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.

Reflections for the New Year

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all members of the Memorial School Community a happy and healthy 2012! 
As we begin the new year, I find myself thinking about the many changes I have seen in education during the twenty years that I have been in the profession, as well as in the world in general.  I remember asking my grandmother on her eightieth birthday how it felt to be that old.  It has been 24 years since that day, but I remember her response as if it were yesterday.  "Deb", she said, "I think about what I have done and all that I have seen in my life and realize that no one could have done it any faster.  I have to be 80 years old."  As time has passed, her words have become clearer and more meaningful.
Recently, I was reminiscing with my husband about "technology", as we have known it through the years.  We laughed about the key punch cards that we had to generate in order to run our program (which did little more than alphabetize a list of names) on a computer which was as big as a good sized room.  We also chuckled about the mobile telephones which weighed about 7 pounds and had to be kept in a bag which was tethered to the antennae on your car.  He reminded me that when he was out of range, I had to call a special number in order to reach him.  We thought we were so "cutting edge".
I share these thoughts with you because I believe that in order for us to be successful in the future, we must learn from the past.  I think of the many innovations that have become common place since this year's graduating class were members of the kindergarten class and have to ask myself what our current kindergarten students will be using for technology when they are members of the graduating class.  How do we as educators prepare them for the use of innovations that have not yet been developed?  The thought of staying current in a world that changes so quickly is both exciting and unsettling.  I am confident that the days, weeks, months, and years ahead will bring new technology that today we can only dream about.  I suspect our students will reminisce about the good ol' days with IPads and IPhones just as I do bagged phones and key punch cards.

Preschool and Kindergarten Registration at Memorial School

As we all prepare to welcome the New Year, at Memorial School we have begun planning for our next school year as well.  Registration for the District's Integrated Preschool will be held from January 22nd through 27th. To register, children must be 3 or 4 years old, on or before August 31, 2012 and be toilet trained.  Parents must be able to provide transportation and the children must be residents of Mendon or Upton. All classes are staffed with Master Level Teachers who are certified to teach early childhood students, with and without disabilities.  The research based curriculum that is utilized in all preschool classes is titled "Tools of the Mind".  Memorial School will hold an Open House for perspective parents and students on January 20, 2012 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.  Parents may choose from morning or afternoon classes.  The schedule for morning classes is Monday through Thursday from 9:00 to 11:30 at a cost of $303.00 per month and the schedule for afternoon classes  is Monday through Friday 12:30 to 3:00 at a cost of $375.00 per month.  In addition, we expect to offer an extended day option for 1 to 5 days per week at an additional cost.  Every effort will be made to accommodate all those who are interested in attending the Integrated Preschool.  In the event that there are more students registered than available slots, a lottery will be drawn on February 10, 2012.  For more information, please contact Carol Suffredini, Pre-K Coordinator at 508-529-1020 Ext. 109.

Students who will be entering kindergarten during the 2012-2013 school year must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2012. The Mendon Upton Regional School District offers half day, full day, extended day, and Spanish immersion kindergarten classes.  Parents of all perspective kindergarten students are invited to attend an informational evening on Thursday February 9th in the Memorial School Cafeteria at 6:00.  If you are unable to attend the informational meeting, please stop into the school office to pick up a registration packet and make an appointment to register your child.  Packets will be available beginning January 3, 2012.  Proof of residence, birth certificate, and immunization records are required at registration.   Kindergarten registration will be held on Wednesday February 15th and Thursday February 16th.  If you have any questions, please  contact the school office at 69 Main Street or call 508-529-1020.