Dear MMES Families,

As we turn the corner to Spring (eventually), we also turn our attention to the busy part of budget season in public schools. There are a few very important dates coming up for MMES families to be informed and to participate supporting the budget process:

Be Informed! MERSD School Committee Q&A:

FREE Childcare at Annual Town Meeting April 28 – 6:30pm @ MMES

Manchester Parks and Rec is offering free childcare to families of Manchester school-age students in grades K-5 at Annual Town Meeting on April 28. Voting at town meeting gives members of the community a say in the future of the town, including the School Budget.

This service is being offered by the town in an effort to enable parents to attend the meeting. In-person attendance is the only way to vote!

Details:

• This is not a drop-in program, and drop off will begin at 6:15 p.m. (Town Meeting starts at 6:30pm)
• Children must be picked up at the end of Town Meeting or by 9:00 p.m., whichever comes first
• This program will be held at Manchester Memorial

You must pre-register for a spot in order for Parks and Rec to properly staff the program. Register here: https://manchesterma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30280#activities

In other news...

Be sure to register today for our annual road race/walk "Hit the Street for Little Feet!" This is a super fun community event and I hope to see you all there! Information is below!

Have a great weekend!

Best,

John

On Thursday, our second grade students met with Joppa Flats Education Center through Mass Audubon. Two educators brought touch tanks and students were able to learn about and interact with numerous sea creatures. The hour flew by as they carefully picked up snails, crabs, sea stars and more. If you have a second grader, ask them if they remember the rhyme they were taught to recall the four important aspects for a sea creature's ideal habitat. Answer: “Food, water, shelter, space. A habitat is a wonderful place!”

A new session of after school activities has started. Please help us to get your students where they need to be after school by updating pick up patrol for ALL changes to dismissal - Park & Rec programs, Green Team, Ambassadors. You can use the notes section to give additional details. Dismissal should be updated for each week that your student has an after school activity.

Thank you for your help.

Happy Spring!

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.

· 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.

· If your child has a contagious illness such as conjunctivitis or strep throat, it is the school policy that they are on medicine for 24 hours before re-entering the building.

· ALL CLASSROOMS ARE PEANUT/NUT FREE

Change of clothes: Each student should have a complete change of clothes (head to toe) in case of spills, wetness from playing outside, or any accidents.

Physicals: Please send in the most current physicals for 1st and 4th grade students.

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

April

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

27 - Rock Band Dress Rehearsal, MERHS 7:30 a

28 - Concert Band Dress Rehearsal, MERHS

29 - Chorus Dress Rehearsal, MERHS 7:30 a

29 - Elementary Art Show MERHS 5:00 - 6:00 pm

29 -Elementary Band/Chorus Concert MERHS 6:00 p

June

6 – G5 to Boston

10 - Field Day (rain date 6/12)

11 – G5 to Project Adventure

13 – G5 to Maritime Gloucester

16 - G5 Crossing the Bridge

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

🏃‍♀️ Hit the Streets Little Feet 5k – Coming Soon! 🏃‍♂️

Back by popular demand, it’s time to lace up your running shoes and join us for the Hit the Streets Little Feet 5k! This exciting event is perfect for families, friends, and athletes of all ages.

Event Details:

· Kids Fun Dash: Starts at 5:00 PM

· 5k Race: Starts at 6:00 PM

· Location: Manchester Memorial Elementary School

· Date: Friday, May 16th

Sign-up begins TODAY!
Don't miss your chance to participate in this fun-filled event and support a great cause! Whether you're running, walking, or cheering on your favorite participant, there's something for everyone.

🔹 Kids Fun Dash: A free, exciting dash for the little ones!
🔹 5k Run/Walk: Join us for the main event with an inspiring course for all skill levels.

How to Register:
Sign up today and secure your spot!

5K and Kids Fun Dash Register HERE

Let’s make this year’s Hit the Streets Little Feet 5k the best one yet! We can’t wait to see you there! 🏅

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.