Warren School Weekly Update

There will be no school on Tuesday, November 11 as we observe Veterans Day. Veterans Day is an important time to honor the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces to protect our freedoms. The holiday provides families and children with a chance to reflect on the sacrifices veterans have made and to show appreciation for their service.

A simple way to honor a veteran in Ashland is to write a thank-you card to a veteran. Many families also proudly display the American flag on this day. Here is a short video (2:27) about Veterans Day that you may wish to watch together: Veterans Day Video. Families can also take time to talk together about the meaning of service, courage, and gratitude.

Thank you to Mrs. Myers, Mrs. Noel, and Mr. Ryan for helping our second graders create an amazing memory by singing the National Anthem on the ice at the Worcester Railers hockey game. We had a wonderful turnout for Ashland Night, and many of our families were even able to participate in the high five line with the players before the game. I’ve included a few photos below from this incredible evening.

Also, you’ll see a video below of the staff inflatable costume race that took place after our Halloween parade. The students had a great time cheering and laughing together as many of our staff members joined in the fun.

Have a great weekend,

Pete

Are you looking to buy a Warren School T-shirt?

Use the link below to order yours!

Cost: $12

Our next School Spirit Day to wear blue is Wednesday, November 20.

A big thank-you to Katie Kriete and Kate Blasi for taking the lead in helping us bring Warren School swag to our students!

This Month in Reading and Writing

Our K–2 students are making great progress as readers and writers! This month, they’re strengthening foundational skills, building confidence, and learning new ways to share their ideas through reading and writing.

Kindergarten
Kindergarteners are learning letter sounds, sight words, and how to talk about stories. In writing, they’re using pictures and words to share their ideas.
💡 At-Home Ideas:

• Students are having fun with labels here at school!At home use post it notes and have them label things around your house.

• Spend a few minutes reading together each day. Let your child choose the book—it builds excitement and confidence!

• Pause as you read to talk about what’s happening. Ask questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Who is in the story?”

First Grade
First graders are growing as independent readers and writers. They will be starting a new reading unit called “Word Detectives." They will be working on decoding (saying all the sounds they see across the whole word) and comprehension skills. In writing students will be writing personal narratives (small moments).

💡 At-Home Ideas:

• Spend a few minutes reading together each day. Let your child choose the book—it builds excitement and confidence!

• Pause to talk about the pictures or ask, “What do you think will happen next?” or to help your child think deeply about the story.

• Use feeling words together—happy, worried, excited, proud—to help your child connect emotions to what’s happening in the story.

• Celebrating small reading wins—like finishing a book or recognizing a tricky word!

• Talk with your child about special ideas or experiences they might want to write about.”

Second Grade
Second graders are reading with deeper understanding and writing with greater detail and organization. Your child is about to start a nonfiction unit in reading and writing! This is a great time for them to explore and learn about new things as well as teach other students about what they are experts on.

💡 At-Home Ideas:

• Read nonfiction together. Pick books about topics your child is curious about—animals, space, history, or anything they love!

• Notice text features. Look at pictures, captions, diagrams, and headings together. Ask, “What does this show or tell us?”

• With your child about things they know well or enjoy, and would like to write about.

Feel free to contact me: kferrecchia@ashland.k12.ma.us

Hello Families,

This month we are learning about PATIENCE.

We have defined PATIENCE as: waiting calmly, without complaining.

Here are some things you can do to help your child develop patience:

• Model patient behavior.
• Talk about it, acknowlegde that waiting can be hard. Brainstorm some waiting strategies (calm breathing, count something around you, make up a silly story in your head)
• Play games or where your child must wait their turn.
• Help your child save money to buy something special.
• Participate in activities that require delayed gratification (plant seeds, prepare a meal together, observe a caterpillar’s metamorphosis).
• Work together on a jigsaw puzzle.

Books about PATIENCE:

• Waiting Is Not Easy by Mo Willems
• Waiting for the Bilioburro by Monica Brown
• Alfie Outdoors by Shirley Hughes
• How Can I Wait When There’s a Treat On My Plate? By Dan Graham
• While We Wait by Judy Ann Sadler & Élodie Duhameau
• Save It by Cinders McLeod
• Are We There Yet? By Dan Santat
• The Boring Book by Shinsuki Yoshitake

Warren School’s SEL Team

Check out what our Nutrition Services department is serving up for Warren students in November! Menu items are subject to change without notice, based on current supply chain issues or other factors. If dietary concerns are an issue, please contact us.

To view a translated version of the menu, please visit ashland.k12.ma.us/Nutrition.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As the fall season progresses, we are excited to share our November menu with you, featuring the nutrient-packed Massachusetts Harvest of the Month: Kale!

This month, our menu includes delicious side dishes that highlight the wonderful flavor of kale, such as Kale Caesar and a Kale and Cabbage Slaw.

Kale is a versatile and highly nutritious leafy green that will be prominently featured in our meals throughout November. Locally grown in Massachusetts, kale is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber and antioxidants.

For more information on the benefits of kale and fun recipe ideas, please visit the Massachusetts Harvest of the Month page: Massachusetts Harvest of the Month - Kale.

We are committed to providing fresh, locally sourced produce to our students, supporting local farmers, and ensuring the best nutritional quality in our meals. We encourage you to incorporate kale into your meals at home to enjoy its many health benefits.

Thank you for your ongoing support and for trusting us with your children's nutrition and well-being. We look forward to a healthy and delicious month!

Warm regards

Regina Wilkinson
Director of Nutrition Services
Ashland Public Schools
Email: rwilkinson@ashland.k12.ma.us Phone: 508-881-0165

• November 11: No School in observance of Veterans' Day
• November 20: Wear Blue: Whole School Assembly
• November 25: Wellness Day: Wear Comfy Clothes
• November 26: Early Release at 12:00, lunch is not served
• November 27/28: No School in observance of Thanksgiving
• December 23: Early Release at 1:15, lunch is served
• December 24-January 2: No School Winter Vacation
• January 5: Return to School

Don’t forget to visit ashland.k12.ma.us/Flyers where we feature announcements and events offered by organizations, clubs and teams throughout our community that serve to enrich the lives of our students, families, faculty and staff.