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Dear Parents and Friends,
This will be the new format to replace Master Mail. Our aim is to have this out to you on Wednesday's so that you can be kept up-to-date on the latest happenings here at MCS. You will find, easy to use links to access forms and to register for events. We've also updated the calendar on the MCS website and removed any duplicate calendars. With your helpful suggestions we are hoping to improve communication. If you haven't joined the Facebook Page yet, this is a great way to see what's happening here at school on a daily basis. If you don't want to receive the weekly newsletter, you may unsubscribe at the bottom of this page.
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9/6 - Girls on the Run begins
Thursday, 9/8/2016 at 5pm: Welcome MCS families to the Back to School Ice Cream Social
9/8 at 6pm- Q&A with Dr. F & John Connell
9/9 - Picture Day -flyers will be sent home
9/12 - After school until 4pm: Auditions for A Christmas Carol
Click here for Audition Form
Friday, 9/16/2016 from 6pm – 9pm: A Tasteful Evening Beer & Wine Tasting
Monday, 9/19/2016 at 7pm: First PTO Meeting of the 2016/2017 School Year
Wednesday, 9/21; 6-8pm - Back to School Night
9/28 - Magazine Drive Begins
October - Date TBA: Halloween Spooktacular Fun Family Event
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Welcome to the 2016-17 MCS School Year!
We’re so happy to have everyone back along with our new families and staff. The long weeks of summer were used to make sure the school and our programs were ready to meet the demands of providing our kids with the finest Catholic school program in the region. The halls are shiny, the classrooms are ready. The excitement of teachers about to begin a new year permeates the school. The office phones ring, the doorbell sounds, books arrive and everyone wonders what the year ahead will bring. Opening day arrives as does the reason for our existence …..the children! They arrive bright and eager, filling our days with smiles and our classrooms with vibrance and youth.
Of course, there are challenges. The loss of our friend and colleague, John Connell, is felt deeply and changes the plans in place for succession relative to the future of MCS leadership. It reminds me of the old Yiddish proverb “ Man plans, God laughs”. True to form, God has used this time to show us that, despite the challenges, MCS is in a good place. Staff morale is excellent, new members of our team have brought some much needed insights and ideas to our program that will serve to make it even more excellent , and when we begin to screen candidates for principal of MCS in the spring of 2017, the traditional method of having a team made up of staff, parents, diocesan officials, and local pastors will more than suffice in helping the school to make the best decision.
I’m excited about the year ahead. I hope you are too. Every newsletter will share details of how we are chasing dreams for the children and making progress in our quest to continue to offer the finest programs in elementary/middle school education. I hope that you, as parents, will also share your hopes and dreams with us as we work in partnership for your children.
Peace, Dr. F
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Extended Day Pick Up Has Moved
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The pick up location for extended day has
moved. Please pick your children up through the front playground gate. There is an entrance to the room from inside the playground.
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Sarah Travis
Science 6-8
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science degree as well as a Masters in Education. Born and raised in Middletown, RI, she left for 20 yrs to explore, work, and live in the natural environments of Central America, Australia, Europe, and Hawaii.
Sarah held positions as an eco tourism guide, Cattle ranch manager, Veterinarian assistant, and Educator.
Sarah taught Middle School in Maui, HI and most recently at Juan Diego Catholic High School in Utah.
She is excited to share her passions for science and the natural world with all of her future scientists here at Monsignor Clarke.
Hobbies include surfing, biking, reading, and interior design.
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Paige McClatchy
Social Studies 6-8
Paige is a graduate of Connecticut College, where she double majored in History and American Studies. She received her Masters in the Arts of Teaching History at Rhode Island College and also received her Middle School Endorsement. In the summers, Paige is the program director of the Greenwich Bay Sailing Association. She is an outdoor enthusiast and is passionate about current events. This year, she looks forward to teaching students to think like historians as they analyze the past and seek connections to the present.
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Robert (Joe) Towner
Math 6-8
Joe is a graduate of Rhode Island College with a Bachelors in Education and is completing his Master's Program for Administration. Joe is a retired U.S. Navy Chief of 22 years. Joe comes to us from Exeter-West Greenwich where he taught 7th grade math. In his spare time, Joe is a 2nd degree black belt and Karate Instructor. He resides in Westerly and has two children.
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Elizabeth Wessman
Religion 6-8
A familiar face to our parent community, Elizabeth ‘Buff” Wessman, will be our new middle school religion teacher. A graduate of the University of Vermont, Elizabeth is a natural for this position given her history of community service and commitment to her faith. She will be moving the middle school from a study of our faith to providing opportunities to put our faith into action. She’ll combine curriculum study with service work, field trips, retreats, and guest speakers to teach and reinforce our beliefs by providing hands on experiences that foster greater understanding, empathy, altruism, a stronger prayer life, and ultimately a closer relationship with Christ. Elizabeth resides in South Kingstown with her husband and 5 children.
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Sports and After School Activities
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Begins September 6th. There are currently 2 spots left for grades 3, 4 & 5. Click the "Sign Up" link to register.
Boys and Girls Soccer practices begin Tuesday, September 6th after school.
Stay Tuned....Cross Country will be announced soon!
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Now Open
Little Angels Early Learning Program
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We are proud to announce the opening of our new Early Learning Program. Children 18 months to 3 years old will now be able to enjoy a safe and nurturing learning environment here at MCS!
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Now Enrolling!
Call today for an appointment
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Welcome
Lyndsay Parnigoni
Lyndsay is the new Little Angels Early Learning teacher. A Westerly native, Lindsay attended Catholic school herself since preschool. She graduated from Keene State College with a double major in Elementary Education and Psychology. She has worked in two different preschools previously and was formally the Child Care Director at the Gleason Family YMCA for two years. Moving back home has been a great change and she is very excited to start her new journey with Monsignor Clarke and our Little Angels!
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Updates from the Advancement Office
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On Friday, September 16th I would like to invite you to our first event. A Tasteful Evening will take place from 6 pm – 9 pm here at the school. This is a 21 and older event and the format is a Beer & Wine tasting with live music and great food. The setting will take place on the back lawn, weather permitting.
This event will help us fund the newly established “Friends of MCS” scholarship fund. This is an initiative that is so important for both retention and enrollment.
If you are thinking that a Beer and Wine Tasting isn’t your thing, please reconsider. There will be other beverage options, so bring some friends and enjoy a nice night out. Tickets can be purchased online through our website or here in the office. I am counting on the support of friends and families to help kick start our Advancement efforts.
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PARENT AMBASSADORS
Thank you to our Parent Ambassador team! This school year we welcome 34 new students and their families to MCS!
Interested in being part of the team?
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Even more great ways to keep in touch. Soon we will have a TV Monitor in the Lobby that we will use to display upcoming events, marketing videos and more!
Many Thanks to Sears Hometown Store in South County Commons for donating a 43" TV!
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Are you interested in a great way to get involved, meet other parents and know what's going on?
The 3 C’s, Community, Contribution, and Communication, are going to be the focus for our Board the next two years. The PTO is dedicated to building a strong school community, as well as assisting the school with funding needed for supplies and enrichment activities. In past years, the PTO has assisted the school with funding the science lab, smart boards, tablets and other technologies that directly impact our children’s education. Our Board will strive to identify and clearly communicate school needs, our goals, progress and opportunities for you to be involved. Join us for the first meeting on September 19th at 7:00 pm.
Jared Goodwin, PTO President
Testimonial from former Parent
10 years ago when we were new at MCS, I found that PTO was a great way to get to know other parents, some of which, are still my friends today. I felt even more connected and part of the MCS community and my contribution helped our kids. Plus, my son still talks about how much he loved seeing me at school when he was young.
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