A new MCS newsletter for you to view and a request.
It's nice to know what's happening there this week
Good morning Norwich and the Upper Valley,
I thought it would be nice to share this newsletter for you to read up on what’s new around the MCS school and beyond. There are two links in this edition that might be useful to you as they are calendar links with all the happenings for 2023/2024 school year. There is one for the MCS school and one for Hanover also. These are quite informative.
On another note, I want to mention that I will be posting my Halloween/decorations photo essay on Thursday of this week so please send me some photos of your Halloween decorations if you would like them to be included.
Thanks for reading:
Important Dates
Friday, October 20 - Conferences, No School for Students
Friday, October 27 - Picture Day
Wednesday, November 1, 6:30pm - Norwich School Board Meeting in the MCS Library
Thursday, November 2, 8:15am - PTO Meeting in the MCS Multipurpose Room
Friday, November 10 - Holiday, School Closed
Thursday, November 16, 5:30pm - MCS Curriculum Night (Math Focus)
Marion Cross School Website Calendar SAU 70 All School/District Website Calendar
Message From The Principal
Thank you for taking the time to attend parent/teacher conferences. Our hope is that you were able to get a good glimpse into how your child’s education is progressing. It was great to see so many friendly faces in the building. If you were not able to attend a conference and would like to do so, please reach out to your child’s teacher to set up a time. Sometimes questions arise after conferences. If that is the case for you, please reach out to your child’s teacher(s) with any additional questions.
On another note, we are in DESPERATE need of substitutes in our school. The best substitutes are parents. If you have availability and would like to be a substitute, please let me know. A substitute does not have to have a degree in education. When a person substitutes, the lesson plans are provided, along with the classroom schedule. Even if your schedule only allows the possibility of substituting a few times a month, that could be a huge help.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Shawn
Student Services Update
Thank you to the PTO for organizing the Coffee Talk this past Wednesday. It was nice to have some time and space for us to discuss the school budget process. If you would like a copy of the budget guidelines you can find the handout by Joy’s window.
Please let me know if there are any topics you would like us to organize for our next Coffee Talk which will be held in December.
Have a great weekend!
Greg
Counselor's Corner
It’s been a busy couple weeks at MCS after recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day and celebrating the book Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall. In Pre-K we read another book in the Incredible Flexible You series called Body in the Group, where the book characters learned about different types of groups and explored how it feels when our bodies are too close and too far apart. In grades K-5 we are continuing to try out different mindfulness techniques to start each class along with our Second Step lessons and in 6th grade we explored goal setting and how to set specific short and long term goals.
School News and Information
Here is a unique opportunity for an active role in sharing your perspective regarding Youth-related healthcare issues.
We are excited to announce that VT RAYS is accepting applications for new members!
The Vermont RAYS is a group of young people in the state of Vermont who serve as an advisory council; offering healthcare professionals youth perspectives on issues that affect adolescent care. As a part of the group, youth will gain knowledge specific to youth-related healthcare issues, hear from professionals in the field, and create educational materials for other youth. Leadership opportunities and opportunities to present to healthcare professionals will be offered as well. Also, young people will receive a $20 stipend for every meeting they attend!
Attached, you will find an informational flier that you can share with practices, project partners, or even youth themselves! Youth can access the application here VT RAYS Application (cognitoforms.com) or through the QR code on the attached flier.
Please share widely and encourage youth who are passionate about this topic or who want to learn more to apply!
Thank you,
Christy Gallese, MPA (she/her)
Assistant Director, Vermont Child Health Improvement Program
University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine
St. Joseph’s 7209, UHC Campus
1 South Prospect Street
Burlington, VT 05401
802-656-9643
christine.gallese@med.uvm.edu
Covid testing is not required for illness this year but is encouraged. Guidelines, based on CDC if you test positive are below. If you would like some free Covid test you may order them with the link below. I am not testing in the school health office this year.
Families can order 4 free Covid testing kits
When you have COVID-19, isolation is counted in days, as follows:
If you had no symptoms
Day 0 is the day you were tested (not the day you received your positive test result)
Day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested
If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset
If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home for at least 5 days and isolate yourself from others in your home.
You are likely most infectious during the first 5 days. Return to work or school on day 6 only IF your symptoms are lessening. Wear a mask through day 10.
Two to three Volunteers needed for Vision and Hearing screening in the health office on 10/30 and 10/31. Please contact Nurse Jane if you are able to help with this.
Interested in volunteering in our schools?
Volunteer Needed
Nurse Jane has requested 2-3 volunteers to help with vision/ hearing screening on the 30th and 31st of October. This will involve someone doing height and weight, hearing screening and managing students while they wait their turn. Ideally we will have 2-3 volunteers helping during each day.
If your "Designated Volunteer" status is valid (background check and fingerprinting for SAU70 within the past two years), please let me know if you are interested and available. All volunteers must complete the full background check before working with students. Please reach out to me at tealparker@hanovernorwichschools.org if you have any questions or are able to help.
PTO Bulletin Board
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Coffee Talk on Wednesday! We had a really interesting conversation about the school budget with Shawn and Greg. Couldn’t make it? Join us next time, on Dec 13 at 8:15 am.
Upcoming PTO Events:
Month of October: Halloween Candy Collection
It's that wonderfully spooky time of year again! The PTO is collecting bags of candy until October 30th for in-town homes that host over 500 trick-or-treaters on Halloween night! Collection boxes are at Dan & Whits, Norwich Nursery School, Norwich Public Library, and the MCS Office.
All Year: Staff Birthday Celebrations
Please SIGN UP HERE to bring in treats for the staff to have a monthly communal birthday celebration at their staff meetings. A cake, a dozen cupcakes, a pan of brownies, etc. would be appreciated!
All Year: Order Your Celebration Books
Celebration Books are a great way to support the MCS library while also honoring your child, a teacher, or someone else important in your life. You can also download and print the parent information letter and Celebration Books order form from the PTO website.
All Year: BoxTops
No more clipping cardboard squares. Simply download the BoxTop App, register, and scan receipts to earn money for MCS!
Courtesy Community Interest Posts
22 Church Street
Norwich, Vermont
802-649-1703
