June 2021

In the News

June 2- Kindergarten

Information Night5:30-6:00 pmWe ask that only one parent

attend and no students

June 11 -

KindergartenGraduation - See details on Page 15

June 14 - 5th Grade

Promotion Ceremony 10:30 am(No arrivals before 10)Bring your own chairs!

June 15 - Last Day

of School - Early Release 12:45 pm

but not the needed part of the job. What students need now is a building leader who knows them and sees them everyday as individuals. Running meetings, analyzing data, and other managerial tasks are a given in this profession, but that was never enough. For our children, here in the suburbs, they are provided a quality education with our fantastic staff and smaller class sizes. But we wanted them to feel a part of something, not just remember what PEMDAS means or where the Pilgrims lived.

Making every student feel welcomed and valued is what we always looked for above test scores.

Walking down that mountain path I looked up to see some high school graduates. We all stopped like relatives seeing each other for the first time in a long time. It felt like any Monday morning when I would greet them. Still sitting in my office, hours away in Seekonk, was a baseball signed years ago by these same students. My office is full of these little things that meant a lot to those who gave them. Those feelings last past 3:15.

I am grateful for the time I had at Martin and the memories I shared with hundreds and hundreds of students and their families. For this last newsletter I am running out of words, so I will borrow some from one of the many recent emails and letters, “you had a special way of connecting with all the kids at Martin.... but know, I feel that you did what you set out to do. Make a memorable experience for all those that entered those doors.” Anonymous Parent

Next year I will be teaching at Aitken. I will still be living in Seekonk with my sons and hopefully soon with my fiance and her children. I hope to still see all of you at sports, getting pizza, or maybe if I’m out walking on a mountain path. I thank you for the last ten years, they’ve been more than I could ask for and much more than 8:45 to 3:15.

Thank you,Bart Lush

Walking down a mountain path recently I was reminded why there is more to education than the student hours of 8:45-3:15.

Over the last ten years I have accomplished a lot of principal stuff; brought in new curriculums, brought in new district safety features, proactively became the only district trainer for specialized programs, and brought in strong technology rivaling high schools. If you look back through old newsletters, you will see some great examples of my contributions to building a better school. However, beyond meetings, evaluations, scheduling and preparing for MCAS there is a void sometimes left in this position.

For me the traditional principal position or the job that people still get hired for is the expected part of the job,

A Message from Mrs. Hutchins

June, I’m not sure how we got here. Reflecting over the last school year; it has been a year with

more twists, turns and changes than I ever could have imagined. However, it feels like it went by in a

blink. While some of the days were long, the weeks and months flew by. I want to thank the families

for working with us through every twist and turn this year. I know it was not always easy, but we got

through it together. The fourth grade students studied animal adaptations, and it made me think of

all the ways that our students and staff had to adapt this past year. From learning at home, to hybrid

learning, to schedule changes and room configurations, just to name a few, (we would be here for a

long time if we really thought of them all!) but they all adapted. It might not be the year we originally

thought it would be, however everyone came together to make it the best year that they could. The

next few weeks we get to celebrate making it through a year where we all had to adjust, and we

came out stronger as a community on the other side! I hope that you can reflect on the past year as I

have, and see how far we have come. As we come to the end of the 2020/2021 school year, I want

to thank you for a year that we came together under different circumstances, and made it through by

working together.

Congratulations to Molly Pimble

who had the winning

Golden Ticket#57024

Martin Elementary School will receive a

$5,000 grant from the Feinstein Foundation

and a $500 grant to Molly’s non-profit of choice. And Molly’s

choice is Martin!Thank you Molly and

the Pimble family.

Pictured from L-R: Mr. Lush, Katherine Pimble, Molly Pimble and Mrs. Hutchins

From the Office of the School Nurse

It is hard to believe we are already wrapping up the school year!! Here are some items as we move forward to next year:

I would like to wish our fifth grade students well as they move on to the middle school. It has been a pleasure to get to know you all over the past several years! Good luck! I will miss you!

MEDICATIONS:

If your child has medication at school, please make arrangements with the school nurse to retrieve the

medication on or before the last day of school, June 15th. An email reminder will be sent with

dates/times available to pick up your child’s medication.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS AND IMMUNIZATION RECORDS:

For parents/guardians of our current third grade students, I will need an updated physical exam for fourth grade. You will receive a notice via email regarding this.

Copies of physical examinations and immunization records are required for all newly enrolled students and kindergarten students.

The MDPH requires a copy of an updated physical examination for all 4th grade students. If you have not done so already, please submit the paperwork to the nurse.

In compliance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71 Section 57 all students must have a copy of a current physical examination of file at the following times:

● Upon entry into the school district (dated within the last year)● Entering Kindergarten, 4th, 7th, and 10th grades● Each year for all students who participate in high school sports

The purpose of the requirements (105 CMR 200.000) is to identify and take appropriate actions with respect to disabilities and medical conditions of school children in public schools as soon as possible so as to enable all children to obtain the fullest benefit of their educational opportunities. Physical exams are also necessary in order to identify and take appropriate action with respect to contagious or communicable diseases among students.(Information obtained from www.mass.gov)

We are gearing up for the next 2021-2022 school year!

HEALTH CARE PLAN / 504 PLAN / FOOD ALLERGY / MEDICATIONS:

If your child requires a health care plan or 504 plan, please contact the school nurse via email in

August to discuss your child’s health care needs prior to the start of the 2021-2022 school year.

Food allergies – The FARE Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan needs to be completed by

a doctor and signed by the parent or guardian. Forms will be sent home at the end of the year, but are

also available on the nurses’ website.

Medications- Medication authorization forms will also be sent home with your child to use for the

upcoming school year.

Please don’t hesitate to contact your school nurse with any questions or concerns.

Have a fun summer!!

Lisa McLintock, RN, BSN, MEdMartin School Nurse

508-336-7558mclintockl@seekonkschools.org

As we wrap up the end of the School Year we have several different

activities that are happening with Technology. First we have 5th Grade Classes

designing their own Houses, Hotels, or Restaurants using Sketchup. Students

have the opportunity to work with a Cad like product that is specifically

designed for students in schools to use. As our first initial use of the software

we are starting simple but the results are great so far.

While the 5th Grade has focused on Computer Design we are also

expanding our use of robotics in school with Second and Third Grade Classroom.

We have the opportunity to use iRobot Code which are essentially Rumbas that

are powered by student code. Students are given their own iRobot to code and

complete several different tasks throughout the class period.

Lastly we have had the opportunity to start using VEX Robotics Kits in

some of the 5th Grade classes at Martin Elementary. The goal is to expand

the use over the course of the year next year with smaller projects being

implemented throughout the school this year. The goal is to build a program

where students are able

to use simpler kits earlier

in their Elementary

experiences, and then

by 5th Grade allow

students to create their

own Robots that are

able to complete more

sophisticated tasks.

Avery Clarke, Charlotte Solitto, Annie O’Brien

As always I want to thank

everyone for their support this

year. Joining Martin Elementary

in the middle of all that has gone

on this year has been a real great

experience and I think Families

and Students have been a big

part of my positive experience

this year.

Joshua Rodrigues

Jayden Nguyen

Jayden Rolon, Keegan Steitz, Brett Proulx and Nehemiah Nieves

Splash Into A Good Book!!

June Library News

Dear MES Families and Friends,

What an eventful year! First I want to thank the MES families and staff for welcoming me into your school this year. It has been my pleasure working with such a group of students and staff with a love for reading!!

Keeping up with all the certificates is quite a challenge. After June 4th I will not be making new certificates. I will be finishing up all the rewards. Congratulations to all our certificate winners and to the whole fifth grade team for participating in a reading challenge. Great job! Every student in the fifth grade took at least one or more AR quizzes!! Keep up the good work.

I would like to congratulate the students who have earned 10 or more certificates. They are on our AR Wall Of Stars! If your child has received more than 10 certificates and has not brought in their picture it is not too late. Please send in a 5x7 picture of your child and please label your child's name. I will put them on the wall. The wall is located by the art room.

I want to give a shout out to the second graders in Mrs. King’s class. They have earned the most certificates this year!! Congratulations!!

This session of library the third and fourth graders have been creating books using Book Creator and will share their books with Mrs. Archambault's kindergarten class and Mrs. Maynard’s first grade class in June. They have done a great job.

All classes in the library have planted seeds and read stories about planting and the life cycle of the honey bee. Several plants have begun to sprout

and the students have enjoyed predicting how long it will take to grow. Be looking for some plants going home in June. The students were able to pick their seeds. So you may get a flower or a tasty vegetable.

Please return any library books your child may have by June 10th.

The Martin School has a STEM/STEAM area. If you would like to donate any items to the area please feel free to donate items such as the following. Popsicle sticks, paper plates, paper cups, straws, glue, tape, paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls, index cards and other craft supplies. Thank you.

The Seekonk Town Librarian will be visiting Martin School in the near future and will be discussing the Summer Reading Program.

Wishing you a wonderful summer of relaxation and adventures. Pick up a book and enjoy the journey.

A few summer favorites include any Eric Carle book. Relive all his wonderful books as a tribute to him and his wonderful books.

Visit the Mass Children’s Book Awards to find some great summer reading!

Everything MCBA! Massachusetts Children's Book Award 2021-2022

Thank you,

Kimberly ShermanSubstitute Librarian

The P.E. Place

The final days of the 2020-21 school year are approaching quickly. As June days continue to warm up, remember to have your child use sunscreen and bring extra water for P.E. as we are outdoors weather permitting. During the last few weeks of school, we will be playing some of our favorite P.E. games and enjoying the time with classmates before summer break begins.

This will be my final newsletter article because I will be retiring at the end of this school year. I have taught our amazing Seekonk students for 21 years with my most recent position as Martin School P.E. Teacher. I believe I have had a healthy, positive impact on my students as they have grown from Kindergarten through 5th grade. I have been so fortunate to have been a part of this wonderful Martin School Family. Thank you for all of your support through the years to families, teachers and staff, and especially to the students who have given me so many happy memories!Have a wonderful summer!!

Mrs. Swick P.E. Teacher Martin Elementary School

All students are welcome to participate in our

8 WEEK ST Math Summer Challenge!

Let’s keep learning with JiJi this summer!

All students will continue to have access to ST Math throughout the summer.

This is an amazing opportunity for them to continue their learning and keep their skills sharp!

I will be sharing more information and a tracking sheet with the students soon!

Thanks!

Ms. Prazeres

prazeresl@seekonkschools.org

We’ve had a very busy year. We can’t believe it’s done.

So join us as we celebrate and have a lot of fun!

Kindergarten Families are cordially invited to attend:

Kindergarten GraduationClass of 2021

Friday, June 11, 20219:30 - Churchill 10:30 - Miguel

12:45 - Archambault 1:30 - Weissinger

Come and celebrate the many accomplishments of your student through the school year.We have so much to be proud of and are excited to share this experience with you!

Please respect the following guidelines:

*No more than 6 family members per graduating student.

*Please bring your own folding chairs and avoid umbrellas or pop-up tents.

*There is no rain date for this outdoor event. In the event of rain, we

will plan on presenting the graduation via Zoom.

*Please remain in the area marked for your party. School staff will

take a close photograph of your child and send it to you digitally.

We are excited to be able to celebrate this memorable year together.

If any of these items look familiar, please call the office at 508-336-7558

ClassicCheese Pizza

Celery SticksChilled Fruit

CrispyChicken

Sandwich

Carrot SticksChilled Fruit