January 26, 2020


Salutations Quashnet School Community, 

Kindness is in the air!  Thank you, everyone, who contributed to a great kindness week. On Wednesday we met Megan Murphy who is the Rock Lady.  She started the Kindness Rock Project right here on Cape Cod, has traveled around the world spreading her message and even has been recognized nationally on the Today Show. If you are at the beach or walking through the woods you might find a rock with an inspirational message on it or just a heart. It is a small message of kindness. Everyone can be empowered to brighten another person's day. The "Rock Lady" also shared the benefits of being kind.  

Did you know...
"1. Being kind could help us live longer  - ABC News reported that making the world a better increases longevity. 
2. We are happier when we are kind - It boosts our mood. 
3. It may be the key to success: Study at UCLA Berkley states that those who are more compassionate, have better interactions and have a higher pay rate as a result. 
4. It may bring you less stress. 
5. It just feels better:  Kindness causes our brain to release endorphins and serotonin in our brains that make us feel better."

Thank you, PTO, for sponsoring the kindness assemblies for our students.  

The Kindness Dance was a fun evening last Friday.  Thank you DJ Stephanie Viva who set the stage for a fun night of dancing and fun in the Quashnet cafeteria. The student council organized games and had great prizes from several community partners - The 99 Restaurant, Polar Cave, Zoe's Pizza, Burrito Bistro, and Panera. Thank you for your KIND support! 

Be sure to ask your child(ren) about the Energy Festival on Friday.  Organized by MMHS STEM Teacher of the Year Amanda Hough, high school students and representatives from Cape Light Compact lead 20 engaging hands-on stations focused on energy. A new station this year allowed students to create landforms which showed as a contour map on a computer screen. The program would allow the addition of virtual water and rain to form and with force, the storm surge and flood zones could be measured.  Amazing technology that illustrated the force of water and land elevation. That's just one example!  

It is also always wonderful to welcome back Quashnet School alumni! Both the kindness and the knowledge of these students was noted.  Thank you for being role models and sharing both! 

On an academic note... 
Students completed their benchmark assessments in both STAR Reading and Math this January.  Teachers review that data and compare student scores from the fall. Based on that along with ongoing classroom performance and assessments, adjustments in groupings, possible new WIN groups, and adjustments in instruction are considered.  These scores help us identify how well students are responding to instruction. 

One area of continued focus is on writing. As a school, each classroom is using ACES as an instructional tool for written responses.  Ask your child if they know what this means.  Check their answer -  

A - Answer the question (i.e. Give the title, restate the question, answer all parts of the question...)
C - Cite the evidence (i.e. In the text it states, the author wrote, in paragraph...)
E - Explain how the evidence supports your answer  (i.e. This shows me, this tells me, I can infer, based on this...)
S - Sum it up (i.e. In conclusion, to sum it up, restate the question in different words..)

How can you help strengthen your child's academic skills?  Read each night, ask questions about what your child is reading or doing.  When they share, use the ACES format and ensure full sentences even when speaking.  "Texting language" is only appropriate when texting! 

Grade 6 students and families - Program of Studies Night at MMHS on Tuesday, January 28th from 6-8 PM.  See you there! 

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!  

Respectfully, 
Principal O'Brien 
                                                       Choose Kindness! 

Grade 4 Kindness Kids