August 22, 2023
Dear Roosevelt Families,
We are very excited to welcome our RAVENs and families back to school for the 2023-2024 school year!
I hope this letter finds you well and that you have been enjoying a terrific summer. I have included lots of information for you that I hope you will find helpful and not overwhelming as we prepare to open school for the new year.
Class Placement:
You will find your child’s classroom placement on the Aspen portal which will be open to families by the end of the day on TUESDAY, August 22, 2023.
The development of class lists is a comprehensive task that requires the collaborative efforts of the professional educators at our school. All aspects of child development are taken into account. A great deal of time and effort has been put into the development of equitable and appropriate classes. We believe that every student will have a successful school year in the classroom in which they have been assigned.
The list of 2023-2024 Homeroom Teachers and their locations can be found here: Roosevelt Educators.
Kindergarten and New Families have received additional information from Leslie Blaney, the District Data Coordinator about Aspen accounts. An instructional video about logging into Aspen for reference is forthcoming.
To access your Aspen account go to: https://ma-melrose.myfollett.com/aspen/logon.doc
If you cannot remember your login or password or need assistance, please send an email to: itsupport@melroseschools.com and you will receive an email response with the necessary information to log in.
Staffing Updates:
Please join me in welcoming the following educators to our Roosevelt Community:
Grade 1: Melissa Sharpin
Grade 2: Samantha Justice
Grade 5 (long-term substitute): Matt Souza
SEC: Susan Kraemer
Speech and Language Pathologist: Lianna Sanchez
Important Dates:
REMINDER: Tuesday 8/22, 6:30 - 7:30 PM.
Kindergarten Orientation for Parents/Guardians Only
Location: Roosevelt School Cafeteria
REMINDER: Wednesday, 8/23, 6:00-7:00 P.M. Mayor’s Kindergarten Welcome, Fred Green Field.
Tuesday 8/29, 1:50-2:20 P.M. Roosevelt Kindergarten Welcome on the Roosevelt Playground and all New Student/New Family Welcome on the Roosevelt Playground.
We are meeting at the playground because we want students and families to mingle. Don’t be shy; introduce yourself and your child to other families in our community.
Wednesday, August 30th: First Day of School in Melrose for all students K-12.
Arrival/Dismissal: NO MORE LINING UP BEFORE SCHOOL!!!
All students Grades K-5 will enter the building through the Brunswick or Vinton doors and go directly to their classrooms between 7:53 and 8:03 A.M beginning August 30th. ALL STAFF will be on duty in the building to support all students as they move through the building 7:53-8:03:There will no longer be staff outside before school FYI: This rolling entry plan has been adopted for all other elementary schools prior to this year with a great deal of success. As with any change, the first few days might be a bit busy but it will all become routine very soon.
Please review the Roosevelt Arrival and Dismissal Procedures and review them with your child to ensure a safe, efficient, and orderly arrival and dismissal process.
Mandatory Data Collection:
Here is the Melrose Public Schools Confidential Student Health and Emergency Information Form. Parents/Caregivers must complete the student health form and return to school on the first day of school via your child’s backpack. If you have any questions about completing the mandated forms please contact our parent information center at 781-662-2000, press #1.
Follow-up communication will be forthcoming with information on how to:
Update Contact Information
Update Media Release Permissions
Opt in for school and District communications via Thrillshare
And acknowledge that you have read:
The Elementary School Student Handbook
The Social Media Policy and the Acceptable Use Policy
The collection of this information is mandatory and will provide our school and the district with information to communicate with families more effectively.
Breakfast and Lunch:
Melrose Public Schools Offers Another Year of Meals at No Cost for Students
Chartwells K-12 at Melrose Public Schools will be participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. As part of this program, we will offer healthy meals every school day. The Massachusetts legislature has provided funding to make meals available at no cost to all students during the 2023-2024 school year, regardless of household income. However, families should still complete a Meal Benefit Application as this provides data for key funding for academic resources and may also connect families to additional benefits. This data will also support the additional funds provided by the Commonwealth for this pilot.
In addition to free meals, our elementary schools offer for purchase, an optional 2nd pizza slice with a meal for $2.25 or 8 oz. milk (without a meal) for $.75.
All families are encouraged to complete a school lunch meal application to see if they qualify for additional benefits such as discounts in Elementary Instrumental lessons, secondary sports, and P-EBT funding from the state. Click this link for an application.
There is NO School Friday, September 1st and Monday, September 4th for the Labor Day Observance.
Open House:
Thursday, September 21st: Roosevelt is hosting our annual “Back to School Open House” starting at 5:30 P.M. During this evening, teachers will provide parents/caregivers with an overview of the curriculum and learning goals for the coming year. All Grades K-5: 5:30-6:30. More details to come.
Roosevelt PTO and School Communication: Please find a welcome letter from the Roosevelt School PTO that includes their Google Form and QR code in their welcome message.
For additional information about the school and District, visit the Roosevelt and District websites. Keep a 2023-2024 District Calendar handy so you will know all ½ day Wednesdays, early dismissals, holidays, and vacations.
We are so excited for a great year ahead! Go Ravens!
Sincerely,
Mary Beth Maranto, Principal