Boyden Weekly Update

Dear Boyden Families,

We had a great week at Boyden! The weather unfortunatley delayed the completion of the playground surface but hopefully it will be ready for students early next week.

Once again this year at Boyden, "Postive Gossip" is taking place across the school. Our counselors, Mrs. Audet and Mrs. Lemmler, have organized this fun way to acknowledge the wonderful things happening around school. Outside the front office a is box that students and staff add the great things they see or are a part of across the school. Each day we pick a few to be shared over our morning announcements so we can celebrate as a whole school! Ask your children about some of the positive gossip they have heard!

Have a nice weekend!

Brendan

School Pictures

The Fall School Picture Day will be on Wednesday, October 1st. Please keep an eye on your child(ren)'s home folder next week as we will be sending home additional information on how to order.

This year we are contracting with Inter-State Studio for our pictures. You can order pictures by visiting:

https://inter-state.com
Ude code: 0121HVA

News from the Nurse

Please see the message from the Mrs. Syed, our school nurse, regarding the upcoming health screenings happening at Boyden.

CLICK HERE

Talking Points

Recently, our school has begun the use of TalkingPoints for two-way communications between teachers and families. Families can send and receive messages either by text or via the TalkingPoints app.

Please note that our system connects one phone number per household for TalkingPoints (generally the first phone number on record in Aspen). If you would like more than one household member to receive TalkingPoints messages, please follow the instructions found below:

CLICK HERE

If you have trouble with TalkingPoints, please send an email to helpdesk@walpole.k12.ma.us

Morning Car Drop Off

Thank you for everyone's patience as we establish our morning drop-off routines. We have these routines in place to expedite the arrival process but more importantly to keep students safe.

Please remember:

When you enter the parking lot please ensure your child is ready to exit the car.

If you are the first car, please pull all the way up to the white donation bin.
If you are not the first car, pull up to the car in front of you. Once your car is stopped and in front of the school please let your child out. Not all students can exit the car in front of the front door.

Please do not get out of the car. Students should exit the car on the passenger side of the vehicle.

If the car in front of you is taking a little longer please DO NOT pull around them. We need to work together to keep everyone safe.

What is Chronic Absenteeism?

What is Chronic Absenteeism?

A student is considered Chronically Absent when they miss 10% of the school year. In Massachusetts, this means a student who misses 18 or more days, regardless of an excused or unexcused reason, is classified as chronically absent. Just two missed days each month can lead to this status.

Why is school attendance so important?

Students who are in school consistently are more successful learners. Per the National Center for Education Statistics: A missed school day is a lost opportunity for students to learn and interact with their classmates. Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance. This relationship between attendance and achievement may appear early in a child's school career. Greater absenteeism during the school year can lead to lower achievement in reading, math, and general knowledge. Poor attendance has serious implications for later outcomes as well. High school dropouts have been found to have exhibited a history of negative behaviors, including high levels of absenteeism throughout their childhood, at higher rates than high school graduates.

If your child starts to accumulate absences, we will work with families to figure out the best way to help improve your child's attendance at school.

School Store

School Store is back on Friday, October 3rd for students in Grades 1-5. Students will attend the School Store located in the front lobby during their recess. A school store Inventory list will go home with students during the week of the school store.

Boyden PAC News

There are a variety of PAC sponsored events that take place throughout the year. For these events to be successful, we need many volunteers. Please sign up to volunteer using the link below

Volunteer Sign Up

Fall Mini Photo Sessions

Boyden is excited to bring back Lindsey Fuentes for our Fall Mini Photo Sessions Fundraiser! $75 for 8 professional edited digital pictures. Location Francis William Bird Park on the following dates November 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th from 12pm-5pm. Each slot is 15 minutes. Sign up using link below

https://boyden.futurefund.com/go/58268-photo-mini-sessions-2025

Docent

The Docent program is looking for parent volunteers to teach Boyden students all about art. Coverage is needed in particular for Ms. Folan's third grade classroom and Mrs. O'Sullivan's 5th grade classroom. Contact Jackie Delaney at boydendocent@gmail.com if interested. Docent presentations begin in first grade but you can join at any time. No prior knowledge of art needed!

Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 8th at 7:00PM