Martha Murphy and Stacey Shanahan

As this unconventional school year approaches its end, Marshfield teachers are still doing everything they can to feel connected to their students. Martha Murphy and Stacey Shanahan, who work together as 6th grade English teachers at FBMS, decided to print and send special bookmarks out to all of their students. The bookmarks, which say “read with us now and for the rest of the summer” with photos of them, are Martha and Stacey’s way of showing their students just how much they miss them during this time.

6th grade is tough and a transitional time even without an unprecedented global pandemic disrupting typical school routines, so the shift to remote learning has caused an increased focus on maintaining the students’ social and emotional wellbeing. Martha brings up how in this situation, it can be easy to feel disconnected to the students at home, so any way that they can reach out and make sure the kids know that they’re still being supported at school is really important. In addition to their efforts to keep open communication with their students through social-emotional check-ins, silly would-you-rathers, live chats with homeroom, posting videos of the first chapter of a high-interest book every Friday afternoon, and more, sending out these bookmarks as a way to show their students that they are still very much cared for.

The last day of school is on June 17, and in the meantime, acts of kindness and support like Martha and Stacey’s bookmark idea are keeping Marshfield students engaged and feeling supported.