Hello Elm Street School Families and Friends!
Even though we were only back for two quick days it was so wonderful to see our Eagles soaring around the hallways of the Nest once again. Our first days back from the Winter Break we spent some time reviewing expectations and reconnecting as we gear up for a deeper dive into academics in the coming months. There's a lot of exciting events coming up in the month of January so please stay connected and set aside some time to read our newsletters thoroughly!
In this edition of our weekly newsletter you will find information about:
- upcoming dates and celebrations for January
- Essentialist Newsletter: MUSIC
- Cold Weather Gear Reminder
- Battle of the Books Update and Schedule
- Glow Run at Elm
- Elm Street School Spirit Days
- Winter Enrichment Classes
- Soaring Speakers Podcast: We Can Brighten the World (Mrs. Oberacker's Class)
- Head Lice Precautions
- Student Support and Attendance December Newsletter
I hope everyone gets some rest this weekend and comes back ready for some engagement, connection, and joy during our first full week back next week!
Jen
Upcoming Dates and Celebrations: January
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 January.
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.
1/1 New Year’s Day
1/2 School Reopens from Winter Break
1/6 Three Kings Day
1/9 6:45p School Committee Meeting
1/10 Battle of the Books Competition
1/14 3:15p Elm School Council Meeting
1/16 7:00p Elm PAC Meeting
1/17 Early Release Day- PD
1/20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (School Closed), Inauguration Day
1/21 6:00p Public Budget Hearing
1/22 Day 90 HALFWAY DAY
1/23 6:45p School Committee Meeting
1/27 International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Elm Glow Run, Report Cards released to families
1/29 Lunar New Year
1/31 8:30a K-5 Assembly (students and staff only), Favorite Sports/Hobbies Spirit Day
Cold Weather Gear Reminder
As the weather finally makes a turn 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.
Battle of the Books Update
The competition is heating up as we enter final preparations for Battle of the Books.
Next week teams will meet one more time in school on Tuesday before our final battles on Friday. Students will be partaking in final battles inside designated classrooms throughout the morning. There will be one finalist from each classroom. This level of the competition will happen just with students and Elm staff members, we will not be inviting families to participate in this part of the competition.
We anticipate knowing who will be participating in the Final Battle by 11:30am. At that time we will send an email to all grades 3-5 families announcing the teams that have moved on to the Final Battle which will take place in the Cafe starting at 1:30. Students in grades 3-5 and their families will be invited to join us in the Cafe to cheer on the remaining 5 finalists.
Glow Run at Elm
You can now sign up for our Elm Street Glow Run on 1/27! This event will be held during school hours. Sign your students up at MyBooster.com to get them going. Then, share near and far and gather donations from friends and family all over! Can we get sponsors from all 50 states?
Our goal is to raise $30,000 for cultural arts programs and school improvements.
Online Signup - OPEN NOW!
Fundraiser Kickoff in school - January 15
Glow Run Event - January 27
Signing up is easy and free! We are grateful for your support. Follow our social media pages and check your email for updates on this fundraiser.
Elm Street School Spirit Days
Our Grade 5 Student Council has been hard at work planning and organizing special things to help continue to make our Nest a joyful place for all students including our Elm Street School Spirit Days. You can find our full spirit day schedule for the rest of the school year below:
- Every Wednesday- Walpole Wednesdays: we invite all students every Wednesday to show off their Walpole pride by wearing blue and orange, Walpole gear, Elm gear, Walpole sports jerseys, or other clothing that represents Walpole.
- Assembly Days- Theme Days: on Elm Street School student and staff assembly days (1x/month) we invite all students to take part in that month's theme day. (All dates are Fridays)
- January 31st: Favorite Sports and Hobbies Day
- February 28th: Color Competition Day
- March 21st: Decades Day
- April: No Assembly this month
- May 23rd: Mismatch Day
- June (exact date TBD): Teacher/Student Switch Day
More information about each spirit day and suggestions on what to wear to participate will be shared in upcoming Elm Street School family newsletters.
All Elm Street School Spirit Days are optional in terms of participation.
Winter Enrichment Classes
General Information:
Registration will open on Sunday, January 5th at 10:00am
Please write checks to Town of Walpole
Reminders:
1. When picking your child up from enrichment you will need to park in a parking spot and walk to the main entrance to meet your child. We will not be using the loops
2. Students should dress appropriately for activities and bring a snack.
3. Please email a note to jbreen@walpole.k12.ma.us to give permission for your child to stay after for enrichment class and the dates your child will be staying after school. This note will be shared with your child's teacher. If something comes up and your child is unable to attend one of the classes, please write a note that day to send your child home and not attend after school enrichment.
4. Please send in your payment right away! Payment is due by Friday, January 17th. Please write your child's name and the class on the memo line of the check.
5. If after school activities are canceled by the town due to weather, enrichment is canceled and a date will be added to the end of the cycle.
Important Information
When: Classes are once a week for six weeks from 3:05-4:05 (Unless otherwise noted) Please refer to the dates listed with the class description. Weeks may not be consecutive because of holidays or vacations.
Cost: Please see the description of each class regarding the cost. Checks should be made out to Town of Walpole and should have your child's name and enrichment class listed in the memo line. It is often helpful to send separate checks for each child in the event a class does not run and we need to refund your money. If financial help is needed please contact the principal, Mrs. Buller directly.
Class Description and Offerings:
TUESDAY CLASSES
Gym Games with Mr. I
Grades 3-5 (max 20 students)
Price per student: $45
6 week class
Tuesdays – January 21, 28, February 4, 11, 25, March 4
Join Mr. I in the gym for some exciting fun gym games. Each week we will focus
on playing a new sport inside the gymnasium. Students of all levels and
abilities are welcome and each week we will focus on learning and playing a new sport!
We will choose from the following list of sports and may add or repeat depending on
interest levels: Hockey, Basketball, Soccer, Football, Baseball/Softball, Volleyball,
Tennis, Pickleball
Cupcake Decorating
Grades 1 – 5 (Min of 8 students or Max 20 each week)
Price per student: $18/week
Instructor: Silpa Pande – Melt in Your Mouth
This class will have 4 separate signups for each week
Wednesdays – January 22nd and February 5th
Tuesday – February 11th and March 4th
Elm Street School has partnered with Melt in Your Mouth to bring you Cupcake Decorating. In this program, the kids will learn to decorate winter themed cupcakes. It is perfect for getting your kids to unleash their imagination and creativity while encouraging team work. This program is set in a fun environment and encourages all skill levels. All items needed for this program are provided including 2 cupcakes, frosting, piping bags, tips and all the supplies for decoration. The kids love these cupcakes and they make excellent gifts!
This class will have 4 different sessions. You can sign up for one, two, three or all four….Whatever works for your schedule. Each session is $18
WEDNESDAY CLASSES
Team Hand Ball with Mr. I
Grades 3 - 5 (max 20 students)
Price per student: $45
6 week class
Wednesdays – January 22, 29 February 5, 12, 26, March 5th
Join Mr. I in the gym for some Hand Ball. Handball is a thrilling team game that combines many different skills (throwing, catching, running, open space, offensive/defense).
Teams try to score on the other team's goal by throwing the ball into the opposing team's net. Handball is a mix of many different sports where students can be active and practice many different skills in a dynamic setting.
Yoga and Mindfulness
Grades 1 – 3 (max of 14 Students)
Instructor: Miss Stewart
Price per student: $45
6 week class
Wednesdays – January 22, 29 th , February 5, 12, 26, March 5 th
In this class we will use yoga as a means of decompressing and finding mindfulness after a day of working hard at school. We will start with stretching and then move through different poses. At the end of each class we will complete a mindfulness coloring reflection paper!
Hair Braiding with Miss Sarkis and Miss Torigian
Grades 3 - 5 (max 16 students)
Price per student: $70 (cost of mannequin head and supplies included)
6 week class
Wednesdays – January 22, 29 th , February 5, 12, 26, 29, March 5th
Join us for a fun and creative after-school program where students in grades 3-5 can learn the art of hair braiding! This hands-on enrichment class will teach participants various braiding techniques, including classic three-strand braids, French braids, fishtails, and more. Students will keep their mannequin heads. Students will practice braiding on provided styling mannequins and explore the history and cultural significance of braiding styles from around the world. The program emphasizes creativity, patience, and skill-building in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Don’t miss this chance to braid, bond, and have a blast—spots are limited, so sign up now! No prior experience necessary.
Cupcake Decorating
Grades 1 – 5 (Min of 8 students or Max 20 each week)
Price per student: $18/week
Instructor: Silpa Pande – Melt in Your Mouth
This class will have 4 separate signups for each week
Wednesdays – January 22 nd and February 5 th
Tuesday – February 11 th and March 4th
Elm Street School has partnered with Melt in Your Mouth to bring you Cupcake Decorating. In this program, the kids will learn to decorate winter themed cupcakes. It is perfect for getting your kids to unleash their imagination and creativity while encouraging team work. This program is set in a fun environment and encourages all skill levels. All items needed for this program are provided including 2 cupcakes, frosting, piping bags, tips and all the supplies for decoration. The kids love these cupcakes and they make excellent gifts!
This class will have 4 different sessions. You can sign up for one, two, three or all four….What ever works for your schedule. Each session is $18
THURSDAY CLASSES
Gym Games with Miss Sullivan and Miss Burke
Grades K-2 (max 20 students)
Price per student: $45
6 week class
Thursdays – January 23, 30 February 6, 13, 27, March 6
Join Miss Sullivan and Miss Burke in the gym for some exciting fun gym games. Each week we will focus on playing a new sport inside the gymnasium. Students of all levels and abilities are welcome and each week we will focus on learning and playing a new sport!
Robotics
Grades 2-5 (max of 12 kids)
Instructor: Scott Carpenter
Price per student: $50
6 week class
Thursdays – January 23, 30 th , February 6, 13, 27, March 6
The program is hosted by Walpole Robotics Academy and geared to all students ages 7-11 years old. Utilizing Lego WeDo 2.0 and LEGO Spike Prime students will receive a different mini- challenge each week based on the LEGO Education programs. Students will work in teams of 2 to design, build and program their robots, completing a variety of challenges and tasks that require creativity, innovation, and technical know-how. So get ready to embark on an exciting journey of discovery and learning as you explore the world of LEGO robotics!
Bead Creations
Grades 3-5 (max of 14 kids)
Instructor: Miss Perron
Price per student: $55 (includes materials)
6 week class
Thursdays – January 23, 30 th , February 6, 13, 27, March 6
Come join Miss Perron to create beaded items, like keychains, bead pets, ornaments, friendship pins, and bracelets! We’ll create using pony, seed, perler, heishi beads and more!
Enrollment Information:
After reviewing the class descriptions please click below to sign-up. Space is limited for each class.
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