MCS Newsletter, a puzzle and a flower or two to start you off
Have a nice day
These flowers are from Richard Neugass’s Take a closer look collection (on Halloween Night) 2024
Plain old garden mums
The perfect pose
A carnation in its glory
A sun soaked maple
Though color-deprived November starts tomorrow, digital photography and the ability to save and send images anywhere, anytime is not at all limited in showing the phenomenal natural range of colors.
Lucky us, we take a walk and there they are!
And todays puzzle is compliments of Cameron Cross and the Norwich Historical Society.
25. Jigsaw Puzzle 11/3/24 Bradley Hill Schoolhouse
From: Cameron Cross <cross.cameron@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2024 23:00:00 -0500
This week's jigsaw puzzle: https://jigex.com/7U8Vz
One-room schoolhouses were a varied lot.
This schoolhouse in Norwich was built in 1827 for $92, plus $8 for a stove.
By 1865, the superintendent lamented the school was "unfit for such a
purpose." He described a January session with pupils and teacher
"huddled and shivering around a stove in the little open shed. But all were
disposed to make the best of the situation - a bright and promising set of
pupils, a credit to the district"
(from Images of America: Norwich by Margaret Cheney and Fran Niles)
Original Photo
<https://norwichhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/Bicknell-Schoolhouse-scaled.jpeg>
Norwich Historical Society Norwich School Tour
<https://norwichhistory.org/historic-driving-tour-norwich-schools/>
Cameron Cross
for the
Norwich Historical Society <
https://norwichhistory.org/>
Here is the newsletter for the coming week
Important Dates
Friday, November 8 - 8:15 - PTO Meeting, MCS Multi
Monday, November 11 - Holiday, School Closed
Thursday, November 14 - 5:30 - 6:30 - Math Night
Wednesday, November 27 through Friday, November 29 - Holiday, School Closed
Sunday, December 8 - Gift Making Festival hosted by the PTO
Wednesday, December 11- 5:00 - 6:00 - K-2 Holiday Concert
Thursday, December 12 - 6:00 - 7:00 - Grade 3-6 Holiday Concert
Marion Cross School Website Calendar SAU 70 All School/District Website Calendar
Message From The Principal
Personal Safety Letter K-5
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AsbURNEcoK-wpzXjzRu_fFR8uEUttfV8NBz8c4x-i-Q/edit?usp=gmail
Supporting Student Understanding of the 2024 Presidential Election
Dear Parents and Students,
As we approach the 2024 presidential election, our school is committed to helping students understand this important civic process in a way that is appropriate for their age and development. Our teachers have collaborated to create engaging learning opportunities that focus on understanding the election process without discussing specific candidates.
Commitment to Inclusivity: Our school is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment. The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI+B) committee is working closely with staff to ensure that our discussions around the election reflect a variety of perspectives and encourage respectful dialogue. This approach will help all students feel valued and included as they learn about the democratic process.
The Role of Parents: We encourage parents to engage in discussions about the democratic process at home. Involving children in activities such as visiting polling places or watching election coverage can enhance their understanding. Sharing your own experiences with voting can also help children see the importance of being informed and active citizens.
Through these initiatives and your support at home, we hope to inspire our students to understand and participate in the electoral process as they grow into engaged citizens. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey!
Shawn
Student Services Update
We are super excited that our inclusive playground will be open very soon! This special playground is made for all kids, no matter their abilities. It has smooth paths and easy-to-reach play areas so everyone can join in the fun.
For the past couple of days, Mr. Gonyaw and I have taken some classes out to examine and experiment with some of the equipment. The students have been very helpful enlightening us with things to consider as we put together our expectations that align with Who’s Wise Words:
School-Wide Agreements at Recess/Playground
Recess /PlaygroundWork to be safe
Stay within the playground boundaries.
Keep your body under control.
Maintain personal space.
Inspire kindness
Include everyone in your play.
If someone gets hurt, help them.
Play fair, be a good sport, and follow the rules of the game.
Show Respect
Have good sportsmanship.
Listen to adults.
Respect living things (trees, worms, etc.).
Embrace Responsibility
Use equipment correctly.
Clean up after yourself.
Line up when the whistle blows.
Pick up and return all recess equipment.
Once you are able to “swing” by the playground, you will find fun equipment and cool sensory activities. Our playground will help kids play together, make friends, and learn new things.
It’s a great place for families to come and enjoy time together. Once it is open, we can’t wait for you to visit and have a blast!
Have a great weekend,
Greg
Counselor's Corner
Welcome to another exciting week in Ms. Keel's Class Counsel! We’ve been busy learning and growing together, and I can’t wait to share all the wonderful things happening in our classrooms. Let’s dive right in!
Last week
In Miss Anderson's Kindergarten class, our young learners enjoyed the book Listening with Brain and Body and practiced the calming technique of Elephant Breathing. Meanwhile, Mrs. Freeman's class wrapped up Thinking with Your Eyes and practiced Snake Breathing.
In First Grade, Mrs. Trombley’s and Mrs. Rinehimer's students explored the important role of bystanders in bullying situations, while Mr. McLaughlin's class focused on how to refuse bullying using a strong, respectful voice.
In Second Grade, students practiced bystander scenarios, discussing what they would say or do if they witnessed bullying. Miss Rachael's Third Grade class learned about the power of bystanders and how they can help stop bullying.
In Mr. Janerico's Third Grade class, students role-played refusing bullying and enjoyed the book Tough from the Weird! Dare! Tough! series.
Fifth Graders listened to the impactful story Bully by Patricia Polacco, and our Sixth Graders began setting progress markers for their long-term goals.
Next week
Miss Anderson's Kindergarteners will kick off their bullying prevention lessons, while Mrs. Freeman's class will hear the story Body in the Group. Both classes will also try out a new breathing technique to help calm their nervous systems.
In First Grade, students will continue their bullying prevention unit, and in Second Grade, we’ll start wrapping things up.
Third Graders will keep learning about bullying prevention and finish the Weird! Dare! Tough! series.
Fifth Graders who complete their bullying prevention lessons will transition to the Child Protection unit. For more information on upcoming safety lessons, here’s a link to the personal safety letter about the upcoming unit. I will also send paper copies of the letter home with your students.
Finally, our Sixth Graders will continue monitoring their goals and setting progress markers.
Things to remember As we move forward, please remind your children to practice the breathing techniques we’ve learned to help manage their emotions. Encourage them to share what they’ve learned about bullying prevention with you at home!
Until next time! Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our classroom community! Together, we are making a difference in our students' lives. Let’s keep the momentum going and have another fantastic week ahead!
Warm regards,
Ms. Keel
School News and Information
Hello from Math World,
The 2nd annual MCS Family Math Night is now just 2 weeks away! It will take place on Thursday, November 14 from 5:30-6:30pm in the MCS gym. We have lots of fun math games and activities planned for students of all ages, and encourage you to bring your whole family! We are also lucky enough to be able to provide pizza and dessert, as well as light refreshments for all who attend. There will also be a math related raffle for all students who attend, and they could walk away with some cool math prizes! Math Night is an awesome opportunity to show your children that you value mathematics and are interested in how math is being approached in school. It is also a time for you to gather some resources to use at home in support of your student’s learning. Math Night gives you the opportunity to talk with administrators, teachers and interventionists about instruction, curriculum or anything else math related.
We are proud to be working with the MCS PTO again this year, as well as having the support of the Dartmouth College Mathematics Department. We will have a few Dartmouth graduate students/professors running tables and activities which are sure to be big hits with everyone! Thank you to the PTO and Dartmouth for all of their help and support.
We hope to see you there! Have a great weekend,
Mr. McGee
News from the Nurse’s Office
We are beginning to see an increase in respiratory illness at MCS School, including several cases of pneumonia. Dr. Tricia Groff, confirmed that the pediatric clinic has seen an increase in atypical/mycoplasma pneumonia. However, viral infections continue to be the most common cause of pediatric cough and respiratory illness in our community.
Dr. Groff recommends that children who have a cough and fever lasting longer than 48 hours or a cough and shortness of breath or fast breathing be evaluated by their health care provider. Also, any child with confirmed pneumonia should wear a mask upon return to school until antibiotics are complete and any persistent cough has resolved.
PTO Bulletin Board
PTO News:
We would like to thank all in-town families who welcomed trick-or-treaters yesterday evening, everyone who donated Halloween candy to support them, and Molly Gentine & Stephanie Hamilton for organizing the candy collection and distribution again this year!
Visit Crossroad Farm on Wednesday, November 13 and they will donate 25% of sales from their Norwich farm stand to the PTO. Thank you, Crossroad Farm!
Upcoming PTO dates:
November 8th (Friday): PTO meeting, MCS Multi, 8:15 am We hope to see you there!
November 13 (Wednesday):Visit the Crossroad Farm Stand in Norwich to Support the PTO
November 14th (Thursday): Fall Feast Staff Appreciation Lunch, provided by PreK-3rd grade families
November 14th (Thursday): Math Night, MCS, 5:30-6:30 pm
Courtesy Community Interest Posts
22 Church Street
Norwich, Vermont
802-649-1703
