Family Newsletter Week of 3/20/2025

Dear Brackett Families,

Tomorrow is World Down Syndrome Day. To celebrate, our community will choose to wear socks that are going to get noticed! They might be mismatched socks or your boldest and most colorful socks. Whatever way … we will be wearing fun socks to raise awareness of Down syndrome. Please join us!

Spring has sprung, and with the time change, evenings are starting to get busy again with events! MCAS will begin for fourth graders next week with the dates for third and fifth grade following shortly after. I encourage you to continue to read this newsletter carefully for school-wide dates and announcements. Teacher communication will echo these, but will concentrate more on the classroom and grade level.

Upcoming Events … I hope that you will join in the Community Conversation at Dallin sponsored by the Arlington Rainbow Alliance this afternoon and then come back to Brackett later tonight for the fourth and fifth grade Science Fair. Tomorrow is my first STEM Night, and I am so excited to participate in this monumental Brackett tradition! Next Friday, the fifth grade is sponsoring a Movie Night to support the fifth grade traditions and end-of-year activities. 

Because of the busy Thursday/Friday this week, there will be NO Math Morning for grades 3-5 on March 21.

Best,
Dr. Vice

New Information Overview

  • Lost & Found – IMPORTANT DEADLINE!
  • From the Nurse
  • Playlist with Purpose

All previous family communication can be accessed in the News and Announcements on the district website.

Lost & Found

WOW! Lost and Found is brimming with jackets and water bottles and various other items. Come by tomorrow and check it out. All items will be out at drop off and pick up on Friday as well as during STEM Night. The rule with Lost & Found is if you think it may be your kids, it probably is.:) 

 

All items left at the end of the day on Friday, March 21 will be donated. 

From the Nurse

Reminder: Staying Home When Sick

After what felt like a really long winter illness season, we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as cases continue to decrease in the community! However, with this good news, it is important to continue to follow the APS Illness Guidelines. A few other tips to remember:

  • If you are on the fence about whether your student should stay home vs. come to school, you can always reach out to me to discuss further.
  • If you have to give your student Tylenol or Motrin in order for them to get through their school day, that is usually a sign that they should stay home to rest.
  • You know your student best - If you know that they are going to come to the nurse's office at 8:05 am asking to go home because they're sick, staying home is likely the best option.

Trying to decide early in the morning whether or not your student is healthy enough to attend school can be tricky. We want to balance good school attendance with the health and wellness of all students. A quote that is near and dear to me is, "Students must be healthy to be educated, and educated to be healthy." I appreciate your attention and partnership in helping to maintain this balance, and am available for any questions or further assistance.

Playlist with Purpose

Our social work/music therapy intern, Rose Minichiello, is offering an amazing opportunity for families – Playlist with Purpose: a two-workshop series in which parents/guardians work with their child to create music playlists tailored to support emotional regulation. Email Rose Minichiello, with questions or to sign up. Participation is limited to 10 families. Linguistic supports and accommodation needs can be discussed.

Calendar Reminders

  • Mar 20 – Arlington Rainbow Alliance Community Conversation (5:15pm-)
  • Mar 20 – 4th and 5th Grade Science Fair (6:30-8pm)
  • Mar 21 – World Down Syndrome Day – wear mismatched/bold socks to school!
  • Mar 21 – STEM Night (6-8pm)
  • Apr 4-14 – Spring Food Drive
  • Apr 18-27 – No School for Spring Break

MCAS Dates (in order of date)
March 27 & 28 – Fourth ELA

April 3 & 4 – Fifth ELA

April 7 & 8 – Third ELA

May 1 & 2 – Fifth STE

May 5 & 6 – Fourth MATH

May 8 & 9 – Third MATH

May 12 & 13 – Fifth MATH