Anne T. Dunphy Newsletter

Last week was a lovely treat for all of the staff at ATD. Thanks to the many families who contributed to the treats throughout the week in the staff room, and to the lovely luncheon on Thursday (that fed us for two days)!

The staff at ATD is talented, child-centered, and dedicated. Thanks for sharing your appreciation with them! We appreciate all of our families and our PTO, too!

This year's Science Night will be Thursday, May 29th 5-7.

More information will follow in the coming weeks, but be sure to save the date. This will be one for the ages! We will have some special surprise presentations and demos!

Start brainstorming now if your child (or you) would like to present a project. A registration form will be sent home. Please fill it out by May 26th so we can set up a table for you if needed.

As spring approaches and families are planning calendars, please note the following MCAS testing dates. If possible, please avoid scheduling conflicts on the mornings of MCAS testing.

May 13th & 14th

Mathematics, 3rd-6th grades

May 20th & 21st

Science, Technology & Engineering, 5th grade only

Anne T. Dunphy Elementary School will be hosting Project Safe Childhood (PSC) Internet safety presentations for elementary school age children. Project Safe Childhood is the United States Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the exploitation of children.

The presentation will take place for grades 4-6 on Thursday, May 15th in a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police.

The presentations bring awareness to the dangers children face online today and educates children how to be safe and secure online.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.

We were glad that some students were able to Walk & Roll to school last week during the rain drops!

The Williamsburg School Committee is looking for two new school committee members to help support the wonderful teaching and learning that happens at ATD. The school committee is mainly responsible for oversight of the budget, policies, and the hiring and evaluation of the superintendent. We generally meet every third Wednesday of the month. Any member of the public is welcome at our meetings, and the next one will be on Wed. 5/21 at 5:30pm.

Last week, 4th graders had the opportunity to visit the Smith College Botanic Garden & Art Museum. They had the opportunity to learn from professionals at Smith College, and they found art in all KINDS of places!

Our hearty 3rd & 5th graders, and a brave group of volunteers planted two trees last week to honor two additional victims of the Mill River Flood.

The students planted pear trees in memory of Willie Adams, age 7, and his mother, Mary Josephine Adams, age 36, who died in the Mill River Flood. The sky was giving us nothing but rain, which was fitting, since the flood happened on a day with similar weather. Students sang the ballad we learned about the flood, and they spoke their wishes for Josephine and Willie aloud. We buried our written wishes in the ground with the tree so that our wishes can nourish the tree as it grows. Thank you to Gaby Immerman, who chose the trees and talked to us about how trees help with flood resiliency. We also enjoyed having historian Christopher Clark with us, as he was able to answer our MANY questions about the flood, such as, “How many button mill workers died?” and “Did George Cheney’s father survive the flood?” Next Friday is the 151st anniversary of the flood, and if weather permits, third grade plans to do some watercolor painting and creation of rivergrams by the Mill River.

If you look carefully, you'll find some super heroes at ATD! Kindness superheroes, to be exact! Check out the recipe below to find out how YOU can be a Kindness Super Hero, too!

Hard copies will be sent home prior to the end of this school year, and again at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

Last day of preschool/ Preschool Picnic: June 17th

Last day of school K-6: June 18th (1/2 day)

First day of school K-6: August 27

First day of Preschool: September 3

The Williamsburg Recreation Commission is offering three free T-ball clinics this spring.. They are open to children who will be four by 9/1/25 through those entering third grade in the fall. Clinics will take place at Ames Field from 6:00 until 7:30 and are scheduled for:

Wednesday, April 30th

Wednesday, May 14th

Wednesday, May 28th

Parents/guardians will have a participation form to complete and must stay at the field for the events. Get those dates on your calendars!

For more information and/or to sign up for any of these events, contact burgyrec@gmail.com

May

May 12 ~ School Council, 3:30

May 13 ~ Math MCAS, grades 3-6

May 14 ~ Math MCAS, grades 3-6

May 15 ~ PTO Meeting, 6:00 @ Muse

May 19 ~ Williamsburg School Committee Policy Sub-committee Meeting

May 20 ~ Science MCAS, 5th grade

May 21 ~ Science MCAS, 5th grade

May 21 ~ School Committee, 5:30

May 22-23 ~ 5th grade overnight to Nature's Classroom

May 23 ~ 1/2 day for students, 11:45 dismissal

May 26 ~ Memorial Day, No School

May 29 ~ Family Science Night

May 29 ~ Hilltown 6th Grade Outing

June

June 2 ~ Annual Town Meeting @ Anne T. Dunphy School

June 2 ~ 1st grade to Porter Family Farm

June 3 ~ Art/Music Show 1:45

June 5 ~ HRHS/SVAHS Senior Walk Through

June 6 ~ Tanglewood Marionette Performance, Grades K-2

June 11 ~ Field Day

June 12 ~ Duck Boats

June 13 ~ Kindergarten Family Day at Look Park

June 16 ~ All School Meeting, 6th grade Send Off 8:45

June 17 ~ 6th grade Graduation 5:30

June 17 ~ Last day of Preschool

June 18 ~ Last day for students K-6, 11:45 dismissal K-5

June 18 ~ 6th grade to Brownstone Park

June 18 ~ School Committee, 5:30

Friday CFCE Playgroup

Caregivers and children ages 0-5 are welcome!

Fridays ~10:00-11:30

Email: sjenkins@hr-k12.org
Website: www.burgyschool.org
Location: 1 Petticoat Hill Road, Williamsburg, MA, USA
Phone: (413) 268-8421
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063877785225