The Wellfleet Elementary News

Returning from February and the week of snow days left us all feeling grateful for the opportunity to gather again as a school community. Whether during all-school yoga, or surfing instruction led by Olaf, we are reminded how important these moments are for children’s development. In a highly recommended book, The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt writes, “Children need a lot of unsupervised play with other children.” While schools structure many activities for safety and learning, the spirit of that idea still guides us. When students move, play, and experience things together, whether calming their bodies through yoga, learning a new skill in the ocean, or celebrating as a school community, they build confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging. These shared experiences help balance the increasingly digital world children are growing up in and strengthen the social connections that are essential for healthy development. If you don't believe me, take a look at the pictures shared below.

This a reminder that the WES Student Cardboard Carnival is tomorrow, and we are looking forward to a fun afternoon organized by our students. It begins at 4:00pm and is open to all. Families encouraged!

Next week we will celebrate “Eat a Rainbow Week.” Flyers are going home with students today with more information about this fun way to encourage healthy eating.

Spaghetti Supper is 8 days away! We are still looking for volunteers to help. If you are able to lend a hand, your support would be greatly appreciated.

Finally, our grade-level gift basket donations have been looking great so far. Thank you to the families who have already contributed. Although the flyers have already gone home, here is a link to view all of the grade-level baskets in case you have something at home that might fit another grade’s theme.

Grade Level Gift Basket Fundraiser

Thank you for your continued support of the WES community.

Principal O'Shea

The 42nd Annual Spaghetti Supper is Friday, March 20th 2026. We are seeking volunteers to help make this a success! Please see the link for the available spots needed.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F084CA9AC2EA2F58-wesspaghetti

Students who have been in the Carnival ASEP Club have been working hard creating fun carnival games and attractions for all WES Students to enjoy! The Carnival will take place on Friday, March 13th from 4:00-5:30pm in the cafeteria. Our club members will stay after school on this day to help set up, and then take part in the fun!

With beat reporters Nello and Katie on the scene at 95 Lawrence Road, stay tuned for a recap of a recent visit to our new neighbors. The story will include a thorough examination of the apartments and housing units, when it will welcome families, the amazing storage areas, and how the hallways look like the Sheraton.

The Nauset Public Schools Farm to School Program is always exploring innovative and creative ways to support student access to fresh, local foods, hands-on nutrition education, outdoor learning spaces like school gardens, field trip opportunities, and more. We’re excited to share that Nauset Farm to School has been selected as a partner in the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program for March 2026!

Throughout the month of March, the NPSD Farm to School Program will receive a $1 donation for every reusable Community Bag purchased at the Stop & Shop located at 24 Route 6A in Orleans, MA. Community participation helps support Farm to School initiatives across the district.

To learn more about the Nauset Public Schools Farm to School Program, please visit the NPSD Farm to School webpage. Thank you for your continued support!

On behalf of Nauset Regional High School, we are excited to invite you to join us for a special Ribbon Cutting Celebration on Saturday, March 14 at 1:00 PM.

This event marks an important milestone for our school community. Your partnership and support mean a great deal to us, and we look forward to sharing this moment together.

Please see the invitation for full event details. The invitation includes a QR code to RSVP — we kindly ask that you register in advance.

We hope you are able to attend and celebrate with us!

Warm regards,

Nauset Regional School Committee

Superintendent of Schools

Nauset High School Building Committee

Ribbon Cutting Invitation

If you are interested in signing up for Inside Out Art Club, click the link below to register. Space is limited to 15 students in Grades 3-5.

Inside Out Art Registration Form

We are in the midst of our 3 year audit with DESE. As required, we are providing this information.

DESE Audit Info

If you have any further questions, you can email Matthew Kravitz at kravitzm@nausetschools.org

From Monday, April 13th through Thursday, April 16th, 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.

Here are the current upcoming field trips planned for this year. Check back each week for any updates!

Friday, March 13th - WES Student-Made Carnival 4:00-5:30pm

Friday, March 20th - Early Dismissal 11:00/Parent-Teacher Conferences

Friday, March 20th - Spaghetti Supper 5:30pm

Tuesday, March 31st - ELA MCAS Grades 3-5

Wednesday, April 1st - ELA MCAS Grades 3-5

Wednesday, April 8th - All School trip to WHAT Theatre for Spring Musical "The Lorax" 10:00-11:30

Thursday, April 9th - Grade 3 trip to Plimoth Patuxet Museums

Monday, April 13th-Thursday, April 16th - Grade 5 Trip to NEED Academy *more info to come

Monday, April 27th - Grade 2 trip to NPS and White Cedar Swamp Trail

Friday, May 1st - Early Dismissal - 11:00am

Tuesday, May 5th - Science MCAS - Grade 5

Wednesday, May 6th - Science MCAS - Grade 5

Tuesday, May 12th - Grades K & 2 trip to Atlantic White Shark Conservancy 9:00am

Friday, May 15th - Grade 1 trip to Audubon & Mayo beach 9:30am

Tuesday, May 19th - Grade 1 walking to Wellfleet Historical Society 9:00am

Tuesday, May 19th - Math MCAS - Grades 3-5

Wednesday, May 20th - Math MCAS - Grades 3-5

Thursday, May 21st - Spring Concert & Arts Night

Wednesday, May 27th - Grades K-2 trip to TCS for Author visit

Friday, May 29th - Grade 5 Step-Up Day at NRMS

Tuesday, June 2nd - Grade 2 walking to Wellfleet Historical Society 9:00am

Thursday, June 4th - Kindergarten walking to Wellfleet Historical Society 9:30am

Friday, June 5th - All-School Amazing Race

Tuesday, June 9th - Grade 5 walking to Wellfleet Historical Society 9:45am

Thursday, June 11th - Grade 3 walking to Wellfleet Historical Society 9:30am

Friday, June 12th - Field Day (rain date 6/17)

Tuesday, June 16th - Grade 2 trip to Audubon Habitat Hike

The WES Voice Matters! The Nauset Public Schools are beginning the development of a new district strategic plan that will serve as a shared roadmap to guide district priorities, align resources, and support student success across our schools. Meaningful community voice is essential to this effort.

To ensure broad and diverse stakeholder input, the district is forming a Strategic Planning Committee. All Strategic Planning Committee meetings will be held in person from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Nauset Regional Middle School on the following dates:

• Meeting #3: March 17, 2026

• Meeting #4: April 28, 2026

• Meeting #5: May 19, 2026

• Meeting #6: June 15, 2026

To ensure district-wide representation, we are hoping to include the following stakeholders on the committee:

• School Committee Representatives (6)

  • One from each School Committee, plus two regional representatives

• Parents/Guardians (7)

  • One representative from each school

• Community Members At-Large (4)

• NPS Staff (8–10)

• Students (4)

  • Two from Nauset Regional Middle School and Two from Nauset Regional High School

If you are interested in helping shape the future goals of Nauset Public Schools, or if you have any questions about the committee, please email Victoria Saldana, Assistant Superintendent at saldanav@nausetschools.org and cc Allyson McGillveary at mcgillvearya@nausetschools.org.

Please submit your interest as soon as possible.

At WES we are using the Committee for Children’s Second Step program in your child’s classroom. The Second Step program teaches children important skills for getting along with others and doing well in school. It also helps our school be a safe and supportive place where everyone can learn.

During the winter and early spring months, we will be teaching skills in the Second Step unit of instruction entitled: Child Protection (in grades K-5). In these lessons, students will learn three types of skills:

• Personal Safety. Students will learn important safety rules, such as safety with guns, sharp tools, and fire, and when riding on wheels or in cars. They will also learn ways to help them decide if something is safe or not.

• Touching Safety. Students will learn about safe, unsafe, and unwanted touches, and rules about touching private body parts. They’ll also learn to say no to unsafe or unwanted touches, and to tell an adult if someone breaks rules about touching private body parts.

• Assertiveness. These lessons will also give students a chance to practice asking an adult for help, telling an adult about an unsafe situation, and being assertive to get out of unsafe situations.

If you have questions about the program, please contact Mrs. Francis, our School Psychologist (francisk@nausetschools.org; 508-349-3101 x231).

Thank you for helping us to make our school a safe and supportive place where everyone can learn.

March Breakfast Menu

March Lunch Menu

Wellfleet Rec Adult Open Gym

FleetFund Info

Rental Assistance

Lower Cape Lacrosse

WES PTO Donation Letter for Spaghetti Supper

Truro Community Ed Registration

Truro Community Ed Classes

Lower Cape Children's Garden

Art Reach Earth Week

Free Clinic With NRHS Girls Varsity Basketball Team

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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