News From The Nest: Issue #32

Hello Elm Street School Families and Friends!

It was so wonderful to have our Eagles back at the Nest after a long April break. We missed everyone! We've definitely been enjoying the warmer weather and sunshine allowing us to get outside more for nature hikes and some extra recess times.

This week our grades 3 and 4 students did a phenomenal job taking the Math MCAS, staying focused and persevering through both sessions. We know our 5th graders will do an equally awesome job next week when they take their Math MCAS!

Kindergarteners had a perfect weather day for their trip to the zoo where they reported "all the animals were out." There were lots of tired students on Thursday afternoon after they returned from their full day of walking and exploring the Southwick Zoo.

Also in our first week back we had a group of second graders host a publishing party where they showcased their hard work writing non-fiction texts that were rooted in research about various countries and animals. They included Table of Contents for the readers and to organize their information, and also used all they knew about text features and author's voice and purpose to really bring their research to life!

After school enrichments are in full swing with students engaging in tie dye, robotics, drama club, beading, gym games, and Run Club. A friendly reminder that families need to park in the parking lot and walk up to pick up students in after school enrichments. There is NO use of the driveway loop during enrichment dismissal.

It certainly as been a jam packed first week back and we know these last 6 weeks of school will keep being filled with special activities, high engagement and learning, and joy! Be sure to keep an eye on your email and child(ren)'s home/school folder(s) for additional information and events happening in this very busy time of year! There is a lot of information as we start to come into the final weeks of the school year so please carve out some time to read and stay up to date on everything happening in and around the Nest!

In this edition of our weekly newsletter you will find more information about:

• upcoming dates and celebrations for April
• Essentialist Newsletter: ART
• counseling newsletter for May
• May Coffee and Conversation
• School Start/End Times and School Calendar Update
• MCAS Reminder
• Spring Concerts at Elm
• Student Support and Attendance Newsletter
• K-12 District Art Show Opening Night (5/7)
• Spring Picture Day at Elm (5/8)
• Keeping Kids Safe Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents
• 2025 - 2026 School Year Calendar

Enjoy the weekend and I hope to see all of our Eagles and their families at this Saturday's Elm Street School Candyland Dance and Wednesday's Art Show at the Walpole Public Library!

Jen

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 May.

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.

• Asian American, Native Hawai'ian, and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month
• Mental Health Awareness Month
• 5/1: Grade 4 Math MCAS Session 1, Kindergarten Field Trip, 6:45p School Committee Meeting
• 5/2: Grade 4 Math MCAS Session 2
• 5/5: Cinco de Mayo, 7:30p Town Meeting
• 5/5-9: Educator Appreciation Week
• 5/6: Grade 5 Math MCAS Session 1
• 5/7: Grade 5 Math MCAS Session 2, 6:00p District Wide Art Show
• 5/8: Spring Photo Day
• 5/12: Vesak
• 5/14: Grade 5 STE MCAS Session 1, 6:30p Incoming Kindergarten Family Meeting
• 5/15: Grade 5 STE MCAS Session 2, 6:45p School Committee Meeting
• 5/16: Early Release Day
• 5/20-21: Incoming Kindergarten Screening Days
• 5/20: 3:15p Elm School Council Meeting
• 5/23: Grade 5 Field Trip
• 5/26: Memorial Day SCHOOL CLOSED
• 5/27: Grade 3 Field Trip
• 5/29: Spring Concerts (Grade 3- 1:15p, Grade 4- 1:50p, Grade 5- 2:25p)

Our next Coffee and Conversation is on May 9th. Our topic of conversation will be supporting diverse learners in an inclusive setting (including tiered supports and interventions, special education, and more).

Come and hear more about how we support all students in the classroom and in small group and individual settings. We will talk about differentiated instruction, interventions and general education supports, and the special education process and resources at Elm. Danielle Nalbach, our Team Chair here at Elm, will join Mrs. Buller as a guest presenter.

Coffee and connections start at 8:15a and our program will begin promptly at 8:30a.

Next year Elm Street School will switch to being a "late school". Every 3 years the elementary schools in Walpole rotate late and early school hours. For the 2025 - 2026 school year we will have an official start time of 9:00a and an end time of 3:30p.

• Doors will open at 8:50a for arrival
• We will begin dismissal at 3:20p in the afternoon
• Early Release Dismissal will be at 12:25p

For a full list of start and end times for all Walpole Public Schools please click here.

The full school calendar will be available after the May 1st School Committee meeting.

Our grades 3 and 4 Elm Street Eagles did a fantastic job engaging with their Math MCAS this week! They showed focus and perseverance and we are so proud of them all for doing their best during the tests.

These assessments play a crucial role in evaluating both individual student progress and the overall effectiveness of our educational programs. In addition, participation in the MCAS is required by both federal and state law and student participation will impact our district’s DESE accountability rating.

Why MCAS Matters:

• Student Competency: MCAS serves as a key indicator of your child's understanding of the curriculum, helping to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.​

• School Accountability: The results contribute to our district and school's accountability system, guiding enhancements in teaching strategies and resource allocation to better serve our students.​

• Student Opportunity: MCAS results are still used as a benchmark to qualify for state awards (i.e. John and Abigail Adams Scholarship & Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award) and the State Seal of Biliteracy.

Your Support is Vital:

We encourage you to support your child(ren) to approach the MCAS with confidence and dedication. Here are some ways you can support them:

• Promote a Positive Attitude: Encourage your child to view the assessment as an opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills.​

• Ensure Rest and Nutrition: A good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast can significantly impact test performance.​

Together, we can empower our students to excel in the MCAS assessments and continue their educational journey with confidence.

Below is our remaining MCAS schedule for Elm Street School:

Grade 5 Math

May 6 and 7

Grade 5 Science Technology and Engineering

May 14 and 15

Spring Concerts Are Coming!

We’re excited to invite families to our End-of-Year Spring Concerts, happening May 29th and June 3rd!

This year, we’re introducing a new concert schedule. Instead of the usual three days of concerts, concerts will happen across two school days (May 29th and June 3rd), and we are shifting to an afternoon schedule.

This change is designed to minimize the impact on families' busy schedules and make it easier for families with children in multiple grades to attend all of their kids' performances. With this new format, we hope you have more flexibility to enjoy each concert!

Concert Dates & Times:

• Thursday, May 29th – Grades 3, 4, and 5

• 1:15pm: 3rd Grade

• 1:50pm: 4th Grade

• 2:25pm: 5th Grade

• Tuesday, June 3rd – Grades K, 1 and 2

• 1:15pm: 2nd Grade

• 1:50pm: 1st Grade

• 2:25pm: Kindergarten

Over the last few weeks students in Grades K-5 have been reviewing songs and activities learned this year in preparation for their upcoming grade-level concerts. Performances will feature the culmination of their work demonstrating skills and concepts learned throughout the academic school year. Students are enthusiastically looking forward to sharing a “snapshot” of their musical experiences using song, instruments, improvisation, and movement. It has been a complete joy for me to hear and see them be so inspired to showcase their musical talents! I'm so proud of their accomplishments and I know you will be too. I hope you can join me in applauding our young musicians.

Due to traffic concerns, guests will not be allowed to enter the building until 5 minutes before the start of their child’s concert.

Thank you for supporting our amazing young musicians—we can’t wait to see you there!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at

jveneto@walpole.k12.ma.us

Jessica Veneto

Music Teacher

Wednesday May 7th

6:00 - 8:00p

Walpole Public Library

Throughout the year, artwork was selected from each grade and each assignment to showcase the breadth of studio experience, range of visual expression, and depth of learning in the art room.

With drawings, painting, collage, prints, photographs, digital images, spatial design, mixed media, weavings, and sculpture, students communicate their ideas about who they are, where they live, and how they feel.

We will be taking spring photos at Elm on May 8th.

You can visit the Lifetouch website to order photo packages.

Below is our school code:

Picture Day ID: EVTXJG3MP

The United States Attorney’s Office will be hosting a virtual internet safety presentation for all adults who wish to keep children safe online. Assistant United States Attorney Luke Goldworm and Victim Witness Specialist Lauryn Mackey will be joined by Special Agent Andrew Kelleher from Homeland Security Investigations Child Exploitation and Digital Forensics Unit to present a Webex Webinar:

Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents

Wednesday, June 4th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.

A Q & A session will follow the presentation. The presentation will bring awareness to how predators are sexually exploiting children online and how to keep them safe.

Advanced registration is required. You may register for the webinar at the link below:

https://usao.webex.com/weblink/register/r4617269953953d7a4aaa839f6c3e110b

Fore more information visit this link.

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