Bresnahan Weekly Wednesday

11/04 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (3:15-6:15 PM)

11/10 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (3:15-8:00 PM)

11/11 - NO SCHOOL (Veterans Day Observed)

11/16 -11/20 - Book Fair (Refer to the classroom teacher for details)

11/18 - Caregiver Conversations - Playful Learning (8:30-9:15 - Cafeteria)

11/25 - EARLY RELEASE

• Preschool/PreK Dismissed at 11:15am
• Grade K-3 Dismissed at 11:40

11/26 - NO SCHOOL

11/27 - NO SCHOOL

Click here to access the Bresnahan Book Fair Website

Hello Families:

The Scholastic Book Fair is returning to the Bresnahan School! The book fair allows students and families to easily purchase new books at a reasonable price. The book fair is an important fundraiser for our school library. Proceeds from the book fair allow us to purchase new books! Participation in the book fair is completely optional.

There will be plenty of flexible options for students/families who choose to participate in the Book Fair:

• Students grades 1-3 will have an opportunity to shop at the book fair during the school day (during their regular library times during the book fair week).

• Students in preschool and Kindergarten have a difficult time managing shopping on their own during the school day. Therefore, PreK and K students will not shop at the book fair during the school day and can instead purchase books during the family shopping times.

• All students and families are invited to join us for the afterschool Family Shopping times.

• Class Schedule and Family Shopping Schedule linked here.

Payment options for in-school shopping: If your child is purchasing books during the school day, parents can send in cash, checks, or set up an e-wallet for your child. Greenlight cards also work. Please remember that we are required to charge sales tax and that should be included in the funds sent in with your child.

• Scholastic has an e-wallet option that eliminates the need for cash or checks. The e-wallet option is convenient and easily allows parents to preload a specific amount into their child’s account. Click here to find out more about e-wallet.

• If you choose to send in a check, checks should be made out to the Bresnahan School.

What books will be at the Book Fair?

A paper copy of the flier with book options and prices will be sent home so that students and families can preview their choices prior to their book fair visit. You can also view an interactive digital flier here. It is important to remember that the flier only showcases some of the many books that will be on display.

Parent Volunteers:

• Thanks to the many parents who have already volunteered! Your help is invaluable! We are still in need of a few parent volunteers. Volunteers help students to locate books, calculate purchases, and manage check out. Volunteers must have a current CORI on file, but volunteers do not need to be fingerprinted. Click on this Sign Up Genius by 11/6/26 if you are interested in volunteering for the Book Fair.

Additional information:

• Grade 1-3 classes will have a chance to shop during their normal library time, but there will be additional times for students to come down individually if your child is absent or forgets their money on their book fair day. No worries.

• We make sure that every child (Grades 1-3) has an opportunity to get a book at the book fair. Families can choose to donate extra funds to ensure that every child can get a book. If you are interested in supporting this tradition, families can donate when you shop in person or you can contribute by visiting the book fair website and click on “Share the Fair”.

We are really looking forward to a successful book fair! Please email me if you have any questions!

Renee Ames

Bresnahan Librarian

rames@newburyport.k12.ma.us

Curious about Playful Learning and how it’s bringing joy and engagement to our classrooms at the Bresnahan? We would love for you to join us!

We’ll be sharing a quick overview of what Playful Learning is all about, highlighting the exciting progress we’ve made so far, and giving you a peek into what it looks like in action for our students this year. Come learn with us—RSVP here!

Kindergarten and Grade 1 will be starting their next unit in Fishtank soon. (Grades 2 and 3 units are longer. Check back in a few weeks for updates.)

Fishtank is our new knowledge building literacy curriculum. Your student is diving into literacy lessons that build reading, writing, and comprehension skills using engaging texts, class discussions and rich writing opportunities.

Below, you'll find an overview of what students are learning by grade, as well as ways you can support your child's learning at home!

CORI/SORI

• All volunteers must have an up-to-date CORI on file with the Newburyport Elementary Schools.
• Bring the completed CORI/SORI form along with your driver's license to the Administrative Assistant at our school office.
• Please note CORI's are only valid for three years; after that you must reapply.

Fingerprinting

In keeping with Newburyport's continued focus on safety, volunteers/parents are required to be fingerprinted in two instances:

1. If you are going on a day or overnight field trip and will have direct and unmonitored contact with children;
2. If you are a lunchroom volunteer and will be bringing children out to the playground. Parents who volunteer in the classroom DO NOT need to be fingerprinted, if there will always be another adult present.

Massachusetts has contracted with MorphoTrust for fingerprinting. To book an appointment, visit the Massachusetts IdentoGO Website.

Please be aware there is a $35 fee for fingerprinting. Fingerprinting does not expire.

Forms and Information

• CORI/SORI Form
• Fingerprinting Info

Important PTO Save-the-Dates:

Nov. 10: PTO Board meeting- School Budget discussion open to all

Dec. 1: Holiday Spirit Wear Sale begins (delivery for Christmas & Hanukkah)

Dec. Cookie Swap (details below)

PTO Board Meeting Nov. 10 6:30pm

In November we have a special opportunity for our PTO Board meeting. On Nov. 10th at 6:30pm at the High School Library, Superintendent Sean Gallagher will join us for a school budget walkthrough and discussion. All are welcome.

PTO Cookie Swap

Each year, in mid-December, we celebrate our teachers and staff during the holiday season with our annual cookie swap. Families are invited to bake, buy, or volunteer to make this event special. Stay tuned for firm dates and links to sign-up.

PTO Communications

We communicate in a variety of ways for your convenience:

• Weekly Principal Emails: like this email!

• PTO Website: Go to www.newburyportpto.com.

• Social Media: Follow us on Facebook or Instagram (@NewburyportPTO).

• Email us at president@newburyportpto.com.