"Paw Prints"
Farley Elementary School's Weekly Family Update
THOUGHTS and THANKS
Dear Farley Families,
What a delightful Friday! The school-wide pajama day was a huge success. Students looked adorable and were visibly excited when they walked into the building today. I always try to greet the students outside my office every morning and today students couldn't wait to stop by and ask me if I was ready to be slimed! They were all very concerned that I was going to ruin my fox PJ pants and slippers. At the end of the day, we all went to the gym for the sliming--it was a blast! Each fourth grader got to dump a cup of slime over my head and then Officer Chad and Mrs. Duke finished the job! Experience some of the fun with us by clicking on the videos below. Thank you to Tara S, Erika A, and Jess C for helping before and during the event.
Other special thanks this week goes second grader Ryan Loureiro and his family! A few weeks ago when I mentioned in one of my communications that we just shy of our $30,000 fundraising goal, I got a message from Ryan's father wanting to know if he could make up the difference so that we could reach goal. Needless to say, I was speechless by his generosity. Within days, Mr. Loureiro was in touch with Fun Run organizer Tara Sagor and just like that we met our goal! Today, Ryan, Nora and Zachary Ankstitus, and Harrison Provencher-our top 4 student fundraisers (pictured above)-got to help Tara make the slime that was eventually poured over my head! They had a blast. Other thanks this week goes to caregiver Lindsey Patterson for lending us her kiddie pool and to students Ryan Millson for loaning me a pair of his goggles to help protect my eyes and Noah and Isiah Sagor for my cool "Slime Time" t-shirt. The joy was palpable all day!
We are now almost two full months into the 2023-2024 school year and I know that you have many hopes and dreams for the days to come. 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.
This weekend, I'm making a special fall-themed treat for Farley staff to give to them during their professional development day next week. Remember, there is no school for students on that day-Wednesday, October 25th. Picture day is also October 23rd-feel free to practice smiling for the camera with your little ones! Have a lovely weekend! Stay dry!
Read Always,
Rachel Scanlon (she, her, hers)
Principal
NEED TO KNOWS:
October 23rd:
- Picture Day-Fliers with information were sent home this week.
October 25th:
- No School for students
November 1st:
- Home and School Meeting @ 6:00pm. Join in person in the library or online: meet.google.com/kyj-jsgf-abr
November 15th and 16th:
- Half day for students
- Caregiver Conferences-more information to come next week!
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHTS
MRS. SCZERBINSKI'S WACKY WEDNESDAY
MRS. MAGUIRE SAYS ARTSONIA IS FOR EVERYONE!
Here is a message from Mrs. Maguire our Art Teacher,
Hello Farley Families,
The Elementary Visual Arts Department is excited to announce the start of Artsonia in the coming weeks. Artsonia is the World’s Largest Student Art Museum. Yet it’s so much more than that! It’s a free, safe, educational program designed to connect parents and families with their child’s creative activities at school. Students will upload their own artwork at school and have the ability to upload artwork from home. See here for more information: Six Tips for Understanding Artsonia or About Artsonia
If you would NOT like to participate at this time please click this link to OPT-OUT by October 22. If you would like to participate please wait until next week for your school code and we will get started!
My hope is to start uploading student work before the end of October. Should you have any questions please feel free to email me at cpmaguire@hudson.k12.ma.us
Thanks so much,
Cassia Maguire
Visual Arts Teacher
C.A. Farley Elementary School
RTI SPOTLIGHT
WHAT IS RTI?
All students at Farley take part in an RTI block. Response to Intervention (RTI) at Farley refers to the reading and math support given to students as a part of the regular education curriculum. It aims to make sure every child gets the help they need to succeed in math and reading. During the RTI block, students work in small groups of 3-4 students to achieve the goals determined by the literacy and math assessments as well as teacher observations. Regular education RTI may be provided by classroom teachers, math or reading interventionists, ESL teachers, special education teachers, and paraprofessionals. Small groups, instructors, and goals change over the year, as students’ skills develop. If your child is receiving intervention services you will get an email that explains your child’s reading and/or math goal. We monitor student progress every 6-8 weeks and will keep you updated on your child’s progress. For more information about RTI, go to What is Response to Intervention (RTI)? | RTI Action Network.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
A BLAST FROM THE PAST-MS. COLE!
This year, Mrs. Scanlon was pleasantly surprised to see that one of her own former middle school students had applied to be a paraeducator at Farley. Ms. Caitlyn Cole graduated from Westfield State with a degree in Criminal Justice but shortly after graduation, she realized that line of work wasn't for her. Instead, her true passion was working with kids everyday. She now wants to go back to school to become a licensed teacher. She thought becoming a paraeducator would be the best way to get her the experience she needs to be a teacher. Ms. Cole is now one of our newest paras in our Grades 3 and 4 Language Based Program. Welcome back to HPS!
FARLEY HOME and SCHOOL ASSOCIATION UPDATES
PLEASE JOIN OUR NEXT HOME AND SCHOOL MEETING!
Pleas join Farley's Home and School Association's next meeting on Wednesday, November 1st 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
OTHER UPDATES AND REMINDERS
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://drive.google.com/file/d/12rqfjNoeFiZ_xDe9l3aU8lcdkYurOv_O/view?usp=sharing. Thank you to caregiver Sarah Tracy for creating the directory!
DON'T FORGET TO ATTEND MS. SUSANA'S PORTUGUESE STORY HOUR!
WANT TO PLAY BASKETBALL?
Click the links to see how you can sign up for a basketball clinic!
Basketball Flier-EnglishWANT TO PLAY LACROSSE?
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"
Two weeks ago, Ellen Schuck, the Head of Technology for the district, sent out her Technology Newsletter. 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 is has filled all of their paraprofessional position but is still in need of Similar to last year, the Hudson Public Schools is 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
NEED MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SCHOOL AND THE DISTRICT?
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