January, 2026
Dear Families,
It’s that time of year again… the Metcalf Elementary School Kids Heart Challenge! Metcalf is helping the American Heart Association build healthier lives free from cardiovascular diseases and stroke with a community service opportunity designed to help students learn about the importance of making healthy choices to take care of their hearts. Students can also help improve the health and hearts of others by collecting donations in support of the American Heart Association and its research, education and advocacy work right here in Rhode Island and across the country.
Our efforts truly make a difference and help save lives. Last year our Metcalf community of families helped to raise a record breaking $21,218.87 earning our school first place in the state of Rhode Island! It truly takes a community to pull that off and we would love to do it again!
This year’s Kids Heart Challenge will take place during Specialist classes on February 13th. All students in grades 2 through 6 will join in heart healthy activities during our program. We understand every family may not be able to donate, so regardless of donations, all students will enjoy and learn from the heart healthy educational experiences that will be shared during our program.
During health class, your child will be learning about the Kids Heart Challenge. Be on the lookout for a donation envelope with all the information you need to get started. If your family would like to help with a donation, please consider using the American Heart Association’s online donation program. We encourage online fundraising, however, the donation envelope has been provided for your convenience. Checks should be made out to the American Heart Association.
To get started: Go to www.heart.org/Schools - Register to participate! (*You may also use your mobile device. Visit your Mobile App store and search: AHA Schools to download the free app!)
We are hopeful that all families will be able to complete Finn’s Mission, especially the icon for hands only CPR and Warning Signs of Stroke. Kids can even create their own web page with a link to share with families and friends. It is our goal to have at least 60% participation in
Finn’s Mission.
Thank you, in advance, for all your support and generosity for our American Heart Association event!
Sincerely,
Ms. Gardiner and Mr. deCastro
Dear Families,
It’s that time of year again… the Metcalf Elementary School Kids Heart Challenge! Metcalf is helping the American Heart Association build healthier lives free from cardiovascular diseases and stroke with a community service opportunity designed to help students learn about the importance of making healthy choices to take care of their hearts. Students can also help improve the health and hearts of others by collecting donations in support of the American Heart Association and its research, education and advocacy work right here in Rhode Island and across the country.
Our efforts truly make a difference and help save lives. Last year our Metcalf community of families helped to raise a record breaking $21,218.87 earning our school first place in the state of Rhode Island! It truly takes a community to pull that off and we would love to do it again!
This year’s Kids Heart Challenge will take place during Specialist classes on February 13th. All students in grades 2 through 6 will join in heart healthy activities during our program. We understand every family may not be able to donate, so regardless of donations, all students will enjoy and learn from the heart healthy educational experiences that will be shared during our program.
During health class, your child will be learning about the Kids Heart Challenge. Be on the lookout for a donation envelope with all the information you need to get started. If your family would like to help with a donation, please consider using the American Heart Association’s online donation program. We encourage online fundraising, however, the donation envelope has been provided for your convenience. Checks should be made out to the American Heart Association.
To get started: Go to www.heart.org/Schools - Register to participate! (*You may also use your mobile device. Visit your Mobile App store and search: AHA Schools to download the free app!)
We are hopeful that all families will be able to complete Finn’s Mission, especially the icon for hands only CPR and Warning Signs of Stroke. Kids can even create their own web page with a link to share with families and friends. It is our goal to have at least 60% participation in
Finn’s Mission.
Thank you, in advance, for all your support and generosity for our American Heart Association event!
Sincerely,
Ms. Gardiner and Mr. deCastro
Dear Metcalf Families,
In a normal school year, it is estimated that Metcalf Elementary School produces
approximately 9 tons of food waste, of which about 1.8 tons is untouched or unopened,
perfectly healthy, edible food that could be shared or donated. Disposing of this food in
landfills is harmful to the environment, especially at a time when two out of every five households in Rhode Island are experiencing food insecurity.
To address this unnecessary waste, I am thrilled to announce that our School will be
participating in a program called Get Food Smart, RI.
With technical and financial assistance from the Rhode Island School Recycling Project, we will
be developing and implementing strategies to:
● Prevent food from being wasted in the first place
● Recover untouched, unopened healthy food to be donated to members of our school community who are food insecure.
● Divert the food waste we produce for composting.
We are currently planning to start separating food scraps, diverting healthy food away from the
landfill and properly recycling in our lunchroom starting on January 26, 2026.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out and if you have an interest in
volunteering in this very important initiative, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bucacci
In a normal school year, it is estimated that Metcalf Elementary School produces
approximately 9 tons of food waste, of which about 1.8 tons is untouched or unopened,
perfectly healthy, edible food that could be shared or donated. Disposing of this food in
landfills is harmful to the environment, especially at a time when two out of every five households in Rhode Island are experiencing food insecurity.
To address this unnecessary waste, I am thrilled to announce that our School will be
participating in a program called Get Food Smart, RI.
With technical and financial assistance from the Rhode Island School Recycling Project, we will
be developing and implementing strategies to:
● Prevent food from being wasted in the first place
● Recover untouched, unopened healthy food to be donated to members of our school community who are food insecure.
● Divert the food waste we produce for composting.
We are currently planning to start separating food scraps, diverting healthy food away from the
landfill and properly recycling in our lunchroom starting on January 26, 2026.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out and if you have an interest in
volunteering in this very important initiative, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bucacci

January 2026 - Breakfast and Lunch Menus


Important Morning Drop-Off Safety Reminders

Metcalf Spirit Week - December 2025

Penguin Patch - 12/8~12-12

PTA Meeting : 12/3/25 @6pm - Metcalf School

Thanksgiving Break - Nov 26-28

December Breakfast and Lunch


Winter Break Vacation Camp

Retake Picture day : Friday 11/14/25

PTA Meeting: Nov 5 - 6PM @ WAWALOAM

Flu clinic 11/5/25

Halloween Costume Parade @ Metcalf
Friday 10/31/25
Friday 10/31/25

Class of 2028 - Trunk or Treat

Dear Families,
Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to build your child’s home library with new books they’ll dive into again and again.
The easiest way to let your child shop the Fair independently is by creating an eWallet. It’s easy to set up and easy for others to add funds.
Create an eWallet, and you’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to Share the Fair - the giving program that supports students at our school who need help buying books. Consider participating so that no child leaves the Fair empty-handed!
Here’s everything else you need to know about the Book Fair:
Dates: October 20th-24th
Location:Metcalf Elementary
Family Night: October 24th, 5:30-8pm, Metcalf Elementary Cafeteria
For full details, and to create an eWallet, visit our school’s Book Fair homepage:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/metcalfelementaryschool
More than ever, we need to get students reading. Studies prove* that children with more books
at home, have higher-level reading skills, and attain more years of education overall.
Lastly, this is a great opportunity to be a Book Fair volunteer! When you give your time, it helps make our Fair an unforgettable reading experience where every purchase benefits our school directly. https://signup.com/go/asYxRoV
Happy reading,
EWG PTA
Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to build your child’s home library with new books they’ll dive into again and again.
The easiest way to let your child shop the Fair independently is by creating an eWallet. It’s easy to set up and easy for others to add funds.
Create an eWallet, and you’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to Share the Fair - the giving program that supports students at our school who need help buying books. Consider participating so that no child leaves the Fair empty-handed!
Here’s everything else you need to know about the Book Fair:
Dates: October 20th-24th
Location:Metcalf Elementary
Family Night: October 24th, 5:30-8pm, Metcalf Elementary Cafeteria
For full details, and to create an eWallet, visit our school’s Book Fair homepage:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/metcalfelementaryschool
More than ever, we need to get students reading. Studies prove* that children with more books
at home, have higher-level reading skills, and attain more years of education overall.
Lastly, this is a great opportunity to be a Book Fair volunteer! When you give your time, it helps make our Fair an unforgettable reading experience where every purchase benefits our school directly. https://signup.com/go/asYxRoV
Happy reading,
EWG PTA

Arrowhead Dental Associates in Charlestown, RI, is hosting its 15th Annual Dentistry from the Heart event on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
This special day offers free dental care to those in need in the Southern Rhode Island community who cannot afford treatment or lack dental insurance.
Key details of the event:
Services offered: Cleanings, dental images, exams, fillings, and extractions will be provided at no cost.
Location: Arrowhead Dental Associates, 4995 South County Trail, Charlestown, RI.
Appointments: Services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and it is recommended to arrive early, with registration beginning as early as 6:30 am.
Contact: For any questions regarding the event, you can call Arrowhead Dental Associates at (401) 364-6300 or visit their website for more information.
This special day offers free dental care to those in need in the Southern Rhode Island community who cannot afford treatment or lack dental insurance.
Key details of the event:
Services offered: Cleanings, dental images, exams, fillings, and extractions will be provided at no cost.
Location: Arrowhead Dental Associates, 4995 South County Trail, Charlestown, RI.
Appointments: Services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and it is recommended to arrive early, with registration beginning as early as 6:30 am.
Contact: For any questions regarding the event, you can call Arrowhead Dental Associates at (401) 364-6300 or visit their website for more information.

Picture Day 10/3/25

PTA Meeting - Oct 2025


