Daniel Webster Elementary School

Greetings DWS Families!

Walking around the building this morning, there were a lot of tired smiling faces! Our DWS kids have been working really hard this week to come down from the sugar rush and excitement of the holidays and get back into their routines. It's been a little more difficult this week because of the rain and dreariness outside. Our DWS kids haven't had the chance to get outside and run around to release some energy. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the weather will allow us to get outside next week.

Have a great week!

Mrs. MacNeil

January

January 10 - School Site Council Meeting

January 16 - No School - MLK Jr. Day

January 23 - Last day of Health classes for grades 3 and 5

January 24 - First day of Health classes for grades 2 and 4

As a reminder, please adhere to the DWS Dismissal Protocols if you choose to pick up your child from school (listed below). Dismissal time can be very busy and we understand that we are the late school and families are often rushing off to afterschool activities. It has been reported that some cars are pulling in and doing a U-Turn in the driveway to cut the line. Please follow the protocol and the flow of traffic pictured below so we don't compromise the safety of our children. Thank you!

Dismissal

• DWS hours are 8:50am-3:30pm. Students will begin car line dismissal at 3:25 pm.

• If you arrive before 3:25, please remain in your vehicle.

• Please do not park your vehicle in the live line.

• In the car line, students will be dismissed in order of car line up through the gym doors.

• Please follow staff directions and pull all the way up to the marked location (red circle).

• Please wait for the car in front of you to pull forward. Do not attempt to pass vehicles.

Please remember to send your student to school with a snack each day. All students have a snack break during the day. Great snacks include easy-to-eat fruits and veggies like apples, oranges, carrots, and cucumbers as well as whole grain snacks including granola bars, and crackers. Cheese sticks and yogurts are other great options. These ideas help keep hungry bellies at bay and students ready to learn!

As the weather gets colder, please remember that students' dress should reflect this as we spend time outdoors each day for snack and/or recess time! Here is an important reminder from our Handbook. Thank you!

DRESS CODE

School is a special place and how your child dresses should reflect this. Students should come to school neat, clean, and dressed appropriately for the elementary learning environment. Student’s attire, including their footwear, should allow for their participation in the numerous physical and academic activities that comprise a school day. Hats and other head apparel, except when worn for religious or medical reasons, are not allowed in the building.

Students’ clothing should neither contain messages or images that disrupt the educational process, nor be inappropriately revealing. Students go out daily for recess unless the weather dictates otherwise. It is important to dress appropriately for the weather.

The principal and/or designee are responsible for determining whether a student’s attire meets these expectations. They will work with and contact the families of students whose dress does not meet these expectations.

Each week, our DWS Kids are introduced to a vocabulary word of the week related to kindness and building social-emotional capacity. The words are introduced during the daily morning announcement and throughout the week the DWS staff challenges students to use these words in activities and conversations, whether it be during a classroom discussion, writing assignment, or speaking with a friend. We ask that families partner with us to continue the work of inspiring and challenging our DWS Kids to continue using these words!

This week our vocabulary word was COMMITMENT.

DWS staff members can award any student with a DWS ALL STAR when they see students being Dedicated, Welcoming, or Safe. All of the DWS ALL STAR awards are put on display in the front lobby. The following students were featured in the morning announcements last week for being DWS ALL-STARS!

Grade K: Stanley in Mrs. Prendergast’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because he was focused during Second Step.

Grade K: Theo in Ms. Hastry’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because he showed DWS behavior in the cafeteria.

Grade 1: Brooke S. in Mrs. MacDonoald’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because she showed dedication and was able to build her stamina during phonics.

Grade 1: JP in Mrs. Carey’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because he was dedicated to his Math centers.

Grade 2: Will P. in Mrs. Bertulli’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because he helped his teacher.

Grade 2: Spencer in Mrs. Bertulli’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because he helped his teacher.

Grade 3: Matthew W. in Mrs. Hanson’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because he was a DWS Kid by righting his wrong.

Grade 3: Eleanor M. in Mrs. Hanson’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because she was a DWS Kid!

Grade 4: Eddie in Mrs. Robatzek’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because he was focused while working with his Math partner.

Grade 4: Bradley in Mrs. Robatzek’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because he was focused while working with his Math partner.

Grade 5: Kyle in Ms. LaForest’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because he tried something new!

Grade 5: Sadie G. in Mrs. Auriemma’s class is a DWS ALL STAR because she showed great participation during our Writing activity.

Congratulations!

The holiday season is approaching quickly. We hope everyone can have safe and healthy celebrations!

• The best defense against illness is good handwashing, proper nutrition, adequate hydration, and regular sleep. I encourage the students to stay hydrated and rest to help prevent illness and when they are unwell to help shorten the duration of the illness.

• Flu shots and COVID-19 shots/boosters are recommended at this time and can be given at the same time. They will help prevent illness and minimize symptoms if your child were to get sick.

• When communicating your child’s illness or absences by email/teacher note/phone call, can you please include me in your communications?

• Please remember to send your students to school with a reusable water bottle and filling snack daily! The health office has a very limited supply of snacks available.

• All students have a snack break during the day. Please pack a healthy snack EVERY DAY! Great snacks include easy-to-eat fruits and veggies like apples, oranges, carrots, and cucumbers as well as whole grain snacks including granola bars, and crackers. Cheese sticks and yogurts are another great option. These ideas help keep hungry bellies at bay and students ready to learn!

• Have your child bring a water bottle to school EVERY DAY. The students have access to the bottle fillers and can refill their water bottles as needed throughout the day.

• We want to be able to send students outside for as long as possible despite the chilly temps. Please be sure students dress in layers for school- they need warm weather gear for outdoor play, but inside the building can be very warm. If students do not have appropriate warm weather/snow gear their outside activities may be somewhat limited so they stay warm and safe.

• If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at 781-834-5045 or by email at kAcampbeLL@mpsd.org

Our grade three students each chose a word that they wanted to focus on for the upcoming year. Students then wrote why this word was important to them. All the words were then entered into a word cloud. The word cloud enlarges each word every time it gets entered. The bigger the word, the more times students chose it. The words were then made into a bulletin board. What an inspiring way to start off the new year! Looks like we're going to have a wonderful, strong, kind, and positive year - starting NOW!

In partnership with our PTO, we will be introducing you to two staff members each week in order to familiarize our families with all our amazing staff members at DWS!

What is your role at DWS? Health Teacher

Do you have a fun fact or a favorite thing you would like to share about yourself? I am the district-wide health teacher so I work at all 5 elementary schools and the best part of my job is teaching students skills that will help them live healthy, happy lives. A fun fact about me is that I love to repair and refinish furniture that has been discarded and give it a new purpose!

What is your role at DWS? SESP in PreK

Do you have a fun fact or a favorite thing you would like to share about yourself? I love to ski!

Next meeting: Monday 2/6/22 @ 7pm in the DWS Library

*Please note there is no January meeting!*

Thank you all for a wonderful start to the year. We hope everyone had a relaxing Holiday break and a happy new year!

• Woot Woot Tables are back! This has been a great way to show DWS staff how much we appreciate them over the past few years. If you would like to volunteer to organize a table, please use the following link to sign up. More details are on the sign up page. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4EA4A629A2FE3-staff

• *NEW THIS YEAR* Teacher Wish Lists! The PTO has been collaborating with our teachers to work on wish lists for items they need or want in their classrooms. If you are looking to donate items to DWS, we suggest you use this list as a guide. Please feel free to reach out to us or your teachers directly if you have questions on items. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ncDVXoQft2ugE6mTnxO-EsflmNNck6zZEh7JIn3oGxg/edit?usp=sharing

• Sand & Water has generously offered to partner with us and provide some spirit ware options year round. A large portion of the sale goes directly to the DWS PTO. Please see the flyer for more details.

Contact:

Please email yourdwspto@gmail.com with any general questions and for more information. Email dwsvolunteers@gmail.com for more details on volunteering at the school throughout the year.

Thank you for all of your support!

One breakfast and one lunch are Free for the 2022-2023 School year for all students.

A la carte items cost extra.

A la carte items can not be charged to a student's account.

2nd Lunch - $2.75

Milk - .75 cents (milk comes with lunch) on its own, it's an a la carte item and cost

Water - .50 cents

Ice Cream - $1.25

WAYS TO PAY

Preferred method of payment:

Online: www.myschoolbucks.com

After you log in or register (if new) than you can

use your child’s Birthday for the

ID Number to add your child’s account.

Check payable to:

Town of Marshfield

(child’s First/Last name in Memo)

Cash: please put in an envelope

marked Lunch Money with your

child’s name on it.

For over ten years, Marshfield Education Foundation has provided opportunities for enhanced learning by working in partnership with Marshfield’s educators to fund grants that complement the social, emotional and academic development of our students. As we enter the season of giving, we hope you’ll consider supporting the Marshfield Education Foundation with a donation to our 3rd Annual Fall Giving Campaign. Donate Today!

https://givebutter.com/marshfieldfallgiving

DWS will be a late school for the upcoming year. Please make note of the following changes.

School Start Time - 8:50 am (students can enter the building at 8:40 am)

School End Time - 3:30 pm

Wednesday Early Dismissal - 1:15 pm

The registration for the Before School Care is now available for Children in grades K-5 offered on site at each of the Marshfield Elementary Schools.

Our Before School program provides a wholesome environment that promotes social/emotional, physical and character development in addition to supporting the educational efforts of both the parent and school. We encourage children to balance learning and fun through homework help, physical activity and arts & crafts. Our focus areas give your child limitless opportunities to reach their full potential.

Hours: 7am until school day starts

Program & Activities include:

• Breakfast
• Homework Help
• Games & Activities
• Arts & Crafts

To register click here.

The Marshfield Public Schools are thrilled to announce our new app for mobile phones! Stay up-to-date with access to events, documents, news from administrators, student stories, and even emergency notifications.

You can download the app for free on Google Play or Apple App Store.

Download for Android https://bit.ly/3yOktQ8

Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3nVNlzs

A double door entry system with a security window was added to the DWS.

As a security measure, we will not be letting visitors into the building unless you are volunteering. Visitors who have a scheduled meeting will wait in the vestibule and be escorted by the host to the meeting.

All visitors must present a valid ID - no exceptions! We understand that we know many parents/guardians, but we will be requiring ALL visitors to present their ID when they volunteer and/or pick up a student - EVERY TIME. This will be frustrating at first, but we are working hard to maintain the safety of our students.

Please review the most up-to-date arrival and dismissal protocol. We have made some changes to the existing policy in order to keep students, drivers, and staff safe.

The new policy can be found here.

As part of our Positive Behavior and Incentives Plan, our DWS Kids are taught how to be Dedicated, Welcoming, and Safe in all areas of our building and throughout their day. These posters are reviewed on the morning announcements, by classroom teachers, and are hung around the school for visual reminders. Students are then recognized for following these expectations and given All-Stars!