The Weekly Buzz
From Palmer River Elementary School
September 26, 2025
Dear PRES Families,
What a spirited week it has been at PRES! Each day, our students and staff embraced a different outfit matching a fun fall theme, filling our school with creativity and excitement. From cozy hoodies to autumn colors, the halls were full of smiles and seasonal cheer. Check out some of our favorite moments in the pictures below!
This week, we also partnered with Bristol County Savings Bank for our Savings Makes "Cents" program. Our third- and fourth-graders learned the value of saving and will have the opportunity to open a savings account and make deposits at school each month. This program is always popular and successful, and we’re thrilled to work with Bristol County Savings Bank to bring it to our students.
We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and can’t wait to kick off a fun-filled first week of October!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kristine Kefor, Principal & Mrs. Cassey Monte, Assistant Principal
#WeAreDR!
Photos from another GREAT week at PRES!
Feinstein Jr. Scholar Golden Ticket
The Feinstein Foundations Leadership program was established by a late educator and philanthropist (a person who donates time, money and resources), Alan Shawn Feinstein, to recognize and encourage youngsters to do good deeds, be active in the community and to be kind whenever possible. There are now more than one million Feinstein Jr. Scholars around the globe and this message still remains as important as ever!
All students will receive a Golden Ticket which should be kept at home in a safe place. Every Monday five new winning numbers will be selected at random and announced. Any student that has a winning golden ticket will get to donate a $500 grant to a non-profit of their choice. The school in which the student attends will also receive a $2,000 grant. There are also additional prizes for the winners from the Feinstein Foundation.
Along with your Golden Ticket you students will receive a Feinstein Junior Scholar Club membership for helping make the world a better place. The back of the card provides various places that students and their families can access for free admission. This card must be brought with you in order to receive free admission to the places listed.
“YOU are a Feinstein Jr. Scholar: a person who helps others. Remember…live up to it!” -Alan Shawn Feinstein, Feinstein Foundation Founder
Saving Makes "Cents"
We would like to thank Bristol County Savings Bank for visiting Palmer River on Thursday, September 25th to meet with our third and fourth grade students. The Savings Makes Cents program allows third and fourth graders at PRES the opportunity to open a savings account at Bristol County Savings Bank and deposit funds right at PRES every month. This program helps teach basic money management and good savings habits. Students interested in participating need to have their parent/guardian complete the paperwork and mail it back to the bank. Students bring their savings books and money to deposit to school on banking days. Every student who participates receives $5.00 from the bank that is deposited into their account. All students received a green pouch containing the following items: informational letter for families , signature card/permission form for families to complete and mail back to the bank with stamped envelope provided, calendar with banking days at PRES, sticky notes and a pencil.
Arts and Cultural Vitality Index Grant Opportunity
We are excited to invite members of our school community to sign up to be part of a committee for an exciting opportunity—the Arts and Cultural Vitality grant, offered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). You can learn more about the grant here: https://www.doe.mass.edu/grants/2026/0718/.
Now in our third year applying, we’re looking to expand our committee beyond just the arts and music departments. This year, we aim to include a more diverse group of stakeholders from across our school community.
We welcome teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, parents, and school committee members to join us. Your voice and perspective will help us design a stronger, more inclusive program for our students.
Those interested, please fill out this Google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDNUpKKw9poNVh1zmRPTAxnW4_WEBXNGGvk9eEUlbI4j7IWw/viewform
Upcoming Calendar Events for PRES
- Early Release/No PM PreK for Staff Professional Development: Wednesday, October 1st
- SPOT Vision Screening for K and PreK: Thursday, October 9th
- Trunk or Treat with the PTSA at DRRHS: Saturday, October 11th
- Holiday/No School: Monday, October 13th
- Saving Makes Cents Banking Day: October 16th
- Fall School Picture Day: Monday, October 20th
- Grade 2 Math or Treat Night: Thursday, October 23rd, 5:30-6:30pm
- Professional Learning Day for Staff-No School: Tuesday, November 4th
- Holiday/No School: Tuesday, November 11th
- Saving Makes Cents Banking Day: November 20th
- Early Release Due to Parent Teacher Conferences/No PM PreK: November 20th and 21st
- Early Release/No PM PreK: November 26th
- Holiday/No School: November 27th and 28th
🐝The Buzz from the Health Office 🐝
Dear Parent/Guardian,
In the coming week, we will begin routine health screenings per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines. These include:
Vision-Grades PreK-4th
Hearing-Grades PreK-3rd
Height & Weight-Grades 1 and 4
If your child is tested, and the results are not in the “normal” range for the vision and hearing screen, you will be notified by letter. If you receive a letter, it is recommended that you take your child to a doctor or healthcare provider for a comprehensive evaluation.
If you want your child to participate in the screenings for his/her grade, no further action is required.
If you do not want your child to participate in any or all of the screenings, please send a letter or email to the school nurse. This request must be written each year and be specific to which screening(s) you would like your child to opt out of participating.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Nurse Elizabeth.
Phone: 508-252-5100
Email: eferreira@drregional.org
SEPAC Announcements
School Meal Links
PTSA Announcements
Palmer River Elementary School
The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District
#WeAreDR!
Website: https://pres.drregional.org/
Location: 326 Winthrop Street, Rehoboth, MA 02769
Phone: 508-252-5100/Fax: 508-252-5110
Dighton Rehoboth Regional School District does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected group.