Fisher Family Update

Dear Fisher Families,

We are so proud of our Fisher students! It has been a long stretch of uninterrupted learning since we returned from February vacation. The teachers and I continue to be impressed with our students’ positive attitude and best efforts…everyday! This is not easy. We ask our young people to work hard, 5 days a week for 6 hours a day. They manage several subject areas, peer relationships, varying emotions, different instructional settings and high expectations throughout the course of every school day. By the time they get home, you may notice they are not ready to talk about their day and may be downright “grumpy”. This is typical and happens to us all.

​Experiencing emotional outbursts or meltdowns at home after school, known as after-school restraint collapse, is a common occurrence among elementary-aged students. This phenomenon happens when children, after spending the school day adhering to rules and managing their emotions, release pent-up feelings in the comfort of their home environment. ​

Causes:

• Emotional Regulation Fatigue: Throughout the school day, children exert significant effort to follow instructions, engage in learning activities, and navigate social interactions, which can be mentally and emotionally draining. ​
  
  

• Sensory Overload: The school environment often presents a multitude of sensory stimuli—such as noise, visual input, and physical activity—that can overwhelm children, leading to stress accumulation. ​

Signs:

• Tantrums or meltdowns over minor issues​
  
  

• Irritability or defiance​
  
  

• Emotional withdrawal or desire for solitude​
  
  

Strategies for Parents and Caregivers:

• Provide Downtime: Allow children unstructured time after school to relax and decompress, helping them transition from the structured school environment to home. ​
  
  

• Offer Nutritious Snacks: A healthy snack can help stabilize blood sugar levels and improve mood.​
  
  

• Create a Calm Environment: Establish a soothing atmosphere at home where children feel safe expressing their emotions.​
  
  

• Maintain Consistent Routines: Predictable schedules provide a sense of security and help children know what to expect.​
  
  

• Encourage Physical Activity: Physical play can serve as an outlet for stress and pent-up energy.​
  
  

Understanding that after-school restraint collapse is a normal response could help you approach these situations with empathy and patience, supporting your child's emotional well-being. A silver lining may be that you have created a safe environment where your student feels comfortable expressing their feelings and communicating a need for support or comfort.

Keep up the great work and contact us if we can be of any support to you.Thank you for sharing your amazing learners with us!

Please be sure to read through this edition of the Fisher Family Update for upcoming meetings, events and updates.

Enjoy your weekend!

Brian

April

8 - Gr. 5 ELA MCAS Session 1

9 - Gr. 5 ELA MCAS Session 2

16 - PAC Meeting 7pm

18 - No School / Day of low attendance

21 - 25 April Vacation

28 - Classes Resume

29 - Gr. 3 Math MCAS Session 1

30 - Gr. 3 Math MCAS Session 2

May

1 - Gr. 4 Math MCAS Session 1

2 - Gr. 4 Math MCAS Session 2

6 - Gr. 5 Math MCAS Session 1

7 - Gr. 5 Math MCAS Session 2

7 - District Wide Art Show - 6pm-8pm Walpole Public Library

8 - Fisher (Incoming) Kindergarten Orientation 6pm

14 - Gr. 5 Science MCAS Session 1

15 - Gr. 5 Science MCAS Session 1

16 - Early Release, Dismissal at 12:25

21 - PAC Meeting 7pm

26 - Memorial Day NO SCHOOL

June

4 - Walpole Middle School Move Up day

6 - Fisher Field Day

10 - Grade 5 district field day

12 - Grade 5 moving on ceremony

13 - Last day of school, Dismissal at 12:25

Placement is a school responsibility which we take very seriously. Parents frequently acknowledge how well our teachers know their children. In addition to the classroom teacher’s knowledge, there may be information that you feel would be helpful for us to know. Please note that written input is optional and you do not need to fill out the form in order to have your child’s needs considered. If you choose to send us parent input, we ask that you use the Parent Placement Information Form and complete it no later than Friday, May 2nd. We view placement as an extremely important task, and afford it significant time and reflection.

Click HERE to view the entire email/letter that was sent to families yesterday.

Grade 5 Parents/Guardians:

Postural Screenings will be done on the following dates during P.E. class (4/7- Wesinger, 4/8- O'Neill, 4/9-Terranova/Vose, 4/10-Brogan). Screenings will be done during the student’s gym class. Students should bring or wear a swimsuit top or tank top on those days. If you do not wish to have your child participate in this mandated screening, please feel free to opt out via email and provide proof of this screening done by your child's pediatrician within the past year. Please do not hesitate to contact the health office with any questions or concerns.

Spring Enrichment sign-ups are open! Link to Sign-Up Genius. Spots are still available in the following classes:

-Anime Drawing (4-5)

-Homework Club (4-5)

Session 4 begins THIS WEEK, Tuesday, April 7, and classes will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for five weeks (no classes the week of April 21 for Spring Break). The cost is $35 or $45 per class. For questions or confidential scholarship information, contact Kate Anderson directly at: kanderson@walpole.k12.ma.us. See a list of class offerings.

ONLINE AUCTION - LIVE UNTIL 7:00pm Friday!

https://www.32auctions.com/PAC25

Principal for the day – 2 separate auctions

Kindergarten Runs On Dunkin'; - 2 winners per teacher- each winner can bring a kindergarten

classmate to the event

Grade 1 – Whipping up Waffles - One winner and one friend making waffles before school

Grade 2 – Cookie Decorating and Bracelet/Keychain Making - One winner per class plus a

friend

Grade 3: Bingo Party! - One winner per class can bring 2 friends. Bingo will be before school.

Grade 4: Gym Games - 1 Winner per classroom can bring 2 friends

Grade 5: Board Games and Snacks - April 16 3:30-5 - One winner and 2 friends per class

Crafts with the Counselors – 2 available

1 winner and a friend will craft with our favorite school counselors after school!

Enrichment Priority Signup - 2 auction items - Priority signups for after school enrichment.

Video Games with Mr Preston - Wii games with Mr. Preston in the stem room after school.

Police Ride to School - You and 2 friends will get to ride to school in a Police Car

Fire Truck Ride to School - You and 2 friends will get to ride to school on a Fire Truck

Walk with Rebel – Grades K-2 only - Enjoy a walk with Officer Hart and Rebel!

Basketball game with police – 5 separate auction items (Grades 3-5 only)

Each winner will be able to bring a friend to play a basketball game with the Walpole Police

Department.

Gym Games with Ms. Hornsleth

The winner and a group of friends (or their entire class) can enjoy after school gym games!

Ms. Kelley's class thought they were getting "brownies", instead they received "brown E's". April Fool's!

During STEM this week, we celebrated the beginning of spring by reading a couple stories about flowers. After reading, the students were challenged to create their own flowers using Brainflakes. Here are some of their wonderful creations!

Please click the link below to read the latest edition

What students are saying about attendance: Student Support & Attendance Newsletter March 2025

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