Principal's Newsletter

Next week we invite our 6th and 8th grade families into the building for our second (and final) curriculum night of the school year. This is always a great evening for families to learn about what their students do in class every day, how our teams function, and get the see the building that their children spend so much time in. Opening our school to the community always brings a great energy to the building and we look forward to seeing all of those 6th and 8th grade families on October 1st!

Thank you to all of the families and staff who continue to support students throughout their middle school careers. Our community is incredible - we look out for each other, we care about each other, and everyone truly always has the best interest of kids in mind. I hope that you enjoy the weekend ahead!

6th and 8th Grade Curriculum Night is coming up on October 1st. We will start in the QMS auditorium at 6pm with welcome remarks from Principal McGuire. From there, 6th grade families will head to the auditorium, cafeteria, or library, depending on team, for team presentations. 8th grade families will make their way into the 8th grade hallways and follow a modified version of their child's schedule. 8th grade families, in order to prepare for the evening, please check with your child to get a copy of their schedule and bring it with you on curriculum night. The schedule you will follow is 2,4,5,7,1. This will allow you to visit all of your child's team teachers. The specialists will be available in the lobby that evening. We'll explain the rotation at the end of the principal's welcome. Let us know if you have any questions and we look forward to seeing you on October 1st!

Please see the following message from our school nurses:

In accordance with Massachusetts general law, students are required to undergo screenings at certain grade levels in school. The screening schedule is as follows:

6th grade - scoliosis

7th grade - Vision, hearing, height, weight, scoliosis, SBIRT

8th grade - scoliosis

SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral for Treatment) in schools is a MDPH tool intended to identify substance use risk behaviors. SBIRT screening requires a structured 1:1 conversation between a trained school nurse and a student. Results of SBIRT screening are confidential and will not be included in your student’s school record.

All screenings are scheduled to begin in late October. Students may also be screened at any time during the year at a parent/guardian request. If screening results indicate the need for follow up care by a physician, parents/guardians will be notified in writing. Please see our website for more information, and opt out requirements.

https://www.mansfieldschools.com/page/state-mandated-health-screenings

Please contact the Health Office with any questions.

Thank you

Elayne Brown and Heidi Waite

elayne.brown@mansfieldschools.com or

heidi.waite@mansfieldschools.com

Please see the information below about the family flu clinic!

Mansfield Public Schools has launched a new mobile app to help students, parents/guardians, teachers, and community members know what is happening in our schools directly from your smartphone. On the app you can read the latest announcements, view bus schedules, locate staff contact information, get info about upcoming events, and more!

The Mansfield Public Schools App is available to download for free from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store by searching Mansfield Public Schools, MA. We hope you find the app helpful!

If your child does not participate in the Pay-N-Ride program and pay for the bus, but you would still like them to utilize the late bus when they are staying after school, you can use the application linked below to purchase a late bus pass to ride the late bus from Monday through Thursday. Please see the form for more information.

October 1st - Grades 6 & 8 Curriculum Night

October 14th - No School

October 16th - Half Day (District)

November 5th - No School

November 7th - QMS Picture Day Retakes

November 11th - No School - Veterans Day

November 21st & 22nd - QMS Fall Play - James and the Giant Peach

November 27th - Early Release - Start of Thanksgiving Break

November 28th & 29th - No School - Thanksgiving Break

District Vision

The Mansfield Public Schools will foster an environment where all students share a sense of belonging and experience academic and personal growth. We will inspire and empower active and engaged learners, citizens, innovators, and communicators.

District Mission

The Mansfield Public Schools supports each student so they feel recognized and valued. All students are empowered academically, socially, and emotionally so they can reach their maximum potential.

Core Values

Belonging

We build a supportive and understanding community through kindness, respect, and empathy.

Collaboration

We work together, share ideas, respect each other, and celebrate our achievements as a community.

Curiosity

We question, explore, and discover in order to foster a love of learning, not just for school but for life.

Integrity

We are honest and do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

Resilience

We adapt and grow in the face of adversity, always persevering and continuing to try.

Matthew McGuire - Principal

Timothy Tichacek - Director of Secondary Special Education

Abby Evans - Assistant Principal

James Schliefke - Assistant Principal

Qualters Middle School

240 East St.

Mansfield, MA 02048

508.261.7530

QMS Website

The Qualters Ideal is not that we will all agree with each other, or even like each other, every minute of the day. It is rather that we will respect each other's rights, especially the right to be different, And that at the end of the day, we will understand that we are one people, one school and one community