The Wellfleet Elementary News

As the days grow shorter and mornings feel a little darker, we at WES are turning this time into an opportunity for learning and growth. We’re excited to share that students are arriving as early as 7:00 a.m. to take part in a variety of activities—whether it’s mathematics intervention with Mrs. Wallace, band, chorus, or instrumental lessons with Mr. Staker, or joining our community walk each Friday as part of Fleet-Footed Friday.

A reminder that our school day officially begins at 7:30 a.m., which is also when breakfast is served. WES participates in the Breakfast After the Bell program, ensuring that every student has access to a nutritious breakfast each morning. Under our new model, all students travel to the cafeteria at the start of the day with the opportunity to eat.

At WES, we are committed to offering healthy food choices. Our food service team is expanding breakfast options to include more plant-based recipes, thanks to the expertise of Chef Kyle Parson from the John Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition. We are thrilled to provide meals that support both the health and learning of our students.

Principal O'Shea

Calling All Creative and Energetic Instructors!

We're looking for passionate individuals to join our After School Enrichment Program (ASEP) as instructors! Do you love teaching kids and have a special talent to share? Whether it's jewelry making, sports, art, games, crafts, music, dance, STEM, or any other engaging activity, we want to hear from you!

This is a great opportunity to inspire young minds, build your teaching experience, and have fun in a supportive, dynamic environment. Bring your creativity, enthusiasm, and unique skills to our team and help make after school the best part of a student's day!

📅 Once a week, on a day you prefer
🧒 Grades K–5, you choose the grades you would like to teach!

If you are interested in teaching a class after school please fill out the ASEP Instructor Application!

Don't forget that on Wednesdays and Fridays it is Physical Education days at WES! Be sure to wear your PE Shoes! Does WES Worry? Goodness No!

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming delivery of 10 new raised garden beds! Our old wooden beds had finally reached the point of no return, but thanks to a generous grant from the Community Preservation Fund, we were able to remove the old materials, install irrigation, prepare the site with wood chips, and purchase high-quality steel beds from Vego.

These new planters feature rounded edges and food-grade paint, ensuring they’ll last for many years of growing and learning. Once they arrive, we’ll be calling on volunteers to help assemble and set up the planters.

Stay tuned for details about our WES Community Raised Bed Build and Bulb Fundraiser, where we’ll fill the beds with organic materials using the Hugelkultur Method and top them off with nutrient-rich soil.

If you have a cordless drill and would like to lend a hand, please contact Mrs. Crosen. Farmer Stephanie can’t wait to start teaching in a brand-new garden space!

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Claudia Cope-Crosen, M.Ed. BSN, RN.

School Nurse

Wellfleet Elementary School

508 349-3101 ex. 104

The WES cafeteria staff is excited to be working with Chef Kyle Parson from the John Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition. Chef Kyle will be onsite each Wednesday through December developing plant-based recipes, seasoning blends, and homemade sauces, while also gathering student feedback on new menu ideas.

This week, students sampled BBQ sweet potato chickpea burgers and chickpea “meatballs” with marinara. While these options aren’t on the regular menu just yet, students will continue to have the choice of a minimally processed, plant-based meal.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive—many students shared that they would happily choose the chickpea option for their next "meatball" sub!

On the menu last week: monkfish was featured as part of Nauset’s ongoing partnership with the Chatham Harvester’s Cooperative to source fresh fish from our local waters. The special dish, Puttin’ on the Ritz, was a big hit with students and staff alike!

At WES, we emphasize our students to be the light- To pick each other up, to stay positive, and to practice kindness. With unsettling events occurring on campuses in Utah, Colorado, and even closer to home, our small school community can still feel the ripple effects.

Our goal is to provide students with a safe, secure, and nurturing experience in the place we proudly call WES. At the same time, we are compelled to prepare for the unexpected. Students are taught important safety measures, including A.L.I.C.E. training and fire safety practices.

As mandated by the State of Massachusetts, we also conduct regular drills to help students respond calmly and effectively should an emergency ever arise. These preparations are designed not to create fear, but to build confidence, resilience, and readiness in our students.

ALICE Training – October 3

Sergeant Paul Clark from the Wellfleet Police Department will provide our annual ALICE training. This session offers age-appropriate guidance on how students can respond in the event of a school intruder, with a focus on safety and preparedness.

Fire Safety – October 24

While it isn’t Fire Safety Week, Captain Kinshaw will join us to talk with students about fire response and prevention strategies.

If you have questions, please reach out for further explanation from Principal O'Shea

As mentioned by the PTO Treasurer, Ariana Bradford as well as Ollie in grade 5 at the Opening Ceremony, the WES PTO is made up of many parents of 5th grade students and needs more hands to help. Please consider becoming a part of this action oriented group. Here is a form to complete if you are interested. The next meeting is scheduled for November 19th at the Block & Tackle. We will send out reminders. Feel free to review the notes from last night's meeting.

We are also seeking interest in helping sell Wellfleet merchandise at a tent at the Oyster Festival. If you are interested please sign up here.

Residences at Lawrence Hill - Housing Assistance

Find more information about Residences at Lawrence Hill, including housing and property features, application details, and more.

haconcapecod.org

Homework Help is available to students in grades 2-5 after school from 2:00pm to 2:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. There is specific support available each of these days. On Mondays it will be Ms. Shuemaker and Mrs. Demeusy, Tuesdays Mr. Pursel and Mrs. Connolly, and on Thursday Ms. Lyman and Mrs. Botting. If you would like to sign up your child for Homework Help, please email Mrs. Belair in the front office at belairl@nausetschools.org.

Additionally, Mrs. Wallace will be inviting selected students mornings of Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursdays from 7:00am-7:45am.

From Monday, October 20th through Thursday, October 23rd, Wellfleet Elementary School’s 5th grade students will participate in the Seashore Program, an immersive overnight environmental education experience at the National Environmental Education Development (N.E.E.D.) Academy within the Cape Cod National Seashore. Staying in a former Coast Guard Station overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Pamet River valley, students will explore beaches, dunes, marshes, swamps, and forests while learning about the natural and cultural history of Cape Cod. Guided by lessons aligned with Massachusetts Science and Social Studies Curriculum Frameworks, they will investigate topics ranging from native ecosystems and coastal geology to the lives of Native Americans, early colonists, and the U.S. Life Saving Service. Field trips to sites like Great Island, the White Cedar Swamp, and Race Point will deepen their connection to the unique and fragile environment they call home. Evening activities such as night hikes, stargazing, and group games will foster camaraderie, while the shared the experience of living and learning together will strengthen classroom community, teamwork, and personal responsibility. For more information visit the NEED Website.

October Lunch Menu

WES October Calendar

Truro After-School Activities

September Breakfast Menu

September Lunch Menu

FleetFund Info

Rental Assistance

Shuck N Run Wellfleet Recreation

Fleet FundRaiser!

Girls On The Run - Heart and Sole

Tip Of The Cape - Girls On The Run Info

Girls On The Run Registration

GROW at Castle Hill

Residences at Lawrence Hill Application

As you may know, the Nauset District has discontinued its use of ParentSquare and has transitioned to a new platform. If you download the Nauset App, you will receive all alerts, newsletters, and any other info from your child's school and the Nauset district. It’s the easiest way to stay updated with school news, alerts, and important announcements.

Similar to last year, I will continue using Smore to send out our weekly newsletters during the school year. These will begin the week before our return and will continue consistently throughout the year.

📱 Download the Nauset App:

• Apple App Store

• Google Play Store

Along with the information below, you will receive a great deal of first day paperwork. Please review it and where applicable, complete and return as soon as possible this will ensure we have the most up-to-date contact information.

• Breakfast and lunch: are free again for all students! If your child eats breakfast at home and you DO NOT want them to access the breakfast offered, please let the teacher know.
• Snack: Please send your student with a healthy snack and reusable water bottle daily. We are seeking to provide a healthy snack grant on Tuesdays and Thursday, and are awaiting if we received the grant. Plan to provide a healthy snack daily until you hear otherwise.
• School Arrival: Students may arrive at school at 7:25am. Breakfast is available, and students may otherwise sit in the cafeteria until the first bell rings at 7:45am.
• Supply Lists: All school supplies are provided to our students. Thank you Wellfleet taxpayers!

• Electronics: Upon arrival, student electronics (phone/watch) should be turned off and stowed away in their backpack. If parents/caregivers need to contact your student, please call the school at 508-349-3101, and the front office can get a message to your student.

Greetings from the WES Health Office!

I hope your children are as excited to return to school as I am! I can’t wait to see their shining faces soon. Before the year gets underway, here are a few important reminders for families:

Health Requirements & Screenings

• The state of Massachusetts requires that all students be up to date with immunizations to attend school. Exemptions include:

  • Medical: must be documented by a medical provider

  • Religious: requires an annual written statement on file

• Vision and hearing screenings take place annually. If follow-up is needed, I will send a referral letter home.

• BMI screenings are conducted in grades 1 and 4.

• Postural screenings are done in grade 5.

• Puberty education using the Our Changing Bodies curriculum is provided to grades 4 and 5. Families will receive advance notice and the opportunity to preview materials.

Medication Guidelines

• All medications require both a medical provider’s order and a parent/guardian’s written permission.

• Medications must be in the original prescription bottle with prescribing information and delivered to school by an adult. No baggies of pills in backpacks, please!

• If you’re having trouble obtaining a second inhaler for school due to insurance issues, let me know so we can problem-solve together.

• Standing orders for over-the-counter acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and Tums are included in the back-to-school forms.

Please remember—if your child’s medical situation changes during the year, reach out so we can develop an appropriate plan for their school day.

Exciting News from the Garden & Cafeteria!
Thanks to a Community Preservation Funds grant, WES will be installing new raised beds in our school gardens. This will allow us to grow, sample, and even serve more school-grown foods in the cafeteria! We’ll also be welcoming guest chefs for taste tests to inspire students to try nutrient-dense foods.

Our Fresh Fruits & Veggies Program will return this year with offerings on Tuesdays and Thursdays right outside the classrooms. We’re also excited to welcome back Farmer in the School, Stephanie Rein, for hands-on garden learning. And—our very first apple harvest from the school orchard is coming this fall!

All of this programming is designed to support the long-term health and well-being of our students, helping them build the skills to make healthy decisions for life.

Looking forward to a wonderful year ahead,
Nurse Crosen

At Wellfleet Elementary School, we pride ourselves on providing supports that will help all students be successful. WES follows a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) a framework designed to provide early intervention and support for students facing academic or behavioral challenges.

It typically begins with universal screening to identify students in need of assistance, followed by tiered interventions that increase in intensity based on the student’s response.

• Tier 1 includes classroom instruction and universal supports for all students
• Tier 2 offers additional, small-group interventions for those who need extra help, and
• Tier 3 provides intensive, individualized support for students with significant challenges.

The MTSS process involves continuous data collection and analysis to monitor student progress, inform instructional decisions, and ensure that all students receive the appropriate level of support needed to make progress. When students are referred to the MTSS process, parents are notified and the goals are shared.

If a student continues to struggle despite these targeted supports, the MTSS team will convene to evaluate the student’s progress and needs. If it is determined that the interventions have been insufficient and the student demonstrates significant difficulties, a referral for a special education evaluation will be made by the school.

• This evaluation assesses whether the student has a qualifying disability and requires specialized services to succeed in the educational environment, ultimately leading to the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) if eligibility is established.

For additional information about the MTSS, 504, and IEP Process, you are encouraged to reach out to Kristen Francis at kfrancis@nausetschools.org.

Here is the most recent WES Waves: A Student Run Online Publication presented by our very own Mr. Staker. This is the second edition and includes reports from all students in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. It is well worth the watch!

WES School Health Services-Resource page: Contact Mrs. Cope-Crosen for more information at copec@nausetschools.org

The warmer weather has brought us some unwanted visitors, namely ticks and the ever anxiety provoking head lice! Head Lice are a nuisance pest and do not carry diseases or cause illness. They do take some effort to eradicate. I always recommend using a good quality lice comb such as the lice meister to screen for head lice and nits regularly and detect them early. Here is some information to guide you if you should discover head lice on your child's head.

https://www.headlice.org/comb/

Tick borne illnesses are endemic on Cape Cod and tiny deer ticks can be very hard to spot. Preventive measures are important and include:

• Use Permethrin-treated clothing or repellents containing 20%–30% DEET. Check skin and clothes for ticks every day.
• Wear light colored clothes when out in the woods are long grassy areas.
• Tuck long pants into socks or wear closed toe shoes and tuck shirts into pants.
• Put clothes in the dryer on HIGH for 15 minutes to kill ticks on clothing.
• DAILY TICK CHECKS! Check the head, behind the ears, in the belly button, under arm pits, and in the groin area.

Tick testing is currently free for Cape Cod residents. If you do find a tick attached, it can be tested to see if it is carrying any tick borne diseases. Always consult with your medical provider. https://www.capecod.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tick-Testing-Prevention-.pdf

The Lawrence Fund was established in March of 2023 by Ariana Bradford (Staff Member at WES) and Joan Zukas (School Committee member and grandmother to two students at WES). The Fund was established to honor Lawrence Zukas, father to Ariana and husband to Joan. Its’ purpose is to financially support students and their families who may be in need of funds for camps, sports equipment, shoes, coats, boots, musical instruments, school supplies including technology support, etc. Request can be made to Mrs. Ariana Bradford, Mr. Adam O’Shea, Mrs. Claudia Cope or your child’s teacher. No proof of need is asked, The Lawrence Fund is just happy to help. Any additional questions can be answered by Claudia Cope at copec@nausetschools.org or by phone at (508) 349-3101.

Throughout the school year you may want to reach out to your child's teacher, or reach out to me.

All Nauset staff follow the email formatting below:

• the staff person's last name
• then the initial of their first name
• ending with @nausetschools.org

For example my email is osheaa@nausetschools.org

Now there is an exception to the rule: Ms. Claudia Cope-Crosen, our school nurse, is simply copec@nausetschools.org