Front and CENTER

Students in Ms. Renna's class shared some learning at our morning meeting on Wednesday! Grade 2 students have been working on becoming proficient in identifying components of a map, understanding what maps show, and rationalizing how they are useful. This is a part of our MA State Frameworks standard: Reading and Making Maps. Once the students became familiar with map components such as compass rose, map key, title and map symbols, they worked as a class to come up with a "Map Rap" to help them remember these terms. The students were excited to perform their composition to Center School and share their learning with others!

In this hands-on STEM lesson with Mr. Squire, 2nd Grade students explored seed dispersal by designing lightweight carriers for corn kernels using materials such as paper, tape, and tin-foil. They tested their designs by dropping them from a certain height, timing how long the kernels stay afloat, and improved their designs using the engineering process. Students develop problem-solving, creativity, and critical-thinking skills while learning about gravity and air resistance.

• Thursday, October 29, 2026 - Early Release Day - 11:30 (11:00 for Project Grow) - Parent Teacher Conferences

• Friday, October 30, 2026 - Early Release Day - 11:30 (11:00 for Project Grow )- Parent Teacher Conferences

• Monday, November 2 - Monday, November 9 - Scholastic Book Fair

• Tuesday, November 3, 2026 - No School - Professional Development Day

• Wednesday, November 4, 2026 - Family Literacy Night - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

• Wednesday, November 11, 2026 - No School in Observance of Veteran's Day

On Friday, October 30, students are welcome to wear school-appropriate costumes that are comfortable and allow them to move safely and participate in classroom activities. No masks or weapons, please. Students may bring goodie bags to share with classmates; we simply ask that they contain no food or candy and that there is one for everyone in the class. This is a half day, with dismissal at 11:30 a.m. We look forward to a fun morning together!

Vision and hearing screenings will be happening in the health office this Fall. The BMI screening for 1st grade will be happening in the health office as well. If you would like your child to opt out of the BMI screening, please submit a written request to Mrs. Balsis. Information regarding annual mandated screenings can be found in the Center School handbook.

School pictures are now available!

To see if your child's pictures are available to view, please log in to your account at mylifetouch.com. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one using your email address.

To locate your child's photos, you'll need their Student ID or Portrait ID and Access Code. If you don't have this information, you can:

Check your inbox for an email from Lifetouch that may contain your access credentials and a direct link to your child's images.

Wait for your proof sheet to arrive, which will include your Portrait ID and Access Code.

Contact the Lifetouch Help Center for assistance

Please note that pictures may not become available for all students at the same time, so check back later if you don't see your child's images yet.

Dear Center School Families,

The safety and well-being of our students and staff are always a top priority. As part of our district’s ongoing commitment to school safety, we will be introducing ALICE information and training to our students in a way that is appropriate for their age and developmental level.

Over the next couple of weeks, students will participate in conversations to initially help them learn how to respond if an unfamiliar person enters the school and creates a safety concern. These lessons will take place gradually, rather than all at once, to help students feel comfortable and confident as they learn.

You may be wondering, “What is ALICE?” ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Escape. These are different strategies that help students and staff respond to a dangerous situation. The strategies are not necessarily used in a specific order; the appropriate response depends on the situation. Our staff have practiced these strategies and will guide students in understanding how to stay safe, follow adult directions, and know when they may need to evacuate or find a safe place to go.

For our kindergarten students, we will introduce these concepts gently and in an age-appropriate way, including reading "I'm Not Scared, I'm Prepared" by Julia Cook. Our goal is to help children build safety awareness without creating unnecessary fear or worry.

We will also hold grade-level gatherings to review important safety information and reinforce these skills throughout the year. We recognize that conversations about safety can bring up questions for children, and we will approach these discussions with care, reassurance, and sensitivity.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Working together, we can help ensure that our students feel safe, supported, and prepared at school.

• Please check your child's Golden Ticket!

• Each student, or “Jr. Scholar,” has been assigned their own individually numbered Golden Ticket. Tickets will be sent home with students within the next week.

• ⭐ How It Works

• 🎟️ Keep your child’s ticket in a safe place!

• 📣 Check SMORE:
  Mr. West will share the winning numbers in the weekly SMORE newsletter.

Please click here for 2026-2027 Bus Routes Center School

School Bus schedules are also posted on the District website under Families and Students - Transportation. Posted times are estimates, and routes are subject to change. Please have your child at their designated bus stop 5-10 minutes before the posted time. As school gets underway, please periodically check your child's bus route for any changes that may have occurred. Please note:

Students in 3rd grade and below need to have an adult caregiver present to be released from the bus. Thank you, and we look forward to a great school year!

QUESTIONS?

Amaral Bus Company

Cheryl Sweeney, Dispatch Manager
Phone: (508) 324-0551
Press 1 (for Amaral Bus Co)
Then press 2 (for Tri-Town District)

Email: mailto:amaralbustritown@gmail.com.

MATTAPOISETT PTA's fundraiser starts Wednesday!

Every student who's selling needs to be registered. It takes about a minute and creates their own online store, that's how purchases turn into money for our group.

Start here:
https://portal.meadowfarms.com/?page=authSignup&groupid=1032141

Every student (or staff member) who sells 5 or more items is entered to win a gift card. There will be two winners, one from each school. The PTA is raising money to help support field trips and enrichment programs in school.

Scholastic Book Fairs:

Please note: No coins will be given as change, any leftover change will be donated to “Share The Fair.” All proceeds are for purchasing books, materials, and necessary supplies for both libraries. The e-wallet now does not expire! Books in the flyers that come home are guaranteed during the book fair so if you don't see it on the shelf it can be ordered online.

OHS: 10/26 - 10/30. Public Shopping hours are: 10/28: 8:15 - 8:45, 10/29: 12:30 - 2:30, and 10/30 8:15-8:45 and 12:30 - 2:30. Shop before or after parent teacher conferences!

Center: 11/2- 11/9. Public shopping hours are: 11/4: 8-8:40 and 5-7 and 11/6: 8-8:40am.

Please join the PTA at our annual Family Literacy Night. The book fair will be open, we will have pizza (from Nick's!), baked goods, and water for sale. Each item is $1 (cash). This is a fun time for kids to share the book fair with family and to hang out. Have dinner with friends at the Book Fair!

There are volunteer opportunities at each Book Fair to assist during classroom visits and during public shopping hours. These events cannot happen without the support of volunteers, please consider if you can help fill a time slot. All money raised from Scholastic Book Fairs is dedicated towards our libraries.

Volunteer Links: (You must have a CORI on file)

OHS Book Fair. 10/26 - 10/30/2026. https://volunteersignup.org/AKPXP

Center School Book Fair 11/2 - 11/6 volunteersignup.org/3J8XM

Family Literacy Night 11/4: https://signup.com/go/yiQMqsx

Please note there will not be a PTA meeting on 11/4 as scheduled as we will be at Family Literacy Night.

Thanks,

Mattapoisett PTA

www.mattapoisettpta.org

The ORR, Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester School Districts have combined to establish a Special Education Parent Advisory Council (S.E.P.A.C.). This Council provides annual training on parent and guardian rights and identifies topics of interest related to current student population. New members are encouraged to join at any time! For information, contact the Director of Student Services and/or a Town S.E.P.A.C. Officer.

ORRconnect is available in the Apple and Android store. This mobile app allows families to receive targeted, real-time updates right at their fingertips regarding school happenings along with app alerts. Families can filter content, calendars and settings unique to one building or all.. If you have questions, please email weareor@oldrochester.org.

Search ORRconnect in the app store or use the links from your mobile device.

From Your Apple Mobile Device

Center School

Charles West - Principal

Email: charleswest@oldrochester.org
Website: https://cs.oldrochester.org/
Location: 17 Barstow Street, Mattapoisett, MA 02739
Phone: 508-758-2521

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