Here At JRB

The teacher have been in for the last few days working hard and getting ready, and the only thing left is for our students to join us. We are excited for the start of the school year. We know there are still a few hiccups with Infinite Campus, but our Tech Dept is working hard on those. Speaking of working hard, the custodians have again made this school look amazing! Thank you so much for the hard work all summer. Here are some reminders of what is coming up!

- Prek Open House: Tuesday August 26, 1-2:30 PM (more info below).
- First Day of K: Wednesday August 27
- No School: Friday August 29 or Monday Sept 1

- Early Release: Wednesday Sept 17
- Open House: Thursday Sept 18 (5:30-6:30 PM)

- School Picture Day Sept 23

If you will be dropping off your student(s), we open the doors at 8:20. You will enter JRB as usual, then take the right to go around the back of the building. Please do not pass any cars while on this road, as students are often near these cars. Once you get to the drop-off circle, enter with your driver's side near the sidewalk. Please pull up to the furthest area open in order to fit as many cars as possible (usually 7). Students can then get out of the car, walk straight to the sidewalk, and enter the building through the open glass doors. Only proceed when the car in front of you has also moved forward to exit the circle turning left. Please consult the map below for a visual of this process. Students that arrive after 8:30 are considered late and should check in with the office.

While we know it is an exciting time for kids, please stay in your vehicle (unless your student is not able to unbuckle). If you need a staff member to help your child out, we are happy to do so.

We usually end our drop-off at 8:30. If you arrive out back and there are no staff members, please drive around to the main entrance.

Finally, we ask for your patience throughout the first few weeks as parents new to this process might take some practice and extra time. Wednesday, August 28th will be extra busy as it is the first day for K students.

Much like parent drop-off, pick-up will again send you around the rear of the school. Students start leaving the building at 2:50 PM. IF YOU SEE CONES BLOCKING THE WAY BEHIND THE SCHOOL, PLEASE WAIT FOR A STAFF MEMBER TO MOVE THEM BEFORE PROCEEDING. You will be asked by a staff member who you are picking up (plus you will be offered a nameplate to hang or post for ease of taking names). When you pull into the circle, please pull up all the way as we try to fit 7 cars in at a time. We don't anticipate needing two lines behind the school, so please stay in the right lane while waiting to move forward. Finally, please do not pass any cars during pick-up. Students sometimes get in the car on the outside, so we ask that you are extra cautious.

Please let the school know your 'usual plan' for your child at the end of the day. Sending in a note that states if you will be going to parent pick-up, bus, or extended day on a regular basis will be very helpful. You can also email jrboffice@awrsd.org with this information as well.

Attendance is taken promptly each morning. Please call JRB (978) 827-5750 or email jrboffice@awrsd.org when your child will be absent or late for school. Please state your name(first and last name), your child’s name, teacher, and the reason for absence. If you must speak to someone, please call after 7:45 AM. If we do not hear from you, we will contact you at home or work. This system is to ensure the safety of your child.

Kindergarten Is Coming Soon!

During the first days of school we invite those Kindergarten students that have not been screened to join us Monday. Please reach out to the office (jrboffice@awrsd.org) and we will let you know some possible appointment times if we did not already screen your child in the spring.

All K students are invited to join us for a Kindergarten Orientation on Tuesday, August 26th, from 9-10:15. Families will meet in the lobby and are brought down to their K classrooms by our staff. After that, we will have parents return to the cafeteria while the students enjoy the rooms followed by a quick bus ride. We will have a few announcements and informational pieces, plus a moment to meet with Extended Day, Food Services, The PTA, and more.

Finally, you will pick up your child from the front sidewalk between 10:15 and 10:30.

Our PreK students and families are welcome to join us for a short open house on Tuesday, August 26th. Students are enrolled in 3 different programs, and we would ask that you try to visit during your child's time, if at all possible.

• 2 Day (Tuesday, Thursday) Morning: 1-1:30 PM
• 3 Day (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) Morning: 1:30-2:00 PM
• 4 Day (M, T, Th, F) Afternoon: 2:00 -2:30 PM

We know parking will be a challenge as we have our other students in school at that time. We surely understand that some folks will be parked along the entrance road, which is certainly fine. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to me or our Pupil Services Department.

We are excited for our next group of fantastic kiddos!

Our first grade students will enjoy all of the specials during the school year, however we have the ability to make an extra group in order to best serve our students in the specials classes. The Specials teacher have worked hard to create a fourth group of kids to attend Specials and your classroom teacher will let you know if your student is in that group. The only difference for these students is that they will have a slightly different order that they attend Specials classes than some other classmates. For example, a student in Mrs. Galeota's class might have PE on the first day of school. However, a student in the Group D might have Tech. By the end of the year, everyone will still have the same number of times that they have visited the Specials. More on this to come.

2025-26 BAND/CHORUS NEWS for grades 3, 4, & 5:

For students entering grades 3, 4, or 5 and are interested in joining band and/or chorus, please click on the links below for more information and to register. There will also be paper signup sheets going home in the backpacks during the 2nd day of school.

• Beginner Band starts on October 21st and is held on Tuesdays from 3-4pm. Lessons will begin the week of 9/15 and are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. Click HERE to sign up for lessons & Beginner Band.

• Advanced Band for students returning from this year’s band will tentatively resume on September 4th and will be held on Thursdays from 3-4pm. Mrs. Lordan will be in touch with Advanced Band students via email to set up lesson times, which will begin the week of Sept. 8th.

We are having an Instrument Demonstration Night on Wed., 9/3 at 6:30pm in the JRB cafeteria. This is a great opportunity for beginner students to try out a couple of instruments before deciding which one to play! (FYI: There is a monthly rental fee for instruments which covers repairs. Please click HERE for instrument rental pricing. There are limited scholarship instruments available. Please contact Mrs. Lordan for more information: mlordan@awrsd.org.

Piano lessons: If your student was interested in learning piano, we have an Oakmont Senior pianist offering lessons on Wednesdays and possibly Fridays this fall. Please email Mrs. Lordan for more information: mlordan@awrsd.org.

2025-26 JRB CHORUS REHEARSALS will be held on WEDNESDAY mornings, from 7:30-8:20AM, beginning Wed., 9/3! Click HERE to sign up for Chorus. Any questions, please contact Mrs. Lordan: mlordan@awrsd.org.

2025-26 MUSIC EVENTS:

• Instrument Demonstration Night, 9/3/25 at 6:30pm, JRB Cafetorium

• JRB Chorus performance at Celebrate Ashburnham Street Fair, 9/27/25 at 10am

• District Marching Band Night for Advanced Band students, 10/3/25 at 7pm, Oakmont

• JRB Winter Concert, 12/16/25 at 7pm, Oakmont

• JRB Chorus performance at the Worcester Railers game, 2/1/26 at 3pm, DCU Center

• District Band Night, 3/12/26 at 6:30pm, Oakmont

• District Choral Night, 3/17/26 at 6:30pm, Oakmont

• District Jazz Night, 4/16/26 at 6:30pm, Okamont

• JRB Spring Concert, 6/1/26 at 7pm, Oakmont

• JRB Recital Night, 6/8/26 at 6:30pm, JRB Cafetorium