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

Message from the Principal’s Office

MJ Community,

As we think about next school year, I want to take the opportunity to promote the MJ Buddy Program. It is a parent run effort to match new to MJ students and families with current MJ families to help them navigate a new school and community.

MJ Buddy Program

At MJ, we recognize that joining a new school can feel daunting for both students and parents. Navigating unfamiliar routines, meeting new people, and learning about different events and traditions can be overwhelming. That’s why we created the MJ Buddy Program. By pairing new families with seasoned volunteers who know our school well, we aim to provide a warm welcome right from the start. Through friendly guidance and ongoing communication, the Buddy Program helps newcomers find their footing socially, academically, and within the wider school community. We believe that when families feel supported from day one, everyone benefits students form friendships more easily, parents engage more confidently, and our entire school culture becomes stronger, more inclusive, and more connected.

In the upcoming 25/26 school year the MJ Buddy Program will foster a welcoming and connected school community by offering new families in 1st grade and up, early engagement opportunities, clear information, and connection—ensuring they feel integrated and supported from day one.

Why Become a Buddy Family?

Ease Transitions: You’ll help newcomers navigate daily routines, answer questions about school events, and share insights about life at MJ.

Foster Connections: By building these new friendships, we create a stronger, more vibrant, and connected school community.

What’s Involved?

Welcome & Orientation: Connect with new families before or at the start of the school year and offer a friendly face at key events.

Regular Check-Ins: Reach out periodically (via text, email, phone, or in-person) to provide answers, guidance, or just to say hello.

Introduce Opportunities: Invite new families to attend upcoming events like the Family Picnic, Bingo Night, or Movie Night.

Ready to Help?

If you’d like to be part of the MJ Buddy Program, please complete our quick Buddy Volunteer form below. We’ll do our best to match you with a new family based on shared interests, grade levels, and communication preferences.

If you have any questions or want more information, please reach out to Megan Madel at m.madel@northeastern.edu Thank you in advance for your willingness to support our community and help make MJ a place where everyone feels like they belong.

Link to Buddy Family Volunteer Form

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)

MCAS

We will be conducting the MCAS testing on the following dates:

May 13 and May 15- Math (Gr. 3, 4, 5)

May 19 and May 20 - STE (Gr. 5 only)

Each year, I have parents ask what they can do to best prepare their children. I think it's important to not do anything different. I encourage parents to prioritize good sleep and good nutrition. If your children express worry about the MCAS; tell the students that they have been well prepared.

Finally, when students take the MCAS the following items are not allowed on their person: phones and smartwatches. Please have students keep them at home.

updated 4-30-2025

PTO News and Update 

EOY EVENTS & DATES TO REMEMBER 

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK - May 5 - 9 

PTO MEETING -  MAY 6 at 7:00PM

FIELD DAY - MAY 30

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT MAY 30 

5th GRADE END OF YEAR PARTY - JUNE 4

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT CELEBRATION

Save the date! Our International Night Celebration will take place on Friday, May 16th 6:00-8:00pm and you're invited! Join us for a night of fun, food, and festivities as we celebrate the diverse cultures that make our school community so special. From exciting performances to delicious international cuisine, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So mark your calendars and get ready for a memorable evening of togetherness and global exploration.

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. 

Please consider signing up for a library volunteer spot for your student's class. Each week, every classroom has one library spot you can volunteer for. Please see the link below to sign up. 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. Sign up for Library Here!

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.

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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

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