November Newsletter

This month we welcome you all to the school for our Harvest Festival performances. Our students have been working hard to prepare for their show! Details on the event are below.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and I want to express my gratitude to our amazing staff for everything that do for your children every day! I am so fortunate to work with each of them every day. Always know you are putting your children's education and development in highly capable hands with the team at Charlton Elementary School!

November 5- Early Release; Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 10- Harvest Festival

10:30am- Kindergarten Performance

2pm- Grade 1 Performance

November 11- No School; Veteran's Day

November 25- Early Release; Rams Pride Day! Wear your Rams gear in support Shephard Hill in their Thanksgiving Game against Tantasqua!

November 26 & 27- No School; Thanksgiving

We are so excited to invite you to Charlton Elementary School's first-ever Harvest Festival on Tuesday, November 10, 2026! Our students will head outdoors for fun autumn and harvest-themed math games and activities, thoughtfully organized by our math interventionist, Shannon Daige, and physical education teacher, Bonni Falcone.

You are warmly invited to join us for a brief musical performance behind the school, led by our music teacher, Grace Ahlstrand! This short outdoor presentation gives our young learners a wonderful chance to practice sharing their talents with a friendly audience. Please bring your own chair to this event as it will be outside. Look out for a longer spring show later in the school year!

• Kindergarten Performance: 10:30 AM

• 1st Grade Performance: 2:00 PM

Each session will wrap up within 20 minutes so we can clear the grounds in time for recess and dismissal. We can't wait to celebrate the season with you!

If you plan to dismiss your child after this event, you must send a note or an email to Mrs. Durant by the end of day on Monday, November 9, 2026. She may be reached at adurant@dcrsd.org.

Congratulations to our October Cubbies of the Month for representing Kind, Safe and Responsible!

This month's winners!

CES is proud to announce that two teachers were recipients of DCEF grants this year. The money received will go toward math related supplies to support all student learning.

Congratulations to Mrs. Kerle and Mrs. Bellerive!

The School Adjustment Counselor is sharing a document linked at the bottom of this page that includes a variety of helpful resources and support services available to families in the Charlton, MA area. These resources cover different areas of need and are intended to help connect families with support within our community.

If you have any questions about the resources or need assistance accessing them, please feel free to reach out to the School Adjustment Counselor, Stephanie Messina, using the contact information below. We are always happy to help connect families with the support they need!

School Adjustment Counselor information:

Email: smessina@dcrsd.org

Phone: 508-248-7774

Physical Education Newsletter!

Ruler is an evidenced based approach to social and emotional learning that is being adopted by the Dudley Charlton Regional School District. Students will participate in lessons beginning in January in their classrooms. Attached is a brochure and an overview of tools for families so you are familiar with what your child will be learning about in class.

Everything You Need to Know About Arrival & Dismissal

We know that arrival and dismissal can feel like a lot—especially at the beginning of the school year! Please review the information below to help keep arrival and dismissal safe, organized, and efficient for everyone.

MORNING DROP-OFF | 8:30–8:45 AM

Doors open at 8:30 AM.

• Parent drop-off takes place from 8:30–8:45 AM.

• Students being dropped off will enter through the doors closest to the church.

• Parents/guardians may park in the church parking lot and walk their child to the designated entrance. You may use any space in the parking lot excluding those directly next to the church.

• Students arriving by school bus will enter through the front entrance near the main office.

The parent drop-off door closes promptly at 8:45 AM.

ARRIVING AFTER 8:45 AM

Any student arriving after 8:45 AM is considered tardy.

If you arrive after 8:45 AM:

• Please do not use the regular parent drop-off entrance.

• Your child must enter through the main office and check in before going to class.

ABSENT OR RUNNING LATE?

If your child will be absent or arriving late, we encourage you to notify the front office.

You may:

• Email Mrs. Durant at adurant@dcrsd.org

• Call the Main Office at 508-248-7774

• Send in a note addressed to Mrs. Durant or Main Office

Providing this information helps our office account for students and keep attendance records up to date.

TRANSPORTATION CHANGES | 2:40 PM DEADLINE

All transportation changes must be made BEFORE 2:40 PM.

After 2:40 PM, we can no longer make changes to a student's dismissal or transportation arrangements.

Please contact the Main Office before the 2:40 PM cutoff if your child's dismissal plans need to change.

AFTERNOON PICKUP

Afternoon pickup will take place at the Kindergarten doors closest to the church for:

• PM Preschool 4

• Kindergarten

• First Grade

PM Preschool 4 Pickup: Doors open at 2:50 PM.

Kindergarten & First Grade Pickup: Doors open at 3:00 PM.

DON'T FORGET YOUR PICKUP CARD!

Please bring your child's classroom-colored pickup card with you each day at dismissal.

If you do not have your pickup card, you must:

• Present a valid photo ID, AND

• Be listed on the child's approved pickup list.

This procedure is in place to ensure that every student is released safely to an authorized adult.

NEED TO REACH THE OFFICE?

Mrs. Durant
adurant@dcrsd.org
Main Office: 508-248-7774

Thank you for helping us make arrival and dismissal at Charlton Elementary safe and smooth for all of our students and families!

Remember: Morning drop-off ends at 8:45 AM, and afternoon transportation changes must be made before 2:40 PM.

Charlton Faculty vs. Wizards Basketball Game on January 30th at 6:30 PM

It is with deep sadness that I share the news of the passing of Kenny LaFerriere. Mr. LaFerriere served as the chair of the DCRSD SEPAC, Moderator for the Town of Charlton, and was a former member of our school committee.

Many of you knew him through his dedicated service to our district and town, as well as a parent and a cherished friend. My heart goes out to everyone who knew him, and I extend my sincere condolences during this difficult time.

Thank you for your kindness and continued support of one another as we remember his contributions to our community.