Hello Elm Street School Families and Friends!
Though the weather may not necessarily be showing it, there are signs of Spring all around our Nest. Grade levels are gearing up for field trips, kindergarteners are tending to their "front lawns" as they learn about seeds and plants, our 5th graders are gaining more independence and responsibilities as they prepare for their transition to middle school, and we are starting all of our class placement, scheduling, and incoming kindergarten preparations for the 2025-2026 school year.
If your family is planning on departing the Nest for next school year, please reach out to Ms. Torigian (atorigian@walpole.k12.ma.us) and Mrs. Shea (sshea@walpole.k12.ma.us) in the main office so they can help with any withdrawal paperwork and transcripts requests that you might need.
In this edition of our weekly newsletter you will find more information about:
- upcoming dates and celebrations for April
- Essentialist Newsletter: PHYSICAL EDUCATION
- counseling newsletter for April
- Upcoming author visit at Elm
- April Coffee and Conversation: Save the Date
- Class Placement Feedback Form Closing 4/11
- MCAS Reminder
- Student Support and Attendance Newsletter
- Summer Programming 2025
- WHS Egg My Yard Fundraiser
I hope that everyone had a restful weekend and I look forward to seeing all our Eagles back at the Nest on Monday!
Jen
Upcoming Dates and Celebrations: April
At the beginning of each month I will share a calendar of some upcoming Elm events as well as upcoming cultural celebrations and heritage months with hyperlinks to more information if you are interested in learning more. Below is information for the month of March.
If there are cultural celebrations that are important to you and your family that you would like to share with the adult Elm community, please email me so I can be sure to include them in upcoming newsletters. If you have any questions about anything you see on our calendar, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly.
4/1 Grade 3 ELA MCAS Session 1
4/2 World Autism Day, Grade 3 ELA Session 2
4/3 Grade 4 ELA MCAS Session 1
4/4 Day of (No) Silence, Grade 4 ELA MCAS Session 2
4/8 Grade 5 ELA MCAS Session 1
4/9 Grade 5 ELA MCAS Session 2, 3:15p Elm School Council Meeting
4/10 6:45p School Committee Meeting
4/12 - 20 Passover
4/14 Vaisakhi
4/17 7:00p Elm PAC Meeting
4/18: NO SCHOOL
4/20 Easter
4/21 - 25 NO SCHOOL: April Break
4/22 Earth Day
4/29 Grade 3 Math MCAS Session 1
4/30 Grade 3 Math MCAS Session 2
Upcoming Author Visit at Elm
We have very exciting news! The best-selling author of the 13-Story Treehouse series, Andy Griffiths, will be at Elm on Wednesday, April 16th at 1:30p. He will be speaking with grades 2-5 about his new book, You and Me and the Land of Lost Things. We are anticipating a very fun and interactive program for our students. His visit has been generously arranged by An Unlikely Story bookstore. They are selling copies of his new book. Please use the link if you would like to purchase a copy of his new book. Here are a few guidelines for Andy's presentation and book signing:
- Books can only be signed if they are purchased from An Unlikely Story
- Andy will only sign his new book You and Me and the Land of Lost Things
- He will sign the books but will probably not personalize them due to time constraints
- Please order by April 9 because the books are shipped to your home
- Students should bring the book to school on April 16th if they would like it signed.
- Andy will also be at An Unlikely Story Wednesday, April 16th at 6:30pm if you would like to see him again
- Here is a message he created for our students.
Students are also invited to create their own adventure helmet for Andy to see! Please see this flyer. Students should bring them to the library by Tuesday the 15th!
April Coffee and Conversation: Save the Date
Save the date for our next Coffee and Conversation on April 11th with guest speakers Mrs. Dore (school adjustment counselor) and Mrs. Simpson (guidance counselor) who will share about social emotional learning at Elm.
Coffee and connections start at 8:15a and programming begins at 8:30a
Class Placement Feedback Form Closing 4/11
As our team gets ready to dive into the class placement process here at Elm I want to remind everyone that our Class Placement Feedback form will close on 4/11.
Our placement process includes an opportunity for families to provide information or share unique circumstances that you feel are important. We respect your right to advocate for your child and understand that you know your child best over time. If you feel that you have additional information that the placement team is not aware of, you are invited to fill out our Class Placement Feedback form. (Formulario de ubicación de clase en español, Formulário de colocação de classe em português)
All information must be submitted via the form no later than Friday, April 11th.
Completing the form is optional. The same care and consideration will be given to every child during the placement process whether or not a parent/guardian submits input. If you do complete the form, your information will be shared with the placement team. Please remember that our primary objective is to ensure that each student will be assigned to a class that they can learn and grow academically and socially, and to build classes that function as lively heterogeneous cohorts. Requests for specific teachers in writing or in person will not be considered as part of this process and will invalidate the form. We take our responsibility seriously and, therefore, allocate ample time and care as we engage in reflection while looking forward to planning for next year’s classes.
MCAS Reminder
As we approach the spring season, we want to highlight the significance of the upcoming Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests for our students. These assessments play a crucial role in evaluating both individual student progress and the overall effectiveness of our educational programs. In addition, participation in the MCAS is required by both federal and state law and student participation will impact our district’s DESE accountability rating.
Why MCAS Matters:
Student Competency: MCAS serves as a key indicator of your child's understanding of the curriculum, helping to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
School Accountability: The results contribute to our district and school's accountability system, guiding enhancements in teaching strategies and resource allocation to better serve our students.
Student Opportunity: MCAS results are still used as a benchmark to qualify for state awards (i.e. John and Abigail Adams Scholarship & Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award) and the State Seal of Biliteracy.
Your Support is Vital:
We encourage you to support your child(ren) to approach the MCAS with confidence and dedication. Here are some ways you can support them:
Promote a Positive Attitude: Encourage your child to view the assessment as an opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills.
Ensure Rest and Nutrition: A good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast can significantly impact test performance.
Together, we can empower our students to excel in the MCAS assessments and continue their educational journey with confidence.
Below is our MCAS schedule for Elm Street School:
Grade 3 English Language Arts
April 1 and April 2
Grade 3 Math
April 29 and 30
Grade 4 English Language Arts
April 3 and 4
Grade 4 Math
May 1 and 2
Grade 5 English Language Arts
April 8 and 9
Grade 5 Math
May 6 and 7
Grade 5 Science Technology and Engineering
May 14 and 15
Summer Program
We are excited to announce that Extended Day will be running a Pilot Summer Program this upcoming summer and registration is now live. We are anticipating registration to fill quickly and will do our best to enroll as many waitlisted students as possible.
This year, the camp will run for 4 weeks at Fisher Elementary and offer an Extended Day PM option for families. Registration will be open for incoming first-sixth graders. Registration will be available for individual weeks and families will have the option to register for all 4 weeks at a discounted rate.
Please see the below information regarding Summer Camp Information and Registration Information for the Summer of 2025 and reach out to Dan Santangelo (dsantangelo@walpole.k12.ma.us) or Evan Storlazzi (estorlazzi@walpole.k12.ma.us) with any questions.
Welcome to our Summer Camp 2025 guide! Even though it is only February, we are planning to open registration for our first Extended Day Summer Camp! This year, camp will be held at Fisher Elementary School and open to students entering grades 1-6 for the 2025/26 school year.
The last day of school for the 2024/2025 academic calendar is scheduled forJune 13, 2025 (without snow days). To allow for potential snow days, we will open camp on Monday June 23, 2025 and close on Friday July 18, 2025. Please note that Camp will be closed on Friday July 4, 2025.
Supervision is provided by Extended Day Site Coordinators and Assistants from all four elementary schools along with seasonal high school and college counselors. Students will be grouped based on age/grade and rotate through a variety of sports, arts, and stem activities along with weekly theme based activities/challenges and student choice blocks over the course of each week.
We have updated our online registration process to allow parents/guardians to register their children into the proper grade group for Camp. Families will be required to select the registration button with your child’s grade for the 2024/2025 school year to en-sure your child(ren) will be sorted into the correct group. If you are registering multiple children, make sure all children are added to the “cart” before moving on to completing the child’s information and moving onto the payment screen. If you are unable to pay the full amount at the point of registration please use the “send payment” option. Families that have an outstanding balance prior to the start of camp will not be able to attend the program. Please reach out to Extended Day administrators directly with any financial concerns or questions.
We are anticipating that registration fills very quickly. We highly encourage families to consider your plans for the summer now, review our policies, and register as soon as registration opens if you know you want your child(ren) to participate in the Walpole Extended Day Summer Camp.
Thank you! Dan, Evan, and the Extended Day Team The Walpole Extended Day Program is a self-sustained branch of the Walpole Public Schools. We support all people who are interested in academic, social, and cultural development. Walpole Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, homelessness, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.
Early Drop Off and Late Pick Up
Camp hours will be from 8:30am-3:30pm each day. An Extended Day option will be provided at an additional charge. Families that register for Extended Day may pick up their child as late as 4:30pm. Children cannot be dropped off before 8:30 am and cannot be left unattended outside of the school. Children will be dropped off and picked up from door 14. (Fisher Cafetaria door). Additional information and visual aids for pick up and drop off will be sent out with camp confirmation emails at the end of May. Children will not be released to anyone who is not listed as a person authorized for pick up in Community Pass without written parent approval. If your child needs to be picked up early, or will be picked up by another person, please communicate this to the Extended Day Office or Camp Director in writing and update your online transport release in your Community Pass account. The safety of children is our number one priority and we want to ensure that it is a safe and fun summer for everyone. For your child/children’s protection we will be requesting identification from anyone picking up a child whom our staff is unfamiliar with. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Lunch and Snack
Lunch should be sent with your child daily. Students should bring a lunch that is clearly labeled. It is also a good idea to label any reusable containers that your child brings. We are using the school facility for storage so we do not have the ability to refrigerate individual lunches. Please pack an ice pack to keep food cool. We are not able to reheat any food items.
We will supply a morning and afternoon snack each day. We work hard to provide a variety of healthy and kid friendly snacks. Campers are never forced to eat, and certainly may bring a snack from home that they prefer. We ask families with children who have food allergies or dietary restrictions to identify these when completing the online registration form so that we may properly care for the campers during meal times.
What to Bring
All campers should have a change of clothes that can be left at camp. Spare clothes should be in a plastic bag and clearly labeled. Be sure to label all items! Our staff will make every effort to help your child keep track of their belongings. Each day, lost items are gathered together and placed in a central location. Please call the program to inquire about any lost items. All campers will need:
• Sunscreen, SPF 25 or higher. Sunscreen should be applied before coming to camp. Campers will reapply their own sunscreen throughout the day.
• Reusable water bottle (dishwasher safe if possible). Water bottles will stay at camp for the week and will be sent home on weekends to be washed. We will refill them daily.
• Hat (optional but recommended)
• Lunch
The following items should be left at home:
• Any electronic device (unless used for medical purposes)
• Cell phone
• Gizmos/smart watches
• Heelys
• Stuffed animals
• Toys from home
• Money
The camp assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to campers personal property. If your student needs any of the above listed items for medical or safety reasons please let Dan Santangelo (dsantangelo@walpole.k12.ma.us) or Evan Storlazzi (estorlazzi@walpole.k12.ma.us) know.
Tuition and fees Camp
Single Week, Week 2: $332
Single Week Weeks 1, 3, and 4: $415 per week
Weeks 1-2 only: $747.00
Weeks 3-4 only: $830.00
Weeks 1-4: $1550.00
Extended Day Extended Day Week 2: $100.00 Extended Day One Single Week Weeks 1, 3, and 4: $125/week. Extended Day Option Weeks 1-2 only: $225.00
Extended Day Option Weeks 2-4 only: $250.00
Extended Day Option Weeks 1-4 only: $475.00 Payments Families may pay in full or pay partial installments as they see fit. Please note that tuition for the week must be paid at the conclusion of the week prior. Families who have not paid their tuition prior to the start of camp will not be admitted to camp.
Registration
Registration must be completed online by logging into your Community Pass Account or by visiting our website: https://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/page/extended-day.
Registration for all of our programs are first come first serve and payment either in full or the first installment must be made for registration to be accepted. Registration will remain open until June 2, 2025 or as space allows. Children are grouped in age/grade appropriate groups. We will not accept group or friend pairing requests. Families with an outstanding balance with Extended Day will not be allowed to register until the balance has been paid. **Please note: Children must be registered for Camp to ensure a spot in camp. Only registering for Late Pick-Up WILL NOT secure a spot in camp. Any children who are registered for these additional services but have not been registered for Camp will be automatically withdrawn and the payment added as a credit to your Community Pass Account.
Program Policies
All portions of Extended Day Programs are supported through tuition. Programs will be scheduled according to the number of students registered. We keep our groups to a low counselor-camper ratio, and therefore some groups reach their maximum capacity very quickly. Do not delay in registering your child to avoid disappointment.
Pick Up
It is important that children be picked up promptly. If children are not picked up by dismissal, our staff will stay with them until you arrive. An additional charge of $5 will be levied for EACH five-minute interval and fraction thereof, after the first five minutes grace period for the summer. Dismissal of campers is only allowed at the camp location. Dismissal Procedures will be communicated to registered families in their welcome packets prior to the start of camp.
Health Care
Please list any pertinent health information for your child when completing the online registration and provide a copy of your child’s up to date immunization record to the Extended Day Office.
Our camp is staffed by either a Registered Nurse or a Nurse Practitioner. Medications should be in their original container with dosage instructions. No medicine will be administered without a completed Medical Authorization Form. Medications will be stored in a locked cabinet.
Children seek out the nurse for a variety of reasons, some small and some large. The camp will always communicate with the parents/ guardian whenever a camper receives any medical treatment. In the event of an emergency situation, the nurse will call 911 and then the parents/guardian.
Behavior and Discipline
A safe and friendly environment is a necessity at camp. It is the goal of all our staff to model appropriate behavior and communication at all times. All disciplinary issues will be brought to the attention of the head counselors who will work with your child to resolve the issue. Parents will be informed in writing what occurred and what action was taken to resolve the issue. In the case that a camper poses a safety risk to themselves or others, the camper may be asked to leave camp.
Visitors
Visitors to the program are welcome only after receiving permission from the Extended Day office and securing a pass to come to the program. Unidentified or unauthorized visitors will be asked to leave the premises, if they refuse or are found on the premises again, Walpole Police will be notified. This policy applies to parents/guardians who attempt to bypass the main office to visit or view their child at the program. This may cause distress to campers and staff members. If you wish to see your child while at camp, please notify the Camp Director and your child will be called down.
Staff
The staff is composed of experienced counselors. Each has had a positive background check, including a criminal offender registry inquiry (CORI) and a sexual offender registry inquiry (SORI), along with other inquiries as mandated by the MA Dept. of Public Health.
Refund Policy
Tuition Fees are non-refundable. Our programs incur staffing and other expenses based upon the total number of individual child enrollments and operating costs associated with them projected for the full duration of camp. Neither financial reimbursement, nor credit, will be given for a child’s absence due to: emergency days; family trips; illness; religious events; vacations; or failure to make full use of the program. In the event a child becomes totally unable to participate in the Camp due to illness, disability, or otherwise, upon written request, the Director of Extended Day may refund or abate tuition fees. Tuition fees will not be refunded in the case of a child’s absence, delayed attendance, early departure or withdrawal from the program.
Nest Connections
Email: jbuller@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/o/ess
Location: 415 Elm Street, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: 508.660.7374
Instagram: ElmStSchool