Mathewson Elementary School

PAWprint April 1, 2022

Hello Bulldog Families!

We hope this message finds you well and warm, unlike how our week started … brrrrrrr!

Everyone looked fantastic for our Spring pictures and our grade 5 students were able to take their yearbook photo as a group. Thanks to the families that logged on for conferences. We hope you are proud of how pawmazing your child is. Take a look below at some district and school based happenings below and have a PAWtastic weekend!

Chipotle Night is coming up! Enjoy a stress free dinner idea and a fun way to support our fifth grade. See the attached on our PAWprint.

Grade 5 Families be sure to scroll to page three and register your child for their Grade 6 Music selection!

Kick Off to Kindergarten - For our incoming Kindergarten families who are fully registered or currently in a MPS preschool program, be on the lookout for an email on our Kickoff to Kindergarten school visits in May. If your child is eligible for Kindergarten but you have not yet registered, please click the link to register and be included in this Kickoff to Kindergarten experience.

Attention 5th Grade Families!

5th Grade Families--The yearbook needs your help!!!! Please be sure to submit your baby picture and any candid photos to the yearbook committee by today!

Additionally, if you would like to purchase a Well Wish in the yearbook and leave a note to your child click here.

Please send all pictures and well wishes to mathewsonyearbook@gmail.com and type your child's first and last name in the subject line.

Make sure that all pictures are labeled with the grade/year that it was taken.

All candid pictures must be from a school related event.

Be sure to join in the fun with our next school spirit day on April 14th--Crazy Hat/Hair Day!

This spirit day will also be an optional donation day see below!

Stay healthy, PAWsitive and Be Kind!

Melissa Currier

Melissa Currier, Principal

**************************************************************

Important Dates, WOOF!

Please click here for the revised Academic Calendar for 2021-22.
Wednesday, April 13th: Early Release Day: Students dismissed at 1:25
Thursday, April 14th: Crazy Hat/Hair Day Spirit Day
Friday, April 15th: No School: Good Friday
Monday, April 18th-Friday, April 22nd: No School for Spring Recess

***************************************************************

Get ready for our next school spirit day!

What: Crazy Hair / Hat Day

When: Thursday, April 14, 2022

For this spirit day we are offering families the option to donate $1 which would go to support the Tommy Fund to help the local childrening battling childhood cancer at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven Health.

Even if you choose not to donate please feel free to join in the fun!

***************************************************************

Dear Incoming Grade 6 Students!!!

The elementary music program in your school has offered your child the opportunity to explore various forms of music including general music, chorus, band, and orchestra. These experiences have provided your child with the skills and tools they need to be successful in the middle school music program in Milford.

At the middle school level, students may choose one of four experiences in music (Concert Band, String Orchestra, Chorus, or General Music). It is never too late to join an ensemble! Students are able to begin instruction in a band or string instrument or join the chorus at the middle school! For students who are not interested in the ensemble setting, we offer a comprehensive general music program where students explore various instruments and musical genres. All of these experiences allow students to continue to expand their musical knowledge in an interactive and engaging way and engage students in the exploration of music aligned with the National Core Arts Standards. These standards focus on providing students with the opportunity to:

CREATE:	Conceive and develop new artistic ideas and work
PERFORM:	Realize artistic ideas and work through interpretation and presentation
RESPOND:	Understand and evaluate how the arts convey meaning
CONNECT:	Relate artistic ideas and work with personal meaning and external context

Additional information is available at the NCAS Website.

Similar to the process for high school course selection, students and families will be able to discuss this important decision and designate the desire to study Concert Band, String Orchestra, Chorus, or General Music via PowerSchool. Please complete the course selection by Thursday, April 14. Step-by-step directions for completing this process can be found here. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your child’s music teacher or building administrator.

Melissa Currier, Principal

Michelle D’Aiuto, Music Teacher

Brian Boots, Band Teacher

John Burns, Strings Teacher

***************************************************************

Older News…. But Still Important!

Mrs. Wetmore, our Library Media Specialist, has created a new Media Center webpage. On it, you will find links to many of the students' favorite websites for coding, virtual field trips, book awards, and more! You can also check it out periodically for book recommendations for K-2, 3-5, and even adults. Enjoy and don't hesitate to reach out to her with any questions!

Staff Dress Down Days- Staff donates money yearly in order to “dress down” on Fridays throughout the year. The money goes to help support families, staff and community causes where we want to express care. Sometimes we add an extra day or two if we want to earn a little more to donate. So if you see us in our jeans you know it is to support a great cause! GO BULLDOGS!

***************************************************************