May 1, 2022

Dear Quashnet School Community, 

This week is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! I am so grateful for the amazing and dedicated team of professionals that come to school each day with one primary focus - students first!  Over the last three years, being an educator has not been an easy task, but this team continues to go above and beyond on a daily basis proving no task too large.  

THANK YOU TEAM QUASHNET!  

With a new month, there are some new dates to be aware of. 

Monday, May 2, is an EARLY RELEASE DAY with student dismissal at 12:30 PM. It is also Town Meeting at MMHS @ 7:00 PM. 

Tuesday and Wednesday, May 3 and May 4 - Mathematics MCAS for Grades 3-6. Please be sure to be in school and on time! 

Thursday, May 5 - Teacher and staff PTO appreciation luncheon. 

Friday, May 6 - School Lunch Hero Day - a special thank you to our kitchen staff. 

Sunday, May 8 - Mother's Day 

Tuesday and Wednesday, May 10 and May 11 - Grade 5 Science MCAS

Wednesday, May 11 - School Nurse's Day and Grade 3 Step-Up Night 

Thursday, May 12 - Quashnet School Picture Day 

Thursday, May 26 - Quashnet Theatre Group presents Peter Pan @ 6:00 PM

Friday, May 27 - Career Day - there is still time to volunteer!! Contact Mrs. MacIntire at cmacintire@mpspk12.org for full details. 

Monday, May 30 - No School in observance of Memorial Day 

Tuesday and Wednesday, May 3 & 4, ALL Quashnet students will be participating in Mathematics MCAS testing. 

Each test session is scheduled for 2 hours however, students may have extended time if needed.   

Some important MCAS reminders:  

1.  Be in school* and ON TIME - we begin testing first thing in the morning and if testing has started in a classroom, a late student cannot enter the room.  Any late students will have to wait to join their class until testing is over, and will be scheduled for a makeup test. These are testing protocols that we must follow per DESE.  *If a student is sick on a testing day, a make-up session will be scheduled upon their return.

2. Please do not dismiss your child during test sessions. If a student is dismissed and they are not done testing, they may not go back to finish it. Unanswered questions will be scored as a zero. 

3. Cell phones and smartwatches/devices are not allowed during testing. It is a good time to leave cell phones and smartwatches home. If they come to school - all cell phones and smartwatches/devices will need to be in lockers or given to teachers. 

Ways to prepare your child for success on testing days: 

1. Let your child know that you believe in them. Their job is to give their best effort and answer every question.  On MCAS, never leave a blank.

2. Get to bed early.

3. Have a nice hearty breakfast before school with protein.

4. Focus on MCAS as a celebration to show all you know! It is NOT something to be afraid or nervous of. 

Thank you to all the families that attended STEAM Night last Thursday.  It was so wonderful to welcome so many people back into the building OR into our school for the first time.  Many of our third and fourth-grade parents have not had the opportunity to visit before.  Hopefully, that is all behind us! Be sure to check out the pictures on the photo tab above.  Just click on last Monday's date. 

There are also multiple pictures from Friday's National High-Five Day.  Our School Resource Officer, Kate Hennessey, arranged for members of the MPD and MFD to come and welcome our students to school.  How awesome! 

ST MATH Update 

Thank you fourth-grader, Matthew Hooper, for sharing his amazing lego model of the Titanic! Currently, it is on display in the Quashnet library.  Following a visit to school, Matthew's model will then be docked in the Mashpee Public Library, and then at the #WeAreMashpee store. 

Well done Matthew!  The work is incredible.  It travels in three pieces, and when pulled apart, each level of the ship is exposed including the engine room.  Really, it is amazing! 

Friday, May 6 is School Lunch Hero Day! Thank you to Gus Stickley and his team for making sure everyone gets a lunch each and every day. Supply issues have been a challenge this year, but they make it work even if it's with stuffed cabbage! Trying new things is a great trait!!  Thank you, Gus, Chrissy, Colleen, Ann, and Nicole for all you do for Quashnet kids! 

To all of our Quashnet moms and caregivers, 

Sunday, May 8.  

Wishing you all a fabulous week ahead.  

Respectfully, 

Principal O'Brien