Good evening Norwich,
Tonight I am sending you the newsletter for the Marion Cross school as I have done periodically and am asking that you click on the community interest link which I have provided here. Courtesy Community Interest Posts
This is a link that appears usually at the end of the newsletter but for the purposes of this post I have added the link here as well. The community Interest posts include some very nice Norwich and upper Valley happenings that you might be interested in. This community interest posting has a reminder that there will be a Memorial Day Parade on Sunday may 25 starting at 12:00 noon.
Here is a photo essay of last years parade compliments of Kata Sasvari:
Now that you have had a chance to look at the photos from last year please check out the details and try to attend this parade as it is a nice way to remember those who served and sacrificed for us. The parade committee chairpersons are Emily Myers and Brie Swenson who are working with volunteers to make this a nice event and I am sure they would love to see you and your family members there. Let’s all help make it a huge success like the parades of past used to be. Check out the link for details. Courtesy Community Interest Posts
Here is the MCS Newsletter:
Important Dates
Thursday, May 22, 1:00pm - Mayfest
Monday, May 26 - Holiday, No School
Saturday, May 31, 7:00pm - MCS Theater Program Spring Play
Sunday, June 1, 2:00pm - MCS Theater Program Spring Play
Tuesday, June 10, 9:30am-1:45pm - Field Day
Wednesday, June 11, 5:00pm - 6th Grade Celebration
Tuesday, June 17 - Last day of school, 12:10 dismissal
Marion Cross School Website Calendar SAU 70 All School/District Website Calendar
Message From The Principal
Planning for Next Year: Class Placement Feedback
Can you believe we’re already planning for next school year? It’s hard to believe how quickly this one is flying by! Over the next month, our team will begin working on class placements for the 2025–2026 school year—and we’d love to hear from you.
As part of this process, we’re inviting families to share any input that might help us make the best possible placements for their children. While we can’t guarantee specific teacher or friend requests, we are committed to thoughtfully matching student needs with teacher strengths.
A few important notes about the process:
Children often behave differently at school than they do at home, and friendships that work well outside of school may not always be the best fit in the classroom. We take many factors into consideration to create balanced, supportive classroom communities where all students can thrive.
Input from families is optional but appreciated.
To ensure your voice is heard and feedback is organized, please use this Google Form
The deadline to submit feedback is May 16th. After that date, it will be much harder for us to incorporate additional input, as we will have begun forming class lists with staff.
We also gather insight from classroom teachers, specials teachers, learning specialists, and interventionists. All of this information helps us make thoughtful decisions as we build next year’s classrooms.
Thank you for your continued partnership. We’re excited to begin planning for another great school year!
Environmental Club Presents Food Waste Audit to School Board
Members of the Environmental Club recently presented the results of their second annual Food Waste Audit to the Norwich School Board. Building on last year’s findings, students shared updated data and offered thoughtful, actionable steps to help reduce waste in our school cafeteria.
Their audit revealed that the biggest sources of waste continue to be milk cartons and the salad bar. To address this, the club proposed switching from small, individual milk cartons to a bulk milk dispenser with washable cups, as well as increasing education around food waste. They also recommended exploring a family-style dining approach rather than the traditional lunch line model.
The presentation was both impressive and inspiring—club members clearly demonstrated their commitment to sustainability and our school community. We look forward to working with the food service team to explore these ideas further. Bravo to our Environmental Club for their leadership and dedication!
Shawn
Student Services Update
Staff Appreciation Week
While the week is technically known as Teacher Appreciation Week, we have more than enough appreciation to share it with all the adults that support kids at Marion Cross School.
Thank you to the PTO for organizing pies for all staff and to all the many families who recognized their student’s teachers, education assistants, learning specialists, interventionists and many more.
Mr. Gonyaw and I have had a tradition of recognizing all adults individually and this year we created Acrostic Poems that we read to each adult at MCS. I tell you this in order to share a story of kindness.
After reading a poem in one classroom, Mr. Gonyaw and I were feeling good. I do not know about you, but in my stage in life, I prefer giving over getting. However,a few students in that class had a different idea. Without us knowing, they wrote us poems and presented them to us a couple hours later by saying, “We think what you did was really nice, and we wanted to make sure you knew you were appreciated too”.
I like to think that these little acts of kindness are the ones that make a big differences. I am thankful and feel proud that many of our students at MCS feel appreciated and want to appreciate others.
Sincerely,
Greg Bagnato
gregbagnato@hanovernorwichschools.org
Counselor's Corner
Welcome to another exciting week in Class Counsel with Ms. Keel! We’ve been busy exploring our emotions and learning valuable skills to help us navigate our feelings. Let’s dive into what we’ve been up to and what’s coming next!
In Mrs. Freeman’s class, students learned how to check their pulse and heart rate while exploring the Yellow Zone of Regulation. We practiced Dragon Breathing to help bring our heart rates back down into the Green Zone. Meanwhile, in Miss Anderson’s class, we kicked off a unit on Empathy & Kindness, where students shared their own acts of kindness and reflected on how these actions made both themselves and others feel.
In First Grade, we continued our journey through the Zones of Regulation, exploring different feelings and strategies to manage our strong emotions. Second Grade focused on understanding the Size of the Problem and how our reactions can sometimes be bigger than the issue at hand. In Third Grade, we worked on problem-solving using the STEP method, concentrating on Thinking of Solutions and Exploring Outcomes. Fourth Grade wrapped up their unit on Problem Solving, and Fifth Grade completed their exploration of puberty through the lens of Riley in Inside Out 2. Finally, Sixth Grade finished their unit on managing emotions, discussing What Works Best For You in handling feelings.
In Kindergarten, we will dive into the Red Zone of Regulation with Mrs. Freeman’s class, while Miss Anderson’s class will continue discussing the importance of kindness. In First Grade, we’ll keep exploring our feelings in the Zones and practice strategies to help regulate our emotions. Second Grade will further investigate the Size of the Problem and discuss how our reactions affect ourselves and others. In Third Grade, we’ll continue with STEP, focusing on Picking the Best Solution for all. Lastly, Fifth Grade will begin their final unit of the school year on Emotion Management.
As we move forward, please remember to encourage your child to share their feelings and experiences at home. Open conversations about emotions can reinforce what we’re learning in class and help them feel supported. Also, practicing the breathing techniques we’ve learned can be a great way to manage emotions together.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our class activities! We’re excited to keep learning and growing together. Have a fantastic week ahead!
Warm regards,
Ms. Keel
School News and Information
MCS FIELD DAY
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Greetings Parents and Families,
Warmer days are just ahead! We’re looking forward to moving PE classes out onto our fields for some fun in the sun.
Springtime is a special time of celebration at MCS. One such tradition is our MCS Field Day, which will take place on Tuesday, June 10th. Our school community plans to spend the day on the green, enjoying each other's company while participating in a variety of movement-based activities. It’s a great day to be at MCS!
FIELD DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
This day would not be possible without the support of our parent community. Please consider lending a helping hand if you have the time. We have various tasks that could use some attention. From food prep, to equipment organizers, to activity supervisors, we got something for you!
Field Day Volunteers 2025
Thank You!
Mr. Petrone & the Field Day Committee
Mayfest Reminders!
Hi everyone, I hope you’re as excited about Mayfest as I am! On Thursday, May 22 at 1 pm we would love to see all of you at our annual Mayfest celebration of music and dance! You will hear the MCS band, watch every student perform a folk dance, and you can even join in our community singing! There are no tickets, admission is free, and you may bring your entire extended family! This is an outdoor event, so camp chairs and blankets are encouraged. In case of rain, the event will be Friday, May 23.
Adults who play a folk instrument (guitar, ukulele, banjo, fiddle, flute, tin whistle, etc. etc. etc.) are invited to join our merry band of musicians. We will play from 9-12 on Thursday May 22 while the kids rehearse their dances, and then the performance will begin at 1 pm. I will be happy to share the music with anyone who’s interested. Some of the songs are fast-paced with tricky chords … BUT some of the sing-along songs are great for beginners, too! Please email me travisramsey@hanovernorwichschools.org if you’re interested!
NEW this week, please be sure to let me know if your child will be absent on May 22. Most of the dances require a set number of dancers and it’s helpful to plan ahead. Thank you!
Theater News:
"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow" - Audrey Hepburn
The MCS Drama Club will present two showings of The Secret Garden, Spring Edition, a play based on the classic book by Frances Hodgson Burnett, that tells the story of Mary Lennox, a spoiled and neglected girl, who is sent to live with her uncle on the Yorkshire Moors after her parents die in India. She discovers a secret, walled garden on the property and, with the help of her cousin Colin and a local boy named Dickon, she begins to restore it, which leads to the healing and transformation of both the garden and the children.
Not only will students showcase their acting skills, but also technical design, costume production, and especially building community around telling beautiful stories. We are so proud of their collaboration and effort!
SAVE THE DATE: MCS theater club students will present showings of The Secret Garden at Tracy Hall on the following dates:
Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM
You’re Invited!
The Montshire museum and the Hanover High School Environmental Club invite you to the Montshire Museum of Science for “Taking Local Climate Action”, an evening with Hanover High School’s Environmental Club, where their recently adopted district-wide Climate Action Plan will serve as a springboard for conversations about climate projects in our community and throughout the Upper Valley. This event will take place on Thursday May 22nd from 6:00-8:00 pm
In convening around this remarkable student-driven climate success, we will be rolling up our sleeves to dig into practical strategies for taking climate action, confronting challenges for sustaining it, and reaffirming our collective dedication to driving our own climate projects forward alongside those of our community.
The HHS students will be joined by students from Marion Cross Elementary, who are providing a locally sourced soup dinner along with bread and salad. Feel free to bring your own bowl! After we eat, the Hanover High Environmental Club will present the story of their Climate Action Plan, answer a brief Q&A, and then join tables of guests to discuss questions about their project, its challenges, and how it relates to the landscape of other climate projects in our community. The registration link for the event is here.
Courtesy Community Interest Posts
Marion Cross School
22 Church Street
Norwich, Vermont
802-649-1703
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