Dear MMES Families,

A picture is worth a thousand words as they say...check out the photos below from our amazing week at MMES!

Just a gentle reminder that smart phones and watches are must be turned off and stored in backpacks/cubbies until school is dismissed...thank you!

Have a great weekend!

Best,

John

On Thursday, our students were treated to a truly extraordinary Enrichment program featuring Rob Surette and his Amazing Hero Art. Rob, a renowned speed-painter and Disney artist, combined his artistic talents with an inspiring motivational presentation.

As the lights dimmed and a countdown began, the excitement in the room was palpable. Rob, who has been celebrated as the “#1 Best School Assembly” by cultural arts organizations nationwide, captivated the audience with his speed-paintings of Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., and Albert Einstein. The students were in awe as his masterpieces came to life in mere moments, accompanied by video montages and thought-provoking messages.

Addressing our students as “Amazing Kids,” Rob instilled uplifting lessons such as “I can do it” and “If I can’t do it, I can learn it.” Through his grand speed-painting extravaganza, he shared powerful messages of resilience, kindness, diversity, equity, inclusion, self-belief, and the importance of following one’s dreams.

After the show, students enthusiastically posed with Rob and his incredible works of art. Rob also took a moment to share how impressed he was by our school’s energy and the positive interactions he experienced with our students and staff.

It was a morning filled with inspiration, creativity, and joy—a shining example of the power of the arts to enrich minds and hearts at MMES!

This year 2nd grade students in Essex and Manchester learn about Virginia Lee Burton and the Folly Cove Designers. Education Director, Cathy Kelly from the Cape Ann Museum visited the art classes to teach the students about Virginia Lee Burton as an artist, author, and founder of the Folly Cove Designers.

The students were excited to be learning all about VLB. They learned how this mother of two boys wrote children's books, illustrated them and founded the Folly Cove Designers, while living in Gloucester MA. Her work as an artist was known not only over the Cape Ann area but worldwide.

The Folly Cove Designers used their own hand- carved printing blocks as their medium to print intricate patterns and pictures onto fabric that would be sold as clothes, placemats, curtains aprons etc. Today these items are very valuable.

One of the FCD designs was of a varity of seagulls descending into the sky. Students used this as their inspiration to create their own seagull stamp. Their seagull was printed onto a large wooden wave and on paper using barens, brayers and fibric ink.

This spring a special art exhibit at the Cape Ann Museum will take place celebrating the 2nd graders artwork. Families are encouraged to attend this by invitation only event and enjoy the artwork from the students. More information about the spring art event to follow.

Please remember:

· If your child is going to be absent, tardy, or there is a change to dismissal plans- utilize PickUp Patrol for those changes. You no longer need to email or call Mrs. Schmidt, the teacher, or the school nurse to report those changes.

· If your child has a temperature of 100.4F or over, they need to be fever free for 24 hours (without the aid of Tylenol or Motrin) before re-entering the school.

· If your child is experiencing diarrhea or vomiting, they need to be symptom free for 24 hours and can tolerate solid food before re-entering the building.

· ALL CLASSROOMS ARE PEANUT/NUT FREE

Please refer to the link below for guidelines on staying home with respiratory illnesses in Massachusetts.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/staying-home-to-prevent-the-spread-of-respiratory-viruses

Change of clothes: Each student should have a complete change of clothes in case of spills, wetness from snow or rain, and any accidents.
This winter has been particularly cold, and although we've spent much of the month indoors, we try to take students outside for fresh air whenever the temperature "feels" above 20°F. Please make sure your child comes to school prepared with a winter hat, gloves, boots, jacket, and snowpants.

Stay healthy and have a wonderful weekend!

Thank you all for your cooperation, any questions or concerns please call or email,

Jaclyn Morrissey, R.N.

978-526-1909

morrisseyj@mersd.org

2024-2025 Calendar

January

31 - PK Screening, by appointment

February

5 - Early Release, 11:45

6 - Elementary Poetry Cafe at MMES 5:30-7:00 p.

17 - Presidents Day

Vacation February 17-21

March

5 - Early Release, 11:45

17 - Teacher PD Day, No School

20 - Grade K to Mass Audubon

21 - Grade 1 to NSMT 9:00 – 11:45 am

April

4 - K-8 Conferences, Early Release 11:45

21 - Patriots Day

Vacation April 21-25

During the week of March 3, 2025, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of Language Acquisition (OLA) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the Manchester-Essex Regional School District. The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s ELE program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners’ student assessments, identification of English learners; what programs English learners are placed in, parent and community involvement, curriculum and instruction, student support services, licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration, program plans, and evaluation and recordkeeping.

In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The district will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines with. The survey focuses on key areas of their child’s English learner education program. Survey results will be reviewed by OLA and they will contribute to the monitoring report.

Parents and other individuals may call Samantha Kodak, Office of Language Acquisition Review Chairperson, at (781) 338-3561 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days of the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the (district or charter school) with a report with information about areas in which the (district or charter school) meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the (district or charter school) requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The report will be available to the public at https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/cpr/.

For more information contact: Allison Collins, Ed.D., Director of Student Services, Manchester-Essex Regional School District

MERSD elementary students now have access to the iReady "My Path" program at home. This aspect of iReady is an online tool that provides students with learning activities and practice geared towards their individual skills and needs. Below you will find information regarding accessing this tool at home for extra skill practice in reading and mathematics.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qhiOnoPCkyzwb8HLql0PdEgwNC_tiKcN/view

Next MMPTO Meeting: January 29, 8:30 am

From Manchester Essex Youth Soccer:

It’s that time of year again—spring soccer registration is officially open!

Yes, you read that right! Registration will close on February 8, so don’t miss out. This deadline allows us to submit team rosters to the league in mid-February, ensuring league deadlines are met and we have a smooth start to the season.

Manchester Essex Youth Soccer – Town Soccer Grades K – 8

link for little league registration:

https://www.mebaseball.org/

• Mobile Markets will then run from 2:30-3:30pm through January on the first Wednesday of each month.
• Mobile Market will run on an early release schedule of 11am-12:15pm on the first Wednesday of each month in February, March, May, and June.