MHS/WES Newsletter

This year teachers have the option to manage parent-teacher conference sign-ups through ParentSquare, the district’s communication platform. If your child’s teacher is using ParentSquare you will receive an email, text message, or app notification (depending on the notification settings you selected when you first created your account) from ParentSquare on October 15th. You will be able to sign up for a conference and make changes to your time slot from October 15th through October 30th. If you need to cancel or reschedule your conference after October 30th you should contact the office. Here are some resources to help you get started; please reach out to the office with any questions.

• Getting Started for Parents & Guardians

• Managing Your Account Settings

• Sign Up for a Conference

WES Families,

I want to inform you that I have to leave the position as Westminster Elementary School Nurse. I have thoroughly enjoyed working here. It has been a pleasure getting to know the students, the parents that I have come in contact with/communicated with, and the staff here at WES. I will definitely miss being the WES school nurse!

I plan to try and sub for WES on occasion- So I will still be here from time to time. This isn’t a goodbye, it’s more of a see you later!

Our school year is off to a great start! Kindergarten has been hard at work learning the expectations and routines of the classroom, practicing independence, forming positive relationships with peers and teachers, and building a school community that works together.

We have begun all of our major curriculums including our two ELA programs; CKLA and Wit&Wisdom, and our math programs; Bridges, and Number Corner. We look forward to the learning we have ahead!

This month, kindergarten begins their monthly trip to Forbush Library! Students will each have their own library card, and can check out books. Please take care of them at home so they can be returned in the same condition.

The cold weather is quickly approaching. Please send your child in weather appropriate clothing. Our morning recess is often chilly!

We loved seeing so many of you last week at the MHS Open House!

Warmest regards,

The Kindergarten team

It is hard to believe that we have been together for over a month already in fifth grade! Learning is well under way in all the subjects in all of the classrooms!

We just wrapped up our first math unit and we have jumped into the fraction unit. We are studying the “Watery Planet” in science, “Cultures in conflict” in Language arts which focuses on the Nez Perce tribe and westward expansion. We will begin the novel “Thunder Rolling in the Mountains" very soon! We are studying early colonization in Social studies.

Thank you for helping us to support fluency by listening to your child’s reading. We are already seeing an improvement in our reader’s accuracy, rate and expression.

Routines, routines, routines!!! We recognize that it can be difficult for students to adjust to fifth grade expectations right away. We are working hard on developing study skills in our classrooms to help all with organization. Our goal is to instill independence and responsibility as we prepare them for middle school next year. We find it very helpful for students to also establish a routine at home that includes where and when they will complete homework and charge their chromebooks nightly. When this routine is established, students typically gain independence quicker and are more prepared for learning each day.

Be on the lookout for information coming home with your child about our Annual Vocabulary Parade. This favorite event will take place on October 31st.

Thank you to all parents/guardians that attended our Nature’s Classroom Parents Night last night. We hope it was informative and eased some of your worries about this weeklong field trip in May. If you missed the meeting, feel free to reach out to the classroom teacher for the information that was provided.

Purple Palette & Paintbrush News!

Our creative children have been busy this fall! Kindergarten children have been learning all about the supplies in the centers of the studio. Lots of experimenting with new things. Grade 1 reviewed rules of the studio centers and got started right away with the Drawing Center, Paper Scrap Center, Paintsticks and Art Games. Grade 2 had to learn all about the WES studio, which is a little different than MHS and a LOT bigger. They recently created monsters using geometric and organic shapes. Grades 3,4,5 reviewed the rules of the first 5 centers opened this year: Drawing, Mixed Media, Building Design, Art Games and Weaver's Warp. A popular favorite is the "Collage Candy Corner" which has buttons, pompoms, googly eyes, sequins and other small pieces of magic. Grade 3 recently created "Squishmallow Portraits" and used my collection of Squishmallows to draw from. Grade 4 learned about symmetry and mandalas last week and Grade 5 created "Op Art" (Op=Optical Illusion). Enjoy the photos of Artists at Work!

Standards:

VA:Cr1.1.Ka Engage in exploration and imaginative play with materials

VA:Cr3.1.1a Use art vocabulary to describe choices while creating art.

VA:Cr1,1.2a Brainstorm collaboratively multiple approaches to an art or design problem

VA:Cr1.1.3a Elaborate on an imaginative idea

VA:Cr2.1.4a Explore and invent art-making techniques and approaches

VA:Cr.1.1.5a Combine ideas to generate an innovative idea for art-making

Westminster Youth Playhouse, grades 4, 5 just performed a play called "Popsicle Girl". We had loads of fun with costumes, props, drama games and more! The next Youth Playhouse is in January for grades K,1. Registration forms will go out the first week in January!

Purple Palette Art Club for grades 4, 5 started a few weeks ago and students are exploring independent projects and learning a few new art skills. The next Purple Palette Art Club offered will be in January for grades 2, 3. Registration forms will be available the first week of January.

Greetings from Ms. Milne and Ms. Rivera, your School Counselors! Our school year has had a great beginning so far. Start With Hello week helped to kick off our kindness and we hope to keep it going all year long! Your students at MHS and WES did an awesome job noticing others who might be alone, reaching out to help them, and starting with “Hello” as part of Sandy Hook Promise’s national campaign to celebrate kindness, connection, inclusion, empathy and belonging. They were able to earn Kindness Coins when “caught” doing something to help someone else, write Hello-grams to send a positive message to anyone in our schools, recite the Promise Pledge, and learn how to be an Upstander for those around them instead of just standing by when someone needs help. We saw amazing leadership by our 5th grade Kindness Ambassadors who held the doors and greeted students as they came in every morning. They also led the whole school in the Promise Pledge and introduced the daily activity throughout Start With Hello week. Thank you to all who participated!

We are also working with your students to support the healthy development of problem solving skills. We continue to implement a framework to help them determine the size of their problems and how to appropriately match their response. We do this through the use of a scale that you can even mimic at home. This can help to build consistent language for kids to use to communicate their level of need as well as to empower them to be their own problem solvers!

For any questions or concerns regarding your student, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

Lindsay Milne - lmilne@awrsd.org grades pre-k, K, 2, and 4

Limari Rivera - lrivera@awrsd.org grades pre-k, 1, 3 and 5

October 10: Thursday ~ School Improvement Council 4:30 PM, WES Office

October 10: Thursday ~ PTO Meeting 6:30 PM MHS Library

October 14: No School ~ Columbus Day/Indigenous People's Day

October 15: Tuesday ~ Flu Clinic at Oakmont Regional High School 3:00-6:00 PM

October 16: Wednesday ~ Half day NOON DISMISSAL, Professional Development

October 19: Saturday ~ Westminster Cracker Festival 10:00 AM -5:00 PM

October 29: Tuesday ~ PTO Booster Fundraiser Begins

October 31: Thursday ~ MHS Costume Parade starting at 9:15 AM

October 31: Thursday ~ 5th Grade Vocabulary Parade starting at 2:00 PM, STUDENTS ONLY, as this parade is held inside

If your child forgets to bring their water bottle or Chromebook, you DO NOT have to bring it to the school. They can use the bubbler and borrow a Chromebook. This helps not to interrupt the classroom teaching that is taking place. Thank you for your time.

Did you know that MHS/WES is on Instagram? Check it out!! principalkt24

Both the MHS/WES Nurses would like to remind students that they need to bring their own snacks from home. The nurses do not provide snacks.

Also, both nurses are in need of gently used or new sneakers in children sizes only, new underwear, socks and soft pants. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.

Question: “How do I encourage my child to read at home?”

Answer: Here are some interactive ways to motivate you and your child

to develop better reading habits at home.

Creating a positive experience: Reading should be a positive experience for children, make it fun!

Reading together: Set aside time each day to read with your child. You can take turns reading paragraphs, or reading aloud while using expressive voices and making sound effects.

Encouraging reading: Encourage your child to read daily and praise their efforts.

Creating a comfortable reading environment: Make sure your child has a quiet, comfortable place to read with a variety of books that spark their interest!

Encouraging curiosity: Show your child that you are curious and respect their questions.

Being a partner: Be a partner with your child's teacher and speak to them about any concerns.

Practice, practice, practice makes better! Just like riding a bike, every day practicing reading helps your child polish their fluency and comprehension abilities!

Listen to audio books: Audio books can help children build fluency, comprehension and build a love of literacy.

“This year the Westminster Cultural Council will distribute approximately $11,400 for community oriented arts, humanities and science programs. Funds can be used for variety of projects and activities in Westminster, including exhibits, festivals short term artist residencies, workshops, lectures, performances, etc. These programs can service children, teens, adults, or our elderly.

Grant applications are currently available through the Massachusetts Cultural Council at:
https://massculturalcouncil.org/communities/local-cultural-council-program/application-process/

The online process must be completed by Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

For details about the Westminster Cultural Council and the results of the “Needs Survey” indicating the types of programs the community would enjoy please visit: https://www.westminster-ma.gov/cultural-council

Applicants are welcome to reach out to local contacts Sammi Dawley scdawley@yahoo.com and Pat Gendron pgendron@yahoo.com”

Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Sammi Dawley

Nashoba Board of Health 2024-2025 Flu Clinic Calendar

All students have a bus number assigned to them as well as stops. Please click on the button at the end of this newsletter to see your child's bus number and stop. HOWEVER, if your child is going to be a parent pick up, walker, walker to MHS, or going to extended day, it is VERY IMPORTANT to send in a note with your child's first and last name to the school. One note is sufficient for the year with their schedule, but if it changes at all, we need to know. The safety of your child is our priority. Thank you

Emergency Early Dismissal Policy

In the event of an unforeseen emergency that necessitates the dismissal of students prior to the end of the school day, parent notification will be provided through the automated phone and email system. Typical emergency situations that may precipitate an early dismissal include, but are not necessarily limited to, severe weather conditions, fire and absence of heat or water.

Since it is impractical for school officials to personally contact every parent in the event of an early dismissal, parents and particularly the parents of elementary age children, are encouraged to develop a clear and well-defined plan with their children in case of an early dismissal. Since children will be dismissed to their home, it is imperative that children know how to gain entry into their home and how and whom to call once they are there.

ABSENCES: Please call WES (978-874-2043) or MHS (978-874-0163) when your child will be absent or late for school. Please state your name, your child’s name, teacher, and the reason for absence. If you must speak to someone, please call after 7:45 AM. This system is to ensure the safety of your child. If we do not hear from you, we will contact you at home or work, and if we can’t reach someone we may send a school resource officer to the house to do a well child check. Absent notes are required when children return to school.

AM Arrivals: Bus drivers do not let children off the bus until 8:20 a.m. There is NO Supervision before 8:20 a.m. Walkers/students being dropped off should not arrive before 8:20 a.m. School starts at 8:30 a.m.

PM Dismissals: The school day ends at 2:55 p.m. The office needs to know your dismissal plan. If your child is a car-rider, you will be given a sign to display on your car dashboard to be used each day. Car riders will be dismissed to the cafeteria and called outside in the order cars line up. Please remain in your car. Signs will be posted. If you would like your older sibling to walk from WES to MHS pick-ups for dismissal in the afternoon, please send a note to the office and your child’s teacher.

If your child needs to be dismissed early, please send a note to his/her teacher stating the time and reason for dismissal. Early dismissals will be handled through the main office.

NOTES: Please use student’s (and parent’s) last names in all notes to the teacher/office. Please also date all notes so that we can be sure we are dealing with current messages. Notes are required for any change in dismissal. You may also email a note to mhsoffice@awrsd.org (MHS) or wesoffice@awrsd.org(WES).

MEDICATIONS: ALL Medications must be brought to the nurse by an adult at the beginning of the day. Medication is NOT TO BE TAKEN by any child on his/her own. The school nurse under the following circumstances will administer medication:

• A signed and dated note from a doctor and a parent is sent with the child’s name, dosage, reason for medication and time to be given.

• The prescription bottle is sent with only the amount which will be needed for the administration at school. (Pharmacies will dispense in two bottles if you ask.)

School Announcements:

Please make sure all phone numbers and email addresses are updated throughout the school year to ensure you receive all messages sent from the school or district.

RESTRICTIONS: Please provide the office with any LEGAL DOCUMENT which indicates any legal restrictions on the release of your child as per district policy. These restrictions CANNOT be honored unless we have a copy of the legal documents in your child’s file. Please remember that it is MOST IMPORTANT that your child knows who he/she is allowed to leave school with and restrictions of the same.

TARDINESS: It is important that your child be at school on time. Tardy students need to stop at the office for a tardy slip when they arrive later than 8:30 a.m. If excessive tardiness continues, it will be necessary for the parent and child to meet with the Principal so that we may remedy the situation.

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)

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

General Ashburnham-Westminster Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) membership is open to all AWRSD parents/guardians of children with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans and other interested parties. We need volunteers to help plan workshops, staff tables at local school and community events, become future leaders, assist other parents, and plan new activities and projects. Learn more about us and our work on our website https://sites.google.com/view/ashburnham-westminster-sepac. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ashwestsepac.

Bus passes will be issued for students riding their ASSIGNED bus but getting off at a different stop. A note or phone call from the parent/guardian is required to your child’s school office. The office will then issue the bus pass. Bus passes to ride a DIFFERENT bus will ONLY be issued in the event of an emergency. The school office must be notified by a parent/guardian that there is a circumstance beyond their control/emergency causing a student to ride a different bus. Bus passes are not issued for going to a friend’s house, dances, etc.

If you have specific questions or concerns regarding your child’s bussing, please reach out to bussing@awrsd.org.