Bresnahan Back to School
Information for starting the 26-27 school year
Dear Bresnahan Families:
I hope you are having a wonderful and safe summer! Whether you are new to Bresnahan or a returning family — welcome! We’re excited to begin another great school year together.
I’m writing to share some important information as we prepare to welcome students back in the coming weeks. Please take a moment to read the details below. Keep in mind that additional information, including class-specific updates and school supply lists, will come directly from your child’s classroom teacher once class lists are posted.
To help you stay informed, we send out a weekly school-wide newsletter called the “Weekly Wednesday”, which will be emailed each Wednesday with timely updates on events and school initiatives. I encourage you to follow our school's Instagram page, @FTBresnahan to stay updated on announcements, upcoming events, and the great work our students are doing! We also encourage you to visit our School Website regularly for updates and helpful resources.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. We’re here to help and look forward to a great year ahead!
Looking forward to seeing you all soon,
Jamie Sokolowski, Principal
Teacher Assignments, and Aspen Family Portal
Teacher assignments will be released for all Bresnahan students in the Family Portal of Aspen on August 18th, 2026 at noon. You should expect to receive a welcome letter from your child’s teacher between 8/18- 8/21.
If you do not have a Family Portal User Name and Password please email: aspen@newburyport.k12.ma.us
Indicate that you need a Family Portal Account and include the following information:
Your Name
Student's Name
Student's Date of Birth
Student's Year of Graduation (Grade 3: 2036; Grade 2: 2037; Grade 1: 2038; K: 2039; Pre-K: 2040; Preschool: 2041)
Upcoming Events
August 25 – Preschool & Kindergarten Playground Meet-up
Come check out the playground and see who is in your class for the upcoming school year! This is an informal meetup, so parents/guardians are required to stay with their child throughout the event. We look forward to connecting with our newest students and families!
8:30 AM – PS (1): Fallon, Maguire, Coverdill
9:00 AM – PK (2): Foster, Fahey
9:30 AM – K (1): O’Malley, Carroll, Morrison, Karedis
10:00 AM – K (2): Chute, Duguie, Moore, Gershuny
August 25 – New Student Tour (*for students new to the Bresnahan School Grade 1-3) at 12 pm
September 1 – Meet, Greet & Find Your Seat
Join us for a special opportunity to meet your child's teacher, find their classroom and desk, meet new classmates, and become familiar with the school before the first day.
Families are welcome to explore the building, and a school bus will be on site for children to visit. Staff members will be available throughout the school to help you find your classroom and answer any questions.
Schedule
9:00–10:00 AM: Preschool & Pre-K
10:00–11:00 AM: Kindergarten & Grade 1
11:00 AM–12:00 PM: Grades 2 & 3
September 2 – First Day of School for Grades 1–3
September 4 – No School
September 7 – No School
September 8 – First Day of School for Preschool, Pre-K & Kindergarten
September 17 – Open House
6:00 PM: Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten & Grade 1
7:00 PM: Grades 2 & 3
September 18 – Early Release Day
Preschool & Pre-K: 11:15 AM dismissal
Kindergarten–Grade 3: 11:40 AM dismissal
September 23 & 24 – Picture Day
Additional information will be provided by your child's classroom teacher.
School Hours
Preschool & Pre-K
School Day: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Rolling Arrival: 8:15–8:30 AM
Kindergarten – Grade 3
School Day: 8:20 AM – 2:50 PM
Morning Arrival: 8:05-8:20
Early Release Schedule
Preschool & Pre-K: 11:15 AM dismissal
Kindergarten – Grade 3: 11:40 AM dismissal
Please note: All Preschool through Grade 3 programs operate Monday through Friday.
School Arrival
Walkers & Bikers: Arrive & enter through Door 1.
Busers: Drop off in the turnaround at the front of the school and enter through Door 1.
Car Riders: Drop off on the side of the school accessible from N. Atkinson Street. Parents should drive in a single lane to the drop off area. Students may enter the school through Door #4. Parents should pull forward as far as possible to continue the flow of traffic.
NOTE: Parents of PS/PK Car Riders should park in the main parking lot and escort their children to their classroom door.
Bresnahan staff members are stationed at all entry points to welcome students and monitor safety.
School Dismissal
We utilize a software program named School Dismissal Manager for this process. The program provides us with an organized and efficient tracking system for dismissals, keeping the process safe and orderly for all students.
Free apps are available for Android and iPhone users. You can add the SDM App to a smartphone, tablet, or web browser via the link. Username, passwords and some additional information will be sent directly from School Dismissal Manager in the coming weeks.
Walkers & Bikers: Students will be dismissed by their teachers and escorted to the front of the building at Door #1. Parents/guardians must display their assigned dismissal placard for identification before their student is released. Students will be released to their parents/guardians using distributed placards for identification.
Car Riders: Riders will be dismissed through Doors #2, #3, & #4. Parents should drive in a single lane to the pick up area from the N. Atkinson Street entrance with the student placard visible on the dashboard. Parents should pull forward as far as possible to continue the flow of traffic. NOTE: Parents of PS/PK Car Riders should park in the main parking lot (32 N. Atkinson St address) and pick-up their children at their classroom door.
Bus Transportation
Bus passes will be mailed home. Information regarding Bus Transportation can be found directly on the Newburyport Public Schools Transportation Department’s Website. For families with students in Kindergarten or First Grade, please note that a parent or guardian must be present at the bus stop to receive your child, unless written permission has been provided to the bus driver stating otherwise. If you need any assistance with bus transportation, please email transportation@newburyport.k12.ma.us (here you will receive an automatic away message, which provides the link for bus registration forms and info). If you have specific questions in general, please contact Melissa Cody at Central Office 978-465-4456 x2000.
Food Services
The Bresnahan School offers breakfast and lunch on a daily basis. All students are entitled to receive a free breakfast and lunch. Additional purchases, such as milk, can be made in addition to the free meal. Purchases are made through the My School Bucks Program. Information regarding school meals and setting up a “my school bucks” account can be found directly on the Newburyport Public Schools Food Services Website. This site includes links to the Nutrislice website for school menus and all your nutrition and school lunch information needs. It also provides information on free and reduced options, My School Bucks payment method, and other food service related questions.
SNAP Health Portal
The Newburyport Public Schools Nursing team uses the SNAP Health Portal to better connect you with your child’s school health and wellness information. This web-based system provides an easy, secure, and green way for you to communicate health information and medical documents throughout the year. You will also receive a confidential school health information and permissions form from your child's classroom teacher for you opt-in to use the SNAP Portal.
Parent/Guardian Volunteers
We greatly appreciate the support of parent/guardian volunteers throughout the school year. Parent volunteers enhance our programs and can have a strong impact on our offerings. We encourage all parents to consider volunteering in some capacity during the school year. There are many ways to become involved whether it is helping out in your child’s classroom, helping to prepare for a special event, or chaperoning a field trip. State law requires that all volunteers complete a CORI/SORI form in order to volunteer in your child’s classroom.
Additionally, the Newburyport School Committee policy requires any volunteer who has direct and unmonitored contact with children to be fingerprinted (ex: if you are chaperoning a field trip).
(Note: Parents who volunteer in the classroom DO NOT need to be fingerprinted, as there is always another adult present.)
Massachusetts has contracted with MorphoTrust for fingerprinting and you may make an appointment on-line at the website: http://www.identogo.com/ to complete the fingerprinting at one of the local fingerprinting locations. The nearest locations are in Haverhill, Methuen, and Danvers. In order to register for an appointment, you will need to enter the Bresnahan School provider ID: 02040005. Please be aware there is a $35 fee for fingerprinting. Fingerprinting does not expire.
Visiting the Bresnahan
Safety is our top priority at the Bresnahan School. If you are visiting our school you must enter through Door #1 to get buzzed in and check in with our front office staff. Please bring your driver’s license to check in using our electronic sign in security system. All other doors on the premises will be locked without the ability to buzz in.
After-School Enrichment
We are proud to offer connections to a variety of after-school programs. You can learn more about Newburyport Youth Services, School’s Out (the YWCA program) and the Boys and Girls Club.
Bresnahan School Council - Nominations
We are inviting parents and guardians to submit nominations for open positions on the Bresnahan School Council—we currently have 3 open seats!
Working alongside school leadership, teachers, and community members, parent/guardian representatives play a vital role in shaping our school community. Key responsibilities include:
Formulating the School Improvement Plan
Reviewing the annual school building budget
Identifying student educational needs and setting school goals
Meetings: Virtually on the last Tuesday of the month, 8:10 AM – 9:00 AM
Term Length: Typically two years
Interested in serving? Please submit your nomination via this Google Form Link by Friday, August 28th.