Good Morning Memorial Families,
I hope that long weekend was a good one, and that the snowstorm did not interfere too much with plans that your family had. In speaking with students late last week, it seems that many families were headed north for the weekend for some skiing. It was a nice weekend to hit the slopes, ahead of the frigid midwinter temperatures that are upon us this week.
Our fourth grade chorus, under the direction of the amazing Mr. David Heath, will perform their winter concert on Wednesday night at 6:00pm in the Memorial cafeteria. All students will have an opportunity to listen to the concert on Tuesday afternoon as we have a special daytime performance. Mr. Heath always assembles a terrific song list and we look forward to listening to the talent this week!
Over the past two months, we have had an increase in the number of families utilizing our parent pick up line in the afternoons. As a result, the line of traffic has spilled onto route 140 for longer than it used to. We are working with the Upton Police Department to brainstorm some solutions to this back up, as we know that it has created a somewhat dangerous situation for cars that are exiting. We are asking for your help to minimize the challenges we are facing:
1. Please do not line up on 140 ahead of the driveway opening at 3:00pm. We begin dismissal at 3:15, and typically wrap up the line at 3:30pm.
2. Please use caution when turning left out of the driveway when exiting. Our driveway is blind to the cars traveling northbound, and the line of traffic entering the school creates an even more difficult view. If possible, turn right out of the driveway to get where you are going between 3:15 and 3:30pm.
3. Please be efficient when picking up your child. ONLY preschool parents should be getting out of their cars to help buckle children. All kindergarten-fourth grade parents should remain in your car and your child should buckle him/herself. If your child has difficulty with this, please plan to pull off into the front parking lot near the police car to buckle so that we can keep the line moving.
4. Always exercise caution in the driveway. Do not pass other cars and be alert for children.
5. And finally, please always have a sign with your child's first and last name written DARKLY and large enough for me to read. Solar glare, signs written too small or in light pencil or pen, and the pressure of calling quickly sometimes causes me to not be able to call quickly, slowing down the line.
Thank you for your help with this. Please spread the word to extended family members (like grandparents) who may be picking up your children and do not receive this newsletter.
Have a wonderful week!
Warmly,
Wendy
