Florence Sawyer School Happenings

Dear Families,

I'm looking forward to a great week at Florence Sawyer School.

• It's Tech Week for the cast and crew of The Wizard of Oz leading into a sold-out run this weekend! We're looking forward to a spectacular show!
  
  
• Also, this week, our interscholastic baseball and softball teams held their first day of tryouts today. The Track and Field Team meets for the first time tomorrow.
  
  
• Please note that Friday is an early dismissal for students at 12:15

Finally tonight, I want to address several areas of safety on campus. You may not be aware but it is illegal to pass the transportation vans when students are boarding or leaving. The vans have retractable signs like the full size school buses that are deployed for student safety. Please keep this in mind when driving on campus.

Additionally, I must call your attention to the fact that the walking path between Trinity Church Parking Lot and Mechanic Street is not a road for vehicles. Last week, an SUV drove through the path, narrowly missing a parent and her child. This is unacceptable. Please be aware that we will forward the license plate number of any vehicle on the path to the Bolton Police. Thank you, in advance, for doing your part to keep all of our children safe on campus.

Yours in partnership,

Joel Bates,

Principal

We have created the Virtual Backpack as a convenience for our families to capture forms, flyers, calendars, and other information that might have traditionally come home in a backpack.

Included on the Virtual Backpack page is a Community Events and Activities page where you can find non-school sponsored activities such community events, youth sports, community information for families, and other activities for children. We do our best to keep the CAEP updated.

We are excited to announce that we have scheduled time near the end of the school day on Monday, April 8 to witness the Solar Eclipse in both wings of our campus. Our amazing PTO has provided Florence Sawyer School with NASA certified viewing glasses for every student and adult. Thank you, PTO!!

This week, in leading up to the event, our teachers have resources and videos to teach students about the eclipse.

On Monday, teachers will bring their classes outside around 2:40 to watch the moon start to arc across the sun. We will return to the Emerson and Sawyer Wings in time for our normal dismissal time. In Central Massachusetts, we will not be in an area for complete totality but we should be close to 90%. For this reason, students will be told to wear their glasses onto the bus for their safety.

Weather permitting, we would like to offer families the opportunity to join their children for a viewing party at Memorial Field, from 3:15 on. We will send a google form to all families this week, asking you to let us know if you will be meeting your child at Memorial Field. We will then escort those students with our afternoon walkers to Memorial Field where you can view the "almost" totality together as a family.

I have reprinted the following safety guidelines which appeared in The Common this past Friday.

Eclipse Viewing Safety

As many know, on Monday, April 8, 2024, Massachusetts will be experiencing a solar eclipse from 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM. The peak of the eclipse for our towns will be at approximately 3:29 p.m. after all schools have dismissed. This is a very exciting event that many in our community will be engaging in. We hope that these solar eclipse viewing tips will promote safe viewing throughout our community as we experience this natural phenomenon that will not take place again until 2044!

Viewing a solar eclipse is very exciting. However, looking at the sun, even during a total eclipse can cause damage to your eyes. All students who participate in school sponsored viewing activities will be provided protective glasses. Athletic practices and games are being adjusted to reflect MIAA guidance. Although staff will be covering eclipse viewing safety as part of the curriculum if the students will be viewing at school, we encourage all families to reinforce these discussions with their children, as the eclipse will still be taking place after school is dismissed and students are heading home.

Here are some basic, safe and effective Do’s and Don’ts during an eclipse viewing:

DO

• Use eclipse glasses or solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 standards (sometimes written as ISO 12312-2:2015).

• Take breaks and give your eyes a rest, even with the eclipse glasses on. Staring continuously can be harmful.

• Use your hands to cast shadows on the ground. Cross your hands with fingers slightly spread to create a waffle pattern. Look down and you will see the spaces between your fingers project a shadow image of the sun in a crescent shape during the partial eclipse stages.

• Look at shadows on the ground, such as beneath a leafy tree, during the partial eclipse to see the crescent sun shadows projected by the spaces between the leaves.

DON'T

• Look at the sun directly.

• Stare continuously at the sun. Even with appropriate eyewear damage can occur with continual watching of the sun.

• Use damaged eclipse sunglasses or solar viewers. If they are torn, scratched, punctured, or coming out of the frames- do not use them. Throw them away.

• Use anything other than eclipse glasses or solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 standards to view the eclipse

• Examples of eyewear that are NOT strong enough for eclipse viewing include but are not limited to: homemade filters, regular sunglasses, welder's glass, a camera viewfinder, binoculars or a telescope.

• View through binoculars or a telescope without the proper solar filter.

• Do not view the telescope using your eclipse sunglasses.

We hope that the weather is in our favor and that safe viewing is able to be enjoyed by all.

Additional resources:

MA DESE Guidance: Click Here.

NASA: Solar Eclipse Safety Tips

NASA's website for comprehensive information about the eclipse.

Exploratorium website contains information about various cultural eclipse narratives and histories.

Project 351 is an independent nonprofit organization that builds a movement of youth-led service by engaging an unsung hero from each of Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns. United for a year of leadership and service, Ambassadors transform communities, elevate kindness, advance social justice, and gain the courage, compassion, and capabilities to lead change.

8th-grade student and the Florence Sawyer School Ambassador to Project 351, Livi Goegel, is running a clothing drive to help prevent clothing insecurity among children. There will be two bins. One at Emerson and one at Florence Sawyer. The bins will be in the lobby of both schools. Livi asks that clothes, size adult medium (for children 12 years old and under) be donated. As for the condition of the clothes, please make sure the clothes are gently used/worn (no holes, stains, etc.). If your family decides to donate pajamas or socks, please make sure they are brand new. Shoes can be donated, but please place them in plastic bags before putting them into the donation bins ( so the clothes won’t get dirty). The clothing drive will last from March 25 - April 4. Bins will be placed at the Saint Francis Xavier Church, the Bolton Public Library, Bolton Bean, and Bolton Orchards. Feel free to donate any unused clothes or shoes!

Looking to support the Florence Sawyer School?

We are actively seeking volunteers to assist our on duty staff for both lunch and recess duties.

We are seeking individuals who would be willing to sign up for specific time intervals on a monthly calendar.

Lunch Duties in the Sawyer building run for 30 min intervals starting at 10:55 until 1:30pm.

Lunch Duties in the Emerson building run from 12:30-2:00pm.

You will be required to have a current CORI on file with the district.

If you are interested in helping us out please send an email to kdean@nrsd.net .

Additional information will be provided to those who reach out.

Any questions, please call 978-779-2821 X5106

Good Morning Nashoba Community,

I write today to provide you all with an update about our current COVID-19 practices. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has aligned with the updated CDC recommendations for the general public to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. In response, Nashoba Regional is adopting this guidance, effective immediately.

The full explanation of the changes can be found HERE. If the hyperlink does not work, here is the actual link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LjVG34eVDf5W2_0GtnpwirykWNqU87nOmfZ3dIaaSTU/edit?usp=sharing

Brief Overview:

~People with respiratory virus symptoms should stay home until they:

1. Show and feel an improvement of overall improvement of their symptoms AND
2. Have remained fever free for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen (e.g. tylenol, advil, motrin, aleve, ect.)

~Once returning to work and life after respiratory symptoms improve, people should take added precautions for the next 5 days including cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.

~People diagnosed with COVID-19, or any other respiratory virus return to regular activities based on their improved symptoms, and no longer have to remain in isolation for 5 days.

Please reach out to the District Nurse Leader, Myriah Zwicker or your school's nurse if you have any questions or concerns.

Be Well,

Myriah

E. Myriah Zwicker, MSN, RN, NCSN

<she, her, hers>

District Nurse Leader, Nashoba Regional School District

50 Mechanic Street

Bolton, MA 01740

Office Phone: 978-779-0539 Ext. 3039

"You can't educate a child who isn't healthy, and you can't keep a child healthy who isn't educated." Joycelyn Elders

With the mild winter, and the prospect of spring weather soon, we are expecting an early and active tick season. We have already had reports about ticks in the community. As our days begin to get longer and we spend more time enjoying the outdoors and athletic fields, here are a few tips to help prevent tick bites:

• Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Stay on trails while hiking.

• Wear light clothing, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, since ticks are easier to see on light clothing. Place your white socks over pant legs.

• Perform tick checks on yourself and your children after being outdoors. Have someone check areas you cannot see. Small ticks are hard to notice and prefer underarms, in and around ears, between legs, around the waist, and hair.

• Check your pets for ticks too.

• Ticks can enter homes on clothing then attach themselves to people. We encourage you to throw clothes in a dryer on high heat for 30 minutes to kill any ticks remaining on clothes, backpacks, stuffed animals, etc.

For additional helpful information about tick bite prevention, removing ticks, and tickborne diseases from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, please visit the following link:

https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/index.html

Students that are absent will make up a test upon their return to school.

Recommended Testing Times: ELA 2-2.25 hrs/session; Math: 1.5 hrs/session; STE: 1-1.5 hrs/session

We're excited to share the new NRSD App with you. The app posts the daily lunch as well as the school calendar and a feed where we will share pictures and other information about the goings on at school.

NRSD App for Google Play

NRSD APP for IPhone

Mark your calendars! Florence Sawyer Drama will present The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition on Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6 at 7:00 PM.

Join Dorothy and her loyal companion Toto as they “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” through the Land of Oz, determined to reach the Emerald City, where the great and powerful Wizard of Oz will help them get home. Of course, along the way, Dorothy encounters witches (both good and bad), Munchkins, talking trees and winged monkeys. But most importantly, she befriends three unique characters: a Scarecrow with no brain, a Tin Man with no heart, and a Lion with no “nerve.” Their journey to happiness – and self-awareness – is a glowing testament to friendship, understanding and hope in a world filled with both beauty and ugliness.

"ATTENTION 6TH AND 7TH GRADERS: Middle school yearbooks are now for sale. The FSS Yearbook is developed and designed by a dedicated group of eighth graders. The 2023-2024 FSS Yearbook features portraits of our middle school students, club and sport photographs, and candid's from school events throughout the year. Please consider purchasing this keepsake as 2023-2024 has been a year to remember! Follow the instructions on this flyer to purchase your yearbook today! Orders are due by April 12, 2024."

Florence Sawyer School Clubs and Activities

NRSD Before and After School Program (Extended Learning)

Nashoba Regional High School Athletics Information

We are excited to have you become a part of the Nashoba Regional High School Interscholastic Athletics Program. Nashoba Athletics is rich in pride and tradition. NRHS offers 50+ teams across 21 sports!

Participating at the high school level requires a greater commitment compared to a club or recreational team. Members of a team are expected to attend all practices and competitions. Weekend practice sessions may vary by sport and should be anticipated. In addition, teams do practice and compete over vacations and many holidays (i.e. Columbus Day, Veterans Day, etc.).

Prior to the start of each season, the high school will host a meeting for students and their parent(s)/guardian(s). These pre-season meetings serve as an opportunity for coaches to provide information about their program, team philosophy, expectations, and more.

The athletics office will send out information via email prior to each season, but we wanted to share information ahead of time for all potential incoming ninth graders.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Tania Rich, Director of Athletics, at trich@nrsd.net

NRHS Athletics Site

NRHS Coaches Directory

NRHS Team Schedules - ArbiterLive

Two students at Nashoba Regional High School created a brochure detailing all of the clubs and activities offered at Nashoba. For more information click on the QR code below.

The Harlem Wizards are coming to Bolton to play our very own FSS staff!

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Game starts at 7pm (doors open at 6pm)

Nashoba Regional High School

A fun event for the whole family!

Purchase tickets here - http://harlemwizards.com/tickets/boltonmaMay1

FSS Family Directory is now available!

You can sign up to access the School Directory on the Bolton PTO Website. Directory memberships are $5 and you will be able to customize your directory listing and connect with other FSS Families. Visit https://boltonpto.membershiptoolkit.com/directory to update or create your directory listing!

SAVE THE DATE!! Worcester Woo Sox baseball game Friday 6/7 @ 6:45p. More details to follow.

Tom Denney Nature Camp at tomdenneynaturecamp.org

A fun outdoor camp in Bolton that kids love because the counselors play the games with them!

July & August from 9–3 weekdays

Before/After care available

Kindergarten – 9th grade campers:

Games and activities in the fields, woods and pond!

Swimming, Kayaking, Arts & Crafts, Laser Tag, Water Gun Fun, Hiking, Tracking, Shelter Building, Campfires to cook hot dogs and marshmallows, Ponding (catch and release frogs and fish), Predator and Prey (an all-camp tag game), The Amazing Race (group challenges), exotic and local animals from Animal Adventures & more!

High Schoolers:

Counselor-in-Training program for fun and also volunteer and leadership hours.

See the website for more details and to register: tomdenneynaturecamp.org

Questions: bcttdnc@gmail.com (best means of communication) or 978-429-3004 (voice mail)

Chess Club is open to any child in grades K-12 who has a love for playing chess and to those who want to learn.

Time: 5:30-7:00pm.

Where: Nashoba Regional High School-Cafeteria

When:

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Instruction with Chess Master, Dr. Toth starts at 5:30pm and peer games begin at 6pm.

We kindly request the presence of a parent or caregiver at all times if your child is under 11 years old.

Admission is $2 to cover snacks.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Lisa at landerson5@hotmail.com.

This Month

April 5 - Early Release Day - Professional Development

April 5 -FSS Drama presents The Wizard of Oz - 7pm

April 6 - FSS Drama presents The Wizard of Oz - 7pm

April 15-19 No School - Spring Break

Looking Ahead

Field Day Dates

June 4 - Grades 4-5 Rain date 6/10

June 5 - Grades 6-7 Rain date 6/11

June 6 - Grades K-3 Rain date 6/12

Be your best self.

Pave your path.

Impact the world.

Website: https://sawyer.nrsd.net/
Location: 100 Mechanic Street, Bolton, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 779-2821

You can download the App by going to NRSD.net, scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click on the App Store or Google Play links.