Fisher Family Update

Good Afternoon Fisher Families,

In order to best meet the needs of all of our families and allow for a little more flexibility with our conference scheduling, we are shifting to using Google Appointments for all educators for the upcoming Fall Conferences. Conferences will take place on November 12th between 5:00pm - 7:00pm, November 14th between 5:00pm - 7:00pm, and on the Early Release Day on November 15th between 1:15pm - 3:15pm. All conferences are in person. If families need a virtual conference they should reach out directly to the educator to arrange that option.

Next week we will share a spreadsheet via email with all Fisher families that contain the links to each individual educator's appointment calendar. Families should use those links to sign up for a conference with any of the educators listed. If you are having trouble with the links or finding a time that works, please reach out to the individual educator.

Please be sure to read through this week's Fisher Family Update for upcoming meetings, community events and important school information.

Have a great weekend,

Brian

Click the banner above to view announcements from the community that were traditionally sent home as a hard copy or "notice". In this "backpack" you will find information regarding community events, youth sports sign ups and much more. This link will be updated and included in all Fisher Family Update newsletters. The Virtual Backpack can also be found on the Walpole Public Schools District Website

October

25 - Trunk or Treat - TONIGHT 6-7

31 - Spirit Day! Wear black and orange

November

5 - NO SCHOOL - Educator Training

11 - NO SCHOOL - Veterans' Day

12 - Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences - 5:00 - 7:00pm

13 - Picture Retakes

14 - Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences - 5:00 - 7:00pm

15 - Early Release - Fisher dismissal at 12:25pm

15 - Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences -1:15pm-3:15pm

20 - Fisher PAC 7pm, STEM/Media Classroom

27 - Early Release - Thanksgiving recess, Dismissal at 12:25pm

28 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving recess

29 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving recess

Our teachers have many ways to check your child’s reading development and growth, including early literacy universal screening. The goal of early literacy screening is to identify students who may be at risk of reading difficulties, including dyslexia. Screening does not diagnose dyslexia or other disabilities, but it does help us understand which students may need additional support to be successful readers. All Districts in Massachusetts are required by Massachusetts Regulation 603 CMR 28.03(1)(f). to assess students in Kindergarten at least twice per year and students in Grades 1-3 three times a year with an approved early literacy screening tool. To adhere to this regulation,

our district uses a computer based assessment called iReady in conjunction with offline tasks called Dibels.

Our early literacy assessment calendar is listed below:

Kindergarten( subject to change)

1. November

2. March

Grade 1 - Grade 3

1. September

2. January

3. May

Following the screening assessment, a team at our school will review all students’ results. If your child scores significantly below benchmarks, we will contact you to discuss how we can support your child.

Screening is another step that helps students at our school become proficient readers, and we are grateful for the continued support and partnership with the Fisher families. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

This letter is to inform you of the upcoming state mandated screenings that will be happening soon at Fisher Elementary School. While most children see their pediatricians annually, this program frequently identifies problems that arise between doctors’ visits.

State regulations require vision and hearing screenings for all students enrolled in public schools. Screenings are done at selected intervals throughout the school years. At Fisher Elementary all grades will have vision screening and grades K-3 will have hearing screening.

In addition, we will continue to collect BMI’s for grades 1 and 4. A Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a measure that is used to show a person’s “weight for height for age.” It is calculated using an individual’s height and weight. Just like a blood pressure reading or an eye screening test, a BMI can be a useful tool in identifying possible health risks.

Massachusetts schools have taken heights and weights of students each year since the 1950’s. According to the state’s new BMI screening regulation which passed in April 2009, schools must now collect the heights and weights of students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10. Each child’s height and weight will then be used to calculate their BMI. The results will be kept in your child’s school health record. Unlike recent years, these results will not be sent home but will continue to be reported as aggregate data to the state. No personal information will be included.

If you would like to opt out of the screening(s), please let me know and provide a copy of your child's most recent physical with their vision, hearing and/or height and weight recorded within the last calendar year.

Scoliosis (Postural) screening will take place in the Spring for the fifth grade. The Health Office will contact the families of the exact screening days ahead of time. Please contact the Health Office with any concerns or questions. Thank you!

Lindsey Moyes, M. Ed, BSN, RN

LMoyes@walpole.k12.ma.us

Fisher Elementary School

65 Gould Street, Walpole 02081

Health office phone: (508) 660-7234 Option 2

Health office fax: (866) 898-5919

Please read this month's newsletter . It contains links to the WPS Health Services Department and other helpful sites you can use when making decisions about whether or not you should send your child to school based on symptoms of illness.
The newsletter is also posted on the Walpole Public Schools website.

Thursday, October 31st, will be Black and Orange Day at Fisher School. Students and staff are encouraged to wear black and orange to school on Thursday. We ask that students do not wear or bring Halloween costumes to school. Thank you!

Ms. Kelley’s class observing and drawing the fall tree outside

Kindergarten students in Mrs. Richer's class listening to Officers Hart and Ordway learning about safety

Fisher School Trunk or Treat will be Friday Oct 25th from 6:00 to 7:00pm. We will need families to sign up for a car display in the link below. If you just want to come and trick or treat all candy donations are welcome.

Click here to signup!

The Book Fair will be held in November this year to coincide with parent/teacher conferences. Book previews will be held on Wednesday November 6th, Thursday November 7th and Friday November 8th. The fair will be open for selling books during conferences on Tuesday November 12th, Thursday November 14th and Friday November 15th. Please use this sign-up to volunteer to help!!!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080448A8AE28A4FA7-50311770-fisher

This is a great way for families to connect with each other over the phone or email. This is completely optional and this info will be shared with other families who decide to be part of the directory. As a reminder, Fisher School is not allowed to share student or parent contact information.

Please click here to be included in the Fisher Friendship directory.

Absences: If your student is going to be absent or tardy, please call the absence line and let us know in advance. You may call this line at anytime and leave a message. The telephone number is 508-660-7234 and then press 1

Dismissals: Please send a hand written note with your student in the morning or fill out this form with at least 2 hours advance notice.

Afterschool dismissal changes: If your student is changing their typical way of leaving Fisher at 3:25pm, please send a note into school with the plan that morning.

We understand that there are unavoidable last minute changes, however, please be mindful that we must call the classroom and upset time on leaning with each change.

Please feel free to email the front office: fisher-secretaries@walpole.k12.ma.us

School Day Begins at 8:55am

Dismissal is at 3:25pm

Early Release Days - Dismissal is at 12:25pm

Click HERE to view our arrival and dismissal procedures