Caregiver Update

Thank you to all the families that joined us Friday evening for our Welcome Back Picnic. It was truly the most beautiful night weather-wise to hang out on the back field and enjoy each other's company. Citrus Be Real and 3 Kings BBQ provided some yummy food options, while DJ Mike kept kids (and adults) entertained with music, dancing, bubbles, games and more! Looking forward to more family activities at the school throughout the year.

Next week, we have two nights of Curriculum Nights scheduled. On Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1st grade and 2nd grade parents and guardians will be able to come into classrooms to learn from teachers about the curriculum. On Wednesday, Sept. 23, 3rd grade and 4th grade parents and guardians will be able to come into classrooms to learn from teachers about the curriculum. This is an evening for parents/guardians only. We will be hosting showcases of learning later in the year where parents/guardians will have a chance to see their students' learning and engage with students in the classroom. Please remember that Curriculum Night is a general information evening rather than an individual parent-teacher conference. If you would like to discuss your child individually, our teachers are always happy to arrange another time to connect.

Here is the specific schedule for each grade:

Grade 1 - Tuesday, Sept 22, 6:00-6:25pm

Grade 2 - Tuesday, Sept 22, 6:35 -7:00pm

Grade 3 - Wednesday, Sept 23, 6:00-6:25pm

Grade 4 - Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6:35-7:00pm

Because we will have a lot of traffic coming and going, we have built in a 10 minute window in between grades on both nights to hopefully help with parking and large groups entering and exiting. The PTO will be in the lobby selling raffle tickets for Gym Teacher for the Day, Cafeteria Manager for the Day, Ride in a Fire Truck, etc. Dean Bank will also be here on those evenings for anyone who wants to sign up for the savings program. Looking forward to seeing many of our parents and guardians next week!

Preschool and Kindergarten will have an Open House on Wednesday, October 21. We like to give our youngest learners a chance to get settled into school before we have their event. This will be the same night as our family shopping event for the Scholastic Book Fair.

Don't forget that it's only a 4 day week this week since Friday there is no school for students. Staff have a full day professional development day.

Thanks,

Liz Garden

Principal

We have created a handout explaining our SOAR expectations across various school settings. I have linked an electronic version below. Teachers will be handing out paper copies of these documents at Curriculum Night. We will also send home a paper copy to those who are unable to attend. After the Curriculum Nights, we will send home a yellow slip of paper for you to sign off acknowledging that you have reviewed the expectations with your child. Please sign and send it back into school. PK and K families will get the yellow slip after their Open House in October. Thank you for partnering with us to help all students understand the behavior expectations and our PBIS system (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports).

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.

Welcome back!

Again this year we will be partnering with Dean Bank to offer a savings account program at Clough. Students will be able to open an account and Dean Bank has agreed to put the first $5 in for every student who opens an account. The accounts will earn 4% interest.

We will have a deposit day on the first Tuesday of every month, starting on October 6th. We have a parent volunteer who is our "teller", collecting the students' deposits and entering the amounts into the system. Clough students can open an account and siblings of Clough students can open accounts as well. We are excited to have this partnership with Dean Bank. If you are interested in this program, let the office know and we will send home an application. Dean Bank reps will be in the lobby during Curriculum Nights next week if you want to speak more with them. For those who signed up last year, your child will continue having deposit days on the first Tuesday of the month. (Except for November, since we have no school on that Tuesday, we will move the deposit day to Monday that week.) If you want to read more about this program, check out this link.

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.

Each year the district has a Spanish Language and Cultural Assistant sent to the district from Spain. Some years, we share this position with other schools in the district. This year, the assistant will be full time at Clough. This is such a great resource for us to have for our Spanish Immersion classes. Hoping one of our Clough families will consider hosting this person! You don't have to have a student in Spanish Immersion to host.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

The wait is over! Nipmuc Youth Basketball registration is officially OPEN!

Get your player ready for another great season of basketball, teamwork, competition, and fun!

Registration details, dates, and information can be found on our website.

Head to the Nipmuc Youth Basketball website to register today! https://www.nipmucyb.com

Don’t wait—secure your spot!
Go Nipmuc!

September:

Sept. 18- No school, full PD Day for all staff

Sept. 22 - Grade 1 and 2 Curriculum Night, 6:00-6:25pm 1st grade, 6:35-7:00pm 2nd grade

Sept 23 - Grade 3 and 4 Curriculum Night, 6:00-6:25pm 3rd grade, 6:35-7:00pm 4th grade

Sept 25 - Clough Classic Fundraiser Golf Tournament!

October:

Oct. 6 - Dean Bank Deposit Day

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

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

Oct. 16 - School Pictures Day - Coffee Pond Photography

Oct. 19-23 - Scholastic Book Fair

Oct. 21 - PK/K Open House

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