Thursday, December 17, 2015

ePack #15

Dear Families:

It's been another soggy day in North Attleboro!  Since there will be no ePack next week, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a great holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Holiday Food Drive:  Thank you to Nurse Burke for organizing this collection to help Lenore's Pantry!  We will collect non-perishable food items and toiletry items through next Tuesday, December 22nd.  Children can wear a hat to school tomorrow if they bring in an item to donate!  

Wednesday, December 23:  Please remember that we have a half day of school next Wednesday. Dismissal will be at 11:30 a.m.

Vacation:  The upcoming vacation is from December 24, 2015 - January 4, 2016.  Enjoy!

MCAS:  Please note the MCAS posting in today's ePack.  This is not Community School's specific schedule, but rather an outline of the testing window.  

Student Handbook Receipt Page:  If you have not returned a Student Handbook Receipt page, you can locate one in the December 10th folder in the ePack.  

That's all for now!  Have a nice weekend, everyone!  

Mr. Gaudette














Thursday, December 10, 2015

ePack #14

Dear Families:

Thank you very much for attending parent-teacher conferences today.  I hope you found your meetings informative.  I know our staff worked hard to prepare for these important conversations.  I hope you were able to pick up a Student Handbook receipt page on the table as you entered the building.  Please return that page with your signature as soon as possible.  If you did not grab a receipt, it is posted in today's ePack.

If you requested hard copies at the beginning of the year, you may have received your handbook and receipt today or you will get it tomorrow.


Friday, December 11th:  Please remember we have another early dismissal at 11:30 a.m. for Full Day Kindergarten - Grade 5 due to the second day of conferences.  If your child attends half-day morning kindergarten or half-day afternoon kindergarten, there is no school.  

Report Card Envelopes:  Kindly return the yellow report card envelopes to school with your signature.  Thanks!

Mrs. Picini's Grade 4 Classroom:  Mrs. Picini's classroom is become an integrated classroom in the very near future.  An integrated classroom is a classroom with a higher number of students on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) than a "typical" classroom. Our integrated classrooms have one regular education teacher and one special education teacher.  I will be interviewing and hiring a special education teacher for this classroom once the December 16th job posting is over.  

Skype Morning Announcements:  We are at the beginning stages of doing our morning announcements via Skype.  We have trialed this with a few classrooms over the past few weeks and we had a few glitches.  I am meeting with the Technology Director, Lynn Wiegel, tomorrow to problem solve. Stay tuned!

5th Grade Field Trip:  Please remember that our 5th graders will be visiting the Boston Museum of Science on Wednesday, December 16th.  

Enrichment Programs:  Please note the updated enrichment program list prepared by Katie Ramm in today's ePack.  

Lunch Accounts:  Thanks to Cafeteria Manager, Meredith Fortier, for attending last night's PTO meeting to answer questions about the My School Bucks lunch program.  Please note the postings in today's ePack.  

That's all for now.  Let's hope for a Patriot win this weekend!  

Mr. Gaudette








Friday, December 4, 2015

ePack #13

Dear Families:

I would like to start this week's ePack message by thanking our PTO and all of our volunteers for setting up and organizing our annual Winter Fair.  I know the children had a great time shopping for family members and relatives!  

Student Handbook:  Please note that the 2015-2016 Student Handbook is now posted on our homepage under "About Us".  I ask that you all review this document.  A hard copy sign off sheet will be sent home for you to sign next week.  You can access the handbook here.  

Monday, December 7th:  1st Trimester Report Cards will be distributed for grades 1-5. Please remember to sign and return the yellow envelope.  

PTO Meeting:  Our next PTO meeting will be on Wednesday, December 9th at 7:00 p.m.  

Parent-Teacher Conferences:  Thursday, December 10th and Friday, December 11th will be early release days at 11:30 a.m.  There will be no afternoon kindergarten classes on both days.  I hope you find your conversations productive and helpful next week.  

Lockdown Drill:  Our lockdown drill prior to Thanksgiving went very well.  NAPD was on hand to offer suggestions and feedback.  

Only three postings in this week's ePack.  I hope you have a great weekend!

Mr. Gaudette




Sunday, November 29, 2015

ePack #12

Dear Families:

Please excuse the delayed ePack on a Sunday due to the holiday.  There are time sensitive flyers posted this week.  

School Picture Make-Up Day:  We have School Picture Make-Up Day on Wednesday, December 2nd.  Please send in the photos you would like redone.  We also have order forms available if you missed the original Picture Day.  Say cheese!

Holiday Shop:  The Holiday Shop is Wednesday and Thursday (December 2nd & December 3rd).  Please see the posting in this week's ePack for volunteers and class schedules.  

Congrats:  Congratulations to Mrs. Jill Pizarro for being appointed as our new Administrative Assistant effective Monday, November 30th.  Best of luck to Mrs. Chagnon in her new position at the Special Education Department.  

That's all for now!

Thanks, 


Mr. Gaudette


Thursday, November 19, 2015

ePack #11

Dear Families:

We have just a few days left until Thanksgiving break!  I hope you enjoy the time next week with family and friends.  Please remember that Wednesday, November 25th is an early release day at 11:30 a.m.  Morning kindergarten students will be dismissed with the rest of the school at 11:30 a.m. and there will obviously be no afternoon kindergarten.  
Conference Forms:  Please be sure to return your parent-teacher conference form by Monday, November 23rd.  If you need a new one, please contact the school.  

Mock Lockdown Drill:  All of the elementary schools are running a mock lockdown drill on Tuesday, November 24th.  This simply involves the teachers gathering the children in an area in the classroom and locking the door.  I will then check each door to make sure it is locked.  We will tell the children we are practicing for a weather emergency.  A Connect-Ed phone call will be made Monday evening, but I wanted to give you a heads up.  This is no different than running a fire drill, except we are staying in the building rather than exiting the building.  

No School:  Please remember that there is no school on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th.  

Mrs. Chagnon:  I regret to inform you that our Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Chagnon, is taking a position at the Special Education Department at the Woodcock Building effective November 30th.  I plan on appointing her replacement next week.  Mrs. Chagnon and I started our 8th year working together this school year. She has been a wonderful assistant and we will miss her very much.  Best of luck, Mrs. Chagnon!  We know you're close by!

Winter Fair Volunteers:  Please note the posting in today's ePack.  

Box Tops:  Please note the Box Tops Collection Sheet in the Nov. 12th ePack folder. 

Have a great weekend!

Mr. Gaudette


State Senator Richard Ross visited Mrs. Paulhus' Grade 4 classroom today!







Thursday, November 12, 2015

ePack #10

Dear Families:

If you had the day off yesterday, I hope you enjoyed it!  Thank you to any and all veterans in the Community School community!  

Bing:  Please make sure to read this article.  Parents - you can easily help us earn free Microsoft Surface Tablets for our school!  

Title I Night:  Please remember that Title I Night at Community School is this Monday, November 16th, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Super Grover:  Please note that the Sun Chronicle wrote a great story about our "Super Grover" fundraiser.  You can read the article here.  Thank you to Mrs. Erin Harding and PTO President Jen Brillon for organizing this event!

School Council:  Please note the posting in last week's Nov. 5th ePack folder.  We are still looking for parent representatives to be nominated.  Thanks!

Mark Your Calendars:  Please be reminded that Wednesday, November 25th, is an early release day at 11:30 a.m.  Also, there will be no school on Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th.  

NAHS Winter Drive:  We are collecting gently used winter hats, gloves and mittens for homeless children ages 0 - 12.  We appreciate any items you are able to donate.  Please email me at emilyhaskell531@gmail.com to make arrangements for pickup.  Thank you. 

That's it for this short week of school!  Have a great weekend, everyone!

Mr. Gaudette


Thanks to Lily Ramm (4th from left) for representing Community School at the last School Committee Meeting.  The 3rd grade students attended the first part of the meeting to thank the Elks for their annual donation of classroom dictionaries.  



Thursday, November 5, 2015

ePack #9

Dear Families:

Can you believe this weather? We'll take it!  I want to thank our volunteers for distributing our soup and cookies today.  They are working hard downstairs as I type this post. We appreciate everyone's generosity during this fundraiser!

Grade 4:  Our 4th graders had a great day at Moose Hill today!  Thank you to Mrs. Cote for the pictures below.  

No School:  Please remember that there is no school on Wednesday, November 11th, due to Veterans Day.  Thank you all of our veterans!

School Council:  Please note the School Council posting in today's ePack.  

Enrichment Programs:  Please note the list of enrichment programs in our ePack today. Thank you to Mrs. Ramm for organizing this list!

PTO:  The PTO met last evening in the library.  Please see the notes in the PTO section of our web page.  

Bing:  Please make sure you check out the flyer on Bing in Education in today's ePack. Some simple browsing could help us earn Mircrosoft Surface Tablets for our school!

That's all for this week!  

Enjoy your weekend,

Mr. Gaudette












Thursday, October 29, 2015

ePack #8

Dear Families:

What a beautiful day!  I hope you enjoyed this unusually warm weather today.  We have had some colds going around so it was nice to open the windows again.  It is very hard to think that we have just about finished our second month of school. Time is flying by!  

Progress Reports:  Some children may have received a progress report last week.  Please make sure to send back a signed copy if one came home with your child.  

Halloween:  If you celebrate, I hope you and your children have a fun Halloween this Saturday. Please be safe!  Also, we do not allow students to wear their costumes to school. However, if your child would like to wear orange and black or some type of Halloween T-shirt, that's fine!  

Super Grover Day:  WOW!  Our school raised over $500 for Mikey Grover and the Grover family!  It was great to see everyone in their super hero T-shirts.  Thank you so much for your generosity!

Star Lab:  We had our second day of the Museum of Science's Star Lab this past Wednesday.  Please ask your child about it!

PTO Meeting:  Our next PTO meeting is Wednesday, November 4th at 7:00 p.m. in the library. Please join us if you have time. 

School Picture Make-Up Day:  This will take place on Wednesday, December 2nd.  More information to come.  

Grade 4:  Our 4th graders will be visiting Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary on Thursday, November 5th.  Have fun!  

That's it for now.  Enjoy your weekend!

Go Pats!

Mr. Gaudette

Super Grover Day!  Top to bottom:  Mrs. Valeri and Mrs. O'Brien, Mrs. Tomlinson, Mrs. Harding and KPM and Mr. Gaudette, "Iron Man Aiden", Mrs. Brems.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

ePack #7

Dear Families:

I spent the last two days at the MassCue technology conference at Gillette Stadium.  It was a great conference and I learned many new things I hope to bring to Community School. Please know that when I am out of the building, I am in contact with the school and another principal covers Community School in my absence.  

School Picture Day:  We have school photos scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, October 23rd.  I don't have a schedule to share at this time.  

Book Fair:  Thank you very much to all of our volunteers for helping set up and organize the Scholastic Book Fair this week!

Richards Memorial Library:  3D (9:15 a.m.) and 3MP (10:30 a.m.) will visit the Richards Memorial Library tomorrow. Children can bring their library cards to school tomorrow for the trip.

Monday, October 26th:  Please take note of the posting for Monday, October 26th - Super Grover Day. Staff and students are invited to wear a superhero shirt and donate $1 to the Grover family.  Details are in the posting in the ePack. Thank you to our PTO for organizing this important event!

Compliment Cards: I am sure you have heard from your child that we have begun issuing "compliment cards" to students and whole classes for above and beyond behavior.  Please ask your child about these cards.  

That's all for now!  Have a great weekend!

Mr. Gaudette










Thursday, October 15, 2015

ePack #6




Dear Families:

October seems to be flying by!  I hope you enjoyed your Columbus Day weekend.  We certainly have had great weather this fall.  I would like to take this moment to wish Maria Moran, TEAM chairperson, a very happy retirement!  Mrs. Moran's final day is tomorrow. Best wishes, Mrs. Moran!

School Picture Day:  School pictures take place on Friday, October 23rd.  Order forms will be sent home tomorrow.  

Enrichment:  A few of our classes visited the Museum of Science's Starlab this week! Thanks to Katie Ramm for organizing.  The children had a blast.  If your child did not go this week, the Starlab is returning on October 28th.  

Buying Snacks at Lunch:  I would like to let you know that children are allowed to use their lunch account money to purchase a snack at lunchtime.  However, if you as a parent do not want your child to use their lunch accounts to purchase a snack, please speak to your child about it and provide him/her with $1.00 for a snack.  

Barrows Street Parking Lot:  I appreciate your cooperation for not parking in the Barrows St. parking lot during dismissal.  There are a few parents who are moving the yellow sawhorses to enter and exit the parking lot.  Please do not move the sawhorses as they are there to prevent vehicles from entering the lot at dismissal.  Thank you!

Book Fair:  Please remember that the Scholastic book fair is next week on Wednesday, October 21st and Thursday, October 22nd.  If you would like to volunteer, please contact Katie Ramm.



Thank you to Mrs. Burke for arranging for Firefighter Juergens to come and talk with Mrs. Crear's and Mrs. Valeri's/O'Brien's grade one classes today.  Mr. Juergens is pictured here with 1VO.  Remember that October is Fire Prevention Month!  Thank you to all of our firefighters!

Have a great weekend!

Mr. Gaudette



Friday, October 9, 2015

ePack #5

Dear Families:

I apologize for the tardiness of this week's ePack.  I had just one too many things to accomplish yesterday.  I would like to thank Mrs. Burke, School Nurse, for organizing our Walk to School Day on Wednesday morning.  We had 97 students, family members and staff members walk to school on beautiful autumn morning.  Check out the picture below from Nurse Burke.  I hope you enjoy your long upcoming weekend - No school on Monday, October 12th due to Columbus Day. 

Flu Shots:  We are offering free flu shots for children. Please call Nurse Burke or you can just print the forms and send them in with your child.  


New Hires:  I would like to welcome the following new staff members - 


-Kathi Curtis, Title 1 Teacher

-Ellena Augoustakis , Title 1 Paraprofessional
-Melissa Charette, PLC Paraprofessional (Nancy Maigret moved to Mrs. Smith's ILC)
-Jenn Graveline, TEAM chairperson (Maria Moran is retiring October 16th)
-Congratulations to Cara Murphy, former paraprofessional in Ms. DiNapoli's kindergarten classroom.  Ms. Murphy accepted a Title 1 teaching position at the Amvet Blvd. School.  

All-School Assembly:  We are going to have an all-school assembly on Tuesday, October 13th.  At this assembly, we are going to discuss our Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS).  This system includes "compliment cards" which equate to a star added to the classroom comet poster. Once the classroom poster has 50 stars on it, the class earns a special reward.


Book Fair:  Our Book Fair is coming up in a couple weeks.  Book Fair volunteers are still needed!  Please contact Katie Ramm at ramm1968@yahoo.com.  


Mrs. Meropol's Web Page:  I encourage all kindergarten parents to check out Mrs. Meropol's web page.  Mrs. Meropol teaches literacy to our kindergarten students.  Click here for the page.  


MCAS:  Students (Gr. 3-5) who took the MCAS last spring will receive their results today (Friday, October 9th).  Please look for a sealed envelope in your child's backpack.  


That's all for now.  Enjoy your weekend!


Mr. Gaudette
















Thursday, October 1, 2015

ePack #4

Dear Families:

It is hard to believe that today is October 1st!  The children experienced their first indoor recess yesterday during the torrential rain.  Thank you for getting your child to school in a timely manner during a difficult morning.  

Soul Warming Soup and Mrs. Fields Cookies Fundraiser:  Orders for this fundraiser are due tomorrow, Friday, October 2nd.  Please note that you must submit orders and checks for each brochure separately.  All checks should be made out to the Community School PTO.

PTO:  Our next meeting is Wednesday, October 7th at 7:00 p.m.  Please join us!  

Walk to School Day:  There is a posting in today's ePack for Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 7th.  We will be meeting at the Bank of America parking lot at 7:45 a.m.  Thank you to Nurse Burke for organizing this event.  

Barrows Street:  Thank you for not parking in the Barrows Street parking lot at dismissal. Please be mindful of not blocking Barrows Street while picking up your child and please do not park in the dentist's office driveway.  Thank you!

Library:  Grades 2-5 will begin library circulation on Monday, October 5th.  Thank you very much to our library volunteers!

Flu Shots:  Please note the posting in today's ePack about flu shots.  

That's all for now.  I hope you have a great weekend!

Mr. Gaudette




Non-Discrimination Policy:  The North Attleboro Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or religious creed, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law in admission to, access to, employment in, or treatment in its programs and activities. 

Thursday, September 24, 2015

ePack #3

Dear Families:

Happy Autumn to all of you!  The children at recess have certainly enjoyed a great stretch of weather this week.  Our students have settled into the school year and have become accustomed to their routines.  We are still working on appropriate school behavior in some areas - cafeteria, waiting for buses, transitions, etc.  I'm confident we will show improvement in these areas.  

Core Values:  At a recent staff meeting, the Community School staff discussed and decided on our school's core values - what is truly important for our staff and student body - Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Empathy, Success.  

September 28th:  Kindergarten and Grade One will begin library circulation next week. Thank you to our volunteers!

First Fire Drill:  Our first fire drill went very smoothly!  Thank you to our staff members for guiding our students through this drill.  

Twitter:  Please don't forget to follow us on Twitter:  @CommunityComets.

Remind:  Would you like free text message reminders from Community School?  Click here for details.  

Soup and Cookies:  Please remember our Soup and Cookies fundraiser ends on October 2nd.  If you need further information, please contact the PTO.

Walk to School Day:  This is scheduled for October 7th.  Additional details will be sent home next week.  

That's all for now!  Have a nice weekend!

Mr. Gaudette



Non-Discrimination Policy:  The North Attleboro Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or religious creed, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law in admission to, access to, employment in, or treatment in its programs and activities. 












Thursday, September 17, 2015

ePack #2

Dear Families:

I look forward to seeing you this evening at Open House.  I hope you enjoy touring your child's classroom and meeting his/her teacher. Please check out our PTO table, as well. 

Tuesday, September 22nd:  If you purchased a bus pass for your child, the passes will go "live" on this day.  Please make sure your child has his/her pass attached to their backpack.  If you filled out an application and purchased a pass and your child doesn't have it yet, please contact the school.  

Wednesday, September 23rd:  The North Attleboro Fire Department will help us conduct our first fire drill on this day.  We will inform all of the children so they are aware of the drill.  

School Crossing Guards/Substitute Teachers/Paraprofessionals needed:  Please check Human Resources web site.

Student Handbook: There is no Student Handbook available yet as all of the elementary principals are in the process of adding multiple updates. It should be available by the end of the month.

That's all for now. Have a great weekend!

Mr. Gaudette

Non-Discrimination Policy:  The North Attleboro Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or religious creed, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law in admission to, access to, employment in, or treatment in its programs and activities. 

Thursday, September 10, 2015

ePack #1

Dear Families,

Welcome to the Community School ePack!  The ePack will house a weekly update from me and PDF flyers for you to view.  I hope you will take the time to read my weekly letters as you will learn about the past week at Community School.  

Back to School:  It has been a difficult transition back to school this year given the extremely high temperatures.  Thank you to our staff members for keeping our students as cool as possible.  With that said, we are trying to get into a rhythm to our school year since we have had two short weeks in a row.  

Emergency/Contact Forms:  Please make sure to return all of the back to school paperwork that was sent out last Friday.  Thanks!

Student Handbook:  I am holding off on releasing the Student Handbook because there is some additional language that all principals must include.  Please look for information in next week's ePack.  

Arrival:  We ask that children please not be dropped off prior to 8:05 a.m.  The school opens for students at 8:05 a.m.  Also, please drop your child off at the door to the school.  We have many staff members on duty who will guide your child to the gym.  Thank you for your cooperation.  

Dismissal:  We have many walkers this year and we have noticed that parents are pulling into the Barrows Street parking lot.  This is obviously very dangerous. All parents picking up their children at Door A must park on Barrows Street.  Please do not park in the parking lot as a child will be hit by a moving car.  

Open House:  This is scheduled for Thursday, September 17th.  The schedule is as follows:

  • Kindergarten and Grade 5 at 6:00 p.m.
  • Grades 1-4 at 6:30 p.m.

PTO:  Thank you to those parents who were able to attend last night's PTO meeting. Please keep your eye on the Community School web page calendar for future dates. 

Twitter:  Please remember you can follow our school on Twitter:  @CommunityComets 

Have a great weekend, 

Mr. Gaudette

Non-Discrimination Policy:  The North Attleboro Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or religious creed, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law in admission to, access to, employment in, or treatment in its programs and activities.