Something to Yelle About

LOTS TO BE THANKFUL

FOR IN #HAYNation!

Hello from the Yelle.

As we get closer to Thanksgiving there is so much that we can be GRATEFUL for here in #HAYNation. 1. I am so thankful for our wonderful faculty and staff. We try to make every day at the Yelle something special for our students, and I believe they do so better than any school in the country. And 2. I am thankful for our students; they are so great, and they are putting in so much effort to improve each and every day. That is all we can ask.

In the big picture above, each week, I use it as a way to highlight and show what we were able to accomplish during the week.

This week there was a lot to be THANKFUL for as showcased in our Big Picture! The middle pictures I want to speak about first. The one with the two young ladies in front of the Book Vending Machine, are just two of the many books that were earned this week for #PBIS hashtags. We have already given away well over 200 books this year, and we love doing it for these kids are earning it. Then there is a double #GoodNewsCallOfTheDay, which these two young ladies earned. This week alone, Mr. B and Mr. G did 15 #GNCOTD. These kids, again, deserve it and we are so happy to do them. We use these calls as another way to THANK our students for their efforts. The top row show students proud of their work, smiling while working, and writing out their thinking on their whiteboards; something I just LOVE. The bottom row has our students in a #PositiveSignThursday montage of our students Being THANKFUL, and again we are truly the THANKFUL ones. The middle picture is a student up at the board, showing and explaining his thinking on how and why he is solving the problem. The last picture is from Music, with our students bucket drumming, one of my favorite units Mr. Durfresne does during the year. Again, so much to be THANKFUL for!

These and the other pictures below that I have snapped throughout the week in and around the classrooms really do relay a story of what our students and teachers achieved this week. Please check them out below and all over our Instagram feed to help to tell the tremendous story we are writing this year.

Please check out the rest of the Newsletter for some important information including ...

Half Day Next Wednesday

Norton Food Support Information

Dressing For Winter

Upcoming Calendar Events to Mark Your Own Calendar

SEPAC Holiday Shoppe

Community Events

Other PTO News

And much, much more ...

Please check it out.

Two important Reminders:

1. Next Wednesday is a half-day early dismissal; and

2. This newsletter is for this week and next. There will not be a newsletter next week with the Thanksgiving holiday.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, long weekend next week!

Thanks; have a wonderful weekend; stay safe and well,

Marty

Martin R. Geoghegan

Principal

Henri A. Yelle Elementary School

Wednesday, November 26 – HAY PTO Anything But A Backpack Day

Wednesday, November 26 – ½ Day 11:40 AM Dismissal for Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 27 & Friday, November 28 – No School – Thanksgiving Recess

Friday, December 5 – SEPAC's Little Shoppers Holiday Shoppe (see below)

Monday, December 8 – Term 1 Report Cards Come Home

Just A Reminder:

Wednesday, November 26th, is a Half-Day

11:40AM Early Dismissal for all Yelle students.

Then there is NO SCHOOL on Thursday, November 27th & Friday, November 28th

for the Thanksgiving Holiday!

Enjoy.

Hello Yelle Families.

Typically, I am sending this message out earlier in the year, but we have been enjoying some more favorable weather so far these past few months.

This is just a friendly reminder that as the weather turns from Fall to Winter, and specifically from 50s, 60s and even 70s the last few weeks to a real feel of 40s this past week, we do love getting the students outside for PE/Wellness and Recess.

The students might think the classrooms can be warm, but we love to get the students outside for recess and Wellness, so they should at least know that they should dress appropriately for those times; at least packing sweatshirts, hats/gloves, jackets, and the like.

We will go outside for recess when the "real feel" is 25 degrees or above outside, and you can see me bundled in my hat, coat, and gloves, for to me, I need them. The students may not feel like they need it for the school day, but for recess if the real feel is at least 25, we have recess outdoors.

It is always nice to get that fresh air, and as I said, we love getting them outside whenever we can.

Any questions, please let us know.

Thanks!

Wellness Class Footwear Reminder from Mrs. McCallister

As a reminder, students should wear sneakers on their Wellness days to ensure safety and full participation in class activities. Proper footwear allows students to move comfortably and safely during lessons. Please avoid boots, sandals, crocs, or other non-athletic shoes on these days. Thank you for your continued support in helping our students stay active and safe!

Hello Yelle Families:

The HAY Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) hopes all families are enjoying the school year. We are always trying to make this another senational experience for our students!

The PTO sponsors monthly meetings, which are usually held the third Thursday of each month from 6-7PM in the HAY Library. The meetings could be changed if there is a calendar conflict with a school vacation or holiday and are usually moved to the Wednesday before or after. You can view on the HAY Calendar on the NPS website.

We look forward to seeing returning parents along with new faces from our fourth grade families!

Come join the meetings to hear what’s happening in your child’s school, how you can help out by volunteering, or ways for you to share an idea!

Contact us at:

hayellepto@gmail.com

Like us on Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/HAYPTO/

Our annual HAY PTO Anything But a Backpack Day is coming on November 26th!

Please start thinking about your most creative way to carry your stuff.

A flyer is below!

This is always such a fun and creative day.

What is it?

Anything But a Backpack Day is a silly way to get creative and have a little fun for the half day before Thanksgiving Break. Students have to bring their school supplies to school in...you guessed it….ANYTHING But A Backpack!

There are a lot of ideas out there - pizza boxes, suitcases, trashcans, the sky is the limit! This one of our favorite days in HAY Nation as the amazing creativity of our students is on display in full force.

The more creative/funny the better as a winner will be chosen from each grade by some of our favorite guest judges.

Rules:

· The student’s “backpack” has to fit next to their desk without disrupting the flow/safety of the class room

· Contest entries will be a donation of a food item for the Norton Food Pantry

· Get creative and have fun!

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at

HAYellePTO@gmail.com

Going to be Epic!

We are looking for sponsors for our Event Day Boosterthon Glow Run Shirts

$50 for business name only

$100 for Business Logo

$200 for Large Logo and Logo on the back of the 5th grade yearbook

Venmo - @HenriA-YellePTO

Check - Made out to HAY PTO (sent to school)

Logo Files can be sent to hayellepto@gmail.com

The Norton SEPAC Presents:

Lil’ Shopper’s Shoppe

Friday Dec. 5th

4:30-8:00pm LG School

38 Plain St.

Norton

Bring your children to shop for their friends and family in a festive

environment where they will learn to spend, budget, and save!!!

● Shopping

● Raffles

● Vendors on site

● Tons of Cheer!!!

Any Questions:

sepacnorton@gmail.com

Please see more great Pictures and what is happening in #HAYNation like these by going to Instagram at @HAYSchoolNorton -- Make sure you Follow Us and Tag Us in any Posts you want us to see!

Food Resources for Families

As you may have heard, many families across the country will be affected by the federal government’s decision not to use contingency funds to pay for November SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. Beginning Saturday, November 1, more than 1 million Massachusetts residents—including 277,000 school-aged children in 168,000 households—will not receive their SNAP benefits. SNAP payments will not resume until the federal government shutdown ends.

We understand how difficult this situation may be for many families, and we want to make sure everyone in our community knows that support is available right here in Norton.

Free Meals: Norton Public Schools continues to provide free breakfast and lunch for all students, every school day — no forms or questions asked.

Local Food Pantry: Cupboard of Kindness Food Pantry

120 Mansfield Ave., Norton, MA

(508) 285-3398 | cupboardofkindness.org

1st & 3rd Mondays, 4:30–6:30 PM

Parking opens at 3:30 PM

Need More Help?

Call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 (available in 180languages) or visit projectbread.org/foodsource-hotline.

Here is a helpful Town of Norton Food Resource flyer.

DPH Commissioner Rebukes Misleading Assertions

About Vaccines and Autism

11/20/2025

Boston — Vaccines do not cause autism, and there is no link between childhood vaccines and autism. This has been proven repeatedly through decades of rigorous, high-quality research involving millions of children worldwide. The evidence is clear, consistent, and overwhelming.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) rejects the assertion posted Nov. 19, 2025, on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website which suggests that the statement “vaccines do not cause autism” is not evidence-based or that studies have failed to rule out a connection between childhood vaccines and autism. Such claims are factually incorrect and deliberately misleading. They contradict the global scientific consensus and undermine public confidence in vaccines. Vaccines are one of the most effective and life-saving interventions in the history of medicine and public health.

For an official federal website to include such misinformation is deeply troubling and even dangerous. It fuels misinformation and leads to misplaced doubt that puts children, families, and communities at risk for serious illness. These claims reflect ideology, not evidence.

DPH is committed to providing the public with accurate, science-based information. We continue to monitor emerging research, consult with leading experts, and update our guidance as new high-quality evidence becomes available. And we will continue to push back forcefully against misinformation and disinformation that threaten the health and safety of the people of Massachusetts — especially when it appears on official federal platforms. We are currently reviewing our website and are removing links to CDC content that contains or amplifies such false and misleading claims.

—Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD

Share this statement: DPH Commissioner rebukes misleading assertions about vaccines and autism | Mass.gov.

We are writing from Boston Children’s Hospital about a special opportunity for 9-12 year old children to participate in a unique study on milk and childhood health.

Eligible children whose parents enroll them in the study will receive free milk deliveries for a full year and financial compensation for their time.

If you have any questions, please contact us at Milk.Study@childrens.harvard.edu.

Principal Martin R. Geoghegan

Past Newsletters can be found Here.

Website: https://www.norton.k12.ma.us/henri-a-yelle-elementary-school
Location: 64 West Main Street, Norton, MA, USA
Phone: 508-285-0190
Instagram: @HAYSchoolNorton