Important Dates

• Saturday, May 31, 7:00pm - MCS Theater Program Spring Play at Tracy Hall
• Sunday, June 1, 2:00pm - MCS Theater Program Spring Play at Tracy Hall
• Friday, June 6 - All MCS library books due
• Tuesday, June 10, 9:30am-1:45pm - Field Day
• Wednesday, June 11, 5:00pm - 6th Grade Celebration
• Tuesday, June 17 - Last day of school, 12:10 dismissal

Message From the Principal

***A message from Tracy Hall - Please do not use the Tracy Hall parking spots for school drop off or pick up. If there are questions, please inquire with the Town Clerk’s office. ***

MCS Weekly Highlights – A Celebration of Learning and Community!

What a fantastic week at Marion Cross School! From PreK to 6th grade, our students have been immersed in engaging, joyful learning and end-of-year milestones that showcase their growth and creativity.

Our fourth graders are diving deep into their study of Japan. On Tuesday, they participated in a full-day Burlington Taiko drumming workshop, where they learned rhythms, movement, and cultural traditions. The very next day, they brought their learning to life during Japan Day on Wednesday, celebrating Japanese culture through music, food, art, and collaborative activities. It was a rich, immersive experience that truly showcased their hard work.

Today marked the much-anticipated Battle of the Books, always a highlight at MCS! Students demonstrated their teamwork, deep reading, and love of literature in a fast-paced and spirited competition.

Our sixth graders had a memorable RMS Poetry Day and Evening on Thursday, where they joined peers from across the river to perform original poetry in a public showcase. They also brought their talents back to MCS to wow students in grades 3–5 with their Spoken Word Poetry REP.

Meanwhile, our kindergartners were busy preparing for their Forest Friday Learning Celebration, which wrapped up this afternoon with a heartwarming and engaging event. It was a wonderful reminder of the power of outdoor learning and the joy of discovery in nature.

Our Pre-K team hosted a welcoming orientation for incoming families this week. It was a warm and informative gathering designed to introduce families to the program and help them feel at home in the MCS community. We’re thrilled to welcome the newest members of our school!

Amid all the excitement, our students have also been working diligently on their iReady assessments in math and literacy. These important end-of-year evaluations help us understand each child’s growth and progress over the year.

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Planning Ahead: Class Lists and What Families Value Most

Behind the scenes, teachers and staff are thoughtfully crafting class lists and report cards. A big thank-you to the families who responded to our class placement survey—over 200 submissions! Not only did you help us consider meaningful student-teacher matches, but you also gave us valuable insights into what the Norwich community values in education.

Before analyzing the responses using AI, all identifiable information was removed to protect privacy. We then compiled the data to identify the top attributes families believe matter most for student learning:

• Structured (97 mentions): Clear routines and expectations help students feel safe and focused.
• Positive Atmosphere (63): Classrooms should feel welcoming, inclusive, and kind.
• Supportive/Nurturing (39): Students thrive when they feel seen, heard, and cared for.
• Hands-On/Experiential (24): Learning by doing brings lessons to life.
• Challenging/High Expectations (24): High standards inspire students to reach their potential.
• Creative/Exploratory (16): Opportunities for imagination, expression, and exploration matter.
• Outdoor/Nature-based (16): Connecting with the natural world enhances engagement and well-being.
• Collaborative/Social (14): Peer connections and group work build essential life skills.
• Individualized Learning (9): Meeting students where they are fosters growth for all.

Thank you for your continued partnership and trust. We are so proud of our students and grateful to be part of such a vibrant, supportive community. Onward to the final weeks of an amazing school year!

Enjoy the weekend,
Shawn

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Student Services Update

On May 30th, Marion Cross School was filled with excitement and pride as we celebrated two special end-of-year events that brought together students, families, and staff from across our school community.

Our kindergarteners hosted their annual Forest Celebration, where they became tour guides for their families, leading them through their forest classroom. Students eagerly shared their favorite spots, searched for treasures, decorated t-shirts and the forest itself, and even made delicious snail bread together. It was a joyful afternoon of exploration, creativity, and connection with nature.

Meanwhile, our 6th graders took the stage for their Spoken Word Performance at Rep, presenting original poems that ranged from funny to reflective to serious. These personal pieces were shared not only with their families, but also with classmates in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. The event was a powerful showcase of student voice, creativity, and courage.

At Marion Cross School, we believe in building a strong, supportive community across all grades. These end-of-year celebrations are a wonderful reminder of the connections we share and the growth we witness together. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make these events so meaningful!

Have a great weekend,
Greg

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School News and Information

Dear SAU 70 Parents and Guardians,

It's survey season, and this year we are hoping that you'll share your insights on a broad range of topics that you have raised in previous surveys.  Over the past three years, you have helped us to make improvements in several areas, and to identify areas of need.  This year's survey reflects both your recommendations and follow-up questions that your previous feedback generated among our board members and staff.  This survey, like our Strategic Plan and Costing Out surveys, is long, and as in prior years, we're asking you to complete a survey for each child you have currently enrolled.  While there are nearly 70 questions, about half of them are optional open-ended follow-up items.  Many of you have offered constructive criticism of the survey itself on past surveys, and we have done our best to incorporate your suggestions.  To make the survey a bit more manageable, we have grouped the questions topically.  We have tested the questionnaire, and are hopeful that we've avoided some of our past glitches.  The survey will be active for the next week, and we will do our best to publish the results quickly.  Your prior feedback has been really helpful to us as we work to improve our programs and processes and we look forward to your thoughtful suggestions.

You can access the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G5F5RF7

Thank you!

Jay Badams

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PE News

MCS FIELD DAY
Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Greetings Parents and Families,

Warmer days are just ahead! We’re looking forward to moving PE classes out onto our fields for some fun in the sun.

Springtime is a special time of celebration at MCS. One such tradition is our MCS Field Day, which will take place on Tuesday, June 10th.  Our school community plans to spend the day on the green, enjoying each other's company while participating in a variety of movement-based activities. It’s a great day to be at MCS!

FIELD DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

This day would not be possible without the support of our parent community. Please consider lending a helping hand if you have the time.  We have various tasks that could use some attention. From food prep, to equipment organizers, to activity supervisors, we got something for you!

Field Day Volunteers 2025

Thank You!
Mr. Petrone & the Field Day Committee

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Theater News

The MCS Theater Group will present The Secret Garden “spring version” this weekend! Please plan to attend one or both showings at Tracy Hall. There is no fee to attend this grant-funded, student-led performance. We hope to see you there!!

Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 7:00 PM

Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM

A special thank you to all of our volunteers for providing lighting, space, construction, costume and painting/set design. What a village we have created. I am immensely grateful for all of you! -Diana

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Library News

We have had a great year in the MCS library with over 14,000 physical books circulating, not to mention the thousands of books that were read through our digital platforms, Sora and Epic. To help us get the collection ready for another great year ahead, please help your child locate and return all library books by June 6. Students who have a cleared account as of June 6 will be able to check out an additional book until June 13 as needed. Thank you for helping to keep the books circulating!

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MUSIC NEWS

SO much is happening in music over the next few weeks!  Parents, friends, and family members are all invited to the following events.

Fiddle Tunes - Monday, June 2 at 10:15 - Multi - We hope you will join us to hear local musician Ben VanVliet perform Fiddle Tunes composed by our 4th graders.

Crankies! - Tuesday, June 3 at 2:00 - Multi - We hope you can come check out these amazing projects!  5th grade students will present their “Crankies” for you.  A Crankie is a story told through moving pictures, puppetry, artwork, and music – all created by 5th graders.

Organ Demonstration - Wednesday, June 4 at 9:35 - Norwich Congregational Church The 3rd graders recently completed a short study of music history, from the earliest recorded songs (100 AD – that’s almost 2,000 years ago!) up through Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.  To top off their learning, Joshua Brown will give them a demonstration of the pipe organ at Norwich Congregational Church.

Art Songs - Monday, June 9 at 9:35 - Multi - The 3rd graders composed short songs based on favorite poems, which will be sung by local musician (and MCS parent) Caroline Gollub

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PTO Bulletin Board

PTO Upcoming Dates

• Thursday June 5, 6-8 pm Norwich Inn - Volunteer Appreciation night and Annual Elections: We will have a short meeting to elect next year's PTO board and then spend the evening enjoying yummy snacks and celebrating the hard work of all of our PTO volunteers! We hope you can join us!
• Tuesday June 10 Field Day : Games and good times on the Norwich Green- come have fun outside!