February 25, 2016

Hello Memorial Families,

This week we celebrated the 100th day of school (2/22 for Grade 1 and 2/24 for Kindergarten)!  Hard to believe that we are more than half-way through the school year already.  

What's Happening in the Memorial Lobby?

If you've been to the school in the last week, you'll notice that the lobby has an new arrangement. Our school mascots, Duck and Moose, have been relocated to make room for a very special project. More information will be shared in late spring.

Students from Mrs. McAvoy's, Mrs.Hedberg's, Mrs. Elrick's, Mrs. Pollock's and Mrs Herring's classes joined together in second lunch to commit random acts of kindness.  Each special act was recorded on a heart throughout the month of February and the hearts were hung on the walls of the cafeteria.  I'm so proud to say that the kindness wrapped around the entire cafeteria!  Way to go everyone!

Thanks to all who participated in Pajama Day before vacation!  What a great way to celebrate our progress towards our Box Top collection and a nice way to kick off February vacation and Valentine's Day.  Be on the lookout for more Spirit Days...coming soon!

Next week is Read Across America Week! We will be having special activities starting with a school wide kick off ceremony and ending with a special visit from the Cat in the Hat.  In between we'll have guest readers and crazy sock day.

Math, Math Everywhere!!!

Wondering how the student placement process works?  Come join me on Monday, March 21st from 9:30-10:30 a.m in the Memorial Library to learn about the parent input letter and the multiple factors that go into placing students into classrooms each year.  More information to follow.

MCPE Upcoming Events
Parenting Author Jessica Lahey is coming to speak at Dover/Sherborn Alan Mudge Auditorium on Tuesday, March 1st at 7 p.m.   

The location of the Alan Mudge Auditorium is in the building between D-S middle school and D-S high school on the Regional campus.  D-S has kindly invited Medfield parents to this free event. Please register online at http://goo.gl/forms/O3mRWJh0yt . Jessica Lahey is an educator, writer, and speaker. She has taught middle and high school for over a decade, is a correspondent for the Atlantic and PBS Parents, commentator for Vermont Public Radio, and writes the "Parent-Teacher Conference" column for the New York Times. Her New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed was released by Harper Books in 2015. Jessica is a Dover-Sherborn graduate, earned a B.A. in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts, and a J.D. with a concentration in juvenile and education law from the University of North Carolina School of Law. 

"Most Likely to Succeed" Film Screening and Discussion: A Medfield Community Event

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on Tuesday, March 29th at 6:30 p.m.​

Most Likely to Succeed offers an inspiring look at what students and teachers are capable of when given the opportunity. Directed by acclaimed documentarian Greg Whiteley, the film has been an official selection of two dozen of the world’s top film festivals, including Sundance, Tribeca, AFI, Cleveland, Dallas, Milwaukee, Sarasota, Seattle, Virginia, and Bergen. It’s been featured at leading conferences on education, including ASU/GSV, SxSWedu, Harvard/GoldmanSachs, and NewSchools Venture Fund. Audience members call it the most compelling film ever done on the topic of school.

The film will be shown from 6:30-8 p.m., at the Medfield High School Auditorium, with small group discussions with Medfield Public School Administrators from 8-9 p.m. You are invited to see the film and join the conversation! This is NOT one solution to education. This film asks us to ask questions, which will hopefully lead us to our own answers. PLEASE VISIT www.MLTSfilm.org TO SEE THE TRAILER! Click this link for your free registration:

eventbrite.com/e/most-likely-to-succeed-film-screening-and-discussion-a-medfield-community-event-tickets-21453072718

Thank you for reading.
Enjoy the remainder of your week.
Sincerely,
Missy Bilsborough, Principal

February 11, 2016

Greetings Memorial Families,

Tomorrow is pajama day at the Memorial School! We are celebrating the success of the box top collections to date.   All are welcome to wear pjs and don't forget, donated new pajamas are still being collected by the Girl Scouts to support the Boston Bruins and Cradles to Crayons annual pajama drive.

On Wednesday, the Museum of Science Star Lab visited the Memorial.  Thanks to the PTO, all kindergarten students had a chance to learn about the sun and the moon and to visit the planetariums. The excitement as they waited to enter the domes was palpable. 

Attention First Grade Parents!

Save the date! 

Incoming Grade 1 PIN at Wheelock School 7:00-8:00pm on March 30, 2016.

If you have not yet done so, please pre-register online at http://www.medfield.net/mem-information/kindergarten-registration.html by February 22nd.

Walk-in registration for Kindergarten students entering K in September is being held on Friday, February 26th.  Please come to the Memorial School between 9:00-10:30 or 12:30-2:00 with the following information:

For students new to the Memorial School...

• Copy of Student's Birth Certificate
  
• Copy of Purchase & Sale Agreement - If you have moved to Medfield within the last year
• Required for NEW incoming Kindergarten students (*click here for the complete printable packet):
• Kindergarten Registration Form*
• Home Language Survey*
• Current Physical Exam & Immunizations*
• Kindergarten Session Preference Form*
• A Deposit in the amount of $350.00 for the Full Day Kindergarten Program
          Please make check payable to the Town of Medfield with
                  "FDK and your child's name" in the memo section
          This payment will be applied to the last tuition installment which will be due June 2017.

For students who currently attend the Memorial Preschool program or receive walk-in services at Memorial School...

• Kindergarten Session Preference Form (click here for the form)
• A Deposit in the amount of $350.00 for the Full Day Kindergarten Program
           Please make check payable to the Town of Medfield with
                  "FDK and your child's name" in the memo section
          This payment will be applied to the last tuition installment which will be due June 2017.

Wondering how the student placement process works?  Come join me on Monday, March 21st from 9:30-10:30 a.m in the Memorial Library to learn about the parent input letter and the multiple factors that go into placing students into classrooms each year.  More information to follow.


We are looking forward to the Valentine's Day celebrations tomorrow and wish you all a safe and enjoyable February break!

Thanks for reading.
Sincerely,
Missy Bilsborough

February 4, 2016

Greetings Memorial Families,

Tomorrow is Digital Learning Day.  Please note that there will be no school for students.  Currently there are 85 sessions, 130 presenters, 50 parents signed up to attend and 40 student volunteers.  We are excited to learn about technology tools that can help support the learning of Memorial students. A HUGE thank you to Kim Cave, Debby Fromen, Neal Sonnenberg, and Diane Horvath for their amazing efforts in planning this day.  Follow #dldmedfield for updates throughout the day.

Pajama Day!
Next Friday, February 12th will be Pajama Day at Memorial.  We are having this special day to celebrate the outstanding success of the PTO Box Top collection thus far this year.   Three lucky students have won gift certificates this year courtesy of the PTO and there are more drawings to come.  We are 50% of the way towards of goal!  As you know. we are planning to use the earnings to purchase a Buddy Bench for the playground.  Please keep the Box Tops coming!

Don't forget...the Boston Bruins/Cradles to Crayons PJ drive is happening now.

Medfield Girl Scouts Troop #74900 is joining with the Boston Bruins and Cradles to Crayons for the 9th annual PJ Drive. The Boston Bruins and Cradles to Crayons are coming together to collect new pajamas for local children living in homelessness and poverty. Troop #74900 has placed a collection box in the Memorial office and will deliver all PJ's to the Bruins at the close of the drive. For every pair of pajamas our school donates, the Boston Bruins will also donate a pair of PJs. This event will run from February 1st through March 15th.

Please note that pajamas must be new and sizes 4T-18.
Thank you in advance!

Next week we are looking forward to the Star Lab visit in Kindergarten.  Be on the look out for some photos of this amazing presentation.

Valentine's Day Parties will be held on Friday, February 12th.  Teachers will be sending information directly to parents regarding classroom specifics.

Thank you for reading.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Missy Bilsborough

January 28, 2016

Hello Memorial Families,
It's hard to believe that January is just about over.  We are quickly approaching the mid-point of the school year and things are in full swing at Memorial.

Incoming Kindergarten Parent Night
On Wednesday, the informational night for incoming kindergarten parents was held in the gymnasium. It was a pleasure to see so many new and returning faces to the Memorial and I am looking forward to meeting all of the new students in June for Transition Day.  Pre-registration for the 2016-2017 school year is now open. Materials and forms can be accessed by clicking here. 

To access the presentation from last evening, please click here.

As a reminder, walk-in registration will be held on Friday, February 26, 2016.  Registration times are 9:00-10:30 a.m. or 12:30-2:00 p.m. Please be sure to visit the website to view the required materials.  

PJ Drive!
Medfield Girl Scouts Troop #74900 is joining with the Boston Bruins and Cradles for Crayons for the 9th annual PJ Drive. The Boston Bruins and Cradles to Crayons are coming together to collect new pajamas for local children living in homelessness and poverty. Troop #74900 will be placing a collection box in the Memorial lobby and will deliver all PJ's to the Bruins at the close of the drive. For every pair of pajamas our school donates, the Boston Bruins will also donate a pair of PJs. This event will run from February 1st through March 15th.

Please note that pajamas must be new and sizes 4T-18.

Thank you in advance for your support!

No School

There will be no school on Friday, February 5th as Medfield staff members will be participating in Digital Learning Day.

Thank you for reading. Have a wonderful week.

Sincerely,

Missy Bilsborough

January 21, 2016

Hello Memorial Families,
It's hard to believe but we are already beginning to plan for the 2016-2017 school year.  On Wednesday, January 27th at 6:30 p.m., there will be a parent information night for incoming kindergarten students.  General information about kindergarten readiness, full-day and half-day options, and registration information will be provided.  In addition, representatives from MAP will be available following the presentation to share information regarding their program.  I hope to see you there.  Please note that if you are unable to attend, all information will be posted on the Memorial home page.

Spirit Day Reminder
Friday is Patriots' Spirit Day!  Wear your red, white and blue or Patriots gear to support the Pats in the AFC championship game this weekend.

Inside Recess Guidelines
Winter has definitely arrived! While we try to get the kids outside for recess whenever possible, at times the cold temperatures and/or windchill keep us inside.  Decisions are made as close to lunch time as possible to allow for the winter sun to help out. However, if the temperature or windchill dips below 20 degrees, the kids will have inside recess.

Snow Clothes
As we prepare for the inevitable snow that will be arriving over the next couple of months, please continue to send warm clothes and boots with your child.  For those new to Memorial, many families have found that keeping an extra bag, such as a reusable shopping bag,  for boots, snow pants, hats, and mittens works well for transporting clothes.  As a reminder, it is a good idea to label your child's bag and snow clothes as many items frequently make their way to lost and found.

Lost & Found
The Memorial lost & found bin is quickly growing.  The bin is located directly outside the main office and parents are encouraged to take a peek for any items that may belong to your family.  Unclaimed items are periodically donated to charity.



World Language Presentation
On Thursday, Wheelock 2nd & 3rd grade students, joined by Spanish teacher, Mrs. Simanski  and Mandarin teacher, Ms. Wang visited the Memorial first graders to share about the different world language options available to second grade students.  They presented a few songs and shared some phrases that they have been learning throughout their time in class. Thank you to Mrs. Olson,  Mrs. Simanski, Ms. Wang and all of the students for joining us! It was a wonderful presentation and a great way to give the first grade students some information about each of the language options.  For further information regarding the World Language program and selection process timeline, please visit the Wheelock page at www.medfield.net or click here.

Box Tops
Keep those box tops coming!  We are planning to use the funds from the box tops for a very special addition to the Memorial playground.  Stay tuned for more information coming soon from the Memorial PTO.  Thank you for your ongoing support of our school!

Preschool Registration
Preschool registration for the 2016-2017 school year is now open to all new families.  Please visit the Memorial website for pre-registration paperwork.

Have a wonderful day.
Sincerely,
Missy Bilsborough
Memorial Principal

January 14, 2016

Dear Memorial Families,

Please remember that tomorrow (Friday, January 15th) is an early release day due to teacher professional development. Please see the email reminder that was sent out from the Memorial office for specific details.

Johnny the K

Johnny the K visited the Memorial school today and performed two shows for our preschool, kindergarten and first grade classes.  Johnny's messages about respect, kindness, compassion and remembering that we are all special and different were conveyed through songs and stories about his many different hats.  The show was fantastic and and the kids were amazing!  Thank you to the Memorial PTO for funding this program for our students. 

KIBO robots
The Memorial School were fortunate to receive two KIBO robots as part of an MCPE grant.  Teachers and staff have been learning how to use them in preparation for teaching the kids and today the students in Mrs. Teany's class learned how to code the robot.  Using their best problem solving skills, they worked together in small groups and all succeeded in programming their robots.  Great job boys and girls!

Thank you to all who supported the MCPE auction. One of the best parts of my week was dining with the winners of Lunch with the Principal. The pizza was delicious but the company was the best!

As a reminder, there is no school on Monday, January 18th (Martin Luther King Day).  Students will be back in school for a full day on Tuesday.

Have a wonderful long weekend.
Sincerely,
Missy Bilsborough
Memorial Principal