QUASHNET SCHOOL

January 22, 2023

Dear Quashnet School Community,

This week in January has been designated as Kindness Week.

It is a week where we recognize ALL the kindness that goes on around us and to be grateful.

It is a week where we can be intentional in our actions by doing something for someone else or helping for the greater good.

I see this every day in our school environment, and we need to recognize it and call it out!

"What we pay attention to grows."

How many words and acts of kindness can you spread this week and recognize in others?

We are so grateful to the QS PTO who are kind with their efforts to support others. Every year for Kindness Week, the PTO has sponsored an assembly focused on kindness. Even during Covid, we participated in Zoom assemblies. This year we have a new presenter coming to school to spread their message of kindness. On Wednesday, students will be participating in an assembly with Rob Surette who is an "artist-extraordinaire." Rob has appeared on The TODAY Show, The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, and The Oprah Winfrey Show! He is a Top-Tier Master Fine Artist for Disney, Lucasfilm, DC Comics, DreamWorks, Muppets, and MARVEL! Here is a link to get a glimpse of what’s to come:

-A 3-minute Boston 25 News segment: https://youtu.be/f0kuVOSv0eQ

Thank you, PTO, for the KINDNESS you bring to our school community.

Having so many sixth graders attend the MMHS Program of Studies night was terrific! I hope you were all able to walk away with a better understanding of all of the opportunities that are offered at MMHS. There will certainly be additional opportunities for students to go to the middle school and learn expectations that will help with their transition to Grade 7. I will keep you posted on those opportunities as they come up.

The Session 2 club link was sent out last week. In case you missed it, please click the link HERE to register your child. A few clubs do have limited space, so the sooner you register the better. Confirmations for club participation will be sent home this week. There are a few new additions for clubs this session. Coach Mather and several of the MMHS volleyball team are going to be teaching the fundamentals of the sport for four sessions, and Coach Auger is going to do the same with field hockey in May. We are very excited to partner with MMHS athletics for this opportunity and to expand offerings to QS students with the support of the MMHS athletic director, Mr. Trivieri. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Education Department is starting a cultural club here at Quashnet for Tribal boys in grades 4-6. To register, just go to the link above.

Please enjoy the ST Math Update. Currently, there are two classes tied for the World Cup!

ST MATH VIDEO

Happy Problem-Solving!

The Quashnet School Student Council has been quite busy. This week a

group of students shared the Trex Recycling Challenge with students during lunches. The Student Council is collecting clean plastics to be recycled. Below is a list of suggested items. There is a collection bin at Stop and Shop and in the school cafeteria. The goal is to collect 500 pounds of clean plastic. Help! Great job Ben, Caiohme, Kevin, Grey, and Drew!

Another student council subcommittee has been planning a social event for fifth and sixth graders. It is going to take place on Friday, February 3 and the theme is Kindness. Students have kindly gathered teachers to chaperone and the student council is planning a variety of fun activities. This social is open only to Quashnet students in grades 5 and 6. Look for the flyer -- coming soon.

CONGRATULATIONS to the Quashnet Robotics teams for
their participation in their first VEX competition this year. Quashnet STEM teacher, Mrs. Whiddon, accompanied 3 out of our 7 teams to Wickford, RI this weekend for the competition. Being only our second year with robotics competitions, it is great exposure to see what other schools are doing at our grade level, meet other students who are building bots with the same tools, coding, and learning this year's game. This was fabulous prep for the upcoming competition being held at Quashnet on Monday, February 6, where all of our teams will be competing. Thank you parents for your participation and support as well. If you are curious about what the students do - Here is an overview video of the game.

A FEW IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR UPCOMING EVENTS:

MUSIC IS IN THE AIR!

Join Mrs. Hill, Mr. Felix, Mrs. Crehan, and the Quashnet School musicians for two upcoming school concerts.

Tuesday, January 24, Grade 6 musicians will be performing in the QS gym.

Thursday, January 26, Grade 5 musicians will be performing in the gym.

Both concerts start at 6:00 PM and open to the QS School Community.

MASHPEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ONLINE SAFETY WORKSHOP “KEEPING THEM SAFE”

Please join us on Wednesday, January 25th at 6:30 PM for a VIRTUAL workshop where we will share online safety resources and ideas for families to support students as they navigate the ever-changing, complex world of online communication. Click here to register for this event. Very Important: This presentation is for adults. We will be sharing information to help adults support students in all grade levels. Headphones and a quiet space is recommended. Contact sbrooks@mpspk12.org with any questions.

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT RACISM

Parent/Guardian Workshop with Dr. Kalise Wornum

Dr. Kalise Wornum, who is currently engaged with the District in a 3-year partnership focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, will be facilitating a workshop for MPS parents/guardians on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM at MMHS. Dr. Wornum will share her knowledge, experience, and dynamic personality as she provides attendees with the strategies, the language, and the tools necessary to have impactful and productive conversations with their children about racism. Free childcare will be provided. This event cannot be recorded and shared, so we are hopeful you are able to attend. A separate email invitation and a Google registration form will be sent to everyone next week. We hope to fill the auditorium! Through this shared learning opportunity, we will create an improved school community and an improved Mashpee community. Learn more about Dr. Wornum

A message from Mashpee Youth Baseball and Softball-

The live link to register for baseball/softball is: HERE

Today, January 22, 2023, is the Lunar New Year.

Is Chinese New Year the same as Lunar New Year?

"Chinese New Year is not the same as Lunar New Year. While Lunar New Year is a widely-celebrated holiday throughout Asia, the term “Chinese New Year” is specific to the celebration of this holiday in China and among people of Chinese heritage.

Using the term “Chinese New Year” in other contexts outside of Chinese culture can be perceived as insensitive or rude, as it denies the traditions and celebrations of other Asian cultures.

To avoid causing offense, it is best to use the term “Lunar New Year” when speaking to people of unknown heritage, or to specify the particular heritage of the person you are speaking with, such as “Vietnamese New Year” or “Korean New Year”. By using inclusive and respectful language, we can celebrate the diversity and richness of the Lunar New Year holiday while also honoring the traditions and cultures of those who celebrate."