Caregiver Update

I am returning to Clough after an amazing experience in DC, just in time for a jam-packed week! It's Scholastic Book Fair week which is always one of my favorite weeks of the year. Students will be able to shop during their library time. Thank you to the parents and guardians who are able to come in and volunteer at the book fair this week. On Wednesday night, from 4:30-7:00, the PTO is hosting a Family Shopping Night at the book fair. Come as a family and grab some new books to add to your home libraries!

We also have our Preschool and Kindergarten Open House event this Wednesday night from 6:00-6:30. Students and Families will be able to visit classrooms and learn what has been happening in your child's class for the first part of the school year.

Also on Wednesday, we have our first Table Talk sessions of the year! This was so popular with parents and guardians last year that we knew we needed to continue to offer it this year. If you signed up on the link listed below, you will come into the office just before your child's lunch starts. We will bring you to the cafeteria and you will be able to sit with a group of students, including your own, and help guide them through some engaging lunch time chats.

School Picture Day is this week! We will have school pictures on Thursday, October 22. This year we have a new photography company we are working with, Coffee Pond. You are able to go online and order your packages even before picture day. See the flyer below for the website. Remind your child to bring their best smiles on Thursday!

We have been refining some of our dismissal practices. One change that we have made for our walker pickup line is to move the parent/guardian line to the sidewalk closest to the school. We will still collect names and have that staff member outside, but now they will be near the door where the students exit the building. Parents and guardians will be responsible for crossing with their children at the crosswalk to walk to their cars. I want to remind anyone who is picking up, please don't begin to line up any earlier than 3:00.

Thanks,

Liz Garden

Principal

P.S, See Mr. Hanson's link below to sign up for his Lunch Bunch options!

On October 30th, we are having our annual Cardboard Creation Day! We have been saving cardboard (and will take any donations you want to send in) for this special day. Each grade will have a chance to come to the gym to create whatever they want with cardboard and duct tape. We would love to have parents or guardians come in and volunteer to help with creating, cutting duct tape, designing, and having fun with our students. Sign up here if you are able to come in and help us on this day.

We tried something new last year during lunch and parents and guardians told us that they loved it and wanted to continue this year! We’re inviting parents and guardians to join us in the cafeteria to eat and chat with students. The goal is to model friendly conversation skills, appropriate volume, and positive lunchtime behavior—while building a stronger sense of community.

Parents/guardians will sit with their child but also engage the other students at the table in conversation. We’ll provide simple conversation starters to keep things fun and meaningful.

We’d love your help as we support students in practicing respectful, confident communication during lunch. We understand that schedules can be tight, but if you’re able to visit during your lunch break, we’d be thrilled to have you join us. This year, there is only one grade at a time in the cafeteria. We will stick with Wednesdays and Fridays like last year. Please sign up on this sign up genius link for your child's grade.

Please make sure you have an approved CORI form on file with us before you sign up.

Our spring creative writing contest was so popular, we decided to do another one this fall! See the flyer below for information and prompt options. This is open to all students, Kindergarten through 4th Grade.

Again this year, across the district, we’re asking parents and guardians to help us with a special activity called “A Million Words or Less.” We invite you to tell us, in any length you choose, what makes your child special. You know their joys, challenges, quirks, interests, hopes, and what helps them feel safe and confident. Your insight helps us support them in the best way possible. We had several parents and guardians complete this last year, including many who did it during kindergarten screening. If you already shared information, you don't need to share again. But if you have not completed this, please take some time to help us get to know your child.

You can share in whatever style works for you—a few sentences, a list of bullet points, a poem, a note, even a song! The goal is simply for us to hear your voice.

We’ve created a form where you can type your thoughts. But we know writing isn’t the easiest or preferred way for everyone. You’re welcome to upload a photo, a short video, voice recording, or a document instead—whatever helps us get to know your child. If you would prefer to hand write your thoughts, you are welcome to do that as well and send in the information to us, that works as well.

October:

Oct. 19-23 - Scholastic Book Fair

Oct. 21 - PK/K Open House 6:00-6:30, Family Shopping Event at the Book Fair

Oct. 22 - School Pictures Day - Coffee Pond Photography

Oct 28 - Bus Safety/Bus Evacuation Day

Oct. 30 - Cardboard Creation Day!

Nov. 2 - Dean Bank Savings Deposit Day

Nov. 3 - No school. Teacher PD Day

Nov. 9 and 10 - Half days, Parent/Teacher Conferences

Nov. 11 - No school, Veteran's Day

Email: lgarden@mursd.org
Website: https://www.mursd.org/o/henry-p-clough-elementary
Location: 10 North Avenue, Mendon, MA, USA
Phone: 508-634-1580
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HPClough-Elementary-School-102887309160164
Twitter: @HPClough