MHS/WES NEWSLETTER

Dear Families,

Our classrooms are bustling with activity and our hallways are full of cheer and giggles. We are having so much fun working with your children. They have settled nicely into routines and building new friendships as they make new connections with classmates. We couldn't be more thrilled with their progress.

This year, our district is rolling out a new student information system called Infinite Campus. Think of this as the central hub for all of your child's school information. It helps keep track of things like emergency contacts, bus routes, report cards, teachers, and attendance and allows families to access this information more easily in one place.

We also use an electronic communication system called Parent Square to send you updates, announcements, and important information throughout the year. Since Parent Square pulls student and family information from Infinite Campus, both systems work together to keep you connected and informed.

As with any big transition to a new electronic system, there can be some bumps along the way. As you know, we've experienced quite a few. Learning a new platform and ensuring all information is entered correctly takes time. Since Parent Square relies on Infinite Campus for student information, the transition issues have created a ripple effect that has delayed getting Parent Square fully updated with this year's student and family information.

While it may feel frustrating now, once everything is fully up and running, both systems will provide smoother and more efficient tools for everyone. Fortunately, our amazing tech director has been working overtime and these issues are almost resolved.

In short: Infinite Campus is where you find your child's school records. Parent Square is how we communicate with you. (You may delete Plus Portals, that was part of our old system.)

We recognize that learning and navigating these two systems can feel like a lot. We appreciate your patience and we're confident these tools will help keep everyone better connected and informed. If you have questions about accessing either system, please don't hesitate to contact our office. You can also visit our Family Tech Support website here.

Warm regards,

Kathy Taylor, Principal

Mike Leander, Assistant Principal

MHS/WES OPEN HOUSE

Thursday, Sept 25th

We also want to make sure families are still well-informed about what their children will be learning. During the first weeks of school, look for curriculum and classroom information from your child's teacher. We truly appreciate your support as we try this new approach. By opening our doors a little wider, we look forward to building even stronger partnerships and making our school community more welcoming for everyone!

September 10: Wednesday~ School Pictures for MHS & WES

September 11: Thursday~ School Pictures for MHS only

September 17: Wednesday ~ Noon Dismissal, Professional Development

September 24: Wednesday ~ PTO Boosterthon Kick-Off

September 25: Thursday ~ MHS Open House 5:00 - 6:00 PM , WES Open House 6:00-7:00 PM

October 3: PTO Boosterthon Fun Run -All day!

OPEN HOUSE Thursday, September 25

• MHS: 5:00 - 6:00 (Grades PK, K, 1)

• WES: 6:00 - 7:00 (Grades 2, 3, 4, 5)

MHS & WES SCHOOL PICTURES: Wednesday, September 10

Thursday, September 11 (MHS only)

Retakes: Thursday, October 23

GRADES CLOSE:

First Term – November 21

Second Term – March 10

Third Term – 1 week before last day

REPORT CARDS ISSUED:

First Term – December 2

Second Term – March 17

Third Term - Last Day of School

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES:

November 3-4 (all students)

March 18 (as needed)

NATURE’S CLASSROOM / GRADE 5: May 18 - 22

PTO BOOSTERTHON: September 24 - October 3

Fun Run - October 3

Picture Day is coming!

September 10th - Preschool thru Grade 5

September 11th - Preschool

You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVT2464GG for MHS and EVT7SKJBH for WES

Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!

Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com.

Parent Volunteer Opportunity:

Contact the office if you'd like to volunteer at Picture Day.

wesoffice@awrsd.org

mhsoffice@awrsd.org

We are looking for volunteers to help with class visits at the

Meetinghouse and Westminster Elementary School libraries! Class visits

will start in early October. All volunteer opportunities will be during the

school day.

If you are interested, please fill out the google form below and make sure you

have an updated CORI on file with the school.

Please email ashleigh.gelinas@gmail.com with any questions.

THANK YOU!

Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce that our free Parenting Solutions Library is now available in Spanish. MPY is offering this valuable resource in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit organization located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions is a dynamic hub of trusted knowledge and compassionate support that inspires parents to create positive change for their children, their families and themselves. Through this new partnership, MPY is pleased to offer proven resources to help students’ families thrive. The video trainings are presented by experts with advanced degrees and present easy-to-use strategies for long-lasting change.

Please reach out with any questions you may have. We are happy to help!

• MHS - Kathi McCarthy 978-874-0163 ext. 0
• WES - Liz Maillet 978-874-2043 ext. 0

If there is a change in your child's dismissal plan, it is VERY IMPORTANT to send in a note to your child's teacher and the office. Please include your child's first and last name on all notes. The safety of your child is our priority. Thank you

ARRIVAL

8:20 - 8:30 AM

DISMISSAL

2:55 PM

HALF DAYS - DISMISSAL

12:00 PM

AM Session 8:45-11:10 AM

PM Session 12:00-2:30 PM

Full Day Session 8:45-2:30 PM (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

Emergency Early Dismissal Policy

In the event of an unforeseen emergency that necessitates the dismissal of students prior to the end of the school day, parent notification will be provided through the automated phone and email system. Typical emergency situations that may precipitate an early dismissal include, but are not necessarily limited to, severe weather conditions, fire and absence of heat or water.

Since it is impractical for school officials to personally contact every parent in the event of an early dismissal, parents and particularly the parents of elementary age children, are encouraged to develop a clear and well-defined plan with their children in case of an early dismissal. Since children will be dismissed to their home, it is imperative that children know how to gain entry into their home and how and whom to call once they are there.

ABSENCES: Please call WES (978-874-2043) or MHS (978-874-0163) when your child will be absent or late for school. Please state your name, your child’s name, teacher, and the reason for absence. If you must speak to someone, please call after 7:45 AM. This system is to ensure the safety of your child. If we do not hear from you, we will contact you at home or work, and if we can’t reach someone we may send a school resource officer to the house to do a well child check. Absent notes are required when children return to school.

AM Arrivals: Bus drivers do not let children off the bus until 8:20 a.m. There is NO Supervision before 8:20 a.m. Walkers/students being dropped off should not arrive before 8:20 a.m. School starts at 8:30 a.m.

PM Dismissals: The school day ends at 2:55 p.m. The office needs to know your dismissal plan. If your child is a car-rider, you will be given a sign to display on your car dashboard to be used each day. Car riders will be dismissed to the cafeteria and called outside in the order cars line up. Please remain in your car. Signs will be posted. If you would like your older sibling to walk from WES to MHS pick-ups for dismissal in the afternoon, please send a note to the office and your child’s teacher.

If your child needs to be dismissed early, please send a note to his/her teacher stating the time and reason for dismissal. Early dismissals will be handled through the main office.

NOTES: Please use student’s (and parent’s) last names in all notes to the teacher/office. Please also date all notes so that we can be sure we are dealing with current messages. Notes are required for any change in dismissal. You may also email a note to mhsoffice@awrsd.org (MHS) or wesoffice@awrsd.org(WES).

MEDICATIONS: ALL Medications must be brought to the nurse by an adult at the beginning of the day. Medication is NOT TO BE TAKEN by any child on his/her own. The school nurse under the following circumstances will administer medication:

• A signed and dated note from a doctor and a parent is sent with the child’s name, dosage, reason for medication and time to be given.

• The prescription bottle is sent with only the amount which will be needed for the administration at school. (Pharmacies will dispense in two bottles if you ask.)

School Announcements:

Please make sure all phone numbers and email addresses are updated throughout the school year to ensure you receive all messages sent from the school or district.

RESTRICTIONS: Please provide the office with any LEGAL DOCUMENT which indicates any legal restrictions on the release of your child as per district policy. These restrictions CANNOT be honored unless we have a copy of the legal documents in your child’s file. Please remember that it is MOST IMPORTANT that your child knows who he/she is allowed to leave school with and restrictions of the same.

TARDINESS: It is important that your child be at school on time. Tardy students need to stop at the office for a tardy slip when they arrive later than 8:30 a.m. If excessive tardiness continues, it will be necessary for the parent and child to meet with the Principal so that we may remedy the situation.

Grade 5 Outdoor Classroom at Camp Cody 2024

Monday, May 18th - Friday, May 22nd

Each year our 5th grade students travel to Camp Cody in Freedom, NH for an outdoor classroom experience. The trip is 5 days/4 nights. Next year we are going the week of May 18-22nd. We want to prepare families that the cost of this trip has increased and is estimated to be about $525 per student. More information will go home with students in a few weeks.

Bus routes for the 25-26 school year have been posted and can be found at https://files.smartsites.parentsquare.com/6739/aw_wes_mhs_am_pm_bus_routes_82125.pdf

For questions about transportation, please email bussing@awrsd.org and provide your child's full name, school, address, and the question/issue.

IMPORTANT BUS NOTES:

• All students are expected to be present at their stop and visible to the driver 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. This includes all door-to-door stops as well as group stops.
• The buses will pick up all students at stops in the morning, but if a student is planning to take a different bus home in the afternoon, a bus pass is needed from the school office, regardless of what grade they’re in. Parent notes will not be accepted for both safety and liability reasons.
• All K and 1st Grade students must have an adult at the stop to receive them in the afternoon, unless authorization to get off the bus alone or with an older sibling has been given to the school office or busing coordinator.
• All 2nd & 3rd Grade students must have an adult/older sibling/designated person visible to the driver when dropping off. They don’t have to be at the stop location, they can be on a porch, in a doorway, etc., as long as the driver can see them.
• Students who miss the bus in the morning can board at any other stop along the route, but the buses will not stop if it isn’t a designated stop location, for legal and safety reasons. However, in the PM, unless there is a pass indicating otherwise, the student will only be dropped off at their stop of record for legal and safety reasons.

General Ashburnham-Westminster Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) membership is open to all AWRSD parents/guardians of children with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans and other interested parties. We need volunteers to help plan workshops, staff tables at local school and community events, become future leaders, assist other parents, and plan new activities and projects. Learn more about us and our work on our website https://sites.google.com/view/ashburnham-westminster-sepac. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ashwestsepac.