Phenomenal Phelps Facts
Week of January 26, 2026
Message from Ms. Scheufele
As we head into the week, and with a significant storm in the forecast, I want to thank you for your continued partnership and support. Our students have come back from winter break ready to learn, and it’s been wonderful to see their energy, kindness, and effort across the building.
Please know how much we appreciate everything you do to help your children arrive ready for the day, especially during these busy winter months. Your communication, encouragement, and teamwork make a meaningful difference for our students and for our school community.
We will keep families updated with any weather-related information as soon as we receive it from the district. In the meantime, I hope you and your families stay safe, warm, and well.
The Great Kindness Challenge
January 26-30, 2026
Our school is excited to participate in The Great Kindness Challenge, a week-long celebration focused on building a culture of kindness and compassion in schools and communities around the world!
On Monday, January 26, 2026, students will receive a Great Kindness Challenge Checklist to use at school, along with a family edition to bring home. These checklists are a fun way for students to practice kindness and put compassion into action throughout the week.
We will be encouraging all students to complete as many acts of kindness as they can at school, and we hope they feel inspired to continue spreading kindness at home as well.
Together, let’s lift each other up, cheer one another on, and show the world that KINDNESS MATTERS!
PAC (Parent Advisory Council) Leadership Opportunities
We’re getting ready for next year, and we need your help! Our current PAC leadership team will be moving on with their children, so we are looking for a new PAC leadership team for the 2026–27 school year.
We are seeking volunteers for the positions of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer. We’re holding elections a little earlier this year so the new team can work with the current PAC this spring.
PAC Elections
📅 Tuesday, February 10, 2026
🕕 6–7 PM
📍 Phelps Library
If you are interested, please fill out the PAC Leadership Interest Google Form by Friday, January 30.
⭐ To be included on the ballot, you must attend the February 10 meeting.
Save the Dates--Grade 3 & 4 MCAS Dates for 2026 & Music Performance Dates
Here are the Grade 3 and 4 MCAS dates for Spring 2026:
English/Language Arts: April 7 & 8, 2026
Math: May 13 & 14, 2026
Please put these dates in your calendar to be sure your child in grades 3 or 4 attends school on these days.
Here are the concert dates for Grades 1-4:
Open to Families--Phelps Cafeteria
January 20--Grade 2 Music Performance
- 8:30-9:00 am--Mrs. Panos' Second Grade Classes
- 9:15-9:45 am--Mr. Popadic's Second Grade Classes
February 10--Grade 1 Music Performance
- 8:30-9:00 am--Mrs. Panos' Second Grade Classes
- 9:15-9:45 am--Mr. Popadic's Second Grade Classes
March 3--Grade 4 Music Performance
- 8:15-8:45 am--Mrs. Panos' Second Grade Classes
- 9:00-9:30 am--Mr. Popadic's Second Grade Classes
April 14--Grade 3 Music Performance
- 8:15-8:45 am--Mrs. Panos' Second Grade Classes
- 9:00-9:30 am--Mr. Popadic's Second Grade Classes
Rockland Public Schools District SEPAC Meeting
Rockland Public Schools District Calendar
Important Upcoming Events
January 12-February 27 ACCESS Testing Window
- Our English Language Learners will be taking the annual ACCESS testing during this period of time. They are working on skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Good luck to our English Language Learners!
January 26-30--The Great Kindness Challenge
- Be on the lookout for challenge sheets and information to be sent home on Monday, January 26.
January 26--Winter Enrichment Sessions Begin
January 27--Phelps Winter Art Show & Chorus Concert--5:30-7:00 pm
Art Show--Grades 1-4
Grade 3 & 4 Chorus Concert (in cafeteria) 6:00 pm
January 27--District-Wide SEPAC Meeting, 6:30 pm
- Virtual Zoom Meeting with guest speaker Matt Flynn
- Topic: Mediation and Facilitation
- See Zoom link in flyer above.
February 2--Family Engagement & Empowerment Course--5:30-6:30 pm
February 5--Global Play Day & Early Release Day--Dismissal at 10:45 am
February 10--Grade 1 Concert (Families Invited)
8:30-9:00 am Mrs. Panos’ Classes
9:15-9:45 am Mr. Popadic’s Classes
February 10--PAC Meeting--6:00-7:00 pm--Phelps Library
February 16-20--Winter Break--NO SCHOOL
Save the Dates for Grades 3 & 4:
MCAS ELA Dates:
April 7 and 8, 2026
MCAS Math Dates
May 13 and 14, 2026
Rockland Spring Softball
Rockland Girls Softball League is open for registration. To register, go to https://www.rocklandgirlssoftball.org or scan the QR code above.
Scholarship Help for Sports and Activities
The JJRS Scholarship provides financial support to help children of all abilities and backgrounds participate in recreational and extracurricular activities that nurture their interests. Families in need can apply for assistance by scanning the QR code or visiting the provided website or email.
Phelps Elementary School – Parent Contact Guide
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)
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Administrator: Kelsey Holbrook--kholbrook@rocklandschools.org
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School Adjustment Counselor: Taryn Muolo-tmuolo@rocklandschools.org
Grades 3 & 4 (Second Floor)
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Administrator: Chase Eschauzier--chaseeschauzier@rocklandschools.org
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School Adjustment Counselor: Holly Gage-hgage@rocklandschools.org
Additional Student Services
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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.
Main Office & Guidance Staff
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
