Principal Newsletter April 16, 2021

Friday, April 16, 2021

April vacation runs from Monday, April 19 through Friday, April 23.

Friends of Sheffield is holding an online fundraiser to raise money for class t-shirts. The annual t-shirt tradition wasn't able to happen last spring so we are hoping to bring it back and raise enough funds for these wonderful keepsakes. We have partnered with Pierce Bros Coffee (newly branded as Fogbuster Coffee Works) for a 2 week online fundraiser starting Monday, April 12 and running through Monday, April 26. There are a variety of items including different blends of coffee (AND a special SHEFFIELD PRIDE blend), hot chocolate, KCups and chocolate covered espresso beans. 30% of all proceeds from this sale will go directly to the purchase of a t-shirt for each child at Sheffield. If you'd prefer to make a straight donation there is a button on the website just for that. This fundraiser is strictly online so you may ask family and friends from near and far to support us. You will have a choice if you want to have the items shipped (however you will have to pay for shipping) or if you want the items to be picked up at Sheffield (free shipping this way). Thank you in advance for your support of Sheffield Elementary School!

https://piercebrospromos.com/collections/fundraiser

  • MCAS dates: this year we will be having one day of ELA, one day for Math, for all third-fifth grades,  and one day for Science for grade 5.  The following dates have been scheduled for our school.  May 13; 5th grade Science,  May 20; Math, May 27; ELA.  Make ups will be the next day for each subject.

  • I conducted an assembly at each grade level during indoor recess in our auditorium to share our school rules:

    • Be safe and in control

    • Active listening to all

    • Take care of all school materials and keep a clean school environment

    • Be kind, helpful, and have fun

    • Believe in yourself and believe in each other

  • I also explained that at Sheffield we are all friends.  We do not have boyfriends or girlfriends at elementary school because we are friends or friendly to all.  In our learning community everyone is expected to work together, and that a boy having a girl partner for an activity did not mean they were ‘going out’.  There is plenty of time when they are older to worry about such things.  Please support this message by talking with your child at home.  

  • If you plan on traveling outside of Massachusetts during the vacation, the following are the updated guidelines:

As of Monday, March 22, all visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, are advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival.  Travelers in the following categories are exempt from this quarantine advisory:

  • Travelers who have received a negative COVID-19 result on a test administered not more than 72 hours prior to their arrival in Massachusetts.  Travelers may also test out of the quarantine advisory after arrival in Massachusetts, as long as they quarantine until receiving a negative test result.

  • Anyone who is entering Massachusetts for fewer than 24 hours

  • Anyone who is returning to Massachusetts after being out of the State for fewer than 24 hours

  • Workers who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure functions (as specified by the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) during required commuting to or from work and while at work.

  • Travelers who are fully vaccinated (i.e. who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago) and who do not have symptoms.

  • All travelers are encouraged to consult and follow the Mass travel advisory below. 

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-advisory

  • There is a FOS meeting on Wednesday, April 28 from 4:45-5:30.

  • We will be enjoying poems on Poem in Your Pocket Day on Thursday, April 29!

With Sheffield Pride,

Melissa Pitrat