October 25, 2020 

Dear Quashnet School Community, 

If you did not receive Superintendent DeBoer's letter regarding positive COVID-19 cases in Mashpee,  I have linked it HERE.  It is very important to note that all individuals considered to be in close contact have been notified. As shared by the Superintendent, these cases were not contracted in school. Specific to this situation, there are no concerns with regard to the Quashnet School environment, our buses, or our teachers.  

All health and safety guidelines have been and will continue to be followed within our school settings. I am very grateful for the support of Superintendent DeBoer, Assistant Superintendent Hanscom, District Nurse Coordinator Stacey Schakel, and Quashnet Nurse Terri as we will continue to work in maintaining a safe environment for our students and staff. Wearing a face mask over the mouth and nose combined with frequent hand sanitizing and 6 feet of social distancing is extremely important and reinforced throughout the school day. Disinfecting of surfaces are conducted regularly during the school day and by the night custodians.  

Parent/Guardian Reminder:  You are expected to complete a Health and Wellness Screening every morning before school for each of your children.   If your child has any symptoms of illness included on the list below, you are required to keep your child home and to contact your child’s physician as well as your child’s school nurse.

Symptoms of illness that require a student to stay home:

• Fever

• Cough

• Shortness of breath

• Sore throat

• Loss of taste or smell

• Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea

• Muscle aches

• Headache in combination with another symptom

• Fatigue in combination with another symptom

• Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known documented causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms noted above. 

• Thank you for your cooperation and support as we navigate this new world together!

Nurse Terri shared this week that she received numerous flu shot verification forms. THANK YOU! As you are aware, ALL Massachusetts public school children, in-person, 100% remote, or hybrid learners, MUST have documentation of receiving a flu shot on file with the school nurse by December 31, 2020. Please keep those doctor notes coming!

We are still on the lookout for library books! Mrs. Pons is in the process of sending emails and reminders to families for missing books. Please check bookshelves, last year's backpack, or other favorite hiding spots. Any book belonging to the school will be stamped with Quashnet School on the inside of the front or back cover. Thank you for your help in this scavenger hunt!

Have you checked out the wonderful display of pumpkin characters at Mashpee Commons? Thank you Quashnet librarian Kari Pons, and Mashpee Outreach Coordinator Consuelo Carroll for keeping this fun Quashnet event alive!

Well done Quashnet Families - thank you to those who were able to participate. There are additional pictures in this week's photo album.

If you were not able to participate in this event, show your creativity in the annual Quashnet School Gingerbread Village Display. Just like most things in 2020, this event will have a different format. Mashpee Commons has graciously offered a location for the display of these fun, festive, and creative family structures. We will be sending home more information soon! If you want to check out the school displays from the last few years, visit the photo tabs above from 2019-20 and 2018-19 from the middle of December. Have some family fun and create your own sweet structure to share!

What a fun way to spend the day on Tuesday, November 3 - our no school day next week.

We are hoping for structures to be ready a little earlier this year in time for Black Friday shopping and pictures with Santa at the Commons.

Halloween is coming up this Saturday. I hope everyone has a fun and safe time trick or treating.

Per the school wellness policy, we cannot have treats brought into school. In the year of COVID-19, non-food items are also restricted. Although we thoroughly appreciate your generosity and your child's excitement to share holiday pencils, for example, we want to be safe and follow ALL guidelines while in school - no sharing.

No costumes, please!

Friday, 10/30/20, is BLACK AND ORANGE DAY!

WORKING TOGETHER!

During school conferences, teachers are sharing glows and grows regarding your child(ren)'s academics. As we all are aware, with the interruption in schooling there has been an impact on learning. How can you help your child continue to progress academically? Read EVERY NIGHT with your child. Ask questions and share opinions about events. Many children are very interested in non-fiction topics and enjoy biographies. Vary choices by genre and expose them to a variety of diverse authors. Reading provides an opportunity for everyone to learn together. Use this link, http://massachusettschildrensbookaward.blogspot.com, to find the titles of nominated children's books for the 2020-2021 school year.

Along with reading, math fact practice and proficiency is SO important. Facts are to math like knowing your letter sounds are to reading. Facts can be mastered in multiple ways, no pun intended! Have your child(ren) show you the array of the Every Day Math games they have access to online. Play cards and have them keep score or board games where they are the bankers. One of my favorite games in Every Day Math is called Name that Number - HERE is a quick video on how to play it. One of the great things about Name that Number is that your can change it up based on skill level and use only addition and subtraction or you can add in multiplication, division, or exponents. You do not need to use Every Day Math cards - just modify a deck of regular playing cards. Yes, math can be VERY fun!

Have a great week everyone. Tuesday, 10/27/20, is an early release day for parent/teacher conferences. Student dismissal is at 12:30 PM.

Principal O'Brien

Be a Falcon 5 Leader! 
Happy Halloween :-)