This week I wanted to give a shoutout to our music program. Mr. Ramsey was given the difficult talk of teaching music with guidelines that stated that we should only be singing outside, six feet apart, and all facing one direction. However, that has not limited his ability to make music inspiring for students. Rather than focusing on the barriers he has focused on the opportunities. When looking for Mr. Ramsey this year you will most likely find him in the forest or under a tent in the back of the school. He has certainly found a way to make music stay integral to the MCS program.
When asked what has been accomplished in music this school year, here is Mr. Ramsey’s assessment.
"We have sure made a lot of music outdoors this year! Kindergarten and Grades 1, 5, and 6 have been learning all about how music works with the world's most covid-friendly instrument, the Boomwhacker. Grade 5 students learned about the roots of American music, from the American Revolution through blues and rock and roll. Grade 6 students dug deeply into chord progressions and sang some socially-distanced Sea Shanties. K and 1 students have been having fun being together, practicing keeping the beat, reading rhythms, and singing songs outside. It's really been a blessing to spend so much time outside - a silver lining."
Fortunately for students at MCS, Mr. Ramsey’s spirit of making school work for kids despite our new procedures and state guidelines is prevalent among MCS staff.
Remote Learner Curriculum Night
If you are the family of a remote learner, please join Ms. Dustin, Mr. Petrone, Mr. Bagnato, and Mr. Gonyaw on Tuesday, October 27th between 5-6PM for curriculum night . Mr. Petrone and Ms. Dustin will be sharing the curriculum map that will give you an idea about which math and literacy units are taught at each grade level. Mr. Gonyaw and Mr. Bagnato will talk at the beginning of the event about some possible changes that could occur with our remote program. Please follow this link to enter the event.
https://sau70.zoom.us/j/
A few reminders:
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Parent/Teacher conferences have been moved to a new date. They will take place on Thursday, November 12th, and there will be no school for students on that day. Conferences will happen through Zoom this year and teachers will send out sign up sheets in the near future, if they have not already done so.
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There will still be no school for students on Friday, November 6th, and teachers will use this day for an inservice/report card day.
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We are transitioning our report cards to PowerSchool, our data management system. What does this mean for parents? Starting with report cards in November, parents will need to log into their PowerSchool accounts and will have access to their child’s report card. You will receive directions for how to do this and of course we will be available to assist if you have any difficulties.
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If you are an early arrival person for drop off please turn your car off while waiting. We would very much like to avoid the fumes from idling cars making their way in the classrooms on Girard Way. Thanks!
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At one point I made mention that our various safety protocols can be thought of like swiss cheese. No measure in isolation is completely safe, but each layer gives an added level of safety. One of my colleagues sent this visual my way and I thought I would share.
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Second Graders in Mrs. Gentine’s class participated in Fall Cleanup Week by moving wood chips onto the nature area trails. They are certainly great workers and left the task proud of their efforts.
Mrs. Moore’s first graders were the trash clean up committee! With a purple gloved hand (thanks Nurse Pam!) and a reused lunch bag in the other we roamed both playgrounds and picked up garbage to “take care of the earth”.
~Mr. Gonyaw
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