Letter from the Principal

Hello Mustang Families!

Welcome to November! We hope your family had a wonderful Halloween weekend. As we reset for the new month, please remember that candy and toys should be kept at home. This month, our school focus turns to Gratitude, and we are so thankful for our supportive WES community. Check out the memo below for attendance updates and upcoming school activities! Remember- picture day is Wednesday. Please be sure to send in order forms/money to your child's teacher.

Respectfully,

Mrs. LeSieur- Principal

Mr. Stinson- Assistant Principal

Once you submit a planned absence, a response will be sent weekly via email on Friday. Assuming you submit the absence 3 days in advance, it will be approved. In the response email, you will notice that the number of absences to date will be included in the information emailed. If your child has missed 10% of school, there will also be information about this.

Help us keep our records accurate! Please be upfront about the reasons for your child's absences. As you know, our students love to share all the fun details of their time away with their teachers and peers, so keeping everything open and accurate helps us keep accurate attendance records.

#2 Gratitude helps us feel happy and kind, and it reminds us to appreciate all the people, things, and moments that make our lives special. Whether it’s a teacher helping you in class, a friend making you laugh, or even something as simple as a sunny day, there is always something to be thankful for.

#3- Today, I encourage each of you to think about one thing you're grateful for. Maybe it's your family, your friends, or something in your classroom. Take a moment to say "thank you" to someone today—whether it's a classmate, a teacher, or even your parents at home.

October Recipients: Dalton Atnip, Genevieve Fagnant, Whitman Oliver, Aubree Stephenson, Joseph Sparks, Isla Call, Daxtin Prue, Hayes Ramsey, Kiley Kelly, Kelsey Kelly, Ethan Oliver, Anna Wade, Winona Blacker, Emma Cole, Julian Bourquin, Sergio Guterriez Medina, Charlotte Cutler, Myles Sylvain, Lennox Condon, Sierra Belanger, Damian Moore, D.J Kmetz, Ava Kelley, Bella Bedard, Olivia Neault, Jacob Raymond, Avery Moreau, Mia Watts

October Recipients: Adrian Bourquin, Waylon Burbank, Mason Kmetz, Julian Maldonado, Tessa Gagnon, Declan Komer, Daphne Ramsey, Liam Ray, Coraline Mayo, Harper Hall, Annabelle Nason, Carson Harris, Kendall Hackerman, Harper Campbell Perryman, Holden Andrews, Reese Black, Libby Bessette, Haven Fredericks, Emma Bergeron, Annalee Kenney, Mason Baldwin, Lyla Jacobs, Aubrey Flaherty, Carley Cilley,, Addyson Jipson, Greyson Martin, Kailey Morrison,

Lydia Damon, Colby Munro, EmmaJoy Bearor

Please make sure you review the family handbook.

Five years of making a difference. One pair of socks at a time.

Socktober is a special community initiative that brings together some of RSU 57’s 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students across our schools to collect socks for local community resources and, most importantly, to help put socks directly onto the feet of people right here in our own community.

Throughout the month, our School Outreach/Homeless Liaison work alongside teachers and students to make Socktober a meaningful, hands-on learning experience. Students are encouraged to create flyers, learn about the purpose behind the initiative, bring the message home to share with family and friends, decorate collection boxes, count donations, set goals, and check in on their progress throughout the month. At the end of Socktober, students come together to celebrate their efforts and learn about where their donations will go. This year's socks will support Maine Needs, Caring Unlimited, Seeds of Hope, Preble Street, and individuals and families within our very own community. And WOW, our schools showed up!

Here are this year's incredible collection totals:

● Lyman: 1,080 pairs

● Line Elementary: 887 pairs

● Alfred: 315 pairs

● Waterboro: 290 pairs

● Shapleigh Memorial: 77 pairs

TOTAL: 2,652 PAIRS OF SOCKS!

A huge THANK YOU to our teachers, students, families, and everyone who helped make this year's Socktober such an incredible success. From setting goals and decorating boxes to spreading the word and filling those collection bins, every effort mattered. This mission is about building compassion, strengthening community connections, and teaching our students that it takes a village and they are part of that.

On October 22, we held our family math night. If you attended and didn't have the opportunity to complete the survey, please take a few minutes to answer the questions. If you didn't participate, your opinion is valuable in helping us in the future.

PTO is organizing a Mustang Gear fundraiser. The shop opens on Monday November 2nd and closes on November 16. Get your order in.

During Friday’s assembly, Mrs. LeSieur kept her promise and took a pie to the face from Mr. Stinson! Head over to the Waterboro Elementary PTO Facebook page to watch the video.

A huge thank you to all the families and friends who donated during our Read-a-Thon to make this happen. We can't wait to see what exciting field trips each grade plans this ye

Each year we offer the opportunity for students to have their teeth cleaned at school. If this is something that you would like your child to participate in, please complete the form at this link: Digital Forms Link

They will be coming to WES on November 24th. Please be sure to complete the form by November 3rd if you would like your child to participate.

As the weather cools down and November gets underway, keeping up consistent school attendance often becomes a challenge due to seasonal illnesses, upcoming holiday travel, and darker mornings.

Here are practical, high-impact strategies you can use to keep attendance on track this month:

1. Plan Around Holiday Breaks

With Thanksgiving and upcoming winter holidays, November has several built-in days off.

• Keep trips strictly to official breaks: Avoid adding extra days before or after holiday weekends. Missing even 1 or 2 days every few weeks adds up to missing 10% of the school year (chronic absenteeism).

• Submit planned absence requests early: If a extended absence is unavoidable, complete a planned absence form at least 3 days in advance so the absence can be approved as an excused absence.

2. Sharpen Evening and Morning Routines

Shorter days and colder weather make mornings harder. Re-establishing tight routines helps prevent late arrivals.

• Night-before prep: Lay out warm clothes, pack backpacks, and prepare lunch items the night before.

• Prioritize bedtime: Ensure children get 9–11 hours of sleep to make waking up easier.

• Build a transportation safety net: Have a backup plan (a neighboring parent, family member, or carpool group) ready in case morning support is needed.

3. Know When to Stay Home vs. When to Go

Cold and flu season ramps up in November, making health-related absences a top concern.

• Understand the "Too Sick for School" rules: Keep children home for fever, active vomiting, or contagious conditions. For minor sniffles or mild tiredness, it is safe—and beneficial—to send them to school.

• Distinguish illness from anxiety: Headaches or stomachaches in the morning can sometimes be signs of school anxiety or reluctance. If this happens frequently, speak with your child's teacher or Ms. Michaud.

4. Schedule Non-Urgent Appointments Wise

• Aim for non-school hours: Schedule routine dental cleanings, check-ups, or non-urgent appointments on teacher in-service days, early release days, or after school hours whenever possible.

• Partial days count: If an appointment must take place during the school day, drop your child off beforehand or bring them back right afterward rather than taking the entire day off.

5. Stay Connected with the School

• Report absences promptly: Always inform the main office about the reason for an absence so records remain accurate and excused.

• Track your child's attendance numbers: Periodically check your ParentVue account to monitor cumulative absences before they reach critical levels.

You do not need to be a resident of the town or community to attend. Anyone in need of food assistance is welcome to attend. Simply drive up, and volunteers will help provide you with food.

No residency requirement - Everyone welcome!

Click on the green button below to access the link to view the school calendar.

Info will be forthcoming with important PTO events.

Do you want to join the PTO, reach out to wespto@rsu57.org.

November 3: No school students

November 4: Picture Day, retakes are December 9th

November 4: School Board Meeting, 6:00 pm

November 11: No School, Veteran's Day

November 12 & 19: Parent Teacher Conferences, schedule by appointment with classroom teacher

November 13: Bubble Party at Recess (bubbles supplied- do not bring in your own)

November 18: Early Release Day

November 24: School Assembly

November 24: Mainely Teeth Visits WES (sign up by 11/3 so your child will be on the list)

November 25-27: No School

Email: kerrilesieur@rsu57.org
Website: https://waterboro.rsu57.org/
Location: 340 Sokokis Trail, East Waterboro, ME, USA
Phone: 207-247-6126