April 12, 2021 

Greetings Quashnet School Community, 

As of tomorrow, April 12, all Grades 3-6 students at Quashnet School will be back full-time, IN-PERSON!  No one could ever have predicted the last year we have all had. With so many adults receiving vaccines, hopefully, we will feel more like normal soon. 

It is important to know and reinforce with your children, that ALL safety protocols are still in place. Masks are to cover students' noses and mouths unless they are taking a mask break scheduled by their teacher or they are enjoying lunch. Be sure to check out the photo tab - you will see some pictures of classrooms and the lunchroom now that we are back to full in-person learning. Students also practice good hand hygiene throughout the day. They truly are rock stars!!! 

Students are asking really good questions about some of the protocols in place. They are trying to understand these changing regulations.  Asking good questions is a life skill that needs to be encouraged - we learn through questioning. 

Bus routes have changed as of April 5, 2021. Please use this link to check for any and all changes to your child's transportation schedule. If you need any clarification, please call the school office at 508-539-1550 or you can email qsattendance@mpspk12.org or mobrien@mpspk12.org.  

https://www.mpspk12.org/domain/306

Now that we are all back in session, I do expect the dismissal line to be slightly longer. Just a few reminders -  

Do NOT get out of your car.  

Have your child ready to hop out of the car when you stop along the front walkway in the morning.  

If you arrive early for pickup - PLEASE pull all the way up to the far light post so we can load as many cars as possible.  

SAFETY is #1 - if you have ANY issues, I am outside every morning and afternoon, please speak to me directly and I am happy to help. 

If your child does not have a mask, we will get one.  Nurse Terri is always at the ready! 

Please give the buses the right of way.

On behalf of everyone in the line - THANK YOU! 😊

MCAS Update 

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released the revised MCAS testing window for students in Grade 3-8 last Friday. They provide a window of when schools can administer the assessments. Quashnet School's actual testing dates will be shared soon. All students in Grade 3-6 will participate in one session of English Language Arts (ELA) and one session of Mathematics. Grade 5 will also be tested in Science and Technology/Engineering.  

The newly released testing windows are:

 

Grades 3-5: May 10 - June 11        Grades 6-8: May 17 - June 11 

https://mpspk12-org.zoom.us/j/83453943197

Today is the third installment of Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online.  

As parents of today's generation, it is impossible to avoid screen time. Children know how to swipe across a phone screen by 6 months old and just continue to advance. What's the problem with that?  The problem is to be sure to find a balance with screen time and how to set limits.  

This website  www.fosi.org/topics/what-parents-need-to-know-about-screen-time  is a helpful resource with numerous articles to support you. This is one of the articles that I know many of you deal with on a regular basis - Ending Tug-of-War Over Screen Time.  

As shared by our counselors so eloquently, "There is a difference between attendance and attending."  How does screentime impact your family time? Check out the resources above- 

Quashnet School will be closed the week of April 19-23 for April vacation.  Classes resume for all grades on Monday, April 26, 2021.  

If you are traveling, please be sure to stay up-to-date with the state travel guidelines linked HERE. Any questions can be directed to Nurse Stacey, District Nurse Coordinator at 781-775-7605. You may also call Nurse Terri, the QS Nurse at 508-539-1550.  

If you are staying home - let's hope for sunshine so we can enjoy this beautiful part of the world we call home! 

The next post to the QS Blog will be Sunday, April 25.  

Next Sunday, April 18, no QS Blog - 

 

  Have a FUN and SAFE vacation week! 

     Respectfully, 

         Principal O'Brien