May 2017

I am happy to share that, at last week’s Town Meeting, the CPS budget was passed.  We are thrilled that all elementary students will begin learning Spanish as part of the new Elementary World Language Program and look forward to the hiring process being completed and welcoming a new Spanish teacher to Thoreau!

With Gratitude:
On behalf of the entire Thoreau Staff, I would like to thank the PTG and parent community for the fabulous Coffee/Tea Bar on Monday! We are so fortunate to have such a generous and thoughtful parent community.

Thoreau Pride Day:  Friday May 19^th
In honor of our annual Thoreau Road Race on Sunday, May 21^st, we are asking students and staff to show their Thoreau pride by wearing their Thoreau apparel, Road Race shirts or our school colors (navy blue and white).  We look forward to seeing everyone in his or her “Thoreau Best” on Friday and ready to run on Sunday!

Last day of school:
Our last day of school is Friday June 16^th and dismissal will be at 12:30 PM.

Upcoming Events:
May 8^th-12^th            Teacher Appreciation Week
May 10^th                   Teen Buddies
May 12^th                   PTG Meeting, 9 AM, Cafeteria
May 19^th                   Thoreau Pride Day
May 21^st                   Road Race, 10 AM
May 26^th                   3^rd Grade Recorder Concert, 9:15 AM, Auditorium
May 29^th                   Memorial Day:  NO SCHOOL
June 5^th                     5^th Grade Music and Arts Night, 6:30 PM

Forgotten Lunches, Instruments, Homework, Books, Sneakers, Etc.:
In an effort to keep interruptions to learning to a minimum, we seek your support in reducing the number of students who need to leave class to call home to request that items be brought to school.  Please help students learn to be responsible (especially in our upper grades) by reminding them to check to be sure they leave home with any necessary items.  If it is absolutely necessary to drop something off, please leave it in the main office.

Changes to Dismissal Plans:
Please send in a note to your child’s teacher if you need to change his/her dismissal plans for that day. If possible, all play dates should be arranged prior to your child’s arrival at school. If you need to change your child’s dismissal plan unexpectedly, please notify the office by 2:30 PM.  Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

Dismissal/Arrival Parking:
During arrival, please reserve the van accessible spaces for vehicles with handicapped placards. During dismissal, please be sure not to block the crosswalk or fire lanes.  Because the back parking lot is reserved for faculty, parents are encouraged to park along both sides of West Street and on the right side of Pleasant Street or Chase Road.  If it’s not raining or snowing, parents picking up their students should meet them behind the building near the basketball court.  In the case of inclement weather, pick up is in the cafeteria.  Thank you!

MCAS Information:
Students in grades 3-5 are scheduled to participate in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) between April 3^rd and May 26^th.  The specific dates for each grade level and test session can be found in the link below and on our school’s webpage. https://goo.gl/zPUjtE