FBMS Weekly Newsletter

Hat Day (Donate to the Go Gold! Campaign to wear a hat @ FBMS): Wed. 9/24

Empowering Readers Day Celebration: 9/26 (wear LEGO Colors)

8th Grade Presentation by South Shore Vo-Tech: Wed. 10/1

EARLY RELEASE DAY: Wed. 10/1 (Dismissal at 12:10 PM)

FBMS PTO Meeting: Mon. 10/6 @ 7 PM (FBMS Library)

NO SCHOOL: Mon. 10/13

7th Grade CyberSense Presentation by Plymouth Cty. ADA: Wed. 10/15

8th Grade Tour at SSVTHS (optional): Thurs. 10/16 (permission slip required)

EARLY RELEASE DAY: Wed. 10/22 (Dismissal at 12:10 PM)

6th Grade Halloween Party (Sponsored by PTO): 2:45 PM - 4:15 PM

Thank you, parents, for making our Open House on Thursday evening a fantastic success! All of us at Furnace Brook deeply appreciate your partnership in ensuring your child has the best year possible. We encourage you to continue joining us at events throughout the year. Stay updated by reading this weekly newsletter and checking your email regularly.

This week we celebrated National "Start with Hello" week. "Start with Hello" is a national non-profit organization set up by the families of Newtown, CT to empower students to be empathetic, inclusive, and supportive, and to lessen social isolation. The message is simple---we can all take the time to build a community of respect, empathy, kindness, and inclusivity, and we are all responsible for the climate here at Furnace Brook. Some of our whole-school activities included name tag day, favorite team day, and day of gratitude. Our students and teachers were engaged in building a positive environment for all. Thank you to our entire staff and parents for helping to achieve our goals!

A tremendous thank you to the PTO and parents for the Kleenex donations! Enough donations were made for every classroom to receive a box of Kleenex! Everyone's noses will be happy! MUCH APPRECIATED!

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. To commemorate, MHS students Hannah, Ava, and Ali set up a table at our Open House to help raise money for pediatric cancer and kick off our own fundraiser.

Go Gold Week here at Furnace Brook will be Monday 9/23 - Friday 9/27 with Friday being declared "GO GOLD DAY."

All money raised will be donated to South Shore Action for Hope to benefit research at Boston Children's Hospital.

Please help us to raise money for this great cause while also showing your child that everyone can do something to help others. Our "golden boot," will be located in the front office for collections. Any amount can make a difference, and it is a great experience for your child to take part in.

Through this fundraiser, we are aiming to give pediatric cancer the boot!

Every year, Furnace Brook selects a meaningful summer reading theme to guide our book selections and curriculum experiences. This year’s theme, 'Empowering Change; Inspiring Hope,' will be highlighted throughout the school year. Over the summer, students were required to read books related to this theme. These books emphasized the importance of connecting with others around the world, understanding diverse perspectives, and fostering a sense of responsibility toward global issues. Students explored topics such as cultural diversity, human rights, environmental sustainability, and social justice.

In September, we dedicate an entire day to celebrating the summer reading. This year’s celebration will take place this Thursday, and all students are encouraged to wear green and white, our Marshfield colors. Every teacher will design and implement lessons related to the theme. It’s always a day filled with fun and celebration, and we can’t wait!

WEAR GREEN & WHITE ON 9/26

School pictures and proofs have arrived and will be sent home at the beginning of this week. Please ask your child for his/her/their photo envelope. Order pictures online using the information provided with the envelope.

If your child was absent for our original picture day or you would like a retake for a better photo, picture retakes will take place on October 30th.

Learn more about the FBMS PTO by signing up to receive information through PTBoard. See information below.

All are welcome at our next FBMS PTO Meeting on Monday, October 6th at 7 PM in the FBMS Library.

Ms. Bonney’s 6th grade students becoming familiar with primary sources!

Members of the Marshfield Education Foundation, President Stephen Dion and Vice President Heather Tucker, came to meet parents and share information regarding the MEF at our Open House. Our teachers and students have been the recipients of wonderful programs and equipment thanks to the work of the MEF and your donations.

Are you interesting in helping the MEF reach its goals? Please join them on 9/23 to learn more information about the MEF and become a part of this outstanding organization (see below).

About the MEF: The Marshfield Education Foundation (MEF) provides critical seed funding for grants submitted by Marshfield Public School teachers for innovative programs that motivate and excite their students and achieve excellence in teaching and learning. Since 2010, we have impacted over 7,690 MPSD students annually by awarding 220 grants totaling over $1.2 million. Our goal is to award grants to programs outside of the current school budget that will grow to become regularly funded programs by MPSD. MEF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that fundraises through corporate and individual donations and from annually-held community events such as the Marshfield St. Patrick’s Day 5K and Circus Smirkus. Learn more here.

Many after-school clubs have started or are starting. Late buses are available (see "Late Bus" article and information in this newsletter).

Cross Country Club: in session

Theater Club: in session

Green Team: Thursday will be the first Green Team meeting of the school year. The Green Team is an after-school club for students who care about the environment and want to help make our school community more eco-friendly. The meeting will be held after school in Mr. Casavant's room, Room 217 til 3:30PM. We look forward to seeing returning and new faces.

Criminal Justice Club: Learn about the Criminal Justice Field by listening to the stories from current first responders; tour the new police department; meet K9 dogs and their handlers, etc. Sound interesting? Join Mrs. Clifford and Officer Hernon this Wednesday in Rm. 101 after school to learn more! All are welcome. Runs til 3:30PM.

Spectrum Club: First meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 24th after school in room 119 until 3:30PM. The Spectrum Club is for members of the LGBTQ community and their allies to come together in a safe space. Hosted by Mrs. Shanahan-Belisle and Mrs. Oberg. All are welcome.

Dungeons and Dragons: First meeting will be Wednesday, 9/25 from 2:30 - 4:00. All students are welcome even if no experience! Hosted by Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Dodge.

Student Council: First meeting will be held Wednesday, 9/25 in Mr. Nugent's Rm. 127 after school until 3:30PM. Come ready to discuss school spirit and fundraisers. All students in all grades are welcome.

1. Update your 2024 parent information in ASPEN--Update directions here

2. Drop off takes place on the gymnasium side of the school in the morning
3. Students need to bring a charged Chromebook to school each day
4. Students need to be present everyday and on time (in homeroom by 8:05am)

5. Be sure to purchase Chromebook insurance which covers one incident (e.g., screen breakage)

6. Order extra chargers for Chromebooks here. $35

Principal Casey welcomed members of the MHS Class of 1964 to tour the building one day after school this week. Members reminisced about the vivid memories they had in our building's very halls. We thank them for not only their visit and but also sharing some wonderful stories with us!

The PTO is sponsoring a 6th Grade Halloween Party Friday, October 25th, from 2:45-4:15PM. This event will take place in our cafeteria, and is for our 6th graders only.

Costumes are not required but almost all attendees will be wearing one (so start thinking about your costume!).

Please sign up to help with volunteer roles and/or providing refreshments for the event. Tickets can be purchased from the link below and will be sold during lunch closer to event date.

Sign up to volunteer here.

Ticket Sales here.

Thank you, PTO!!!

Join SEPAC at MHS to learn tips.

Students are invited to check out Mrs. Deluca's CANVAS page to obtain information about the September/October reading program. If your child is a Harry Potter fan, we hope he/she will join Mrs. Deluca on a great reading adventure this month. Please see Mrs. Deluca in person for more information (or check out her CANVAS page).

School hours for the 2024-2025 school year have changed. This change has adjusted our pick up and drop off procedures. Pick up and drop off is going very well --- thank you!

Just a reminder that pick up and drop off take place on the gymnasium/hockey rink side of the building.

• Outline of FBMS Morning Drop-Off & Afterschool Pick-Up

• Morning Drop-Off (Details for Parent/Guardians, Walkers, and Biker Riders)

• Afterschool Pick-Up (Details for Parent/Guardians, Walkers, and Biker Riders)

• FBMS Bus Riders (General Information)

• FBMS Students Riding with MHS Siblings

Students who obtain a ride to school with an older sibling should enter FBMS through door 11 (near softball field). A staff member will be there from 7:30-8:05am. Please knock on the door upon arrival.

Later than normal transportation, or "late buses," will begin this coming Monday. FBMS provides two late buses: a North Marshfield bus and a South Marshfield bus. If your child is staying after school for a club or activity, your child can take a late bus home at 4PM. Events that run later than 4PM will require a ride home.

Students can determine what bus to ride (North or South) by checking the list of bus stops located in the front lobby. Additionally, students must have a bus pass to ride the bus. Buses pick up and leave an hour and a half (4PM) after dismissal so it gives students time to participate in after school activities or obtain extra help. We will be on hand to help students navigate this optional transportation.

Hello, from the Clinic! Welcome Back to School!

We are requesting that all medications needed by students during the school day (epi-pens, diabetes supplies, inhalers, etc.) be brought to the FBMS Health Clinic as soon as is possible. We ran two drop off days in August but are still missing some medications.

Guidelines prior to bringing in the MEDICATIONS: Physician order(s) and written parent permission must accompany the medication. All medications must be hand delivered by the parent and be given directly to the Nurse. Medications are not permitted to be sent in with students- this is unsafe as medication could get lost or contaminated. The permission form can be found here.

ANNUAL PHYSICALS: Provide up to date information and indicate that students are receiving adequate care at and home and by their pediatrician, and clearance for participation in gym class. Please report any changes in health status e.g. health conditions, new medication, illnesses, and injuries. Students in Grade 7 are required to submit an updated physical with proof of immunizations for their health record at the beginning of the school year. Our Fax number is 781-319-1780.

ABSENT NOTES/INJURY NOTES: Provide written documentation for any important issues such as attendance, absences due to illness, injury, medical appointments, and travel plans that result in missing school. MD notes are required for out of PE and for return to PE. MD notes are required for concussion protocol.

ABSENCES: Safe-to-School Program is implemented so that all children are known to be safe and accounted for. When your child is marked absent from school, you will receive a notification from the school stating that your child has been marked absent. Upon your child's return to school, he or she should provide a written note as to the date(s) and reason for the absence. For a student's absence to be medically excused, there must be a note from the child's physician/clinician.

INJURIES: Please notify the school of an injury, major or minor, and provide written documentation from a doctor if gym needs to be restricted. If the injury is MAJOR (stitches/fractures/concussion) and your child has been seen by a MD, please provide the medical note to school upon returning to class. An additional note of medical clearance must be presented for students to return to gym following injury.

ANNUAL SCREENINGS: the following mandated health screenings are done annually in the health office:

• Vision/ Hearing 7th grade Fall/Winter

• BMI 7th grade Fall/Winter

• Postural 6th, 7th & 8th grades Fall/Winter

We look forward to assisting families and students in achieving optimal health and wellness during the academic school year. Please feel free to contact us at any time with concerns or questions.

Maura Carroll, RN, BSN mcarroll@mpsd.org

Karen Mellen, RN, BSN kmellen@mpsd.org

Megan Owren RN, BSN mowren@mpsd.org

If you have any needs or questions, please feel free to reach out to us. We are here to help you!

Principal

Patricia Casey: pcasey@mpsd.org

Assistant Principals

Lisa Lynch: llynch@mpsd.org

Scott Madden: smadden@mpsd.org

Jeannine Smith: jsmith@mpsd.org

Guidance Counselors

Lou Johnson 6th: ljohnson@mpsd.org

Julie Swan 7th: jswan@mpsd.org

Lori Damphousse 8th: ldamphousse@mpsd.org

Special Education:

Melissa Morrison: mmorrison@mpsd.org

School Adjustment Counselors:

Greg Sorensen: gsorensen@mpsd.org

Taylor Reagan: treagan@mpsd.org

Front Office Administrative Assistants:

Susan Martina: smartina@mpsd.org

Melanie Drew: mdrew@mpsd.org

For other school and district contacts, please click on the district's web page here.