Coolidge Chronicle
October 1, 2023
A Message from Mrs. Ostrander
October is Kindness Month!
This month, we will focus on the Character Trait of KINDNESS! Our definition of Kindness is acting with understanding, generosity, and care. Creating a culture of kindness is essential. We believe students should have safe, predictable places to learn where they feel included. Students should have healthy and helpful connections with teachers and classmates.
As we work toward a culture of kindness, we will also explicitly teach students about the importance of kindness to self. Check out the photo below from schoolofkindness.org regarding why self-kindness is important and a few strategies for kids!
COOLIDGE COMMUNITY PHOTOS
Walking Club Is Back!
The Walking Club is back in action for all Coolidge Students! Students have the option to participate in a morning walk on Tuesdays and Thursdays this year. After the walking, we practice a self-regulation strategy to get our minds ready to learn for the day.
Thank you, Mr. Perron!
Monday, October 2nd, is Custodian Appreciation Day! The students and staff have been working together to create a display for Mr. Perron to show our gratitude. The theme is, "You keep our school spotless!" Check out these spots of appreciation!
ST Math Journey Underway!
ST Math is a software tool that helps students learn math concepts through challenging puzzles, non-routine problem-solving, and formative feedback! We are working toward reaching 80% of every student's journey this year in ST Math! As a school, we are already at 19%!
COOLIDGE CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
School Meeting Focus: Building Belonging with the book, "All Are Welcome Here"
At our All School Meeting on September 22nd, we read the book "All Are Welcome Here" by Alexandra Penfold. We reviewed essential vocabulary such as welcome, diversity, and community to understand the text better. We also talked about specific words and actions we can all display to be sure students, adults, and families all feel welcome. You can check out the text with your child at home by viewing this link. We urge you to ask your child: What does it look like in our community of Shrewsbury to share welcome with everyone?
NEW IMPORTANT INFORMATION
No School, Friday, October 6th and Monday, October 9!
There is no school on Friday, October 6th for students. Teachers will be participating in professional development.
There is no school on Monday, October 9th, for students and staff. This day is in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day/ Columbus Day.
Coolidge ASAP Fall Classes- NOW OPEN!
Coolidge will be offering four different after-school classes, taught by Coolidge staff, beginning October 26th. Registration will open on Wednesday, October 4th at 7:00AM, through the parent portal. The classes will meet on Thursdays from 3:45-4:45 for six weeks. Since all classes run at the same time, students may only register for one class. The cost for the six-week session is $40, and your registration is not complete until payment is received. Class sizes are limited and spaces fill quickly.
The classes being offered are:
Ballroom Dance – grades 1-4
Creature Creation – Grades 2, 3, 4
Arts and Crafts – Grades 1-4
Fun with Board Games – Grades 3, 4
Class details and dates can be found on the Coolidge website.
https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/coolidge/activities
For more information, contact Karen Isaacson, Director of Extended Learning
DIGITAL LOST & FOUND
Lost & Found
We are taking the Lost and Found digital! New this year Click here to see items that are in our lost & found. Lost & found is located right outside of our cafeteria and can be picked up in person during arrival and dismissal. If you see an item that belongs to your child you can also email nturnblom@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us or your child's classroom teacher to claim the item. Please label your child's items.
REPEATED IMPORTANT INFORMATION
School Supplies
Thank you to Clinton Savings Bank, WXLO and the Coolidge PTO who held a fundraiser a couple weeks ago that raised money for school supplies. Please reach out to Mrs. Turnblom (nturnblom@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us) if you're in need of any school supplies at home.
STEM Registration is Open - Starts OCT 18TH
We offer a wide variety of STEM lessons that help children learn new things, discover how things work, and create solutions to problems in a collaborative learning environment. We stimulate their minds and empower them to be life-long learners. Please click HERE for more information and to register.
Food Service Information for 2023-2024 School Year
Free Meals for Students
Meals are free for students for the 2023-2024 school year as a result of continued state funding. This entitles each student to one free breakfast and one free lunch each day. Students must take the required meal components to get a free meal. A free breakfast must include a milk, fruit and a grain. A free lunch must include 3 of these 5 meal components (Protein, Milk, Grain, Fruit and Vegetable) and one component must be a fruit or vegetable. Students must take the required meal components to get a free meal.
Individual milks, extra slices of pizza, second lunches, and a la carte items are NOT free and must be purchased. Parents should ensure ample funds are in their students’ lunch account to purchase these items.
Breakfast will be available each day and is served from 8:45-9:10am during the morning arrival time and before the start of the school day. Students who would like to eat breakfast at Coolidge will enter the building and choose to go directly to the Cafeteria. Please inform your child's teacher if you would like your child to eat breakfast daily.
Free and Reduced Priced Meal Application—Why Apply?
Although meals are free for all students regardless of income, we encourage families who would otherwise qualify for free or reduced price meals [based upon household income/economic need] to complete the Free/Reduced Price Meal Application so as to potentially be eligible for free or reduced fees for busing, Extended School Care, or athletics. Click here to access that form.
Students Must Use the Pin-Pad System
Daily any student who gains a lunch or breakfast from the Coolidge Cafeteria wil be required to enter their student ID into a pin-pad. To receive a lunch/breakfast each student must use their pin-pad in order to receive a free meal and/or purchase an a la carte item. This is how the district documents meals distributed and substantiates our claim for reimbursement from the government. Your child will be supported by his/her classroom teacher to learn this number in the first few weeks of school. Additionally, the Cafeteria Staff have access to the student IDs should a child not know their number. We promise no kiddo will go hungry as a result of forgetting his/her pin!
Other Questions?
For answers to a number of other related questions click here to access our Food Service Department webpage and our Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ] document.
OCTOBER PTO UPDATE & NEWSLETTER
PTO Updates
Save the date for our next meeting on Tuesday, October 10th at 6:30 pm in the Media Center. Light snacks and babysitting will be available.
The Coolidge Reading and Math Incentive program will begin in October. Stay tuned!
PTO Direct Donation Drive (Insert Flyer)
Upcoming Events (More information to come!)
October 19th - Panera “Dine Out” Night 3-7 pm
October 27th - Annual Coolidge Fall Festival!
- After School Enrichment Opportunities - Sign Up Above Today!
- STEM Beginnings - Begins 10/18
- Chess Wizards - Begins 10/25
Please consider volunteering during our Fall Festival. We have lots of fun activities planned and need your help to make sure this is a fun event for our Coolidge community.
Please email the PTO @ calvincoolidgepto@gmail.com if you have any questions.
IMPORTANT DATES
Reminders: Mark Your Calendars! Important Dates for August & September
October
6- No School for Students / PD Day for Educators
9- Indigenous Peoples' Day / No School
November
9- Parent Conference Day
10- Veteran's Day / No School
22-24 - Thanksgiving Break
Calvin Coolidge School
Website: https://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/coolidge
Location: 1 Florence Street, Shrewsbury, MA, USA
Phone: 5088418880
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoolidgeElementarySchool