Monstricola's Message

Dear MES Families:

We have had another great three days of learning. We are very excited to have our first five day week next week! This week brought learning more about the expectations in the parts of the building, beginning curriculum work and a lot of fun! We are getting to know our students and learning how to be a community in a new classroom. We will share more with you as the year goes on.

Thank you for your support. We look forward to a great year together!

Have a wonderful four day weekend!

Take care,

Kathleen Ortega and Michelle Romein

All cars need to be making a right into our back parking lot and staying as close to the grass as possible. Please do not block the first aisle of the parking lot as this is how buses come into the bus lane. Following this pattern helps get the students in and out of school in the most efficient manner WITHOUT blocking traffic and buses on O'Gara.

Thank you to those of you who have followed these guidelines. It is truly appreciated!

Protecting student privacy is an important responsibility of the Merrimack School District. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and New Hampshire law, school districts may disclose certain information designated as Directory Information without prior consent, unless a parent or legal guardian has exercised the right to opt out.

Directory Information may include:

• Student name and address
• Field of study
• Weight and height of student-athletes
• Most recent previous school attended
• Date and place of birth
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Dates of attendance, degrees, and awards

Directory Information is commonly used for purposes such as school yearbooks, student directories, graduation programs, honor rolls, athletic rosters, school newsletters, recognition of student accomplishments, school websites and social media, photographs, and press releases. It may also be shared with organizations or individuals for legitimate school-related purposes, unless a parent or legal guardian has exercised the right to opt out. Parents also have the right to opt out of disclosing certain pieces of directory information.

Parents and legal guardians have the right to refuse the disclosure of their student's Directory Information to third parties. If you wish to exercise this right, please email the Superintendent's Office stating that you do not want your student's Directory Information disclosed to third parties. Parents and legal guardians may also choose to opt out of specific uses or categories of Directory Information instead of opting out of all Directory Information.

Please send your request to: directoryinformation@sau26.org

If you have not updated PowerSchool yet, please do so as soon as possible. If you are having any trouble, please call or email Abby Hammond at abby.hammond@sau26.org.

Wit and Wisdom is our literacy program in kindergarten through fourth grade. Check out what your students will be learning in module one!

Kindergarten: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gDf7DvFlxjnR8W7rX2ZdlvAsQHXUlR_r/view?usp=sharing

Grade One: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UXCQdcndTk7qKDGCXE9GDtlcuIK_paKL/view?usp=sharing

Grade Two: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12jyxBhEX8TzJfbCZCSGJkPCGOlIa581r/view?usp=sharing

Grade Three: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bht5loJfLQLOqQaAfeASWo3AS4xehfpP/view?usp=sharing

Grade Four: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RTnJbTQi7fAB88reYzOG8SviTAZzl_lq/view?usp=sharing

The Merrimack Public Library is starting the Reading Dragons program. Visit the public library to sign up and receive your reading tracker card, start reading and earn more dragon trading cards! Check out this video your child watched during their library visit this week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iWA63o-s6c

During our professional development session on Tuesday afternoon, Mrs. Ortega and our math facilitator, Mrs. Pearson shared some strategies of how to help students develop number sense. We even made rekenreks for use in the classroom. Here are some great activities for you to try at home!

Early Release Schedule

Dismissal for AM preschool: 10:15

Disimssal for K-4: Begins at 12:15

No PM preschool

Birthdays are an exciting part of elementary school and children enjoy celebrating them at school. You do not need to celebrate with treats; however, if you would like to send treats, they must be store bought with the ingredients listed. We also ask that the treat is easy to serve and does not require extenisve set up by the teacher.

1) To help families stay connected with the school and what your children are up to while they are here, classroom teachers will share a classroom update with you every other week through email. Keep an eye out for it and be sure to reach out to them if you have questions. You will be amazed by all that they do!

2) Monstricola's Message will be shared weekly and contains information about upcoming events. pictures. snippets from our school days and information for parents. Please let the office know if you need a paper copy. Please note Monstricola's Message can be translated into a number of language!

3) Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: It is a goal of ours to share information regularly with all of you, so you can see the amazing things happening every day at MES!

Did you know that filling out the Free and Reduced Lunch Form may help provide:

• After School Academic & Enrichment Programs?
• Free/Reduces meal 30-day rollover for the next school year?
• State and Federal funding for school budgets?
• Fund computers and technology at home and for your school?
• Fee waivers for college applications and admission tests?

Click here for information and application.

Interested in volunteering but not sure what you are signing up for?

Attend our Volunteer Orientation Session to learn about the PATT and volunteering at MES. All are welcome!

Tuesday, September 15 th beginning at 6:00 with the first PATT meeting of the year

following at 6:30.

We love our JMES volunteers! If you’d like to volunteer, chaperone, or serve as a room parent this year, here’s what you’ll need:

1. Background Check & Fingerprinting
Per district policy, all volunteers must complete a background check and fingerprinting. If you were previously fingerprinted through the school and have volunteered within the last year, you do not need to complete this again.

To schedule fingerprinting, contact Kat Knauer at the district office:
(603) 424-6200 | Kathleen.Knauer@Sau26.org

2. Volunteer Contract — NEW this year!
All volunteers will sign a short Volunteer Contract before volunteering. This helps keep everyone on the same page about JMES volunteer expectations and procedures.

3. Annual Vector Trainings
Volunteers must complete these three online trainings each year:

• Child Abuse Mandatory Reporting
• Responding to Bullying (K–12 Teachers and Staff)
• Sexual Harassment Policy and Prevention

Training Directions: Training Directions
Vector Training Login: https://sau26nonemp-nh.safeschools.com/login

When registering, please use your personal email address as your username.

Questions?
Email the PATT Volunteer Coordinator at volunteercoordinator@jmespatt.com.

Thank you for giving your time to JMES — our volunteers make such a difference in our school!

September 15, 2026 PATT Meeting 6:00

September 23rd: Open House (6:00-7:00 Classroom Visits, 6:00-7:30 Ice Cream Social)

September 29th: Kindergarten In-House Field Trip: Carriage Shack Farm

September 30th: School Pictures

October 9th: Early Release

October 12th: No School