Hello Elm Street School Families and Friends!
We kicked off the month of February with so much learning and connection across the Nest including our celebration of the 100th day of school with many special math centered events within and across classes. It's hard to believe that we are up into the triple digits of days in school already, this year is just flying by!
This morning we had a great Coffee and Conversation with Shannon Findley, the Literacy Coordinator, here in Walpole. If you couldn't make it you can check out the slides from the presentation in the Coffee and Conversation update section of this week's newsletter.
Lastly our educators spent the early release day involved in individual and collaborative professional development connected to their roles and needs including: analyzing and utilizing math data to plan for instruction, curriculum planning, strengthening small group instruction, developing effective interventions for students needing extra support, and much more!
In this edition of our weekly newsletter you will find information about:
- upcoming dates and celebrations for February
- counseling newsletter for February
- Essentialist Newsletter: STEM
- Cold Weather Gear Reminder
- Kindness Week at Elm
- February Vacation Camp
- February Coffee and Conversation Update
- Staffing Update
- Summer Programming 2025
Next week we are celebrating Kindness Week at Elm with some special activities all connected to our theme "What Does Kindness Mean to You." I hope to see many of you all at the PAC meeting on Thursday and around the building at the different craft days and other special events! Stay safe this weekend and we will see everyone back at the Nest on Monday!
Jen
Upcoming Dates and Celebrations: February
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 February.
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.
2/2 Groundhog Day
2/3 - 7 National School Counselor Week
2/5 100th Day of School
2/6 6:45p School Committee Meeting
2/7 Early Release Day
2/10 - 14 Kindness Week
2/13 7:00p Elm PAC meeting
2/14 Valentine’s Day
2/15 Parinirvana Day
2/17 Presidents’ Day
2/17 - 21 February Break- SCHOOL CLOSED
2/25 3:15p School Council meeting
2/27 6:45p School Committee meeting
2/28 K-5 Assembly, Color Spirit Day (K: Red, Grade 1: Orange, Grade 2: Yellow, Grade 3: Green, Grade 4: Blue, Grade 5: Purple)
Cold Weather Gear Reminder
Please help your children remember to bring cold weather gear to school. Boots, snow pants, a hat, and gloves/mittens are needed if children want to play in the snow. If they do not bring this gear they will be able to enjoy recess outdoors on the blacktop. Since we go out in the colder temperatures (unless the weather is extreme) it is important that all students have at least a warm coat, hat, and gloves/mittens.
Kindness Week at Elm
During the week of Monday February 10 - Friday February 14 we will celebrate Kindness Week at Elm with some special activities planned by our Grade 5 Student Council. The theme is "What Does Kindness Mean to You"
- All week we invite classrooms to decorate their doors in response to our theme
- Students are encouraged to create a special Valentine's Day card or drawing that will be shared with seniors through the Walpole Council on Aging. These cards and drawings can be submitted to Mrs. Simpson by Wednesday 2/12.
- All week we will be collecting items to donate to a local animal shelter. Items that will be collected include used towels, blankets, wet/dry pet food, and training treats. All donations can be dropped off on the table in the main lobby
- We are encouraging buddy classes to get together and do a special activity connected to the theme
February Vacation Camp
February Vacation Camp 2025
The Walpole Schools Extended Day Program is excited to host a February Vacation Camp for all Walpole Students in Grades K - 5. Registration closes on February 12th.
Families can create an account/register at this link: https://register.capturepoint.com/reg/login.cfm?cuBNAf%2FV0p4trnasCJNBkrfRqxVbA8M1ugTdgJwcwr%2BLxIFL2ZCtvf%2Fw
WHEN
● Tuesday, February 18 - Thursday, February 20.
● Drop off will take place from 8:00am-9:00am. Pick up will take place from 3:00-4:00pm.
● An Extended Day option will be available each day from 4:00-5:00pm.
**Once a student is dismissed from the program they may not return the same day.**
WHERE
● Boyden Elementary School (1852 Washington St, South Walpole, MA 02071)
● Drop off and Pick up will take place at the front door of the school.
FEES
● 1 Day Camp Option - $100
● 2 Day Camp Option - $200
● 3 Day Camp Option - $280
● 1 Day Extended Day Option - $25
● 2 Day Extended Day Option - $50
● 3 Day Extended Day Option - $75
● Younger siblings will receive a 10% discount.
● Families may only register for the Extended Day option on days that they are registered for the February Vacation Camp.
● Families will be invoiced via CommunityPass.
● Payment is due prior to the start of camp. A $25 late fee will be applied to late payments.
PROGRAMMING
● Supervision is provided by Extended Day Site Coordinators and Assistants from all four elementary schools.
● Students will be grouped based on age/grade and rotate through a variety of sports, arts, and stem activities over the course of the 3 days.
WEATHER
● We will make every effort to be open regardless of weather. If inclement weather or emergency situations require a change of hours or closing, parents will be notified soon as possible.
● Children should bring clothing suitable for outside play.
FOOD
● Extended Day provides all students with a morning and afternoon snack.
● Parents need to provide both breakfast and lunch.
MEDICAL
● Please be aware that any students requiring an epi-pen, inhaler, seizure and other medications must bring their own on the first day of camp. All epi-pens, inhalers, seizu and other medications will be kept with an on site nurse. All epi-pens, inhalers, seizure and other medications will be sent home with students on the last day of camp. If your student will need medication administered during camp hours, you will be asked to complete a consent form, which must be delivered with the prescribed medication on the first day of camp
Want More Information?
Reach out to Dan Santangelo,
Director of Extended Day at:
dsantangelo@walpole.k12.ma.us or Evan
Storlazzi, Assistant Director at:
February Coffee and Conversation Update
We had a great morning talking about literacy learning at Elm with Shannon Findley. You can find a copy of the slide deck Mrs. Findley shared with us, which included links to resources and ways to support literacy learning at home, here.
Our March Coffee and Conversation will take place on March 7th and will be focused on digital learning and citizenship and ways we can work together to help ensure online safety at home and school.
Staffing Update
As you may have read or heard, Mary Mortali (the administrative assistant to the superintendent) is retiring on February 14th. Jen Breen, our amazing front office administrative assistant, will be moving into that role starting on February 18th. Mrs. Breen has been a cornerstone of the Elm community for 24 years, thoughtfully and generously dedicating so much of her time to serving the students, families, and staff here at the Nest with empathy and care. We are so proud that Mrs. Breen will now be working in the superintendent's office and will miss her dearly here at Elm. The good news is that she will just be down the road and can still offer us support and guidance during the transition and beyond.
This week we are wrapping up our initial interviews and hope to have some information next week to share about who we will be welcoming to our Elm team in the role of front office administrative assistant. I know you all will join me in congratulating Mrs. Breen and wishing her well in this next step in her career!
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