Caregiver Update

This Friday, October 9 is a half day of school. We will dismiss at 12:05. The teachers have professional development planned for the afternoon.

We want to share an update to our lunch plans for half days. Due to updated regulations, schools are now required to provide and serve lunch to students even on early release days. Please see information from the new guidance: "Under the NSLA and the Child Nutrition Act, lunch service must be congregate and offered during the school day. Schools are not permitted to give students meals to take offsite for consumption." You can read more about this on the DESE website here.

On half days, we will provide students with a simple bag lunch. We will offer 3 "cold" lunch options (sunbutter, pretzel or bagel). Students are also welcome to bring a snack/lunch from home if they prefer.

Our half-day lunch schedule will be:

• Kindergarten & Grade 1: Students will eat together in the cafeteria at 11:00 a.m.

• Grades 2–4: Students will eat lunch in their classrooms. Teachers will schedule lunch during their school day between 10:00 and 11:50 a.m., based on their classroom schedule and needs.

We recognize that this is a change from our previous half-day routine, and we appreciate your flexibility as we adjust to the updated requirements. Our goal is to make the transition as smooth as possible while ensuring students have an opportunity to eat during the school day.

Thank you to those who already completed our survey about Curriculum Night. If you have not had a chance to do that, please take a few minutes to give us some feedback about Curriculum Night by clicking this link.

I also wanted to send a reminder that toys, balls, items from home should not be coming in to be used at recess. The PTO helps us provide equipment that students use during recess. We have sporting equipment, jump ropes, chalk, hula hoops, and other items that any student can use outside. I have had to stop several students from taking out their own footballs, squishy toys, and other items. Please help us keep those items at home. I know I spent several years checking my child's backpack because he always tried to sneak toys and fidgets out of the house!

Thanks,

Liz Garden

Principal

P.S, Don't forget, tomorrow, Tuesday morning, is our Dean Bank Savings Deposit Day!

We tried something new last year during lunch and parents and guardians told us that they loved it and wanted to continue this year! We’re inviting parents and guardians to join us in the cafeteria to eat and chat with students. The goal is to model friendly conversation skills, appropriate volume, and positive lunchtime behavior—while building a stronger sense of community.

Parents/guardians will sit with their child but also engage the other students at the table in conversation. We’ll provide simple conversation starters to keep things fun and meaningful.

We’d love your help as we support students in practicing respectful, confident communication during lunch. We understand that schedules can be tight, but if you’re able to visit during your lunch break, we’d be thrilled to have you join us. This year, there is only one grade at a time in the cafeteria. We will stick with Wednesdays and Fridays like last year. Please sign up on this sign up genius link for your child's grade.

Please make sure you have an approved CORI form on file with us before you sign up.

Our spring creative writing contest was so popular, we decided to do another one this fall! See the flyer below for information and prompt options. This is open to all students, Kindergarten through 4th Grade.

Again this year, across the district, we’re asking parents and guardians to help us with a special activity called “A Million Words or Less.” We invite you to tell us, in any length you choose, what makes your child special. You know their joys, challenges, quirks, interests, hopes, and what helps them feel safe and confident. Your insight helps us support them in the best way possible. We had several parents and guardians complete this last year, including many who did it during kindergarten screening. If you already shared information, you don't need to share again. But if you have not completed this, please take some time to help us get to know your child.

You can share in whatever style works for you—a few sentences, a list of bullet points, a poem, a note, even a song! The goal is simply for us to hear your voice.

We’ve created a form where you can type your thoughts. But we know writing isn’t the easiest or preferred way for everyone. You’re welcome to upload a photo, a short video, voice recording, or a document instead—whatever helps us get to know your child. If you would prefer to hand write your thoughts, you are welcome to do that as well and send in the information to us, that works as well.

October:

Oct. 6 - Dean Bank Deposit Day

Oct. 9 - Half day. dismissal @ 12:05

Oct. 12 - No School, Indigenous People's Day

Oct. 19-23 - Scholastic Book Fair

Oct. 21 - PK/K Open House 6:00-6:30, Family Shopping Event at the Book Fair

Oct. 22 - School Pictures Day - Coffee Pond Photography

Oct 28 - Bus Safety/Bus Evacuation Day

Oct. 30 - Cardboard Creation Day! More info to come

Email: lgarden@mursd.org
Website: https://www.mursd.org/o/henry-p-clough-elementary
Location: 10 North Avenue, Mendon, MA, USA
Phone: 508-634-1580
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HPClough-Elementary-School-102887309160164
Twitter: @HPClough