worked hard to compete.  It is always so impressive to see the poise and determination in the students. A very special thank you to Jane Emery for her organization of the Bee, to Mr. O'Connor who does a fabulous job as emcee, and all the staff that helped officiate the preliminary rounds. We were also happy to welcome back last year's Bee winner, Daisy O'Reilly, Superintendent DeBoer, and Mrs. Avtges as judges.  

E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T   W-O-R-K

Spring is definitely in the air.  With the cooler mornings, sweatshirts and sweaters start the day and by recess, they are forgotten. I suggest that your child(ren)'s name be in their jackets and sweatshirts.  Lost and found is already growing - just this week!  As a reminder - as the weather gets warmer, there is a dress code.  Please see the Quashnet School Handbook page 9 for the dress code policy. Short shorts and any clothing where undergarments show should not be worn to school.  Thank you for your cooperation.  

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead! 

Respectfully, 

Mrs. O'Brien