The Weekly Buzz 🐝

Dear Families,

As we step into a brand-new year at Palmer River Elementary School, we are filled with a sense of optimism and excitement for the possibilities that lie ahead. The start of a new year not only marks a fresh beginning, but also presents us with opportunities to nurture growth, foster learning, and continue building a strong community together.

As we embark on this journey together, we want to express our gratitude for your unwavering support and dedication to your child's education. Your involvement, encouragement, and partnership remain instrumental in our shared goal of providing the best possible learning experience for our students.

This year, we remain committed to fostering an environment that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity. We also continue to prioritize the well-being of our students, nurturing not just their academic growth but also their social and emotional development.

We encourage you to stay engaged and involved in your child's educational journey. Our doors are always open, and we welcome your feedback, ideas, and active participation in school activities and initiatives.

As we embrace the new year, let us approach it with optimism, determination, and a commitment to excellence. Together, we will continue to create a supportive and enriching educational environment where every child can thrive.

Wishing you and your family a year filled with joy, growth, and success.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Kristine Kefor, Principal & Dr. Cheryl Leandro, Assistant Principal

email: kkefor@drregional.org & cleandro@drregional.org

phone: 508-252-5100

Today, PRES students attended a whole school enrichment assembly called The Secret of Kindness with Brett "OOCH" Outchcunis. Our students received a shout out from OOCH (below), and loved learning about all about kindness, which was December's Monthly Mindset for PRES. Find out more on his website https://www.theoochexperience.com/oochstuff

Special thanks to our PTSA for bringing this meaningful presentation to our students.

Due to the school cancellation day for power loss due to inclement weather on December 19, 2023, the Rehoboth Campus, which includes Beckwith Middle School and Palmer River Elementary School, will be required by the state to make up this missed school day.

Therefore, unless there are any additional school closures, the new last day of school for the Rehoboth Campus will be June 20th. In the event of any further school cancellations, the last day of school will once again be adjusted accordingly.

This year, PRES is teaming up with George Family Orthodontics for an exciting Reading Rocks contest! All the contest details are outlined below. This event will run throughout January. Students will be given tally sheets in class (see attached PDF) starting January 2nd and are expected to return them by Wednesday, January 31st. The winners will be announced in February.

Please take a moment to read the most recent DR Dispatch here: https://www.smore.com/73mtk

Please see the Superintendent's request for volunteers for the District's DRiving Toward 2030 Initiative. If you recall, the District started the Strategic Planning process last year by developing the Portrait of a Graduate (POG). I am very pleased to share that the next phase of our Strategic Planning initiative is on schedule for a proposal to be made to School Committee in late May/early June. Both our Strategic Planning Committee and our DLT have christened this process “DRiving toward 2030.”

I want to salute all who have been collaborative in this process since the Portrait of a Graduate kicked off in the fall of 2022. Now, I am asking everyone else to consider participating.

We are now at the stage of assembling subcommittees to build out the five foundational elements of the “DRiving Toward 2030” plan.

Participating is optional; and in my opinion, it’s not a heavy lift. We are probably looking at a maximum of three evening meetings over a 4-month period.

If you are willing to serve on a subcommittee, please take 2-3 minutes prior to January 8 at Noon to complete the Google Form in the DR Dispatch. We will be creating subcommittees for each of the 5 focus areas (see below) and would like to know your top 3 subcommittee preferences.

Please be sure to mark your calendar for Wednesday, January 24 at 6pm for our next in-person DRiving Toward 2030 meeting.

DRiving Toward 2030 Subcommittees

• Early Release/No PM Preschool: Wednesday, January 10th with dismissal at 12:20pm
  
• No School to Observe Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: Monday January 15th
• BCSB Banking Visit for 3rd and 4th Grade: Thursday, January 18th

Please click THIS LINK to view a printable PDF of January's Lunch Menu.

The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District

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.