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Families,

THANK YOU to the EHEPTO for another amazing Jog-A-Thon! It ran smoothly, everyone had fun and got some exercise, and money for future programming was raised. We are so grateful for all that the PTO does for our schools.

Believe it or not, Wednesday is October 1st! This week brings the return of our therapy pet, MacGyver, and PICTURE DAY! We can’t wait to see all of our learners smiling for the camera.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Joey and Andrea

September/October

9/30, 10/1, 10/2- Picture Days

10/3- Summer Reading and Math Celebration

10/6- BOE at 6:30pm

10/8- CT Grown For Kids/ Dress Like a Farmer Day

10/10- Students have no school = Staff Professional Learning

10/13- No School = Indigenous People Day

10/14-10/17- National School Lunch Week

10/15 – Get S.M.A.R.T About Social Media, 6:00 @EHHS

10/29- Picture Retake Day

10/31- Cheetah Pride Assembly

Congratulations to Maggie Decresente, who was named Memorial School’s 2025 Friend of Education. Maggie has been a positive presence at Memorial for well over 20 years – first as the parent of former students, then as a literacy paraeducator, and most recently as a volunteer in the Library/Media Center. During the 2024-25 school year, Maggie volunteered in the Memorial School library on Tuesdays and Thursdays, spending about six hours per week assisting in the clerical duties that contribute to a library running smoothly. Whether she was processing, circulating or shelving books, setting up displays, preparing teaching materials, or completing inventories; Maggie approached each task with efficiency and confidence. Our Tuesday and Thursday morning students looked forward to seeing her friendly face, often approaching her warmly – as they would any familiar member of our team. Maggie is a generous, dedicated, supportive member of our community, and the Memorial School library has been so lucky to have her donating her time, and energy, and talents. Thank you, Maggie, for being a Friend of Education!

Garden Club

The third grade Garden Club has been busy the past two weeks. We picked yellow, purple, orange, and red tomatoes that our Memorial School kitchen used in school lunches. We picked some very large cucumbers which we were surprised to discover were very tasty. Additionally, Garden Club members weeded several garden beds including some enormous weeds that have been growing all summer. Next week, we plan to pick mint for taste testing.

Jog-A- Thon

The EHEPTO’s beloved annual Jog-A-Thon took place this morning. This successful event raises funds for future activities and resources at Memorial School. Students and staff had an awesome time running/walking laps, spending time with friends, and raising money for our schools. Thank you, EHEPTO, for organizing such a wonderful event!

Memorial Models are chosen weekly by their teacher. These students have excelled all week in taking care of themselves, others, and things. The recipients will dine at a VIP table during lunch every Friday!

A PAWsitive office referral is submitted when a staff member recognizes a student who is going above and beyond to exemplify one of our three school rules - taking care of others, taking care of self, & taking care of things.

Congratulations to Mary Jane Davis, a paraprofessional at Memorial School, for being awarded this week's Order Of The Cheetah! Mary Jane Davis goes above and beyond for her students and colleagues. She fosters positive relationships with the students and is in tune with their needs. Thank you for all that you do at Memorial School!

Art News

All of the students have come to visit the art room during the first month of school! We have practiced our rules, routines, and procedures, and even made special classroom contracts where the students decided what the most important rules for the art room should be! We then read the inspirational book “All are Welcome Here” by Alexandra Penfold. We have spent this past month getting to know each other and learning about what makes art and artists so special. We have also jumped into the world of art, and already began our first art units for this school year!

Here is a little information about what to expect from art class as the school year progresses:

Art lessons are designed with MEDIA in mind, to correspond with the East Hampton Public Schools K-12 Visual Arts Curriculum and the National Core Arts Standards.
Students will explore, experiment, respond, interpret, compare, create, develop key “art studio” behaviors, and more.
Students will take their work home every few weeks, upon completion of their art projects. Most art projects will take 2-4 weeks to complete. Please note that 3rd graders will NOT take any art home until the end of the school year, after a very special, culminating 3rd grade Art Show in June.

As an art teacher, I feel it is crucial that students learn how to appropriately manipulate and synthesize with the various art mediums available to them throughout the school year in order to have their most authentic artistic experiences. Student choice is so important when creating art, and all of the students get to make their own decisions when creating their masterpieces. When your child comes home with their work, please know that they worked very hard and did their best work, and they will be very proud to tell you all about their creations!

Please reach out any time through my email, parentsquare, or phone as the year progresses!

For our first projects of the school year, students are learning, exploring and creating with the following art units:

Prek/K: My First Self Portrait: we started the school year learning all about ourselves. We observed “The Torn Hat” by artist Tom Sully, and discussed how artists enjoy making portraits, and self-portraits.We then used mirrors to look closely at our own faces, and recognize the unique qualities of our face, hair, skin, and eye colors. We represented ourselves with a sketch, and then learned to color carefully using our Pincer grasp, and a “side-to-side” motion. We also discussed what a “peek-a-boo” is, and how artists care about carefully coloring their art. We were so inspired to observe art works, and create a work of art all about ourselves, while showing how special we are!

1st Grade: A Realistic or Abstracted Self Portrait: We have learned about portraits before in Kindergarten, and this year, first graders decided if they wanted to make their self portraits realistic or abstract. We specifically discussed how two artists can chose very different colors to make their unique masterpieces. Andy Warhol created a “Self-Portrait” with very surprising, abstract colors. Tom Sully created the painting “The Torn Hat” and created a person who looks so realistic. We compared the two very different choices the artists made, and then made decisions ourselves. Some students chose to use abstract colors, and did not want to match what they really look like, and instead chose fun, expressive and surprising colors. Other students chose realistic colors, and worked hard to observe their own unique colors that they saw in the mirror. We celebrated that both decisions make amazing works of art, and we loved getting to make our portraits with great care.

2nd Grade: Self-Portrait Collage: Students began by viewing three different works of art by famous COLLAGE artists. Artists Hannah Hoch, Romare Bearden, and Henri Matisse loved the process of collage making. We enjoyed looking closer to see how a collage is made. The 2nd graders have determined that using different types of paper, cutting them into pieces and arranging them like a puzzle is how you make a collage. Students then used mirrors to observe themselves, and to create SHAPES for different parts of their head, neck, shoulders, eyes, nose, mouth, hair, etc. They learned that it requires measuring and layering to create a collage with details. The collages are almost finished and are looking amazing, and most importantly, the students had so much fun making them!

3rd Grade: Self Portraits with Proportion-- Last year, the students learned how to measure using guide lines to create realistic portraits. This year, students have focused on creating EXPRESSION in their self portraits. We observed many sketches of different faces, showing and expressing emotions. We even got to try out those expressions! We discovered that the eye brows, eyes, and mouth change with each expression, and there are so many to show! We then created our own sketch of our faces, showing an emotion or expression. To finish these expressive self portraits, we then made a shocking change, and turned our hair CRAZY! Adding lines to the shape of our hair, we were able to add even more expression with our hair filled with lines and patterns. These portraits are so fun and filled with all sorts of feelings!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Vining

Art Teacher, Memorial School

860-365-4020/ cvining@easthamptonct.org

"A Note from Food Service:

As we are now half-way through September, I would like to send a friendly reminder for parents to check their student's lunch account balances. Weekly, emails are sent through Meal Magic with negative account balances. Please check your junk folder to ensure you are not missing crucial information!

The Cafeteria Staff and I love to see smiling faces daily and we are grateful to have your students dine with us!

Please use the link below to set up an online meal account for your child or apply for free or reduced meals.

https://easthampton.familyportal.cloud/

For questions or concerns, contact Kate Caselli, Director of Nutrition Services at kcaselli@easthamptonct.org or 860.316.7324"

Reminders

We want to share some guidelines that are helpful for families:

Please let us know if your child is diagnosed with any illness or injury (such as strep, flu, pink eye, fracture/broken bone, lice, pneumonia, covid, etc.) as the nurse office tracks illnesses and sends notification letters home if there are 2 or more cases in a specific classroom. Please be specific with any of the symptoms your child is experiencing.

Consider keeping your child at home for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:

Very stuffy or runny nose and/or cough
Mild sore throat (no fever, no known exposure to strep)
Mild headache and/or stomachache
Fatigue

Definitely keep your child at home for treatment and observation if he or she has any of these symptoms:

Fever (100.4 degrees or higher. May only return to school after 24 hours of no fever WITHOUT fever reducing medications)
Vomiting (Even once. Must wait 24 hours after last vomit episode to return to school)
Diarrhea (may return to school after 24 hours since last episode)
Chills
General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness, and/or muscle aches
Frequent congested, wet, or croupy cough
Lots of nasal congestion with frequent blowing of nose

Please remind your child(ren) about good hygiene habits:

Wash hands frequently
Do not touch eyes, nose, or mouth
Cover mouth and nose when sneezing/coughing and then wash hands
Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Often when a child awakens with vague complaints (the way colds and flu begin) it is wise to observe your child at home for an hour or two before deciding whether or not to bring them to school. Your child should be physically able to participate in all school activities on returning to school. Keeping a sick child at home will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom. Please send in a copy of the doctor’s clearance, as needed. Thank you in advance for helping to make this year at school as healthy as possible.

Medications

Every medication that is brought into school requires a “Medication Authorization” form to be signed by the student’s doctor and parent/guardian and the medication in original packaging with prescription label is to be brought in by a parent/guardian, not in the child’s backpack. No child may carry their own medications at the Elementary level. Please use a large ziplock bag for the medication plus the medication order, and label the bag with your child’s name before dropping off. Any controlled medications will need to be counted and signed off with the RN and parent so please allow for a few extra minutes at drop off.

Please note: COUGH DROPS count as medications and are not allowed in school. All over-the-counter medications also need a medication order from your provider.

Food

We have several students with severe food allergies, therefore we highly recommend non food items to share for birthday celebrations. Per our food sharing protocol, we ask for at least 48 hours advance notice to check for classroom allergies. Please inform your child’s teacher AND the nurse in order to approve food being brought in to share. A great resource for allergy free snacks is the Safe Snack guide at https://snacksafely.com/safe-snack-guide/. We appreciate your assistance in keeping our school safe.

Health Concerns

If your child has a new health concern which you would like to speak to the nurse about e-mail kwilliams@easthamptonct.org and mlemire@easthamptonct.org at any time.

If you have any specific concerns that arise during the school year (such as stitches, concussions, broken bones/fractures, etc) it is best that you send in a doctor’s note with dates, guidelines and restrictions, so we can all be on the same page and keep your child safe.

Respectfully,

Katie Williams, RN

and Ms. Michelle Lemire

kwilliams@easthamptonct.org, mlemire@easthamptonct.org

Your Health Office Team

Memorial Elementary

Phone 860-365-4020

Fax 860-365-4024

On Wednesday, October 15th, East Hampton Public Schools, along with the support of the PTO, will be hosting an informative session for K-12 caregivers on Social Media And Responsible Technology (S.M.A.R.T).

Scott Driscoll, of Internet Safety Concepts, spent most of his 33-year career in law enforcement as a youth officer with a local Connecticut police department. Scott’s work reinforced his desire to inform people how they can protect themselves from the potential dangers of technology in an ever-increasingly connected world. Scott founded Internet Safety Concepts in 2007 with the goal of educating people with a clear message: if we don’t consider safety while we are online and using technology, we can put ourselves and others in danger.

This will be an adult event. However, the EHHS’ Interact Club will provide childcare in the High School Library.

The EHHS Interact Club will be hosting a Walk of Hope again this year. A table will be set up in the lobby during our Open House evenings. East Hampton teachers, staff, students, and community members are invited to support cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. We are proud to honor our staff, students, and family members who are fighting and beating cancer, as well as walk in memory of those beloved community members who have lost their battle. The entire community is invited to join us in celebrating and honoring all those impacted by cancer. On Tuesday, October 14th from 5:00-7:30, the East Hampton High School track will serve as a place for us to come together, walking and running side by side in a shared spirit of remembrance, support, and hope. With your donation, the Interact Club will create a luminaria bag(s) to light the track the night of the walk in honor of your loved ones. Please complete a form for each person you would like us to honor. If you prefer to donate by check, you can drop off or mail checks to Elaine Pellegrino at the Board of Education Office, 1 Community Drive, Suite 1, East Hampton, CT 06424. Questions? Email epellegrino@easthamptonct.org

Please note

When considering the number of absences your student has accrued, keep in mind that a student must be present for 195 minutes in order for the day to count! When bringing your student in late, or signing them out early if they have not been in school for a 195 minutes the day will be recorded as an absence.

Memorial School Attendance email:

memorial_attendance@easthamptonct.org * there is an _ between memorial and attendance!

Protecting Our Youth: A Community Approach to Suicide Prevention

Please Review This Important Information Below.

pdf

insert_drive_file

Suicide Prevention Booklet for Email.pdf

Suicide Prevention Booklet-Spanish (1).pdf

Download

7.6 MB

Students, parents, and community members have access to an anonymous tip line on the front page of the school district website to report self-concerns, mental health concerns of a friend, or concerns of violence. Simply click here or view on the website: https://www.easthamptonps.org/.

Memorial Elementary School Contact Information

Email: jbauer@easthamptonct.org
Website: https://www.easthamptonps.org/o/memorial-school
Location: 20 Smith Street, East Hampton, CT, USA
Phone: 860-365-4020
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ehmemorialschool

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