Weekly MESsages: September 22, 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 22, 2023
Thank you to our Families, Students and Staff!
Thank you for an incredible night at our MES Open House on Wednesday, September 20th! It was wonderful to share the evening with so many of our families, students, and staff! The school was alive with energy and excitement to be together and celebrate the start of the new school year!
Whether we were greeting families, participating in a classroom activity, answering a question, or saying good night, one theme emerged; MES is an amazing community!
A special thank you to our school and community resources who joined us for Open House in the gym… Miss Bassett, our social worker, Ms. Ester, our behavior teacher, Mrs. Wooley, our math coach, Mrs. Cronin, our literacy coach, the West Yarmouth Library, Nutrition Education from Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, Calmer Choice, and Girl Scouts.
Our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) led by Mrs. Peace, Mrs. Barker, and Miss Pisano met for the first time on the 20th and the turnout was incredible! Thanks to the PTO and our families’ support, MES raised $1,075 through the PTO bake sale and school spirit wear! Please consider following the M.E. Small PTO Facebook page to learn about all of the latest and greatest news from our PTO! Mark your calendars… The next meeting is on October 10th at 5:30 PM.
We are truly grateful for all that our families, students, and staff do to make MES!
Warm regards,
Ms. Mahedy and Mrs. Carlson
Upcoming Important Events
(Upcoming events will be updated throughout the school year.)
September 27th 1 ½ Hour Early Release Day. Dismissal at 1:55pm. There is no PM Early Education Classes.
October 6th NO SCHOOL. – All Cape Teacher Professional Day.
October 9th NO SCHOOL – Columbus Day holiday.
October 10th- MES PTO meeting at 5:30pm
October 16th- 20th- Scholastic Book Fair (More details to follow)
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 14th- MES PTO meeting at 5:30pm (Calendar Raffle begins! More information to follow)
November 22rd-24th NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Break.
November 29th 1 ½ Hour Early Release Day. Dismissal at 1:55pm.
Early Release Day- September 27th
Our dismissal will begin at 1:55 PM. This is the time that parent pick-up will be called to the lower and upper parking lots. Just as a reminder, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 students will be dismissed to the lower lot and Grades 2 and 3 with any younger siblings will be dismissed to the upper lot. Buses will begin to arrive at 2:00 PM. The school day ends at 2:05 PM for early release days.
For families who choose to pick up their children at dismissal, the safety of your children is our first priority and our dismissal routine has been designed with that in mind. For the lower lot, please remain in your vehicle until yours is among the first six and it is your turn to safely assist your child getting into the vehicle.
The traffic pattern must follow clockwise from the entrance at Higgins-Crowell Road. Please keep to the left as you enter the lower lot and remain in the line of vehicles that you join. Thank you!
In the World of Physical Education
Preschool and kindergarten students have been working on moving through open space using various locomotor travels such as giant steps, baby steps, galloping, walking, jogging, running, hopping, jumping, skipping, speed walking, slow motion, and my personal favorite the zombie walk! We have also been working on stopping and freezing. Preschoolers will be starting a ball exploration unit where they will get to experiment with a variety of manipulative equipment such as a bean bag, tennis ball, playground ball and more. We will discuss what we can and can not do with the equipment: Does it bounce? Can we balance it on our knee? Can we kick it? Kindergarten and First graders are starting our Soccer unit where we focus on dribbling the ball while walking, jogging and running, passing to partners, stopping and controlling the ball, shooting on the net as well as playing goalie! Second and Third grade students will be starting a flag football unit where we will be working on carrying the ball, throwing the overhand spiral, passing and catching, place kicks, drop kicks, snapping the ball and playing a modified flag football game. Sneakers are required on the days your student comes to Physical Education Class. If they do not have them, then they will borrow a pair of my gently used sneakers. If your child has outgrown their sneakers and they are still in good shape, do not throw them out! Please donate them to MES! We use these sneakers for more than just gym class! If a student's shoes break, are too small, get wet, etc.. We will put them to good use! Thank you, Ms. Buron
News from the Library
We are so excited to be back in the library!
In Kindergarten we are listening to stories, perfecting our coloring skills and learning how to check out books. On the iPad we have been introduced to six apps, iTrace, Starfall, Moose Math, Rocket Speller, Draw & Tell and Show Me. In First grade we are listening to stories, learning about the library and how to check out books. We will be taking out two books this year which will include a beginning chapter book. We are revisiting apps that we used last year on the iPad and learning new ones. In Second grade we started our year with books from the author and illustrator Janell Cannon. We are revisiting our favorite apps from last year and have added Sight Word Ninja, Sushi Monster and Stack the States to our list. In Third grade we started the year with books by author/illustrator Patricia Polcacco. In two weeks we start our Novel Engineering Unit. We pair picture books with the design process. The students will be receiving their Chromebook to use in the library which always generates a lot of enthusiasm.
Happy Reading,
Mrs. Keith
MES Job Opportunities!
We have openings for substitutes, classroom and student assistants, as well as recess and duty aides. Whether you are interested in joining us for a few hours or a full day, reach out if you are interested.
Check out the opportunities online DY employment opportunities or contact Assistant Principal Shannon Carlson at 508-778-7975 or carlsons@dy-regional.k12.ma.us
Calling MES!
If you call the school and speak a language other than English, simply ask whomever answers the phone for “the language line.” We will then connect an interpreter to our conversation.
If your student is going to change their end of the day transportation routine, please call 508-778-7975 and let Mr. Sandone know that there is a change in plans.
If your student is absent or going to be late, please call the school at your earliest convenience to report this to the main office. It is very important to contact the office at: 508-778-7975.
MES Early Education Morning Drop- off
Students for the AM preschool class is from 9:10-9:20 AM.
Families must enter the lower lot and stay to the left, travel in one of the two lines formed around the parking lot, and stay in that line. Vehicles may NOT cross lines.
A staff member will hold a stop sign and signal that it is safe to move to the Early Education drop- off zone by signally with a “slow” sign.
Do not move forward unless you are signaled to do so. Our kindergarten through grade 3 students are being dropped-off in the “unloading zone” and everyone’s safety is very important!
Vehicles pull up to the six spots designated for Early Education drop off. If there is not a spot available please do not pull up for drop off. Vehicles can remain in the two lines until there is a space available.
A staff member of our Early Education Team is in the Early Education drop-off zone to greet your child. If you need to speak to your teacher, please send them an email or call the main office at 508-778-7975.
Thank you for your cooperation and support!
School Bus Safety
When riding the school bus it is very important for everyone to maintain a safe body and voice at all times. Students should remain seated, keep their hands to themselves, keep their arms and hands inside of the bus (not hang out the windows), and use a speaking voice. Food is not allowed to be eaten on the bus. Respecting the bus and the driver is necessary to ensure a safe trip to and from school. Our bus drivers must maintain their awareness on the road and maintain safe driving habits. Please remind your students that riding the bus is another opportunity during their school experience to show how they can be respectful, responsible, ready, caring and safe!
Calmer Choice
Learn About Calmer Choice at DY:
Join us for an hour long session sharing how Calmer Choice and DY Regional School District are partnering to bring mindfulness into the school community at the three elementary schools for the school year. Learn about strategies your children are learning and basic components of mindfulness.
About Us:
We are a local nonprofit serving children and those who support them on Cape Cod and surrounding regions by providing evidence-based mindfulness education, training and mentorship to build resilience, foster compassion, and nurture wellbeing for all people and communities.
Calmer Choice Parent Information Session
October 4, 2023
7pm
Join this virtual session to find out more about the Calmer Choice program and how you can support it at home.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82421959405
Meeting ID: 824 2195 9405
Free Breakfast and Lunch:
Breakfast and lunch are free for all students for the school year!
Food Bags
Our school collaborates with Cape Cod Bright Lights and Cape Kids Meals to offer students take home food bags for the weekends. Emily Bassett, our social worker, and Sheila Hayles, our medical assistant, can be contacted by email: bassette@dy-regional.k12.ma.us and hayless@dy-regional.k12.ma.us to get any family started right away.
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
Afternoon Artists
ages 4 - 8 with supervising adult
This Art Group is set up to build confidence, connection, and creativity.
Each child will have the opportunity to freely experiment with different tools and mediums with the support of Katie O’Connor, our Art Teacher. Join us for the Fun!
2:00 - 3:00pm, September 23rd, West Yarmouth Library
October 21st, South Yarmouth Library
To register, call Cape Cod Children’s Place 508-240-3310
This programming is funded by a SAFE Child Communities grant through the Children’s Trust and a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement(CFCE) grant from the MA Dept. of Early Education and Care, administered by the Cape Cod Children’s Place.
Be A Girl Scout!
Meet your new friends at Discover Girl Scouts.
This free event is on September 24th at 2:30 PM at the South Yarmouth Library, 312 Old Main Street, Yarmouth, MA 02664
RSVP to eventbrite.com/e/709493362747