Fisher Family Update

Dear Fisher Families,

On behalf of all the staff at Fisher School, we hope you have a great April vacation and we look forward to finishing the year strong when we return!

Take care,

Brian

The time of year is approaching when we begin to consider the classroom placements for next school year. Our goal is to build balanced, heterogeneous classes where children’s academic and social needs are met individually, and as a group collectively. We have found that when children are grouped appropriately, all students and teachers have the best opportunity for success. Placement is a school responsibility which we take very seriously. Parents frequently acknowledge how well our teachers know their children. In addition to the classroom teacher’s knowledge, there may be information that you feel would be helpful for us to know. Please note that written input is optional and you do not need to fill out the form in order to have your child’s needs considered.

If you choose to send us parent input, we ask that you fill out these forms IF…..

• you have a student that will be entering kindergarten in the fall, please complete this form - Incoming Kindergarten Placement Form

• your student(s) is currently in Grades K-4, please add your input to this form

2023-2024 Placement Form

• your student is currently in grade 5, information will be shared by the middle schools regarding placement for next year.

These forms have been shared in previous emails. If you've filled it out once, you are all set!

Please do not request a specific teacher or state a teacher’s name. There is one exception about making specific teacher requests. If one of your children has had a specific teacher, and you do not wish a sibling to have a similar experience, you may send that information directly to me in an email. It is important to note that we create balanced classes first, and assign teachers last. If you request not to have a teacher for the reason stated above, we may have to remove your child from a class and place him/her in another class.

The process we use at Fisher School is both thoughtful and thorough. Classroom teachers, along with other professional staff collaborate to build the class lists. As principal, I approve the final placement decisions. The staff and I appreciate your cooperation and support as we begin this process.

Check out Fisher School’s new podcast! You can search “Fisher School” on Spotify or you can use this link. Thanks for listening and don’t forget to subscribe!

April

26 Fisher PAC Meeting 7pm

28 Fisher School Dance 6-8pm

May

1 Town Meeting 7pm

2 MCAS - Gr. 5 Math Session 1

3 MCAS - Gr. 5 Math Session 2

3 District Art Show 6-8pm at the Walpole Library

4 MCAS - Gr. 4 Math Session 1

5 MCAS - Gr. 4 Math Session 2

9 MCAS - Gr. 3 Math Session 1

10 MCAS - Gr. 3 Math Session 2

11 MCAS - Gr. 5 Science and Technology Session 1

12 Early Release - Dismissal at 12:25pm

12 Fisher Carnival

16 MCAS - Gr. 5 Science Session 2

17 Kindergarten Orientation 7pm

24 Fisher PAC 7pm

29 No School - Memorial Day

June

9 Field Day

14 Last day of school - early dismissal

Please do your best not to dismiss your student during their lunch/ recess block.

Please have your child eat lunch prior to returning, if they were out during their lunchtime.

Please do not dismiss after 3:00 PM.

• Grade K R 11:40 -12:10 L 12:05 -12:35
• Grade 1 R 11:10 - 11:40 L 11:40 - 12:00
• Grade 2 R 10:30 - 11:00 L 11:00 - 11:20
• Grade 3 R 12:10 -12:40 L 12:40 - 1:00
• Grade 4 R 12:40 - 1:10 L 1:10 - 1:30
• Grade 5 R 1:10 - 1:40 L 1:40 - 2:00

Fisher Fun after School Spring Enrichments will begin the week of May 1st and continue to the week of May 29th (No classes on Memorial Day).

The sessions will run for 5 weeks, the cost is $35 per child/per class and some classes might have an extra fee. If your child is signed up please let them know the day of and that you will pick them at 4.45pm sharp at the front of the school.

Every week send in a nut free snack and water bottle (drink) with your child.

If a child usually goes to extended day, they will go down first and check in with extended day and someone will bring them up to their enrichment and they will be sent down afterwards.

There is still some availability! Once your child is registered online please send a check made out to the Town Of Walpole. Payment is due by April 25th.

Any questions please contact njdey@walpole.k12.ma.us.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4FA8AC29A3F85-spring1

Please click on the virtual backpack for the newest and latest information about sign ups, fundraisers and upcoming events in and around our community.

We are pleased to announce that the WPS Summer Learning Program will run again at

Johnson Middle School. The Summer Learning Program supports all students entering

grades 1-9 from Walpole Public Schools. The Summer Program provides each student

with the opportunity to engage in a fun summer learning environment that prioritizes

academic skills through enrichment opportunities, project based learning, and

collaboration with staff and peers. Our program reviews essential content from the prior

year and helps students prepare for the upcoming school year. We have shared the dates of

the Summer Learning Program below for your planning purposes. Further information,

including a formal enrollment form, will be sent in the next few weeks. As always, if there

are any questions please do not hesitate to contact us by using the email provided below.

Thank you,

Jill Masterson and Elizabeth Ryan

WPS Summer Learning Program Coordinators

summerlearning@walpole.k12.ma.us

Dates:

Week 1 - Tuesday, June 27 - Friday, June 30

Week 2 - Wednesday, July 5 - Friday, July 7 (no session on Tuesday due to holiday)

Week 3 - Tuesday, July 11-Friday, July 14

Time:

Our program runs daily from 8:30 - 11:30. Extended day opportunities may be available.

Every month Sportsmanship Superstars are selected, one from each grade. These students demonstrate respect and fair play to opponents, teachers, equipment and graciousness in both victory and defeat. Congratulations to our March Sportsmanship Superstars!

Kindergarten: Sona

Grade one: Olivia

Grade two: Lydia

Grade three: Anthony

Grade four: Amelia

Grade five: Jerome

After reading a story about Ukrainian Easter Eggs Mrs. Thomsenś second graders listened to an ëgg-cellent¨ presentation by Fishers in-house Ukrainian Third grader Artem H.

Artem shared information about the designs, and what tools to use to decorate and paint Ukrainian Eggs.

The poet David Zucker visited grades 3 and 4.

Egg Dropping!

One Boston Food Donations, thank you for your support

Students participate in Earth Day

Kindergarten photography 101- photos of nature

What an incredible Rally season we have had! After being the top fund-raising group since Rally 2023 began in January, Fisher’s Finest slipped behind a school district from Connecticut with just a few days remaining in Rally. With the opportunity to bat at Fenway Park offered to us, as well as an incredibly large number of coffee cakes being ordered, we were able to raise some more funds and, when the clock struck 5:00 pm on Thursday, April 6th, Fisher’s Finest found itself once again the top fundraising school for this year’s Rally!

The official announcement was distributed by Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund the following day, but since there was no school, most of the students learned about the results of their efforts when they returned to school on Monday.

Congratulations to everyone who helped us achieve the amazing total we did - $16,857! For the 16 years that Fisher’s Finest has participated in the Rally Against Cancer, we have raised $103,612.38 to support cancer patients at the Jimmy Fund Clinic and help fund research to develop improved treatments, and someday soon, a cure for cancer. This would not have been possible without the support of so many families and community members over those 16 years.

In recognition for their efforts, the students will be receiving a visit at Fisher School from a member of the Boston Red Sox! Mrs. Bernotas’s class was the top fundraising class for our Change for a Cure collection, and earned a private Meet and Greet with the player, including autographs and photos, along with front row VIP seating for the all-school assembly with the player. It is still currently a “player to be named later,” but we expect to be finding out the date and who will be coming very soon!

The students should be extremely proud of what they have accomplished, knowing that what they have done will make such a difference for so many people.

Please click below for detailed information regarding an upcoming EL Pac meeting.

April 26th, 6-7pm

Walpole High School Media Center

Friday, April 28th

6-8 pm in the Fisher Auditorium

$10 per student - payment via Venmo (@Fisher-PAC) with note “dance ticket” or cash/check made out to Fisher PAC in an envelope sent to the school labeled PAC-Dance. Due to capacity limitations, we are only able to accommodate current Fisher students and their special someone at the dance. Siblings who are not yet at Fisher or who have graduated from Fisher are unable to attend the event this year.

Use the Signup Genius below to secure your tickets!

Dance: Let's Glow Fisher Dance (signupgenius.com)

We need your help! Donations and Volunteers are greatly appreciated!

Fisher School: Let's Glow Dance - Volunteers/Donations (signupgenius.com)

Looking for something sweet for Mother's Day? Here are some perfect treat options to give as a gift or to keep for yourself, and a part of the proceeds go to the Fisher PAC. Melt in your Mouth is a local small business that offers all natural desserts with no artificial colors, flavors, ingredients or high fructose corn syrup. It is owned/operated by a Walpole elementary mom. You can place your orders here.

On May 17, up to 1500 numbered golf balls will be dropped onto Turco Field at Walpole High School. Chances will be sold for $20 per ball and the person whose number matches the golf ball that lands closest to the graduation cap placed in the center of the field will win $1,000! The goal is to raise $25,000 for the scholarship foundation.

For 39 years the Walpole Scholarship Foundation has assisted Walpole families with the cost of post-secondary education. This spring we will award $220,000 in scholarships to deserving Walpole students! You can purchase your chances using the link below OR by scanning the QR code in the flyer.

Purchase Ball Drop Chances

My name is Dyuthi Prashanth, a freshman at Walpole High School, and I graduated from Fisher in 2019. I am conducting a drive for clothing, books, and household items. This is a volunteer project aimed at benefiting Savers and EKAM USA, a non-profit organization dedicated to community service on a global scale. As a youth ambassador for EKAM, I could lead projects and make a positive impact in our community.

Together with children from various towns and EKAM USA, we are organizing a FunDrive for Savers and a plantation project by the highway in rural India. Last year's response was phenomenal, and with the support of the residents of Pulte and our town, I was able to collect 516 pounds of clothing. The youth ambassadors of Ekam from 25 different towns in MA/RI also collected an impressive 16,120 pounds of clothing! Thanks to this drive, Epilepsy Foundation was able to send a child with epilepsy to a specialized camp at no cost to their family, and Ekam received a $2,418 check to support charitable activities.There will be a collection box at the school. I will come by every week to pick up any of the contributions. I also can be reached through my school email: prashanthd26@wpsma.org.

The Walpole Cultural Council is pleased to announce the return of Walpole Writes, a town-wide writing contest open to all residents of Walpole (as well as non-resident students of Walpole schools). Writers of all ages (elementary school through adult) may submit entries in the categories of short story and poem. First, second, and third-place winners will be publicly announced in each age group and category. We are planning to create a publication of the entries. The contest is open through April 26 and winners will be announced in May. To submit an entry, please complete this form, uploading your entry by April 26. Winners will be recognized at a celebration at Walpole Public Library on Thursday, June 22.

Walpole Cultural Council Seeks New Members

If you are a Walpole resident who values the arts, consider volunteering to participate in the Walpole Cultural Council! The Council has two vacant seats.

Each year, the Walpole Cultural Council reviews grant requests and allocates funds to community based arts, science and humanities projects. The Cultural Council also plans and manages a town-wide writing contest, Walpole Writes, now in its third year.

The Walpole Cultural Council meets one evening per month. To apply to be part of the Walpole Cultural Council, please complete this form: https://www.walpole-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif1381/f/uploads/application_to_committee_0.pdf.Forms can be emailed to Aoife Kelly at akelly@walpole-ma.gov.

Join the Walpole Cultural Council Email List

Spring has Sprung (as have spring allergies!)

• If your child has started with symptoms of seasonal allergies now is the time to start them on an antihistamine. Please check in with your pediatrician about the best antihistamine for your child to help alleviate their symptoms.

• This article from Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP) is a great source of information on seasonal allergies and the effects they can have on your child.

• If your child has an EpiPen prescribed, they will need to have an unexpired one in the health office in order to attend a field trip. Please make sure your orders are up to date.

• Please remember if your child is ill with a fever (greater than 100F) they need to remain at home for 24 hours without the use of an antipyretic (Tylenol, Motrin, fever reducing medication) per WPS Policy.

• If your child has a viral stomach illness with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, please keep them home for an additional 24 hours after symptoms have subsided.

• Please make sure you have notified the health office if your child is recovering from an injury that requires any accommodations or restrictions with a doctor's note.

• If your child has been diagnosed with an infection requiring antibiotic treatment such as Strep Throat, Conjunctivitis, Impetigo, etc. they must be treated with the antibiotic for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

• In addition, for Conjunctivitis, your child's eyes must be free of drainage. For Impetigo, lesions may not be oozing

• Here is a link to the WPS Health Services website. On this site you can find links to forms (i.e. medication administration, over the counter medication consent forms), medication policies, and information regarding illnesses, concussions and injuries.

• Here is the Fisher health office wish list.

Please send a note in the morning with your student, it is the best way to inform all who need to know. Teachers are unable to check their emails during instruction time and the office needs to interrupt important learning time with messages. We do understand emergencies arise, however, whenever possible, please send a note.

The four elementary schools rotate start and end times every three years. The 2022-2023 School Year represents year one of the next rotation. For the next 3 years, Boyden and Fisher School will start at 8:55 a.m. and end at 3:25 p.m.

Doors open at 8:45am and the doors will be locked at 8:53. If your child arrives after 8:53 they will be marked as tardy. Instruction/learning begins promptly at 8:55am

We are excited to have our students back at Fisher School! Please see below some guidelines for attendance. Any questions can be emailed to fisher-secretaries@walpole.k12.ma.us

If your student will be absent or tardy for any reason, call 508 660 7234 and press 1 and leave a message as to the reason before school begins at 8:55 am. Our automated absence calls go out at 9:30. If we do not have a reason noted for the absence you will receive an automated phone call and email. This is for your student’s safety, to ensure that all are accounted for.

The front doors will be closed at 8:53 as students are expected to be sitting in their seats at 8:55. If your student is arriving tardy, please ring the front doorbell and you will enter the building to sign your student in. A student must be accompanied by a parent/guardian when arriving. There is a sign in sheet with a column to indicate the reason for the tardy arrival.

Please note: We mark all students having school lunch in Aspen with a “L”. This does not mean the student was marked Late. We use T for tardy.

If you are dismissing your student early or changing the way they go home, send a written note on the day of dismissal that includes your student’s first and last name. The teacher will note the dismissal and plan accordingly, and the note goes to the office so we can enter it into our Aspen system. An email sent during the day may be missed by your student’s teacher.

Please avoid calling with an early dismissal change or a change in the way your student goes home. When this happens we need to call the classroom to let the teacher know and this disrupts learning time.

We cannot change the way a student goes home based on them telling the office or their teacher. We need to hear from a parent/guardian via note or phone call to make that change. If they are scheduled for Extended Day and we do not hear otherwise, we will send them to Extended Day.

Arrival/Dismissal procedures will be the same as they were last year. Please click HERE for all details regarding car drop off and pick up. Staff will be outside everyday to assist you student. Please do not exit your vehicle.

If your student is a "walker" at dismissal time.....

• Please do not park in the Fisher parking lot - You could park on Cobb terrace and walk down but the parking lot is not a safe option at dismissal time
• You may walk down to door 18 (by the Fisher Garden) to pick up your student

Please be aware that we are required to see you in the office with your CORI form. We need to ascertain that whoever we are checking is in fact the correct person. We will take a copy of your license while you are here. Also, please try to avoid arrival and dismissal times if possible when you are coming in.

If you are interested or think that you will be later this year, please complete the "Volunteer Contract" and the CORI form below. The contract has some general "agreements'' that we need all volunteers to abide by and we appreciate your cooperation. We know the students really enjoy seeing their adults involved in the school and we hope you sign up to join us.

We are pleased to share that Massachusetts will continue to fund free school meals for all students, regardless of household income, under a one-year expansion of a free federal school lunch program. The state’s budgetary commitment will ensure 400,000 students statewide, who would not otherwise qualify for free school meals, continue to have access to free school lunch and breakfast for the next year.

What does this mean?

All Walpole Public School children will receive free school meals while at school.

Important: We still encourage all families to submit a school meal application if they believe they are income eligible to receive free meals. While your child will receive a free meal regardless of their free or reduced-price meal status, the meal application can qualify your family for additional benefits beyond free school meals.

You can access our on-line meal benefit application here: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

This on-line application is available in multiple languages via a drop-down menu "Language" on the toolbar.

HERE is the school calendar for 2022-2023, including start dates, holidays and early dismissal days. This is continually updated over the course of the year if we have snow days.Please note that there are different start dates for Kindergarten students