"Paw Prints"
Farley Elementary School's Weekly Family Update
Dear Farley Families,
Special thanks this week goes to all the staff, especially Ms. Zinner, who participated in Popcorn and PJs Virtual Reading Night. Popcorn's and PJs was the perfect remedy to a busy Thursday at school. As I jumped from meet to meet, I counted over 185 students who joined us virtually from their homes to listen to their teachers read from their living rooms. Each year this event grows bigger and bigger. Thank you to Ms. Zinner for organizing and Ms. Volpicelli, Ms. Mara, Ms. Susana, Ms. Dielistane, Ms. Nathaly, Mrs. G Charbonneau, Mrs. Primeau, Ms. Ahlstrom, Mrs. Farley, and Mrs. Cerna for giving of their time and energy to join this evening event. Special shout-outs also go to Ms. Gasek (our technology teacher) and Mr. G (one of our adjustment counselors) who also helped with all the logistics. Lastly, thank you to all caregivers for helping their little ones join in online!
In a few weeks, many of you will celebrate Valentine's Day. I know all of our classes plan to exchange Valentines or do some sort of craft project related to the day. If you do plan to get Valentines, please make sure they do not contain any type of food or candy. Little trinkets with each Valentine are fine. Lastly, some of you have asked how many students are in each class...to be on the safe side I would get or make 22 valentines. I have also purchased many sets of Valentine's in case students don't bring their own. ❤️
I promised my wife that while she was away, I would reorganize my side of the closet. I've been putting it off now for over a month. She is only away for a few more weeks, so this weekend, I plan to get that job done! I hope you weekend plans are a lot more fun!
Read Always,
Rachel Scanlon (She, Her, Hers)
Farley Principal
NEED TO KNOWS
NEED TO KNOWS:
February 10th:
- Ms. Susana's "Travel with Books Read Aloud" at the Hudson Public Library. All are welcome! See more details below in "Other Updates and Reminders".
February 14th:
- Half-Day for students
February 19th-23rd:
- Winter break-No school
February 15th:
- Math Night from 5:30-7:00-More information to come in a few weeks
Mark Your Calendars Now: SPRING MCAS DATES
ELA
- Gr 3 April 2 and 3
- Gr 4 April 4 and 5
Math
- Gr 3 May 7 and 9
- Gr4 May 14 and 15
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
HERE IS OUR NEWEST FARELY FOX!
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
WELCOME MR. KEWOLD ELYSEE!
This week, Farley welcomed our new Haitian Creole Family Liaison-Mr. Kewold Elysee. Mr. Elysee, who the students will call "Keywold", is tri-lingual and speaks English, Haitian Creole, and French. A Hudson resident, Kewold was born in Port-au Prince Haiti, but has lived in the United States for 23 years,. His educational background includes, the study of Network Engineering at the Florida Career Institute, Interior Design while living in France, and Translation and Interpretation at Massasoit Community College. He adores his family which consists of his wife and two daughters. In his spare time he loves to listen to music, watch movie, and dance. He shared with me that he is overjoyed to have the opportunity to work for the Hudson Public Schools.
DUAL LANGUAGE SPOTLIGHT
DL HAD SOME SPECIAL VISITORS TODAY!
Today Mr. Francisco Duarte Lopes, the Portuguese Ambassador in the USA, and Mr. Tiago Araújo General-Consul of Portugal in Boston, visited Hudson Public Schools to learn more about the Portuguese program in the district. During this visit, they had the opportunity to come to Farley to see our Dual Language in action. He was so excited to see the students using Portuguese, and congratulated the district for investing in multilingual education.
In addition, Evan's mom and dad also visited the DL Kindergarten classrooms earlier this morning. Not only did Mr. and Mrs. Moura bring a slideshow about their family they also brought a craft project where students made peacocks, which is their son Evan's favorite animal from their trips to Portugal. The students had a blast!
FARLEY HOME and SCHOOL UPDATES
PLEASE JOIN OUR NEXT HOME & SCHOOL MEETING!
Please join Farley's Home and School Association's next meeting on Wednesday, February 7th at 6:00pm. We will meet in the library. Free childcare will be provided! You can also attend virtually using this link: meet.google.com/kyj-jsgf-abr
SPIRIT WEAR IS BACK!
Farley is excited to announce that all new spirit wear is back just in time for the holidays! Spirit Wear is clothing that celebrates and represents Farley Elementary. Click here to place an order or use the QR Code. Choose your own style and color. Items are shipped directly to you!
OTHER UPDATES AND REMINDERS
NEW PROGRAM TO HELP SUPPORT ALL STUDENTS!
Click the links below to find out more information about this new opportunity and free webinars that support students' and families' mental health!
WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL
As we enter cold and flu season, Farley nurses wanted to remind families of when students should be kept at home when they are sick. Please read the list below.
When to keep your child home from school
- If a child is unable to fully participate fully in all school activities because of illness or injury, has a contagious condition, or has a rash with an unknown cause.
- Child must be fever-free (oral temperature of less than 100° F) for at least the last 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
- Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours or unable to eat normally.
- A diagnosis of strep throat unless your child has received antibiotic treatment for at least 24 hours.
ONLY PRESCHOOL FAMILIES CAN DROP OFF IN THE PLAYGROUND PARKING LOT
Over the past few months, numerous caregivers have been pulling into that playground parking lot and dropping off their kids so that they do not have to go into the actual car drop-off line. Because of this, it has become increasingly dangerous for our students who walk and their families who accompany them. Administration, teachers, our custodian, interpreters, Officer Chad, and fellow caregivers who walk their children to school have repeatedly been outside and asked families not to drop off there. I have also contacted specific families directly and still they continue to not follow protocol. Please remember, the ONLY families who get to use that lot for drop off and pickup are PRESCHOOL families. In order for everyone to be safe, please refrain from parking in that lot and dropping or picking up your children there. We thank you in advance your cooperation.
YEARBOOK PICTURES NEEDED
Grade 4 caregivers, Meghan Freitas and Lainie Dougherty, are heading up the 4th grade yearbook this year! In order to have the most colorful yearbook possible, they needs lots of pictures! They are hoping to get a jump start on collecting pictures from the teachers and caregivers. They have created an email where pictures can be sent. If you have any pictures, both past and present, that would be great for the yearbook, please email them to: farleyfox2024@gmail.com. Thank you Lainie and Meghan for donating your time to this!
FARLEY FAMILY DIRECTORY IS COMPLETE!
Home and School has finished compiling all the contact information voluntarily submitted by Farley families for our school directory. The directory is linked below. Please note that this directory is published for the private use of Farley Elementary School Families only. This directory is for the personal use of the authorized reader and cannot be shared (including on social media), duplicated, or used for commercial purpose.
If you need to make any changes, would like to be added to the January edition please use the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSff1IG-Xt95f2rCz0YhdinmH1fHLsZ8DZcdVdfbSqP1N8qFgg/viewform.
Thank you to caregiver Sarah Tracy for creating the directory!
2023-2024 Home and School Farley Family DirectoryATTENDANCE LETTER RECAP
We are at the start of a NEW YEAR. It's time to change those attendance habits and make sure you child comes to school everyday and comes to school ON TIME.
To make sure those hopes and dreams are realized, I want to ask for your commitment to making sure your child attends school every day possible this year. The evidence is clear: children with good attendance are more likely to be successful in school and in life. Research shows that high attendance rates in elementary school are directly linked to high student achievement in high school and college.
Every day counts. Missing school even 10% of the time has a significant impact on reading and math achievement as children progress through school. Good attendance starts early. Attendance habits established Kindergarten through Grade 2 have lasting effects on students throughout their education: students with low attendance in the early grades are more likely to have low attendance—and lower academic performance—throughout middle and high school. Irregular attendance is also associated with higher high school drop-out rates.
As caregivers, you are your child’s most influential teacher, I am asking for your support in helping your child get to school every day and to get to school on time-by 8:35 every day. We realize that every family faces challenges. Please let your child’s teacher know if your family needs help dealing with a challenge to your child’s good school attendance. We will do our best to help you and your family ensure that your child’s school attendance stays on track.
Like last year, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has mandated that families, whose children have 5 or more absences or 5 or more tardies be formally notified, in written form, of their child’s attendance. While Farley keeps accurate records of which absences are “excused” and “unexcused” the DESE does NOT distinguish between “excused” and “unexcused” absences.
Every school in the Hudson district will be sending these letters home twice month. Please do NOT worry or panic if you receive one of these notifications. We understand that kids, especially elementary age, get sick more often, have medical appointments, etc. We also understand that Covid-19 and the flu are still an issue. Farley staff always reaches out personally-via email or phone if attendance or tardies are a true concern. We like to work one-on-one with families to help rectify any attendance issues that arise. So, again, if you receive a letter in the mail, do not fret.
DON'T FORGET TO ATTEND MS. SUSANA'S PORTUGUESE STORY HOUR!
PAW PRINT REWARD STICKERS!
Students get Paw Print Stickers for going above and beyond. When a staff member "catches" them doing something spectacular, they get two stickers-one to wear and one to put on their homeroom Fox poster. When their classroom Fox poster fills up with stickers, they get to have a classroom celebration. If you see a paw print on your child's clothing or backpack, please ask them why they got it.
"ALL THINGS TECHNOLOGY"
At the beginning of the year, Ellen Schuck, the Head of Technology for the district, sent out one of her Technology Newsletters. This publication has essential information about all things related to HPS technology, including how caregivers can access the "ASPEN Parent Portal". Below is the link to her newsletter.
HUDSON IS HIRING!
Farley has filled all of their paraprofessional positions but is still in need of substitutes. We are looking for both day-to-day subs and permanent building subs. Day-to-Day subbing offers employees a flexible schedule. Our Permanent Building Substitute works every day but in a variety of classrooms. The permanent building substitute job is a salaried, benefit eligible position. If you are interested or would like more information, please feel free to email Mrs. Scanlon @ rscanlon@hudson.k12.ma.us or Mrs. Duke @ amduke@hudson.k12.ma.us directly to set up an interview. You can also apply online using the link below:
https://www.hudson.k12.ma.us/departments/human_resources/employment_opportunities
IN NEED OF FOOD ASSISTANCE?
For help with food throughout the year, head to the MetroWestFoodCollaborative.org. In addition, "The Find Food Menu" on the MWFC website offers information about other food resources, where to find SNAP & HIP retailers, local farmer's markets and CSAs. Lastly, click the link or pictures below to get specific information about food options/distribution for Hudson residents.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GgOhaseQU4WCfjeKki-oMRrG_xQ3e7D4/view?usp=sharing
DON'T FORGET TO #EXPLAINYOURBRAIN
Farley's Instructional Focus is getting all students to "explain their brains" across all content areas. Whenever possible, don't forget to ask your child to explain their thinking and reasoning.
Farley Elementary School
Email: rscanlon@hudson.k12.ma.us
Website: https://cafarley.hudson.k12.ma.us/
Location: 119 Cottage Street, Hudson, MA, USA
Phone: 978-567-6153