Winchendon Weekly News

• October 2-6: Homecoming Spirit Week at Murdock
• October 5: Homecoming Game, 7pm
• October 7: Homecoming Semi-Formal, 7-10pm
• October 9: No School - Columbus Day
• October 15: Vendor Bingo to Benefit Murdock Food Pantry, 1pm
• October 19: PreK Picture Day (AM/PM Classes) School Committee Meeting - 6pm
• October 20: Picture Day (Mrs. Skawinski's Tuesday/Friday Class)
• October 21: Bottle and Can Drive, 9am-12pm
• October 28: Haunted High School

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October 2 - Monday - Pajama Day
October 3 - Tuesday - Barbie vs. Ken (Please note this is picture day.)
October 4 - Wednesday - Tacky Tourist Day
October 5 - Thursday - Blackout
October 6 - Friday - BBQ Dad vs. Soccer Mom

Football Game and Tailgating will be on Thursday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m. Each class will sponsor a food item and a game.

The semi-formal Homecoming Dance will be on Saturday, October 7, from 7-10 p.m. at Toy Town Elementary. Tickets will be $15 and will be on sale beginning September 25 at lunch. All tickets must be purchased by Friday, October 6. No tickets will be sold at the door. Outside guest forms are available in the students' Google Classrooms and must be turned in to Mr. Fredette by Tuesday, October 3 along with a copy of the guests' picture ID.

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This year, Playgroups will be in our brand new Place Space at Memorial School in the PreK building! We will have multiple playgroups during the week including Homeschool Family playgroup on Tues., our regular Preschool Playgroups on Wed., Tummy Time infant and Toddler

group, on Thurs. and After School playgroup for children 3+ on Fridays. We will still be at Beals Library on Thurs. afternoons for preschool playgroup as well!

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Heywood's school based programs offer youth support with mental health and medical needs, substance use treatment, youth mentors and assistance with community resources. Heywood has partnered with the Winchendon Public Schools and other districts in our area. Click below to view more news and updates from the School Based Health Services.

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NEW Behavioral and Substance Use Healthline: 833-773-2445

The number above is for referral needs. Insurance blind.

Clinical & Support Options:

Gardner Behavioral Health Crisis Line: 978-488-8888

Athol Behavioral Health Crisis Line: 978-249-3141

The numbers below or related specifically to crisis:

*Crisis text line: 741741

*National Suicide Prevention Landline:

988 (DIAL ONLY THESE 3 NUMBERS)

General resources:

*Parental Stress Hotline 1-800-632-8188

Community Resources: https://www.communityhelp.net/

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Governor Healy recently announced the establishment of the Governor's Youth Advisory Council, which will give young people from across the Commonwealth the opportunity to advise the Healey-Driscoll Administration on innovative solutions to some of the critical issues we face today, such as climate, education, mental health, gun violence, housing and more. Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 21 years old, and the application can be found at: http://www.mass.gov/youthcouncil

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Any parent interested in joining the Winchendon Special Education Parent Advisory Council, please send an email to SEPAC@winchendonk12.org or call the Special Education Department at 978-297-1850.

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The district has been made aware of an issue with the timing of the buses after they complete drop offs for Murdock Middle and High School students, causing late arrival to Toy Town Elementary and Memorial Elementary. In an effort to improve the timeliness of this sequence, NRT Bus has added a 10th bus for Murdock Middle and High School students which is hoped to shorten the time of the routes and allow the buses to arrive on time to pick up Elementary students. Below, you will find the new route list for Murdock's "Bus Z". Also attached is a complete route list with all changes made to date: one for Elementary stops and one for Middle and High School stops.

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