Hello Elm Street School Families and Friends,

We had a wonderful week here at the Nest! Thank you to our Grade 1 and 2 families for sponsoring this month's Staff Appreciation event. Our team enjoyed the hot chocolate, treats, and opportunity to take home a beautiful live wreath. I also want to thank everyone who has been able to contribute to our Elm Families First drive. Our drive will conclude this Tuesday (12/12) so that we have time to distribute gifts and gift cards to families before the end of Hanukkah and start of our winter break. Please make sure all donations are at Elm by Tuesday morning.

At our K-2 and Grades 3-5 assemblies this week we celebrated each other and all the hard work and growth from the month of November and then looked ahead to our theme of Conflict Resolution for the month of December. During our Early Release Day our team had opportunities to work with their colleagues across the district in department meetings and engaged in professional development focused on literacy.

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

• Upcoming Dates/Events: December
• Upcoming Elm Street School Spirit Days
• December Counseling Newsletter
• Essentialist Weekly Newsletter: Art
• School Council Update
• Winter Maker's Market
• Elm 180 Fundraiser
• PAC News
• Walpole 300th Birthday Kick Off Laser Show

This upcoming Wednesday our Spirit Day is Bright and Sparkly. We know these long dark days of winter can be tough and we want to chase away that darkness with bright colors, sparkles, sequins, glitter, and shine! I hope that you all have a restful weekend and I am looking forward to another week of growth and connection at the Nest.

Jen

• 12/3: Elm Crafts Local: Towne Crafters
• 12/6: Elm Street School December Assembly
• 12/6 3:15p: Elm Street School Council Meeting
• 12/7 - 15: Hanukkah
• 12/7 7:00p: PAC Meeting
• 12/8: Early Release Day
• 12/16 - 24: Las Posadas
• 12/18 6:30 - 8:00p Elm Winter Maker's Market
• 12/21: Winter Solstice
• 12/25: Christmas Day
• 12/25 - 1/1 Winter Break: School Closed (School Resumes on 1/2)
• 12/26 - 1/1 Kwanzaa

To foster connection and celebrate these 4 weeks leading up to the winter break we will be having 4 Spirit Days on Wednesdays. Below is each Wednesday's Theme:

Wednesday November 29th: Pajama Day - dress in your coziest PJs (please leave slippers and stuffed animals at home)

Wednesday December 6th: New England Sports - dress to represent your favorite New England sports team (all sports and group activities welcome!)

Wednesday December 13th: Bright and Sparkly - we want to chase away the long dark days with as much bright colors, sparkles, and sequins as possible!

Wednesday December 20th: Celebration - dress up to show us a favorite holiday, tradition, and/or celebration you have with your family this time of year

I want to thank everyone who participated in our first School Council meeting of this school year. You can find the minutes of the meeting here.

We had a robust conversation about the roles and responsibilities of our School Council and ways for more community members to have connection and input. As a reminder all are welcome to join our meetings either in person or virtually through the link provided. I will also provide a brief update about School Council at each of the monthly evening PAC meetings.

Elm Street School Council Members
Jen Buller, Principal

Michelle Perron, Grade 4

Shannon Graziano, Partnership MSN

Christine Cantrell, Grade 5

Christopher Burke, Elm Family

Erin Collins, Elm Family

Saranya Ashwin, Elm Family

Elm Street School Council Meeting Dates

Wednesday December 6th 3:15p

Wednesday February 7th 3:15p

Wednesday April 10th 3:15p

Wednesday June 5th 3:15p

This year we are introducing a new event- The Winter Maker's Market. On December 18th from 6:30 - 8:00p we will transform the Cafetorium to a market for students to sell and buy handmade crafts. All students are invited and encouraged to sign up for a "booth" to sell their own homemade crafts and everyone is welcome to attend to purchase crafts. We will even have a station to wrap your purchases if you intend to give them as gifts for any of the winter holidays.

We welcome all art, stickers, soaps, candles, perler bead creations, wire and beaded jewelry, pillows, friendship bracelets, and whatever craft you would like to produce and sell. Set your own prices, work individually or with a friend, and most of all HAVE FUN!

See below for more information and the link to sign up!

Walpole –Walpole’s 300th Anniversary Celebration will kick off with a bang on December 16th with a laser and pyrotechnics show on Stone Field presented by Pyrotecnico. The free display of lights and sounds is a unique opportunity for the whole family to come together and view something truly spectacular. There will be two shows, one at 6pm and another at 8:30pm with ample time in between to stroll downtown and partake in one of Walpole’s many dining options.

For more information about the Lasar Show and other 300th Anniversary events, to browse merchandise for purchase, and to learn more about Walpole’s history, visit Walpole300.com

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