March 7, 2021 

Dear Quashnet School Community, 

Can you believe this week marks the one-year anniversary of last year's school closure which took place on March 13, 2020? 

We are marking this event by showing our solidarity that we are ALL in this TOGETHER! We are resilient and need to recognize all the work we have accomplished together.  

Mashpee cohort students in grades 4-6 received #QuashnetStrong t-shirts on Friday and Grade 3 and Falcon students in Grades 4-6 will be getting a t-shirt this coming week. Please call the Quashnet Office @ 508-539-1550 to pick up a student shirt for remote learners. 

All students and staff, whether working remotely or at school, PLEASE wear these new t-shirts this Friday, March 12. We are TEAM QUASHNET!

The Quashnet School 2020-2021 yearbook is ready to order. Mrs. Johnson is busy collecting photos to chronicle this unique year and it will be one to look back on.  Yearbooks will not be delivered until the end of June, but you can pre-order using the link and code below. 

The deadline for ordering the yearbook online is April 9. Paper order forms have been sent home as well.

The website to order the yearbook is:  ybpay.lifetouch.com

Yearbook ID Code: 9872821

MCAS UPDATE - 

This MCAS update was released by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on Friday, March 5, 2021.  The expectation is that there will be one test session for ELA and Math in Grades 3-6. Grade 5 will also be assessed in Science and Technology/Engineering. 

New Tentative MCAS Administration Dates for Spring 2021  Please note the updated tentative testing windows for grades 3–8:   Grades 3, 4, and 5 ELA, Mathematics, and STE May 10 – June 11 Grades 6, 7, and 8 Testing dates TBD More details regarding MCAS and the return to full-time in-person learning will be shared as information becomes available.

Get ready for the second MPS Virtual Family Read Aloud on Monday, March 15!

Virtual Family Read Aloud Zoom link:  https://mpspk12-org.zoom.us/j/83453943197

A message from our counselors- 

The Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Cape Cod and the Islands is looking to match students with a big sister or big brother.  See the benefits and contact information below.  If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to our amazing counselors, Mr. Withington, Mrs. Morrision, or Ms. Maggiacomo for support at SWithington@mpspk12.org, MMorrison@mpspk12.org,  LMaggiacomo@mpspk12.org. 

Thank you, Quashnet families, for your understanding and support as we quickly had to adjust to remote learning last Tuesday.  With several rooms flooded due to broken pipes and the heating system under repair, there were too many unknowns to stay in the building on such a cold day and manage the work that needed to be completed. We fully understand how disruptive this is to our families and it was only considered as a last resort.

I was SO grateful to our teachers and staff who quickly mobilized to provide their instruction remotely, and to families who ensured student participation. The attendance rate for the day was outstanding! It certainly takes a strong partnership which we all value and celebrate. Thank you!  #QuashnetStrong!

FYI- Quinmester 4 begins on Wednesday, March 10th. Students will be reporting to a new special subject class.  

Last but not least, a very special message from the

Quashnet School Student Council and K-Kids

Canned Food Drive

The 6th grade Student Council and the K-Kids are collaborating for a big canned food drive! From March 20-April 3, there will be a bag in each classroom where students can leave their cans.  The class with the most bags by the end of the drive gets to vote on a fun activity (extra recess, movie day, etc.).  Many families have been hit hard by the pandemic, and we hope that this food drive will help them. All of the donations will be provided to the food banks in Mashpee.

Kindness Rock Project

The 6th grade Student Council is inviting students to collect as many rocks they would like, paint them, and write a positive message on them at home.  They can then leave the rocks in Ms. Reardon’s classroom in the 5th-grade hallway.  All of the rocks need to be in by Friday, March 12 for students in the Falcon cohort, and Wednesday, March 17 for students in the Mashpee cohort.  These rocks will be delivered to a nursing home to help cheer up the residents.  It is especially hard for them during the pandemic.  They can’t see family and are lonely.  

Week of the World

For the first two weeks of April, the school will have the Week of the World.  Each day will focus on a different region.  With the help of Mr. Stickley, the lunches will focus on the region that is on that particular day.  There will also be a second choice available each day if the students don’t want the first option.  There will be a student council member or a person from that culture that will answer questions about that region. There will also be a video.  This is a great opportunity for students to learn about different cultures.

I am SO proud of our students!  

Have a fabulous week~ 

Respectfully, 

Principal O'Brien 

Daylight Saving starts next Sunday, March 14, 2021