Weekly MESsages: September 15, 2023

Weekly MESsages

Marguerite E. Small Elementary School

Carol Mahedy, Principal

Shannon Carlson, Assistant Principal 

 

508-778-7975   440 Higgins Crowell Rd., W. Yarmouth, MA 02673     

https:www.dy-regional.k12.ma.us/marguerite-e-small-elementary-school  ...

September 15, 2023

 

What a great start to the school year! 

Thank you to everyone for supporting our arrival and dismissal routines! We truly appreciate your attention to these procedures to ensure the safety for all during these busy times of the school day. Feel free to check out these procedures in our Family-Student Handbook located on our school website. Here is the link for your quick reference: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I18ipCNSwTfskoj5CMHXIu2wRT7BsDYK/edit 

We would like to ask that when entering the building, all visitors must be “buzzed” in by the main office. Just ring the doorbell at the main door if you need to enter the building. We do this for the safety of our students and building. Should you find someone right behind you when entering the building, please ask them to wait to check in with the main office and do not hold the door open for them. We greatly appreciate your support as we maintain the safety of our school. 

MES is hosting our Open House on Wednesday, September 20th, from 6-8 PM. Families and students are welcome to come to school to visit classrooms, meet their teachers, and check out some community and school resources! Our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) will be sharing their first meeting of the school year on the 20th at 5:30 PM! Come join us for these two special events, learn how to become more involved with the school, and share in the excitement of the new school year! 

We look forward to seeing you on September 20th! More information is highlighted below! 

 

Warm regards, 

Ms. Mahedy and Mrs. Carlson

 

Upcoming Important Events

(Upcoming events will be updated throughout the school year.) 

September 20th Parent- Teacher Organization (PTO) 5:30pm

September 20th MES Open House – 6pm-8pm. Information to follow.

September 27th 1 ½ Hour Early Release Day.  Dismissal at 1:55pm.

October 6th NO SCHOOL. – All Cape Teacher Professional Day.

October 9th  NO SCHOOL – Columbus Day holiday.

October 17th & 19th EARLY RELEASE – Parent/Teacher Conferences.  Dismissal at 12:10pm.  NO LUNCH WILL BE SERVED.

October 25th 1 ½  Hour Early Release Day.  Dismissal At 1:55pm.

November 10th NO SCHOOL – Veterans Day holiday.

November 22rd-24th NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Break.

November 29th  1 ½  Hour Early Release Day.  Dismissal at 1:55pm.

 

MES Open House 

Our kindergarten, grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 families and students are invited to visit classrooms, meet their teachers, and check out some community and school resources! Join us from 6-8 PM on Wednesday, September 20th, for our MES Open House! 

Open House is an opportunity to: 

  • Meet your child's classroom teacher(s)
  • Receive general information about their classroom
  • Share grade level expectations for the year  
  • Ask general questions to your child’s teacher(s)- student specific questions should wait until 1:1 communication and parent conferences.  

Additional School and Community Resources will be located in the Gym 

Tables will be stationed in the gym with some school and community resources: 

  • Behavior Teacher and Social Worker 
  • Instructional Coaches 
  • PTO- Parent Teacher Organization: Bake donation table 
  • West Yarmouth Library 
  • Girl Scouts
  • Nutrition Education-Cape Cod Cooperative Extension

…and more! 

 

Open House Schedule: 

The staggered schedule below is to facilitate attendance for families with children in multiple classrooms.

  • Kindergarten, Grade 1, Star 1: 6-7 PM
  • Grades 2/3/STAR2: 7-8 PM 
  • Related Arts/ ELL: 6:30-7:30 
  • Special Education, Related Services, Interventionists- Either 6-7 PM or 7-8 PM depending on grade level

News From the Office:

Please remember to send in notes with your student for early dismissal or any change in your student’s routine.

A note is necessary from a parent or guardian when:

  • Your child is not going home as usual after school.  
  • Bus students must bring a note if they are being picked up after school.
  • Your child is being dismissed early.
  • Your child will be absent for an extended period of time.

In order for our dismissal to run smoothly, we ask that you refrain from calling the school at the end of the day, unless it’s absolutely necessary. Thank you! 

 

PTO NEWS! 

Come join us for the first PTO meeting of the 2023-2024 school year on September 20th at 5:30 PM. Open House is less than a week away! The teachers & kids are so excited to share their classrooms & what they have worked on so far this year! 

Please consider donating baked goods or be on the lookout to grab a tasty snack when you stop by for our schools PTO! 

All proceeds go towards funding our kids field trips, supporting programs within our school & further supporting the staff & students needs! We appreciate all your support!

 

Meet Our Social Worker

My name is Emily Bassett and I am the new School Social Worker for M.E. Small Elementary. I grew up in Brewster and love that I get to call Cape Cod my home.

Every child should feel safe, loved, and excited to learn at school. My job is to help students, families and teachers make that happen. Majority of my background is elementary school social work on the cape as well as providing education in social and emotional skills. It is a privilege to work in and serve a community that I call home. I have also learned very quickly how special the DY community itself is, students, parents and staff alike! I look forward to building connections and creating memories with you all. 

Please reach out any time with any questions, concerns or needs that you or your child may have. I am here to be a resource and a support for anyone who needs it. Cheers to the new school year, may it be filled with health, love, learning, and FUN!

Best way to contact me is via email or phone:

Emily Bassett

School Social Worker, M.Ed School Counseling

Phone: 508-778-7975 ext 6316

Email: bassette@dy-regional.k12.ma.us
 

NON-FOOD BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS & BIRTHDAY BOOKS

Students are invited to celebrate birthdays with a “Birthday Book” with their class and by choosing one from our school Book Vending Machine! This will give each student the opportunity to have a special celebration on their birthday, share a favorite book, and will help to promote a healthy classroom.  More information will be coming home on opening day regarding this policy.  Please do not send any food to school for birthdays. We also ask that invitations to parties or other events not be delivered at school or on a school bus under any circumstances. Thank you. 


Four Day Rotation Cycle for Related Arts! 

Our school has four related arts classes that your child attends. Art, Music, Library, and Physical Education are often referred to as “specials.” These classes rotate throughout the school year on a 4 Day Rotation Cycle that is specific to your child’s classroom. For example, on every “Day 1,” Mrs. Caldwell’s first grade class has Art and on every “Day 2” Mrs. Criser’s class has Library. This schedule is for our kindergarten through grade 3 classrooms. It is important to note that the “days” of the 4 Day Rotation Cycle are not attached to the day of the week. You should also keep in mind that we never lose a “day.” If school is canceled due to inclement weather, the next school day will be the following “day” of the 4 Day Rotation Cycle. Our Early Education classrooms have a related arts schedule, too! Early Education classrooms visit related arts classes Tuesdays through Fridays on a daily schedule. September 6th is Day 1 for the 2023-2024 school year! 

 

Lost and Found

Our MES Lost and Found is located just to the right of the main entrance as you enter the building. We would like to return any items there to their rightful owners. We have begun to collect items that have been lost and need to be found! Please ask your child to visit it if they have misplaced something or visit us at the main lobby to claim a missing item. We are asking that you place your child’s name inside of their clothing or on their personal items. Thank you very much! 

 

Community Connections: 

Check out more Community Connections in our “Virtual Backpack” on our website: 

https:www.dy-regional.k12.ma.us/marguerite-e-small-elementary-school   


 

FALL RECREATIONAL SOCCER 2023

Registration for Fall Recreational Soccer is Open! Register at  ydsoccer.org  ! 

Don't miss out on a chance to play soccer this fall. 

Note: New this season, the Rec Soccer Program is now open to all players from Pee Wee (Pre-K) all the way up to Grade 8! 

Click here to view the Flyer

Please see all of our Fall Recreational Soccer programs below: 

WHAT:

Pee Wee Soccer (Ages 3 1/2 through Pre-K) - Saturdays 8:30-9:30  - 30 minutes practice/ 30 minutes Games

Kindergarten Soccer (Grade: Kindergarten) - Saturdays 8:30-9:30 - 30 minutes practice/ 30 minutes Games

Recreational Soccer:  - 1-hour sessions on Saturdays, 1-2 midweek practices

GR12 - two games times 9:45-10:45; 11-12

GR34 - two games times 11-12, 12:15-1:15

GR456 - 1:30 - 2:30 

WHERE:
Mattacheese Middle School

WHEN:
Saturday, September 16 to
Saturday, November 18
(Jamboree Tournament) 

No Games October 9
(Columbus Day Weekend) 

FEES:

$100 for 1st child
$90 each additional sibling

Kindergarten - Grade 8
Players will receive soccer jersey and socks

Pee Wee Soccer
Players will receive soccer jersey, socks, and a soccer ball

 COACHES NEEDED!! 

YDSC is looking for coaches in all Rec Soccer age groups.

The Yarmouth Dennis Soccer Club depends on volunteer parent coaches to run a successful Recreational Soccer program. Please step up and coach your child's team. It is an experience you and your child will always remember. The children provide the parents, and we provide the coach training! 

Your kids are counting on you!! To sign up to coach, click here.

All prospective coaches must complete a registration with Mass Youth Soccer.

 TROUBLES WITH ONLINE REGISTRATION?

To Contact YDSC, click here

 PAYMENT PLANS  & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

YDSC offers both Flexible Payment Plans and Financial Assistance. To be eligible for financial assistance, Parents/Guardians must submit an application.

Click here to contact the YDSC Treasurer for details regarding financial assistance and special payment plans.

 

Let’s Go for a Drive!

A Bilingual (English & Portuguese) Story/Playtime Program

Saturday, September 16th

 

4:00 - 5:00 pm

@ Outdoor Play Oasis

(Backyard of Hyannis Public Library, 401 Main St, Hyannis)

 

Fall Program Calendar

Registration required for all programs: Contact CCCP at 508-240-3310
Cape Cod Children’s Place: 

Call 508-240-3310 or visit capecodchildrensplace.com for information about

our grant-funded activities for children and families, including those listed

below and our family education and support programs listed in our virtual backpack! 

 

Fall Program Calendar

Registration is required for all programs; call CCCP at 508-240-3310.

Mondays: Baby’s First Year, 11 am-noon; weekly September-June; Snow Library, Orleans; ages birth-1 year

Music & Movement, 1:30-2:30 pm; 9/25-10/30; Hyannis Play Oasis; all ages welcome

Loose Parts, 3:30-4:30 pm; 9/11-10/2; Eastham Library; ages 3-8 (due to small parts)

Peaceful Babes Yoga Playgroup, 10-11 am; 9/11-10/2; Wellfleet Preservation Hall; ages 2-5

Peaceful Babes Yoga Playgroup, 1:30-2:30 pm; 9/11-10/2; Snow Library, Orleans; ages 2-5

Puppet Playgroup, 10-11 am; 10/30-11/20; Chatham Community Center; ages 2-5

Little Scientists, 10-11 am; 9/11-10/23; Flax Pond, Yarmouth; ages 2-5

Tuesdays: Stories, Suds & Song, 10-11 am; monthly 10/3, 11/7, 12/5; Star Laundromat, Dennis (free laundry) ages 4-7

Nature Art with Mary, 10-11 am; 9/12-10/3; Meetinghouse Farm, Barnstable; ages 2-8

Pediatric Sleep 101, 10:30-11:30 am; 9/19-10/17; Centerville Library Children’s Room; ages birth-12 mos.

Story & Project, 10-11 am; 2 sessions, 9/19-10/24 and 11/21-12/5; Dennis Public Library; ages 2-5

Eldredge Park Playgroup, 10:30-11:30 am; 9/12-10/24; drop-in Eldredge Park Playground, Orleans; ages 0-5

Little Naturalists, 1:30-2:30 pm; 9/12-10/17; Long Pasture Audubon, ages 2-8

Fun on the Farm, 10:30-11:30 am; 9/19-10/17; locations in and around Barnstable; all ages welcome

Raising Helpful Kids, 4-5 pm; 11/7-11/28; Dennis-Yarmouth community locations; ages 3-8

Wednesdays: Wiley Park Playgroup, 10:30-11:30 am; 9/13-10/25; drop-in Wiley Park Playground, Eastham; ages 0-5

 

Harwich Circle Time, 10:30-11:30 am; 10/4-12/13; Harwich Community Center; ages 2-5

Ready-Set-Go Playgroup, 10:30-11:30 am; 9/20-10/25; South Yarmouth Library; ages 2-5

Book & Cook, 5:30-6 pm; 10/11-11/18; virtual; ages 2-8

Kids Movement Jamboree, 10-11 am; 9/13-11/1; Johnny Kelley Park, Dennis; ages 2-5

Thursdays: Harwich Open Gym, 9:45-10:45 am; 10/5-12/21; Harwich Community Center; ages birth-5

Cuties in Carriers, 9-10 am; 10/5-10/26; local Conservation Districts; ages birth-1

Pre-K Explorers, 10:30-11:30 am; 10/5-10/26; local Conservation Districts; ages 2-5

Pajama Playgroup, 6-7 pm; 2 sessions, 9/28-10/26 and 11/16-12/21; Harwich Community Center; ages 2-5

ArtStart, 1-2 pm; 10/19-11/16; Dot-to-Dot Workshop, Harwich; ages 3-6

Get Outside DY, 10-11 am; 9/14-10/5; trails around Dennis and Yarmouth; ages 2-5

Get Outside Cape Cod, 10-11 am; 10/19-11/9; trails on the Lower and Outer Cape; ages 2-5

Kids Movement Jamboree, 10-11 am; 9/14-10/19; Whelden Public Library outdoors, Barnstable; ages 2-6

Fridays: Sensory Playgroup, 10:30-11:30 am; 9/22-11/3; Eastham Public Library; ages 2-5

Toddler Town, 10:30-11:30 am; 10/6-12/15; Brewster Ladies’ Library; ages birth-3

Intergenerational Music & Movement, 10-11 am; 9/15-11/17; Dennis Council on Aging w/grandparent; ages 2-5

Little Scientists, 3:30-4:30 pm; 9/15-10/20; Drummer Boy Park, Brewster; ages 2-5

Books, Balls & Blocks, 10:30-11:30 am; 10/20-11/17; Wellfleet Library; ages 1-4

Saturdays: STEM Saturdays/Facts & Fun, 10-11 am; 9/23, 10/21, 12/2; Cape Cod Toy Library; ages 2-5

Legos with Dad, 10:30-11:30 am; 10/14-11/4; Eastham Library; ages 3-7

Little Brazilians, 10-11 am; 12/2-12/16; Health Ministry, Hyannis; ages 2-7

Afternoon Artists, 2-3 pm; 9/23 at W. Yarmouth library, 10/21 at S. Yarmouth Library; ages 5-8