The Wellfleet Elementary News

Good afternoon WES Families,

If your home was anything like mine over the past two weeks, I imagine there is a renewed appreciation for some of life’s finer luxuries like heat, a flushing toilet, Wi-Fi… and of course, our educators! I cannot count the number of times I caught myself thinking, “Can we please go back to school?” The Blizzard of ’26 certainly gave us perspective.

As we look beyond the storm and toward a return to normalcy, I know there is still some work to do before everything feels fully settled. Power has been restored at WES, pathways are clear, and we are eager to welcome our students back to WES.

Next week, we jump right back in as we celebrate Read Across America Week, inspired by the legacy of Dr. Seuss. On Monday, we will spotlight our upcoming Spring Musical and read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. We encourage students to dress as their favorite character from The Lorax as we begin the week with creativity and fun. Throughout the week, we’ll continue celebrating reading with themed dress-up days and special activities designed to bring books to life.

As we celebrate literacy and community, please be sure to check out the daily themes and help your child join in the fun. We are grateful to get back together and ready to turn the page to this next chapter.

Finally, stay tuned for a message from Superintendent Brand regarding the status of school tomorrow, Friday, February 27th.

Principal O'Shea

P.S. Futsal with Mr. O’Shea will be back this Sunday, March 1st! I hope to see you there!

Without further delay, our favorite set design team is back starting March 2nd. Both contributing artists from Castle Hill will be leading the set design of The Lorax. The specific dates will be shared with the students that expressed interest in grades 3-5 in December. All parents of students signed up for set design received an email with the full schedule of dates and times. Thank you in advance for supporting this exciting part of our school production!

Each meal bag contains shelf-stable, ready-to-eat items that require little to no preparation. The bags include a variety of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks—enough food for one child for the weekend. Families are welcome to request as many bags as needed to support their household.

You are invited to stop by Nauset Regional Middle School today, Thursday, February 26, between 2:00 and 4:00 PM to pick up a bag of non-perishable food items.

Location:

Nauset Regional Middle School

70 Route 28

Orleans, MA 02653

When you arrive, please enter through the front entrance of the middle school and remain in your car. Staff will be on hand and will bring the bags directly to your car. You will simply need to let staff know how many bags you would like when you pull up to the front of the line.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Victoria Saldana, Assistant Superintendent at (508) 255-8800; saldanav@nausetschools.org .

If you are interested in signing up for Inside Out Art Club, click the link below to register. Space is limited to 15 students in Grades 3-5.

Inside Out Art Registration Form

Students who have been in the Carnival ASEP Club have been working hard creating fun carnival games and attractions for all WES Students to enjoy! The Carnival will take place on Friday, March 13th from 4:00-5:30pm in the cafeteria. Our club members will stay after school on this day to help set up, and then take part in the fun!

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/ice-strength-and-safety

Here are the current upcoming field trips planned for this year. Check back each week for any updates!

Friday, March 6th - Early Dismissal 11:00

Wednesday, April 8th - All School trip to WHAT Theatre for Spring Musical "The Lorax" 10:00-11:30

Thursday, April 9th - Grade 3 trip to Plimoth Patuxet Museums

Monday, April 13th-Thursday, April 16th - Grade 5 Trip to NEED Academy *more info to come

Friday, May 29th - Grade 5 Step-Up Day at NRMS

Friday, June 5th - All-School Amazing Race

Friday, June 12th - Field Day (rain date 6/17)

Thursday, June 18th - Closing ceremony 10:00

Thursday, June 18th - Early Dismissal 11:00; Last Day of School

Nauset Public Schools and the towns of Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, and Wellfleet are working together on an Efficiency & Regionalization Study to look closely at the elementary and middle schools across the region. The goal is to ensure the schools across all four towns and the region remain strong, sustainable, and supportive of student success well into the future. This study will culminate in a set of detailed recommendations, providing valuable insights to guide future decisions.

In support of this work, we have completed the following:

• Formed a steering committee;

• Conducted initial community engagement sessions to create and adopt a priority framework;

• Evaluated existing facilities; and

• Begun analyzing future enrollment projections.

The next phase of this work will be to construct up to four scenarios for inclusion in the final study for consideration.

In order to inform the Steering Committee’s decision on which four scenarios will be included in the final report, focus groups will be facilitated with various stakeholders. As parent leaders within the community, we are hoping you will attend a virtual focus group to ensure that your perspectives are taken into consideration.

Parent Leader Focus Group for the Nauset Regionalization & Efficiency Study

• Date: February 10, 2026

• Time: 6:30pm

• Registration: Please use this LINK to register to attend the focus group. Once you register, a confirmation email with the zoom link will be sent to the email address provided.

For additional information, the website that outlines the timeline, process, steering committee, and final priority framework can be found HERE.

The WES Voice Matters! The Nauset Public Schools are beginning the development of a new district strategic plan that will serve as a shared roadmap to guide district priorities, align resources, and support student success across our schools. Meaningful community voice is essential to this effort.

To ensure broad and diverse stakeholder input, the district is forming a Strategic Planning Committee. All Strategic Planning Committee meetings will be held in person from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Nauset Regional Middle School on the following dates:

• Meeting #3: March 17, 2026

• Meeting #4: April 28, 2026

• Meeting #5: May 19, 2026

• Meeting #6: June 15, 2026

To ensure district-wide representation, we are hoping to include the following stakeholders on the committee:

• School Committee Representatives (6)

  • One from each School Committee, plus two regional representatives

• Parents/Guardians (7)

  • One representative from each school

• Community Members At-Large (4)

• NPS Staff (8–10)

• Students (4)

  • Two from Nauset Regional Middle School and Two from Nauset Regional High School

If you are interested in helping shape the future goals of Nauset Public Schools, or if you have any questions about the committee, please email Victoria Saldana, Assistant Superintendent at saldanav@nausetschools.org and cc Allyson McGillveary at mcgillvearya@nausetschools.org.

Please submit your interest as soon as possible.

At WES we are using the Committee for Children’s Second Step program in your child’s classroom. The Second Step program teaches children important skills for getting along with others and doing well in school. It also helps our school be a safe and supportive place where everyone can learn.

During the winter and early spring months, we will be teaching skills in the Second Step unit of instruction entitled: Child Protection (in grades K-5). In these lessons, students will learn three types of skills:

• Personal Safety. Students will learn important safety rules, such as safety with guns, sharp tools, and fire, and when riding on wheels or in cars. They will also learn ways to help them decide if something is safe or not.

• Touching Safety. Students will learn about safe, unsafe, and unwanted touches, and rules about touching private body parts. They’ll also learn to say no to unsafe or unwanted touches, and to tell an adult if someone breaks rules about touching private body parts.

• Assertiveness. These lessons will also give students a chance to practice asking an adult for help, telling an adult about an unsafe situation, and being assertive to get out of unsafe situations.

If you have questions about the program, please contact Mrs. Francis, our School Psychologist (francisk@nausetschools.org; 508-349-3101 x231).

Thank you for helping us to make our school a safe and supportive place where everyone can learn.

March Lunch Menu: (It may say "Eastham", but it is the lunch menu for "Wellfleet".)

READ Across America Dress Up Themes

Futsal on Sundays with Mr. O'Shea

Youth Open Gym at NRMS

Wellfleet Rec Adult Open Gym

FleetFund Info

Rental Assistance

GROW at Castle Hill

Lower Cape Lacrosse

Storytime with Anna - Wellfleet Library

Baking Brownies at Wellfleet Library

WES PTO Donation Letter for Spaghetti Supper

Homework Help is available to students in grades 2-5 after school from 2:00pm to 2:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. There is specific support available each of these days. On Mondays it will be Ms. Shuemaker and Mrs. Demeusy, Tuesdays Mr. Pursel and Mrs. Connolly, and on Thursday Ms. Lyman and Mrs. Botting. If you would like to sign up your child for Homework Help, please email Mrs. Belair in the front office at belairl@nausetschools.org.

Additionally, Mrs. Wallace will be inviting selected students mornings of Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursdays from 7:00am-7:45am.

We are proud to share that we have a strong group of students interested in the upcoming spring musical, The Lorax. Students will continue working on their new roles through early April. Those involved in set design will begin their work in the later part of January. We are excited to collaborate once again with the teachers from Castle Hill to bring the set design to life.

As you may know, the Nauset District has discontinued its use of ParentSquare and has transitioned to a new platform. If you download the Nauset App, you will receive all alerts, newsletters, and any other info from your child's school and the Nauset district. It’s the easiest way to stay updated with school news, alerts, and important announcements.

Similar to last year, I will continue using Smore to send out our weekly newsletters during the school year. These will begin the week before our return and will continue consistently throughout the year.

📱 Download the Nauset App:

• Apple App Store

• Google Play Store

Along with the information below, you will receive a great deal of first day paperwork. Please review it and where applicable, complete and return as soon as possible this will ensure we have the most up-to-date contact information.

• Breakfast and lunch: are free again for all students! If your child eats breakfast at home and you DO NOT want them to access the breakfast offered, please let the teacher know.
• Snack: Please send your student with a healthy snack and reusable water bottle daily. We are seeking to provide a healthy snack grant on Tuesdays and Thursday, and are awaiting if we received the grant. Plan to provide a healthy snack daily until you hear otherwise.
• School Arrival: Students may arrive at school at 7:25am. Breakfast is available, and students may otherwise sit in the cafeteria until the first bell rings at 7:45am.
• Supply Lists: All school supplies are provided to our students. Thank you Wellfleet taxpayers!

• Electronics: Upon arrival, student electronics (phone/watch) should be turned off and stowed away in their backpack. If parents/caregivers need to contact your student, please call the school at 508-349-3101, and the front office can get a message to your student.

Greetings from the WES Health Office!

I hope your children are as excited to return to school as I am! I can’t wait to see their shining faces soon. Before the year gets underway, here are a few important reminders for families:

Health Requirements & Screenings

• The state of Massachusetts requires that all students be up to date with immunizations to attend school. Exemptions include:

  • Medical: must be documented by a medical provider

  • Religious: requires an annual written statement on file

• Vision and hearing screenings take place annually. If follow-up is needed, I will send a referral letter home.

• BMI screenings are conducted in grades 1 and 4.

• Postural screenings are done in grade 5.

• Puberty education using the Our Changing Bodies curriculum is provided to grades 4 and 5. Families will receive advance notice and the opportunity to preview materials.

Medication Guidelines

• All medications require both a medical provider’s order and a parent/guardian’s written permission.

• Medications must be in the original prescription bottle with prescribing information and delivered to school by an adult. No baggies of pills in backpacks, please!

• If you’re having trouble obtaining a second inhaler for school due to insurance issues, let me know so we can problem-solve together.

• Standing orders for over-the-counter acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and Tums are included in the back-to-school forms.

Please remember—if your child’s medical situation changes during the year, reach out so we can develop an appropriate plan for their school day.

Exciting News from the Garden & Cafeteria!
Thanks to a Community Preservation Funds grant, WES will be installing new raised beds in our school gardens. This will allow us to grow, sample, and even serve more school-grown foods in the cafeteria! We’ll also be welcoming guest chefs for taste tests to inspire students to try nutrient-dense foods.

Our Fresh Fruits & Veggies Program will return this year with offerings on Tuesdays and Thursdays right outside the classrooms. We’re also excited to welcome back Farmer in the School, Stephanie Rein, for hands-on garden learning. And—our very first apple harvest from the school orchard is coming this fall!

All of this programming is designed to support the long-term health and well-being of our students, helping them build the skills to make healthy decisions for life.

Looking forward to a wonderful year ahead,
Nurse Crosen

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting very high and rising levels of influenza activity statewide as the Commonwealth moves through peak flu season. Thousands of residents have become ill, forcing them to miss work, school, and other activities. Many are experiencing serious complications, leading to increased visits to urgent care centers and emergency departments, and high levels of hospitalization.

The current widespread burden of illness underscores the importance of taking preventive measures, especially vaccination, to reduce severe disease and protect individuals, families, and communities.

Vaccines can prevent serious illness and hospitalization. If you have not yet been vaccinated against flu or COVID-19 this season, now is the time. It is not too late. Choosing vaccination is choosing to protect yourself, your family, your friends, your colleagues, and your community. DPH urges everyone 6 months of age and older to stay up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. These annual shots can be given at the same visit and are available from local boards of health, community health centers, pharmacies, and many health care providers.

The dominant strain nationally is influenza A(H3N2, subclade K). This strain emerged four months after this year’s flu vaccine was developed. While the available vaccine is not a perfect match to prevent getting sick altogether, it still offers protection against hospitalization and death (as cited by MMWR report, stating 63-78% protection against hospitalization in children, and 41-55% protection against hospitalization in adult)

Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of severe disease, including adults age 65 years and older, children between 6 months and 2 years old, people with chronic respiratory conditions or heart disease, individuals who are immunocompromised, and people who are pregnant. Vaccination also helps protect family members, coworkers, and others in the community who may be more vulnerable to serious illness.

For those who begin to experience flu symptoms – which include high fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, extreme fatigue, cough, sore throat, and congestion – antiviral medications, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu), are available by prescription. When started early, these medications can significantly reduce the severity of illness. Parents are encouraged to seek medical advice promptly if they or their children develop flu-like symptoms.

Spending time indoors and around larger groups increases the likelihood of exposure to respiratory viruses. The following everyday measures can help prevent illness:

Stay up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccinations

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water

• Stay home when sick

• Cover coughs and sneezes

• Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings, especially if you or a loved one is at higher risk.

• Please keep your child home for at least 24 hours after a respiratory illness accompanied by fever until fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.

At Wellfleet Elementary School, we pride ourselves on providing supports that will help all students be successful. WES follows a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) a framework designed to provide early intervention and support for students facing academic or behavioral challenges.

It typically begins with universal screening to identify students in need of assistance, followed by tiered interventions that increase in intensity based on the student’s response.

• Tier 1 includes classroom instruction and universal supports for all students
• Tier 2 offers additional, small-group interventions for those who need extra help, and
• Tier 3 provides intensive, individualized support for students with significant challenges.

If a student continues to struggle despite these targeted supports, the MTSS team will convene to evaluate the student’s progress and needs. If it is determined that the interventions have been insufficient and the student demonstrates significant difficulties, a referral for a special education evaluation will be made by the school.

• This evaluation assesses whether the student has a qualifying disability and requires specialized services to succeed in the educational environment, ultimately leading to the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) if eligibility is established.

Here is the most recent WES Waves: A Student Run Online Publication presented by our very own Mr. Staker. This is the second edition and includes reports from all students in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. It is well worth the watch!

WES School Health Services-Resource page: Contact Mrs. Cope-Crosen for more information at copec@nausetschools.org

From Monday, April 13th through Friday, April 17th, Wellfleet Elementary School’s 5th grade students will participate in the Seashore Program, an immersive overnight environmental education experience at the National Environmental Education Development (N.E.E.D.) Academy within the Cape Cod National Seashore. Staying in a former Coast Guard Station overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Pamet River valley, students will explore beaches, dunes, marshes, swamps, and forests while learning about the natural and cultural history of Cape Cod. Guided by lessons aligned with Massachusetts Science and Social Studies Curriculum Frameworks, they will investigate topics ranging from native ecosystems and coastal geology to the lives of Native Americans, early colonists, and the U.S. Life Saving Service. Field trips to sites like Great Island, the White Cedar Swamp, and Race Point will deepen their connection to the unique and fragile environment they call home. Evening activities such as night hikes, stargazing, and group games will foster camaraderie, while the shared the experience of living and learning together will strengthen classroom community, teamwork, and personal responsibility. For more information visit the NEED Website.

The Lawrence Fund was established in March of 2023 by Ariana Bradford (Staff Member at WES) and Joan Zukas (School Committee member and grandmother to two students at WES). The Fund was established to honor Lawrence Zukas, father to Ariana and husband to Joan. Its’ purpose is to financially support students and their families who may be in need of funds for camps, sports equipment, shoes, coats, boots, musical instruments, school supplies including technology support, etc. Request can be made to Mrs. Ariana Bradford, Mr. Adam O’Shea, Mrs. Claudia Cope or your child’s teacher. No proof of need is asked, The Lawrence Fund is just happy to help. Any additional questions can be answered by Claudia Cope at copec@nausetschools.org or by phone at (508) 349-3101.

Throughout the school year you may want to reach out to your child's teacher, or reach out to me.

All Nauset staff follow the email formatting below:

• the staff person's last name
• then the initial of their first name
• ending with @nausetschools.org

Now there is an exception to the rule: Ms. Claudia Cope-Crosen, our school nurse, is simply copec@nausetschools.org