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Cunniff Connections: Friday, September 5, 2025

Posted Date: 9/05/25 (1:26 PM)
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Cunniff Connections

Cunniff Elementary School Newsletter

September 5, 2025
 

A Note from Ms. MacEwan

Dear Cunniff Families,

We had an INCREDIBLE first week of school! It has been so wonderful to see so many smiling faces walking into the building each day! Our students spent their time meeting new friends, getting back into the swing of things, and starting to learn.

Our Kindergarten students (and families) did an amazing job with their first few good-byes, and they are already starting to shine learning all about school.

Please read on for important information about logistics and special events over the next few weeks!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Julia
 

Arrival, Dismissal & Safety

Drop-and-Go

Our Drop-and-Go system is now live every morning from 8:05 - 8:15am.

There is NO Drop-and-Go for Pre-K.

If you use Drop-and-Go, you may have noticed that the exit of the Drop-and-Go line is very close to one of the crosswalks on Warren Street. This means that the Drop-and-Go line can sometimes be stalled due to students crossing the street. We appreciate your patience and your partnership - student safety is our top priority.

Please do not exit the drop-and-go line out of order, do not park in the drop-and-go line, and please follow all directives from the crossing guard and Cunniff staff.
 

Arrival

Kindergarten - 5th Grade
Arrival starts at 8:05am and ends at 8:15am.

Kindergarten enters through Door #2; 1st through 5th grades enter through Door #1.

If you are dropping your child off after 8:15am, they must enter the building through Door #1 and check in at the Main Office. Cunniff staff will make sure they get to their classroom.

Pre-K
Pre-K Arrival starts at 8:20am and ends at 8:30am through Door #2.

If you are dropping your child off after 8:30am, you must enter the building the building through Door #1 and check in at the Main Office. Cunniff staff will escort them to their classroom.
 

Dismissal

Dismissal is at 2:30 every day.

On Early Release days, dismissal is at 12pm.

Please review the map below for your child's dismissal spot.

Dismissal Locations

Dismissal locations
 

Introducing: Our Facility Dog Bowie!

Bowie and Mrs. A hanging in Mrs. Dwyer's room last week while she prepped!
We are thrilled to announce that our facility dog, Bowie, will be joining us this Monday, September 8th! Bowie is a 4 and a 1/2 year old English Cream Golden Retriever, and he has been training with Golden Opportunities for Independence (GOFI) this summer to be able to join our team at the Cunniff.

GOFI is the same organization that has trained our Community Resource Dog Raider, and the facility dog, Brady, and the Lowell.

Bowie belongs to me (Julia), and his primary handler at the school will be our social worker, Elaine Antonellis. Having a facility dog here at the Cunniff means we will be able to provide comfort and support to students, have a loving audience for students to read to, and generally support the overall wellbeing of our community. He loves hanging out with kids, getting petted, and generally being part of the team!

If your child has a severe fear of dogs, or a severe dog allergy, please inform your child's teacher. We will make sure to keep any children with a phobia or severe allergy away from Bowie.
 

Absences

Please use our Absence Reporting Form (also linked in a button at the bottom of this newsletter) to let us know any time your child will be absent from school. This is the best way to report your child's absence.

Open House Night: Thursday, September 18, 6p - 8p

On Thursday evening, September 18th, we will be welcoming families (kids included!) to the Cunniff for our annual Open House! The evening kicks off with a brief gathering in the cafeteria. Join us if you can, or head right to classrooms — whatever works best for your family!

Please mark your calendars - we look forward to seeing you!
 

Courses for Kids

Cunniff Fall 2025 Courses For Kids - Registration Deadline is 10:00 AM on Monday, September 15th
Registration is open and will run until 10:00 AM on Monday, September 15th. Please use the catalog link below to view an electronic version of flier. Paper fliers will be sent home with students as well.
 
Courses for the spring session include:

Tuesdays 2:30-3:30 PM
8 Tuesdays: 10/7, 10/14, 10/28, 11/4, 11/18, 11/25, 12/2, 12/9 (no class on 10/21 or 11/11)
  • Wildlife Wonders Using Lego Materials (grades K-2)
  • Friends of the Finned: Learning Calm Through Caring (grades K-5)
  • Karate (grades 1-5)
  • Chess Wizards (grades 1-5)
  • Minecraft Coding and Design Studio (grades 2-5)

Wednesdays 2:30-3:30 PM
8 Wednesdays: 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/12, 11/19, 12/3, 12/10 (no class on 11/5 or 11/26)
  • Minecraft Explorer’s Club (grades K-1)
  • Art Adventures: Inspired by the Masters (grades K-2)
  • Buildwave | A Hands-On Building Game (grades K-5) 
  • Artemis Yoga (grades 1-3)
  • Real World Robotics (grades 3-5)

Use the links below to see the full course catalog and to register online. Please note that there is a max capacity for each course and registration does not guarantee confirmed enrollment. Our initial registration period is open until 10:00 AM on Monday, September 15th. A lottery will be held for spaces in any course that exceeds its maximum capacity prior to the deadline. Please view the catalog link below for more information

Cunniff CFK Fall 2025 Catalog 

Cunniff CFK Fall 2025 Online Registration Form

Important Dates Ahead!

Calendar

Please mark your calendars!


  • Saturday, September 6: District Welcome Event (please see flyer, below)
  • Tuesday, September 9: First Day of Pre-K (12p dismissal for Pre-K only)
  • Wednesday, September 10: First full day of Pre-K (all students dismiss at 2:30p)
  • Wednesday, September 17: Early Release, 12pm
  • Thursday, September 18: Cunniff Open House, 6p - 8p (more details to come!)
  • Thursday, September 25: School Picture Day! (More details coming soon!)
Cunniff Absence Reporting Form
 
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Julia D. MacEwan

Question or concerns?

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links:

  • (617)-926-7726
  • julia.macewan@watertown.k12.ma.us
  • https://cunniff.watertown.k12.ma.us/


[Saturday, Sep 6 at 5:11 PM]
Dear Families,

It has been brought to my attention that the link in the newsletter to our Absence Reporting Form was not working. You can access think form here: https://forms.gle/3xdJRQwx6769WkUX9.

Also, the "button" in the newsletter has been fixed, so that should also take you directly to the form.

My apologies for any confusion - I hope you are all having a lovely weekend!

My best,

Julia