The MMES Buzz
News from Manchester Memorial Elementary School!
February 7, 2025
Principal's Note
Dear MMES Families,
This week, MMES was all "abuzz" about our staff's "Underground Spirit Week!" Through word of mouth, the staff all dressed in different themes each day this week. Monday was "monochromatic day" where staff all dressed head to toe in the same color. It was no surprise that many went with all black, but we did have a group who all wore velour tracksuits! Tuesday was "Wacky Hair/Hat/Wig Day" and Wednesday was "Mismatched Patterns Day!" Mother Nature had other plans for Thursday so we had to combine "Anything But a Cup Day " and "Hornet Spirit Day" today. Imagine my face when I walked in and saw Mrs. Munyon drinking her water out of an Ugg boot instead of water bottle/cup!
The best part was that staff kept it from the students...they had no idea! Until they realized something was off on Monday and then they looked forward to what funny theme the next day would be!
And not to be left out...I am hearing that the G5 Student Ambassadors are working on a Student Spirit Week to coincide with The Great Kindness Challenge...stay tuned!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Best,
John
What’s the Buzz with Ms. X?
Hello Hornets! Our 5th Grade Ambassadors have been working extremely hard these past weeks to prepare for the Great Kindness Challenge 2025! Like last year, they will be presenting this to the entire school on Monday (delayed due to snow) and are challenging all students to complete acts of kindness to show that Kindness Moves. When planning for this week, our 5th graders wanted to show support for those affected by the recent LA Fires. Five of the Great Kindness Challenge certified schools were severely damaged or burned down as a result of this natural disaster. In conjunction with the GKC, one kind act that we are challenging the entire school with is to bring in new, unused socks so that we can donate these along with messages of support to LA (only socks were requested for this organized drive). Please see the note attached to learn more!
To celebrate kindness, we will be having Kindness Spirit days next week with each day having a different theme:
Monday: “Kindness the MMES Way” with Hornet or Manchester-Essex Gear or Just Green, White and Black
Tuesday: “Kindness Moves” with sports jerseys, dance or workout wear
Wednesday: “Wacky for Kindness” – wild hair, mixed up patterns, and inside out clothes, whatever goes!
Thursday: “Tied Together with Kindness” – bows, ties, bowties!
Friday: “Dreaming of a Kinder Future” – PJ day
Health Room Headlines
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
Dates to Remember
2024-2025 Calendar
February
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
9 - MCAS ELA Testing G3-5
10 - MCAS ELA Testing G3-5
21 - Patriots Day
Vacation April 21-25
May
14 - MCAS Math Testing G3-5
15 - MCAS Math Testing G3-5
19 - MCAS STE Testing G5
21 - MCAS STE Testing G5
27 - G5 Host Day
28 – G5 to Essex Ship Building 9-1p
June
6 – G5 to Boston
11 – G5 to Project Adventure
13 – G5 to Maritime Gloucester
Menus - February
Menus with full nutritional information: https://mersd.nutrislice.com/menu/mersd-elementary-lunch/breakfast/2025-01-31
Breakfast
Lunch
Coming Up in March - DESE Review of MERSD ELE Program
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
iReady My Path - Home Access
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
Notices From Our Friends
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.
Time for Little League Sign Ups.
Open Door Mobile Market
Mobile Market at Memorial - Open Door
- 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.