Marion Cross School news you can use-Longtime employee Joy Smollin retires after 34 years of faithful service to students and staff.

She is honored in this issue

Good afternoon Norwich and Upper Valley residents and readers,

I am today sharing with you the latest issue of the Marion Cross School Newsletter as it has important dates to remember especially if you have students at the school. It is also a special issue in that it highlights an employee who is retiring after 34 years of dedicated service to the school, staff, and students.

Important Dates

• Wednesday, June 10 - Field Day

• Thursday, June 11 - Sixth Grade Celebration, 5:00pm

• Tuesday, June 16 - Last day of school, 12:00pm dismissal

Marion Cross School Website Calendar SAU 70 All School/District Website Calendar

Message From The Principal

Celebrating Joy

Today marks the end of an incredible chapter at Marion Cross School. After 34 years of service to our students, families, and staff, Joy Smollin completed her final official day of work. Tomorrow, she begins a well-earned retirement.

Yesterday, our school community came together for a special REP dedicated to celebrating Joy and the countless ways she has touched the lives of everyone who has walked through the doors of MCS. The celebration was filled with laughter, music, memories, and gratitude. Staff members performed a song and dance inspired by Joy, while students proudly sang Ode to Joy, a special song written just for the occasion that they had been practicing for weeks.

Mrs. French shared reflections about Joy’s remarkable career and the many changes she has witnessed over the years—from building renovations and multiple principals to generations of students who have come and gone through MCS. Through it all, Joy has remained a constant source of kindness, wisdom, patience, and care.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the announcement that the PTO has collaborated to name the front lobby in Joy’s honor. A commemorative plaque will soon be installed as a lasting reminder of the warmth, joy, and welcoming spirit she brought to our school each and every day.

Joy also spoke to students and staff, sharing how much she has loved the people and the community that have been such an important part of her life for more than three decades. Her words were heartfelt and a reminder of the deep connections that make Marion Cross School such a special place.

While we are excited for Joy as she begins this next adventure, it is impossible to imagine MCS without her daily presence. She has been the first smile many families saw when entering the school, a steady source of support for staff, and a caring adult for thousands of children.

On behalf of the entire Marion Cross School community, we thank Joy for her extraordinary service and dedication. We wish her a retirement filled with happiness, adventure, family, and all the things she loves most. We also hope she knows that she will always have a place here at MCS and that she is welcome back for a visit anytime.

Congratulations, Joy. You will be greatly missed.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Shawn

School News and Information

Contacting the Main Office

As we transition into this next chapter, we want to make sure your questions, attendance notes, and updates never miss a beat. Going forward, the best way to message the Main Office is via our central email:

mcsoffice@hanovernorwichschools.org

Celebrate a Record-Breaking Year in the Library!

What a wonderful year of reading! Thanks to our amazing students, we achieved record-breaking checkouts this year. Now, the time has come for our beloved library books to find their way back to the MCS library shelves.

Key Dates & Summer Reading

• June 8, All Library Books Due: Return all books by this date to keep your student in good standing.

• Summer Checkouts: Students in good standing may continue borrowing physical books for the summer.

• Sora Digital Library: Access the Sora collection of ebooks and audiobooks all summer long. Students can log into Sora from anywhere in the world!

Lost or Damaged Books

• Replacement Fees: Cash or checks are accepted for lost or damaged items.

• Check Payee: Make checks payable to Norwich School District.

• Check Date: Date all checks for July 1 to align with fiscal year constraints.

Thank you for helping us get our books back so young MCS readers can keep enjoying them!

4 Easy Steps to Log into Sora

1. Download: Add the Sora app to your personal device.

2. Find School: Log in to the Vermont Schools Shared Digital Collection.

3. Select School: Choose Marion Cross School from the list.

4. Sign In: Enter your child’s login credentials:

• Username: First and last name (all one word, all lowercase).

• Password: School-issued 4-letter, 4-number password (example: read1234).

• Note: Please contact your child’s current teacher if you need to retrieve this password.

Field Day - Wednesday, June 10th
​

Please mark your calendars for this exciting end-of-year tradition. Our school community will gather on the green for some fun in the sun. This year there will be a variety of wet and dry fitness activities, karaoke, face painting, and bubbles, sprinkled with some alternative spaces for kids to cool down and connect. We will begin our day with a cross country trail run for students in grades 3-6 and conclude our festivities with a 6th grade vs. teachers kickball game. This day would not be possible without volunteer support. If you would like to lend a hand, please check here for volunteer information. I hope to see you there!

Best,
Mr. Petrone

PTO Bulletin Board

Hello MCS Community! We sent an email earlier this week with PTO updates. Please check your email or view the PDF saved here. Have a great weekend!

• PTO Appreciation Evening - Monday, 6/8, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Norwich Inn: Join us for PTO Appreciation Night at the Norwich Inn as we celebrate and thank our PTO community for all your time, energy, and support this year. This relaxed gathering is open to everyone—whether you’ve been deeply involved or are just curious to learn more about next year’s opportunities. Light appetizers will be provided. We hope to see you there!
  

• Volunteers Needed! Field Day - Wednesday, 6/10: Our school community will gather on the green for a day filled with fun in the sun, including wet and dry fitness activities, karaoke, face painting, bubbles, and quieter spaces for kids to cool down and connect. Field Day only happens with strong volunteer support, and we need your help to make this special day possible. If you’re able to volunteer for part or all of the day, please check out volunteer opportunities here and sign up if you can.

Year-End Staff Appreciation

Just as we did during the holidays, our year-end approach to staff gifting is to recognize every staff member at MCS (any adult who works in the building) and express our gratitude for all they do. Each classroom is assigned its homeroom teacher and two additional staff members. Gifts will be given to this group from the entire class, regardless of participation or contribution amount.

We also encourage families to share appreciation in whatever way feels meaningful—no monetary gift is needed. Staff consistently share how much they value personal notes, cards, and other thoughtful gestures that help them feel seen. You should have received an email from your Class Rep with additional details. Please contact your Class Rep or Olive Isaacs (ofisaacs@gmail.com) with questions.

We are also sharing digital cards for two long-time departing staff members: Joy Smollin (34 years) and Caitlin Eastman (13 years). We hope to collect many messages for each before printing them into keepsake books. No KudoBoard sign-in is required—select “Skip Email” to post as a guest. A physical drop box is also available at Tracy Hall (Brie Swenson).

• Sign our e-card for Joy Smollin

• Sign our e-card for Caitlin Eastman

---

Interested in Demo’s Newsletter?

Courtesy Community Interest Posts

Marion Cross School

22 Church Street
Norwich, Vermont

802-649-1703

Just a few photos to enjoy!

No rhyme or reason but great for any season

Good afternoon Norwich,

Here are a few photos and a caption or two. You may have your own idea of what you see and come up with a different one that is OK with me. The main thing is that you hopefully will enjoy the essay.

Looks like a perfect landing to me

I am almost there

Just a morning get together at KAF - coffee and conversation among friends

Looks like they will be planting soon.

The Norwich Women’s Club garden brigade is busy sprucing things up and getting ready for another season of bloom.

Spotted this on the 6th hole of the Carter golf course- laying eggs perhaps? - certainly not playing golf.

You don’t see many red tail squirrel’s but maybe this one has been out in the sun too long.

This could be a nice home or perhaps it was already

Looks like a race to get to the other side

This Reiser trail knocked the wind out of me so I will just rest a moment - a little bit of history of this is noted below: Click on the link to see and learn more about this trail.

The Rosemary Littledale Rieser Trail is a quiet, 0.3-mile nature walk located in Norwich, Vermont. Established in 2015, the trail traverses the historic Sample’s Woods, winding along Bloody Brook and offering views of the old Sample’s Ski Jump. It is a peaceful spot for birdwatching and observing local flora. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

I spotted quite a few golf balls in the pond but there is something else in there, Can you find it?

A beautiful scene this past winter that slipped by me until now.

Snow on the roof and a glowing sky

Just a week or so to go perhaps and we can use Moore Lane again. Oh Boy!

2026 Norwich Citizen of the year celebration - includes a photo essay by Kata Sasvari

A nice event that was moved inside due to a weather threat

Good afternoon Norwich,

I would like to share this story and photo essay with you in case you were not able to attend the event. Photos were taken by me , Kata Sasvari, and Rowan Wade. The event was scheduled to be on the Norwich Green but due to the threat of a storm was moved inside the Town Hall Gymnasium. Enjoy the photos and the rest of the story:

Katas photos for you are HERE

Tuck Rock Dojo provided the music

At 6:00 PM and after the music stopped (Check out all of the music photos ) Kata Sasvari introduces and asks Norwich Women’s club Co-President Sue Pitiger to come to the stage to present the citizen of the year award. Check out all of the music photos as well

Sue Pitiger introduces Nick Krembs as the 2026 Norwich citizen of the year

Norwich Ledyard Bank Manager presents Nick Krembs with the $ 500.00 check that will be sent to SHARe of the Upper Valley which was the non profit that Nick chose to give his award to.

SHARe is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that assists newcomers in settling into communities in the Upper Connecticut River Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. [1]

• What they do: SHARe provides a warm welcome and practical help for refugees and asylum seekers, assisting them with housing, jobs, English language learning, legal support, and healthcare as they work toward self-sufficiency. [1]

A closeup photo here

And the Citizen of the Year speaks to the audience

Moved outdoors for another photo oppurtunity

And let’s not forget the Norwich Lions club who cooked the hamburgers and hot dogs for the event.

A few photos of the Norwich Lions club members that were taken by Rowan, Kata, and myself as they were making and flipping burgers and hot dogs.

And this is a small contingent of the Lions who left the Lions den if you will to help with event. Several others were on hand to set up and tear down as well

I cannot say the 3 Amigos but can say 3 Amigos + 1 and they are all in the den

The burgers are sizzling and yes we have hot dogs too!

A line is starting to form and food items are being passed along to the customers

He may not be a master chef yet but he sure knows how to flip the burgers

Getting low but no fears as there is plenty more coming soon

Rowan checking in with the Masterchef Kyle - is it soup yet?

Hold that thought for a moment

I think the jokes on him

After the event a small army of Lions arrived to make sure everything was cleaned up and packed away until the next time.

A Memorial Day Monument dedication in White River Junction - includes a video, An informative MCS Newsletter and a puzzle once again plus a save the date for the Norwich Citizen of the The Year event.

In case you missed them and also so you don't miss them

Good evening Norwich and Upper Valley residents and readers

Check out the video of the very well attended Memorial Day Monument dedication recently held in WRJ Vermont and also take a moment to tackle a puzzle and read a newsletter and a save the date announcement.

This video is compliments of Junction Arts and Media (JAM)

The event agenda

See the video to capture the ceremony as it happened

(Retired) US ArmyColonel Gary De Gasta gives the Key note speech

Vietnam Era veteran USMC Captain (Retired) Rusty Sachs speaking to the audience

US Army Colonel retired Brian E. Bettis talks about military service for veterans during the 1975- 2025 era.

And these are the names of the sponsors and donations of Good and Services and Expertise

And these are the names of the veterans who served

The citizen of the year award will be presented at the first summer concert on the green on May 31, 2026 4:00- 7:00 PM and the award will be presented at 6:00 PM

CONCERT ON THE GREEN
From: Susan Pitiger

First summer concert is on Sunday, May 31, 4:00-7:00 PM on the Norwich
Green!

Balloons!  Burgers and dogs from the Lions!  Bands, bands, bands from
Tuck’s Rock Dojo!  Bring your chairs, your drinks, your smiles and join the
fun.

6:00 PM - Honor the Citizen of the Year, Nick Krembs!
Be a part of a terrific award ceremony for a fantastic Norwich volunteer.

Sue Pitiger, for the Norwich Women’s Club

Here is the newsletter:

Important Dates

• Wednesday, June 10 - Field Day

• Thursday, June 11 - Sixth Grade Celebration, 5:00pm

• Tuesday, June 16 - Last day of school, 12:00pm dismissal

Marion Cross School Website Calendar SAU 70 All School/District Website Calendar

Message From The Principal

It is hard to believe that we are entering the final weeks of the school year! June is always one of the most exciting times at Marion Cross School. While there is certainly plenty of anticipation about summer vacation, there is also a tremendous amount of learning, celebration, and community-building packed into these final days.

Across the school, students are participating in end-of-year field trips that bring classroom learning to life and create lasting memories with classmates and teachers. Classrooms are buzzing with special projects, writing celebrations, performances, outdoor learning experiences, and unique traditions that make this season so special. We have also enjoyed several wonderful REPs that have highlighted student talents, accomplishments, and the strong sense of community that makes MCS such a special place.

Students are also wrapping up end-of-year assessments. These assessments provide valuable information about student growth and help us celebrate the incredible progress that has taken place over the course of the year. We are proud of the hard work, perseverance, and learning that our students have demonstrated.

As exciting as summer vacation is, there is also something magical about these final weeks together. The hallways are filled with laughter, classrooms are busy with meaningful activities, and there is a sense of accomplishment as students reflect on all they have learned and experienced this year.

Thank you to families, staff, and students for making Marion Cross School such a vibrant and joyful place to learn. We look forward to making the most of every remaining day together before we send our students off for a well-deserved summer break. We still have Field Day, Sixth Grade Celebration, Farewell REP, and so much more to accomplish before the year ends!

Have a wonderful weekend,
Shawn

Student Services Update

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, it’s a great time to keep home routines steady and supportive.

Regular sleep, healthy meals, time for homework, and scheduled downtime are essential and can help students feel their best during these busy and exciting last weeks.

The end of the year can bring lots of big feelings, especially with all the special school events and the mix of excitement and goodbyes. Adding a few fun closure activities can help, like writing a note to a teacher or classmates, making a summer friendship plan, or sharing a favorite memory from the year. These simple moments can help students celebrate all they’ve accomplished and head into summer feeling connected and proud.

Have a great weekend,
Greg

School News and Information

Graphic Novelist Dan Abdo to Visit MCS!

Mark your calendars! On Monday, June 1, acclaimed author and illustrator Dan Abdo is visiting Marion Cross School. Dan is the co-creator of the hit graphic novel series Blue, Barry & Pancakes and Barb the Last Berzerker. He will host interactive, creative workshops with all students in grades K–6.This special event is fully funded by the generous support of the MCS PTO. Families can pre-order copies of Dan’s books for personalization through The Norwich Bookstore.

Celebrate a Record-Breaking Year in the Library!

What a wonderful year of reading! Thanks to our amazing students, we achieved record-breaking checkouts this year. Now, the time has come for our beloved library books to find their way back to the MCS library shelves.

Key Dates & Summer Reading

• June 8, All Library Books Due: Return all books by this date to keep your student in good standing.

• Summer Checkouts: Students in good standing may continue borrowing physical books for the summer.

• Sora Digital Library: Access the Sora collection of ebooks and audiobooks all summer long. Students can log into Sora from anywhere in the world!

Lost or Damaged Books

• Replacement Fees: Cash or checks are accepted for lost or damaged items.

• Check Payee: Make checks payable to Norwich School District.

• Check Date: Date all checks for July 1 to align with fiscal year constraints.

Thank you for helping us get our books back so young MCS readers can keep enjoying them!

4 Easy Steps to Log into Sora

1. Download: Add the Sora app to your personal device.

2. Find School: Log in to the Vermont Schools Shared Digital Collection.

3. Select School: Choose Marion Cross School from the list.

4. Sign In: Enter your child’s login credentials:

• Username: First and last name (all one word, all lowercase).

• Password: School-issued 4-letter, 4-number password (example: read1234).

• Note: Please contact your child’s current teacher if you need to retrieve this password.

Field Day - Wednesday, June 10th

Please mark your calendars for this exciting end-of-year tradition. Our school community will gather on the green for some fun in the sun. This year there will be a variety of wet and dry fitness activities, karaoke, face painting, and bubbles, sprinkled with some alternative spaces for kids to cool down and connect. We will begin our day with a cross country trail run for students in grades 3-6 and conclude our festivities with a 6th grade vs. teachers kickball game. This day would not be possible without volunteer support. If you would like to lend a hand, please check here for volunteer information. I hope to see you there!

Best,
Mr. Petrone

---

Interested in Demo’s Newsletter?

Courtesy Community Interest Posts

Marion Cross School

22 Church Street
Norwich, Vermont

802-649-1703

And the puzzle this week is White River Junction as it appeared in August 1915.

White River Junction, August 1915

A summer panorama of the junction, with a hotel that had ten years left.

The Curioustorian

May 29

READ IN APP

Jigsaw for May 30, 2026: White River Junction, August 1915

The full panorama, looking north from the south-facing hillside above town:

Original Photo for saving or zooming
(Library of Congress, no known restrictions on publication)

Note the brick building with twin towers, slightly left of center. That’s the Junction House. It was renamed the Hotel Coolidge in 1924 and burned three months later. The Hotel Coolidge we know now is its 1925 replacement.

At the far left of the panorama, the cleared hillside drops down to where I91 now crosses over the White River. (For more on that view: West Lebanon and White River Junction and Part 2.)

I had it colorized; some people will prefer it. The white line down the middle is where the rotating lens passed itself mid-arc. (More on that strange camera here.)

This is the first of a small project. Between 1912 and 1917 a Brooklyn photographer named Henry Barreuther made at least eighteen of these of Vermont towns, plus a Connecticut and Massachusetts handful. The Library of Congress has kept them all, and we’ll be working through them this summer.

Next week, a follow-up on the strange camera itself.

Cameron Cross

for the

Norwich Historical Society

Every issue of The Curioustorian is free. Support The Curioustorian.

Thanks for reading and supporting my newsletter

A rainy day perhaps but...

An assortment of postings and music to keep you shining on.

Good Morning Norwich,

Today we have an assortment of music and a few postings for you to view 

We will start off with a music video followed by the Marion Cross Newsletter and then a posting from the Root district schoolhouse and a new puzzle - in color - by Cameron Cross and them Music in between from Chad Finer's Music in the Upper Valley series.


25. MUSIC IN THE UPPER VALLEY - IDA MAE SPECKER & MILLER NUTTLE - "Big Scioty" - recorded at the Root District Schoolhouse in Norwich, Vermont on October 27, 2024
From: Chad <chad.finer@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 21 May 2026 18:26:28 -0400

IDA MAE SPECKER & MILLER NUTTLE - "Big Scioty" recorded at the Root
District Schoolhouse in Norwich on October 27, 2024.

Chad Finer/Music in the Upper Valley

And this week we have the Jigsaw puzzle and it is in color to add to the fun of solving it.

18. Jigsaw for May 24, 2026: Ledyard Bridge, Now in color
From: Cameron Cross <cross.cameron@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 23 May 2026 23:25:00 -0400

Jigsaw for May 24, 2026: https://curioustorian-ledyard-bridge.netlify.app/

I'm hosting the usual jigsaw on my own site this week...let's see how it
goes!

This week's puzzle is a colorized late-1800s view of the Ledyard Bridge. I
tracked down the photographer's location on a dramatic knob on River Rd. in
Norwich.

Dig deeper: more photos, artwork, and commentary in Ledyard Bridge, Now in
Color: https://www.curioustorian.com/p/ledyard-bridge-now-in-color

Enjoy these puzzles? You can sign up here to get one each weekend by email:
https://www.curioustorian.com/about

Cameron Cross
for the Norwich Historical Society
https://norwichhistory.org/

And here is the Root Schoolhouse and they would like to tell you about a Community Music Show that will be happening on June 14. Check out their link in the posting

10. Root Schoolhouse Community Music Show June 14
From: David Bibeau <david.a.bibeau@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 23 May 2026 11:42:44 -0400

The Grange has been getting a lot of press lately, and rightly so!  But
there are other gathering space treasures in Norwich, and the Root
Schoolhouse is one of them.  Lovingly restored over the last decade or so,
this gem is a perfect intimate space for music and friends.

Come join us June 14 for a late afternoon of music from friends and
neighbors hosted by The Porch Brothers, joined by Cam’s Crew, and Nathan
and Lori Margolis.  Music starts at 4pm or thereabouts, the show will run
60 to 90 minutes.

You’ll hear some eclectic bluesy, folksy Americana, some classic rock hits,
maybe an “on the road” song or two and who knows what else!  Don’t be shy,
we may encourage some sing-along classics as well.

Light refreshments and drinks will be available.  Bring something to share
if you’re in the mood.  Stay for a few minutes afterward to chat with your
neighbors.

Who are the Porch Brothers?
Your Norwich neighbors Bob Miller (guitar, harmonica), Dave Barthel (bass
uke, guitar) Jordan Mueller (guitar) and Dave Bibeau (guitar). Also
featuring Dan Longnecker (mandolin) from Bradford, Bill Suite (drums) from
Ryegate and Deb Crosby (guitar) from Wilder.

The Root Schoolhouse is located 987 Union Village Road.  Three accessible
parking spaces are available, and some limited lawn parking.  Further
parking can be found on Goodrich Four Corners near Hogwash Farm.  There is
NO parking on the Union Village Road.

For more information on the schoolhouse visit:

https://rootschoolhouse.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root_School

Take a few moments to look over the Marion Cross Newsletter which always has some good information and important save - the dates.

Shawn Gonyaw

May 22, 2026, 2:12 PM (2 days ago)

to me

Important Dates

• Monday, May 25 - Memorial Day, School Closed

• Tuesday, May 26 - Wednesday, May 27 - Eid al-Adha

• Wednesday, June 10 - Field Day

• Thursday, June 11 - Sixth Grade Celebration, 5:00pm

• Tuesday, June 16 - Last day of school, 12:00pm dismissal

Marion Cross School Website Calendar SAU 70 All School/District Website Calendar

Message From The Principal

Mayfest 2026 was truly something special! Thank you to the many families, friends, and community members who joined us on the Norwich Green to support our students. One of the things that makes Mayfest so meaningful is the incredible audience that cheers, claps, dances along, and celebrates our students so wholeheartedly. Your presence helps make this cherished MCS tradition feel joyful and memorable year after year.

A huge thank you also to Mr. Ramsey and the entire MCS staff for the many hours spent helping students prepare for the event. From practicing songs and dances to organizing logistics behind the scenes, there is a tremendous amount of work that goes into making Mayfest happen. Most importantly, thank you to our students, who once again impressed us with their enthusiasm, courage, and talent as they shared a wonderful variety of dances and performances with our community. It was a beautiful afternoon and a wonderful reminder of the joy that comes from being together as a school community.

A quick reminder about bikes and scooters at school: students are absolutely welcome to bring bikes and scooters to school. However, once students arrive on campus, bikes and scooters should be parked for the duration of the school day. We have recently had a number of students riding on Girard Way during bus drop-off and pick-up times, as well as riding unsafely during morning recess. We would appreciate your help in reminding your child(ren) that while bikes and scooters are welcome at MCS, they are not to be ridden during the school day. Our goal is simply to help keep everyone safe during some very busy parts of the day. Thank you for your support and partnership!

Have a wonderful weekend,
Shawn

Student Services Update

Celebrations Continue

What a joyful couple of events at school! At this year’s Mayfest, a beloved Marion Cross tradition, each grade performed a dance, the sixth graders wowed the crowd with their May Pole dance, and it was wonderful to see so many friends and family members come out to cheer them on.

Last week at REP, we also celebrated students who participated in Jump Rope for Heart. As part of the fun, the recognized students even got to surprise their teachers with silly string, making for lots of smiles and laughter.

Have a great weekend,
Greg

School News and Informatio

Hello from Class Counsel with Ms. Keel

I’m excited to share all the wonderful things happening in our social-emotional learning classes! Our students are growing in kindness, empathy, and confidence every day. Let’s take a look at what we’ve been up to and what’s coming next!

Last Week’s Highlights

Kindergarten kicked off our Bullying Prevention unit with the Second Step program, learning how to Recognize, Report, and Refuse bullying, important skills for staying safe and kind. First graders explored empathy and kindness, discovering how small acts can make a big difference. Second graders just finished watching Inside Out as part of our Zones of Regulation unit, practicing ways to manage tricky feelings. Third graders focused on how kindness and empathy help build strong friendships.

What’s Coming Up Next Week?

Kindergarteners will continue their bullying prevention journey with the story Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Bullies, a fun way to reinforce what they’ve learned. First graders will dive into the idea of “filling buckets” through kind actions after hearing Have You Filled a Bucket Today? Second graders will explore the “Size of the Problem,” learning how to tell when problems are big or small and how to solve the little ones. Third graders will wrap up their unit as we prepare to close out the year with lots of positive reflections.

Things to Remember

Please encourage your child to practice these important social skills at home. Talking about feelings, kindness, and problem-solving helps reinforce what we learn in class. Also, remind your child that it’s always okay to ask for help if they feel unsure or upset.

Wrapping Up with a Smile

I’m so proud of all our students for their hard work and kindness. Keep cheering them on as they grow into thoughtful, caring friends. Stay tuned for more exciting updates next week as we wind down the school year. Together, we’re building a happier, kinder community.

The annual SAU70 Annual Survey is live. Thank you for your time and thoughts on this survey. We appreciate your candid feedback immensely as we work to maintain and improve the quality of our schools.

Graphic Novelist Dan Abdo to Visit MCS!

Mark your calendars! On Monday, June 1, acclaimed author and illustrator Dan Abdo is visiting Marion Cross School. Dan is the co-creator of the hit graphic novel series Blue, Barry & Pancakes and Barb the Last Berzerker. He will host interactive, creative workshops with all students in grades K–6.This special event is fully funded by the generous support of the MCS PTO. Families can pre-order copies of Dan’s books for personalization through The Norwich Bookstore.

MCS Kids are Reading More (And Yes, Graphic Novels Count!)

Our students are reading more than ever, and the numbers prove it! Marion Cross School library circulation has skyrocketed, jumping over 35% over the past 5 years compared to the 5 years leading up to Covid. Graphic novels now make up nearly 32% of our total library circulation. While our students are reading a healthy mix of everything, graphic novels are undeniably a major driving force behind this wonderful reading boom.

Far from being “just picture books,” graphic novels are often highly sophisticated texts that boost vocabulary, support visual literacy, build fluency and reading stamina, and foster a lifelong love of reading. To explore the immense educational value of this format, check out these two wonderful resources:

• Watch: The insightful, animated TED-Ed Talk by Gene Yang on how comic books actively help students learn and control their reading pace.

• Read: What to do if my child is reading graphic novels ALL THE TIME! from Laura Amy Schlitz, Newbery Medalist and longtime librarian at The Park School of Baltimore.
  

Field Day - Wednesday, June 10th. Please mark your calendars for this exciting end-of-year tradition. Our school community will gather on the green for some fun in the sun. This year there will be a variety of wet and dry fitness activities, karaoke, face painting, and bubbles, sprinkled with some alternative spaces for kids to cool down and connect. We will begin our day with a cross country trail run for students in grades 3-6 and conclude our festivities with a 6th grade vs. teachers kickball game. Stay tuned for more information and volunteer opportunities coming from our PTO. I hope to see you there!

Best,
Mr. Petrone

---

Interested in Demo’s Newsletter?

Courtesy Community Interest Posts

Marion Cross School

22 Church Street
Norwich, Vermont

802-649-1703

And a few more music videos to listen to if you wish:

More music from Chad's music series here:

18. MUSIC IN THE UPPER VALLEY - TWANGTOWN PARAMOURS - “That’s What the Blues Are For” - recorded at the Anonymous Coffeehouse in Lebanon New Hampshire on October 11, 2024
From: Chad <chad.finer@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:31:16 -0500

TWANGTOWN PARAMOURS - “That’s What the Blues Are For” - at the Anonymous
Coffeehouse in Lebanon recorded on October 11, 2024

Chad Finer/Music in the Upper Valley

14. MUSIC IN THE UPPER VALLEY - JOE CROOKSTON - “Blue Tatoo” - A Dina Jacobson Story recorded at Roots & Wings Coffeehouse in Norwich, Vermont on January 21, 2024
From: Chad <chad.finer@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 16:41:05 -0500

JOE CROOKSTON - “BLUE TATOO” - a Dina Jacobson Story - recorded at Roots &
Wings Coffeehouse in Norwich on January 21, 2024

Chad Finer/Music in the Upper Valley

22. MUSIC IN THE UPPER VALLEY - PHIL BUSH - Upstairs at Dan & Whits in Norwich, Vermont recorded on February 15, 2026
From: Chad <chad.finer@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2026 17:25:19 -0500

PHIL BUSH - Upstairs at Dan & Whits in Norwich - recorded on February 15,
2026

Chad Finer/Music in the Upper Valley