Warren School Weekly Update

Happy Halloween!

This was another busy and exciting week at Warren School. Thank you for your participation in Parent–Teacher Conferences. These conversations are such an important part of supporting our students and ensuring they have the best school year possible.

Below you’ll find photos from this week’s safety drill, whole school assembly, and our Lighting the Way award recipients.

On Monday, we held a Stay-in-Place drill for a medical emergency in collaboration with the Ashland Police and Fire Departments. The drill lasted about seven minutes, during which students remained in their classrooms while we practiced an emergency response procedure.

Also on Monday, students from Mrs. Robshaw’s, Mrs. Sullivan’s, and Mrs. Sheret’s classes led presentations on belonging. I continue to be impressed by the confidence and leadership our students show when presenting to an audience of more than 600 people!

Congratulations to three of our outstanding staff members, Mrs. Robshaw, Mrs. Cotenoff, and Mrs. Pathak, for being recognized by ASHPAC as Lighting the Way award recipients. This honor highlights their exceptional work last year in supporting students and families across our school community.

This weekend, many of our second graders will sing the National Anthem at the Worcester Railers game during Ashland Night. We wish them the best of luck for what will surely be a memorable performance!

A quick reminder, Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend. Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour. While mornings will be lighter, afternoons will get darker earlier.

Next week will mark our first full week of school since mid-September, and I look forward to the steady routine it will bring for our students and staff.

Have a wonderful weekend, and stay safe if you’re out trick-or-treating tonight!

Pete

This Month in Reading and Writing

Our K–2 students are making great progress as readers and writers! This month, they’re strengthening foundational skills, building confidence, and learning new ways to share their ideas through reading and writing.

Kindergarten
Kindergarteners are learning letter sounds, sight words, and how to talk about stories. In writing, they’re using pictures and words to share their ideas.
💡 At-Home Ideas:

• Students are having fun with labels here at school!At home use post it notes and have them label things around your house.

• Spend a few minutes reading together each day. Let your child choose the book—it builds excitement and confidence!

• Pause as you read to talk about what’s happening. Ask questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Who is in the story?”

First Grade
First graders are growing as independent readers and writers. They will be starting a new reading unit called “Word Detectives." They will be working on decoding (saying all the sounds they see across the whole word) and comprehension skills. In writing students will be writing personal narratives (small moments).

💡 At-Home Ideas:

• Spend a few minutes reading together each day. Let your child choose the book—it builds excitement and confidence!

• Pause to talk about the pictures or ask, “What do you think will happen next?” or to help your child think deeply about the story.

• Use feeling words together—happy, worried, excited, proud—to help your child connect emotions to what’s happening in the story.

• Celebrating small reading wins—like finishing a book or recognizing a tricky word!

• Talk with your child about special ideas or experiences they might want to write about.”

Second Grade
Second graders are reading with deeper understanding and writing with greater detail and organization. Your child is about to start a nonfiction unit in reading and writing! This is a great time for them to explore and learn about new things as well as teach other students about what they are experts on.

💡 At-Home Ideas:

• Read nonfiction together. Pick books about topics your child is curious about—animals, space, history, or anything they love!

• Notice text features. Look at pictures, captions, diagrams, and headings together. Ask, “What does this show or tell us?”

• With your child about things they know well or enjoy, and would like to write about.

Feel free to contact me: kferrecchia@ashland.k12.ma.us

Hello Families,

This month we are learning about BELONGING.

We have defined BELONING as: feeling like you are part of a group where you are accepted for who you are.

Here are some things you can do to help your child develop a sense of belonging:

• Create opportunities where your child can connect with others outside of school.
• Practice open communication, create a safe environment for them to share their feelings.
• Check out this PBS article.
• Talk about all the different groups you and your family belong to (teams, clubs, church, work/school…).
• Go to the library and check out some of the books listed below.

Books about BELONING:

• The Day You Begin by Jaqueline Woodson
• Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
• I am Human by Susan Verde
• Mina Belongs Here by Sandy Lee
• All are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

Warren School’s SEL Team

Check out what our Nutrition Services department is serving up for Warren students in November! Menu items are subject to change without notice, based on current supply chain issues or other factors. If dietary concerns are an issue, please contact us.

To view a translated version of the menu, please visit ashland.k12.ma.us/Nutrition.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As the fall season progresses, we are excited to share our November menu with you, featuring the nutrient-packed Massachusetts Harvest of the Month: Kale!

This month, our menu includes delicious side dishes that highlight the wonderful flavor of kale, such as Kale Caesar and a Kale and Cabbage Slaw.

Kale is a versatile and highly nutritious leafy green that will be prominently featured in our meals throughout November. Locally grown in Massachusetts, kale is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber and antioxidants.

For more information on the benefits of kale and fun recipe ideas, please visit the Massachusetts Harvest of the Month page: Massachusetts Harvest of the Month - Kale.

We are committed to providing fresh, locally sourced produce to our students, supporting local farmers, and ensuring the best nutritional quality in our meals. We encourage you to incorporate kale into your meals at home to enjoy its many health benefits.

Thank you for your ongoing support and for trusting us with your children's nutrition and well-being. We look forward to a healthy and delicious month!

Warm regards

Regina Wilkinson
Director of Nutrition Services
Ashland Public Schools
Email: rwilkinson@ashland.k12.ma.us Phone: 508-881-0165

• October 31: Halloween Parade for students and staff only
• November 7: Picture retake day
• November 11: No School in observance of Veterans' Day
• November 20: Wear Blue: Whole School Assembly
• November 25: Wellness Day: Wear Comfy Clothes
• November 26: Early Release at 12:00, lunch is not served
• November 27/28: No School in observance of Thanksgiving

Don’t forget to visit ashland.k12.ma.us/Flyers where we feature announcements and events offered by organizations, clubs and teams throughout our community that serve to enrich the lives of our students, families, faculty and staff.