September 5, 2021 

Happy Labor Day Quashnet School Community! 

After a wild night of weather on Wednesday, a four-day weekend is certainly a welcome treat. Hearing stories from the students, I know there were some worries.  I am so grateful to have avoided the potential danger of a tornado here in Mashpee. The storm certainly did bring in some beautiful weather! I hope you all are able to enjoy this unofficial end of the summer season.  

If your child will be picked up from school on a regular basis, please complete a quick form HERE to request a placard for the 2021-22 school year. Placards will be provided to families this week and will help expedite the pick-up line. 

I must ask for your patience while in the drop-off or pick-up line.  Although it is recommended for ALL students to access their car from the passenger side, there are some students who enter from the street side.  As a result, PLEASE stay in ONE LINE and DO NOT PASS unless you are instructed to or cleared to do so. This will help keep all students safe. Thank you for remaining in your car during this process. 

An important notice from the front office:  Please communicate any restrictions or changes/updates in child custody arrangements or other relevant court orders to the front office as soon as possible, or whenever they occur. We respect your privacy and will keep this sensitive information confidential. A strong and trusting home/school partnership supports students. Do not hesitate to email or call me specifically if you prefer @ 508-539-1550 x4186 or mobrien@mpspk12.org.

TWO IMPORTANT UPDATES 

As of today, 9/5/21, the Quashnet School Open House continues to be scheduled for an in-person event on  Thursday, September 9. Our plan is to reduce the number of people in a classroom or area by asking parents/guardians whose last name begins with A-L to arrive at school at 6:00 PM and M-Z at 6:45 PM.

We WILL NOT meet in the gym for a community meeting. Parents/guardians will report directly to the classrooms at their scheduled time. This event is intended for parents and guardians only. We appreciate your cooperation as we are trying to limit the number of people in an enclosed space. Masks are required in the school building.  

 

During Open House, you are encouraged to visit with all of your child(ren)'s teachers. Homeroom teachers, special subject teachers, and Special Education teachers, and counselors will all be available. 

 

If there is a change in this format we will notify families no later than Wednesday, September 8.  As we continue to navigate COVID-19, we do need to be flexible for the health and safety of our staff and students. 

*Please be sure to stop by the PTO table at Open House to cast your ballot for the 2021-2022 PTO Board.  

Back to School BBQ 

I regret to inform you that the PTO KCC/QS Family BBQ scheduled for Friday, September 17, has been canceled. Having up to 1,000+ people on the field is not advisable at this time. The goal needs to be to minimize exposure with a goal to remain in school. Every decision is based on student health and safety. It is disappointing, but hopefully, we will be able to reschedule at some point. 

Thank you to both KCC and QS PTOs for all they do for students and families. Their work and dedication to the schools, students, staff, and families are so appreciated.  

Calling all Grade 4, 5, & 6 musicians - we are back in business!  Parents, please complete this brief form: https://tinyurl.com/QSBandStrings to indicate your child's interest in participating in the Quashnet School music program.  Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Boyd, the Quashnet School Music teachers, will be meeting with students to explain the program in detail. 

If you have questions regarding strings please contact Mrs. Hill at khill@mpspk12.org. 

For the band, reach out to Mrs. Boyd at aboyd@mpspk12.org. 

INSTRUMENTAL RENTAL NIGHT is Friday, October 1 from 4:30-6:30 PM. 

Below are excerpts of an article from https://www.learningliftoff.com/ten-benefits-of-music-education-for-students/ explaining the benefits to music education. 

"Research has shown that the benefits of music education include students’ academic success. Here are 10 benefits of music education that highlight why it should be an integral part of students’ lives—whether inside or outside of school.

1. Language skills. According to PBS, “Recent studies have clearly indicated that musical training physically develops the part of the left side of the brain known to be involved with processing language, and can actually wire the brain’s circuits in specific ways.”  

2. Improved test scores. Studies have shown that students who are involved with a high-quality music education program in school perform better on tests than students who don’t engage in music.  PBS reports, “A study published in 2007 by Christopher Johnson, professor of music education and music therapy at the University of Kansas, revealed that students in elementary schools with superior music education programs scored around 22 percent higher in English and 20 percent higher in math scores on standardized tests, compared to schools with low-quality music programs.”

3. Self-esteem. Music allows students to try something new and develop confidence as they master singing or playing an instrument. 

4. Listening skills. Music involves listening to yourself and to the rest of the ensemble. Musicians need to hear tempos, dynamics, tuning, and harmonies. This helps auditory development in the brain.

5. Math skills. Reading music includes learning quarter, half, and whole notes, which are essentially fractions. As Getting Smart explains, “When a music pupil has spent time learning about rhythm, he has learned to count. He is not counting numbers, per se, but he is most certainly using logic to count out the rhythms and bars, and working his way methodically through the piece. Many musical concepts have mathematical counterparts.”

6. Making the brain work harder. Research shows that the brain of a musician works differently than a non-musician, according to PBS. ‘There’s some good neuroscience research that children involved in music have larger growth of neural activity than people not in music training,” says Dr. Eric Rasmussen, chair of the Early Childhood Music Department at the Peabody Preparatory of The Johns Hopkins University. 

7. Relieving stress. We all know that listening to a favorite artist or song can lift a mood and relax us. The same goes for creating music. It gives kids a great release, allowing them to immerse themselves in something that's fulfilling and calming. 

8. Creativity. Music certainly nurtures kids’ creative side. This can have an impact on their futures. The Arts Education Partnership states, “Employers identify creativity as one of the top five skills important for success in the workforce (Lichtenberg, Woock, & Wright, 2008).”  

9. Helping special needs children. Music can have a powerful impact on kids with special needs. It helps them find a way to communicate and open up, which they may struggle with otherwise. 

10. Higher graduation rates. Schools with music programs have higher graduation rates. DoSomething.org reports, “Schools with music programs have an estimated 90.2 percent graduation rate and 93.9 percent attendance rate compared to schools without music education who average 72.9 percent graduation and 84.9 percent attendance.”

We are very excited to rebuild the music program at Quashnet School! 

 

Twenty years later...

Thank you first responders, Mashpee PD & Mashpee FD, for always being there to support our schools and community. You are another reason it's GREAT TO BE IN MASHPEE! 

Respectfully, 

Principal O'Brien