Rachel's Challenge

It's a pleasure to inform you that Memorial and Clough Schools have been awarded a grant through the Mendon Upton Education Foundation (MUEF) for $6,857.20 to bring the Rachel's Challenge, Elementary Program to our schools.  Rachel Scott was the first victim in the Columbine High School tragedy.  Her father and over twenty certified presenters travel across the nation delivering Rachel's message of kindness and compassion.
Our program will take place on Thursday October 6th with an inspirational assembly for our students in kindergarten through fourth grade.  All students, in both schools, will receive an inspirational bracelet to wear throughout the school year as a reminder of the words they will hear during the presentation.  Students in third and fourth grade will also receive a journal to use in their classroom.  Students and staff will create a "chain reaction" of kindness and compassion by filling out paper chains which reflect acts of kindness and compassion witnessed by others.
All students and staff are also being asked to purchasse an official Rachel's Challenge T-Shirt which was designed especially for our schools by Mrs. Horn (P.E. teacher at Memorial School).  It is our plan to have special spirit days throughout the school year to continue to spread this important message.  Checks made out to MURSD for the amount of $6.00 can be sent to school with students in an envelope addressed "Rachel's Challenge T-Shirt Donation".
A special evening presentation will be held in the cafetorium at Memorial School on October 6th at 7:00 p.m. for parents/guardians of students attending Memorial and Clough, as well as community members.  This presentation will be the full content of Rachel's Challenge.  Students will NOT be allowed to attend this program.  Inspirational bracelets can be purchased that evening for $1.00 and all proceeds will go toward the schools' end of the year culminating celebrations.
We are very excited to bring this important program to our elementary schools.  Rachel's Challenge has been a huge success at both Nipmuc High School and Miscoe Hill Middle School and we are confident the success will continue with our students. 
If you have any questions regarding Rachel's Challenge Elementary Program, please feel free to contact Mrs. Christine Horn at chorn@mursd.org or Mr. Dan Hayes at dhayes@mursd.org.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Important Dates to Remember:

Oct. 18^th – Grade 2 – Bog Hollow Field Trip

Oct. 27^th – School Photos

Inspiring Words from a Student in Texas

Start of the New School Year

It's hard to believe that September is nearly over and October is right around the corner.  In spite of the delay to the official start of school, we have had a wonderful beginning to the new year.  Our staff and students were clearly excited to return to school and as I walk through the building, our classrooms are buzzing.

This year we will continue incorporating technology into the classroom and promoting creative problem solving as we prepare our students for the 21st Century.  We thank the Memorial School PTO for their continued support in the area of technology, as well as the many innovative programs they bring to our students through the Cultural Arts.

During the summer, the Parks and Recreation Department began working on the fields behind the school.  Although this will ultimately lead to a wonderful space for our students, we have faced some challenges related to our inability to utilize the field during recess.  As a result, the students are limited to the tennis court, basketball court, and playground area for recess.  To promote safety in these limited spaces, the staff has worked together to develop a number of activities for our children to participate in.  Our goal is to provide the students with a fun game/activity while keeping everyone safe.