Caregiver Update

We have made it to June! As a parent and a principal, this is an exciting and busy time of year. Between end of year concerts, special events, and spring sports, all of our days are full. And we are all in that phase of thinking and planning for summer, but still needing to focus on what is happening during these last days of school. Emotions run high, both excitement of a break from school and sadness for the changes that another school year ending brings.

I couldn't help but get emotional on Friday watching our 4th graders share their trickster tale writing. In my head, I can see them when they were much littler 1st graders, just learning to read and write. Now they demonstrated that they are confident readers and writers, ready to move onto middle school. All of our 4th graders got to travel to Miscoe Friday morning to meet the principals, learn about middle school, and get a tour. They all came back very excited for this next chapter! I know they will come back and visit because on Thursday night, during the amazing event put on by our Specialists, so many former Clough students came back to visit! And thank you to all of the families who attended. We had a steady stream of students and families exploring all the activities and displays of student work.

This week, we have the 1st graders heading to the Ecotarium on Tuesday, and then the whole school will be participating in Inspired Learning Day on Thursday. Students have selected some awesome sessions to attend and we have lots of community members connecting with us, both in person and virtually. And we will finish the week with a new experience for our 2nd graders, they will be performing a science-themed musical on Friday afternoon for their families.

We also have about 7 Junior interns from Nipmuc shadowing teachers and counselors during these last weeks of school. Love to see our high school students come full circle, coming back to the school they attended in elementary school to learn about careers in education. I attended the Nipmuc Graduation on Friday night at the Hanover Theater. Several of the students spoke, and they often referenced the connections they made and the support they received when they were in elementary school. When we had the Senior Walk last week at Clough, I told the Seniors to make sure they greeted our youngest learners, our 3-year-olds, because they will be in their shoes in 15 years. As they say, the days are long, but the years are short, and time really does seem to fly by. Hang onto all these moments and memories that are happening during the last few weeks of school!

Sincerely,

Liz Garden

Principal

P.S. If you are looking for important upcoming dates, scroll to the bottom of this newsletter and you will find the Important Dates to Remember section.

We are always trying to improve and get better as a school community. Please take a few minutes over the next several weeks to give us feedback. You can help us improve by completing this short survey.

As we look ahead to the upcoming school year, the Miscoe Hill team is thrilled to welcome your student to our community! Please join us for our Incoming Grade 5 Information Night on June 1 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM in the Miscoe Lower Gymnasium.

Assistant Principal Nick Cuomo and I look forward to hosting this parent/caregiver evening designed to help families transition smoothly from elementary to middle school. Our agenda will cover:

• A "day in the life" of a Miscoe 5th grader

• Band and chorus opportunities

• A presentation by Lauren Lajoie, Outdoor Classroom coordinator, regarding our upcoming trip in October, 2026

• Q&A session

Please click here to view more details.

If you have an older child and have attended this event previously, the core information will be quite similar. The presentation slide deck will be posted to our website following the event for those unable to attend.

Looking Ahead for Students: Please keep an eye out for more details on student-centered events, including Move Up Day on May 29 and a Popsicle Social this August, where your child can begin to get familiar with the faces and places at Miscoe.

We know that this transition can feel both exciting and a little overwhelming at times, and our team is committed to making the process as smooth and positive as possible. We look forward to partnering with families to help each student feel welcomed, supported, and ready for a successful start at Miscoe.

We are so excited to welcome the Class of 2034 to Miscoe Hill! We hope to see you on June 1st!

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us here at Miscoe with any questions.

With gratitude,

Ms. Corron

Principal

Dear Families,

We’re excited to share that Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures will be coming to Clough on Monday, June 8th!

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to get excited about taking care of their teeth and feeling more comfortable about going to the dentist. Through this engaging program, children will learn about healthy dental habits in a fun, age-appropriate way.

The whole school participated in a live Zoom meeting on 2/9/26, and students were highly engaged in the program and asked amazing questions. We’re excited to build on that experience with this upcoming visit.

As an added bonus, students will be bringing home new toothbrushes for the whole family, helping support healthy smiles at home too!

Please fill out the permission form that came home the other week, and send it to school as soon as possible so your child can participate. If you need another form, let us know and we can send another copy home with your child.

We’re looking forward to hosting this great event and sharing it with our school community.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Warmly,
Tara Bellefontaine

As part of Governor Healey’s Inter-Agency Early Education and Child Care Task Force, the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR) and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) are encouraging more families, children, and early education programs to spend increased time outdoors. This page shares resources for policymakers, families, and early education providers and educators about the benefits of nature for young children, and ways to access and engage with nature in positive, developmentally appropriate ways. Lots of great resources! And if you have a 4th grader, be sure and check out this link to learn about free national park passes.

Mendon-Upton families—get ready for an exciting summer of skill-building, teamwork, and fun with our 2026 Nipmuc Summer Clinics!

We’re thrilled to offer three fantastic opportunities for MURSD students in Grades 3–8 (in 2026-2027 school year) to learn from the best. Each clinic is led by our dedicated Nipmuc varsity coaching staff along with current varsity athletes—bringing energy, experience, and school pride to every session!

Clinic Schedule:

• Girls Basketball: June 22–25 at Memorial School
• Boys Basketball: June 29–July 2 at Memorial School
• Girls Volleyball: June 29–July 2 at Blackstone Valley Tech (BVT)

Cost: $150 per clinic

Whether your child is just getting started or looking to sharpen their skills, these clinics are a great way to stay active, build confidence, and connect with the Nipmuc community.

Spots will fill quickly—don’t miss out on an unforgettable summer experience!

Registration is now open so don't delay!

June:

June 1 - 5th Grade Welcome Night @ Miscoe

June 2 - 1st grade field trip to the Ecotarium, Principal for the Day!

June 4 - Inspired Learning Day! Clough's Got Talent Assembly

June 5 - 2nd grade Musical @ 2:00

June 8 - Dental screening truck visits Clough all day, Final Family Meeting, Student Council Meeting @ 8:00, School Council Meeting @ 3:30

June 9 - End of Year PTO Celebration and Night of Song with Dennis Mathew, 5:00-7:00pm on the back field

June 11 - PK-3rd grade Field Day

June 12 - 4th grade Field Day

June 16 - Dodgeball Tournament

June 17 - Last day of school! Dismissal @ 12:05

Last day for Kindergarten: Monday, June 15

K screening taking place on June 16 and 17 - time slot sign ups will be sent out

Last day for PK: Tuesday, June 16

Last day for 1st-4th: June 17 (half day)

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