Family Bear's Den
September 5, 2025
Important Dates
September 17 - Early Release - 11:25 AM Dismissal
September 25 - CFB Curriculum Night
October 9 - School Picture Day
October 10 - No School - Professional Development Day
October 13 - No School
We're All Back
Principal’s Update
Hello Families,
It is wonderful to have all of our students with us now that we welcomed Preschool and Kindergarten students on Tuesday. The building is buzzing with excitement and productive learning as all of our students acclimate to the new school year. Our students are truly so kind and happy to be learning alongside one another and our teachers bring consistent energy and creativity to the learning environment.
We appreciate your patience with morning drop off and pick up. If you have any questions regarding the procedure, please refer back to your "Welcome Back" letter you received with your child’s teacher notification. This letter has links to videos and diagrams that assist with learning the process. It is helpful for exiting cars to also let entering cars into the lots as that assists with the traffic flow.
We're currently doing our benchmark reading and math assessments with students in grades one through five. This week, we began with testing third, fourth, and fifth graders, and we'll start with first and second graders next week. These assessments help us understand each child's learning profile. The process will take a few weeks to complete, and I'll keep you updated in the weekly newsletter.
As Principal, it is truly inspiring observing each teacher teach routines and expectations while also completing academic work with our students. At our upcoming Curriculum Night, you will learn more about what your child will learn this year. In the meantime, you can help us by reminding your child to leave toys, gadgets, Pokemon cards, and other special items at home as these toys can cause a distraction, which takes student attention away from classroom instruction.
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. We look forward to our first full week of school next week.
Skye Bomba
Curriculum Night
We look forward to seeing parents and guardians at CFB’s Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 25th. Please remember children do not attend this event as this is a night devoted to teachers reviewing the curriculum, outlining routines, and giving an overview of what to expect this school year.
The schedule for the evening can be found below:
5:15 - 5:30 - Kindergarten and Fourth Grade Parent/Guardian session in the cafe with Ms. Bomba and Ms. Molloy
5:30 - 6:00 - Kindergarten and Grade 4 Classroom Visits
5:45 - 6:00 - First and Third Grade Parent/Guardian session in the cafe with Ms. Bomba and Ms. Molloy
6:00 - 6:30 - First and Third Grade Classroom Visits
6:30 - 7:00 - Second and Fifth Grade Classroom Visits
7:00 - 7:15 - Second and Fifth Grade Parent/Guardian session in the cafe with Ms. Bomba and Ms. Molloy
Friendly Reminders:
Medication: Please send in any medication prescribed to your child. If you have any questions about this process, please email Danielle Wainwright at dwainwright@millisschools.org.
Attendance: Whenever possible, please call the attendance line if a student is going to be out, tardy, dismissed from school for an appointment, or dismissed early. Please do not email this information to teachers as they do not always have the opportunity to check email during the school day. Attendance Line: 508-376-7003 ext #1
Sign-offs: It is important for you to update your student’s information by following the information sent via email from PowerSchool. Within the email you were sent you will also be able to access and sign off on the 2025-26 Student Handbook and the Responsible Use Policy.
August 29, 2025
First Week of School
Principal's Update
We had an amazing start to school year with our first through fifth grade students. There’s nothing quite like the excitement of the first days of school as our students and staff build new relationships and create collaborative communities inside our classrooms. Each classroom was filled with students engaged in learning. Our teachers did a tremendous job of creating inviting and welcoming environments for the students.
This week you received an important email from PowerSchool which allows you to update your returning student's contact information. You do not need to re-register your student. Please log into your PowerSchool account and check the information for accuracy and make any necessary changes. You will also be able to access the 2025-26 Student Handbook and Responsible Use Policy in this link. Please review and sign off on both the Student Handbook and the Responsible Use Policy once reviewed.
We look forward to welcoming our Preschool and Kindergarten students on Tuesday, September 2nd. Orientation went really well last week and it was great to see the students. Kindergarten students went on a scavenger hunt with staff members while parents were given the opportunity to learn more about what to expect this year. Preschool students had the opportunity to play with their new classmates while parents learned about the program. A huge thank you to everyone who organized and participated in these two orientations.
This year, breakfast and lunch continue to be free for all students. It is often helpful for students to know the menu before coming to school. The link for the menu can be found here. Encouraging your child to memorize their 4 digit pin number will help with navigating the lunch line process. The pin does not change year to year.
I look forward to another great week.
Enjoy the long weekend!
Skye Bomba
School Council Volunteers Needed
We are looking for two parents, or guardians, and one community member to join the CFB School Council. In Massachusetts, a school council is a committee comprised of the principal, the assistant principal, parents, teachers, and community members. This council helps the principal set educational goals, create a School Improvement Plan, and review the school's budget.
Our council will meet once a month on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. A schedule will be sent out to all members next week. If you are interested in joining our CFB School Council, please contact Skye Bomba at sbomba@millisschools.org.
School Committee Update
The Town of Millis is actively seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Millis School Committee as an Interim School Committee member. This opportunity arises due to the recent resignation of an elected member.
In accordance with Massachusetts General Law, the Millis School Committee and the Select Board will jointly appoint a replacement to serve until the next annual town election in the spring.
Interested residents are encouraged to apply for this important role. This is a valuable opportunity to contribute to the success and future of Millis Public Schools.
To Apply:
Please submit a letter of interest and relevant background information to the townadmin@millisma.gov by Wednesday, September 3, 2025
For more information about the School Committee please visit their web page at https://www.millisps.org/page/school-committee1
For specific questions please contact Sean Powers, School Committee Chair, at spowers@millisschools.org
Nutcracker Registration
The Millis MS/HS Dance Club, Terpsichore, is accepting registrations for their 17th Annual Product of the Nutcracker on December 5, 6, & 7, 2026. This is an opportunity for children in Pre K to 12 to be able to participate in a family friendly, abridged version of "The Nutcracker." There is no fee to participate and there are roles for students of all abilities and personalities, from no experience to advanced, from shy to extrovert - there is a place for everyone. Last year we had 190 participants over the three performances, with a different cast each show. We graduated seniors who had been performing in the show since Pre - K to those who had just tried it out the year before.
Here is a link to a video that provides a fun look at the production from start to finish. It was created by Millis Alum Madeline Pudelka.
Priority is given to students who register prior to September 5th , but we accept participants as long as we have room in given roles (sometimes we are limited based on number of costumes and/or choreography) AND there is enough time for the students to learn the choreography.
Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKmbKflOWk2pQcOt4DMm1ufBCeXDgqWfvJTeYeysfAI_3zpQ/viewform?usp=dialog
Please contact Stephanie Copice at scopice@millisschools.org with any questions.
August 20, 2025
Welcome from Your New Principal
Hello Clyde F. Brown Elementary families!
I am absolutely thrilled and honored to introduce myself as your new Principal. My entire professional life has been dedicated to serving children and families, and I'm so excited to bring that passion and experience to our wonderful school community.
With 25 years of experience in education, I've had the privilege of working with students across all age groups, from early intervention through high school. The heart of my teaching career has always been in elementary education, where I've spent significant time as both a 2nd-grade teacher and a special education teacher. This diverse background has given me a deep and unique understanding of what children truly need to thrive at every stage of their learning journey.
I firmly believe that a strong home-school partnership is the cornerstone of a successful educational experience. My leadership style is built on empathy and a steadfast commitment to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment where every voice feels heard and valued. I am incredibly passionate about collaborating with all members of our school community – students, staff, and families – to ensure that every single student receives the very best education possible.
You recently received a letter with crucial information to help us kick off the school year smoothly. If you haven't already, please take a moment to complete the Dismissal Form. This form is vital for us to accurately track each student's arrival and dismissal plans, ensuring their safety and a well-organized start and end to their school day.
I can't wait to meet all of you and embark on a fantastic school year together!
Warmly,
Skye Bomba
Principal, Clyde F. Brown Elementary School