News from the Nest

Hello Elm Street School Families and Friends,

We had a great first week back from the Winter Break capped off with our K-2 and Grades 3-5 assemblies today. All week students have been reconnecting with their friends and classmates, remembering and practicing routines and expectations, and jumping right back into learning and engagement with academic and social emotional lessons. It has been wonderful to see all our Eagles back at the Nest learning and growing together!

In this week's News from the Nest you will find additional information about:

• Upcoming Dates/Events: January
• Cold Weather Gear Reminder
• January Counseling Newsletter
• Essentialist Weekly Newsletter: STEM
• ELE Tiered Focus Monitoring Press Release
• Extended Day February Break Camp Registration
• Elm 180 Fundraiser

At the end of both our assemblies today we all took some time to reflect on Dr. King's vision of a Beloved Community and connect our work towards it to our SEL theme of Growth Mindset. We all agreed that Dr. King's vision and work haven't been fully realized yet and that it will take all of us consistently working in community to make change and progress. We then all shared with partners and the larger group ways in which we can contribute small acts of kindness, acceptance, understanding, and love here at Elm as we work towards a more just and inclusive community for all. I am really looking forward to supporting all our students in their engagement with our SEL theme of Growth Mindset this month and their understanding, celebration, and application of the work and life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I hope everyone stays safe and warm this weekend and will see you all back in school on Monday morning!

Jen

• 1/1 New Year’s Day
  
• 1/2 School Reopens from Winter Break
  
• 1/5 8:45a/2:00p January Assembly
• 1/11 6:45p School Committee Meeting
  
• 1/12 EdCamp (School Closed)
  
• 1/15 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (School Closed)
• 1/16 5:00p Budget Public Hearing
• 1/18 7:00p Elm PAC Meeting
• 1/25 6:00p School Committee Meeting
  
• 1/27 International Holocaust Remembrance Day

A quick reminder to please help your child(ren) remember their cold weather gear each day for school. Even if it feels warm enough to run out to the bus/car in the morning without a jacket please remember that we go out for recess for 30 minutes each day as long as the real feel temperature is above 20 degrees Fahrenheit. That means even if it just below freezing we are heading outside for some fresh air and outdoor play.

Cold weather gear that will help your child(ren) stay warm during recess includes a warm winter jacket, gloves/mittens, winter hat. As the winter season wears on, if we get some snow accumulation, dressing in layers including snow pants and boots will keep your child(ren) safe and dry for snow play.

If you are in need of warm winter gear for your child(ren), please reach out to myself, Jessica Simpson, and/or Sarah Iandoli. (jbuller@walpole.k12.ma.us, jsimpson@walpole.k12.ma.us, siandoli@walpole.k12.ma.us)

During the week of January 29th, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of Language Acquisition (OLA) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Walpole Public Schools. The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s ELE program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners’ student assessments, identification of English learners, what programs English learners are placed in, parent and community involvement, curriculum and instruction, student support services, licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration, program plans, and evaluation and recordkeeping.

In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The district will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines. The survey focuses on key areas of their child’s English language education program. Survey results will be reviewed by OLA and they will contribute to the monitoring report.

Parents and other individuals may call Andy McDonie, Office of Language Acquisition Review Chairperson, at (781) 338- 3541 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days of the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the Walpole Public Schools with a report with information about areas in which the Walpole Public Schools meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the Walpole Public Schools requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The report will be available to the public at https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/cpr/.

The Walpole SEPAC invites you to join us for DESE - Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) SEPAC Orientation to the Tiered Focus Monitoring Process

This is a VIRTUAL ONLY event (see link below) will be followed by an open discussion with the Walpole SEPAC

Monday, January 8th , 2024 at 6:00 PM

Join us on zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86805248716

Questions?

Email us at walpolesepac@gmail.com

We are here to help!

Extended Day February Break Camp Information

Where: Boyden Elementary School
When: February 20-22, 2024 (Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursday)
Cost: $80/day (10% discount for educators or siblings)
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/TujRsqvz3vsMHzw39

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