Dear MMES Families,

3 cheers for...us! The Student Ambassadors and Ms. Silag held a VERY successful book drive for a great cause! I could not believe how many books we had donated...so amazing! Check out the photo below!

Please help us keep morning drop off safe! We have noticed folks trying to avoid the drop off loop and taking shortcuts through the middle parking lot and even dropping their children off in the middle of the parking lot to navigate their way across traffic...not a good idea! Please...please..please...ALL students must be dropped off in the drop off loop...no shortcuts! Help us keep our students (your children) safe! The last thing we want is an accident and Ms.Manos is taking down names! :)

Thank you!

Have a great weekend!

Best,

John

Student ambassadors helped pack up donations from last week's Read Across America Book Drive. Thank you to all the families who gave books for the REAL Program of Lynn. We collected 1,626 beautiful books to give to kids without books! Michelle Baer (pictured here) from the REAL Program was thrilled with the generosity of the MMES community!

Over the past two weeks, each of the grades from K-5 had a separate visit from Michael from Top Secret Science. He presented on a variety of topics including "Sound," "Light", "Forces of Motion" utilizing engaging hands-on activities and projects. He encouraged the kids to ask questions and to work together. The kids were able bring their experiments home to hopefully generate more discussion and exploration. This event was organized by the PTO Enrichment Committee and made possible thanks to your generous donations to the MMPTO.

MMES & EES staffs enjoyed "Book Tastings" in the school libraries this week. Ms. Silag and Mrs. Donovan displayed an assortment of brand-new books funded by a Spaulding Education Fund grant to replace outdated materials, as well as a new selection of Social Emotional Learning books. Staff members enjoyed perusing the books - and grabbing a bite to eat thanks to support from the MMPTO! The new books are now available for all students and staff to check out. Thank you to Spaulding Education Fund for supporting our school library collections!

Please join us for a parent/caregiver Math and Literacy event at MMES on Wednesday, March 19, 6-7pm. Our elementary instructional coaches, Beth LeDoux and Hana McGowan, will share strategies and engaging activities to reinforce math and literacy learning at home. This event is for parents/caretakers. We look forward to meeting you!

Please remember:

· If your child is going to be absent, tardy, or there is a change to dismissal plans- utilize PickUp Patrol for those changes. You no longer need to email or call Mrs. Schmidt, the teacher, or the school nurse to report those changes.

· If your child has a temperature of 100.4F or over, they need to be fever free for 24 hours (without the aid of Tylenol or Motrin) before re-entering the school.

· If your child is experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, they need to be symptom free for 24 hours and can tolerate solid food before re-entering the building.

· ALL CLASSROOMS ARE PEANUT/NUT FREE

Please refer to the link below for guidelines on staying home with respiratory illnesses in Massachusetts.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/staying-home-to-prevent-the-spread-of-respiratory-viruses

Change of clothes: Each student should have a complete change of clothes in case of spills, wetness from snow or rain, and any accidents.
This winter has been particularly cold, and although we've spent much of the month indoors, we try to take students outside for fresh air whenever the temperature "feels" above 20°F. Please make sure your child comes to school prepared with a winter hat, gloves, boots, jacket, and snowpants.

Stay healthy and have a wonderful weekend!

Thank you all for your cooperation, any questions or concerns please call or email,

Jaclyn Morrissey, R.N.

978-526-1909

morrisseyj@mersd.org

2024-2025 Calendar

March

17 - Staff Professional Development, No School

19 - Math and Literacy Night, 6-7 pm

20 - Grade K to Mass Audubon

21 - Grade 1 to NSMT 9:00 – 11:45 am

27 - STEAM Night @MERMHS 5-7 pm

28 - Report Cards Home

April

4 - K-8 Conferences, Early Release 11:45

3-5 - Grade 5 Musical Willy Wonka Jr.

9 - MCAS ELA Testing G3-5

10 - MCAS ELA Testing G3-5

21 - Patriots Day

Vacation April 21-25

May

7 - Early Release, 11:45

14 - MCAS Math Testing G3-5

15 - MCAS Math Testing G3-5

16 – Hit the Street for Little Feet

19 - MCAS STE Testing G5

20 - Town Election

21 - MCAS STE Testing G5

22 - Spring Concert K-4, 9:30 am

26 - Memorial Day, No School

27 & 28 – G5 to Essex Ship Building

June

6 – G5 to Boston

10 - Field Day (rain date 6/12)

11 – G5 to Project Adventure

13 – G5 to Maritime Gloucester

Menus with full nutritional information: https://mersd.nutrislice.com/menu/mersd-elementary-lunch/breakfast/2025-01-31

MERSD elementary students now have access to the iReady "My Path" program at home. This aspect of iReady is an online tool that provides students with learning activities and practice geared towards their individual skills and needs. Below you will find information regarding accessing this tool at home for extra skill practice in reading and mathematics.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qhiOnoPCkyzwb8HLql0PdEgwNC_tiKcN/view

Spring is here, and what better way to welcome the season than by creating a beautiful floral arrangement—and supporting the MMPTO at the same time! 🌼🌷

Sign Up Here:

Thank you to Linda Brown for her continuous support of MMES students and staff!

It's back! After a successful event last year, we are once again inviting all town poets to enter our annual poetry contest! This poetry contest is open for ages eight to adult who is a member of Manchester-by-the-Sea-Public Library. Selected poets will read their winning poems at a special poetry reading and reception on April 24th from 5:30-7 pm. Winners will be pulled from the following age categories: 8-12, 13-17, 18-adult. For more information, please go to https://www.manchesterpl.org/kids-teens-adults/poetry-contest/ or talk to Audrey in the Children's Room.

• Mobile Markets will then run from 2:30-3:30pm through January on the first Wednesday of each month.
• Mobile Market will run on an early release schedule of 11am-12:15pm on the first Wednesday of each month in February, March, May, and June.