Phenomenal Phelps Facts

Although this is our third week of school, we just wrapped up our first full week—and what a wonderful week it was! Our building is filled with joy, energy, and learning as students are settling into routines and making Phelps feel like home.

This week, students in grades 2–4 took part in our House Morning Meetings with Mr. E and Mrs. Holbrook. Each house—Harmony, Honor, Valor, Unity, and Radiance—came together to explore the traits that make their group special, practice their hand signals, and show their spirit with house cheers. It has been inspiring to watch our students build connections, pride, and teamwork in their houses.

Meanwhile, in classrooms, students are already hard at work diving into reading, writing, and math. They’re adjusting beautifully to new routines, supporting one another, and, of course, enjoying recess fun and laughter on the playground. Joy truly shines throughout the building.

Thank you for your partnership in making the start of this year so positive and engaging—we’re off to a fantastic beginning!

All of Rockland Public Schools have an early release day this Thursday, September 18 for teacher professional development. Phelps Elementary School dismisses students at 10:45 am. Students who order a lunch will bring one home. Please be sure there is an adult to pick your child up at 10:45 from Phelps Elementary, or an adult at home to get them off the bus. Daycare is held on early release days, only for those students who are already signed up for the Rockland After School Daycare program.

We kindly remind families that toys from home, including popular items like Labubu dolls, are not allowed at Phelps School. These items can be a distraction during the school day, and may get lost, damaged, or unfortunately, even stolen.

We appreciate your help in keeping personal toys at home so students can stay focused on learning and enjoy a smooth, distraction-free day at school. Thank you for your continued support!

Students arriving at Phelps School in the morning are often greeted by a friendly and familiar face — and a wagging tail. School Resource Officer (SRO) Ethan Schnabel and his K-9 partner, Kinley, are regular visitors at the school, particularly during morning drop-off. Their presence brings a sense of safety, comfort, and connection to students and staff alike.

Kinley, a specially trained Comfort Dog, plays a unique role in the Rockland Police Department’s K-9 Unit. Unlike traditional police dogs trained for detection or apprehension, Kinley is trained to provide emotional support and companionship, helping to ease student anxiety and build trust between young people and law enforcement.

The Rockland Police K-9 Unit was established in 2005 and has since become a valuable part of the community. Officer Schnabel, who serves as the SRO for the Middle and High School, works closely with Kinley to strengthen positive relationships within the schools.

Their morning visits to Phelps School offer a welcoming start to the day, with students often stopping to pet Kinley, say hello, or simply smile at the duo’s arrival. It’s a small gesture that makes a big difference in creating a supportive and inclusive school environment.

Join us on September 30 from 5:30-6:30 pm to play Bingo with our staff members as Bingo callers, get new books, and learn about our Title I program. Hope to see you there!

For the safety and privacy of our students, and to ensure a focused learning environment, school grounds—including the back circle, playgrounds, and the sidewalk behind the school—are closed to the public during school hours. We appreciate your support in helping us create a secure, respectful, and distraction-free space where all children can learn and thrive.

For our new or returning students, just a reminder of our breakfast routines. As students enter, either from carline or buses, grades 1-2 students can go to the cafeteria to get their breakfast and sit down to eat. Grades 3-4 students can grab their breakfast from a to-go cart set up in the front foyer entrance or from the cafeteria line and eat their breakfast in their classrooms. If a student is tardy and comes in after 7:35, they are offered breakfast to eat in their classrooms, if they want it. Please show your child the video below if they need a review of Phelps Elementary breakfast routines.

Session 2 of the Family Engagement and Empowerment course is on Monday, 9/22 from 5:30 pm-6:30 pm.These meetings are run by Ms. Creedon, grade 3 teacher. At session 2, "Enrichment Opportunities," she will highlight the fall after school enrichment courses and explain how to sign up. There will be speakers from Rockland Rec, South Shore Tae Kwon Do, and The Jen Jacobs Scholarship, which supports children and families with various scholarship opportunities to participate in recreational and extracurricular activities. Mrs. Panos (Booth) will also be presenting on drama and chorus opportunities for third and fourth grade students. We hope to see you there!

Please sign up below to help us prepare, and indicate if school-age childcare will be needed during the meeting.

Session 2 RSVP Link

Tuesday, September 16--SEPAC (Special Education Advisory Council) Meeting, 6:30-8:00 pm

• Rogers Middle School Cafeteria

THIS THURSDAY, September 18--Phelps First EARLY RELEASE DAY

• Dismissal is at 10:45 am.
• Lunch will be sent home with students who order it.
• Please be sure there is someone to pick your child up at 10:45 am, or you have an adult to get them off the bus for early dismissal.

Monday, September 22--Session 2 of Family Engagement & Empowerment Course, 5:30-6:30 pm

• Topic: Enrichment Opportunities
• Session 2 RSVP Link

Monday, September 22--Fall After School Enrichment Sign Ups Go Live (stay tuned for details)

Tuesday, September 30--Title One Night and Book Bingo, 5:30-6:30 pm, Phelps Cafeteria

• Families are welcome at our free book bingo night. Play bingo, win books, and see friends!
• Concessions will be offered for sale by our PAC (Parent Advisory Council).

Thursday, October 2, 2025--EARLY RELEASE DAY

• Dismissal is at 10:45 am.
• Lunch will be sent home with students who order it.
• Please be sure there is someone to pick your child up at 10:45 am, or you have an adult to get them off the bus for early dismissal.

Friday, October 3--Progress Update to Families (by email, Dojo or phone)

Monday, October 6--Fall After School Enrichment Sessions Begin

Monday, October 6--Session 3 of Family Engagement & Empowerment Course, 5:30-6:30 pm

• Topic: Building Strong Readers and Mathematicians

Wednesday, October 8--Grade 4 & Staff Charity Volleyball Game, 5:30-6:30 pm

• Grade 4 students & families--watch for sign ups!
• Collecting money for donation to Rockland Holiday Magic or non-perishable food for the Rockland Food Pantry
• Phelps families are welcome to come to watch & donate toward our charities.
• Children watching the game must sit in the stands with their families. This is not a drop off event.
• Attending children should be grade 4 or younger. This event is not for middle or high school students.

Friday, October 10--NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS--Teacher Professional Development Day

Monday, October 13, NO SCHOOL--Columbus/Indigenous People Day

Friday, October 17, PAC MEETING, 9-10 am, Phelps Elementary School Library

Thursday, October 23, 2025--EARLY RELEASE DAY

• Dismissal is at 10:45 am.
• Lunch will be sent home with students who order it.
• Please be sure there is someone to pick your child up at 10:45 am, or you have an adult to get them off the bus for early dismissal.

Friday, October 24--Trunk or Treat, 5:30-6:30 pm (stay tuned for details)

Our arrival and dismissal at Phelps Elementary is getting smoother by the day, thanks to our families who follow our procedures. Thank you!

Just a few additional reminders:

• All students need to be in the building by 7:30 am each morning. Our carline arrival begins at 7:15 am which allows all students to be on time for school.
• Please watch your speed as you enter Lt. Col Duffy Way and our front circle. We have many families, students, and staff walking on sidewalks, crosswalks, and being delivered to cars and need to be sure everyone is safe.
• Please do not park in the front spaces at arrival or dismissal time to drop off or pick up your child. If you arrive by car, you should get in the carline at arrival or dismissal. If you want to walk up to get your child, please park on Reed Street or the tennis courts and use crosswalks to walk up to Phelps.
• Thank you for lining up on Division Street when there is traffic overflow. Be careful not to block driveways or streets as you line up.

Thank you for making our arrival and dismissal a safe process for all!

We want every family to know who to contact for questions, concerns, or support. Here’s a quick guide to help you connect with the right person:

Main Office Issues:

Jean Maloney, Administrative Assistant--jmaloney@rocklandschools.org--Questions/Information about attendance, records, court documents, address/email changes, general school information, registration/enrollment, moving/withdrawal

Brenda Mallar-Reske, Administrative Assistant--bmallar-reske@rocklandschools.org--Kid Account/Dismissal changes and questions

Principal

Michelle Scheufele--mscheufele@rocklandschools.org– Oversees school vision, daily classroom visits, curriculum, instruction, and social-emotional learning. Contact for schoolwide questions or issues needing additional attention.

Grades 1 & 2 (First Floor)

• Administrator: Kelsey Holbrook--kholbrook@rocklandschools.org

• School Adjustment Counselor: Taryn Muolo-tmuolo@rocklandschools.org

Grades 3 & 4 (Second Floor)

• Administrator: Chase Eschauzier--chaseeschauzier@rocklandschools.org

• School Adjustment Counselor: Holly Gage-hgage@rocklandschools.org

Additional Student Services

• Amanda MacMillan – Special Education Coordinator--amacmillan@rocklandschools.org
  Contact for questions about services, evaluations, and IEPs.

• Allie Sgambato – School Psychologist--asgambato@rocklandschools.org
  Provides evaluations, IEP services, and crisis support.

• Beth Peckham – School Psychologist--epeckham@rocklandschools.org
  Supports Phelps part-time with evaluations and IEP services.

• Shani McGarry--School Nurse--smcgarry@rocklandschools.org

Parent Tips

✅ For classroom or day-to-day issues, always start with your child’s teacher.
✅ For grade-level or social-emotional concerns, contact the administrator or adjustment counselor for your child’s grade.
✅ For special education questions, contact Amanda MacMillan.
✅ For schoolwide questions or issues needing additional attention, contact Principal Scheufele.

If you have any questions or concerns, here are some staff members you can call or email:

Jean Maloney, School Administrative Assistant, jmaloney@rocklandschools.org

Brenda Mallar-Reske, Administrative Assistant (Kidaccount/Dismissal), bmallar-reske@rocklandschools.org

Nichole Dever, Title One Secretary, ndever@rocklandschools.org

Michelle Scheufele, Principal, mscheufele@rocklandschools.org

Kelsey Holbrook, Assistant Principal for Grades 1 & 2 & Title One Director, kholbrook@rocklandschools.org

Chase Eschauzier, Assistant Principal for Grades 3 & 4, chaseeschauzier@rocklandschools.org

Amanda MacMillan, Phelps Special Education Coordinator, amacmillan@rocklandschools.org

Allison Sgambato, School Psychologist, asgambato@rocklandschools.org

Elizabeth Peckham, School Psychologist, epeckham@rocklandschools.org

Taryn Muolo, School Adjustment Counselor for Grades 1 & 2, tmuolo@rocklandschools.org

Holly Gage, School Adjustment Counselor for Grades 3 & 4, hgage@rocklandschools.org

Shani McGarry, Nurse, smcgarry@rocklandschools.org

Email: mscheufele@rocklandschools.org
Website: https://www.rocklandschools.org/o/phelps-elementary
Location: 1 Lt Col Brian Duffy Way, Rockland, MA, USA
Phone: 781-871-8585