Something to Yelle About

A FABULOUS WEEK IN #HAYNation!

Hello from the Yelle.

We had a great week this week! MCAS might be over, but our students are still learning and finishing strong, and that I am so proud of them for! We also had so many events, which I highlight in the huge Big Picture above and spell out below.

As I try to do each week, I use the big picture above to tell the story of the week in pictures for us here at the Yelle.

This week the Big Picture above has even more pictures than I have ever done for the Big Picture before, and it is just because a lot happened this week. First, we still have our students learning and you can see it each day in their reading, writing, working together, collaborating, and playing outside, again which you see above. We have students writing out their thinking for math, working together on problems, or designing their own Math Review board game. We also have a big team picture of our Yelle Unified Cornhole team, which finished their season this week; way to go Yellians! We have a shot of our 5th Graders over at the middle school, paying attention, listening to what they might expect in their next three years. Our 5th Grade, I can't believe, are beginning their transition to the middle school. They met Mr. Hayward, talked with teachers, asked 6th graders questions, and got to see a play. It is so unbelievable to think they will heading to NMS soon. There is another picture of this week's #PositiveSignThursday message, which is "We Remember" in honor of Memorial Day, and the top picture is of students who did Memorial Day readings throughout the day today to remind all of our students of this day's importance. These students did such a phenomenal job reading their particular Memorial Day reading with such clarity, eloquence, and thoughtfulness. I was so impressed with them and so proud to be able say, we know our students got the message!

These and the other pictures below in and around the classrooms really do relay a story of the incredible accomplishments our students and teachers achieved this week. Please check them out below and all over our Instagram feed to help to tell the tremendous story we are writing this year.

Please check out the rest of the Newsletter for some important information including ...

Half-Day Next Friday

Thinking About Next Year

NMS Transition

Field Day Info

5th Grade "Talks"

HAY PTO BOGO Book Fair

Next Weekend's HAY PTO Textile Drive

Upcoming Calendar Events to Mark Your Own Calendar

Community Events

And much, much more ...

Please check it out.

Thanks; have a wonderful long, holiday weekend,

Marty

Martin R. Geoghegan

Principal

Henri A. Yelle Elementary School

Monday, May 26 – Memorial Day – No School

Friday, May 30 – ½ Day District PD Day – 11:40AM Dismissal

Monday, June 2 – NHS Class of 2025 Graduation Walk (11:30AM)

Monday, June 2 – HAY PTO BOGO Scholastic Book Fair for 4th Grade

Tuesday, June 3 – Laser Light Assemblies (more details to follow)

Thursday, June 5 – HAY PTO BOGO Scholastic Book Fair for 5th Grade

Friday, June 6 – Field Day (Volunteer Form Below & Schedule TBA)

Monday, June 9 – Field Day Rain Date

Tuesday, June 10 – 3rd Grade Step Up Day at Yelle

Tuesday, June 10 – 5th Grade Field Trip -- Whaling Museum

Wednesday, June 11 – 5th Grade Animal Adventures Presentations

Thursday, June 12 – 5th Grade Field Trip -- Whaling Museum

Thursday, June 12 – In-Coming 4th Grade Informational Meeting 7PM in the Gym

Friday, June 13 – 5th Grade Field Trip -- Whaling Museum

Tuesday, June 17 – Last Day of School ½ Day – 11:40AM Dismissal

Friday, May 30th -- 1/2 Day Early Dismissal for

All NPS Students Districtwide

Yelle Students will be Dismissed at 11:40AM

Please Mark Your Calendar!

Thanks!

To Next Year's Yelle Families:

We are starting to think about scheduling for next school year.

Please let Mr. Geoghegan know if there is information you want him to know about as we look at groupings for next year's 4th and 5th Grade classes.

I cannot always promise everything but we most certainly try our best at finding the best fit and situation for all students.

Any questions, please let Mr. Geoghegan know.

Thank you,

Mr. G

Henri A. Yelle School Field Day

June 6, 2025

Dear Yelle Families:

Field Day is scheduled for Friday, June 6, 2025. If we have inclement weather, we will have field day on Monday, June 9, 2025. The decision to postpone field day, if necessary, will be made as early as possible.

We will be focusing on a team approach this year. To help promote teamwork and to help identify teams, students are encouraged to wear their designated class color. (Colors are listed below). Activities will be located on the multi-purpose field behind the school.

General Expectations

1. Each classroom is to stay together for the entire day.

2. Each classroom must stay in their assigned area for the duration of their activity.

3. Classrooms are encouraged to use banners, cheers, songs, and shirts to identify

and promote a positive team atmosphere.

Helpful Field Day Tips

Following are some items that you may want to consider sending with your child on field day:

Sunscreen – It may be very warm and sunny, and as we will be outside, sunscreen can be very important.

Water Bottle – Students do have some time for drinks, but a water bottle can be convenient, as long as they are used appropriately.

Hat – Not necessary, but they are allowed.

Team Colors

Green – Carline, Lehane

Yellow – Allen, Benson

Red – Correira, Gray

Blue – Bruno, Donahue

Purple – Mihajlovits, Rose, Winters/Hannon

Orange– Browne, Chu

Pink – Cross, Horton

Dear grade 5 Parents/Guardians,

In just a few short months, your child will be making the exciting transition from elementary school to Norton Middle School. To help ensure this change is as smooth and positive as possible, we’ve carefully begun implementing an orientation process.

On Thursday, May 15, Principal Hayward, Guidance Counselor Mrs. Alison Tosches, and several student representatives visited the Henri A. Yelle School. During our visit, we met with students in small group settings to introduce them to life at NMS and give them the opportunity to ask questions.

On Friday, May 23, Grade 5 students visited Norton Middle School during the school day. They’ll tour the building, meet several sixth-grade teachers, and enjoy a special performance of Annie by our NMS Drama Club.

As we approach the final days of the school year, congratulations on reaching this important milestone! While one chapter of your child’s educational journey is coming to a close, a new and exciting one is just beginning.

To support our incoming sixth-grade students and their families, we’ve created a dedicated website for Norton Middle School. This site offers a glimpse into daily student life at NMS, with a variety of videos, helpful links, and resources. We encourage you to explore each section, as they provide valuable insight into what to expect. Information and updates will continue to be added throughout the summer.

NMS Welcome Class of 2032 = website created rising grade 6 Parents and Students

Summer visit to Norton Middle School:

We’re excited to host an in-person Welcome Back Ice Cream Social in August, just before school begins. This event will give incoming grade 6 students a chance to reconnect with friends, tour the building, find their homeroom, enjoy music and games, and ease any first-day nerves—with some ice cream, of course! Parents are welcome to join us for an open tour of the building and learning spaces. I’ll be working with the NMS Parent Board to finalize the date and time, and we’ll share details with families over the summer via ParentSquare.

Bonus Content 2024/ 2025 NMS Newsletters: The Lancers LEAD Story = September 2024, The Lancers LEAD Story = October 2024 The Lancers LEAD Story = November 2024, The Lancers LEAD Story = December 2024 ,The Lancers LEAD Story = January 2025 , The Lancers LEAD Story = February 2025 , The Lancers LEAD Story = March 2025 , The Lancers LEAD Story = April 2025

Sincerely,

Vincent M. Hayward

Vincent M. Hayward | Principal - vincenthayward@norton.k12.ma.us

Dear 5th Grade Families:

This letter is to inform you of the upcoming 5th grade health and wellness lesson that will be taught on Friday, May 30, 2024. The students will be separated by gender to different locations. A video will be shown to the student’s followed by a short question and answer session. The female students will be with Mrs. Conley and Nurse Katie and the males will be with Mr. Bielawa, Mr. Geoghegan and Mr. Kurkul.

The Always Changing and Growing Up Program helps both boys and girls:

• Understand the physical and emotional changes they experience during puberty, and acknowledge these changes as a normal part of growth and development.

• Learn the physiology of their bodies and correct terminology for parts of the reproductive system.

• Understanding personal hygiene is each individual’s responsibility.

In addition, the program helps girls:

• Understand the menstrual cycle.

• Understand what to expect during the menstrual cycle.

• Learn how to manage her menstrual cycle while continuing with normal activities.

The Always Changing Program can be viewed on-line at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jOo-5sK6qM and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-pjS-FLqNA for your convenience.

We encourage you to watch them and please contact the school if you have any questions.

If you would like to have your child opt out of the program, please email, call or send a note to the school nurse by May 29th. Your child will be given an alternate activity in a separate location during this class time if you opt out.

Katie Pendergast, RN

Henri A. Yelle School School Nurse

kpendergast@norton.k12.ma.us

(508) 285-0197

Don't Forget to Order This Year's School Pictures

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Don't throw away any of your textiles!

We have our Textile Drive happening next weekend during Memorial Day Weekend.

So start planning that Spring Cleaning, as well as supporting our PTO!

This will be from May 30th through June 2nd.

More information to come next week.

Win-Win!

Our HAY PTO BOGO (Buy One Get One) Free Scholastic Book Fair Is Coming Soon!

To kick off summer reading, our HAY PTO Buy One Get One Book Fair

will take place in a couple of weeks in school on Monday, June 2, for 4th Grade,

and Thursday, June 5, for 5th Grade in the Yelle Library.

Please Keep In Mind:

Students will only have a chance to shop during the school day,

as there will be no after school shopping hours for this fair.

Fliers coming soon to set-up e-wallet!

Please see more great Pictures and what is happening in #HAYNation like these by going to Instagram at @HAYSchoolNorton -- Make sure you Follow Us and Tag Us in any Posts you want us to see!

Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is continuing to sponsor a free Parenting Solutions Library. MPY is offering this valuable resource in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit organization located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Through this partnership, MPY is providing proven resources to help students’ families thrive.

Peace At Home Parenting Solutions specializes in empowering parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections that safeguard their children's mental well-being. The Parenting Solutions Library is easily accessed using the link on MPY’s home page. No log in or passcode is needed.

Principal Martin R. Geoghegan

Past Newsletters can be found Here.

Website: https://www.norton.k12.ma.us/henri-a-yelle-elementary-school
Location: 64 West Main Street, Norton, MA, USA
Phone: 508-285-0190
Instagram: @HAYSchoolNorton