HES Shark Scoop

Dear HES Families and Caregivers,

As we enter this season of giving thanks, I want to express my deep gratitude to work alongside all of you and your fabulous children. The joyful energy and enthusiasm they bring to HES each day, coupled with your unwavering support and commitment to their success, truly sets our community apart. Thank you for all you do to support your children’s learning and the entire HES community.

Wishing everyone a wonderful break from school routines and a happy, restful Thanksgiving to all who celebrate.

Warmly,

Christie

What an incredible event! Last Friday's first annual basketball competition between our amazing first responders from the Harwich Police Department (HPD) and the Harwich Fire Department (HFD) was a thrilling showdown. The game was intensely contested, featuring great sportsmanship and culminating in a dramatic, game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds. Thank you to the incredible community members who came out to cheer them on and support this fantastic event! We can't wait to do it again next year.

Our communications provider has updated the phone number we use to send text messages. There will now be a local 10-digit phone number for standard messages, and a short code number for emergency messages, in line with industry best practices.

• Standard SMS messages will come from 508-213-3856.
• Emergency SMS messages will come from 53291

We recommend saving both numbers in your contacts as “MRSD” and "MRSD Emergency" so you always recognize messages from us.

Thank you for staying connected with us -- we’re committed to making sure you continue to receive timely and clear communication.

Did you know you can subscribe to the MRSD calendar? Events like holidays, early release days, and more will be added to your device for easy reference. To subscribe to the MRSD calendar and add it to your device:

Go to the calendar page on our website, then click the RSS feed icon at the upper right of the calendar and follow the steps (find support and additional instructions here).

Monomoy's Integrated Preschool program serves children ages 3-4 who have been found eligible for special education services due to a disability who learn alongside more typically developing students, called community friends. Community friends help to model age-appropriate social, play, language, and learning skills. The district currently has one remaining opening for a community friend. The opening is due to families moving out of the district, allowing the district to add peers to maintain the required balance.

The open spot is in the three-year-old afternoon session of the integrated preschool program. The program is held four days per week for 2.5 hours each day, and is housed at Harwich Elementary School. Community friends attend the integrated preschool at no cost; however, transportation is not provided.

Families interested in applying for the community friend student placement should contact Erin Cronen, MRSD Early Childhood Coordinator, at 617-314-8937 or ecronen@monomoy.edu. If more applicants apply than there are available spots, a lottery will be held.

Each month, the district will feature a staff member in our Staff Shoutout series. Staff members can be nominated by students, parents/caregivers, and colleagues for outstanding positive contributions to our schools at www.monomoy.edu/staffshoutout. Nominations for October are now open! Any staff members nominated in September can be nominated again, except for the honoree, Jessica Friedman of MRHS.

We would love to have you join us for lunch one day! It's a wonderful chance to meet your child's friends and spend a little mid-day time connecting with them.

To reserve your spot on any day of the week, please complete this form.

To ensure a smooth and secure visit for everyone:

• Upon Arrival: Please sign in at the main office when you get here.

• After Lunch: We kindly ask that you return directly to the front office to sign out before you depart. To help the afternoon classes begin promptly and with minimal distraction, please do not accompany your child back to the classroom.

Thank you for your cooperation—we look forward to seeing you! 😊

November 26, 27, 28 -- Thanksgiving Break NO SCHOOL

Friday, December 5 -- Harwich Tree Lighting Ceremony 5:30 pm Doane Park

Saturday, December 6 -- PTO Holiday Bazaar

Wednesday, December 10 -- Early Dismissal 1:35 pm

December 12 -- Session 1 After School Clubs End

December 22 - January 1 -- December Break NO SCHOOL

Per the handbook, if your child is unable to attend school, please enter the absence in PickUp Patrol and/or call our designated attendance line, 617-848-0115, as early as possible. Soon after arrival, our office staff begins to call the caregivers of absent students if we haven't already heard from them. This is important, as we want to ensure that all students are safe. Your phone message with the reason for the absence is all we need. While an email to the teacher is helpful, it sometimes doesn't make its way to the office staff. Thank you for your help!

The Bureau of Special Education Appeals, which derives its authority from both federal and Massachusetts statutes and regulations (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; "IDEA"; MGL ch.71B; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) conducts due process hearings and renders Rulings and Decisions concerning eligibility, evaluation, placement, individualized education programs (IEP), provision of special education and procedural protections for students with disabilities.
To join an Informational Session: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/mediation-and-facilitation-informational-sessions
To learn about BSEA Mediation: https://www.mass.gov/mediation-at-the-bsea
To learn about Hearings at the BSEA: https://www.mass.gov/due-process-hearings

Dr. Christie Cutone, Principal

Ms. Allyson Joy, Assistant Principal

Email: ccutone@monomoy.edu
Website: https://www.monomoy.edu/Domain/9
Location: 263 South Street, Harwich, MA, USA
Phone: 508-430-7216