Setting Goals

Beginning next year, the new Educator Evaluation System will be utilized to evaluate all teachers and specialists in Massachusetts schools.  The Mendon Upton Regional School District, under the direction of superintendent Dr. Joseph Maruszczak, has begun the process of working together to better understand the evaluation tool and the impact it will have on teaching and learning.

As a district, we have begun "unpacking" the rubric which will help us to define and quantify best practices.  Each teacher has also developed SMART Goals which are being submitted to their building principals.  This year, as part of the learning process, each educator has been asked to submit a professional practice goal, as well as a student learning goal.  As the principal of Memorial School, I have had the pleasure of meeting with teachers to discuss their goals and the impact they hope each will have on the learning of the students they serve.  With each meeting, I am more and more impressed with the level of professionalism and commitment of the teachers I am fortunate enough to work with.  The amount of thought and reflection that have clearly been put into each goal is evidence of  the dedication the staff has to providing EVERY student at Memorial School with a positive learning experience, as well as academic and social success.

With the hectic pace that most days bring, the opportunity to sit with teachers and reflect on our practices has been extremely rewarding.  Although change is not always easy, I think that any change which promotes reflection and conversation has to be viewed as positive. 

Mrs. Horn and Miscoe Hill Skippers are Recognized by the American Heart Association

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to join members of the Memorial School Family to honor the hard work of Physical Education Teacher Chrissy Horn and the Miscoe Hill Skippers (many of whom are former Memorial School students.)

The American Heart Association held their Heart of Our Mission Award Ceremony on September 27th in Boston.  This event was a volunteer appreciation and awards reception celebrating the volunteers that have been instrumental in achieving the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.  Ms. Horn was asked to have the Miscoe Hill Skippers perform at the ceremony before learning that she was chosen as one of the recipients of this award.   Of the many thousands of volunteers who give their time to these organizations, only six volunteers are selected annually to receive the Heart of Our Mission Award.

Chrissy Horn is not only a dedicated educator, but gives her time willingly to coach the Skippers, enabling them to develop the skills that will help motivate other students to be fit and live a healthy lifestyle through the Jump Rope for Heart Program.  Ms. Horn and the Miscoe Hill Skippers have performed at a number of schools to kick off this important initiative.

Congratulations to Ms. Horn and the Miscoe Hill Skippers for their hard work and  this important award.

Open House

     Last night Memorial School hosted the first of two open houses.  I had the pleasure of welcoming parents of our preschool, kindergarten, and third grade students.  In addition to meeting their child's teacher, many parents had the opportunity to participate in scavenger hunts with their student(s) to learn more about their classroom and see samples of the student work.  Teachers also shared information regarding the grade specific curriculum and classroom routines. 
     Tonight, I look forward to welcoming our first, second, fourth, and Spanish immersion students and their parents to Open House.  Our teachers have been busy preparing for this annual event and are as excited as their students to show of their classrooms and Memorial School.
     Certainly one of the greatest testaments to our goal of helping students to develop a love of learning are the words shared by one of our parents, "I dread Friday each week, because I know my child will be complaining for the next two days that they cannot go to school."  I'd like to extend my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to serve our students and their families and I look forward to the exciting work that we will be doing together thoughout the new school year.

(Pictured: Amy Henderson, Brenda Webster, Deb Swain, Deborah Coyle, Jan Maglione)
The Third Grade theme reflects our school's belief: UNITED WE STAND - UNITED WE LEARN

Clifford the Big Red Dog Visits Memorial School

The Memorial School PTO is sponsoring a Book Fair from September 14th through September 21st.  Students will have the opportunity to visit the Book Fair during their regularly scheduled Library period.  Parents are also invited to shop at the fair during Open House which will be held on Wednesday September 19th for students in Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grade 3.  Open House will also be held on Thursday September 20th for students in Grades One, Two, Four, and Spanish Immersion.  Clifford the Big Red Dog was available to "kick off" the Book Fair and rumor has it that he will return for Open House.  Please stop by the library to say hello to Clifford and check out the great books that are available for purchase.

Dear Memorial School Families,

          It’s hard to believe that the beginning of the new school year is only two weeks away.  The summer, with its amazing weather, has simply flown by.  Teachers have begun returning to their classrooms to start the set up process and there’s beginning to be a feeling of excitement and anticipation in the building.  This has always been my favorite time of the year and this year is no different.  I can’t wait for the hustle and bustle of the new school year to begin.

          I would like to take this opportunity to inform you about some changes in our staffing.  Sra. Belen Santos has been appointed to the position of Grade Four Spanish Immersion Teacher.   Sra. Santos has spent time volunteering and substitute teaching in the Spanish Immersion Program at Clough School.  She has also worked with 9 to 11 year old students through the Massachusetts Museum of Fine Arts Youth Program.  In addition, Mr. Oliver MacFadden has joined the Memorial School Team as our new music teacher.  Mr. MacFadden is coming to us from Nipmuc Regional High School where he held the position of Director of Bands, teaching Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Percussion Ensemble.   Former music teacher, Mrs. Ann Marie Tremblay, has joined the Miscoe Hill School Staff.  We have also had some staff changes in grade level assignments.  Melonie Washburn will be teaching first grade this year and Heather Smith will be teaching kindergarten.  I am happy to report that Nancy Lopes is returning from a leave of absence and will resume teaching first grade. 

          I am currently interviewing candidates for a special education position which had been held by Skye Bomba, who has accepted a position in another district.  Although Mrs. Bomba will be greatly missed, I am encouraged by the large number of highly qualified candidates who are interested in joining the Memorial School Team.   

          In mid-September we will be introducing a new system for purchasing milk and lunches in the district.  Students will have a lunch card which parents will be able to “recharge” either on line or by sending a check to school.  Lunch tokens will continue to be accepted during the transition period.  Additional information will be forwarded as it becomes available.

          A number of parents have asked about our access to the field in the back of the school.  I have been informed that we should be able to begin using the field for recess in the spring.  The staff is committed to continue working with our students to provide them with fun and safe recess options while we wait for the return of the open space.

          As a reminder, staff returns to school on Monday August 27^th and students in grades one through four will return on Tuesday August 28^th.  Students in preschool and kindergarten will begin school on August 30^th.  There will be no school on Friday August 31^st and Monday September 3^rd in recognition of Labor Day.

          I look forward to welcoming our new Memorial School Families and reuniting with our returning families.  Enjoy the final days of summer.

Deb Swain

Principal

A GREAT School Year

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the staff and students of Memorial School for a great year.  As a school community, we embraced Rachel's Challenge through our Kindness, Caring and Compassion Club.  We ended the year celebrating random acts of kindness each morning during opening exercises....a practice we will continue into the new school year.

A number of exciting events took place as the year came to a close this spring.  Listed below are just a few.

Our fourth graders wrote and performed a Mystery Dinner Theater under the direction of author/journalist Steven Krasner.  In addition to developing the script, students created all costumes and set designs.  This wonderful activity is destined to become a Memorial School tradition.

Third graders began their role as student leaders of Memorial School on the final day of school when they took charge of the annual Talent Show.  Many students showcased talents ranging from ice skating (via a video) to basketball, as well as singing, dancing, gymnastics, comedy, and musical instruments.  It was great to come together as a school and celebrate the arrival of summer, as well as a wonderful year.

Second grade students showcased what they had learned during the school year in the area of social studies when they presented Travel the World.  Parents, siblings, and friends were treated to song, dance, poetry, and costumes from around the world as each classroom presented information about a specific continent.  Our guests were also treated to food from around the world which was prepared and donated by the parents of the performing students.

Our first grade students became "published authors" and shared their Frog and Toad stories with their parents during the Annual Author's Teas.  The students created wonderful stories about friendship with settings that included jungles, ski mountains, and Hawaii.....to name just a few.  It never ceases to amaze me how much growth we see in our first graders between September and June.  This is especially true in the areas of reading and writing. 

A  number of songs and poems were shared with proud parents during the Memorial School Kindergarten Graduation.  Students, wearing graduation caps, marched into the cafetorium on June 15th and proceeded to dazzle the audience with their many talents.   Kindergarten teachers handed out certificates to the proud students and I got to shake their hands. (I even got a few hugs!)

Our youngest students invited parents into their preschool classroom to celebrate the many accomplishments they had during the school year.  The students sang songs and played games with their guests.  A fun family picnic was then enjoyed.

This year, Memorial School hosted the International Night for students of the Spanish Immersion Program at both elementary schools and their families. Foods from many Spanish speaking nations were enjoyed, as each class presented a song, poem, and/or dance.  A variety of projects and work completed by the students was also on display.

As the summer reaches the half way mark, it is wonderful to reflect on the fabulous work that was done by our students and their teachers and to look forward to the next school year.

Music at Memorial School

The students of Memorial School have had a number of opportunities to share their love of music with family and friends.  Third and fourth graders were invited to sing The Star Spangled Banner at a recent Worcester Sharks Hockey Game.  The students were led in song by music teacher, Ann Marie Tremblay.  To the delight of all those who attended, the Sharks played well and the students sang BEAUTIFULLY.

Parents of kindergarten students have been invited to visit their child's music class to observe first hand the exciting activities that they participate in with Mrs. Tremblay.  The students played various instruments, shared a poem, sang songs, and acted out a story through movement and music.

Students in grades one through four presented a very special evening of music on February 7th at their Winter Concert which was held at Nipmuc High School.  Students shared a scarf dance, a variety of songs, and played a variety of musical instruments.  The night was a HUGE success and enjoyed by students and adults alike.  Many thanks to Mrs. Tremblay for her hard work and dedication to the students of Memorial School.