The Penguin Post
Plans for the 2026-2027 school year are well underway!
We have completed Kindergarten screenings and are starting to shift our focus to class placements. Parent Placement Surveys were sent home in backpacks on Friday, March 27 for students in grades K-3. If you misplaced your form, you can find a copy here.
If you missed Kindergarten screenings, please reach out to the Phelps main office at 413-821-0586.
What a fun month celebrating literacy at Phelps! We welcomed guest readers from the high school, dressed up as our favorite book characters, had our student council read with our kindergarten students, and took part in a schoolwide reading challenge.
Reading is such an important part of our students’ growth. It builds vocabulary, strengthens comprehension, and opens the door to imagination and new ideas. We encourage families to continue making time for reading at home, as even a few minutes each day can make a big difference.
We will be having Parent Conferences on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 by appointment. This is an early release day for students. Students will be dismissed at 12:20 p.m. Parent conferences will run from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. These appointments will allow for short parent-teacher conferences to discuss your child's progress.
It is important that you attend these conferences. They represent the best way we have found to let you know how your child is doing in school. We request that you please leave students and siblings at home for a more meaningful and effective conference.
In an effort to provide students with a safe and accessible way to report unsafe/unkind behaviors, the administration and counseling team will visited 3rd and 4th grade classrooms to introduce a new Google Form that students can use to report concerns at school. While we continue to build students’ confidence in seeking out trusted adults, we recognize that many students may not feel comfortable doing so during the school day. This tool offers an additional way for students to share concerns with staff. In addition to introducing the form, the team will engage students in conversations about kindness, the difference between reporting and tattling, and the importance of being an upstander, not a bystander.
Spring Into Wellness
With spring finally here, it’s the perfect time for children to get outside, explore, and enjoy the fresh air. Time spent outdoors can do so much for a child’s well-being—helping them feel happier, less stressed, and more focused. Whether it’s running around at recess, riding a bike, or noticing flowers starting to bloom, these simple moments outside can brighten a child’s day in meaningful ways.
From a counseling perspective, outdoor play also gives children a chance to build confidence, use their imagination, and connect with others. These experiences support not just physical health, but emotional growth as well.
We are at just below 95% average daily attendance as a school. ✅
As we head into the final stretch of the school year, our average daily attendance has dipped below 95% for the first time in a couple of years. While this is likely due in part to a challenging flu season, let’s work together to finish strong by making every effort to have students in school each day and bring our attendance back up.
Also, almost 7% of students in grades 1-4 have PERFECT attendance!
Did You Know?
⭐ Missing just two days each month can add up to over three weeks of missed learning in a year.
📚 Students who attend regularly are more likely to read on grade level by third grade.
🌟 Strong attendance habits begin early and set the stage for future success.
😊 Arriving on time helps children start the day feeling confident, calm, and ready to learn.
It’s nice to see that spring is finally starting to show up around here! As it continues to get warmer, please continue to send your kiddos in with water. As it heats up and they are running around for recess and PE, they’ll need to stay hydrated. Please also continue to send your kiddos dressed in layers as the temperature can change quite a bit during the day with our mornings often cooler than the afternoons.
Please note that even though the cold and flu season is coming to an end, we are still continuing to see some cases of the flu and various viruses. Just a reminder to keep your kiddos home when they are sick. They can return to school when symptoms are improving and they are fever/vomiting/diarrhea free for 24 hours. Please feel free to always contact the nurse’s office with any questions at 413-821-9368. You may also email me at tjasperson@agawamed.org. Happy Spring!
It's never too late to join!!!
Ready, Set, Grow is a program set up to encourage children to start saving at an early age. If you wish to have your child participate in this program, simply complete and sign the application form and return it to the school or visit a branch.
Westfield Bank will be at Phelps every Thursday morning for students to make deposits.
We’re excited to announce new grade-level and content-specific websites designed to enhance the connection between school and home! These online resources will provide students and families with helpful tools, activities, and important updates to support learning both in and outside of the classroom. Be sure to check out your child’s grade-level page to explore all the great resources we’ve made available to help foster a fun and engaging learning experience at home. Stay tuned for more updates!
To find your website - head over to https://www.agawamed.org/o/bjp and click on MENU. All of our new sites are published here!
Our new sites are a work in progress and will continue to be updated throughout the year.
Benjamin Phelps Elementary School
Email: avillamaino@agawamed.org
Website: https://www.agawamed.org/o/bjp
Location: 689 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001 USA
Phone: (413) 821-0586