October 8, 2015

Hello Memorial Families,

Please take a moment to read the Thursday blast that Mrs. Moores emailed to you on October 8, 2015. The Memorial School Site Council election ballot link is included in your email and I would like to encourage you to place your vote. We will be collecting votes until Monday afternoon at which time, the form will be taken down. There are 2 parents running for the preschool position and 3 parents for the kindergarten position. I am so grateful to each of them for their support of our school. Have a wonderful long weekend!


Please mark your calendars:

No School - October 9, 2015

Teacher Professional Day

No School - October 12, 2015

Columbus Day

From the School Nurse:

I will begin the state mandated health screenings for all students in mid-October. Kindergarten and Pre-School will be screened for Hearing and Vision and 1st grade for Hearing, Vision and BMI(Growth).  These screening tests are not diagnostic. They only identify students who may need further attention by a primary caregiver or specialist.  A notice will be sent home to report the results of your child's screening after it has been performed. If the child has difficulty with the initial hearing or vision screening, they will be retested within 2 weeks. Referrals will then be made if the child continues to have difficulty. If you receive a letter requesting follow up, please make every effort to follow through with the referral and return the results to the nurse as soon as possible. Thank you!

~~

Thanks!

Kim Maguire

From the Library...




The Memorial School is participating in Global Read Aloud!!

For more information, visit Mrs. Groden's website at : http://randiegroden.blogspot.com/

Storybook Pumpkin Patch

@ the Memorial School Library

Our library is growing a storybook pumpkin patch, and we need your help! Decorate a pumpkin to look like one of your favorite book characters and bring it to the library to plant in our Storybook Pumpkin Patch!

• Think of your favorite book and design your pumpkin based on your favorite character from that book.
• Purchase a pumpkin that is no larger in size than a basketball - smaller is good too!
• Gather your decorating supplies!  Acrylic paints or permanent markers work best.  Watercolors tend to run, and spray paint will gradually dissolve the pumpkin. Other options include adding materials such as yarn, buttons, wiggly eyes, etc.    
• Decorate your pumpkin without carving, cutting, or poking holes in it.  This is an at home activity!
• Bring your pumpkin and entry page to school beginning on Tuesday, October 20th
• Pumpkins go home anytime after Friday, October 30th (Tues-Fri please)  If your child needs assistance getting it home, please make arrangements to do this. Last year some pumpkins starting rotting, if that happens we will toss.
• Participation is completely voluntary.  

For more information, please visit www.medfield.net

Thank you for reading!

Sincerely,

Missy Bilsborough

Memorial School Principal

October 1, 2015

Greetings Memorial Families,

It's hard to believe that October is already here! Where did September go? After four quick weeks, we are definitely in the swing of things here at Memorial.  

Thank you to all who were able to come to the first PTO meeting of the school year. It was great to see both new and familiar faces.

Aspen Parent Portal Update & Request

We want to thank those parents who have gone into the Aspen Parent Portal to verify their child’s information in our database and making corrections where necessary. Based on feedback received, we have expanded your options for who may meet your child off the bus each day.

In addition, the various electronic permissions for the use of your child’s likeness or name as well as acknowledgement that you have read and accepted the Student Handbook and the Acceptable Use Policy (for the Internet) have been simplified. These documents can be found at the bottom right of the front page of the Parent Portal in a folder called Memorial. Click on the folder to see the forms.

• Please note that giving us permission to use your child’s name OR likeness (we do not use both simultaneously without your express permission) requires a “yes” to be selected in the Aspen Parent Portal.
• If you make no selection for that question and submit, you are indicating that we do not have permission to use your child’s photo or name.
• Lastly, if you do not log in to Aspen and make a selection, it will be our assumption that we have permission to use your child’s name or likeness.

We respectfully ask that you go back into your Aspen Parent Portal - https://ma-medfield.myfollett.com - once more to review your personal data, make corrections as needed and submit. This section of the parent portal is replacing the Emergency Green Cards that have been used in previous school years so it is important that all parents login to verify and update their information.

Your eligibility to change student information will expire. However, after the designated time period, you will be able to contact the school directly for any changes that may occur throughout the school year. Should you have any issues with logging in, please email us at aspenhelp@email.medfield.net

Thank you for your cooperation! We appreciate it!

Site Council Election

Next week, please be on the lookout for information regarding the Memorial Site Council election.  The five candidates will be submitting a brief blurb about themselves and why they would like to serve on the Council.  Memorial parents will be asked to review the information and cast a vote for one preschool and one kindergarten representative,  Thank you in advance for your participation and a special thank you to the five volunteers.



                                                              

Halloween Trasher Dash – Volunteers Needed!

This fundraiser honors the memory and spirit of the beloved former Memorial School teacher and principal, Andrea Trasher who passed away last October. The fun-filled family event will take place in the athletic fields between Memorial and Dale St. School from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Halloween Day. We are currently looking for volunteers to help make this event a success! We need help with planning concessions, decorations, and are hoping to find people or groups willing to "captain" the activities along the way. It is a great opportunity for Dale St. School and Blake Middle School students and service groups to help out and earn community service! Money raised will be split between the K-8 PTO and the Andrea Trasher Scholarship Fund. If you are interested in helping out with the event - either in the planning or volunteering on that day - please contact Jill Herrick at jillherrick@gmail.com.

Have a great rest of your week.

Sincerely,

Missy Bilsborough

Memorial School Principal

September 24, 2015

Good afternoon!

Thank you to all who were able to attend PIN on Monday, September 21st.  It was great to see both new and familiar faces from Preschool to Grade One.  Thank you to School Committee member, Tim Bonfatti, PTO President, Jamie O'Connell, and MCPE representative, Kate Boxmeyer for coming to share information about these important organizations.  I would also like to thank Food Service Director, Dawn Lavallee and Memorial kitchen staff member, Terri Lynch for providing delicious samples of the cafeteria offerings. We hope that you enjoyed the evening!

Parking Lot Safety
As you enter the North Street parking lot at Memorial, you will see signage directing traffic to the right and around the parking lot in a counter clockwise direction.  For the safety of our children and staff, please follow the established traffic pattern.  Thank you in advance!

PTO meeting
The first Memorial PTO (formally known as the CSA) meeting will be held on Thursday, September 30th at 9:00 a.m. in the Teachers' Room.  Meetings alternate between mornings and evenings.  All are welcome!  We look forward to seeing you.

Have a great week.
Sincerely,
Missy Bilsborough
Memorial School Principal

September 17, 2015

Greetings Memorial Families,

Thank you all for your patience and cooperation over these past couple of weeks.  It is Day 9/Day 7 (K & PreK) and we are definitely all getting into the groove of things. If you have not had a chance to go on to the Aspen Parent Portal and review/update your contact information, please do so. In addition, please read the Acceptable Use Policy as well as the Parent/Student Handbook and sign off in Aspen that you have read both.  Thank you in advance!

F.Y.I.

We had our first fire drill of the school year on Wednesday afternoon and everyone did a super job!

No School

Please note that school will be closed next Wednesday, September 23rd.

PIN
PIN Night is just around the corner!  On Monday, September 21st, parents of children in preschool, kindergarten and grade one are invited to the Memorial School.  An initial presentation will be held in the gymnasium from 6:30-7:00 p.m. during which time staff members will be introduced, general school information will be shared by the principal, and representatives from the PTO, MCPE, etc...will say hello and talk about the organizations.  Parents will then be invited to the classrooms for individual presentations.  We look forward to seeing you!

Morning Announcements
New this week, we are now starting our day with morning announcements by our first graders.  Our guest speakers introduce themselves, share the date and their teacher's name and then lead the school in the Pledge of Allegiance.  


"Go Dotty Day"
In honor of International Dot Day, the Memorial School went "dotty" on Wednesday, September 16th.  Thanks to all for participating!

Skype
First grade students joined Mrs. Groden, our school librarian, and connected with students around the United States to share in our Dot Day celebration.  Memorial School students did an outstanding job representing the school and town of Medfield during their Skype session.  Great job boys and girls!

Have a great rest of the week and thank you for reading.
Sincerely,
Missy Bilsborough
Memorial School Principal

September 11, 2015

Dear Parents,
What a great week it's been at Memorial!  We welcomed our Kindergarten and Preschool students into the building on Tuesday and everyone did an amazing job. Each and every day the kids' confidence grows as they come into the building and head to their classrooms.  It is so wonderful to see their excitement!

Dates to Remember...
September 14th - No School - Rosh Hashanah 
September 23rd - No School - Yom Kippur


Memorial Spirit Day - DOTTY DAY!


The Memorial School's first Spirit Day of the school year will be held on Wednesday, September 16th.  In honor of International Dot Day, we would like to invite everyone to "get dotty"and wear their dots!

 "International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration, began when teacher Terry Shay introduced his classroom to Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Dot on September 15, 2009.

The Dot is the story of a caring teacher who dares a doubting student to trust in her own abilities by being brave enough to “make her mark”. What begins with a small dot on a piece of paper becomes a breakthrough in confidence and courage, igniting a journey of self-discovery and sharing, which has gone on to inspire countless children and adults around the globe."

Drop Off/Pick Up Reminders

If you are dropping of your child in the morning, please remember that the bus loop is strictly for buses only.  Parents are welcome to drop off using the Adams Street parking area or the North Street lot.  Staff members will be on duty to help guide your child into the building at both the main entrance and at North Street until 8:35 a.m.  If you arrive after that time, please bring your child to the main office to sign them in.

At the end of the school day, parents picking up their child should meet them at the North Street door. Staff members will greet you and check ID's of unfamiliar faces before releasing your child.  Please understand that there are several different staff members who monitor the door at the end of the day. Safety is our first priority and we appreciate your patience.

Aspen Student Information Parent Portal

This week Dr. Marsden sent information to families with directions for accessing the Aspen Student Information Parent Portal. As a reminder, parents are able to submit verification for the AUP (Internet Acceptable Use Policy); the Digital Citizenship component is coming), and for receipt of the Elementary Student Handbook.  

For the first time this year, elementary parents are able to access the Parent Portal to provide this information which eliminates the use of paper. Yippee! However, with all things new come some bumps in the road. We seek your patience as we try to work out a few glitches. To that end, here are some reminders:

• When accessing the Parent Portal, the Memorial folder is at the bottom right of the front page.
• Your eligibility to change student information will expire. However, after the designated time period, you will be able to contact the school directly for any changes that may occur throughout the school year.
• If you completed information in the Portal already, you may want to go back in and revisit the student pick up and bus stop contact information. Based on parent feedback, the language has been adjusted to be more explicit. Thank you for your cooperation! We appreciate it.

From the Art Department...

Attention Parents,

Welcome to a wonderful new year here at Memorial School.  The Kindergarten Art Teacher, Mr. Knaus, and First grade Art Teacher, Ms. Babin, will be introducing portfolios for the 2015-2016 school year.  Portfolios will be sent home with your son / daughter at the end of each term.  More information will be available at Parent Information Night.  Term I ends on December 8th, Term II ends on March 21st and Term III ends on the last day of school. 

Thank you,

Memorial Art Department

Tracey Babin ( 1st Grade Art Teacher ) tbabin@email.medfield.net

Joe Knaus ( Kindergarten Art teacher ) jknaus@email.medfield.net

September 3, 2015

September 3, 2015

Welcome Back!

It was so wonderful to see all of our first grade students climbing off the buses on Wednesday morning filled with excitement and with big smiles on their faces.  Our preschool and kindergarten children joined us for orientation and screening during these past two days, meeting their new teacher and classmates.  The classroom and halls were buzzing with activity and I speak on behalf of the entire staff when I say that we are so excited to welcome the kids back.

Visiting the Memorial School

As a reminder, all visitors to the Memorial School must enter and exit through the main door.  Once inside the building, please sign in at the office and grab a visitors badge.  When leaving, please come to the office and sign out in the visitor’s log.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Dismissal Notes

As a reminder, pick up notes, etc...do not carry over from year to year.  You must notify the office in writing regarding daily and/or routine plans at the start of each school year.  Please use your green bus notes or click here for the Daycare/Bus Transportation Form.

If your child is a standard pick-up (the same day(s) every week), please send a note or email to Andrea Moores at amoores@email.medfield.net that includes the first and last name of the person picking up.  

School Bus

If you would like to authorize an older sibling (4th grade or older) to be able to meet your child at the bus stop, please email Andrea Moores at amoores@email.medfield.net with that information.  As a reminder, parents must be visible at the bus stop.  If there is not an approved individual at the stop, Kindergarten and Grade One students will be returned to the Memorial school for pick-up.

Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge

Thank you to all who participated in the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge.

If you haven’t done so already, please have your child print out his or her minutes from the user profile online.  This can be found on the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge website www.scholastic.com/summer.  Please send a printed copy of the online log (or a paper/pencil log) back to to school by next Wednesday, September 9.  In addition, please fill out the slip of paper at the bottom of this letter and send it to school with your child’s reading log.  We will share and celebrate your child’s summer reading success during an upcoming assembly in recognition of International Literacy Day!

School Lunch

Check out our new sign in the Memorial cafeteria!  

The Warrior Pizza was a huge hit on the first day of school and smelled so delicious!  Next Tuesday (9/8), Food Service Director, Dawn Lavallee and our amazing cafeteria staff, Mrs. Konevich and Mrs. Lynch will be offering a free lunch to all of our incoming Kindergarten students.  Yum! Enjoy!

FACTS Tuition Payment

Preschool and Full-Day Kindergarten parents are reminded to please established a FACTS online tuition account as September payments are now due.  Visit http://factsmgt.com/  login, register, search for my institution.  If you have any questions related to setting up your account, please call FACTS at 866-441-4637.

PIN Night

The Memorial School PIN Night will be held on Monday, September 21st from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.  Parents are invited to join me in the gymnasium from 6:30-7:00 p.m. for general school information including greetings from our PTO, MCPE and SEPAC.  At 7:00 p.m., parents will be invited down for individual classroom presentations.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Stay Connected

Each week you will receive an email letting you know that the Thursday packet has been updated.  The packet contains information, reminders and important dates.  In addition, all information/forms can be found on the Memorial School website.

I would also like to encourage you to visit the Memorial School Blog at memorialschoolmedfield.blogspot.com.   As a convenience, you can sign up to get direct emails when it is updated.   Lastly, follow the Memorial School on Twitter at @MemorialPreK1.

As a reminder, there is no school on Friday, September 4th or Monday, September 7th.  We will see you on Tuesday.  Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Sincerely,

Missy Bilsborough

Memorial School Principal

Kindergarten Bus Orientation

Kindergarten Bus Orientation

I hope that you are all enjoying your summer and the beautiful weather that we have been so fortunate to have.

As you may remember, on August 27th we will be offering a brief bus orientation for our incoming Kindergarten students.  

The orientation will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the gymnasium.  Due to space constraints, we ask that only incoming Kindergarten students and their parent(s) attend.  Our bus coordinator and I will review the bus rules and provide some other general information regarding busing.  Immediately following our discussion, the kids will have an opportunity to take a quick bus ride that will start and end in the Memorial bus loop so that they will know what to expect when school starts up in a few weeks.  The ride will conclude the orientation however, Deb Roman, the bus coordinator and I will be available afterwards to answer questions that you may have.

Bus routes are currently being worked on and should be emailed out to you mid to late next week from the Superintendent's Office.

I look forward to seeing those of you who are able to attend on the 27th or if not, the following week during Kindergarten Screenings.

Sincerely,
Missy Bilsborough

Memorial School Principal