Warren School Weekly Update

Thank you to all of our families for your participation in Parent-Teacher Conferences this week. These conversations are an important part of supporting your child’s growth. When we work together, we are able to create the best possible experience for each student.

Please remember that Thursday, April 2 is an Early Release Day for staff professional development. There will be no school on Friday, April 3 in observance of Good Friday.

Today, our students enjoyed an amazing light show as part of our Go, Grow, Glow Day. It was a fun and engaging experience for everyone!

Students and staff are invited to wear blue or red on Thursday, April 2 in recognition of Autism Awareness. This is a wonderful opportunity to show support for all members of our school and community.

Last week, I shared information regarding student placement for our current Grade 2 students as they transition to Grade 3. Mindess Principal, Kate Altman, will be hosting a parent information night for current Grade 2 families on May 21 from 6:00–7:00 PM.

Below, you will find the link to the Warren School Parent Placement Form. While it is not required, families are welcome to share any information they feel would be helpful. The form must be completed by Tuesday, April 28, and will close after that date. Each spring, the Warren School staff works thoughtfully and collaboratively to place students in classroom environments where they will thrive. We strive to create balanced classrooms with a diverse mix of learners, taking into account each child’s academic, social, and emotional needs. Our goal is to build strong classroom communities led by teachers who are well-equipped to support a range of learning styles.

Have a great weekend,

Pete

Please use this link to learn more about how your child can submit artwork!

Parents! Don’t miss out!

Turn your child’s artwork into something special and support our schools at the same time!

Order by April 19!

March 19, 2026

Dear Families,

Each spring, the Mindess staff works thoughtfully and collaboratively to determine class placements for the upcoming academic year. Our goal is to create balanced, heterogeneous classrooms where students can learn and grow within a supportive community led by a teacher who understands and responds to their individual learning styles. This is a complex process that takes many factors into consideration.

If there is information you believe would be helpful for us to consider, please complete this form. Please note that information shared directly with teachers will not be included in the placement process; only information submitted through this form will be reviewed.

While we value and appreciate parent input, there are many factors that influence class placement decisions, and we may not be able to honor all requests.

Requests for specific teachers or for particular students to be placed together will not be considered.

Please note that Mrs. Knox, Ms. Bouvier and Mrs. Hall will be moving to grade 5 next school year. As a result, there is a possibility that your child could be assigned the same teacher they had previously. If you would prefer that your child not be placed with the same teacher again, please indicate this on the form.

This form must be completed by April 8, as we will begin the placement process on Thursday, April 9. Information submitted will be shared with our counseling staff and Special Education staff when appropriate.

Class placements will be developed this spring and may be adjusted over the summer as additional students enroll. Families will receive a letter in August with the name of their child’s teacher and homeroom number.

Sincerely,

Kate Altman

Principal, Mindess School

Spring Picture Day is coming up on Friday, April 10. I will be placing flyers in your mailboxes soon.

Please note that only students who pre-order Spring photos will be photographed on Picture Day. All orders must be placed before Friday, April 10.

Families can place their order at mylifetouch.com using the Picture Day ID: EVTHT8P6J.

Monday, March 306:30—7:30 PMChildren's StoryTime RoomAshland Public Library66 Front St, Ashland, MA, 01721

Los invitamos a disfrutar en familia de una sesión de actividades en español en la biblioteca. En “Juntos en la Biblioteca,” ofreceremos la oportunidad de creer lazos fuertes en comunidad, ¡todo en español! | Join us for family activities in Spanish at the library! Through "Juntos en la Biblioteca" (Together at the Library), we're creating a space to strengthen community ties and connect, entirely in Spanish!

La sesión será dirigida por voluntarios locales con fluidez natural en el idioma. Promoveremos un ambiente acogedor y estimulante donde niños y niñas podrán aprender y disfrutar del idioma de manera interactiva y emocionante. Esperamos contar con su presencia. ¡Acompáñanos! | Led by local volunteers with natural fluency in the language, this story time provides a welcoming and stimulating environment where children can learn and enjoy the language in an interactive and exciting way. Join us for an educational and culturally enriching experience! Marzo: ¡Qué Ricos Frutas y Verduras! (Delicious Fruits and Veggies)

The Linclusion 5K is a local event focused on building a more inclusive community for individuals with disabilities. It’s a really special day centered around belonging, connection, and fun for all families whether they run, walk, or just come to enjoy the festivities. It is coming up on Sunday, April 12th at the Rec Center. Linclusion was founded by a local Ashland family to help create more inclusive opportunities and experiences for kids of all abilities in our community.

This is more than just a race, you don’t have to run to join in the fun! Come hang out and enjoy a great day with cotton candy, face painting, Wally the Red Sox Mascot, bounce houses, a DJ, Silent auction, raffles, and more. It’s a wonderful way to bring families together while supporting an amazing cause. Plus an awesome after party at Clover Road.

We’d love to see you there!

Scan the QR code below for more info!

All Warren school students have been busy since our All School Sing-a-long in December strengthening their rhythm reading skills. All students learned about various New Year celebrations from around the world and got to watch some traditional Lion and Dragon dances for Chinese New Year.

Kindergarten students participate in Rhythm clap-a-longs almost every week. They just recently learned what a half-note looks like, how long to hold it, and how to clap it. First and Second grade students just love playing Poison rhythm. We have been able to conquer the following poison rhythms games: Volcano, Winter, snowman, Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day.

In addition, the Warren students learned about the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, The Grammy Awards, various music performances at the Super Bowl, as well as artists that represent Black History Month.

Kindergarten students have been learning about high and low pitches and understanding the difference between high and low (pitch) vs. loud and soft (dynamics.) They listened to some classical music and used scarves to move to the sounds, raising the scarves higher as the melody moved higher and lowering the scarves when the melody went down. Another concept learned with that study is how small instruments make high sounds and big instruments make low sounds. Once this concept was understood we moved on to learn about melodic direction For games they participated in Popcorn Popper energizer, Flea FLy Mosquito and movement activities with scarves.

First Graders at Warren School learned about sound effects and how they aid in the making of movies. Then I read the book, ‘The Rooster Who Would Not be Quiet.’ The students made several connections from the book to the song “How Can I keep from Singing” as well as to the many musical ideas presented in the book. The following week each class “brought the book to life” by using instruments to create the sound effects for the parts of the book that needed sound!

Second Graders have been working super hard on how to read notes on the lines and spaces of the Treble staff as we prepare to play xylophones in the late spring. In addition, they have learned a little bit about Form in music. These students have also learned about Improvisation. They have learned how to sing partner songs as well as rounds. The second graders have played improvisational games of Statue and Sound Scapes, in addition to Popcorn’s in the popper, Flea Fly Mosquito and “Find the matching musical note sentence to the word.”

Dear Families,

I want to share a helpful resource: our local partners at the MetroWest Food Collaborative have created an easy-to-use website where food pantries, community meal sites, farmers markets and more are listed for our region. You’ll find flyers and calendars in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and you can search by town to see what’s available. MWFC

Please check it out if you or your family ever need additional support: metrowestfoodcollaborative.org/find-food

Hello Families,

This month we are learning about COOPERATION.

We have defined cooperation as: working with others to accomplish a goal.

Here are some things you can do to help your child learn to cooperate with others:

• Play games where they need to take turns.
• Have them help you build or make something. It could be working together on a lego set, cooking or baking something, assembling a puzzle…
• Schedule a time where all family members can work together on something, it could even be household chores!
• Praise them when you see them working with others. “You and your sister worked so hard cleaning up all those toys.”

Books about cooperation:

• Duck In The Truck By Jez Alborough
• Day At The Beach By Tom Booth
• Mighty, Mighty Construction Site By Sherri Duskey Rinker
• It’s Mine! By Leo Lionni
• Up The Creek By Nicholas Oldland
• The Little Red Hen By Lucinda McQueen
• Prince And Pirate By Julia Cook

Warren School’s SEL Team

Check out what our Nutrition Services department is serving up for Warren students in April ! Menu items are subject to change without notice, based on current supply chain issues or other factors. If dietary concerns are an issue, please contact us.

To view a translated version of the menu, please visit ashland.k12.ma.us/Nutrition.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As April begins, we’re excited to share our monthly menu featuring the versatile and nutritious Massachusetts Harvest of the Month: Potatoes!

Potatoes are a beloved staple crop known for their versatility and health benefits. Grown locally here in Massachusetts, they are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. This month, we’re excited to serve a variety of delicious potato dishes, highlighting their versatility and flavor. The menu will include mashed sweet potatoes, crispy fries, roasted rainbow potatoes, and even creamy au gratin potatoes!

For more information on the benefits of potatoes and fun recipe ideas, please visit the Massachusetts Harvest of the Month page: Massachusetts Harvest of the Month - Potatoes.

We’re committed to providing fresh, locally sourced potatoes to our students, supporting local farms, and ensuring the highest nutritional quality in our meals. We also encourage you to try incorporating potatoes into your family meals to enjoy their many health benefits.

Thank you for your continued support and for entrusting us with your children’s nutrition and well-being. We look forward to a month filled with delicious and wholesome meals

Warm regards

Regina Wilkinson
Director of Nutrition Services
Ashland Public Schools
Email: rwilkinson@ashland.k12.ma.us Phone: 508-881-0165

• April 2: Early Release at 1:15 for staff professional development, lunch will be served.
• Students and staff are invited to wear blue or red in support of Autism Awareness Day
• April 3: No School in observance of Good Friday
• April 20: Patriots Day and Marathon Monday
• April 20-24: No School April school vacation
• May 8: Early Release at 1:15 for staff professional development, lunch will be served.
• May 21: Grade 2 to 3 Parent Information session at Mindess 6-7 PM
• May 25: No School in observance of Memorial Day

Don’t forget to visit ashland.k12.ma.us/Flyers where we feature announcements and events offered by organizations, clubs and teams throughout our community that serve to enrich the lives of our students, families, faculty and staff.