Important Dates

• Monday, March 10 - Teacher In-Service, No School
• Friday, March 14 - Family Conferences, No School
• Wednesday, April 2, 5:30-6:30pm - Book Buzz
• Thursday, April 3, 6:00-7:00pm - Chorus Concert
• Monday, April 14 - Friday, April 18 - April Break, No School

Message from the Principal

The Power of Punctuality: A Great Start to the Day at MCS!

Since returning from break, I’ve noticed a wonderful trend—more and more students are arriving at school on time! I want to take a moment to recognize and appreciate this effort. Ensuring that students begin their day on time sets the stage for a positive, productive school experience, and I truly appreciate the dedication from MCS families in making this a priority.

Arriving on time may seem like a small detail, but it has a big impact. Research shows that students who consistently start their day on time benefit both academically and socially. Here’s why punctuality matters:

A Strong Start to Learning: When students are in class on time, they are more engaged and ready to absorb new information. Studies have shown that students who regularly arrive on time perform better in core subjects like reading and math because they don’t miss crucial morning instruction.

Building Social Confidence: Arriving on time allows students to ease into their day alongside their peers. Morning routines, greetings from teachers, and informal chats with friends all contribute to a sense of belonging. Students who are present from the start of the day tend to feel more connected to their classmates and the school community.

At MCS, we offer several opportunities for students to settle in and get ready for the day:

• Breakfast is available from 7:45-8:00 for students who would like a nutritious start to their morning.
• Band and instrument lessons begin at 7:45 for those participating in our music program.
• Fifth and sixth graders can use the library starting at 7:45 as a quiet place to read, study, or get ahead on assignments.
• At 8:05, students line up in their designated spots to be picked up by their teachers and head into the day’s learning.

By arriving on time, students can take full advantage of these opportunities and start their day feeling prepared and connected. Developing the habit of punctuality is an important life skill that will benefit them in school and beyond.

Thank you for your continued commitment to helping your child arrive at MCS on time. The positive impact is clear, and I’m so proud of our students for starting their days ready to learn, grow, and connect! Let’s keep up this fantastic momentum together!

“A Day of Collaboration and Growth: In-Service Plans for Monday”

This coming Monday, MCS staff will participate in a full-day in-service, focusing on professional development, curriculum work, and school planning. The day will begin with a session led by our Assistant Superintendent, Robin Steiner, who will provide guidance on science curriculum expectations and the process for documenting curriculum work. Throughout the morning, teachers will collaborate in grade-level teams to develop and refine K-5 science units, which have been created in collaboration with Ray School staff to ensure alignment across schools. Meanwhile, our MCS Safety Committee, joined by safety teams from other district schools, will participate in a tabletop exercise led by the Hanover PD, focusing on emergency preparedness.

In the afternoon, staff will provide input on the master schedule for next school year, helping shape a structure that best supports student learning. The day will conclude with a training on the Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program (VTCAP) to prepare for upcoming state assessments.

Taking time to learn, collaborate, and plan together is essential in strengthening our school community and ensuring we provide the best possible learning experiences for our students. We appreciate the opportunity to come together as a team and engage in this important work.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Shawn

---

Student Services Update

Restorative Practices Are Making a Difference!

At the start of the school year, I shared some exciting changes we were making to improve how we respond to behavior at MCS. These changes focused on using more restorative practices, and I’m happy to share that they seem to be working!

Here’s what we’ve been doing:

• Regulating Emotions First: We’ve been helping staff and students learn how to calm down and regulate their emotions before trying to solve behavior issues.
• Support for Restorative Conversations: We created a process so staff always have the time and support they need to have meaningful, restorative conversations with students.
• Student Voice in Agreements: Students have been involved in creating “Agreements” for classrooms and common areas, giving them a say in setting expectations.
• Circles: Teachers are using circles in their classrooms to build stronger communities, where everyone can safely and fairly share their thoughts and ideas.

The results? Our behavior referral forms have gone down almost every month this school year! This is a great sign that these practices are helping us create a more positive and supportive school environment.
 

Referrals per month 

	2023-24	2024-25
September	21	27
October	22	11
November	39	16
December	15	5
January	23	16
February	11	4

Thank you all for all of your support.  Please send any questions or comments my way,

Greg