Dates to Remember
March 27 MCAS begins - See schedule below
April 5 Author Visit with Ivy the Very Determined Dog
(*Book orders due March 27!)
April 6, 6-7:30 Cutler Open House
April 17 School Vacation Week
From the Principal
Dear Cutler Families,
On Friday, Dr. Zach Best, Miles River Middle School Principal attended our Cutler School Council meeting. He shared information about how the three elementary schools and the Middle School are working together to transition our 5th grade students to the Miles River. Throughout the month of March, 6th grade teachers have been visiting one of the three elementary schools in order to observe and understand the model at the elementary schools. This coming Wednesday, all 5th grade teachers across the district will be spending the morning at the Middle School, observing classrooms and meeting with teachers. Our hope is that teachers will better understand the respective models and therefore will be able to support students and families through the transition.Additionally, Dr. Best will be hosting a “Move-Up” day for parents, and we will have the traditional Move-Up Day we have in place for our 5th grade students, which takes place in early June.
Today English Language Arts MCAS started at Cutler with our 4th Graders. 5th and 3rd Graders will take tests later this week and early next week. Students are prepared and I am confident that each will do their best, while balancing that this is just “another day”. Sleep, meals and predictability are certainly helpful in maintaining our healthy students. Thank you for your support and encouragement of each child.
Enjoy the week and the daily signs of spring.
Warmly,
Juliana
CORI and fingerprinting information: With several field trips on the horizon, there have been a lot of questions re: CORI and fingerprinting.
- CORI is required for anyone volunteering in the classroom/school. CORIs must be filled out in person (either at the office or at Central), and are valid for 3 years.
- Fingerprinting is required for anyone chaperoning on field trips or working one-on-one or in small groups with students. Fingerprints must be scheduled with a private company, Identogo, and are valid for 7 years.
- Both CORI and fingerprinting can take anywhere from 2-10 days to be processed. Just because you have had your fingerprints taken does not mean you are ready to chaperone.
- Once they are processed through Central office, your information will be updated in Aspen. Your child's teacher can tell you when they have been updated and if you are eligible to volunteer/chaperone.
From the Nurse's Office:
Many classrooms are now having two snacks a day. Please send your child with an extra snack. Students are coming down to the nurse's office to get snacks, and the supply is running out.
We are in need of gently used sweatpants, all sizes, for boys and girls. If you have any to donate, we would be happy to have them. Thank you!
Lost and Found: Please check (or have your child check) the lost and found in the cafeteria. We have a LOT of coats, hats, gloves/mittens , water bottles and lunch boxes.
From Library/Media Tech:
What is STEM?
STEM is a real world focus.
STEM is hands-on learning that applies to the world around us.
STEM builds and teaches creativity, problem solving, life skills, resourcefulness, patience, and curiosity.
STEM is what shapes the future as our world grows and changes.
STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
STEM is everywhere and in everything we do and how we live.
Our students thrive with STEM activities. Whether it be in successes or failures, STEM activities push children to expand their horizons, try and try again, and accept failure as a means to success. Science, technology, engineering, and math are key areas for building knowledge and shaping the future of our learners.
Library/Tech classes have upcoming STEM activities and we could use your help. We would appreciate your donations of cardboard boxes (thin cardboard, please; cereal boxes are perfect), paper towel/toilet paper/wrapping paper tubes, newspaper. We are building our Makerspace back up and will be requesting specific items periodically. Please think of us when recycling!
MCAS Schedule
Spring 2023
ELA: 3/27-4/29
MAT: 4/24-5/26
SCI: 4/25-5/26
https://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/2023schedule.docx
Author visit with Ivy the Very Determined Dog: Wenham author Maureen Harrington will be visiting Cutler on April 5, with Ivy, the very determined dog.
Absent/Tardy Safe Arrival Phone Line
To report your child absent or tardy (NOT for dismissals), please call the safe arrival
line @ 978-468-8472.
Last Minute Dismissal Changes
For last-minute dismissal changes, please call the front office @ 978-468-5330.
If at all possible, please let us know by 1 p.m. The end of the day can get very hectic
and teachers cannot always check their emails.
§ Adult supervision on the playground begins daily at 8:15 am. Please do not drop
off your children before then as there is NO supervision.
§ School begins at 8:25 am.
§ Dismissal is at 2:57 pm. Wednesday dismissal is at 12:45 pm.
to pack a larger snack on early release days.
§ Early Release is at 11:15 am. There is no lunch served on early release days.
Updates from the Cultural Enrichment Committee:
The Cultural Enrichment Committee continues to bring exciting opportunities to the Cutler community! Here are some upcoming events for the students:
- On April 5th, Author Maureen Harrington and her dog Ivy will be visiting grade K-5. Maureen is the Author of Ivy The Very Determined Dog
- On May 18th and 19th, 5th grade students will be participating in a Cradles to Crayons service field trip to The Giving Factory!
Essex County Community Foundation is running a Spring Youth Philanthropy Initiative and there are some great volunteer opportunities to participate in. Please visit the Sign Up Genius Linked here, and check the link below for the flyer with additional information.
