MHS/WES NEWSLETTER

Dear Families,

March has been a busy and wonderful month filled with learning, laughter, and community! We were so excited to welcome back the one and only Jim Basketball Jones, whose high-energy presentation had students on their feet and smiling from ear to ear. He challenged our kids to be their very best selves, spread kindness, and embrace the powerful idea that mistakes are just part of learning — because with the right mindset, we're never stuck, we're just "not there yet."

We also just wrapped up our Mindfulness Classes with Zen Yoga! Throughout the month of March, Ms. Karen visited our schools and taught students practical strategies to calm their minds and bodies. Our students were absolutely amazing, and they reminded all of us of the importance of slowing down, breathing, and being present. It was a truly special experience.

We also kicked off something brand new and very exciting at MHS — our Masked Reader! Last Friday, the one and only Mrs. Frog took the stage, and the students' reactions were absolutely priceless. As part of our celebration of Read Across America, we'll be welcoming a mystery reader every Friday. Who will it be this week? Stay tuned — you won't want to miss it!

As we move toward the end of the month, students in grades 3–5 will begin MCAS testing. Teachers have been doing a wonderful job preparing students so they feel comfortable and confident going in. MCAS is a state assessment that helps us understand each student's academic strengths, identify areas for growth, and evaluate our curriculum to make sure we're meeting every child's needs.

A huge thank you to our PTO for sponsoring both Jim Basketball Jones and the Zen Yoga Mindfulness classes. These enriching experiences would not be possible without your generosity and dedication to our students!

Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support. Here's to a strong finish to a fantastic March!

Sincerely,

Kathy and Mike

March 20 ~ Report Cards emailed home

March 31 ~ School Improvement Council, 4:30 WES Office

March 31 ~ MCAS Testing Begins with Grade 3 (ELA Session 1)

April 1 ~ MCAS Testing Grade 4 (ELA Session 1)

April 2 ~ MCAS Testing Grade 5 (ELA Session 1)

April 6 ~ MCAS Testing Grade 3 (ELA Session 2)

April 7 ~ MCAS Testing Grade 4 (ELA Session 2)

April 7 ~ PTO Meeting, 6:00 PM MHS Cafeteria

April 8 ~ Noon Dismissal, Professional Development

April 9 ~ MCAS Testing Grade 5 (ELA Session 2)

April 10 ~ PTO Daughter Dance 6:30-8:00 PM

Morning drop-off is one of those small but important moments that can set the tone for everyone’s day — children and grown-ups alike. We know mornings can be busy, and we’re so grateful for the care and effort families bring each and every day.

Here are a few friendly reminders to help make arrival and dismissal times safer and smoother for all our students:

• We’re all in this together. The drop-off lane works best when everyone takes their turn. Even on those hectic mornings (we’ve all been there!), staying in line keeps traffic moving and, most importantly, keeps kids safe.

• Stick to the plan. Our staff works hard to guide traffic in ways that protect children. Following their directions and using designated areas really does make a difference — even when it might not seem like it in the moment.

• A little prep goes a long way. Having backpacks zipped and goodbyes mostly said before pulling up helps the line move quickly so every family can drop off safely and on time. A quick, cheerful send-off works wonders!

• Stay present. We know phones are tempting, but keeping eyes up and phones down helps everyone stay alert — especially since kids can move in quick and unexpected ways.

• You’re modeling something wonderful. Every moment of patience and kindness in the car line teaches our children how to handle busy situations with care and respect.

Thank you for being such an important part of keeping our school community safe. Drop-off doesn’t have to be stressful — and thanks to your cooperation and kindness, it truly isn’t. We appreciate you!

Preschool is ready for Spring and we have been busy exploring, learning, and growing! The children have enjoyed engaging in hands-on activities, creative projects, and exciting discoveries. As we continue through this season, we wanted to share a glimpse into what we've been learning and what’s coming up!

What We've Been Learning
During the past few months, we have explored some exciting themes:

• Farm - The students explored the different animals, crops, and jobs found on a farm. They practiced animal sounds, learned where foods like milk, eggs, and vegetables come from, and created fun farm-themed art projects. They especially enjoyed talking about animals such as cows, chickens, and pigs while building their understanding of how farms help provide food for our communities.

• Outer Space – We blasted off into space and learned about the planets, the sun, the moon, and the stars! The children especially enjoyed time in the dramatic play area, dressing up and pretending to be astronauts.

• Dinosaurs – We stepped back in time to learn about dinosaurs. The children explored fossils, dinosaur habitats, exploded a volcano, and even became a paleontologist and extracted a dinosaur from clay

Looking Ahead
We have more exciting themes planned for the next few months:

• Plants – We will explore how plants grow, plant our own seeds, and learn what plants need to thrive.

• Butterflies – The children will discover the amazing life cycle of butterflies and observe real caterpillars as they transform!

• Worms – Get ready for some wiggly fun as we investigate the important role worms play in helping the earth.

Special Events

• Hatching Chicks – We are thrilled to have an incubator in our classroom! The children will have the opportunity to observe the egg-hatching process and watch baby chicks emerge.

• In-House Field Trip – Animal Adventures (End of May) – We also hope to have Animal Adventures back for an interactive and educational experience where the children will get to meet and learn about a variety of animals.

Continued Learning
Along with these exciting themes, we are continuing to practice our letters, numbers, colors, and shapes through engaging activities, songs, and hands-on learning experiences. These foundational skills are being reinforced daily through games, art, movement, and storytelling.

Thank you for your continued support! We look forward to a fun-filled spring full of growth and new experiences.

Our 100th day of school, 100 Days, 100 Hearts project was a huge success!!!! We far exceeded our grade level goal. It was heartwarming to see the excitement in the children’s eyes as they knew they were spreading joy to seniors at local nursing homes. Thank you for supporting this meaningful community building project!

There are so many exciting upcoming events for second graders. We are excited that Zen Yoga is returning to MHS/WES! The PTO is sponsoring a mindfulness class for all students. Over the next few weeks, every second grade class will have their own turn.

Everyone is getting excited about our field trip to Theater at the Mount on April 10th. Willy Wonka Jr., the delightful children’s musical that brings Roald Dahl’s timeless classic to life! Students will get to experience storytelling in a new way and see how actors can bring characters to life on stage. A heartfelt thank you to the PTO for sponsoring this field trip.

In Physical Education we started a Volleyball unit. Volleyball is a very popular lifetime sport that was invented on February 9, 1895 by William G. Morgan, who was a teacher at a YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Volleyball is a fun sport that can be learned at a young age and is a great social activity. It strengthens the upper body, abdominals and the lower body, it helps to improve cardio, hand eye-coordination, reflexes and balance, and ensures the students are working on communication skills with teammates. In order for their teams to be successful on the court, they must work together!

During our unit, students will be learning basic skills, such as how to serve, pass (set and bump) and volley over the net. The younger grades will be using beach balls and will do a lead up game of Clean Up the Garbage. The older students will be using oversized volleyball trainers and they will play some small sided Volleyball games as well as Four Square Volleyball.

Looking forward, our next unit will be the Rock Wall and Bowling unit. Students will be able to work in teams to complete relays on the rock wall as well as complete challenges individually, like choosing one color of the rock holds to only be able to touch to get across the wall. We will also do some spelling challenges where students have to climb across the wall and spell words using the magnetic letters attached to the wall. The rock wall helps students develop decision making skills, full body muscular strength, team building skills, and set goals/challenges for themselves.

During the bowling portion, the older students in grades 2-5 will play bowling bingo and learn some bowling vocabulary, like strike, spare, split, and gutterball to name a few. Grades K + 1 will learn how to properly hold the ball and roll it towards the bowling pins with proper form. They will get to play a bowling tag game, use bowling lanes, and play a group game of PinBall. This will be a great unit for developing hand eye coordination, taking turns, and promoting social skills.

As always, I encourage you to be active at home.

We understand that mornings don’t always go as planned—illnesses, traffic, and unexpected events happen in every family. Our goal is to work together to support each child’s success and well-being, and one important part of that success is regular and on-time attendance. Even small patterns of lateness can add up over time, affecting a child in ways that may not be immediately visible.

Here are some of the main effects:

1. Academic Impact

• Missed instruction: The beginning of the school day often includes important lessons, directions, or warm-up activities. Missing this regularly can make it harder for a child to keep up.

• Gaps in learning: Small missed pieces of instruction can accumulate, leading to confusion later in the lesson or unit.

• Lower confidence: If a child frequently feels behind, they may begin to doubt their abilities.

2. Stress and Emotional Effects

• Rushed mornings: Repeatedly rushing can create anxiety or a stressful start to the day.

• Feeling singled out: Walking into class late can make some children feel embarrassed or self-conscious.

• Negative association with school: If mornings are chaotic or stressful, the child may begin to associate school with those feelings.

3. Social Effects

• Missing social time: Morning arrival is often when kids greet friends and settle in socially.

• Disruption to peer groups: Entering late repeatedly may make a child feel slightly disconnected from the class routine.

4. Habit Formation

• Time management skills: Chronic lateness can unintentionally reinforce poor time-management habits if it becomes normalized.

• Expectations: School routines help children learn reliability and responsibility.

5. Teacher Relationship

• Teachers may have less time to help the child transition into the lesson when they arrive late, which can affect how smoothly the child integrates into the day.

We truly appreciate the efforts families make each morning to support consistent attendance. Together, we can help every child feel confident, connected, and ready to learn each day.

When an absence is unavoidable, the parent/guardian should notify the school by phone prior to 8:30 am on the day of the absence. Between 3:30 pm and 7:20 am you may leave a message on our answering machine. The office phone number at W.E.S. is 874-2043 and at M.H.S. is 874-0163. Additionally, the parent can email the offices at mhsoffice@awrsd.org or wesoffice@awrsd.org.

If the school is not notified before the school day starts, an automated voice message will come from the school first and if we do not receive a response, the school nurse OR secretary will attempt to contact you. This is done as a safety check to ensure each student’s well being.

Sign-Up to Attend or Volunteer: westminster.ptboard.com

Donate snacks for the event: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2UFD5CH1BB9WD?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ggr-subnav-share_CX1M5NZ08YWW050H9ZB6

Buy tickets here

Please reach out with any questions you may have. We are happy to help!

• MHS - Kathi McCarthy 978-874-0163 ext. 0
• WES - Liz Maillet 978-874-2043 ext. 0

ARRIVAL

8:20 - 8:30 AM

DISMISSAL

2:55 PM

HALF DAYS - DISMISSAL

12:00 PM

AM Session 8:45-11:10 AM

PM Session 12:00-2:30 PM

Full Day Session 8:45-2:30 PM (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

We're looking for dedicated RNs to join our substitute nursing team. Whether you can offer a full day or just a few hours, your expertise makes a meaningful difference in our students' health and well-being. https://www.schoolspring.com/jobdetail?jobId=5442668

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