Spring Street Link

May 17, 2021

Good afternoon,

If your family is like mine, we certainly took advantage of the beautiful weather and made our way outdoors as much as possible this weekend including ‘puttering’ in the yard and walking the rail trail, lots of fun.  We’re looking forward to continued great weather this week and will be outdoors as much as we can here at school.

Our third and fourth grade students begin MCAS testing this week.  Grade 3 students are participating in ELA testing today.  Grade 4 students will participate in ELA testing on Tuesday and math testing on Friday.  Please be sure that your child enjoys a hearty breakfast on testing days, as we are unable to provide snack breaks during testing.  We will be permitted to have water bottles during testing and a ‘stretch break’ at some point.  Much appreciation to the many faculty and staff for helping to facilitate these important assessments and as a result, get a better understanding of our students strengths and areas of opportunity for growth, thank you!

For your reference, please find a document with frequently asked questions related to MCAS.

Elementary Redistricting Details

As you may know, our school district will be redistricting all elementary schools as a result of the opening of the new Beal School in the fall.  An interactive map of the new school zones can be found here.  You can use this map to determine which elementary school your child will be assigned to for the 2021-22 school year.

Sherwood Middle School Welcome Video

Fourth Grade Families:

Due to safety protocols, Sherwood Middle School is not able to accommodate an in-person open house for rising fifth graders this spring. However, the SMS staff has created a welcome video to share with families (link below). In addition, your child’s class will be visiting virtually with a member of the Sherwood Leadership Team sometime in the next few weeks to hear more about a typical day at SMS and to have some of their questions answered.

 https://youtu.be/TeuUfVurB5Y

Spring Street School Spirit Days Continue with our Next Fabulous Friday - May 28, 2021! Everyone is encouraged to wear USA Colors - Red, White and Blue!  You might have socks, sneakers, sweatshirts, shirts, hats, and other fun accessories that are red, white, blue or a combination of our country’s colors!  Now is the time to show your spirit and the weather should be perfect!  The Student Council Leadership Team encourages everyone to participate! Check out the attached SSS Spirit Days flyer for more information!
 

From previous links:

MCAS Testing Dates for In-Person and REMOTE Students in Grades 3 and 4

In-Person ELA

Grade 4                     Tuesday, May 18th

In-Person Math

Grade 4                     Friday, May 21st

Grade 3                     Wednesday, May 26th

Remote ELA (to be taken at home on a school issued device, details to be shared soon)

ELA

Both Grades 3 and 4    Thursday, June 3rd

Math

Both Grades 3 and 4    Monday, June 7th

Field Day Tee Shirts Due Wednesday, May 19th

We’re planning on hosting field day for our students on Tuesday, June 8th (rain date is Thursday, June 10th).  As you know, volunteers are not permitted on our campus this year so our teachers and staff have offered to organize and facilitate our day.  Thanks to our physical education department and Spring Street School PE teacher Eric Brunell for leading us through the planning process.

Our remote students will be participating in a virtual field day at home!  Prior to our field day, a choice board of physical activities will be shared with our remote students so that they can participate as well...and maybe even have a Zoom meeting with a remote classmate for a bit of friendly competition!

Tee shirt order form needs to be returned to school by Wednesday, May 19th if you are interested in placing an order.  Those choosing to not order a tee shirt are welcome to wear a shirt that they may already own that is the same color as their grade level team if they’d like.  If you have any questions related to field day tee shirts, please contact Emily Anderson at emilykinback@gmail.com

Grade 4 Celebration!

We will be celebrating our 4th grade students (in-person and remote) as they make their way to Sherwood Middle School in the fall.  Our celebration date is Tuesday, June 15th (rain date is Wednesday, June 16th) at 1:30-2:30pm on the field behind our school.  In-school events during the day include photos on our bridge, watching the Grade 4 students video, yearbook and tee shirt distribution, enjoying lunch and a treat, etc.

Students will be permitted to have up to 2 guests

Guests will be required to bring a blanket or chair to sit on at an appropriate social distance from other students’ guests

Siblings who attend Spring Street School are not invited to observe the ceremony this year as we are not able to mix cohorts/grades while on campus

We’ll be sure to share more as we get closer to the date.
 

A few short weeks left until summer vacation!  Order your back to school kits before July 1st and you won't have to worry about back to school until the kids go back :)

Have you visited 1stdayschoolsupplies.com yet to purchase your child’s back to school kit? I am so happy our school has partnered with them! This year get all your school supplies hassle free from the comfort of your own home.  A portion of the proceeds comes right back to our school!

We have found 1st Day School Supplies to be convenient, easy and hassle free! Plus, they have guaranteed competitive prices on the highest quality brands, including the germ fighting brands like Purell and Lysol. Why not check school supply shopping off your list now! You can make your purchase right now, get started by clicking the link below:  

School Store: https://1stday.sale/50208

Click on your child's grade for the fall and all of the supplies that the teacher's have requested will be included in your kit.  

There is also a classroom support kit which includes

Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL) Donation Drive: May 17 - 28, 2021

Ruff, Ruff, Meow, Meow! That’s “Help Us!” in dog and cat language! Spring is the time of year when the Worcester Animal Rescue League on Holden Street in Worcester has many dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small animals in their shelter waiting for adoption!  The SSS Student Council Leadership Team is sponsoring a donation drive to help this organization help those pets in need!  Check out the attached WARL flyer and consider making a donation of cat litter, cat/dog food, toys, or simply old towels/blankets you no longer need. There will be boxes in the entryway for your donations!  Thank you in advance for your assistance. If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Luby (bluby@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us) or Christine Zambernardi (czambernardi@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us).

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Connections from Mrs. Braun-Lush and Ms. Richardson

“Responsibility means to take action and understand how our choices affect others, ourselves, and the world.”  There are many ways we can show we are responsible such as having our materials, completing our work, making good choices, and using our actions to show our school’s core values. 

For those of you who have returned to fully in person, think of something responsible you can do for the month of May to show responsibility for in person learning, such as bringing your materials back and forth. Try tracking how often you accomplish this goal and then share it at home and at school! 

For those of you who remain in remote learning, think of something responsible you can do to show that you are focused and using your technology in a responsible way. There are many ways to do this such as using whole body listening, staying only on the app your teacher asked and having your area all set up for the day. 

One powerful way to show that you are responsible is to commit to doing something and use the statement “I will _______________.” For example, “I will focus in class.”  Using this statement helps us to set a goal, and set our brain up for success to complete that goal.

Box Tops for Education

Chances are you're still buying grocery and other items with Box Tops.  Before you stuff that receipt in your pocket, purse, or trash, scan it to earn money for our school!  Download the Box Tops app and enter our School Code: 130878.  Buying groceries online?  No problem! Take a picture of your receipt and email it to: receipts@boxtops4education.com with our School Code 130878 in the subject line.  

 

Important Dates

Monday, May 31, Memorial Day, No School

Tuesday, June 1st, SSS PTO Meeting via Zoom

Tuesday, June 8th, Field Day (rain date is Thursday, June 10th)

Tuesday, June 15th, Grade 4 Celebration, 1:30-2:30pm (rain date is Wednesday, June 16th)

Friday, June 18, Last Day of School, 12:15 Dismissal 

 

Have a good week.
Bryan Mabie