Mason Road Sunshine Bulletin
August, 2026
Dear Mason Road Families,
The countdown is on, and we are getting more excited by the day to welcome our Mason Road students back! We are so excited to welcome approximately 247 students to Mason Road School this year. Our classrooms are coming to life, our staff is getting ready, and we can’t wait to fill the building with learning, laughter, and lots of SUNshine!
A huge SUNshine shoutout to our Custodial Engineers, Mr. Smith and Mr. Howard, for working hard all summer to make our school clean, safe, welcoming, and ready for our students. And thank you to HUGE thank you to Mrs. Harris for all she does behind the scenes to help everything come together. We are so grateful for all of you!
If you are joining us for the first time, welcome to the Mason Road family! We know that starting school can bring a mix of excitement, nerves, and everything in between—for both children and their parents/caregivers. Please know that our incredible teachers and staff are ready to welcome your child with smiles, patience, encouragement, and plenty of support.
Our goal is for every child to feel Safe, Unique, Neighborly, and loved from the moment they walk through our doors. As I always say, from the bottom of my heart, we are going to love your child as if they were our own.
So, as you and your child take this exciting first step, please trust us. We are here to support your child through this very important milestone in their educational journey, while also supporting you as parents/caregivers. We know that starting school is a big moment for the whole family, and we are honored to be a part of it.
Teacher assignments will be available at noontime today through the Parent Portal. Placements were made thoughtfully, with each child’s academic, social, and developmental needs in mind. We appreciate your trust in this process and are excited for our teachers to meet their new students!
If you are having trouble accessing the Parent Portal, please contact Mrs. Harris at (508) 943-4312 or charris@dcrsd.org.
If you would like to reach out to your child’s teacher(s) at any time throughout the year, please visit the MRS Faculty & Stafff Listing on our school website for contact information.
As the school year gets underway, there will be lots of information coming your way! Please take a few minutes to read through school communications and save them for reference. I’ll apologize in advance for the sometimes-lengthy newsletters that will make their way to your inbox each month! They will always include important reminders, upcoming events, helpful information, and a glimpse into all the wonderful things happening at Mason Road. And, with your permission, we’ll also fill our newsletters with pictures, giving you a little peek at the learning, fun, and special moments taking place throughout our school. We love being able to share these moments with you!
Most importantly, we are always here to partner with you. If your child is experiencing a challenge, or if something wonderful is happening in their life that you’d like us to know, please be sure to reach out to their teacher. The more we know about your child, the better we can understand, support, and celebrate them. We truly believe that when school and home work together, our children thrive!
Enjoy these last days of summer, get those backpacks ready, and get excited for an amazing year ahead! We can’t wait to see everyone back at Mason Road! 🌞
Sincerely,
Jen Desto, Principal
We cannot wait to see those smiling faces and welcome everyone back to Mason Road!
First Grade: August 31 @ 4:00 PM
Kindergarten & Preschool: September 1 @ 10:00 AM or 1:00 PM
At Mason Road School, we want to make sure every family feels connected and informed, no matter what language they speak at home.
TalkingPoints is a free app that allows families and school staff to communicate in their preferred language. Messages can be translated automatically, making it easier for families and teachers to stay connected and share important information.
If your family speaks a language other than English, TalkingPoints is a wonderful tool to help us communicate with one another!
Starting on October 19, 2026, all teacher–family messaging will move to the free TalkingPoints apps, and we'll be retiring the option for SMS text messaging.
This means that you can continue to send messages through the TalkingPoints Teacher app and families will receive the messages in the free TalkingPoints Family app. Families will no longer receive SMS text messages. With the app, your families will have one richer, more complete way to connect.
In the app, families will be able to:
-- See all conversations and messages in one place.
-- Get instant notifications when new messages are sent.
-- Share photos and videos, communicate in 150+ languages, and get plain-language explanations of K-12 jargon — so every message is clear and easy to understand.
Families are encouraged to download the free app.
Dear MRS families,
I hope you are having a happy, healthy, and fun-filled summer!
Important Health Requirements for the 2026–2027 School Year
Please remember that the following health records are required prior to the start of the school year:
Immunization records are required for all students in Pre-K through Grade 1.
Kindergarten students must have an updated physical examination (within the past 12 months) and lead test on file.
The above documents can be emailed to me directly smoisan@dcrsd.org or faxed to (508)-949-1005.
If your student has a medical condition that requires medication administration or school accommodations for the upcoming school year and you are new to the MRS family, please feel free to email me so we can begin planning for your student's needs. I will be reaching out in August to schedule a time to discuss your student's healthcare needs and ensure a safe and successful start to the school year.
If you have any questions, please email me at smoisan@dcrsd.org. I will be checking email periodically throughout the summer and will respond as soon as possible.
I can't wait to see you all in the fall!
~Nurse Moisan
A Few First-Day Tips
The first day of school can bring lots of emotions—for children and their grown-ups! A new classroom, new friends, and a new routine can feel like a big step.
Please know that we’ve got this—and we’ve got you! Here are a few simple tips to help make the transition a little easier:
💙 Trust our teachers and staff!
Children often pick up on our emotions. A calm, confident goodbye can help your child feel safe and ready. Our staff will be there with smiles, hugs, and plenty of reassurance.
⏱ Keep goodbyes short and positive.
The first day may take a little extra time, but a quick, loving goodbye usually makes the transition easier. Even if there are tears, children often settle in quickly once their grown-up leaves.
💬 Keep us in the loop.
If something is happening at home that may affect your child, please let their teacher know. This helps us understand and support them throughout the day.
Many of us at Mason Road are parents and caregivers, too, so we understand how exciting—and sometimes difficult—the first day can be.
Your child is in wonderful hands. We will care for, support, and love them as if they were our own. 🌞
🐾 Meet Miss Mabel!
After a wonderful first year at Mason Road, I’m so happy to share that Miss Mabel is back for her second year with us!
Mabel is a sweet little Shorkie—a Shih Tzu and Yorkie mix—who is small, hypoallergenic, and full of love. She’ll be joining us throughout the week, although her visits won’t be on a set schedule. If we know a student could benefit from a little extra comfort and a wagging tail, we’ll make sure Mabel is here! 🐾
If you would prefer that your child not interact with Mabel, we completely understand. Just let your child’s teacher know, and we’ll be happy to respect your wishes. Mabel also does not enter classrooms unless invited.
We’re so excited to have our furry friend back for another year and can’t wait for her to continue spreading a little extra SUNshine around Mason Road! 🐶
We understand that our pick-up and drop-off area is not ideal — but given our limited space, it’s the best and safest option available. We truly appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to keep all students safe and ensure a smooth start and end to each school day.
Please review the following important reminders:
The First Day Drop-Off
The first day of school is a big transition — especially for our Preschool & Kindergarten students. While we understand that goodbyes can be emotional, we ask that you keep them brief. The quicker we can help students out of the car and into the building, the smoother the line will move.
Even if your child is upset, trust us: they will calm down, and they will have a great day. It may take time, but it always gets easier — and we will be right there with lots of love, hugs, and support to help them through it.
Location & Timing
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All pick-up and drop-off takes place at the back of the building no sooner than 8:30am or earlier than 3:00pm.
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Students arriving after 8:45 AM or leaving before 3:00 PM must use the front entrance and check in/out through the main office. An adult must accompany any student arriving late.
Drop-Off / Pick-Up Guidelines
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Stay in line. The line starts at the tree that has the parent drop off sign.
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Pull forward as directed (4 cars at a time).
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Staff will assist students in and out of cars.
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Do not exit your car unless you're one of the four vehicles at the front. This ensures student safety in the lot.
Preschool families: Please park your car in the parking lot and walk to door #8 for both drop-off and pick-up.
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Enter and exit curbside.
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Students must get in and out of the car on the school-side (right side) to avoid crossing traffic. It is best to start practicing independence in getting in and out of the car.
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DO NOT pass other cars.
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We know mornings can be rushed, but safety comes first.
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Children are small, sometimes hard to see, and may need help with buckling or bags. This line may move slowly — and that’s okay. Please stay patient and in line.
Bus or Pick-Up? Let Us Know!
If your child’s dismissal plan changes (for example, riding the bus instead of being picked up or vice versa), you must notify the main office. We cannot accept verbal changes from students — communication must come from an adult.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Do not leave any child in the car unattended at any given time. We understand that mornings and pick-up can be busy, but your child’s safety must always come first. Please bring your child with you rather than leaving them unattended in a vehicle. Leaving a child unattended in a vehicle is never a safe choice, even for what may seem like “just a few minutes.” Children are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of being left alone in a car.
A few important reasons include:
- Temperature changes quickly. A vehicle can become dangerously hot in a short period of time, even when the outside temperature does not feel extreme and even when a window is cracked. Children’s bodies also heat up faster than adults’, putting them at greater risk for heat-related illness.
- Children cannot always recognize or respond to danger. A child may not know what to do if they become too hot, feel sick, or experience another emergency.
- Unexpected emergencies can happen. A child could become injured, choke, have a medical emergency, accidentally release the parking brake, or otherwise get into a dangerous situation while alone.
- The situation can change quickly. A quick stop can take longer than expected—perhaps a conversation, a forgotten item, or an unexpected delay occurs.
- There are risks beyond temperature. A vehicle can be struck by another car, a child can accidentally lock themselves in, or someone could attempt to enter the vehicle.
- Children need adult supervision. Young children should not be placed in a situation where they are responsible for their own safety, even briefly.
Most importantly, there is no reliable way to predict when a “quick trip” might become an emergency. The safest choice is to take your child with you whenever you leave the vehicle.
Mason Road School PBIS Program: Safe – Unique – Neighborly
This year, Mason Road School is excited to begin our second year of PBIS following a very successful first year! 🌞
Our PBIS program continues to promote positive behavior, build strong character, and create a safe, welcoming, and supportive school environment where every student can thrive and is inspired by our school logo — the SUN — and what it represents. When we think of the sun, we think of things like:
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☀️ Warmth and Comfort – A place where everyone feels safe and cared for
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🌱 Growth – A space where students are nurtured and supported to grow
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😊 Positivity and Energy – A school filled with encouragement and enthusiasm
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🧭 Guidance and Consistency – Clear expectations and routines that help students feel secure
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✨ Shining Bright – Every student’s unique qualities are celebrated
These ideas are at the heart of our PBIS approach, and we’ve built it around what SUN means at Mason Road:
🌞 S – Safe
Students will learn how to stay safe — physically, emotionally, and digitally — in school and beyond. We practice safe behaviors in classrooms, hallways, playgrounds, and even at home.
🌞 U – Unique
Each student brings something special to our school community. We encourage students to be themselves, make good choices, and become people of strong character and integrity.
🌞 N – Neighborly
Being a good neighbor means being kind, respectful, honest, and helpful. We work hard to make sure all students feel included and valued.
Students will receive guidance, recognition, and positive reinforcement for showing SUN behaviors throughout the day. Our goal is to help every child shine in their own way and to build a school community where everyone feels proud to belong.
We’re excited to see the SUN shining bright at Mason Road School this year!
Riding the big, yellow bus is often a very exiting experience for students. This is a place that they are able to be independent and social. Riding the school bus is a privilege provided by the School Committee for the purpose of an equal and maximum opportunity to all children in the district to obtain their education. There are quite a few rules students will be required to follow with SAFETY being the number one priority especially while boarding, disembarking, or being transported on the buses.
STUDENTS SHOULD EXHIBIT BEHAVIOR ON THE SCHOOL BUS WHICH RESPECTS THE RIGHTS OF OTHER STUDENTS AND THE BUS PROPERTY. ALL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO:
1. Remain seated at all times while the bus is in motion. Wait until the bus stops before leaving your seat.
2. Show due respect for the driver and bus equipment, including proper removal of waste paper and debris.
3. Refrain from smoking on any school bus. (State Law)
4. Board buses in an orderly, quiet and courteous manner.
5. Refrain from any excessive noise that might distract the driver.
6. Never hang arms, clothing, or other objects from bus windows.
7. Never walk between buses.
8. Never walk in back of a bus. Students leaving a bus are to walk in an orderly manner in front of the bus to cross to the other side of the street. The bus will remain stationary with lights flashing until you have crossed safely.
9. Leave the bus only at the regular stop. Do no ask to be left at special places.
NOTICE TO FAMILIES: The school district uses a form entitled NOTICE TO FAMILIES CONCERNING BUS BEHAVIOR (aka bus card) as a vehicle by which infractions of above rules are brought to the attention of the Families. This form, properly filled out by the driver, is given to the school principal for consideration of disciplinary action. Families are urged to direct any questions regarding their child’s behavior on the bus to the building principal and not to individual drivers.
FAILURE OF STUDENTS TO EXHIBIT PROPER BUS BEHAVIOR MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF BUS TRANSPORTATION PRIVILEGES.
Feel free to visit the District Transportation Website for any questions pertaining to transportation. Don't forget! There is a Parent First View app that allows you to track the bus!! Download the Parent First View Set Up guide. It is pretty spectacular!
Kindergarten & First Grade Bathroom Expectations
As we begin the school year, we want to clearly remind families that students entering Kindergarten and First Grade are expected to be fully potty trained.
Our staff will support students when accidents occur, but toileting independence is an important expectation at this age and requires consistent support at home and school.
Unless your child has a documented medical/disability need, please send them to school in regular underwear—not pull-ups or diapers—and provide a few extra changes of clothing in case of accidents.
We follow regular bathroom routines and provide reminders and opportunities for students who need them. However, continued use of pull-ups or diapers can make it more difficult for children to develop independence with toileting.
Thank you for your partnership in reinforcing this important life skill at home. Together, we can help our students become confident, capable, and independent!
Although I wish we didn’t have to send these messages, student safety is always our top priority, and it is important that all Mason Road families understand that we regularly practice safety procedures within our school.
Throughout the school year, Mason Road School will conduct both fire drills and lockdown drills as part of our ongoing commitment to keeping our students and staff safe. Our teachers will prepare students ahead of time by explaining each procedure in a calm, simple, and age-appropriate way. Our goal is never to frighten students, but rather to help them feel confident and know what to do if an emergency ever occurs.
Our first lockdown drill will be a “soft drill,” which allows us to practice our procedures without creating unnecessary stress or anxiety for our youngest learners. Following that initial drill, some lockdown drills will include a relocation to our “beach area” through the woods, typically with students participating by grade level.
I want to assure you that teachers will practice this relocation with students throughout the year so that it becomes familiar and comfortable. In the event of a true emergency requiring us to leave the building, we want our students to know exactly where to go and remember: “Run to the beach!”
We completed our first practice of this procedure this past spring, and it went amazingly well! I could not have been prouder of our students. They listened carefully, followed directions, and handled the experience like true Mason Road SUNs.
Families will always receive notification before and after each lockdown drill so that you are aware when these practices are taking place. Fire drills, which are routine and conducted throughout the school year, do not require advance family notification. We are required to conduct four fire drills and three lockdown drills over the course of the school year.
As always, our goal is to ensure that every student feels safe, prepared, and supported. Thank you for trusting us with your children and for your continued partnership in keeping our Mason Road community safe!
We have our dates scheduled for school pictures! Information will be sent home to families prior to picture day. Mark your calendars now so you are ready for it!!
PICTURE DAY: September 29th ~ GRADE 1 & Preschool
PICTURE DAY: September 30th ~ Kindergarten & Preschool
PICTURE RE-TAKE: November 3rd - Anyone who missed picture day or needs to re-take pictures (PK students are asked to come to the school if they are not in session and need pictures/re-take)
If you have any questions, please contact the main office at (508) 943-4312.
Want to make your voice heard and help make our awesome school even more awesome-er? Keep your eyes peeled in the first few weeks of school for details about joining our School Council. We meet 4 times throughout the school year (for about an hour) and we love hearing parent perspectives.
What are the main areas of responsibility for school councils?
The law outlines four major areas of responsibility for councils. School councils are to assist principals in:
Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards
Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school
Reviewing the annual school building budget
Formulating a school improvement plan
If you are interested in being on our school council, please complete the following form: 2026-2027 Mason Road School Council Interest Survey by September 26, 2025. From there, I will see how much interest we have. If there is a great deal of interest, a voting form will be sent out to all families. The goal this year is to obtain 3 parents/caregivers and 3 staff members.
The DCRSD Elementary School Student Handbook is now available online. You can access it by clicking the image on the right of the screen. The handbook includes important information about school policies, procedures, and expectations for student conduct. It is reviewed annually by the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District School Committee and is on file with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
We encourage all students and their parent(s)/caregiver(s) to take the time to review the handbook and become familiar with its contents. If you prefer a printed copy, please contact the main office at (508) 943-4312, and we will send one home with your child.
📸 Photo Consent Reminder
Photo consent forms have been sent home. These forms give us permission to include your child in classroom and school photos that may appear in:
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Classroom communications
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Monthly school newsletters
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The DCRSD district website
I would love to include photos of our students in our newsletters and on the district website to showcase the positive energy and fun that fills our school days. These moments help build community and allow families to see the joyful experiences their children are having at Mason Road School.
If we do not receive a signed form, we will assume that we have your permission to include your child in school-related photos.
As part of the school day, all students will have a daily snack break. Depending on when their lunch is scheduled, snack time may take place in the morning or afternoon.
Students are welcome to bring a personal water bottle to school. Please make sure it is labeled with your child’s name.
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Water bottles must contain clear liquids only (unless it’s a sealed, disposable juice box).
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Mason Road School is equipped with two hydration stations, so students may refill their bottles as needed throughout the day.
🥜 Peanut Allergy Awareness
While Mason Road School is not a peanut-free school, we do have peanut-free classrooms to protect students with allergies. We strongly encourage families to send in peanut-free snacks, especially since snacks are eaten in the classroom.
Please Note:
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The cafeteria is not peanut free, but appropriate accommodations are made for students with allergies.
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For lunch, feel free to pack whatever your child enjoys — just be mindful of allergy-aware seating and arrangements.
Thank you for helping us keep our school environment safe, healthy, and inclusive for all students!
DUDLEY-CHARLTON REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 2025-2026 SCHOOL CALENDAR
* August 31st - Grade one orientation, 4pm
* September 1st - First Day of School for Grade one
* Septemeber 1st - Preschool/Kindergarten Orientation, 10am or 1pm
* September 2nd - First Day of School for Kindergarten
* September 4th - Early Release
* September 7th - No School - Labor Day
* September 8th - First Day of School for Preschool
* September 8th - PTO Meeting - Dudley Elementary Library - 6pm-7pm
* September 25th - Early Release - Teacher Prof. Dev.
* September 29th - Picture day Grade 1 and preschool
* September 30th- Picture Day Grade K and preschool
Please refer to the District Calendar for future dates throughout the school year:
Dudley-Charlton Regional School District 2026-2027 School Year Calendar
You can also follow the Dudley PTO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DudleyPTO
