Phenomenal Phelps Facts

Our third and fourth graders take their first MCAS tests of the year this week. First up, it's the English Language Arts assessment.

What is the MCAS?
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) is a set of statewide standardized tests. Students in grades 3-8 and 10 take MCAS tests in English language arts and mathematics; students in grades 5, 8, and one high school grade (usually grade 9 or 10) take a science MCAS test. Students in grade 8 take a civics MCAS test.

Why does Massachusetts give MCAS tests?
Statewide testing gives families an objective measure of their child's and school's progress and is one way for taxpayers to see the results of their investment in schools. State test scores are just one piece of a student's academic picture, but they provide important information. In addition, federal and state laws require statewide testing.

Does MCAS determine whether students progress to the next grade level?
No.

Who creates the MCAS questions?

Test contractors, DESE staff, and more than 250 educators annually all help create and review test questions.

We are very proud of all of our students' improvement in reading and writing throughout the year, and this is one way for us to see all they have learned. You can help prepare your child by making sure they get a great night's sleep on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Taking a test for a couple of hours can be tiring, and students are at their best when they are well rested. Second, while it is always important to be on time for school, our MCAS testing starts right away, so students who are late may not have the chance to test that day, and instead take the test on a make up date. Thank you for your partnership this MCAS season.

Our Fun Run is coming up in two weeks, on April 17th. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year!

Please help us reach our fundraising goal by supporting the Phelps Fun Run! Money
raised during the Fun Run helps fund assemblies, field trips, field day, classroom supplies,
technology & much more!

Follow these 3 Simple Steps to get to your goal fast!

1. First Register or re-Login to your parent dashboard and complete your child’s student webpage with a PICTURE at getmovinfundhub.com. School Identifier: 67d069bfc4f51
2. Make an online donation using the red Donate button right away.
3. Share with friends and family, they want to help!
   
   

• Send 10-15 emails and/or text messages
• Post to Facebook/social media. The more often you post, the more likely friends & family will see it & donate!
• Help your child reach their goal in 24/48 hours

Student Goals:

• Our goal is to have 100% of all Phelps students registered online! It’s easy, FREE, and only takes few quick minutes! Start fundraising today
• Each student is encouraged to raise $100
• Be an Overachiever Superstar by raising $500
• OUR TOTAL SCHOOL GOAL is $15,000

Event Details:

• Event Date: 04/17/2025
• The Fun Run will be held during regular school hours.
• If you’d like to be a volunteer for the Fun Run, you must register via the PAC SignUpGenius.
• All volunteers must have an active CORI on file.
• Final Donation due date: 04/27/2025 11:59 PM
• Donations in the form of cash & checks must be sent in to the school in a sealed envelope with students First & Last Name, Teacher, and $ amount enclosed. Checks must be made payable to “MEMORIAL PARK PAC". That is written correctly.

Thank you,

Phelps PAC

Please review these pick up and drop off expectations to keep everyone safe!

Reminder as parents/guardians arrive for drop off or pick up, please be sure to create and fill in two car lanes pulling as far up as you can. The yellow box is intended to be the only loading and unloading zone for children. Using the right lane because it is closer to the school will not get anyone out faster so if there is more room in the left lane as you enter the circle, take advantage of it.

As you arrive in the morning, pull all the way forward and wait for a staff member to give the ok to exit. Remember, we are only unloading students in the “yellow zone” to maintain a smooth flow of traffic. Once all students from the yellow zone are unloaded, a staff member at the front of the line will give the ok for all of those vehicles to exit which will then allow the next group to fill in the yellow zone.

In addition, please remember that CHANGES TO DISMISSAL CAN NOT BE MADE AFTER 1:30. Dismissal at a school this size has many different moving pieces, and we are proud of how safely and efficiently we can dismiss our students. When changes are called into the office late or a change is made in the dismissal line, it affects our entire process. You can help by calling in changes to your child's dismissal BEFORE 1:30. If you decide to come to the pick up line, and your child is scheduled for Daycare and you have not informed us of the change, please pick up your child at the Daycare pick up. You might have to wait in line behind the buses. Thank you!

If your child is interested in participating in band and/or chorus next year as 5th graders at RMS, we ask that you please complete the google form below. Band and Chorus take place during "Bulldog Block" and will be offered daily except during our Academic Advisory period when students can receive academic remediation.

See the attached fundraiser to support our 8th graders! Please consider making purchases between April 3rd-April 17th and 10% of the raised funds will go toward 8th grade end of the year events.

The online store will "open" on Thursday and will "close" on April 17th. You access the store, starting Thursday, by clicking shop now and entering the access code provided on the flyer. Purchases will be shipped right to your house!

Thanks for supporting our students!

- RMS, Grade 8

This week, four students earned the right to be called PAWS Bulldogs of the Week (one did not want to be photographed). These students had so many PAWS in the buckets that their names were randomly drawn to be recognized Friday afternoon on the announcements. These students earned +20 points for their house, a special seating area in the cafeteria with friends of their choice, and this picture on our PAWS Champions bulletin board. Great job being Responsible, Respectful, Safe, and Kind.

It’s time for our Spring After School enrichment programs! After school activities will run one day a week from 2:00pm-3:00pm and pick up is in the front of Phelps, promptly at 3:00pm. Any students who are already enrolled in aftercare on the day of their program can be dismissed to aftercare. Please note, these programs are a separate opportunity from after care.

Students may only register for ONE program. On April 6th, the links to register for these programs will be available on Class Dojo at 6pm. They usually fill quickly- set a reminder on your calendar if you are interested in signing up!

Registration will end when the program is full or on April 11th, whichever comes first.

Families will be notified if their child is in an activity by April 14th. There will be a fee of $25 for each activity. We accept CHECKS ONLY (made payable to the Town of Rockland.) These activities must meet their minimum capacity to run. No refunds will be given after the first class for any reason. Checks are due to the main office, labeled with the student’s name and enrichment class by 4/17/25.

If you have any questions regarding an activity please contact Kelsey Holbrook at 781-871-8585 x 2016 or kholbrook@rocklandschools.org. All courses are for students in Grades 1-4.

COURSE NAME: Zumba Kids

INSTRUCTOR: Mrs. Oxner, Special Education Teacher

WHERE: Gym
DAY: Mondays

DATES: 4/28, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19, 6/2

Zumba Kids is a dance-fitness program for children that combines music, movement, and community, designed to get kids moving and having fun while improving their physical and mental well-being. The classes incorporate a variety of kid-friendly music genres, including pop, salsa, merengue, reggaeton, and cumbia, with age-appropriate dance steps.

COURSE NAME: Fuse Bead Club

INSTRUCTOR: Mrs. Campbell, Paraprofessional

WHERE: First Floor STEAM Room

DAY: Tuesdays

DATES: 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27

Are you ready to get creative and make awesome designs with colorful beads? Join the Fuse Bead Club and discover the fun world of crafting with beads! In this club, we’ll use fuse beads (also known as Perler beads) to create everything from animals, vehicles, characters and flowers. Whether you're new to fuse beads or an experienced creator, there's something for everyone!

COURSE NAME: Crafting Club

INSTRUCTOR: Mrs. Daly, Paraprofessional

WHERE: TBD

DAY: Wednesday

DATES: 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4

Come join Mrs. Daly after school for some fun crafts. We will be making keychains, bracelets and more!

The fourth grade yearbook committee needs photos of your child! Please email any school photos of your child from Pre-K to 4th grade to Phelps4thgradeyearbook@gmail.com, or

This year, Phelps Elementary grade level concerts will take place during the school day, one per month, beginning this month. Please see the schedule for concerts below. Due to parking and school lunch start times, we ask parents to leave immediately after the program ends. Looking forward to beautiful music filling our cafeteria stage!

April 15: Grade 3 Music Concerts

• 8:15-8:45 am--Mrs. Booth's Grade 3 Classes
• 9:00-9:30 am--Mr. Popadic's Grade 3 Classes

Please be sure the following dates are in your calendar for Phelps Early Release (10:45 am dismissal):

May 1

June 5

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

OFFICE

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

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

Kelsey Holbrook, Acting Principal & Title One Director, kholbrook@rocklandschools.org

Chase Eschauzier, Assistant Principal, chaseeschauzier@rocklandschools.org

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

GUIDANCE

Allison Sgambato, School Psychologist, asgambato@rocklandschools.org

Elizabeth Peckham, School Psychologist, epeckham@rocklandschools.org

Holly Gage, School Adjustment Counselor, hgage@rocklandschools.org

Taryn Muolo, School Adjustment Counselor, tmuolo@rocklandschools.org

Stephanie Sears, Substitute School Adjustment Counselor, stephaniesears@rocklandschools.org

Lizanne McCabe, Behaviorist, lmccabe@rocklandschools.org

Rebecca Varney, Behaviorist, rvarney@rocklandschools.org

HEALTH OFFICE

Shani McGarry, Nurse, smcgarry@rocklandschools.org

Website: rocklandschools.org/o/phelps-elementary

Location: 1 Lt Col Brian Duffy Way, Rockland, MA 02370

Phone: 781.871.8585