MHS/WES Newsletter

Dear Families,

As we reach the midpoint of our school year, we would like to take a moment to express how incredibly proud we are of our amazing students. Despite the cold winter months, our children continue to shine brightly - demonstrating curiosity in their classrooms, kindness toward one another, and tremendous resilience in their learning journey.

Every day, we see students pushing themselves to try new challenges, supporting their classmates, and growing not just academically, but as compassionate young people. Whether they are working through a difficult math problem, reading challenging material, or helping a friend on the playground, our students consistently demonstrate the outstanding character that makes our school community special.

Thank you for your continued support in nurturing our wonderful children!

Warmly,

Mrs. Taylor and Mr. Leander

February 5: 1/2 day of School ~ Dismissal starts at NOON

February 6: PTO Meeting, MHS Library @ 6:30 PM

February 17-21: No School, February Break

March 6: PTO Meeting, MHS Library @ 6:30 PM

March 12: 1/2 Day of School ~ Parent Teacher Conferences (as requested by parent or teacher - more information to come)

It seems that after the holidays many of our friends have returned to school with smart watches and cell phones. Please take a moment to review the policy below with your child.

Student Handbook:

We recognize that parents provide their children with cell phones and smart watches for safety reasons. Therefore, we understand that students may occasionally bring these devices to school.

• Cell phones must remain turned off and stowed away in your child’s bag during the school day, this includes the bus.
• Smart watches must have text and call settings turned off during school hours.

Students are not to call, text, or message their family members or peers during the school day. If students need to reach a family member, they can use one of the phones in the main office. Students may also not photograph or take videos of any staff members or other students in and outside of the building or on the bus. You can help us enforce this policy by not texting your children and calling/answering their calls during the school day.

If a student should bring any electronic device, cell phone, or multi-media device etc. to school, MHS/WES is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

Cell phones and smartwatches that are being used to make calls, text (family or peers) or play games during the day will be confiscated. Parents will be asked to pick up the device from school.

Congratulations to all of our 4th and 5th grade Spelling Bee participants and our Champions!

1st Place - Caia

2nd Place - Adah

3rd Place - Cara

Third grade is excited to share two highlights from our classroom activities! First, students have been exploring Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca, a captivating book that takes readers on the thrilling journey of the first moon landing. Through stunning illustrations and engaging storytelling, the book helps students understand the monumental achievement of Apollo 11 and the science behind space exploration. Meanwhile, in Unit 4 of BRIDGES, our math curriculum is focusing on measurement and fractions, encouraging students to deepen their understanding of both topics through hands-on activities and real-world problem-solving. The combination of these two subjects has sparked curiosity and excitement across the third grade classes!

Music News – January 2025 Mr. Lucander

Greetings to all musicians at WES and MHS! As we enter our new year all kinds of exciting things will happen. This article will briefly tell you what is going in in the general music classroom and all the ensembles at WES. I am so happy to be able to teach all these great students. Music makes you smarter, so stay involved. I’m looking forward to a great 2nd half of the year!

At MHS, both grades will continue with great singing and rhythm work. Ask your kids to teach you the songs and motions for fun, I’m sure they would like to share some of the fun. Lately, they know songs like Oak Tree, Snow Man, and Sky Bears. The 1st graders will soon be learning how to play xylophones! In WES, grade 2 has entered a unit using pitched tubes called Boomwhackers, playing rhythmic patterns, and learning the C major scale, while the 3rd graders are now learning how to start playing piano. The 3rd graders are starting to play with all 5 fingers , and have started their first song. Soon 3rd graders will be given a paper packet of music to keep at home for those of you with access to a keyboard. For organizational purposes, please supply your 3rd grader a 3 ring binder (with perhaps plastic sleeves) to protect their keyboard packet at home. This way, they have our keyboard book at school and they have one at home to practice with. Grade 4 and 5 will be not only playing piano, but learning through the use of notation. They both have been reviewing playing songs on boomwhackers, and will soon use tone chimes like our Bell Choir ensemble at school. Soon in the spring, grade 4 and 5 will be working with ukuleles!

ENSEMBLE UPDATES:

Chorus - Sign ups are past for all students in grades 4 and 5 as we have already had our 1st rehearsals, which are Fridays from 3-4pm. All music has been passed out, and they must bring their folder/pencil to every rehearsal. The songs include popular hits as well as more challenging 2 part pieces. A spring schedule has been given at a prior rehearsal. Students should use their Google Classroom to practice their parts at home. The next performance is March 20.

B Band- Practices have resumed on Fridays from 3-4pm as we transition the students into A Band. Be sure to keep your child practicing and aware of what they need to do from their lesson instructor to advance to A Band. B Band will stop rehearsing in late February/March, and at that point they will still take lessons only until they are accepted into A Band. Students should use their Google Classroom to practice their songs at home.

A Band- Rehearsals are running on Thursdays from 3-4pm already. They should have all of their music by now in plastic sleeves placed inside a 3 ring folder for organization purposes. Percussion assignments have been passed out to tell your child what parts they need to prepare with their lesson instructor. Students should use their Google Classroom to practice their songs at home. The next performance is March 13.

Jazz Band- Auditions have been held and the roster is set. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 3-4pm. Other students may be added later only by invitation in the spring upon the director’s approval based on need. These kids have to practice at home much more as not only do they need to learn jazz music but their A Band music as well, making it a challenge to learn all the material. Students should use their Google Classroom to practice their songs at home. The next performance is April 17. In the past before covid, we were able to develop a Select Choir, a Wind Ensemble (high end concert band), and even a Ukulele Club! If time permits, and if needed skill levels have developed enough, our music department will hopefully be able to add some of these extra fun activities to help develop our student’s musicianship. Fingers crossed!

PLEASE ALSO NOTE FOR ALL ENSEMBLES: A complete and detailed schedule of performance dates, times, locations, as well as rehearsal schedules with any date changes has been sent out to your child/musician through a paper copy and an email. Please feel free to contact my assistant director, Mrs. Jean Popik (wesmusicprogram01473@gmail.com) or myself (klucander@awrsd.org) if you are not getting the music newsletter/emails about the ensembles. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Mr. Lucander

Please remember when you are calling your child out absent, to call the school that they attend.

MHS~ Pre-K , K and 1: 978-874-0163

WES~2, 3, 4, and 5 grade: 978-874-2043

• PTO events coming up:
  • Our next meeting is on 2/6 from 6:30-7:30 in the Meetinghouse School Library. We hope you can come.
  • 3/13 Jim Basketball Jones Assembly in school
  • 3/21 Fun With Your Son Event
  • 4/11 Daughter’s Choice Dance
  • 5/5-5/9 Staff Appreciation Week
  • 5/16 3rd grade Colonial Day- we are looking for co-chairs to make the event possible (reach out if interested)
  • 5th Grade end of the year activities- ice cream social & Promotion Night

If your child forgets to bring their water bottle or Chromebook, you DO NOT have to bring it to the school. They can use the bubbler and borrow a Chromebook. This helps not to interrupt the classroom teaching that is taking place. Thank you for your time.

Did you know that MHS/WES is on Instagram? Check it out!! principalkt24

All students have a bus number assigned to them as well as stops. Please click on the button at the end of this newsletter to see your child's bus number and stop. HOWEVER, if your child is going to be a parent pick up, walker, walker to MHS, or going to extended day, it is VERY IMPORTANT to send in a note with your child's first and last name to the school. One note is sufficient for the year with their schedule, but if it changes at all, we need to know. The safety of your child is our priority. Thank you

Emergency Early Dismissal Policy

In the event of an unforeseen emergency that necessitates the dismissal of students prior to the end of the school day, parent notification will be provided through the automated phone and email system. Typical emergency situations that may precipitate an early dismissal include, but are not necessarily limited to, severe weather conditions, fire and absence of heat or water.

Since it is impractical for school officials to personally contact every parent in the event of an early dismissal, parents and particularly the parents of elementary age children, are encouraged to develop a clear and well-defined plan with their children in case of an early dismissal. Since children will be dismissed to their home, it is imperative that children know how to gain entry into their home and how and whom to call once they are there.

ABSENCES: Please call WES (978-874-2043) or MHS (978-874-0163) when your child will be absent or late for school. Please state your name, your child’s name, teacher, and the reason for absence. If you must speak to someone, please call after 7:45 AM. This system is to ensure the safety of your child. If we do not hear from you, we will contact you at home or work, and if we can’t reach someone we may send a school resource officer to the house to do a well child check. Absent notes are required when children return to school.

AM Arrivals: Bus drivers do not let children off the bus until 8:20 a.m. There is NO Supervision before 8:20 a.m. Walkers/students being dropped off should not arrive before 8:20 a.m. School starts at 8:30 a.m.

PM Dismissals: The school day ends at 2:55 p.m. The office needs to know your dismissal plan. If your child is a car-rider, you will be given a sign to display on your car dashboard to be used each day. Car riders will be dismissed to the cafeteria and called outside in the order cars line up. Please remain in your car. Signs will be posted. If you would like your older sibling to walk from WES to MHS pick-ups for dismissal in the afternoon, please send a note to the office and your child’s teacher.

If your child needs to be dismissed early, please send a note to his/her teacher stating the time and reason for dismissal. Early dismissals will be handled through the main office.

NOTES: Please use student’s (and parent’s) last names in all notes to the teacher/office. Please also date all notes so that we can be sure we are dealing with current messages. Notes are required for any change in dismissal. You may also email a note to mhsoffice@awrsd.org (MHS) or wesoffice@awrsd.org(WES).

MEDICATIONS: ALL Medications must be brought to the nurse by an adult at the beginning of the day. Medication is NOT TO BE TAKEN by any child on his/her own. The school nurse under the following circumstances will administer medication:

• A signed and dated note from a doctor and a parent is sent with the child’s name, dosage, reason for medication and time to be given.

• The prescription bottle is sent with only the amount which will be needed for the administration at school. (Pharmacies will dispense in two bottles if you ask.)

School Announcements:

Please make sure all phone numbers and email addresses are updated throughout the school year to ensure you receive all messages sent from the school or district.

RESTRICTIONS: Please provide the office with any LEGAL DOCUMENT which indicates any legal restrictions on the release of your child as per district policy. These restrictions CANNOT be honored unless we have a copy of the legal documents in your child’s file. Please remember that it is MOST IMPORTANT that your child knows who he/she is allowed to leave school with and restrictions of the same.

TARDINESS: It is important that your child be at school on time. Tardy students need to stop at the office for a tardy slip when they arrive later than 8:30 a.m. If excessive tardiness continues, it will be necessary for the parent and child to meet with the Principal so that we may remedy the situation.

ARRIVAL

8:20 - 8:30 AM

DISMISSAL

2:55 PM

HALF DAYS - DISMISSAL

12:00 PM

AM Session 8:45-11:10 AM

PM Session 12:00-2:30 PM

Full Day Session 8:45-2:30 PM (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Friday)

Please reach out with any questions you may have. We are happy to help!

• MHS - Kathi McCarthy 978-874-0163 ext. 0
• WES - Liz Maillet 978-874-2043 ext 0

General Ashburnham-Westminster Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) membership is open to all AWRSD parents/guardians of children with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans and other interested parties. We need volunteers to help plan workshops, staff tables at local school and community events, become future leaders, assist other parents, and plan new activities and projects. Learn more about us and our work on our website https://sites.google.com/view/ashburnham-westminster-sepac. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ashwestsepac.

Bus passes will be issued for students riding their ASSIGNED bus but getting off at a different stop. A note or phone call from the parent/guardian is required to your child’s school office. The office will then issue the bus pass. Bus passes to ride a DIFFERENT bus will ONLY be issued in the event of an emergency. The school office must be notified by a parent/guardian that there is a circumstance beyond their control/emergency causing a student to ride a different bus. Bus passes are not issued for going to a friend’s house, dances, etc.

If you have specific questions or concerns regarding your child’s bussing, please reach out to bussing@awrsd.org.