Hello Elm Street School Families and Friends!
We packed in a lot of joy and engagement into our short week before the break! On Wednesday grades 2-5 enjoyed an interactive and high energy assembly with author Andy Griffiths as he shared about the Treehouse and previewed his latest book The Land of Lost Things. He put us all to the test with his adventure quiz and even brought back a few items from the Lost Property Department that were reunited with their owners in the audience!
Our annual handball competition between staff and grade 5 students brought the whole school together in the gym on Thursday afternoon to see which team would have what it takes to be crowned the 2025 Handball Champions. It was the closest game in years with regulation time ending in a 13-13 tie. There was a two minute over time played and ultimately the staff came out victorious. No matter the outcome, the most important part was that everyone had a great time playing and spectating, there was great sportsmanship from players and spectators, and so much laughter and joy filled the gym as we headed into the April Break week.
In this edition of our weekly newsletter you will find more information about:
- upcoming dates and celebrations for April
- Essentialist Newsletter:
- counseling newsletter for April
- Elm Eagles Read April Vacation Challenge
- May Coffee and Conversation Save the Date
- School Start/End Times and School Calendar Update
- MCAS Reminder
- Math Update
- Student Support and Attendance Newsletter
- Walpole Community Support Resources
- Elm Street School Dance
- Elm Street School outing at the WooSox
- K-12 District Art Show Opening Night (5/7)
- Caregiver Connection Series (4/29)
- Spring Picture Day at Elm (5/8)
During the April break we are challenging all of our Eagles to READ, READ, READ no matter where they are spending the time away. We also want to see and celebrate all the reading happening over the break so be sure to snap a photo of your Elm Eagle(s) reading and send it to Ms. Torigian (atorigian@walpole.k12.ma.us) so we can put it up on the digital display in the main lobby.
I hope everyone has a safe, restful, and joyful April break. We will see all of our Eagles back at the Nest on Monday, April 28th.
Jen
Upcoming Dates and Celebrations: April
At the beginning of each month I will share a calendar of some upcoming Elm events as well as upcoming cultural celebrations and heritage months with hyperlinks to more information if you are interested in learning more. Below is information for the month of March.
If there are cultural celebrations that are important to you and your family that you would like to share with the adult Elm community, please email me so I can be sure to include them in upcoming newsletters. If you have any questions about anything you see on our calendar, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly.
4/1 Grade 3 ELA MCAS Session 1
4/2 World Autism Day, Grade 3 ELA Session 2
4/3 Grade 4 ELA MCAS Session 1
4/4 Day of (No) Silence, Grade 4 ELA MCAS Session 2
4/8 Grade 5 ELA MCAS Session 1, 3:15p Elm School Council Meeting
4/9 Grade 5 ELA MCAS Session 2
4/10 6:45p School Committee Meeting
4/12 - 20 Passover
4/14 Vaisakhi
4/17 7:00p Elm PAC Meeting
4/18: NO SCHOOL
4/20 Easter
4/21 - 25 NO SCHOOL: April Break
4/22 Earth Day
4/29 Grade 3 Math MCAS Session 1
4/30 Grade 3 Math MCAS Session 2
Elm Eagles Read
With the upcoming April break we are encouraging all of our Elm Street Eagles to get caught reading over the break. Whether you are snuggled up at home or on the shores of somewhere warmer these days, we want to see photos of our students reading while on break! You can send photos of your child(ren) reading over the April break to Ms. Torigian in the main office at atorigian@walpole.k12.ma.us and they will be shown on our digital display in the main lobby.
School Start/End Times and School Calendar Update
Next year Elm Street School will switch to being a "late school". Every 3 years the elementary schools in Walpole rotate late and early school hours. For the 2025 - 2026 school year we will have an official start time of 9:00a and an end time of 3:30p.
- Doors will open at 8:50a for arrival
- We will begin dismissal at 3:20p in the afternoon
- Early Release Dismissal will be at 12:25p
For a full list of start and end times for all Walpole Public Schools please click here.
The full school calendar will be available after the May 1st School Committee meeting.
MCAS Reminder
Our grades 3-5 Elm Street Eagles did a fantastic job engaging with their ELA MCAS! They showed focus and perseverance and we are so proud of them all for doing their best during the tests.
These assessments play a crucial role in evaluating both individual student progress and the overall effectiveness of our educational programs. In addition, participation in the MCAS is required by both federal and state law and student participation will impact our district’s DESE accountability rating.
Why MCAS Matters:
Student Competency: MCAS serves as a key indicator of your child's understanding of the curriculum, helping to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
School Accountability: The results contribute to our district and school's accountability system, guiding enhancements in teaching strategies and resource allocation to better serve our students.
Student Opportunity: MCAS results are still used as a benchmark to qualify for state awards (i.e. John and Abigail Adams Scholarship & Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery Award) and the State Seal of Biliteracy.
Your Support is Vital:
We encourage you to support your child(ren) to approach the MCAS with confidence and dedication. Here are some ways you can support them:
Promote a Positive Attitude: Encourage your child to view the assessment as an opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills.
Ensure Rest and Nutrition: A good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast can significantly impact test performance.
Together, we can empower our students to excel in the MCAS assessments and continue their educational journey with confidence.
Below is our remaining MCAS schedule for Elm Street School:
Grade 3 Math
April 29 and 30
Grade 4 Math
May 1 and 2
Grade 5 Math
May 6 and 7
Grade 5 Science Technology and Engineering
May 14 and 15
Math Update
Helping Your Child Visualize Math
When kids hear the word visualize at school, they often think about reading—picturing what’s happening in a story or using illustrations to understand the text. But visualization is just as important in math!
One of the key goals of our Bridges math program is helping students show their thinking. This might be through drawings, models, numbers, or words. When students can see the math by representing it in their own way, they develop a much deeper understanding—beyond just memorizing steps or rules.
As students learn new math ideas, they usually move through three stages:
Concrete – using physical objects (like blocks or counters) to explore the concept.
Representational – drawing a picture or model of the math.
Abstract – solving the problem using numbers or symbols, without needing visuals.
But learning doesn’t always follow this path in a straight line. Students might move back and forth between these stages depending on the problem. For example, they may solve a simple problem easily, but need visuals again when the numbers get more complex or involve fractions and decimals.
These days, math instruction focuses more on understanding and less on memorizing. Students are learning to break numbers apart (called decomposing) to make mental math easier. But sometimes students think this means they don’t need to show their work or use drawings. In fact, visualizing is one of the best tools they can use—especially when a problem feels tricky!
If your child is stuck on a math problem, here are two simple ways you can help:
Find something concrete they can use—like coins, Legos, buttons, or small toys—to act out the problem.
Encourage them to draw a picture of what’s happening in the problem. This helps them make sense of the situation and often leads them straight to the solution.
Bottom line: When students slow down and show their thinking, either through pictures or objects, it helps them see the math more clearly—and builds stronger understanding in the long run
Elm Street School Outing at the WooSox
Please join us on Sunday, April 27th, 1:05pm at Polar Park for an Elm Street outing at the WooSox game! The WooSox are Boston's AAA baseball team.
Tickets can be purchased here and are $20 each. Each ticket comes with $5 toward concessions. If you are in need of financial assistance, please speak with Mrs. Buller. PAC is committed to providing tickets for any family who would like to attend!
If you've never been to Polar Park, it's a fantastic and family-friendly place. There's even a playground for when the younger fans need a break! We look forward to seeing many families there.
K-12 District Art Show Opening Night
Wednesday May 7th
6:00 - 8:00p
Walpole Public Library
Throughout the year, artwork was selected from each grade and each assignment to showcase the breadth of studio experience, range of visual expression, and depth of learning in the art room.
With drawings, painting, collage, prints, photographs, digital images, spatial design, mixed media, weavings, and sculpture, students communicate their ideas about who they are, where they live, and how they feel.
Caregiver Connection Series
NEXT MEETING
Tuesday, April 29th
7:00 - 8:00p
Walpole Public Library- Pinnacle Room
The Caregiver Connection Series is a newly organized group created by SEPAC members, offering an informal space for parents to connect, build a sense of community, and support each other. Parents of children with special needs are encouraged to participate in an open discussion to share experiences, seek advice, and explore practical strategies for self-care.
Spring Picture Day at Elm
We will be taking spring photos at Elm on May 8th.
You can visit the Lifetouch website to order photo packages.
Below is our school code:
Picture Day ID: EVTXJG3MP
Nest Connections
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
Instagram: ElmStSchool