From the Principal's Desk
Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences are getting underway. Please be reminded that Monday, November 24th and Tuesday, November 25th, students will be dismissed at 12:35pm to allow teachers additional time to meet with families. We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to review your child’s progress and discuss questions and/or concerns you might have.
As we head into the season of illness, we wanted to provide some resources that may help you decide when your child should come to school rather than stay home. Later in this newsletter, we have included Health Guidance for Maine School Children developed in partnership by Maine Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics and Count Me In.
Please know that we are always open to communication that will enhance your child’s educational experience with us and welcome your questions and feedback at any time.
Dates to Remember:
Tuesday, 11/11 - No School, Veterans Day
Wednesday 11/26 - Friday 11/28 - Thanksgiving Break
Sincerely, Carol MacArthur
Principal, Grade 4-5
Office Reminders
- Student arrival begins at 8:20 AM.
- School begins at 8:50 AM. If your child arrives after that time, they are tardy and need to check-in at the office before going to the classroom.
- You can report absences, communicate transportation plans or make general inquiries by calling the main office at 829-4815 or emailing [email protected]
We greatly appreciate your attention to these procedures, as they help to ensure that our routines run smoothly and efficiently.
Lost & Found
The Lost & Found is overflowing with the changing of the season. Encourage your child to take a look at the racks & bins just outside the cafeteria, or take a look when you come in for Parent-Teacher Conferences.
News From Our Student Services Team
Below is an updated list of community resources available for those needing support as well as those who wish to donate or volunteer services.
Food:
- The Food Pantry at the Cumberland Town Hall is open every other Friday 3:00-6:00 for shopping and pick up. Here is the link to their web page which includes their calendar, pages for requested items, and how to donate to the holiday gift room. Call 207-558-9121 for questions about acquiring food and supplies or gifts.
- To sign up for Holiday Groceries, email Christine Martell at [email protected]
- Drop off donations of non-perishable food, grocery supplies, or new, unopened gifts at any time in shopping carts outside the Cumberland town hall.
- School breakfast and lunch is free to all MSAD51 students. Lunch for snow days must be picked up at school.
- Links to food resources such as SNAP can be found at Full Plates Full Potential.
Heating assistance:
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) or call 553-5900
- The Cumberland Woodbank receives donations of wood, sells and delivers cordwood, and provides heating assistance (oil or wood.) Cumberland Congregational Church supports the Wood Bank. Call them at 829-3419.
- Town of Cumberland Fuel Assistance - Call 829-2205
- Town of Cumberland General Assistance offers confidential financial assistance to residents who are having difficulty meeting basic needs for housing, utilities and food. Call 632-2240 to make an appointment.
- Town of North Yarmouth General Assistance offers confidential financial assistance to residents who are having difficulty meeting basic needs for housing, utilities and food. Call 632-2240 for assistance or to schedule an appointment.
Gifts for the holidays:
- Firefighters for Kids: Cumberland Fire Department. For more information about donating or receiving toys, email- [email protected]
- Congregational Church in Cumberland. Contact Donna Doucette at [email protected] by November 26th.
- Clothing and other items:
- Falmouth Goodwill Store: U.S. Route One Falmouth Shopping Center 347-8252
- Portland FreeCycle: A grassroots, nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and thus keeping good stuff out of landfills. Membership is free.
- The Community Center Thrift Shop: Freeport 865-3985
Free and reduced cost dental care:
- Mainely Teeth (207) 808-9498
- University of New England Dental Health Services (207) 221-4900
- Community Dental in Portland (207) 874-1028
Discounted eyewear:
Referrals and resources:
- Call 211 or e-mail www.211maine.org for a list of state-wide resources, services and volunteer opportunities.
GMS 4/5 Resources – Please call or email us directly. All inquiries are confidential.
- Counseling/mental health referrals
- Breakfast and lunch are free for all students. No paperwork is required. Lunches are available on snow days, but need to be picked up at the school.
- Support for school related costs such as field trips.
Ali Waterhouse: [email protected], School Counselor
Katie Campbell: [email protected], Social Worker
Amy Vincent-Cross: [email protected], Social Worker
Meaghan Riemer: [email protected], School Nurse
Lora Rolfe: [email protected], School Nurse
Community Corner
In November we focus on Gratitude beyond saying "thank you."
Katie Campbell, School Social Worker
Ali Waterhouse, School Counselor
Amy Vincent-Cross, School Social Worker
A Look Into Literacy
As we move into November, students in grades 4 and 5 have wrapped up Unit 1, and are diving into Unit 2 of the CKLA curriculum! These new units are rich in history, fascinating cultures, and will continue to build advanced reading and writing skills.
Students in grade 4 will explore the entire feudal system in their second unit, Knights and Castles: Europe's Middle Ages. They will learn about the life of knights (including the code of chivalry), the structure and function of castles and manors, and the growth of towns during this long historical period. They will practice note-taking from informational text and strengthen their ability to refer to specific details when explaining complex historical concepts. They will also engage in an extended opinion writing project where they take a stance on a topic related to the Middle Ages and support it with evidence from the texts.
Students in grade 5 will compare and contrast ancient civilizations in their second unit, Early Americas: Maya, Aztec, and Inca. They will study the geography of each region, their advanced innovations and discoveries (like astronomy and architecture), their mythology, and the factors that led to their decline. A major focus is on integrating information from several texts and comparing and contrasting the three civilizations to speak about the subject knowledgeably. The unit culminates in an informative/explanatory report called the “Codex Project”, where students synthesize and present information comparing and contrasting the cultural aspects of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca.
Check out what is going on at Prince Memorial Library:
Janet Giguere, Literacy Specialist
Math Matters!
Here's an overview of what your 4th and 5th-graders are learning in math, along with ways you can support them at home.
Grade 4: Building on Multiplication
Fourth graders are delving deeper into multiplication by applying it in various contexts, such as rectangular arrays and exploring factors, factor pairs, multiples, prime, and composite numbers. They are introduced to multiplicative comparison (e.g., comparing quantities using statements like "7 times as much"). Measurement skills are linked to multiplication as students convert units of time and learn the area formula for rectangles ($A = l \times w$). Additionally, they are investigating patterns in square numbers, factors, and "What's My Rule?" tables to deepen their understanding.
Grade 5: Extending Fraction Concepts
Fifth graders are building a stronger understanding of fractions. They begin by exploring fair share stories to highlight the important relationship between fractions and division (for example, 3/5 is the same as 3 ➗ 5). This concept is extended to expressing remainders as fractions in division problems. Students also review placing fractions on a number line to sharpen their fraction sense and estimation skills for sums and differences. Later in the unit, they focus on adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers, using visual models and their understanding of equivalent fractions—especially with unlike denominators—to develop flexible and accurate computation strategies.
Supporting Math at Home
Here are some simple activities you can do together to reinforce the concepts they're learning:
- Grade 4: Practice Multiples!
- Ask your child to list the first 5 or 10 multiples of different single-digit numbers (e.g., "What are the first five multiples of 6?").
- Grade 5: Find Fractions in the Real World!
- Look for fractions in everyday situations, such as in recipes, measuring tools, advertisements, or sports reports. Discuss what the fraction represents.
- Both Grades: Equal Sharing Problems!
- Make up simple problems about sharing things equally to reinforce the connection between division and fractions.
- Example: "If 5 people share 4 cookies equally, how much cookie does each person get?" (The answer is 4/5 of a cookie).
Shannon Peterson, Math Specialist
Library News
Dorothy Hall-Riddle, 4-8 Librarian
Attendance Matters!
Check This Out!
The Late Bus
In addition to regular, daily dismissal, a late bus is also available on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday for students who stay for co-curricular activities or after-school academic support. Buses pick up students from GMS at 4:15pm and transport them home. Please be aware that depending on the number of students riding the late bus on a given day, your child's arrival time at home may vary. If you have specific questions about the late bus, please feel free to call the Transportation Garage at 829-4820.
Co-Curricular Activities
Monday:
5th grade Band (starting in January) Mr. Barry Saunders [email protected]
Tuesday:
Chorus - Mrs. Jennifer Caton [email protected]
Thursday:
Newspaper Club - Ms. Melissa Fiess [email protected]
5th grade Ukulele Club - Mr. Barry Saunders [email protected]
5th grade Math Team - Mrs. Laurie Poissonnier [email protected]
During the School Day:
Green Team - Mrs. Monica Moore [email protected]
Civil Rights Team - Mrs. Katie Cassessee [email protected], Mrs. Jane Kilbride-Dupuis [email protected], Ms. Molly Russell [email protected]
Stay Connected
