MHS/WES NEWSLETTER
January 29, 2026
School Improvement Survey
Dear Families,
Our School Improvement Council would like to hear from you. Please take a moment (less than 1 minute) to fill out the following school survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSenL2RkoElZE0uctIhILrrkxuIAPC4u9QxFL50jWlQiDp384g/viewform?usp=header
The results of this survey will help shape our focus for the second half of the school year. We appreciate your support and feedback.
Sincerely,
Kathy and Mike
***Do you have a question or an idea for our newsletter? If you do, please share by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/3qZxcqBrGzBUhsu38
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
- January 29: Thursday ~ WES Spelling Bee, Finalists for Grades 4 & 5 at 1:45 PM
- February 3: Tuesday ~ PTO Meeting, 6:00 PM - MHS Cafeteria
- February 16-20: No School ~ February Break
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.
❤️ 100 Days, 100 Hearts!
We are so excited to celebrate the 100th Day of School with a special mission of kindness! To mark this milestone, our second-grade classrooms have set a goal to create and collect at least 100 Valentine’s Day cards to donate to a local nursing home.
We want to spread as much joy as possible to our local seniors, and we would love for you to be a part of it!
We will be working on these in the classroom but if you would like to work with us to reach our goal, here is how you can help:
Create at home: Work with your child to hand-make a card this week.
Donate a card: Feel free to send in a store-bought card with a friendly message.
Spread the word: Help your child think of a short, cheerful note to write inside.
Please send any cards to school with your child by Monday, February 9th. Thank you for helping our students celebrate 100 days of learning by giving back to our community!
Third grade is excited to share two highlights from our classroom activities! First, students have been exploring Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca, a captivating book that takes readers on the thrilling journey of the first moon landing. Through stunning illustrations and engaging storytelling, the book helps students understand the monumental achievement of Apollo 11 and the science behind space exploration. Meanwhile, in Unit 4 of BRIDGES, our math curriculum is focusing on measurement and fractions, encouraging students to deepen their understanding of both topics through hands-on activities and real-world problem-solving. The combination of these two subjects has sparked curiosity and excitement across the third grade classes!
Greetings to all musicians at WES and MHS! As we enter our new year all kinds of exciting things will happen. This article will briefly tell you what is going in in the general music classroom and all the ensembles at WES. I am so happy to be able to teach all these great students. Music makes you smarter, so stay involved. I’m looking forward to a great 2nd half of the year!
At MHS, both grades will continue with great singing and rhythm work. Ask your kids to teach you the songs and motions for fun, I’m sure they would like to share some of the fun. Lately, they know songs like Oak Tree, Snow Man, and Sky Bears. The 1st graders will soon be learning how to play xylophones! In WES, grade 2 has entered a unit using pitched tubes called Boomwhackers, playing rhythmic patterns, and learning the C major scale, while the 3rd graders are now learning how to start playing piano. The 3rd graders are starting to play with all 5 fingers , and have started their first song. Soon 3rd graders will be given a paper packet of music to keep at home, as well as use of a google classroom for those of you who are lucky enough to access a keyboard at home. For organizational purposes, please supply your 3rd grader a 3 ring binder (with perhaps plastic sleeves) to protect their keyboard packet at home. This way, they have our keyboard book at school and they have one at home to practice with. Grade 4 and 5 will be not only playing piano, but learning through the use of notation. They both have been reviewing playing songs on boomwhackers, and will soon use tone chimes like our Bell Choir ensemble at school. Soon in the spring, grade 4 and 5 will be working with ukuleles!
ENSEMBLE UPDATES:
Chorus - Sign ups are past for all students in grades 4 and 5 as we have already had our 1st rehearsals, which are Fridays from 3-4pm. All music has been passed out, and they must bring their folder/pencil to every rehearsal. The songs include popular hits as well as more challenging 2 part pieces. A spring schedule has been given at a prior rehearsal. Students should use their Google Classroom to practice their parts at home. The next performance is March 17.
B Band- Practices have resumed on Fridays from 3-4pm as we transition the students into A Band. Be sure to keep your child practicing and aware of what they need to do from their lesson instructor to advance to A Band. B Band will stop rehearsing in late February/March, and at that point they will still take lessons only until they are accepted into A Band. Students should use their Google Classroom to practice their songs at home.
A Band- Rehearsals are running on Thursdays from 3-4pm already. They should have all of their music by now in plastic sleeves placed inside a 3 ring folder for organization purposes. Percussion assignments have been passed out to tell your child what parts they need to prepare with their lesson instructor. Students should use their Google Classroom to practice their songs at home. The next performance is March 12.
Jazz Band- Auditions have been held and the roster is set. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 3-4pm. Other students may be added later only by invitation in the spring upon the director’s approval based on need. These kids have to practice at home much more as not only do they need to learn jazz music but their A Band music as well, making it a challenge to learn all the material. Students should use their Google Classroom to practice their songs at home. The next performance is April 16.
In the past before covid, we were able to develop a Select Choir, a Wind Ensemble (high end concert band), and even a Ukulele Club! If time permits, and if needed skill levels have developed enough, our music department will hopefully be able to add some of these extra fun activities to help develop our student’s musicianship. Fingers crossed!
PLEASE ALSO NOTE FOR ALL ENSEMBLES: A complete and detailed schedule of performance dates, times, locations, as well as rehearsal schedules with any date changes has been sent out to your child/musician through a paper copy and an email. Please feel free to contact my assistant director, Mrs. Jean Popik (wesmusicprogram01473@gmail.com) or myself (klucander@awrsd.org) if you are not getting the music newsletter/emails about the ensembles. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mr. Lucander
ILLNESS/ABSENCES: As with every Winter, we have seen an increase in illness in our schools. Please be sure to review the district’s illness guidance, and reach out to your school nurse with any questions. Please contact the main office in the morning if your child is to be absent and inform them why your child will not be attending.
As a reminder, if your child has a fever they must be fever free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication before returning to school. The same 24 hour rule applies to those who have vomited or have diarrhea, they must be free of those symptoms for at least 24 hours prior to returning to school.
Physical Exams: Please continue to send in your student’s physical exam documentation from their medical provider. AWRSD requires that all kindergarten and third grade students have a current physical exam on file in the nursing office.
Health Screenings: The state of Massachusetts requires health screenings to be completed by the end of the school year. Vision screenings are done on all students in grades K-5; stereopsis is an additional vision screening done with students in grades K-3. Hearing screenings are done on students in grades K-3. Notices of any failures are sent to the parent by the school nurse for follow-up. Results of the follow up will be returned to the school nurse. Height and weight screenings are completed in 1st grade and 4th grade. All 5th grade students are checked for scoliosis, unless notification from the parent/guardian has been received by the school nurse to opt out. Parents/guardians are notified if additional evaluation is needed by the student’s primary care physician. If you prefer for your student to not participate in screenings, and have not already notified the school nurse, please do so by sending an email, or written note with your request to opt out.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at ashea@awrsd.org or 978-874-2043 x 3.
Car Riders - Thank You for Keeping Drop-Off Safe!
We appreciate all our families who drive their children to school each day! With so many cars coming and going, working together makes mornings safer and smoother for everyone.
Here are a few helpful reminders to keep our car line moving safely:
- Pull forward as far as you can so more cars can fit in the line
- Stay in the lane and avoid passing other vehicles
- Have your child ready to hop out quickly on the sidewalk side (not on the traffic side)
- Wait until your car is completely stopped before opening doors
- Please stay in your vehicle while in the drop-off zone
- Put phones away so you can stay alert and follow our staff's directions
We know mornings can be hectic, and we're so grateful for your patience! When we all follow these simple steps, drop-off goes quickly and safely for everyone. Our staff is here to help keep things moving smoothly.
Thank you for being such an important part of our school community and for helping us keep all our students safe!
Grades K-5
ARRIVAL
8:20 - 8:30 AM
DISMISSAL
2:55 PM
HALF DAYS - DISMISSAL
12:00 PM
