September 5, 2025
Happy Friday Edgartown Families!
What an amazing first week of school at the Edgartown School. Staff, students and families worked together as we transitioned back from summer. I have really enjoyed getting to know students and families these past few days. Thank you to our staff for the time and dedication getting our classrooms and school ready for our students.
I have been able to meet with all grade levels (kindergarten next week) and start conversations about our school core values. We discussed the meanings and connections of KINDNESS and RESPECT and why these values are important for students, staff and a successful school . We shared what these values mean as a community, what they look like for us as students within classes, how we treat each other, and how we transfer these values out into the bigger community. Please ask your child if they remember these conversations and how they can carry these values over to family and friends outside of the school day. As the year continues, we will recognize the importance of other core values and how they build our school community into an environment we are all proud to be a part of.
Thank you to the PTA for the warm welcome back sign and the parent coffee hour. What a wonderful surprise for everyone as they arrived back to school. Thank you to Rosewater for the teacher’s treats. Everyone was feeling the positive energy and thoughtfulness.
Outdoor Learning/Playground Project– is now underway! A very exciting time for our school as we embark on this project. The students have done a good job being flexible as we move down to the Town Park playground/fields for recess.
We are communicating to the town that due to our school project the Robinson Road Recreation Area will need to be closed 9:00am until 2:00pm Monday-Friday. Thank you for the understanding and the collaboration.
Please remember to check our school website for upcoming events. I will include upcoming weekly events, but you may want to mark your calendars with important future dates.
Tuesday, September 9th 8:30-9:30 Coffee and Conversation with Mrs Campbell. Feel free to stop by and share ideas, hopes and community connections for the upcoming school year.
Wednesday, September 10th 4:30pm School Committee held in the school library.
It appears the students and Shea the school therapy dog have already created a positive bond. Lots of smiles from our students as they get to know one of our newest staff members.
Have a fabulous weekend! Please reach out if you have any questions or if I can assist you in any way.
Respectfully,
Kate Campbell
Principal
Edgartown School
kcampbell@mvyps.org
September 1, 2025
Greeting Edgartown School Families,
It was a wonderful week back for staff at the Edgartown school. We have been working on future school goals, collaborating on curriculum, building systems for how to best create learning opportunities for all students to learn, grow and shine, and of course setting up our classrooms. Our teachers care deeply about your children.
It was great to meet so many of our newest students and their families at our Kindergarten Picnic last week. We are so excited to see everyone on Tuesday morning!
Important messages can be found below:
Message from Nurse Kate:
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope you all had a relaxing and healthy summer! I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Tuesday.
If your student takes medication during the school day or uses an inhaler or EpiPen, please bring it to school on the first day. All medications must be in their original, labeled containers and handed directly to Nurse Kate or Nurse Colleen. If applicable, please also include your student’s Asthma Action Plan and/or Food Allergy Action Plan from their primary care provider.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me directly.
Wishing you all a wonderful start to the school year—I’m excited to work together again!
Warmly,
Nurse Kate
kcurelli@mvyps.org
Message from Mrs McDonald to students in 5th-8th grade:
Hello Families,
I am excited to be starting Open Gym on the first day of school! For those of you unfamiliar with Open Gym, it is a time for kids to get some movement in before school starts. It is open to all students in grades 5-8 from 7:30 am- 8:10 am. Here are the rules and expectations for all students who wish to participate. Students do not need to sign up or commit to coming, and they can get here anytime before 8:10. The biggest rule is if your child is having breakfast at the school, they must do that first, they cannot come to the gym and then leave for breakfast.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!
Have a great day,
Megan McDonald
Safety Drills- we will be having safety drills throughout the school year. Our first fire drill will be within the first 3 days of school. The staff and students will know about the drill, discuss and review what the procedures will include. Our Edgartown Police and Fire deptartments work closely with the school as safety is always a priority. I will send out a family communication after a drill is complete.
Breakfast and Lunch Update-
We will send out the lunch menu each month and post on the school website. Without a doubt, our very special school member Gina Debettencourt runs the best kitchen around!
September lunch menus:
English
Portuguese
School lunch and recess calendar.
A special tradition at our school is the opportunity for a parent to come join their child for lunch. If you are interested in joining your child for lunch we ask that you follow the procedures below.
Please check in at the office with a photo ID and get a visitor pass.
Parents can wait in the lobby for their child and join the line as they enter the cafe
Parents get in line with their child to pick up their lunch.
Parents should exit the building following lunch and students will continue with their day
All students have breakfast and lunch available free of charge.
Adult breakfast $4.00
Adult lunch $5.00
Parents can pay by cash or check. They may not charge their child’s lunch account.
Kindergarten does not get lunch the first two weeks on the 1/2 days.
New playground project will be starting next Thursday. I will send out more information with details about fencing, equipment and if any changes in parking will be needed. This is a very exciting project for our students and our community.
One of Edgartown’s newest staff-
Shea the School Therapy Dog- Starting this year the Edgartown School will have a school therapy dog as part of the school community. Shea has been a school therapy dog for the past 3 years in Attleboro, MA. She has gone through extensive training and is certified to work in schools, hospitals and any areas of need. She has worked with ages 3 to 93. Her role is to bring smiles to a school community. Mrs Campbell, along with staff will be talking to students the first week about Shea and what it means to have a school therapy dog. Please know there will never be a time where students are required to interact with Shea. She is a 4 year old hypoallergenic bernadoodle who has brought smiles to many students and staff during her time as a therapy dog. Shea will either be with Mrs Campbell or Mr Butler throughout the school day. If families have any questions, concerns or worries about their child and interactions with Shea please reach out. If you would like your child to have no interactions with Shea please also let Mrs Campbell know and that request would of course be respected.
Shea the School Therapy Dog video: https://youtu.be/jbUxqw0h8XU
As the new principal, along with Debbie DeBettencourt, and our entire staff, we are excited and energized about the year ahead. Communication and collaboration will continue to be a priority for us. Your voice and insight matter in developing a school community where we can continue to grow and shine.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Respectfully,
Kate Campbell
Principal
The Edgartown School
508-627-3316- extension 402
kcampbell@mvyps.org
August 21, 2025
Welcome Edgartown School to the 2025-2026 School Year
Dear Edgartown School Community,
We hope you had a wonderful summer break and are as excited as we are to begin the school year. The first day of classes will begin on September 2nd. The Edgartown staff has been busily preparing for a great year ahead. We can’t wait to connect with you all, see your smiles, hear about your summer excitement, as well as listen to your hopes and dreams for this school year.
Important Dates and Events:
Classlists will be sent out to all families- August 22nd.
Popsicles on the Playground with Mrs Campbell- August 27th at 4:00. Swing by and say hi to our new principal. Mrs. Campbell is very excited to meet all her new students and families. There will be many opportunities for families to collaborate, share ideas and input and ask questions about our school as the year continues.
First Day of School for all Students- September 2nd.
PTA Opening Day Meet and Greet- Join us in the lobby on Sept 2nd from 8:00- 8:30am for a cup of coffee and a chance to connect with other parents.
School Committee Meeting- Wednesday, September 10th at 4:30pm in the library. We value your input and participation as we start the new year.
PTA Meeting- Tuesday, September 16th at 8:30 AM. Everyone is invited!
Open House and Family Dinner- Wednesday, September 17th- 5:30pm to 7:00pm.
Enjoy a family dinner, explore the health fair, tour our school garden, and visit your child’s classrooms.
5:30pm – stop by the cafe for a family style dinner.
5:30-7:00pm– Visit the Health Fair in the lobby, tour the outdoor garden and grab some dessert before heading to classrooms.
6:00-7:00pm-Visit classrooms, gym, music,art, computer and the many learning spaces throughout the school. Most importantly, say hi to our fabulous staff who are eager and excited to see everyone.
First Week Reminders:
- Bus routes/stops will be posted on the school website https://www.edgartownschool.org/
- (transportation tab). Please check for your street/route. If you have specific questions about the time or location of the stop please reach out to the transportation office at 508-693-10033 ex.253 or bustransportation@mvyps.org .
- Daily Arrival- student drop off begins at 8am. Please use the designated drop off line. Do not drop off your child in the parking lot. Safety is always our priority- please follow crossing guards and police directions when walking/driving. Open Gym for grades 5-8 begins at 7:30am.
- Students will be marked late at 8:15am.
- Dismissal is at 2:40pm.
- Important registration packets will go home with your child the first week of school. Please complete and return as soon as possible. Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
- Free Breakfast and lunch are provided to all students.
- Check the school website regularly for updates and events.
- Weekly communication will be sent out on Fridays throughout the year. Please feel comfortable reaching out to Mrs Campbell or our staff with any questions, concerns or ideas as the year progresses.
Here at the Edgartown School we are all looking forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and community development. I am so excited to be a part of this school community and work alongside families as we foster the growth and development of all our children.
Warm regards,
Kate D. Campbell
Principal
Edgartown School
508-627-3316 x402
kcampbell@mvyps.org
August 20, 2025
Dear Edgartown School Families,
I would like to introduce myself as the new principal of the Edgartown School. I am very excited to be here and become a contributing member of our school community. These past 7 weeks have been full as I collaborate with staff and listen to the many wonderful aspects of our school. I look forward to bringing my 33 years experience to a very special place I now call home. I can’t wait to meet all our students on September 2nd!
My primary focus as your principal is to build strong, meaningful relationships with students, staff, and families. I believe that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and supported in a way that empowers them to reach their full potential. A strong school community shines when each child feels valued and encouraged to excel. Identifying and building systems of learning opportunities for all students is a focus I have worked hard on in my career, and I look forward to collaborating with teachers to strengthen systems here at the Edgartown School.
Communication is key to our success, and I am dedicated to establishing clear, two-way channels between the school and families. My goal is to ensure you are informed and updated as the year progresses. I want families to feel confident sharing thoughts and insights, asking questions big and small, and feeling comfortable when difficult conversations need to be had. I believe working through challenges when they arise usually gets us to a better place.
Looking ahead, I am excited to explore opportunities for families to share their perspectives on what makes our school special and to express hopes and dreams for our students. Your input is invaluable as we plan for the future of the Edgartown School. I am eager to get to know each family, build trust, and instill confidence in my role as your school leader. I encourage you to reach out whenever needed. One of the best aspects of my role is the ability to work alongside teachers and families as we support and celebrate our children.
I look forward to embarking on this exciting journey with you all. More updates are coming soon!
Warm regards,
Kate D. Campbell
Edgartown School Principal
508-627-3316 x402
kcampbell@mvyps.org