Parent Update

Watch us SOAR!

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope everyone had a wonderful break. We definitely enjoyed time with family and friends, but also enjoyed having time to try to get everyone in our family healthy. And now we are ready for 2023! I shared with staff that I don't like to do New Year's resolutions. Instead, for many years I have selected one word to be my guide and inspiration for the year. Some of the words I have selected over the years are: create, hope, moment. This year, I picked my word over the summer...CURIOUS. Coming into a new school and new district, I have spent time being curious, asking questions, wondering, observing, getting to know the school, the staff, the district. I look forward to continuing to approach my first year at Clough by being curious.

During our first staff collaboration time together after break, I had the staff think about their one word and then they created a visual representation of their word. We had all sorts of great words...pause, persevere, adapt, happy, and many more. I also shared a read aloud with the school, a picture book called My Special Word. Some teachers have spent time discussing and thinking about what students would pick for their one word. I encourage you to think about choosing special words with your families. It makes for a great dinner conversation, and then you can all keep coming back to your words throughout the year.

Here are a few quick updates for everyone:

Tomorrow, Friday Jan 13 is a half day of school, dismissal is at 12:05, no lunch will be served. We have no school on Monday, Jan 16 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Kindergarten Information Night is Tuesday, Jan. 24 from 6:00-7:00 in the cafeteria at Clough
Jan. 25 the district is hosting a Safety Info Night @ Nipmuc from 7:00-8:00pm for all parents and guardians
Jan. 26 - We have the 4th Grade Chorus Concert @ Nipmuc from 7:00-8:00pm
We were excited to receive a MA Cultural Council grant for $5,000. For the next 10 weeks, Motoko, a Japanese storyteller, is coming to be a writer-in-residence to work with our 4th graders. She started last week and the students and teachers are so excited about the work they will be doing with her!
We are planning to host a fun family event on Valentine's Day. We will be inviting parents/guardians to breakfast with books! Before school on Tuesday, Feb.14, the PTO will host a breakfast and families will be able to read together and enjoy breakfast. More info to come!

I am very excited to kick off the second half of the school year. I am so proud of the amazing learning that has been happening in our classrooms. Looking forward to seeing all of the progress during the second half of the school year!

Sincerely,

Liz Garden

Clough Principal

4th Grade Celebration!

It's time to start thinking about that 4th grade slideshow! Please submit pictures no later than February 28, 2023 so your student can be included. Thank you!

Notes from the Nurse...

iHealth Test Expiration Date Extension

The FDA recently extended the expiration date of iHealth COVID-19 at-home tests by an additional 3 months. iHealth COVID-19 at-home tests may be used for up to 15 months from the date of manufacture. Find the new expiration date at https://ihealthlabs.com/pages/news. Please do what you can to share this news with anyone who may have received tests from your organization.

New State Behavioral Health Help Line:

The Department of Mental Health has launched a new Behavioral Health Help Line that people can call or text at 833-773-2445. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 200 languages. The help line can help individuals and families navigate the behavioral health system and access treatment, including mobile crisis services. District and school leaders are asked to please share this resource with staff, families, and students, where helpful. For more information, please see the FAQ. Anyone with questions or concerns about the help line can email the help line director at Mio.Tamanaha@mass.gov.

News from the Art Room

Mrs. Stone is proud to share that several students have been selected for the MAEA’s Statewide K-12 Youth Art Month (YAM) Exhibit. YAM is a nationally celebrated event held each year during the month of March. It is designed to call attention to the importance of quality art education as it celebrates the talents of our youth. This is quite an honor for the students as each art teacher is only allowed to submit up to six pieces of artwork!

The following students will be part of the virtual exhibit starting March 17:

Kindergarten: Eloise Lolli

1st grade: Luna Houle

2nd grade: Charlie Bliss

3rd grade: Logan Nelsen

4th grade: Evin Barroso