Mendell Communication Hub

School Spotlight: 

First Day of School is 9.4.25 for grades 1-6

Welcome Dr. Mannion to the Mendell 

Dear Mendell Families,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year at the Ellis Mendell Elementary School! Whether you are returning or joining us for the first time, I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with you in building a joyful, inclusive, and high-achieving school community.

About Me

I am honored to join you this year as the new principal of the Mendell Elementary School. I am a former Boston Public Schools student who attended the Murphy School in Dorchester. With over 25 years of experience, I have served as a classroom teacher, reading interventionist, English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, learning specialist, instructional coach, and principal fellow. My leadership is grounded in Joy, Equity, Inclusion, Collaboration, and Perseverance. My core values guide how I build relationships, make decisions, and nurture a school culture where children feel safe, seen, and celebrated. Together with the Mendell's schoolwide values: Aspire to Excellence, Be Inclusive, and Take Agency, we will create the conditions for every child to thrive.

Supporting Every Learner

As a full inclusion school, the Mendell is devoted to creating classrooms where ALL students, including students with disabilities and multilingual learners, learn, participate, and succeed together. The Mendell is dedicated to supporting every child's strengths, learning style, and growth. This means we provide strong support for students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and all children who benefit from differentiated instruction. Our teachers and staff use inclusive practices, high-quality curriculum, and collaborative problem-solving to ensure that every child can participate fully in the life of the classroom. Diversity of language, ability, and background is a source of strength, and we are proud to be a school where all students learn and grow together.

Collaboration

At the Mendell, our vision is that every child feels seen, valued, and supported to reach their fullest potential. We are committed to equity and to providing an excellent education for all students. As your children's first teachers, you play a vital role in their growth, and we value your partnership and collaboration in their success.

When schools and families work together, children flourish. That is why I am committed to building strong and genuine relationships with you. At the Mendell, our goal is to make sure every child feels they belong, that learning brings them joy, and that they are given the tools to reach their fullest potential.

Supporting all families equitably is central to our mission. I am fluent in Haitian Creole and French, I speak Spanish moderately, and I am learning American Sign Language. In addition, our staff speaks several languages, and we have access to interpreters. Please do not ever let language be a barrier to your engagement with us. The Mendell is YOUR school, and you are always welcome here.

My Commitment to You

Please share your hopes, dreams, goals, needs, your child's learning style, and any important information about your child with me and your child's homeroom teachers. You will see me during arrival and dismissal, visiting classrooms, and at school events. I want you to feel that I am available, approachable, and ready to listen. Together, we will make sure that every Mendell student receives the excellent education they deserve.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please Save the Dates!

• Community Playdate with Popsicles at the Playground

Wednesday, August 27, 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 6, 10:00–11:00 a.m.

• First Day of School (Grades 1–6): Thursday, September 4

• First Day of School (K0–K2): Monday, September 8

• Back-to-School Picnic: Wednesday, September 24, 4:30–6:00 p.m.

Flyers with these details are included in multiple languages for families' convenience. I look forward to seeing many of you at the playdates and the picnic as we begin our year together.

How will you hear from me?

• Together with our Family Liaison, Director of Culture, Climate, and Operations, and Attendance Coordinator, I will share updates regularly and send out weekly newsletters with important reminders and celebrations.

• We will also provide frequent updates on our school website.

• Classroom teachers, homeroom teachers, learning specialists, and other specialists will communicate with you about your child’s learning through ParentSquare, phone calls, and parent-teacher conferences.

• All ParentSquare messages and newsletters can be accessed in your preferred language.

School Hours

• School day: 9:30 a.m.– 4:10 p.m.

• Students are marked late after 9:40 a.m.

• Doors open at 9:15 a.m. unless your child attends before-school programming.

• Detailed arrival and dismissal procedures will be sent separately.

Contact Information

Phone: (617) 635-8234

Mobile: (857) 351-9791

Fax: (617) 635-8238

Email: amannion@bostonpublicschools.org

School Website: https://district.bostonpublicschools.org/mendell

We cannot wait to see your smiling faces at our playdates, on the first day of school, back-to-school picnic, and Curriculum Night!

With gratitude, appreciation, and partnership,

Dr. Adeleine Mannion

Student Learning Spring Showcase! 

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