Florence Sawyer School Happenings

Dear Families,

I'd like to extend my congratulations to Mrs. Frederick and the more than 60 chorus members who performed our National Anthem at Opening Night for the Worcester Railers Hockey Team as part of PTO's Night at the Railers! Please check out the updates from our PTO below.

Our Fall Conferences are coming up on November 16 & 17. Over the past couple of years, the predominant preference for families has been for virtual conferences. In our ongoing effort to best serve our families, I've created a poll to gauge our current community's preferences. Please take a minute to tell us whether you would prefer virtual or in-person conferences. 2023 Fall Conference Format Poll I will leave the poll open through Friday afternoon.

This Friday, our Student Council will host their first dance of the year for grades 7 & 8. The doors open at 7. The dance concludes at 9.

Yours in partnership,

Joel Bates,

Principal

On Tuesday October 24th the Florence Sawyer health office and middle school counseling staff will be conducting annual state-mandated health screenings for all students in grade 7. These will include vision and hearing screening, as well as SBIRT, which is a brief screening to assess substance use risk in students. There is a link to the district SBIRT letter below for more detailed information about this important screening.

Please remind your child to wear/ bring their glasses on the 24th! Thank you!

2023-2024 SBIRT Letter

2023-2024 SBIRT - Portuguese.docx

2023-2024 opt out screening letter

Nurse Karin and Nurse Audra

Please make a note that we have confirmed December 6 for Picture retakes. Retake packages will go out to families some time in November.

The FSS Dean of Students, Dr. Mark Levine has arranged the first of several parent presentations in partnership with Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early's office. Our first offering will be a presentation on Cyber Safety and Bullying on November 1 from 6:00 to 7:30. A second presentation, on Healthy Relationships is already scheduled for December 8 This will be a virtual presentation. The link follows.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89202887356?pwd=crcbp1OOw6wpYrDCjvWsOakFo9H74p.1

Meeting ID: 892 0288 7356
Passcode: 808068

Overview for Cyber Safety and Bullying Presentation:

Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.’s Office is excited

to bring our prevention education programs to the students, staff, and

parents at Florence Sawyer School. Our Cyber Safety and Bullying

presentations are the most requested prevention programs we offer.

This presentation includes topics such as defining bullying and the various

forms of harassment, including cyberbullying. This presentation will inform

participants of current issues encountered when using social media and the

legal ramifications of harassment. Internet safety tips are provided, along

with addressing how your personal use of social media can affect your

future opportunities and personal relationships. District Attorney Early’s

Office will also provide tips on how to recognize and resolve these

situations as both the target and as a bystander, as well as how to identify

who is your trusted adult.

Presentation provided by Hope Rudzinski, Community & School

Outreach, Office of District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr., Worcester, MA

We're excited to share the new NRSD App with you. The app posts the daily lunch as well as the school calendar and a feed where we will share pictures and other information about the goings on at school.

NRSD App for Google Play

NRSD APP for IPhone

The Florence Sawyer School Staff serves up a yearly pasta dinner to raise money for the McRell scholarship which is awarded annually to an FSS alum.

FSS Family Pasta Dinner Fundraiser

Cost:

• Adult: $12 each

• Child: $7 each

• If you cannot make it to our event, please consider making a donation!

How do you make reservations?

Send the order form below and a check made to “Bolton Teachers Sunshine Fund” to your child’s teacher

In addition to salad, pasta, and bread; vendors will be here for early holiday shopping!

Please place your order by Tuesday,October 31st!

Co-Advisors: Miss Richards & Mrs. Scudiere

Tuesday mornings, 7:45 – 8:25 (Emerson wing Art Room)

Limited to 15 students

The K-2 ASL Club Fall Session will be starting on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 before school from 7:45-8:25. New members of the Club will learn the basics of ASL and returning students will be building on the skills they’ve learned previously. We will walk any second graders to the Sawyer Wing for the start of school.

The following are the Fall Session Tuesday morning dates:

October 17

October 24

October 31

November 7

November 14

November 21

We will meet students between 7:40-7:50 by the front door of Emerson Wing every Tuesday morning of Club. If school is delayed or cancelled for the day, Club will not meet.

The first meeting of the 2023-24 RAK Club will be on Wednesday, October 18th at 7:45 am in Ms. Scudiere’s Room #160. Interested students in grades 3-8 who wish to continue in or join the club should complete a permission form and return it to Miss Richards by the first meeting.

Drop off for RAK Club: Mrs. Scudiere or Miss Richards will be at the front door of FSS from 7:40-7:50 am to let club members into the building. We ask that students be on time for club.

We will meet Wednesday mornings throughout the school year to organize and plan a variety of new kindness activities leading into Kindness Month currently scheduled in May 2024 (more details to come).

The Florence Sawyer School is sponsoring an intramural basketball program for students in grades 6-8 beginning on October 10. The sessions begin after school and end at 4:30. The schedule is as follows

Tuesday, October 10

Wednesday, October 11

Friday, October 13

Monday, October 16

Tuesday, October 17

Monday, October 23

Tuesday, October 24

Friday, October 27

Monday, October 30

Wednesday, November 1

Any Florence Sawyer middle school student who meets the eligibility requirements can participate in this program with your written permission. Permission slips will be available in the gym and on the Virtual Backpack. Mr. Towne will supervise the program. Participants must be picked up at 4:30 at Sawyer.

There is no user fee associated with the intramural program. Please contact Mr McCutcheon if you have any questions.

Florence Sawyer School Clubs and Activities

NRSD Before and After School Program (Extended Learning)

Come tune up for your basketball season with fundamental skills and drills with Coach Seabury and Coach Manyak along with help from the boys & girls coaching staff as well as HS student-athletes.

Dates: October 24, 25, and 26

Time: 6:30 – 8:00PM

Location: Nashoba Regional HS

Girls and Boys Grades 4-8

Registration: Complete the online form - https://forms.gle/2ipaRAjqh2f88TLd8

Cost: $75/player

Check payable to Nashoba Athletic Booster Club (NABC). Send check to Nashoba Regional High School, c/o Athletics Department, 12 Green Rd., Bolton, MA 01740.

On Tuesday, October 24th, the NRHS Instrumental Ensembles will hold our annual Fall Concert. This concert will feature our 2 Jazz Bands and our Concert Band. The concert begins at 7pm in the NRHS Auditorium and admission is $5. Students, Seniors, and NRSD Employees are free. We hope to see you there and support our amazing musicians.

On Sunday, October 29th at 3 p.m., Nashoba Symphonic Band will open its 2023-24 season with a program entitled “Vive la France!” in the NRHS auditorium. The concert includes Norman Dello Joio's Scenes from “The Louvre,” Pavane pour une Infante defunte by Maurice Ravel, and the dazzling Paris Sketches by Martin Ellerby. The concert is free to one and all. Now in its eighth season, the 90-piece Nashoba Symphonic Band is a multi-generational performing group composed of students, parents, educators and members of the greater Nashoba community and surrounding towns.

On Wednesday, November 1st at 7 p.m. Nashoba Regional High School will present the Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Tenor and Bass Choir, Unified Music, and the newly-formed Treble Choir for the Fall Choral Concert. Concert Choir will perform some of their exciting festival pieces, including a Haitian song, Wangolo. Look forward to singing along with Unified Music, and hearing Treble Choir's debut! The concert begins at 7pm in the NRHS Auditorium and admission is $5. Students, Seniors and NRSD Employees are free.

Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey in education? Are you interested in supplementing your income, but would like a work schedule that is within your control? Are you interested in a position that matches your child's school day schedule? Florence Sawyer School is thrilled to offer you the opportunity to join our dynamic team of substitute teachers!

📚 Why Choose Florence Sawyer School?

🌟 A Welcoming Community: Join a warm and welcoming community of educators and staff dedicated to creating a positive learning environment for all students.

🌟 Varied Opportunities: Experience teaching in diverse grade levels and subjects, gaining valuable insights into different teaching styles and classroom dynamics.

🌟 Flexibility: Enjoy the flexibility of choosing your assignments and schedule, allowing you to balance work with your other commitments.

🌟 Professional Growth: Build your teaching portfolio and expand your skill set as you collaborate with experienced educators and staff.

🌟 Make a Difference: Have a meaningful impact on the lives of young learners and contribute to their educational journey.

Qualifications:

• 2 Years of College are required for Substitute Teachers.

• Certified Teachers for assignments of eight weeks or more.

For more information, click here.

We have created the Virtual Backpack as a convenience for our families to capture forms, flyers, calendars, and other information that might have traditionally come home in a backpack.

Included on the Virtual Backpack page is a Community Events and Activities page where you can find non-school sponsored activities such community events, youth sports, community information for families, and other activities for children. We do our best to keep the CAEP updated.

Bingo Night - Tickets are selling fast!

FSS Bingo night is coming up on Friday, November 3rd at 6-8pm. Tickets are selling fast so do not delay! Tickets are $6 per person and can be purchased on our website: https://boltonpto.membershiptoolkit.com/home_page

You can also sign up to donate food, volunteer, and contribute raffle items or prizes. All the information is available on our website: https://boltonpto.membershiptoolkit.com/home_page

School Store Dates for November!

The School Store is back! Students can shop during their lunch period on the first Thursday of every month at Emerson School and the first Friday at Florence Sawyer. Most items range from 25 cents to $5 but we also have FSS t-shirts in youth sizes ($15) and tote bags ($20) while supplies last!

November School Store Dates:

Emerson: Thursday, November 2nd

Florence Sawyer: Friday, November 3rd

Spirit Wear - Items will be delivered the week of November 17th!

Thank you to everyone who purchased items through our 1st spirit wear sale of the year. All your orders are being printed and will be delivered to your child’s classroom/homeroom the week of November 17th.

FSS Family Directory is now available!

You can sign up to access the School Directory on the BoltonPTO Website. Directory memberships are $5 and you will be able to customize your directory listing and connect with other FSS Families. Visit https://boltonpto.membershiptoolkit.com/directory to update or create your directory listing!

This Month

October 26, SRTS pedestrian safety for second grade

October 27 - Student Council Dance (Grades 7 & 8 only) 7-9pm

October 31 - K/1 Costume Parade

October 31 - November 3 - Grade 7 at Nature's Classroom

Next Month

November 1- Virtual Family Presentation on Cyber Safety and Bullying

November 2 - Grade eight presentation on Cyber Safety and Bullying

November 3 - Dodgeball Tournament

November 8 - Family Pasta Dinner Scholarship Fundraiser

November 10 - No School

November 15 - Grade seven presentation on Cyber Safety and Bullying

November 16 - Early Dismissal for students - Conferences

November 17 - Full day for Conferences

November 22 - School Closed - Voting Day

November 23 - Thanksgiving
November 24 - School Closed

Looking Ahead

December 6 - Virtual Family Presentation on Healthy Relationships

December 8 - Early Dismissal for students

December 25 - January 1 - Winter Break

Be your best self.

Pave your path.

Impact the world.

Website: https://sawyer.nrsd.net/
Location: 100 Mechanic Street, Bolton, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 779-2821

You can download the App by going to NRSD.net, scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click on the App Store or Google Play links.