Principal's Message - Click Here For Our Most Recent Issue of Leaps and Bounds

Message from the Principal’s Office

MJ Community,

I wanted to share a letter that was written by our Elementary Science Department Head, Kate Doyle, to all of our teachers. I think it captures the high level of collaboration and learning that goes on in our schools (sorry for the long read).

--There is a truth that we usually whisper back and forth to each other in our small elementary science team that I will reveal widely here: we are grateful to have the best jobs in the district. Aside from being the teachers who use the “bouncy tent” to explore concepts in light energy with lasers and fog, or take students out to plant and harvest and observe nature, we are lucky enough to be the ones whose jobs truly center around chasing student curiosity. Our jobs, when we really simplify them down to their essence, is to put the world in students’ hands, wonder with them about its mysteries and guide them to ways of exploring ideas, discovering evidence and explaining understandings.

This is most evident during the period of time between the Tuesday after April Vacation and the end of May. During that time, we incubate 8 dozen eggs and hope for an epic hatch. For the past few years, the incubators have been housed in elementary school libraries, where our chicken-farmer-librarians have really embraced the job and all students have access to the experience. During their time in the library, librarians pivot to read about chicks and chicken stories from diverse writers, explore stages of development and make observations. The excitement and fascination only grows once the hatch begins. Once chicks are hatched, we conduct “chick chats” for any classes that are interested in participating. There, we discuss ethical questions about hatching chicks in school, and how we handle chicks, our plans for the chicks beyond Westwood and so much more. Sometimes we discuss why all the chicks look so different (“Why do WE all look so different?”), we talk through the loss of chicks when they don’t all thrive and share other losses we have experienced, we sit quietly and observe the chicks, we laugh at their antics. Sometimes students who struggle to shine in school glow brightly when helping to clean the brooders or fill the feeders. When the chicks are here, community is built, relationships are strengthened and formed, and conversations that we might otherwise never have happen just because the chicks are here.

Once hatched, our chicks are really only here for 8 or 9 days before they are adopted by a farm. For the past 4 years, all of our hatchlings move to a farm in Brooklin, Maine where they free range. There, the farmers collect the eggs and many are donated to the Magic Food Bus, a mobile food pantry providing food for families in need. This year, we will bring them 49 healthy chickens. If only half of these are hens, by next year, they could be producing over 30,000 eggs a year! Are you wondering how many eggs a healthy hen lays each year? Ask an elementary scientist in Westwood – if they don’t know the answer, they’ll know how to find it!

Thank you to the district leadership that allows this messy endeavor, to the wonderful librarians who are marvels at connecting all of what we do in schools in ways that honor student wondering and allow students to be seen and known, and to the farmers who feed both our bellies and our curiosities year after year.

Thanks!

Thank you!

Matt

END OF YEAR INFORMATION

Earlier school year, the dates of short Wednesdays in June changed. Please be sure that your calendars indicate that:

Wednesday, June 4 is a short Wednesday (dismissal at 12:00)

Wednesday, June 11 is a regular school day (dismissal at 3:20)

Finally, Monday, June 16 is the student's last day. Dismissal from Martha Jones will be at 12:10.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Please see the letter from Assistant Superintendent Ahearn with key dates for registration.

MJ Specific Dates:

Incoming Kindergarten Family Information Night (Adult Only Meeting) - Thursday May 22, 2025 at 7:00pm

Kindergarten Screening - Monday, June 9, 2025 (specific times have been pre scheduled through the MJ Office)

updated 6-12-2025

PTO News and Update 

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU FOR THE PTO! 

As we wrap up another incredible school year, the PTO would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our amazing students, dedicated teachers, supportive staff, and wonderful families. Your involvement, generosity, and spirit have made this year truly special. From volunteering your time to contributing to events and programs, your support helped create a vibrant, caring school community. We are so proud of what we accomplished together and are excited for what’s to come. Have a restful, joyful summer — we’ll see you next year!

With gratitude,
Your PTO

WELCOME 2025-2026 PTO BOARD! 

• Ally Pavlic & Lennon (Co-Presidents) 
• Abbe Lynch & Monisha Dabek (Co-Treasurers) 
• Jenn Katsilieris & Erika Gautheir (Co-Secretaries) 
• Priya Sharma & Gina Ciampolillo (Co-Social Media)

BIRTHDAY BOOKS & LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS

Participate in the PTO Birthday Book Program! Ms. Swinning has selected some fantastic books that students have requested, but the Martha Jones library does not currently have. During their birthday month, participating children are invited to the library to pick a brand new book from this collection. A bookplate commemorating your child’s birthday will be placed inside the front cover and they will be the very first student to borrow this book! Once they’ve finished reading it, the book will be returned to the library’s collection, where it can be enjoyed for years to come. The cost of this program is $15 per student. 

Library Volunteers! Consider signing up to be a library volunteer for your student's class.  You will see a calendar with all of the teacher's names in either Grey or Blue. Blue means the spot is open and grey means that someone is already volunteering for that spot. Once you sign up, you'll see a little human icon next to the slot. In the event you sign up and cannot attend, please try and cancel within 24 hours so someone else can fill that spot. To cancel, click the icon next to your slot and "unclick" the person who is volunteering, and hit save. 

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION DRIVE

We aim to raise $7,500 from our annual PTO drive and are halfway to this goal! Every donation, no matter the amount, is appreciated and important in helping us continue to fund enrichment and community activities. Please consider making a contribution today! As a reminder, we also have a Corporate Match option. Many Employers offer matching donations because MJS PTO is  a qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

WEBSITE & DIRECTORY INFORMATION

The Martha Jones PTO is a non-profit organization that takes great pride in supporting our teachers and students. We do this by offering valuable programs, organizing exciting events, and providing essential resources that enhance the educational experience of every student.

Log in or register on the PTO website to stay updated on all PTO events, receive important PTO emails, and stay connected with Room Parent communications. You will also be able to update your information, contribute to our Annual Contribution Drive, purchase Birthday Books, and volunteer for various PTO committees or in the Library! Many of our committees are still looking for volunteers. Sign-up today!

MARTHA JONES PTO FACEBOOK GROUP AND INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT

Join the Facebook group and follow us on Instagram to get the latest PTO news and updates delivered right to your news feed! Join our Facebook group or follow us on Instagram @marthajonespto..

Martha Jones PTO Meeting Dates 2024-2025

September 24 , 2024 7pm

November 19, 2024, 7pm
March 4, 2025, 7pm
May 6, 2025, 7pm

PTO CONTACT FOR EVENTS, NOTICES:

If you have an event or notice for our PTO update, please email it to:

PTO Co-Secretary - Priscilla Stephan, Jenn Katsilieris, Erika Gautheir

Martha Jones PTO Board 2024-2025

Kristen Donahue, Co-President

Ally Pavlic, Co-President

Kristen Gautreau, Co-Treasurer

Abbe Lynch, Co-Treasurer

Priscilla Stephen, Co-Secretary

Jenn Katsilieris, Co-Secretary

Katie Collins, Co-Social Media

Priya Sharma, Co-Social Media

Martha Jones PTO Board 2025-2026

Ally Pavlic, Co-President

Lisa Lennon, Co-President

Abbe Lynch, Co-Treasurer

Monisha Dabek, Co-Treasurer

Jenn Katsilieris, Co-Secretary

Erika Gautheir, Co-Secretary

Priya Sharma, Co-Social Media