We Are B-R April 26, 2019

Mr. Swenson, Superintendent of Schools

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had an enjoyable and restful April Break. We have had another great week of learning and growth within the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional

School District. It is hard to believe we will soon be entering the home stretch of the 2018-2019 academic year.

2019 MIAA Girls’ Gymnastics Coach of the Year Award:

Congratulation to BR/WB Gymnastic Coach Stephen Cudworth on being nominated and selected as the recipient of the 2019 MIAA Girls’ Gymnastics Coach of

the Year Award. Coach Cudworth’s selection was based upon his excellence of character, impact upon students & community, and coaching credentials. All

nominations were screened by a committee of MIAA Coaching Education Instructors. The Coach of the Year Award will be presented to Coach Cudworth at the

MIAA Awards Recognition Banquet on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at the Doubletree Hotel in Milford, MA. Congratulation once again Coach Cudworth on this

outstanding and well deserved achievement. You have brought great honor and pride to our Athletic Department and District.

George H. Mitchell Elementary School Project & MSBA Updates:

On Monday, April 1, 2019 our Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) Shane Nolan and Lead Architect Gene Raymond led a day long working group meeting that

included approximately 25 teachers, education support professionals, proctors and administrators from the Mitchell Elementary School as well as District

representatives from facilities and food service. The purpose of this meeting was to obtain feedback and insight in regards to the Preferred Schematic Design that

was submitted to the MSBA for their approval. This invaluable exercise was an essential component to the building process as it truly assisted in driving the vision

of both the interior and exterior learning spaces incorporated within the schematic design. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those individuals

who participated in this working group. Please know that your time and efforts are greatly appreciated.

On Wednesday, April 10, 2019 I, along with Bridgewater Town Manager Michael Dutton attended the MSBA Board Meeting at their office in Boston. I am very

happy and proud to report that at this meeting, the Michelle Elementary School building project was green lighted to proceed forward with our Preferred

Schematic Design.

On Monday, April 22, 2019 Raymond Design Associates (RDA) presented the updated Schematic Design that incorporated all of the ideas and concepts that were

offered by the 25 individuals who participated in the working group on April 1, 2019, to the members of the School Building Committee (SBC). The project

budget, floor plans, site landscape, play areas, HVAC & electrical systems and the LEED checklist were also presented and review. The members of the SBC

provided our designer and consults with feedback to further refine the Schematic Design. The SBC will be meeting on a regular basis right up until July 8, 2019 as

means of getting local approval to submit the final Schematic Design to the MSBA in hopes of receiving their approval to proceed further in the process at their

Wednesday, August 28, 2019 Board Meeting.

Additional public forums will take place on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at the Senior Center in Bridgewater at 1:00 p.m. and Thursday, June 13, 2019 in the

Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School Lecture Hall at 7:00 p.m. We encourage all community members to please attend these important informational

meeting. As always, additional George H. Mitchell Elementary School Project & MSBA information updates can be found http://

www.bridgewaterschoolproject.com.

Private Pay-to Ride Program Option through A&A Metro Transportation:

In accordance to a state mandate, Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District students living under 1.5 miles from their school will unfortunately not be

eligible for school bus service beginning in the 2019-2020 school year. As means of assisting to satisfy the transportation needs of these students and families,

A&A Metro Transportation (Bill’s Taxi) in Bridgewater will be operating a private pay-to-ride transportation service. A&A Metro is a family owned and operated

company that has served the Bridgewater and Raynham area for over 67 years. Throughout the years they have earned a reputation for safe and reliable

transportation. That standing was earned through years of transporting students of all ages, backgrounds, and needs. An informational flyer detailing the private

pay-to-ride program and payment schedule will be forwarded to all non-eligible transportation families next week. Please note that this private pay-to-ride

program offered through A&A Metro Transportation (Bill’s Taxi) is not affiliated with the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District.

Alternative Before/After School Day Care Program in Raynham:

As the population of school aged children in Raynham continues to grow, so does the need for before and after school care. The program offered through the

Raynham Park & Recreation Department currently has a waitlist for these services. The Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District recognizes this need and

has begun to work closely with the Raynham Park & Recreation Department to create a supplemental before and after school program at Raynham Middle School

to assist Raynham families beginning in the 2019-2020 school year. If your child in currently on waitlist or your family is in search of a before or after school

care option, we encourage to please contact the Raynham Park & Recreation Department at 508-824-2743 for more details.

As always, if you have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 508-279-2140 ext. 113 or via email at dswenson@bridge-rayn.org.

Respectfully, Derek

Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/Bridgewater-Raynham-Regional-School-District

“WE ARE B-R - ONE TEAM, ONE FAMILY”

Mr. Ryan Powers, Assistant Superintendent of Schools

Greetings, BR-R Families.

I hope everyone had a great April vacation. Believe it or not we are in the home stretch of the school

year. There is still much work to be done and we want all of our students to end the year on a positive

note. Please continue to encourage your children to give their maximum effort and continue to have a

growth mindset. The midpoint for the fourth term of the high school is May 10th. The midpoint of trimester

3 for students in grades K-8 is May 2nd. If you have any concerns about your child’s progress, please reach

out to his/her teachers ASAP.

At the March 27, 2019, School Committee Meeting the School Committee approved the 2019-2020 Aca-

demic Year Calendar as well as the 2019-2020 Calendar of Important Events. Both of those calendars are

posted on the District’s website under the For Parents tab. You can also use the following link: http://

www.bridge-rayn.org/for_parents/adacemic_calendar_and_important_dates

School will start for students in grades 1-12 on Tuesday, September 3rd and for students in preschool

and kindergarten on Wednesday, September 4th.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call me at 508-279-2140 x113.

Sincerely,

Ryan

Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/Bridgewater-Raynham-Regional-School-District

“WE ARE B-R - ONE TEAM, ONE FAMILY”

Attention Seniors: You have until this Friday,

April 26 to complete your Dollars for Scholars

profile. If it is not completed, you will be dis-

qualified from receiving a scholarship. Please

see Mrs. Thibodeau with questions or for help.

Save the Date – On Tuesday, April 30, the BR

Debate Team is having a Dining for a Cause

fundraiser at Chipotle in Raynham. Our BR De-

baters hope you’ll be able to join us.

SENIORS - the Final Exam Policy Clarifica-

tion: All seniors with an average of 90% or bet-

ter for the year, with no more than two absences

and no more than two unexcused tardies in the

fourth term for that class are exempt from tak-

ing final exams for that subject. Students with

suspensions of 2 days or more will not be eligi-

ble to be exempt from any finals.

Attention students Community Service opportu-

nities are out there. Please be aware that you

must complete a minimum of 15 hours per year.

All community service hours must be complet-

ed for the school year by: For Seniors ..... May

20, 2019 For Everyone else .... June 10, 2019

"Do you need community service hours? Time

is running out. There are three great events

posted on the community service twitter ac-

count. Any questions, please see Mrs. Mallard,

G 103 or Mr. Sylvia, E 206

To ALL Juniors and Seniors - Thanks to the

generosity of some community members, we

have a few complimentary prom dresses in the

Main Office. If you are in need of a prom

dress, please stop down and see what we have!

Attention parents and students: There are still some yearbooks left for purchase. They are available at a first-come

first-serve basis and when sold out no more can be ordered! If you want one please act fast! The cost is $70 and

payment should be brought to Ms. Horne in b122 (check to BRRSD).

A Word from

Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School

MORE from

Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School

BMS

Students in Mrs. Leighton's

science classes built balloon-

powered race cars. While using

the information they learned

about applied force, friction,

gravity, and Newton's three laws

of motion, they used the engi-

neering design process to plan,

build, test, and reflect on their

project. Winners from the three

classes were Cody Reed, Isabella

Holland, and Selah Banez!"

RAVE Homework Helpers Ending

Soon - just a reminder that the last day

of Homework Helpers Club will be

next Monday, 4/29.

THE WILLIAMS REPORT

The Bridgewater-Raynham Special Education Parents Advisory Council (BR-SEPAC) will be holding a

presentation for the 2018-2019 school year on Tuesday, May 7th at 6:30 pm titled, Social, Emotional Learn-

ing. An overview of the need for social/ emotional learning across the district will be presented by Deb Westell.

Also, a discussion of some of the practices and programs being offered to students to help them be successful

including positive behavior supports and other building-wide initiatives. The meeting will be held at The Bridge

Center located at 470 Pine St., Bridgewater, MA. The BR-SEPAC will hold their Make a Difference Awards

ceremony at 6:15 pm and then the presentation will follow at 6:30 pm. Please register online in advance for free

childcare at: http:// www.thebridgectr.org

The Friends of Williams Board Nominations are at our next meeting on Thursday, May 16th! It takes a

village so if anyone has some interest in helping out with FoW, email fowpto@gmail.com by the next

May 16th meeting at 7:00pm at the Williams School Library! These are our board positions but we es-

pecially are looking for 1 or 2 people to Co-Chair as President, Public Relations and Fundraising!

President

Past President-(Past President last year with student in the school)

Treasurer

Recording Secretary

Enrichment

Passive Fundraising

Public Relations

Family Events

Fundraising

Grade 4 Representative

Grade 5 Representative

Grade 6 Representative

Grade 7 Representative

Grade 8 Representative

MCAS Math Schedule for next week:

Tuesday, Grade 4

Wednesday, Grade 5

Thursday, Grade 4

Friday, Grade 5

Group/Team Picture Day is on May 9th.

On May 30th the GMES 3rd graders will take a trip to WIS for Orientation. On June 5th Transition Night will take

place starting at 5:30 with a presentation for Grade 3 students and parents.

We will also be available to provide information for those entering grades 5 and 6.

The Puberty Talk for Girls in grades 4 and 5 will take place on Wednesday, May 1st at 7:00 p.m. in the WIS café.

Upcoming activities of note:

Blue Team Mock Olympics, on-going Poetry Contest and Egg Drop Project.

Grade 5 Owl Pellets and Eyes on Owls.

Ruby Team Pilgrim Hall presentation and Wax Museum.

Sapphire Team Invention Fair and Math Buddie/Peer Mentors.

Monday, April 29th will be a day A.

A Look at LaLiberte Elementary

Sharing Curriculum Highlights: Our third graders did an amazing job with their first experience with MCAS testing. Each third grader ex-perienced two sessions of ELA over a two-day period. We are so proud of their efforts, stamina, and pos-itive attitude. Growth mindset at its best came shining through for these young scholars. LPO: Our LPO continues to be so busy between planning for our Teacher Appreciation Week, in house special events, helping with Fine Dining, planning for the fourth grade social, and many other end of year events. What an impact a small representation can have on so many students and staff! Summer Reading Rally: The teachers and administrators are busy preparing our students summer reading bags. Books are cur-rently being ordered along with summer themed book bags, informational sheets are being prepared so that each student takes home information for families on how to minimize the summer slump, and read-ing and math bingo boards are being made so that students have a choice of ideas on how to support their reading and math throughout the summer weeks ahead. All of this will be shared a Summer Read-ing Rally on our front lawn a few days before the school year ends. We are so very much looking forward to a school-wide read-to-self event! Flag Day at LaLiberte Elementary School: This year, we are going to have a Flag Day Celebration on June 11th. If you currently are or have been in the armed forces, please know you are welcome to join us for our Flag Day Celebration on June 11

th

at 9:30 on our front lawn. Members of the Veteran’s Services will be assisting in the event.Some of our classes will be presenting either a poem, or will sing a song, and others may share some of their artistic abilities as it relates to Flag Day. Shout Out to LaLiberte Custodians: Thank you to the custodians of our school for all the extra tasks that were done to our school during the April school break. It is very much appreciated to have a school that is always so clean and welcoming. Thank you to Mr. John Smith, our head custodian and his amazing team!

LaLiberte

Reminders and Updates:

April 29th and 30

th MCAS Make Up for Grade 3 ELA

May 1st Walk Ride Your Bike to School Day

May 3rd

Spirit Day, theme is Switch Day May 3

rd Fine Dining for April

Week of May 5th is Teacher Appreciation Week

Week of May 5th is Grade 4 Math MCAS

May 8th LPO 7:00 PM in LaLiberte Elementary School Library

Week of May 12th is Grade 3 Math MCAS

May 10th Zoomobile for Grade 2

May 20th. RAVE Parent Pen Pal Celebration Week of May 20th. “Kids Heart Challenge” May 23

rd. Parent Volunteer Breakfast 8:30-9:00 in cafeteria

May 25th Memorial Day Parade

Week of May 27th. CAST Week May 28th “Senior Stroll” May 28th, 29th, and 30th Grade 4 Field Trip to Lloyd Center May 29th. Grade 3 Field Trip to Plymouth Plantation May 31st. Spirit Day - Theme: Tropical Day May 31st Fine Dining for the month of May

Merrill Moments

Raynham Community Field Trip - Next Monday and Tuesday, our kindergarten classrooms will go on their

community field trip to the Raynham Police Station, Raynham Fire Station and the Raynham Library. Thank you

to our parent volunteers who are chaperoning this event and to the and especially to the to police officers, fire-

fighters and librarians who take time out of their busy day to teach our students about their community.

Kindergarten Folk Dancing - Kindergarten parents, put on your dancing shoes!! Merrill’s music teachers, Ms.

BRam and Mr. Scholfield, have been teaching kindergarteners to folk dance and they have been doing an amazing

job!!! On Tuesday evening form 5:50 - 6:30 in the Merrill School cafeteria, your child will teach you how to

folkdance. This is always such a fun night and I hope to see you there.

Massachusetts Walk to School Day - Wednesday, May 1st, is our annual Walk to School Day. On that morning,

bus students will be dropped off at Raynham Middle School. Students who are parent drop and Park & Rec stu-

dents, will be transported to RMS on one bus. All parent drop off students must arrive at Merrill by 8:45 in order

to be transported to RMS. If you do NOT want your child to participate in this event. Please return the notice that

was sent home last week. Also, please contact your child’s teacher if you have an approved CORI and you would

like to volunteer to help with our walk.

Marvelous Marvin - Kindergarten students will enjoy an exciting performance from Marvelous Marvin on

Thursday. Last Marvelous Marvin captivated our kindergarteners with his high energy, creative and interactive

scientific performance. We can’t wait to see him again!!!

Lost and Found - We have many items in our lost and found area that is stationed at the bottom of the ramp near

the front door. Please stop by and take a look to find that missing glove, sweatshirt , hat or coat!

Kindergarten Open House - On Wednesday, May 8th from 6:00 -7:00 pm, we will host an informational Kinder-

garten Open House for our incoming kindergarten parents. On this evening all of your questions about kindergar-

ten will be answered. We will talk about lunches, backpacks, start/end times, policies, procedures, schedules and

of course, the curriculum. Due to the amount of information you will receive, we ask that this night be parents on-

ly. We will have many opportunities for our young friends to come to Merrill School in the upcoming months.

Kindergarten Class Night of 2032 - It was so nice to see so many parents at our Class Night of 2032 this past

week. Thank you to all of the many volunteers who made this night possible.

.

Welcome Back! We hope all of our TEAM Mitchell Families had a wonderful vacation week spending time with family

and friends!

Grade 3 MCAS: Congratulations to our Grade 3 students for their hard work completing their ELA MCAS tests. The

students worked so hard and gave their best effort. Well Done!

Big Ryan Visits: We were very fortunate to have Storyteller Big Ryan visit all of our classes this week. His stories are

motivating, inspirational, and humorous. Thank you GMSPA for bringing him to us.

Welcome Class of 2032: Mr. Bratt and I had a fun time meeting our future K students on Wednesday night at the high

school. The students and their families were excited to be there, and we are so excited to have them join TEAM Mitchell in

September.

Kindergarten Folk Dance: Our Kindergarten students did an amazing job showing off their dancing skills at the Kin-

dergarten Folk Dance on Thursday night. A special thank you to Ms. Craven and Mrs. Bram for organizing this event for

our students. We are thankful for our terrific Fine Arts Department.

Upcoming Events…

Monday, April 29 - Police & Fire Community Luncheon

May 6 - May 10 - Teacher Appreciation Week

Monday, May 6 - GMSPA Mtg. 7:30 p.m. small cafeteria

Friday, May 10 - BASE Idol 5:30-7:00 p.m.

The Mitchell Elementary Minute

WELCOME TO

THE CLASS OF

2032

BRIDGEWATER-RAYNHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Presents:

The B. A. S. E. Program

Our mission is to provide quality care for students before and after school, while keeping the lines of com-

munication open between the program and home.

Programs are held at:

Grades K-3, George H. Mitchell at the Middle Elementary School

Grades 4-6, M.G. Williams Intermediate School

Hours: BASE AM and PM Sessions 7:00-8:55 AM and 3:25-6:00 PM

Any other questions regarding the BASE program may be directed to the GHMES at 508-279-2123 or to

the program director, Mr. David Bewley: dbewley@bridge-rayn.org or 508-631-1786.

IT’S SHOW TIME!!!

B.A.S.E. IDOL IS BACK!

HERE’S A SNEAK PEEK

SCHOOL COMMITTEE NEWS

Use the link below to access the GMES School Building Project Website

http://bridgewaterschoolproject.com/

Check out the School Committee Page on the District’s Website for

postings and meeting minutes

JAMES MCKNIGHT

James was honored at the April

24, 2019 School Committee

meeting for his quick action

during a medical emergency.

WAY TO GO JAMES! WELL DONE!

HOLLY HARGRAVES

Ms. Hargraves was welcomed as

the new principal at LaLiberte

Elementary School.

A special thank you and a fond farewell to Mrs. Julie

Scleparis who has served for six years on the BRRSD

School Committee.