October 7, 2018


Dear Quashnet School Community,

It is nice to have an extra day this weekend. There is no school Monday, October 8th in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day.  I hope you can all take advantage of some extra family time. 

Have you reviewed your child's re-registration yet? Now is a great time to review and update any information in our school data based.  You should have received an email a couple weeks ago from Sean Moroney, our technology director, with a personalized access code for PowerSchool. It is extremely important that you update your contact information, emergency contact, medical concerns/allergies, and several other permissions. If you have taken care of this, thank you, if not, please do so asap!

Last Friday, the Mashpee Public Schools' staff participated in a professional development day learning about Think: Kids.  The philosophy is that kids do the best they can. When they don't do well, it is because of a skill deficit, not because they want to get into trouble or fail.  In other words:  It's skill, not will.  Discipline means to learn. The following link will bring you to a parents' resource site for more information:  http://www.thinkkids.org/help/resources-for-parents/.


The demands of school start to increase in October.  It is when the work gets harder and students are being held accountable for grade level expectations. Even with support, this can be challenging for some students. There can be a rise in behaviors in school and also on the bus.   

What is important to reinforce with your child(ren) is that it is okay to struggle and it is a good thing to work hard. Ask questions and stick with it. 

Think back on a new skill you may have learned and how it took practice. You may have experienced failures before you truly "got it." It is in that process where learning takes place.  This is also the premise behind a growth mindset.  You may not have the understanding of something YET!

Consider this quote: "Struggling in math is like sweating in basketball.  It means you are in the game!"  ("Math" can be replaced with any subject.)

Stick with it, work hard, and persevere.  

Construction update:   The cafeteria windows are all in.  The temporary wall in the cafeteria should be coming down this week. This was the last phase of windows to be installed.  We are really moving along quickly now.  The contractors are working on installing the window sills, window blinds, and punch list items.  Grass seed is starting to pop along the reseeded areas of the building.  We are looking good!  

Just a reminder:  if you are in the building, get a visitors' pass from the office and check out the lost and found located in the cafeteria.  I hate to be so redundant, but it is growing by leaps and bounds. It always amazes me how many sweatshirts and jackets "other kids" leave at our school!!!!!! 

PTO UPDATE:  Are you available to volunteer for the Quashnet book fair?  

Click here for information and to volunteer: 
 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CA4AE29AAFB6-enchanted

Enjoy your extra day this weekend!

Respectfully,

Mrs. O'Brien