Hello Haynes Families,

I hope you all enjoyed the beautiful weather we had earlier this week. As I said in a previous newsletter, New England has 12 seasons and I think we just had our second false spring before we have another stretch of cold coming up!

March is a very exciting and busy time of year for schools. We've been having our family/teacher conferences, which is an opportunity for parents and guardians to connect with their child's teacher on the progress they are making this year. Yesterday was Pi Day, and Julie Whitehead, our Math Coach shared that it is International Mathematics Day. She provided teachers with various activities for students to do that went along with the theme of "Playing with Math." We have MCAS starting later this month with 5th grade ELA on the 26th & 27th.

Believe it or not, March is the time of year that we really get going on planning the next school year. Kindergarten registrations are coming in, a Scheduling Committee at Haynes has met to develop the various schedules that make up an elementary school, and placement will begin soon. Elementary principals will send out a letter regarding placement Monday, so please be on the lookout for that.

Best,

Bryant Amitrano

To go along with March Madness and Literacy events at the beginning of March, we are excited to have our Second Annual Haynes Tournament of Books! This year we have expanded our book options to 16 books. Each week, our students will read stories, discuss them as a class and vote which one they prefer for each of the match-ups. An added element this year, our students will also share acknowledgements for what they enjoyed about the stories. Winners and acknowledgements are shared during Friday morning announcements. We look forward to sharing which book becomes the Haynes Tournament of Books winner for 2024!

This past week, our 4th and 5th graders participated in a science presentation and experimentation with Techsploration talking to the students about electricity. This ties directly into the 4th graders 4Energy unit that has recently begun! Next week, we will also have Whalemobile visiting with our 3rd grade students. Thank you HOP for these experiences!

Spring is in the Air

When you say Spring, I think of red itchy eyes… and the flowers are nice too. Here are some great tips from Boston Children’s Hospital to help you manage Spring Allergies:

Managing spring allergies doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. All it takes are a few easy measures to lessen symptoms:

• Have your child wear a hat and sunglasses to prevent pollen from getting in their eyes.

• When your child comes indoors, have them remove their clothing so you can wash it and remove allergens.

• Leave shoes at the door so your family doesn’t track allergens through your home.

• Wash or ask your child to wash their hands and face when they come inside to remove allergens from their skin.

• Before your child goes to bed each night, ensure they fully bathe and shampoo their hair. This will keep pollen off their bedding.

• Use cool compresses to relieve your child’s itching or stinging eyes.

• If your child has severe allergies, encourage them to stay indoors on days with high-pollen counts.

• Close all windows and, if you have it, turn on air conditioning in your home and car to help remove allergens from the air.

Start allergy medicines sooner rather than later. If your child has a history of seasonal allergic rhinitis (a reaction to breathing in something they are allergic to) start medication before their symptoms develop. It’s much easier to prevent allergy symptoms than to relieve them once they’ve appeared.

Talk to your pediatrician about what medications may be right for your child.

Managing spring allergies and illness

Chronic nasal congestion from allergies makes it difficult to clear germs from the nose, and if your child catches a virus, it can linger there. Talk to your pediatrician if you notice symptoms that don’t respond to allergy medications.

Take Care,

Nurse Jackman

Attention all families with rising kindergarten students: kindergarten registration is due April 1st!

Please go to our registration site to begin or complete registration for your rising kindergartener. Children must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2024 to enroll in kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year. Kindergarten Orientation will take place on Wednesday, May 8th. You will receive more information as the date approaches.

Currently Enrolling: SPS Preschool at Noyes and Nixon

Enrollment and registration is currently open for full day and half day afternoon spots in the preschool program! We are expanding this year to include more full-day classrooms and a new location: Nixon! Classes will take place at Nixon and Noyes elementary schools. To show your interest, please fill out our 2024-2025 preschool interest form. See our website for more information.

On Wednesday, April 3, all five SPS schools will come together for a breakfast at Noyes to recognize the awesome bus drivers and crossing guards who keep our kids safe!

Please consider making a monetary donation towards a gift (here - please note that Nixon is organizing) or the donation of a breakfast item (here - drop off items by 8:15am at Noyes). Thank you!

• 3/18 - Haynes School Advisory Council - 2:45-4:00 PM
  
• 3/20 - Early Release - 11:45 AM Dismissal - Conferences
• 3/26-27 - Grade 5 ELA MCAS
• 3/29 - No School
• 4/3 - Early Release - 11:45 AM Dismissal
• 4/3 - Bus Driver & Crossing Guard Appreciation Day
• 4/4-5 - Grade 4 ELA MCAS
• 4/5 - Movie Night - More information forthcoming
• 4/8-9 - Grade 3 ELA MCAS
• 4/12 - Food Pantry Collection

Grade 3 MCAS ELA Monday, April 8th & Tuesday, April 9th

Grade 3 MCAS Math Thursday, May 2nd & Friday, May 3rd

Grade 4 MCAS ELA Thursday, April 4th & Friday, April 5th

Grade 4 MCAS Math Tuesday, April 30th & Wednesday, May 1st

Grade 5 MCAS ELA Tuesday, March 26th & Wednesday, March 27th

Grade 5 MCAS Math Thursday, April 25th & Friday, April 26th

Grade 5 MCAS STE Tuesday, May 7th & Thursday, May 9th