Weekly MESsages: September 5, 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 5, 2023
Welcome to the New School Year
We want to welcome everyone who is returning to Marguerite E. Small Elementary School (MES) and welcome everyone who is new to our school community! The summer months are quiet and there is always lots to do, but the school truly comes alive with energy and excitement when our students, families, and staff return! Our staff has been busy preparing for our students by creating incredible classroom environments, sharing in professional development experiences, and putting on the finishing touches for just what our students will need to kick off the school year! At MES we believe in a partnership with educators, families, and community members. M.E. Small strives to provide the foundation for lifelong learning by establishing an educational environment that fosters agency and curiosity. Together, we inspire children to fully realize their individual potential, and encourage them to be active thinkers and problem solvers, so they can grow to be healthy, responsible citizens.
We have loved sharing in the excitement of new beginnings, especially at our “Kindergarten Meet and Greet” that was shared on August 31st! Our kindergarten students met their teachers, saw their new classrooms, visited a school bus, checked out the playground, and met many of their new classmates! It was an amazing turn out and we want to thank everyone who joined in the fun!
Our weekly school newsletters will be sent through Remind and it will be posted on our school website. you can select the language that you prefer to have announcements sent to you in through Remind and on the school website. The newsletter will capture highlights from previous school-wide events, as well as, give you information on upcoming school activities and news! Towards the end of each newsletter, we will share community connections to allow you to see what other opportunities are available to you and your child in our great community!
We hope that you find this helpful newsletter helpful! Please reach out throughout the school year if you ever need to do so. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to MES!
Warm regards,
Ms. Mahedy and Mrs. Carlson
Upcoming Important Events
(Upcoming events will be updated throughout the school year.)
September 6th Early Education Open House- 10:30 am for AM Classes & 1:00 pm for PM Classes (Please park in the lower lot. Thank you!)
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.
News From the Office:
Please check out these bits of information below. More of our school information is found on our website and in the Family-Student Handbook. (Click on the link to be brought directly to the handbook.)
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 and NOT the classroom teacher. 508-778-7975.
It is also helpful that you send in notes with your children 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. Please continue to be patient as we adjust to the new school year routines. Thank you!
SCHOOL HOURS:
School begins at 9:20 a.m. Parent drop-off begins at 9:10 AM. Students are dismissed at 3:25 p.m. to Parent Pick-Up and dismissed 3:35 for Buses. Students arriving at school after 9:20 a.m. are considered tardy.
Arrival and Dismissal Routines:
MORNING STUDENT DROP-OFF
Students may arrive at school between 9:10-9:20 AM. We have several staff to assist students’ transition to classrooms. We recognize that many parents, especially for our younger students, will want to walk their child to their classroom for the first few weeks of school. However, we ask that children walk on their own down to their classroom. Our lobby greeters can continue to assist your child in getting to their classrooms. If you need to speak with your child’s teacher at the start of the day, please send an email directly to them or send a message via backpack mail. Staff are always present at parent drop-off.
The upper lot is reserved for buses at drop-off. Please do not enter the upper lot before 9:30 am.
Family drop-off takes place at the lower lot. Enter the lower lot from Higgins-Crowell Road. Two lines form in the lower lot. Stay in your line while in the lower lot and do not switch lanes. Vehicles pull up to the sign holder. Students exit vehicles within the unloading zone when signaled. Students may not exit vehicles until they reach the unloading zone. Students closest to the building walk directly to the sidewalk and enter to the main entrance. Students who are leaving their vehicles from the line farthest from the school walk to a staff member at the base of the sidewalk, walk up the sidewalk, and enter through the main entrance. Drivers should stay in and with their cars at all times. The sign holder will signal when all students are clear from vehicles and it is safe for vehicles to drive away.
Early Education families will be directed to drive past the unloading zone and to the Early Education drop-off area. This area is a single lane drop-off area. Please wait until there is room to pull your vehicle up safely to drop-off your child.
MORNING EARLY EDUCATION DISMISSAL
Early Education students who attend the morning classes are dismissed at 11:50 AM. Families who are picking up their children will enter the Upper Lot from Higgins-Crowell Road and form a single lane. Buses also share this space and will be in the same lane. Please do not pass a bus while in the Upper Lot. Please wait until there is room to pull your vehicle up safely to pick-up your child.
AFTERNOON DISMISSAL PROCEDURE
The Upper and Lower Parking Lots will be used to dismiss students to Parent Pick-Up.
Grade 2 and Grade 3 Students (and their siblings):
Students are dismissed to Parent Pick-up at 3:25 PM. Students who are in Grade 2 and Grade 3 will be picked up in the Upper Lot. Enter directly into the Upper lot and go to the right. One line will form in the Upper Lot. Please pull up to the loading zone. Students will load 8-10 vehicles at a time. All vehicles must come to a complete stop in order for students to enter the loading zone. Students will be lined up at the main entrance door and will be escorted to their vehicles. Placards are made for all students being picked up on a regular basis. Names of students are collected upon entering the Upper Lot. Please place this placard in your front window so it is visible to the staff bringing the students out to the vehicles. Our 4 Special Education buses will also be loaded in the Upper Lot at 3:25 PM.
If Grade 2 or Grade 3 students have a sibling in preschool, kindergarten, or Grade 1, the sibling is dismissed to the Upper Lot.
Drivers should remain with their vehicles and email their child’s teacher if they have any questions about their day. The sign holder will signal when all students are loaded into their vehicles and it is safe for vehicles to drive away.
Early Education, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 Students:
Students are dismissed to Parent Pick-up at 3:25 PM. Students who are in Early Education afternoon classes, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 will be picked up in the Lower Lot. Enter directly at the Lower Lot entrance and go to the left. Two lines will form in the Lower Lot. Please pull up to the sign holder. 6 vehicles at a time will be asked to pull forward into the loading zone. Students will load vehicles 6 at a time. Students will be lined up at the gym entrance door and will be waiting at the ramp until all vehicles are stopped and it is safe to load students into vehicles. Placards are made for all students being picked up on a regular basis. Names of students are collected upon entering the Lower Lot. Please place this placard in your front window so it is visible to the staff bringing the students out to the vehicles.
If students in preschool, kindergarten, or Grade 1, have a sibling in Grade 2 or Grade 3, they are dismissed to the Upper Lot.
Drivers should remain with their vehicles and email their child’s teacher if they have any questions about their day.
Afternoon Bus Dismissal
Buses are dismissed at 3:35 PM.
The Upper Lot will be closed to families beginning at 3:35 PM. If any families arrive after 3:35 for Parent Pick-up (PPU), they will be directed to the Lower Lot.
Free Breakfast and Lunch:
Breakfast and lunch are free for all students!
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!
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
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