MHS/WES Newsletter
Thursday, September 19, 2019
News from the Principal
Responsive Classroom
We are a Responsive Classroom school. We believe the social curriculum is just as valuable as the academic curriculum. During the first few weeks of school, teachers have focused on classroom community building activities and developing positive relationships. They also teach, model, and practice specific classroom expectations and routines. Throughout the school year, teachers will continue to work on communication and problem solving skills as they revisit these expectations. This truly sets the tone for a positive, fun and productive school year. For example, ask your child, “What does it look like, sound like, and feel like when you are greeting a classmate during morning meeting?” The following language prompts can also be used at home.
"I can see..."
"You remembered..."
"Show me..."
"Remind me..."
MHS Open House
Thursday, September 26th, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
This is an opportunity for our kindergarten and first grade students to proudly show off their classrooms and projects to family members. All students and their families are welcome to attend this delightful and busy evening.
MHS/WES Student Handbook
Below are some friendly reminders from our student handbook:
Birthday Celebrations
Due to impending state initiatives and the increasing number of allergies in the school district, we will not be celebrating individual birthdays with items sent in from home. Goodie bags or other items (including food or nonfood items) will not be distributed. Individual teachers may recognize birthdays in a grade appropriate fashion.
Electronics: I-pods, Cell Phones, Etc.
These items are not allowed in school or on the bus. If a student should bring any electronic device, cell phone, or multi-media device etc. to school, WES/MHS is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
Emergency Forms and Medical Information
MHS/WES Important Dates
- September 26~Open House: MHS School (Students and Parents) 6:00-7:00 PM
- September 30~NO SCHOOL: Staff Development
- October 2~MHS/WES Walk to School Day
- October 3, 10 & 17~FREE Parents'/Caregivers' Workshops~See community flyers tab for more information on our website
- October 10~1/2 day (Noon dismissal) at MHS and WES Parent Conferences
- October 14~NO SCHOOL; Columbus Day
- October 17~1/2 day (Noon dismissal) at MHS and WES Parent Conferences
- November 5~No School~Staff Development Day
- November 11~No School~Veteran's Day
- November 21~1/2 day (Noon dismissal)~Parent Conferences
- November 27~1/2 day (Noon dismissal)~All Schools~Thanksgiving Holiday
- November 28 & 29~No School~Thanksgiving
5th Grade Happenings....
Summer feels like a distant memory at this point! It’s hard to believe we have already been back in school for about three weeks! You finally have a fifth grader! This year is off to a great start in all four classrooms. We have spent time building our classroom communities and setting our expectations for the year. Fifth grade is the year to really work on independence as we prepare to send them to middle school. Try to get into good routines early on by having students bring all papers back and forth in their their home-school folders. Planning out when to do assignments over a busy week can be the difference between homework success and homework stress.
You should have received the first Camp Cody class trip packet. Please make sure to note our Camp Cody Parent’s Information Night will be October 1st in the WES cafeteria at 7:00. This is a presentation to inform parents of all aspects of the trip, the planning process and chaperone information.
Parent-teacher conferences will take place on October 10th and October 17th, please get in touch with your child’s classroom teacher if you have not scheduled a conference yet.
Camp Cody (formerly Nature's Classroom) Fundraiser information for 4th and 5th Graders
4th and 5th Grade Parents
Be on the lookout for the upcoming Fundraiser!
Braided Breads and Boon Supply (previously Mixed Bags)
September 30 - October 11.
The profits your child earns on the fundraiser go directly toward their Camp Cody Outdoor Experience tuition.
Information will be going home with your child next week.
Information from our School Counselors~Mrs. Pinkes and Mrs. Kosiak
Communicate with your child's teacher - ask questions,clarify homework, attend parent-teacher conferences, inform teachers of changes at home that might impact your child's day.
Communicate with your child - remember to include your child in conversations about their school day, their homework, their friendships. They may have important insight to share with you. Let their voice be heard.
Respect the school's decisions about protocols - as unnecessary as some rules seem, it's important to understand they exist for a reason. If you aren't sure why we do something a certain way, ask! All protocols are a work in progress to meet the safety needs of you, your child, and all school staff. Please don't speak unkindly of any adults or students at school with or in front of your child. If you don't respect school or the people there, your child won't either.
Let your child fail - children need to experience failure in order to succeed. Letting your child feel sad, frustrated, or nervous sometimes is so important; they will learn that they can overcome such feelings and that they can trust themselves. Protecting your child too much can lead to helplessness and powerlessness, leaving your child lacking the emotional resources needed to cope with inevitable setback and failure. Childhood is the prime time for mistakes; let it happen and support your child along the way. (Lahey, J., Jan. 2103; The Atlantic.com)
How can your School Counselors help? We help meet the needs of students by proactively teaching safe, respectful, and responsible behaviors in classrooms, small groups, and individually. We strive for a comprehensive school counseling program, which means that ALL students have access to their School Counselor throughout the year.
Mrs. Pinkes and Mrs. Kosiak
News from Third Grade
“Where is the dot?”, “How do I make the @?” These are some of the questions we’re hearing from third graders as they type in their gmail addresses to log on to our new touch-screen chromebooks, during these first few weeks of school. These new devices work with Google’s education software to allow students to collaborate and communicate with each other and their teachers. Third grade teachers are excited to use tools, such as Google Classroom to help students organize their work and receive feedback. The progression from iPads to the new chromebooks gives us the opportunity to better integrate technology in the classroom and we look forward to exploring what they have to offer.
Music News September 2019 – Mr. Lucander
Welcome back everyone; I hope your year has started off well! The music rooms are getting very busy in the classrooms and with each ensemble so here is what is happening.
Grade K -The kindergarten students are starting to settle in as we learn our classroom rules of behavior. We are doing lots of singing right away with Twinkle Twinkle, the ABC’s, Happy Birthday songs, and the Animal Fair! They are learning about singing and matching pitch instead of yelling music. In addition, they are working on playing a simple echo of rhythm.
Grade 1 -These kids reviewed all of the old patriotic songs at the start of the year and their voices are starting to develop more! They review old K songs for fun, and have worked on rhythm quite a bit. One of the great new songs is called Ti-Dee-Oh, which uses beanbags while singing.
Grade 2 -This is the year we start to really get kids to read and write rhythm-using quarter, eighth notes, and quarter rests using flash cards, and simple 4 measure repeated patterns. Student can say rhythms, say/play rhythms and then play rhythms while they think it. My motto is that if you can think/sing it, you can play it.
Grade 3 -The rhythm unit in the fall involves review and the learning of longer sustaining notes like half and whole notes/rests. They are playing all of these rhythms using our keyboards. Many students have signed up to be in band this year, if you are still interested, contact me through email at the school. It is not too late!
Grade 4/5 -These students are reviewing and learning rhythm using whole through 16th notes as well as learning about 8th note triplets, meters, time signatures, and they will be reading and writing all of this. They will also learn how to play in multiple parts as they develop independence from another part that is playing. In addition, it is not too late to join band, contact me through the school email.
A BAND (Advanced) -The A band has already been preparing for their first performance as they once again, kick off the Westminster Cracker Festival on October 19 at 10am. We hope to see you there. They should have their holiday music at this point too. The holiday concert will be on 12/16.
B Band (Beginner) -All new instrumentalists in B Band have started lessons this week. The 1st B Band practice will be on 10/23 from 3-4pm. Be sure to send a note to classroom teachers when your child is staying after for music lessons/B Band.
Chorus -Chorus is open to grades 4 and 5 and meets on Fridays from 3-4pm. The permission slip to join will come out in the next few days and will be passed out to classrooms. The 1st 70 that sign up get to be in. Members from last year still need to pass the slip in as well. The Holiday concert is on 12/16, please do not sign up if the child can’t come to that performance. They will also perform at the town tree lighting on 12/1.
Jazz Band -The members from the spring 2019 jazz band will rehearse on 10/9 and 10/16 immediately after A band practice on that day. The rehearsal will be 3:45-4:30pm. They will also be performing at the Cracker Festival on 10/19!
WALK TO SCHOOL DAY IS SCHEDULED!!
Walk to School Day
is Almost Here!
On Wednesday, October 2nd, Meetinghouse and Westminster Elementary students will be participating in Walk to School Day. Our students will be picked up at their regular bus stops in the morning and dropped off at Aubuchon Hardware Warehouse Driveway (95 Aubuchon Drive, Westminster). Extended day students will also be picked up at WES and brought to Aubuchon. From there, all the children will walk with teachers and staff to their schools accompanied by the Westminster Police and Fire Departments.
Those children driven to school who wish to participate will be dropped off at the VFW at 3 Eaton Street. Teachers and volunteers will be there to assist. Please make sure children are not dropped off earlier than normal (drop off time is 8:20 am). In addition, you will be asked to drop your child off and move quickly through the line due to NO PARKING at the VFW for children's safety.
If you request your child not participate, please send a note to the school by Friday, September 27th. If you have any questions, please contact Ally Law, RN, BSN at 978-874-0163 x 304, or email alaw@awrsd.org.
Thank you for helping to promote our student’s physical health and well-being!
Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) Program FREE Parents’/Caregivers’ Workshops
Supporting Children’s Positive Behavior:
Effective & Practical Strategies
for Guiding Children’s
Social & Emotional Learning
Join us for any or all workshops for parents/caregivers of young children:
· Session 1 - Powerful Tools for Nurturing Relationships
· Session 2 - Why Children Do What They Do
· Session 3 - Practical and Effective Strategies and Techniques for Challenges
Thursday mornings in October from 9 -11AM October 3rd; 10th, 17th
J.R. Briggs School next to Learning Tree Preschool, 96 Williams Road, Ashburnham
(Contact us if you need childcare – we can accommodate some needs for child care.)
Fill your toolbox with good ideas!
RSVP to Jana Harrison, CFCE Coordinatorjharrison@awrsd.org; phone: 978-874-0163
Sponsored by a grant from the MA Dept. of Early Education and Care