Dear Families,

Regular school attendance is crucial for a child’s success, and I would like to take a moment to share our approach to monitoring attendance at our school.

On the first of each month, Mrs. Helfgott and I conduct a review of our school's attendance records, including student absences and tardies. Our first monthly review is scheduled for tomorrow, October 1. If a student has more than seven absences, families will receive a notification letter.

Equally important is arriving at school on time, as it helps set a productive tone for the day. If we notice a pattern of tardiness, with a student arriving after 8:35 AM, we will initiate a conversation with the family to understand the reasons and work together towards a solution.

Below, I have included a section of the NRSD School Committee policy regarding regular attendance for your reference.

We truly value the partnership we share with our families and appreciate your efforts in ensuring that students are prepared for school each day.

JH - STUDENT ABSENCES AND EXCUSES

Regular and punctual school attendance is essential for success in school. The Committee recognizes that parents of children attending our schools have special rights as well as responsibilities, one of which is to ensure that their children attend school regularly, in accordance with state law.

Therefore, students may be excused temporarily from school attendance for the following reasons: illness or quarantine; bereavement or serious illness in family; weather so inclement as to endanger the health of the child; and observance of major religious holidays.

A child may also be excused for other exceptional reasons with the approval of the Principal or designee.

A student's understanding of the importance of day-to-day schoolwork is an important factor in the shaping of his character. Parents can help their children by not allowing them to miss school needlessly.

Accordingly, parents will provide a written explanation for the absence or tardiness of a child. This will be required in advance for types of absences where advance notice is possible.

In instances of chronic or irregular absence reportedly due to illness, the school administration may request a physician's statement certifying such absences to be justified.

LEGAL REFS.: M.G.L. 76:1; 76:1B; 76:16; 76:18; 76:20

Also, in PTO / school news, our Chorus will be performing the National Anthem at the October 20, Worcester Railers game. Ticket information can be found in the PTO section below.

Yours in partnership,

Joel Bates,

Principal

The Florence Sawyer School Council has two parent representative openings. The School Council serves as an advisory board to the principal. We meet monthly. Interested parents can reach out to me at jbates@nrsd.net. I would be happy to answer any questions you have.

We are very excited about our new lunch options and I hope that your children are enjoying them. To access the menus for each wing of the Florence Sawyer School Emerson Wing (PK-1) and the Sawyer Wing (2-8) there are different menus. We have included them below.

We are excited to share a new process for lunches in the Emerson Wing K-1 (only). To expedite the morning routine for our classroom teachers we are asking for all families to partner with us and please complete the Google Form by 8am on Monday. This will be the new way that K-1 students in the Emerson-Wing order their lunch choice. We will send a new form home on Friday so you can make selections over the weekend for the upcoming week.

We have created the Virtual Backpack as a convenience for our families to capture forms, flyers, calendars, and other information that might have traditionally come home in a backpack.

Included on the Virtual Backpack page is a Community Events and Activities page where you can find non-school sponsored activities such community events, youth sports, community information for families, and other activities for children. We do our best to keep the CAEP updated.

A Reminder from the Health Offices...

If you have not already done so, please complete your child's online returning student registration form. Information on how to access the online form has been sent out via email three times since the start of the school year.

Please note that included in the online registration is the parent consent for your child to be able to receive our standing order medicines while in school. Your child will not be able to receive any of these medicines without having a completed returning school registration.

Thank you.

Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Club – Open to students in grades 3-8

The first meeting of the 2024-25 RAK Club will be on Wednesday, October 16th at 7:45 am in Mrs. Scudiere’s Room #160. Interested students in grades 3-8 who wish to continue in or join the club should complete a permission form and return it to Miss Richards by the first meeting.

Drop off for RAK Club: Mrs. Scudiere or Miss Richards will be at the front door of FSS from 7:40-7:50 am to let club members into the building. We ask that students be on time for club.

We will meet Wednesday mornings throughout the school year to organize and plan a variety of new kindness activities leading into Kindness Month currently scheduled in May 2025 (more details to come).

Gardening / Nature Club - Open to students in grades 3-8

Gardening/Nature Club will be starting on Monday, October 21st and is open to students in grades 3-8. Club will be meeting in Miss Richards’ room #243 after school on Mondays until 4:00 pm through May 19th.

Interested students should return permission slips by Friday, October 18th. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at jrichards@nrsd.net .

We are thrilled to announce the return of the FSS Running Club, led by a dedicated group of parents! Our goal is to inspire a lifelong love of running in our students.

Participants will engage in warm-up exercises, skill-building drills, and short runs designed to improve stamina and fitness.

The Running Club is open to students in grades 2 through 5 and will meet at Derby Field, located next to the gym at the Sawyer Wing of Florence Sawyer School.

Sessions will take place on Fridays from 7:55 to 8:20 a.m. in October: October 4, October 11, October 18, and October 25. (Drop-off begins at 7:45 a.m.)

Pre-registration is required. Please fill out the attached Registration Form by Friday, October 4.

Runners should bring plenty of water, and a change of socks/shoes and bug spray are helpful, too. Please note that the Running Club is limited to 30 students.

We look forward to your child’s participation!

Dear Florence Sawyer School Families,

We are excited to announce an opportunity for you to become an integral part of our school community! We are currently seeking enthusiastic individuals to apply for the position of Paid Lunchroom Monitor at Florence Sawyer School.

Position Highlights:

• Student-Facing Role: Engage with our students daily and play a vital role in their lunchtime experience.

• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a supportive team of school staff and fellow monitors.

• Support Our School Community: Contribute to creating a positive and organized lunchroom atmosphere.

The role involves working approximately 3 hours a day, helping to ensure that lunch periods run smoothly. This is a fantastic way to get involved with our school, support our children, and be an active part of our community.

If you are interested in this rewarding opportunity, please apply here.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school community. We look forward to hearing from you!

Looking to support the Florence Sawyer School?

We are actively seeking volunteers to assist our on duty staff for both lunch and recess duties.

We are seeking individuals who would be willing to sign up for specific time intervals on a monthly calendar.

Lunch Duties in the Sawyer building run for 30 min intervals starting at 10:55 until 1:30pm.

Lunch Duties in the Emerson building run from 12:30-2:00pm.

You will be required to have a current CORI on file with the district.

If you are interested in helping us out please send an email to kdean@nrsd.net .

Additional information will be provided to those who reach out.

Any questions, please call 978-779-2821 X5106

Two students at Nashoba Regional High School created a brochure detailing all of the clubs and activities offered at Nashoba. For more information click on the QR code below.

Worcester Railers Hockey Fundraiser

Join our Florence Sawyer community at the Worcester Railers Hockey game on Sunday October 20th @ 3:05pm! Students in 4th-8th grade will have the opportunity to sing the national anthem before the game. A portion of the ticket sales goes back to our PTO to help fund enrichment events.

https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/florencesawyerschool

Exciting News: Join the FREE Online Family Directory Today!

The Bolton PTO is thrilled to announce that our Online Family Directory is now FREE for all families! This is your chance to connect with other parents and families and build a stronger school network. To be included in the directory, all you need to do is visit our website, set up your profile, and add your child(ren) and their classroom(s).

If you have previously had an account, please log in and update your child(ren)'s grade and teacher so that it is up to date. Information does not automatically update, unfortunately!

Can we add 100 students this week? Remember, the directory is only as powerful as the number of families who join, so don’t miss out—get connected today! Get started here!

PTO Volunteers Needed—Be Part of Something Great!

The Bolton PTO is calling on YOU to help make this school year the best one yet! We're an all-volunteer organization dedicated to supporting our school through innovative teaching supplies, enriching activities, field trips, teacher appreciation, and so much more. Whether you can spare a few hours a year, month, or week, we have a place for you!

This week we’d like to highlight the need for volunteers to help with planning the 2024 FSS Bingo Night. This popular night for family fun happens in November (Event date TBD) and the 2025 Bolton PTO Auction, our biggest fundraiser of the year, which will take place in March! If you are interested in joining either of these committees, please contact Event Fundraising Chair Sara Brazer at sarabrazer@gmail.com

Save the Date for our popular family event, Bingo Night!

Bingo Night is scheduled for Friday, November 15, at 6 pm. Tickets will go on sale THIS WEEK. We will also be looking for donations to support the event. More information will be included in next week's Happenings.

Picture Day is coming up October 16th. Look for order forms coming home soon. We need volunteers to help that day! If you can offer a few hours, please contact Melinda Neyland at wpiee00@yahoo.com.

Friends of the Bolton Public Library to hold Book Sale

The Friends of the Bolton Public Library will hold their semiannual book sale on Saturday,

October 26 th from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. There will be no Rain Date. Location is the Houghton

Building, 697 Main St. There are over 5,000 books sorted and “not picked over.” Puzzles, CDs

and DVDs.

​

The book sale is the Friends' largest fundraiser. Proceeds from the sale support programs,

events, museum passes, and our online newsletter, “ Wowbrary.”

September

30 - Natures Classroom - Grade 7

Looking Ahead

October

1-2 - Natures Classroom - Grade 7

14- No School

16 - Picture Day

18 - Worcester State Hearing Screenings

18 - Student Council Dance - Grades 7-8

20 - Worcester Railers PTO Event

25 - Early Dismissal (12:15)

November

4 - Early Dismissal (12:15) - Fall Conferences

5 - No School - Fall Conferences

11- No School - Veterans' Day

15 - PTO Bingo Night 6-9pm

21 - Pasta Dinner

27-29 - No School - Thanksgiving Break

Be your best self.

Pave your path.

Impact the world.

Website: https://sawyer.nrsd.net/
Location: 100 Mechanic Street, Bolton, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 779-2821

You can download the App by going to NRSD.net, scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click on the App Store or Google Play links.