September 2025
"One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world." -Malala Yousafzai
Welcome to MMNS!
The first day of school is almost here, and the excitement is in the air! Our wonderful teachers are ready to welcome each and every student with open arms. The classrooms are set, the supplies are ready, and we can’t wait for our little adventurers to dive right in! Get ready for a fantastic journey filled with learning, laughter, and new friendships.
Here’s to an amazing start to the school year — we can’t wait to see you!
Staff Updates at MMNS
We’re thrilled to kick off the year with an incredible team of teachers and have a few exciting changes to share!
· Mrs. Bashaw, Mrs. Flansbury, and Mrs. Terminiello will be stepping down from their teaching roles but will remain part of our MMNS family as substitute teachers.
· Mrs. Adams is leaving MMNS to work in the public school system while pursuing her master’s degree. We wish her the very best as she begins this exciting new chapter!
· Mrs. Tara Seidel, a former MMNS parent and special education paraprofessional in the Amesbury Public School District, will be joining Mrs. Gray’s class this year!
· Mrs. Stephanie Landry, who was a substitute teacher last year and quickly became a valued member of our school community, will now be joining Mrs. Smith’s class full-time.
· Colleen Santos, a current MMNS parent and former middle school teacher, will be joining Mrs. Mirra in the classroom this year.
We’re especially excited to welcome Tara, Stephanie, and Colleen as teachers this year and know they’ll bring wonderful energy, creativity, and passion to our classrooms.
A huge thank-you to Mrs. Flansbury and Mrs. Terminiello for stepping in at the last minute to support Mrs. Gray’s class — your dedication made such a difference!
Here’s to a Wonderful Year Ahead!
We are incredibly grateful for the dedication, passion, and love our teachers bring to MMNS. With such a strong team, we know this school year will be filled with growth, creativity, and joyful memories for all of our students.
We can’t wait to welcome everyone back and begin this exciting new chapter together!
MEET AND GREET
Get ready to meet the stars of the MMNS—your child’s teachers! Join us on September 9th between 9-10AM for the Two Day and Five-Day Programs. If you’re part of the MWF Programs, mark your calendars for September 10th between 9-10 AM! It's a fantastic chance to connect, ask questions, and get to know the wonderful folks who will be guiding your child this year.
Classroom 2: Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Landry’s MWF PreK Class
Classroom 3: Mrs. Mirra and Mrs. Santo MWF and T/TH Classes
Classroom 4: Mrs. Gray and Mrs. Seidel’s Five Day PreK Class
Classroom 5: Mrs. Forrest and Mrs. Ritter’s MWF Class/Mrs. Forrest and Mrs. Smith’s T/H Class
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Two Day and Five-Day Programs: September 11th (8:45 – 12:30)
MWF Programs: September 12th (8:45 – 12:30)
Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures
To help make the first days of school smooth and stress-free, here are a few reminders:
Drop-Off:
Drop-off will take place at your child’s classroom door each morning.
Pick-Up:
Classroom 3 & Classroom 5: Pick-up will be at the main entrance door.
Classroom 2 & Classroom 4: Pick-up will be at the doors on the right.
Siblings: Please note that siblings will be dismissed with their own class, not together.
A Helpful Tip: During the first few weeks, we’d greatly appreciate it if you could either hold a sign with your child’s name or let the teachers know your name as they get to know you. This will make dismissal faster, smoother, and ensure every child is safely handed off to the correct parent or caregiver.
First Day Tips at MMNS
The first day of school can be a rollercoaster of emotions for both you and your little one! To help ease those first-day jitters, we recommend keeping drop-off short, sweet, and positive:
Say a quick goodbye: Walk your child to their classroom, give the teacher a friendly wave, and remind your little one they’re about to have a fun-filled day!
Keep it cheerful: A big hug, a quick kiss, and a confident goodbye works wonders. Let them know you can’t wait to hear all about their adventures at pick-up time.
Trust the teachers: If your child feels a bit hesitant, take a deep breath and let the teachers work their magic. Prolonging goodbyes often makes it harder for children to settle in, so a confident exit helps everyone.
Support for parents, too: We know saying goodbye isn’t always easy — for kids or parents! I’ll be right in the entryway if you need a quick hug or some reassurance before heading out.
We’ll keep you connected: Whether it’s a quick update, a phone call, or an adorable photo via Class Dojo, we’ll make sure you know how your child is doing throughout the day.
Remember, those first-day jitters fade quickly — and before you know it, your little one will be busy making friends, learning new things, and loving their time at MMNS! 💛
TUITION
Payment plan installments are due on the first of the month. Invoices will be emailed approximately 5 days prior to the first, you may pay online, by mail or in person. If you would like to switch your method of payment, please let me know. There is a $15 late charge for payments made after the 15th.
Communication at MMNS
Staying informed is the best way to support your child’s learning journey! Here’s how we keep you updated throughout the school year:
Monthly School Newsletter
Our Monthly School Newsletter contains important announcements, upcoming events, and reminders.
You will receive an email or a Class Dojo message when a new newsletter is posted in our Parent Lounge.
Parent Lounge Access: www.mapreschools.com
Password:MM2018Emails are sent BCC to protect your privacy — please be sure to add us to your contact list so they don’t end up in your spam folder.
Class Dojo
On the Class Dojo app, you’ll receive daily or weekly updates from your child’s teacher, as well as school-wide announcements.
You can also send messages directly to your child’s teacher through the app for quick communication.
School-Wide Emails
Emails are sent to all families using BCC for privacy.
If you are not receiving emails, please check your spam or junk folder and add our email to your contacts.
Reaching Me Directly
I am always available if you need an answer quickly! You can reach me through:
Class Dojo (fastest for day-to-day updates)
Email
Text or Call on my cell: 978-660-0544
We encourage you to check these resources regularly, so you never miss an important update, event, or announcement!
Health & Safety Protocols
At MMNS, we’re committed to maintaining a healthy and safe environment for all students.
Our Health Care Policy can be found in the Parent’s Handbook in the Parent’s Lounge — please review it when you can.
Each classroom is equipped with an air purifier to help maintain clean air quality.
We use Force of Nature daily to sanitize and disinfect surfaces and toys.
On September 8th, teachers will participate in CPR to ensure they are prepared to handle emergencies confidently.
Individual Health Care Plans (IHCP)
If your child requires an EpiPen, inhaler, or antihistamine, we must have a current IHCP form on file:
The form is available in the Parent’s Lounge and must be signed by both you and your child’s pediatrician.
Please bring the required medication(s) with the prescription label attached, making sure the lot numbers match and that nothing is expired.
Please bring forms and medications to your Meet & Greet so we’re fully prepared to support your child from the first day.
Thank you for helping us keep MMNS a safe, healthy, and caring place for all our students!
CHILDREN’S CLOTHING
To help our classrooms stay organized and our days run smoothly, we have a few important requests:
Extra Clothes
· Please send a complete change of clothes — including socks and underwear — packed in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag.
· Make sure clothing is seasonally appropriate and clearly labeled with your child’s name.
Label Everything
· Please label your child’s coats, sweaters, sweatshirts, hats, lunch boxes, water bottles and backpacks.
· Labeled items make it much easier for us to keep track of belongings at the end of the day.
Morning Drop-Off
· Help your child hang their coat when you arrive.
· If they have a backpack, remove their lunch box and place it in their cubby.
· Backpacks should be placed in the designated area near their cubby.
Thanks so much for your help with this! It really makes a difference in keeping everything organized
SNACK TIME
Please pack a lunch box that your child can easily open. This will help foster independence during snack time. For snacks, we encourage healthy options like fruits, veggies, or whole-grain items. A juice box or a water bottle is great for hydration, too! Don’t forget to include a napkin.
We are a TREE NUT and PEANUT SENSITIVE school. Please make sure your child’s snacks DO NOT contain any PEANUTS OR TREE NUTS.
Note: if there are children with other food allergies in the classroom, in addition to tree nuts and peanuts, we may ask that you do not send in a snack with that allergen.
New EEC regulation: Please LABEL lunch box and water bottle.
CHILDREN’S RECORDS
Please notify the office if there are any changes to your address, email, phone numbers, emergency contacts, or custody agreements. Keeping this information up to date is really important for your child’s safety and communication.
Also, just a heads-up: I'll make sure to notify you a month in advance if your child needs an updated physical form during the school year.
FIRE DRILLS/LOCK DOWN DRILLS
We will conduct fire drills once a month and lock down drills twice a year. On the first day of school, we'll practice our first fire drill. Teachers will explain what a fire drill is and guide students through a walk-through.
In the following months, I’ll use the sound of the smoke detector outside the classroom doors to signal a fire drill. Additionally, the Newburyport Fire Department will join us during the first month to conduct a fire drill as well.
PARENT PARTICIPATION
We value parents’ participation in our school. Your involvement can make a big difference! There are so many fun ways to get involved, whether it’s reading a book, doing a craft, or bringing treats for our holiday party. You can spend just 10 or 15 minutes, or even an hour with us—every little bit counts! Your child would be thrilled to have you join in, no matter how much time you can spare.
Please coordinate with your child’s teacher through class dojo. Best after the children have adjusted to being in school.
Field Trip to The Story Walk at Moseley Pines
We’re excited to announce something new this year — a field trip close to home at The Story Walk at Moseley Pines! This experience is designed to bring our MMNS families together, and siblings are welcome to attend. It will be a fun, community-centered outing for everyone!
Field Trip Dates:
Five-Day & T/TH Programs: Thursday, September 25th
MWF Programs: Friday, September 26th
No School: There will be no school for Mrs. Gray’s class on September 26th.
Transportation & Parent Attendance:
A parent will need to provide transportation to and from the event.
Parents are welcome to attend and enjoy the experience alongside their child.
Important Note: If, for any reason, the trip is canceled, there will be no school on either day. The building will be rented out for a Quilters Bazaar from Thursday through Saturday. Thank you for your understanding!
We’ll share more details and reminders as we get closer to the date. We can’t wait to kick off the school year with this special community experience!
SCHOLASTIC BOOKS:
Our school is reading with Scholastic Book Clubs! You’ll have access to expertly curated, affordable books that help boost your child’s reading skills, build your home library, and maybe even create moments of quality time you can share together.
Shop Our Class Page: https://orders.scholastic.com/DK2M4
Shop Flyers: https://clubs.scholastic.com/all-flyers
UPCOMING HAPPENINGS
· School Pictures
· No School: Columbus Day
· Halloween Parties and Parade/Sing a long
Read More