The Wellfleet Elementary News
January 8th, 2026 Wellfleet: Small School, Big Waves
Dear WES Families,
As we settle into the winter months, we are excited to reintroduce our students to the WESpectful Waves expectations, which focus on positive character development and responsible choices.
Much like last year, students will earn Dojo points for demonstrating WESpectful Waves behaviors. These points can be redeemed in our school store, or used for a pull from the mystery grab box. This incentive system is part of our school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework.
During the initial two weeks, students will earn points for outstanding behavior in the cafeteria. After that, we will extend this focus to additional settings throughout the school. Our goal is to build consistency, reinforce expectations, and celebrate positive choices across all areas of school life.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting a positive and respectful school community,
In partnership,
Principal O'Shea
WES After School Enrichment Programming Begins Monday 1/12
Paper sign-up sheets for the After School Enrichment Program (ASEP) are being sent home this afternoon. Please take a moment to review the options, as there is still availability in several offerings. You can also view the full list of programs using the link provided.
We are also excited to share some great news—Castle Hill has agreed to partner with Wellfleet Elementary School once again to support the set design for this year’s musical, The Lorax. More information will be shared soon with those who are interested in participating in set design.
Sickness is Spiking @ WES... Consider Vaccination
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting very high and rising levels of influenza activity statewide as the Commonwealth moves through peak flu season. Thousands of residents have become ill, forcing them to miss work, school, and other activities. Many are experiencing serious complications, leading to increased visits to urgent care centers and emergency departments, and high levels of hospitalization.
The current widespread burden of illness underscores the importance of taking preventive measures, especially vaccination, to reduce severe disease and protect individuals, families, and communities.
Vaccines can prevent serious illness and hospitalization. If you have not yet been vaccinated against flu or COVID-19 this season, now is the time. It is not too late. Choosing vaccination is choosing to protect yourself, your family, your friends, your colleagues, and your community. DPH urges everyone 6 months of age and older to stay up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. These annual shots can be given at the same visit and are available from local boards of health, community health centers, pharmacies, and many health care providers.
The dominant strain nationally is influenza A(H3N2, subclade K). This strain emerged four months after this year’s flu vaccine was developed. While the available vaccine is not a perfect match to prevent getting sick altogether, it still offers protection against hospitalization and death (as cited by MMWR report, stating 63-78% protection against hospitalization in children, and 41-55% protection against hospitalization in adult)
Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of severe disease, including adults age 65 years and older, children between 6 months and 2 years old, people with chronic respiratory conditions or heart disease, individuals who are immunocompromised, and people who are pregnant. Vaccination also helps protect family members, coworkers, and others in the community who may be more vulnerable to serious illness.
For those who begin to experience flu symptoms – which include high fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, extreme fatigue, cough, sore throat, and congestion – antiviral medications, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu), are available by prescription. When started early, these medications can significantly reduce the severity of illness. Parents are encouraged to seek medical advice promptly if they or their children develop flu-like symptoms.
Spending time indoors and around larger groups increases the likelihood of exposure to respiratory viruses. The following everyday measures can help prevent illness:
Stay up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccinations
Wash hands frequently with soap and water
Stay home when sick
Cover coughs and sneezes
Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings, especially if you or a loved one is at higher risk.
Please keep your child home for at least 24 hours after a respiratory illness accompanied by fever until fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
Community News: Joint Housing Meeting Approaches
The Wellfleet Joint Housing Committee Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 15th 4PM-7PM at Preservation Hall. Join us for a Joint Housing Committee Meeting to learn about the Affordable Homes Act and Wellfleet's Seasonal Community designation. Hear an update on current housing data, meet our housing committee members plus share your ideas on future housing development.
Breakout sessions will provide opportunities for community input on housing solutions and policy that works for Wellfleet. Registration is recommended but not required. Light appetizers and beverages served.
THE PTO Welcomes All to the Brickhouse!
The next PTO Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21st at 6:00pm at the Brickhouse restaurant in Eastham. Please RSVP to Lindsey Belair (lbelair@nausetschools.org) if you plan to attend.
WES Seeks New Site Coordinator
We want to recognize Joanne Remy-Maldacker for her dedicated service to the WES community over the past two years and wish her the very best as she shifts her focus toward family. Beginning in January, we hope to have a new Site Coordinator in place to ensure a smooth transition and limit any disruption in service. If you, or someone you know, is interested in leading our after school program, please take a moment to review the posting below. This position is designed with a strong emphasis on high-quality student learning opportunities, meaningful enrichment, and the continued support of our school community. The role is competitively compensated at the teacher curriculum rate and is ideal for a candidate with an education-related degree, a passion for working with children, and the ability to lead.
TITLE OF POSITION:
Site Coordinator for After School Child Care (ASCC)
Hours: School Days 2:00–5:30pm; Early Dismissal Days 11:00–5:30pm
DESCRIPTIVE STATEMENT OF POSITION:
The Site Coordinator will provide leadership and support for staff and families in delivering a high-quality program for children in grades K–5. Responsibilities include daily program operations, ensuring the safety and well-being of students, supervising ASCC staff, and maintaining ongoing communication with families. The coordinator must have training relevant to the developmental needs of school-aged children.
The Site Coordinator will:
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Participate in required professional development, including First Aid and CPR.
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Collaborate with WES day staff to ensure smooth transitions and thoughtful integration of school-day curriculum into after-school programming.
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Prioritize the creation and implementation of educational activities that meet diverse academic, social, and developmental needs.
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Create the ASCC Activity Plan, order materials/equipment, and coordinate the setup of program spaces.
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Report to and be evaluated by the WES Principal.
QUALIFICATIONS:
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Bachelor’s Degree in a related field; at least six months of experience working with school-age children; prior administrative experience.
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Strong desire to work in education and support students, staff, and families.
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Current Massachusetts Elementary Education teaching certification.
SALARY:
$45.26/hr
AVAILABILITY:
Immediately
Why Argue with your Child over Homework?!?! Homework Help Is A Growing Success!
Homework Help is available to students in grades 2-5 after school from 2:00pm to 2:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. There is specific support available each of these days. On Mondays it will be Ms. Shuemaker and Mrs. Demeusy, Tuesdays Mr. Pursel and Mrs. Connolly, and on Thursday Ms. Lyman and Mrs. Botting. If you would like to sign up your child for Homework Help, please email Mrs. Belair in the front office at belairl@nausetschools.org.
Additionally, Mrs. Wallace will be inviting selected students mornings of Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursdays from 7:00am-7:45am.
Backpack Mail 1/8/2026
Everything below the blue line is old news but still relevant.
Lorax Up & Running!
We are proud to share that we have a strong group of students interested in the upcoming spring musical, The Lorax. Students will continue working on their new roles through early April. Those involved in set design will begin their work in the later part of January. We are excited to collaborate once again with the teachers from Castle Hill to bring the set design to life.
Nauset Welcomes the Nauset App as Our New Communication!
As you may know, the Nauset District has discontinued its use of ParentSquare and has transitioned to a new platform. If you download the Nauset App, you will receive all alerts, newsletters, and any other info from your child's school and the Nauset district. It’s the easiest way to stay updated with school news, alerts, and important announcements.
Similar to last year, I will continue using Smore to send out our weekly newsletters during the school year. These will begin the week before our return and will continue consistently throughout the year.
📱 Download the Nauset App:
Community Resources
I want to turn our attention to November, a month symbolized by giving thanks. Many of you may not know, but we have several students of Jamaican descent, and our thoughts are with them and their families as Hurricane Melissa impacts their island. For those interested in supporting relief efforts, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) are accepting donations:
In addition, with the looming cut in SNAP benefits, several families in our community have expressed concerns about food security.
As we move into the season of giving thanks, many families in our community are facing uncertainty. Some of our neighbors will not receive their SNAP benefits to help feed their families, federal employees working for the Cape Cod National Seashore are going without paychecks, and many households are preparing for increased health insurance costs. In addition, many local families have relatives and friends in Jamaica who are coping with the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
In response, local food pantries and nonprofit organizations are stepping up to help fill the gap. Below are some of the community resources available to support those in need:
Important Information to Pass Along
Along with the information below, you will receive a great deal of first day paperwork. Please review it and where applicable, complete and return as soon as possible this will ensure we have the most up-to-date contact information.
- Breakfast and lunch: are free again for all students! If your child eats breakfast at home and you DO NOT want them to access the breakfast offered, please let the teacher know.
- Snack: Please send your student with a healthy snack and reusable water bottle daily. We are seeking to provide a healthy snack grant on Tuesdays and Thursday, and are awaiting if we received the grant. Plan to provide a healthy snack daily until you hear otherwise.
- School Arrival: Students may arrive at school at 7:25am. Breakfast is available, and students may otherwise sit in the cafeteria until the first bell rings at 7:45am.
- Supply Lists: All school supplies are provided to our students. Thank you Wellfleet taxpayers!
- Electronics: Upon arrival, student electronics (phone/watch) should be turned off and stowed away in their backpack. If parents/caregivers need to contact your student, please call the school at 508-349-3101, and the front office can get a message to your student.
A Message from Nurse Crosen
Greetings from the WES Health Office!
I hope your children are as excited to return to school as I am! I can’t wait to see their shining faces soon. Before the year gets underway, here are a few important reminders for families:
Health Requirements & Screenings
The state of Massachusetts requires that all students be up to date with immunizations to attend school. Exemptions include:
Medical: must be documented by a medical provider
Religious: requires an annual written statement on file
Vision and hearing screenings take place annually. If follow-up is needed, I will send a referral letter home.
BMI screenings are conducted in grades 1 and 4.
Postural screenings are done in grade 5.
Puberty education using the Our Changing Bodies curriculum is provided to grades 4 and 5. Families will receive advance notice and the opportunity to preview materials.
Medication Guidelines
All medications require both a medical provider’s order and a parent/guardian’s written permission.
Medications must be in the original prescription bottle with prescribing information and delivered to school by an adult. No baggies of pills in backpacks, please!
If you’re having trouble obtaining a second inhaler for school due to insurance issues, let me know so we can problem-solve together.
Standing orders for over-the-counter acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and Tums are included in the back-to-school forms.
Please remember—if your child’s medical situation changes during the year, reach out so we can develop an appropriate plan for their school day.
Exciting News from the Garden & Cafeteria!
Thanks to a Community Preservation Funds grant, WES will be installing new raised beds in our school gardens. This will allow us to grow, sample, and even serve more school-grown foods in the cafeteria! We’ll also be welcoming guest chefs for taste tests to inspire students to try nutrient-dense foods.
Our Fresh Fruits & Veggies Program will return this year with offerings on Tuesdays and Thursdays right outside the classrooms. We’re also excited to welcome back Farmer in the School, Stephanie Rein, for hands-on garden learning. And—our very first apple harvest from the school orchard is coming this fall!
All of this programming is designed to support the long-term health and well-being of our students, helping them build the skills to make healthy decisions for life.
Looking forward to a wonderful year ahead,
Nurse Crosen
How does WES Support Struggling Students? - A message from School Psychologist, Kristen Francis
At Wellfleet Elementary School, we pride ourselves on providing supports that will help all students be successful. WES follows a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) a framework designed to provide early intervention and support for students facing academic or behavioral challenges.
It typically begins with universal screening to identify students in need of assistance, followed by tiered interventions that increase in intensity based on the student’s response.
- Tier 1 includes classroom instruction and universal supports for all students
- Tier 2 offers additional, small-group interventions for those who need extra help, and
- Tier 3 provides intensive, individualized support for students with significant challenges.
The MTSS process involves continuous data collection and analysis to monitor student progress, inform instructional decisions, and ensure that all students receive the appropriate level of support needed to make progress. When students are referred to the MTSS process, parents are notified and the goals are shared.
If a student continues to struggle despite these targeted supports, the MTSS team will convene to evaluate the student’s progress and needs. If it is determined that the interventions have been insufficient and the student demonstrates significant difficulties, a referral for a special education evaluation will be made by the school.
- This evaluation assesses whether the student has a qualifying disability and requires specialized services to succeed in the educational environment, ultimately leading to the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) if eligibility is established.
The WES Waves: A Student Run Online Publication
Here is the most recent WES Waves: A Student Run Online Publication presented by our very own Mr. Staker. This is the second edition and includes reports from all students in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. It is well worth the watch!
Always Available: The WES School Health Services Resource Page
WES School Health Services-Resource page: Contact Mrs. Cope-Crosen for more information at copec@nausetschools.org
N.E.E.D. Academy date changed to April 13-17 for Grade 5!
From Monday, April 13th through Friday, April 17th, Wellfleet Elementary School’s 5th grade students will participate in the Seashore Program, an immersive overnight environmental education experience at the National Environmental Education Development (N.E.E.D.) Academy within the Cape Cod National Seashore. Staying in a former Coast Guard Station overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Pamet River valley, students will explore beaches, dunes, marshes, swamps, and forests while learning about the natural and cultural history of Cape Cod. Guided by lessons aligned with Massachusetts Science and Social Studies Curriculum Frameworks, they will investigate topics ranging from native ecosystems and coastal geology to the lives of Native Americans, early colonists, and the U.S. Life Saving Service. Field trips to sites like Great Island, the White Cedar Swamp, and Race Point will deepen their connection to the unique and fragile environment they call home. Evening activities such as night hikes, stargazing, and group games will foster camaraderie, while the shared the experience of living and learning together will strengthen classroom community, teamwork, and personal responsibility. For more information visit the NEED Website.
The Lawrence Fund
The Lawrence Fund was established in March of 2023 by Ariana Bradford (Staff Member at WES) and Joan Zukas (School Committee member and grandmother to two students at WES). The Fund was established to honor Lawrence Zukas, father to Ariana and husband to Joan. Its’ purpose is to financially support students and their families who may be in need of funds for camps, sports equipment, shoes, coats, boots, musical instruments, school supplies including technology support, etc. Request can be made to Mrs. Ariana Bradford, Mr. Adam O’Shea, Mrs. Claudia Cope or your child’s teacher. No proof of need is asked, The Lawrence Fund is just happy to help. Any additional questions can be answered by Claudia Cope at copec@nausetschools.org or by phone at (508) 349-3101.
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Reaching out by email
Throughout the school year you may want to reach out to your child's teacher, or reach out to me.
All Nauset staff follow the email formatting below:
- the staff person's last name
- then the initial of their first name
- ending with @nausetschools.org
Now there is an exception to the rule: Ms. Claudia Cope-Crosen, our school nurse, is simply copec@nausetschools.org