WIS Family Newsletter

Dear WIS Families,

I hope your family enjoyed the April break. As we enter the home stretch of the school year, our plan at WIS is to remain busy and productive. We are keeping a business as usual approach through the last day of school, staying rooted in our core values of being Accountable, Safe, and Kind.

As we are in the planning stages for next year’s scheduling, please note the following regarding Band and Chorus:

• 5th graders currently enrolled in these ensemble classes will remain enrolled next year.

• Please reach out to an administrator if you would like to enroll your child in a music program for the first time or request a change.

Please take a moment to look through this newsletter to see what has been taking place at WIS and information about our end of the year events. As always, the support you provide your child and the school is greatly appreciated. It is an honor to play a part in their education. Do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Finally, at the request of administration at Westfield River Elementary School, I am passing along this message:

For the safety and security of all, we kindly remind students from other schools that they are not permitted on Westfield River Elementary school grounds during school hours. This policy helps us maintain safety for all. We appreciate you speaking with your children to ensure they follow this policy and remain off the Westfield River campus while school is in session. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

Into the Arts and Big Spring Sing, personal favorite events in the school year for me, took place in April. Art work from WIS students was on display, and Mr. Choe's band students performed as part of the annual Bandtastic show. The 5th and 6th grade bands played songs on their own and in cooperation with the other bands from all Westfield schools. As part of Big Spring Sing in the previous weekend, Mrs. Metcalfe's WIS Chorus showcased their vocal abilities along with choruses from other Westfield schools. Congratulations to all who had their artistic talents on display!

Students on Team 54 with Mrs. Carey, Mrs. Brennan, and Mrs. Natario were visited by members of the UMass men's soccer team on April 16. Students were able to meet with the players, ask questions, play a little soccer, and hear what it takes to be a collegiate athlete at a high level. Thank you the players for making the time for a visit to WIS!

The Information Night at Westfield Middle School has been rescheduled to May 13th at 5:00 PM in their auditorium. Stop by for the event to learn more about Westfield Middle School.

Each week, the daily attendance rates from the previous week for each team are posted to the bulletin board in our main foyer. The teams with the highest attendance rates from that week earn reserved spots at our coveted high top tables in the cafeteria.

We will also be recognizing the students with excellent attendance for the 2nd trimester in the next few weeks. Students with 95% attendance (3 absences or less) and students with perfect attendance for the trimester will earn will receive special Polar Points for their dedication to attending school regularly.

Students earn Polar Points when they demonstrate Accountable, Safe, and Kind behavior. One of our PBIS incentives that is available to purchase using Polar Points is a Wacky Wednesday. This incentive is a school-wide theme day that is scheduled for a Wednesday when a student signs up for it. Our upcoming theme days are:

• May 6 - Accessories Overload
• Mary 13 - Dress as a Historical Figure
• May 20 - Students Dress Like Teachers & Teachers Dress Like Students
• May 27 - Red, White, & Blue

Another incentive are activities hosted by WIS teachers that take place during the school day. These activities are called Polar Positive Events. Upcoming Polar Positive Events include:

• Star Wars Tag with Ms. Marcyoniak
• Life-sized Chutes and Ladders with Ms. Ceniglio
• Volleyball with Mrs. St. Pierre and Ms. Marafuga
• Bead crafts with Ms. Kordana

• Grade 6 Math
• Session 1 Wednesday, May 6
• Session 2 Thursday, May 7

• Grade 5 STE
• Session 1 Wednesday, May 13
• Session 2 Thursday, May 14

• May 11: Information Night for Next Year's 5th Grade at 6pm in the Auditorium
• May 29: Teams 61-64 Bowling Field Trip
• June 2: WISapalooza - Band and Chorus concerts at 6pm
• June 5: Teams 65-68 Bowling Field Trip
• June 8: Teams 61-64 Step Up to WMS
• June 9: Teams 65-68 Step Up to WMS
• June 10: WIS at the Starfires Field Tip
• June 11: WIS Field Day
• June 17: 6th Grade Send-off (student event) from 5:30-7:00
• June 22: Last Day of School (early release day)

The WIS PTO is hard at work planning for next week's Teacher Appreciation activities. If you are able, please see the sign up for items needed at the link below. As always, direct donations through Cheddar Up are very helpful.

The next WIS PTO meeting is scheduled for May 13 at 6:00 pm. Our PTO meetings are

virtual on Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/weq-eppk-ssn.