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McGovern News!
September 8, 2023
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I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. As we step into a brand-new year at McGovern, it brings me immense joy to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you! We have had a great, though hot, start to the school year!
The start of a new year is always a moment of great anticipation and excitement, and this year is no exception. Our dedicated team of educators and staff have been hard at work preparing for a year filled with enriching experiences, memorable learning, and a nurturing environment that fosters growth for our young learners.
This year promises to be one of continued growth and development for our early childhood learners. Our curriculum has been thoughtfully designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love for learning. Our classrooms are brimming with new resources and tools to provide your children with the best possible educational experience.
I also want to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation for your ongoing support and collaboration. Your involvement in your child's education is invaluable, and it truly makes a significant difference in their journey towards becoming confident, independent thinkers.
As we embark on this exciting new chapter, I encourage you to stay connected with us. Attend our events, engage with our teachers, and actively participate in your child's educational journey. Together, we will continue to create a nurturing and empowering environment where each child can thrive.
I am filled with hope and optimism for the year ahead, and I cannot wait to witness the growth and achievements of each and every one of our early childhood students. Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of educating your child(ren). Together, we will make this year a remarkable one!
Please read below for important updates. Have a wonderful weekend.
Best,
Amy McDonald, Principal
Media
MEDIA Policy: JR Many school events and student accomplishments are publicized through print and electronic media, including local newspapers, local cable television, and the district website. Any parent/guardian who does not wish his/her student’s image or work to be photographed displayed electronically or in print should submit a letter to the office of the building principal at the beginning of the school year.
The full text of this policy may be found on the MPS website: Policy: JR
We would ask parents to be mindful when you are posting photos of your own children at school events that include other children in the photo, some parents may not want their child's image shared on social media.
Do you need the newsletter translated?
English
To open the SMORE newsletter, click on the link above. Then, to translate the SMORE newsletter, click on the “Translate” button at the top of the page. Use the drop-down menu to select your language. The newsletter will then be translated.
Portuguese
Para abrir a newsletter SMORE, clique no link acima. Em seguida, para traduzir a newsletter SMORE, clique no botão “Traduzir” no topo da página. Use o menu suspenso para selecionar seu idioma. O boletim informativo será então traduzido.
Spanish
Para abrir el boletín SMORE, haga clic en el enlace de arriba. Luego, para traducir el boletín SMORE, haga clic en el botón "Traducir" en la parte superior de la página. Utilice el menú desplegable para seleccionar su idioma. Luego se traducirá el boletín.
Arabic
لفتح النشرة الإخبارية SMORE، انقر على الرابط أعلاه. وبعد ذلك، لترجمة نشرة SMORE الإخبارية، انقر فوق الزر "ترجمة" الموجود أعلى الصفحة. استخدم القائمة المنسدلة لاختيار لغتك. سيتم بعد ذلك ترجمة النشرة الإخبارية.
Haitian Creole
Pou ouvri bilten SMORE a, klike sou lyen anlè a. Lè sa a, pou tradui bilten SMORE a, klike sou bouton "Tradwi" ki anlè paj la. Sèvi ak meni ki dewoule a pou chwazi lang ou. Lè sa a, y ap tradui bilten an.
Volunteering at McGovern!
If you are interested in coming to school as a Mystery Reader or only for one event, you do not need to complete the training. You simply need to bring your license to the office, once a date is confirmed with your child's teacher.
Opening Days!
Reminder- Preschool Arena Days, No Classes
Welcome to Kindergarten!
Bring your license to the main office
Student Bussing
Bus Routes
New for the 2023-24 school year, parents must register their students for bus transportation. Importantly, only those students who are registered and have been identified as eligible for transportation will be provided bus transportation. Bus passes will be issued for all eligible students, and must be attached to the student’s backpack daily. To register for bus transportation, please click here. An online Google form has been set up for question submission.
Student Bus Passes
Please see the following communication from Medway Public Schools' transportation Department:
For those students who registered for transportation, new for this year, the district has provided bus passes. We have received some concern about tying these to the outside of student backpacks because there is information on the passes that is personally identifiable; please feel free to cut it off from the zip tie. You may choose to tie it to a longer tether (i.e. a short string) so it can be stored inside the backpack or place it in an easily accessible outside backpack pocket for easy retrieval.
As this is a new process for us, we will share any updates as logical.
Water Bottles
Breakfast, Lunch and Snack
Snack
Families are asked to provide students with a daily snack to bring to school. If there are any barriers to a family providing a daily snack, please reach out to our main office and they will connect you with an administrator or counselor and we will ensure that all students have snacks daily.
Free Breakfast and Lunch
We are thrilled to offer all students breakfast and lunch free of charge. All students are offered breakfast as they come through the doors at McGovern School and students chose their lunch in the cafeteria. If you do not want your students to eat breakfast or lunch, please have a conversation with your student about your home expectations.
Parent Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Having a car placard allows staff to ensure we are putting the right student in the right car and also allows for efficient pick up.
Please also remember that our drop off and parent pick-up line is a live, rolling pick-up. Please do not get out of your car for any reason. In addition, please do not pass any cars while in the pick-up/drop off line. This is for the safety of all.
Thank you for your cooperation with our drop off and pick up procedures.
New Mental Health Care Coordination Service for Medway Families
Medway Schools has partnered with Care Solace, which offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you, your child, and extended family members with appropriate community-based providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need. To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
- Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
- 2. Visit www.caresolace.com/medway: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
Welcome Back to a New School Year from Our Library!
Dear McGovern Families,
We trust your summer was filled with thrilling adventures and delightful reads! As we set sail into a new school year, we're thrilled to extend our warmest greetings to both students and their families.
We're gearing up for an exciting year of exploration and enlightenment at the school library. Please see below for a welcome letter for each grade, which will provide invaluable insights into our curriculum and a comprehensive overview of our book checkout procedures. For your convenience, we've also made these letters accessible on our new school library website: https://sites.google.com/medwayschools.org/mps-elementary-libraries/home. This marks our commitment to nurturing a sense of curiosity and cultivating a profound love for reading right from the beginning.
I am eagerly looking forward to embarking on this reading and learning voyage with your children. Keep an eye out for your child's welcome letter from the library, and let's ensure this school year becomes a truly memorable one, brimming with the enchantment of books!
Additionally, for quick access to our website, scan the QR code below.
Warmest wishes,
Mrs Overstreet and Mr Holt (your school library team).
Project 351 Event
Nurses Notes
McGovern School will begin the mandated Massachusetts Department of Public Health screenings for pre-K, kindergarten and first grade students starting Tuesday, September 26th and continue throughout the year. Vision screening will be performed on pre-K, kindergarten, and grade 1 students. Hearing screening will be conducted on all kindergarten and 1st graders. Heights and weights will be obtained on grade 1 students.
Please remind your student to bring and wear their glasses every school day, but especially during screening days. Should your child not pass this basic screening, a letter will be sent home asking you to follow-up with your child’s health care provider and/or other appropriate specialists. Parents/guardians may request in writing if they do not want their student to participate. Please notify me by Friday, September 15, 2023.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you!
Penny McKay, MSN, RN
McGovern School Nurse
Tel 508-533-6626 ext 5354
Fax 508-533-3263
Reminders!
Medway App!
- Community Update from the Superintendent, monthly
- McGovern News from me, bi-weekly
- Teacher newsletters, bi-weekly
All community updates and the McGovern News will be emailed and can also be found on the district and school websites or through our Medway Public Schools app which can be accessed through the QR Code below. Teachers will email their newsletters directly to their class.
Follow us on Social Media
ACTION REQUIRED: Annual Student Information Update
In an effort to prioritize the safety and efficiency, we require all parents and students to complete a yearly review and sign off on the information, policies, and procedures.
To streamline this process and make it convenient for everyone, we have integrated this review into our user-friendly Parent Portal system, which we refer to as "Online Registration" or "The Yearly Information Update" in our communications.
It is important that all families complete by this review, update any information that may have changed since last year, and sign-off on required policies and procedures by September 7, 2023. Families with 5th and 9th grade students should know that this process must be completed before a school-issued chromebook will be deployed to their child.
For more information, please review the Technology Department communication and instructions here.
The Parent Portal can be accessed by clicking here. Please log in and complete the review by clicking MORE > New Student Reg & Update > 2023-24 New Student Registration and Annual Update by September 7.
Important Dates
September 22nd: No Preschool
September 25th: No School, Yom Kippur
September 28th - Preschool Back to School Night for Parents/Guardians (not students) 5:30 PM
September 28th - Kindergarten Back to School Night for Parents/Guardians (not students) 5:30 PM
September 28th - 1st Grade Back to School Night for Parents/Guardians (not students) 6:45 PM
October 6th: No Preschool
October 9: No School, Indigenous People’s Day
October 18th: Early Release Day, Dismissal 12:00 pm (PK 11:30 am)
October 20th: No Preschool