Hello Elm Street School Families and Friends,

We have been quite busy here at the Nest this week! I want to first thank Ellen DeGirolamo and the crew of volunteers for their organization and support of the Elm Family Multicultural Potluck event this past Wednesday. It was so wonderful to see many of our families together celebrating the rich diversity that makes our community such a special and vibrant place! I also want to thank all of the family volunteers who have been in our building in the past few weeks. Whether it has been teaching about and celebrating Diwali with students or supporting grade level crafts and more, we love having adult caregivers come into our building to share your gifts with our students.

As I shared in previous emails this week we are entering the winter and holiday seasons. If you are able, please consider donating a new unwrapped toy and/or gift card between November 13th - December 12th to our "Elm Families First" Winter Holiday giving drive! This year we will be collecting toys, gifts, and gift cards for families within our Elm community. We will collect toys for kids from 0-13 years of age. Suggested items include: toys to learn and grow, arts & crafts, building blocks, sports equipment, books, puzzles, and STEM toys. We will also collect gift cards to local or online food and clothing stores. Suggested stores include: Stop and Shop, Big Y, Kohl's, Target, Walmart, and Amazon.

Please drop donations off at the main office at Elm Street School by December 12th.

Also, if you are a family in need of support this season with winter gear, food, and/or gifts we are here and able to support you and your family. Through the generosity and support of the Elm Street School community through Elm Families First, Blessed Sacrament parish, the Junior Women's Club of Walpole, and the Walpole Police Department we are able to offer any family who needs assistance access to winter coats and gear, gift cards to local and online shops for food and gifts, and new toys for gifts this holiday season. If you are in need of this level of support, please reach out to our school counselors and/or myself.

• Jessica Simpson: jsimpson@walpole.k12.ma.us

• Sarah Iandoli: siandoli@walpole.k12.ma.us

• Jen Buller: jbuller@walpole.k12.ma.us

You can reach out for support via email, phone (508-660-7372), or through a note in your child(ren)'s backpack. All information shared will be kept confidential.

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

• Upcoming Dates/Events: November
• Elm Street School Turkey Trot
• Essentialist Newsletter: Music
• Dedham Savings Bank Holiday Card Contest
• Winter Maker's Market
• Elm PAC News
• Craft Local Event

I hope that you have some opportunities to rest and relax this weekend and I will see everyone back at the Nest on Monday for the start to our short week before the Thanksgiving break!

Jen

• 11/1 Native American Heritage Month begins, All Saints Day

• 11/1 November Monthly Assembly (students and staff only)

• 11/1-2 Day of the Dead

• 11/3 School Photo Make-up Day

• 11/7 Election Day

• 11/10 No School

• 11/11 Veterans Day

• 11/12 Diwali

• 11/15 6:00p Elm Multicultural Family Potluck

• 11/16 6:45p School Committee Meeting

• 11/20 Transgender Day of Remembrance

• 11/22 Early Release Day, Elm Street School Turkey Trot

• 11/23-24 No School

• 11/24 Thanksgiving, National Day of Mourning

Elm Street School welcomes all Elm Street students and staff to participate in our annual Elm Street School Turkey Trot! Each grade will be invited outside during their designated time to see how many laps they can run, walk or jog for a cause! Students are encouraged to bring in nonperishable food items on the morning of Wednesday November 22, 2023. These items will be donated to the Walpole Food Pantry to help members of the community during the holiday season.

Example of Nonperishable Items: Canned Items (beans, fruits, vegetables, soup), boxed pasta, rice, seeds, oils, etc.

Mr Iadarola will keep track of how many laps each grade can complete. Lastly, please make sure to remind your child(ren) to dress appropriately for the outdoors including sneakers. In the case of inclement weather the Turkey Trot will take place in the gymnasium.

This is a STUDENT AND STAFF event only!

For more than 25 years the Walpole Elementary Schools has partnered with Dedham Savings Bank and participated in their Holiday Card Contest. If students would like to participate in the contest, we are asking that this take place at home and possibly at indoor recess (if applicable). Students will need to drop their completed cards off at the front office.

Here are the details:

• All cards should be on 8.5 by 11 white paper
• On the back of the card, please put the student's name, school, and grade.
• The cards need to be returned to school by Thursday, December 7th

Below are the generous prizes for each grade(district-wide) donated by the Dedham Savings Bank:

• 1st Prize $100
• 2nd Prize $50
• 3rd Prize $25

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!

We will share more information and details on how to reserve your "seller's booth" in an upcoming separate email. Start planning your ideas now!

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