September 2, 2018


Dear Quashnet School Community,


Tuesday, September 4th, is the start of the 2018-2019 school year.  It is my pleasure to officially welcome you to Quashnet School for a fabulous school year of learning and growth.  Teachers have been working all week to ready the classrooms and prepare to greet their new crop of students.  Don't let the outside construction deceive you, the classrooms look GREAT and are ready for business. The staff has done an outstanding job in challenging conditions.  With the heat, humidity, and construction conditions our custodial staff needs to be commended for getting the building cleaned and prepared.  

It is good to know, however, when students arrive at the school
Tuesday morning, they will be greeted with signs of construction.  There is a temporary fence along the front sidewalk and across the front windows of the building.  The front door is clear, usable, and the Quashnet School sign is back in place.  This is the door all drop-off students will use to enter the building.  Bus students will be dropped off near the cafeteria door where there is another temporary fence. The sidewalks are clear.  Please know that all construction planning decisions have been made with student and staff safety in mind.  These inconveniences will be all worth it in the end!

It is typical for students, both new and returning, to feel nervous about the first day of school. Not to worry! The staff at Quashnet School is extremely child-centered and we will be there to support all students. On the first day,  teachers will greet students at a central location.  No student will need to find their homeroom.  Whether arriving by bus or a car drop-off, Grade 5 and 6 students will report to the gym.  Grades 3 & 4 students will gather in the cafeteria. Each homeroom teacher will be in the designated area holding a sign with their name.  All additional staff will be there to assist students.  Grade 3 students - remember to wear your lanyard!

Mrs. Kingsley and Mrs. Pons

The new Quashnet library furniture is in place, and it looks BEAUTIFUL! Thank you to Mrs. Pons, our librarian, and volunteers Diane Kingsley, Wendy Lithwin, Gretchen Moloney and all who helped from boxing books to reshelving them.  This was not an easy task, especially in 90+ degree heat. More needs to be done, but WOW - what a transformation!  Be sure to check out the library during Open House on September 11th. 

Academic Updates for 2018-2019: 

Grades 5&6 students have a change in their special subject rotation. Mrs. Scott will be teaching a Health and Wellness class, replacing Exposure to World Languages. Mrs. Scott has a variety of units of instruction planned.  A few examples of the topics of study will include: working in collaboration with our physical education teacher, Mr. Morris, for a unit on physical fitness, there will be a unit on making healthy choices focusing on nutrition,  avoiding risky behaviors by learning the dangers of drugs, alcohol, smoking, and vaping, practicing basic first aid in collaboration with Nurse Dwyer, and learning about body systems.  This change in curriculum was made in collaboration with MMHS.  Currently, an exposure to World Languages is part of the curriculum for Grades 7&8 which was very similar to the Quashnet program. The Health and Wellness special will follow the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework and the National Standards for Health for Grades 5&6.   

In our quest to bring the best possible resources to our students, several teachers will be piloting a new reading program for students.  Wonders and Units of Study are highly rated and research-based programs that we are evaluating. The majority of our classrooms will be following our established ELA curriculum.

All Grade 3&4 students benefit from an Enrichment Special with Mr. O'Connor.  Mr. O'Connor enriches the grade-level curriculum by providing additional hands-on projects, lessons, and discussions on selected topics.  Enrichment for Grades 5&6 will no longer be a pull-out program, rather it too will be offered as a special replacing Library for qualifying students.  Participation in the  Enrichment Special in Grades 5&6 is based on MCAS and class performance, and teacher recommendation. 

The 2016 Massachusetts STE (Science and Technology/Engineering) Standards are being fully implemented this year.  Over the last two years, there has been a transition from the old standards to the new. This year, the STE MCAS will solely be based on the new standards. Instruction in both the classroom and in the STEM Special with Mrs. Whiddon will be based on the state standards. 

For all students who participated in MCAS in Spring of 2018, we expect to receive results in "late September."  As soon as I have a definitive date for the mailing, I will share it.  MCAS 2019 administration dates are posted on the tab above.   

Thank you to all the families who participated in the summer reading incentive, Libraries Rock.  We appreciate Mrs. Mahoney and Mrs. Burke, from the Mashpee Public Library, in their efforts to support Quashnet students.  The top readers per grade level will receive a $25 gift card and all readers will receive a pencil.  I hope many students earned ice cream from the Polar Cave over the summer! 
If your family chose to participate in the New England Patriots Reading Blitz this summer - share your log with me and you too will be recognized in school. Summer reading makes a difference!


Quashnet Dismissals:  
To ensure all students leave Quashnet and return to your desired location, PLEASE send in a signed note with dismissal instructions unless your child rides the bus.  Any change in dismissal requires a detailed note. The note should be addressed to the homeroom teacher, clearly stating the child's name with detailed information about where they are going or who will be picking them up.  DO NOT arrange a drop-off change with the bus driver.  All dismissal changes need to be managed through the main office. When picking up your child, we may ask for identification until we get to know you. This is not to be difficult, but to ensure your child's safety.  Should there be an unexpected change in dismissal, calls must be received before 1:45 PM per the Handbook.  In the event of any parental pickup restrictions, legal actions, custody concerns, please provide written documentation to the office.  This information is kept confidential. It is up to a custodial parent to provide this as we are not notified by the court.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation. 

FYI - Boys and Girls Club opens on September 12th.  

2018-2019 Bus Routes can be found on the tab above.

Medications:  
Please be sure to notify Nurse Dwyer of any changes in your child(ren)'s medication or health needs.  Contact her regarding inhalers, Epi-pens and any other medication your child may need in school or allergies. Please note - no medications are kept at school over the summer. You can reach Nurse Dwyer at  kdwyer@mpspk12.org or she can be reached by phone at 508-539-1550 x4155.

The PTO has been busy this summer planning the Back-to-School BBQ. I hope to see you at this fabulous fun event! An RSVP form will be sent home soon.    

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE OUR FABULOUS 

QUASHNET KIDS ON TUESDAY! 

Enjoy tonight, tomorrow is a school night!  

Doors open at 8:00 AM Tuesday morning! 

Respectfully, 

Mrs. O'Brien