Daniel Webster Elementary School

Greetings DWS Families!

Things sure have been busy around here at DWS - as evidenced by the many photos below! Students are finally back in their routine of learning after the winter break. Keep up the GREAT work DWS!!

Also - just a reminder that there is no school on Monday, January 16 as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King. I hope you all have a wonderful LONG weekend!

Have a great week!

Mrs. MacNeil

January

January 16 - No School - MLK Jr. Day

January 23 - Last day of Health classes for grades 3 and 5

January 24 - First day of Health classes for grades 2 and 4

Every Wednesday when the students leave, our teachers participate in professional development activities. Topics range from curriculum planning to collaborative planning to targeted topics such as "dyscalculia". This week our K-5 teachers participated in Bridges math planning with teachers from across the district. Four of our DWS teachers, Sarah Hastry, Katie Prendergast, Katie Mulligan, and Jane Redman were prize winners!

Teachers have asked that families partner with us to keep the toys at home. Students have been bringing in Pop its, Slime, Putty, Spinners, Squishies, Legos, Rubix Cubes, Baby Dolls, Pokemon Cards, and various other toys to school. Students have been taking these toys out and playing with them on the bus, in the classroom, and at lunch. Students have also been involved in trading their items, which has caused an issue as well. These “toys” have become a disruption within the learning environment to our teachers, other students, and the learning of our children. We would also hate for items to be lost or damaged. For these reasons, we are again asking families to partner with us to keep the toys at home!

Put your unwanted items to good use by dropping them in our textiles recycling bin, located in front of our school. Ninety- five percent of all textiles can be recycled.

The following can be donated as long as they are clean & dry: clothing, shoes, pocketbooks, table linens, bed linens, draperies, throw rugs, and stuffed animals. Please place your items in plastic bags so they will stay dry.

DWS earns money for every ton of textiles placed in our recycling bin!

Please remember to send your student to school with a snack each day. All students have a snack break during the day. Great snacks include easy-to-eat fruits and veggies like apples, oranges, carrots, and cucumbers as well as whole grain snacks including granola bars, and crackers. Cheese sticks and yogurts are other great options. These ideas help keep hungry bellies at bay and students ready to learn!

Each week, our DWS Kids are introduced to a vocabulary word of the week related to kindness and building social-emotional capacity. The words are introduced during the daily morning announcement and throughout the week the DWS staff challenges students to use these words in activities and conversations, whether it be during a classroom discussion, writing assignment, or speaking with a friend. We ask that families partner with us to continue the work of inspiring and challenging our DWS Kids to continue using these words!

This week our vocabulary word was COMPLIMENT.

DWS staff members can award any student with a DWS ALL STAR when they see students being Dedicated, Welcoming, or Safe. All of the DWS ALL STAR awards are put on display in the front lobby. The following students were featured in the morning announcements last week for being DWS ALL-STARS!

Grade K: Valerie in Ms. Doria’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because she did a great job during Heggerty.

Grade K: Gavin in Ms. Doria’s is a DWS ALL STAR because he did a great job during Heggerty.

Grade 1: Bernardo in Mrs. Carey’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because he pushed in the chairs at all of the tables.

Grade 1: Julian in Mrs. Wiedemann’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because he set a good example by staying focused in Art class.

Grade 2: Carlos in Mrs. Redman’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because he did a great job during Writing time.

Grade 2: Madison in Ms. Mulligan’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because she set a good example in the lunchroom.

Grade 3: Nycolle in Mrs. Hines’ class is a DWS ALL STAR because she showed dedication in the lunchroom.

Grade 3: Madelyn in Mrs. Hanson’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because she showed dedication in the cafeteria.

Grade 4: Braden in Mrs. Farrell’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because he shared awesome insights and connections during our preview of the American Revolution.

Grade 4: Des in Mrs. Farrell’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because he was dedicated to keeping our research materials organized.

Grade 5: Maeve in Ms. LaForest’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because she followed directions and helped clean the room.

Grade 5: Cam in Ms. LaForest’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because he stayed engaged in Book Club groups.

Congratulations!

Cold and flu ( and every other illness) season is upon us! Here are a few helpful reminders to help this season:

• The best defense against illness is good handwashing, adequate hydration and regular sleep. Encourage your kiddos to stay hydrated and rest to help prevent illness and when they are unwell to shorten the duration of the illness.

• Please remember that if your child has been out sick they can return to school once they have been without fever, vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours without the use of medications and their overall symptoms have improved.

• Please remember that attendance is closely monitored. If your child will be absent we have a Safe to School Protocol. Please notify the school and the nurse the morning that your child will not be in school. If your child has an illness or injury that results in an absence for 5 or more days- a doctor’s note must be sent in upon returning to class with any restrictions and appropriate dates.

• Please be sure students dress in layers for school- they need winter gear for outdoor play, but inside the building can be very warm. If students do not have appropriate warm weather/snow gear their outside activities may be somewhat limited so they stay warm and safe.

• If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at 781-834-5045 ext 42500 or by email at kAcampbeLL@mpsd.org

Students in grades K and 1 learned all about dental hygiene!

Students in kindergarten used xylophones to learn and practice beats!

Students in Mrs. Bertulli's class each wrote a word problem. Students then got the chance to circulate the room and solve another classmate's problem. When it was completed, students gave their work to the student who wrote the problem for corrects!

Students in Mrs. Redman's class were investigating during their Mystery Science this week on building the strongest towers out of index cards and paper clips. Students created designs and then tested to see which designs could hold the most weight. Such a fun way to practice their engineering skills!

Ms. LaForest's class began a classroom economy on a website called Class Equity. Students earn “money” for doing their class job, completing all their homework, getting 100% on Iready lessons, among other things. Students also have to pay rent for their desks and taxes! Today Maryalice paid me 75 coins to sit in my chair for the day!

In partnership with our PTO, we will be introducing you to two staff members each week in order to familiarize our families with all our amazing staff members at DWS!

What is your role at DWS? PreSchool Teacher

Do you have a fun fact or a favorite thing you would like to share about yourself? I have a dog named Nomar after my favorite Red Sox player Nomar Garciaparra!

What is your role at DWS? SESP in PreK

Do you have a fun fact or a favorite thing you would like to share about yourself? I have two girls & I love to travel & try new restaurants!

Next meeting: Monday 2/6/22 @ 7pm in the DWS Library

*Please note there is no January meeting!*

Thank you all for a wonderful start to the year. We hope everyone had a relaxing Holiday break and a happy new year!

• Woot Woot Tables are back! This has been a great way to show DWS staff how much we appreciate them over the past few years. If you would like to volunteer to organize a table, please use the following link to sign up. More details are on the sign up page. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4EA4A629A2FE3-staff

• *NEW THIS YEAR* Teacher Wish Lists! The PTO has been collaborating with our teachers to work on wish lists for items they need or want in their classrooms. If you are looking to donate items to DWS, we suggest you use this list as a guide. Please feel free to reach out to us or your teachers directly if you have questions on items. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ncDVXoQft2ugE6mTnxO-EsflmNNck6zZEh7JIn3oGxg/edit?usp=sharing

• Sand & Water has generously offered to partner with us and provide some spirit ware options year round. A large portion of the sale goes directly to the DWS PTO. Please see the flyer for more details.

Contact:

Please email yourdwspto@gmail.com with any general questions and for more information. Email dwsvolunteers@gmail.com for more details on volunteering at the school throughout the year.

Thank you for all of your support!

One breakfast and one lunch are Free for the 2022-2023 School year for all students.

A la carte items cost extra.

A la carte items can not be charged to a student's account.

2nd Lunch - $2.75

Milk - .75 cents (milk comes with lunch) on its own, it's an a la carte item and cost

Water - .50 cents

Ice Cream - $1.25

WAYS TO PAY

Preferred method of payment:

Online: www.myschoolbucks.com

After you log in or register (if new) than you can

use your child’s Birthday for the

ID Number to add your child’s account.

Check payable to:

Town of Marshfield

(child’s First/Last name in Memo)

Cash: please put in an envelope

marked Lunch Money with your

child’s name on it.

As the weather gets colder, please remember that students' dress should reflect this as we spend time outdoors each day for snack and/or recess time! Here is an important reminder from our Handbook. Thank you!

DRESS CODE

School is a special place and how your child dresses should reflect this. Students should come to school neat, clean, and dressed appropriately for the elementary learning environment. Student’s attire, including their footwear, should allow for their participation in the numerous physical and academic activities that comprise a school day. Hats and other head apparel, except when worn for religious or medical reasons, are not allowed in the building.

Students’ clothing should neither contain messages or images that disrupt the educational process, nor be inappropriately revealing. Students go out daily for recess unless the weather dictates otherwise. It is important to dress appropriately for the weather.

The principal and/or designee are responsible for determining whether a student’s attire meets these expectations. They will work with and contact the families of students whose dress does not meet these expectations.

DWS will be a late school for the upcoming year. Please make note of the following changes.

School Start Time - 8:50 am (students can enter the building at 8:40 am)

School End Time - 3:30 pm

Wednesday Early Dismissal - 1:15 pm

The registration for the Before School Care is now available for Children in grades K-5 offered on site at each of the Marshfield Elementary Schools.

Our Before School program provides a wholesome environment that promotes social/emotional, physical and character development in addition to supporting the educational efforts of both the parent and school. We encourage children to balance learning and fun through homework help, physical activity and arts & crafts. Our focus areas give your child limitless opportunities to reach their full potential.

Hours: 7am until school day starts

Program & Activities include:

• Breakfast
• Homework Help
• Games & Activities
• Arts & Crafts

To register click here.

As a reminder, please adhere to the DWS Dismissal Protocols if you choose to pick up your child from school (listed below). Dismissal time can be very busy and we understand that we are the late school and families are often rushing off to afterschool activities. It has been reported that some cars are pulling in and doing a U-Turn in the driveway to cut the line. Please follow the protocol and the flow of traffic pictured below so we don't compromise the safety of our children. Thank you!

Dismissal

• DWS hours are 8:50am-3:30pm. Students will begin car line dismissal at 3:25 pm.

• If you arrive before 3:25, please remain in your vehicle.

• Please do not park your vehicle in the live line.

• In the car line, students will be dismissed in order of car line up through the gym doors.

• Please follow staff directions and pull all the way up to the marked location (red circle).

• Please wait for the car in front of you to pull forward. Do not attempt to pass vehicles.

The Marshfield Public Schools are thrilled to announce our new app for mobile phones! Stay up-to-date with access to events, documents, news from administrators, student stories, and even emergency notifications.

You can download the app for free on Google Play or Apple App Store.

Download for Android https://bit.ly/3yOktQ8

Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3nVNlzs

A double door entry system with a security window was added to the DWS.

As a security measure, we will not be letting visitors into the building unless you are volunteering. Visitors who have a scheduled meeting will wait in the vestibule and be escorted by the host to the meeting.

All visitors must present a valid ID - no exceptions! We understand that we know many parents/guardians, but we will be requiring ALL visitors to present their ID when they volunteer and/or pick up a student - EVERY TIME. This will be frustrating at first, but we are working hard to maintain the safety of our students.

Please review the most up-to-date arrival and dismissal protocol. We have made some changes to the existing policy in order to keep students, drivers, and staff safe.

The new policy can be found here.

As part of our Positive Behavior and Incentives Plan, our DWS Kids are taught how to be Dedicated, Welcoming, and Safe in all areas of our building and throughout their day. These posters are reviewed on the morning announcements, by classroom teachers, and are hung around the school for visual reminders. Students are then recognized for following these expectations and given All-Stars!