October Newsletter
Happy Autumn!
CES is also looking for volunteers for our school council. Information is below and you can reach out principal to Michael Thibodeau with any questions.
Check out the Charlton PTO section to learn how to become a member and about their upcoming events.
The Golden Dust Pan
CES has introduced the Golden Dust Pan! Each week our custodial staff selects the cleanest classrooms in each grade and they are awarded the Golden Dust Pan Award.
Our first winners were:
First Grade- Mrs. McQuade
Kindergarten- Mrs. Snow
Red Sox Day!
Important Dates
October 7-8- Picture Day!
October 9- No School Day; Professional Development
October 12- No School Day; Columbus Day
October 16- Pink Out! Wear your pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 19-23- Hearing, Hight and Weight Screenings
October 28- CES Spooktacular!
November 4: CES Harvest Festival!
CES School Council
CES is looking for caregivers to be members of the CES School Council.
What is a School Council?
A school council is a representative, school building-based committee composed of the principal, parents, teachers, community members and, at the secondary level, students, required to be established by each school pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 59C.
(DESE, https://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/advisory/schoolcouncils/part1.html)
Meeting dates and topics are-
Thursday, October 22 from 3:30-4:30- School Climate/Culture
Thursday, January 21 from 3:30-4:30- School Based Budget
Thursday, March 25 from 3:30-4:30- Elementary School Handbook
Thursday, May 20 from 3:30-4:30- School Improvement Plan
Please email Michael Thibodeau (mthibodeau@dcrsd.org) if you are interested in being a member of the school council.
School Councils must have equal representation of school staff and parents/community members. An election will be held if necessary to keep the groups equal.
Message from our School Adjustment Counselor
Dear Charlton Elementary Families,
It’s hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Each year, the National Honor Society (NHS) at Shepherd Hill works to ensure that families in our district are able to enjoy a special holiday meal.
If your household would benefit from assistance this Thanksgiving, please reach out to our School Adjustment Counselor, Stephanie Messina, at smessina@dcrsd.org no later than Wednesday, October 28th at 12:00 PM.
Families who request support may be contacted by a member of the Shepherd Hill team to confirm details. All meal coordination and delivery are organized by the NHS. Students involved are reminded of the importance of privacy and confidentiality throughout the process. If your financial circumstances change after November 1st, please contact Ms. Messina directly.
With warm wishes,
Stephanie Messina
School Adjustment Counselor
Physical Education Updates
Everything You Need to Know About Arrival & Dismissal
We know that arrival and dismissal can feel like a lot—especially at the beginning of the school year! Please review the information below to help keep arrival and dismissal safe, organized, and efficient for everyone.
MORNING DROP-OFF | 8:30–8:45 AM
Doors open at 8:30 AM.
Parent drop-off takes place from 8:30–8:45 AM.
Students being dropped off will enter through the doors closest to the church.
Parents/guardians may park in the church parking lot and walk their child to the designated entrance. You may use any space in the parking lot excluding those directly next to the church.
Students arriving by school bus will enter through the front entrance near the main office.
The parent drop-off door closes promptly at 8:45 AM.
ARRIVING AFTER 8:45 AM
Any student arriving after 8:45 AM is considered tardy.
If you arrive after 8:45 AM:
Please do not use the regular parent drop-off entrance.
Your child must enter through the main office and check in before going to class.
ABSENT OR RUNNING LATE?
If your child will be absent or arriving late, we encourage you to notify the front office.
You may:
Email Mrs. Durant at adurant@dcrsd.org
Call the Main Office at 508-248-7774
Send in a note addressed to Mrs. Durant or Main Office
Providing this information helps our office account for students and keep attendance records up to date.
TRANSPORTATION CHANGES | 2:40 PM DEADLINE
All transportation changes must be made BEFORE 2:40 PM.
After 2:40 PM, we can no longer make changes to a student's dismissal or transportation arrangements.
Please contact the Main Office before the 2:40 PM cutoff if your child's dismissal plans need to change.
AFTERNOON PICKUP
Afternoon pickup will take place at the Kindergarten doors closest to the church for:
PM Preschool 4
Kindergarten
First Grade
PM Preschool 4 Pickup: Doors open at 2:50 PM.
Kindergarten & First Grade Pickup: Doors open at 3:00 PM.
DON'T FORGET YOUR PICKUP CARD!
Please bring your child's classroom-colored pickup card with you each day at dismissal.
If you do not have your pickup card, you must:
Present a valid photo ID, AND
Be listed on the child's approved pickup list.
This procedure is in place to ensure that every student is released safely to an authorized adult.
NEED TO REACH THE OFFICE?
Mrs. Durant
adurant@dcrsd.org
Main Office: 508-248-7774
Thank you for helping us make arrival and dismissal at Charlton Elementary safe and smooth for all of our students and families!
Remember: Morning drop-off ends at 8:45 AM, and afternoon transportation changes must be made before 2:40 PM.
Champions Before and After School Care
The Dudley-Charlton Special Education Parents Advisory Council (DC-SEPAC) regular monthly meetings are typically held on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM. Meetings alternate between Shepherd Hill Regional High School and Charlton Middle School with email reminders sent the week before the meeting.
Additionally, in order to widen the welcome, we host "Coffee & Conversation" on the first Friday of each month at 9am, which is also confirmed with an email reminder. We meet at Sturbridge Coffee Roasters and alternate between the Dudley & Charlton locations.
The SEPAC board meets for 30 minutes, prior to the monthly meetings, which are open meetings. Here's the Dudley-Charlton SEPAC Board for the 2026 - 2027 School Year:
Kenny Laferriere - Chair
Millie Normandin - Vice Chair
Shawna McNeeley - Recording Secretary
Jeanne Costello - Publicity Secretary
Paul Judd - At Large Member
Deb Judd - At Large Member
Do not hesitate to reach out to SEPAC@DCRSD.ORG with any questions and on behalf of the Dudley-Charlton SEPAC we look forward to your involvement and support.
Kenny Laferriere, Chair
Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC)
Dudley-Charlton Regional School District (DCRSD)
