LAW Principal's Corner
October 2022
Dear LAW Families,
It was so wonderful to see so many families attending our first in-person Open House since 2019! According to our data, approximately 80% of our students/families attended!
We are excited that we are finally able to provide after school enrichment clubs this fall. Thanks to Michelle Scally and the ASPTO for setting up these fun after school clubs! Registration is already completed and they will begin soon.
Additionally, Mrs. Swenson our Music teacher will be starting an after school chorus later in this month for students in grades 4 and 5. She will be sending out a flyer with more information in the near future. These students will be working on a few performances throughout the school year for parents to attend! We are certainly looking forward to this opportunity for our students!
Teachers will be sending homework home this school year. Please encourage your child to complete the required assignments and to bring them back to school when they are due. Homework assignments will help strengthen the lessons taught in school and build a stronger foundation for the next lesson to come.
At LAW we strive to have our students be responsible, kind, respectful, and to take pride in their work and school while being safe throughout the school day. We want our students to be good citizens and we know this can only work as long as we support each other.
Thank you,
Beth Lewis, Principal
Courtney Noll, Asst. Principal
Spirit Day - Panther Pride Day- Wear School Colors - Oct. 21st
Important Dates to Remember
Oct. 3-17 - ASPTO Fundraiser - MCM Bread and Cookie Dough
Oct. 4 - School Committee Meeting - HS @ 6:30 p.mOct. 8-10 - Fall Family Pictures- sponsored by the ASPTO
Oct. 10 - No School - Columbus Day/Indigenous People's Day
Oct. 11 - ASPTO Meeting @ MS 7:00 - Zoom option available
Oct. 12 - Early Release Day - Dismiss @ 1:45 p.m. (no FLL Gr. 5)
Oct. 14 - School Picture Day
Oct. 17-21 - STEM Week
Oct. 18 - Flu Clinic - Ayer Library 3- 5:30 p.m. all ages 6 mons. and up
Oct. 19 - Half Day of School - dismiss @ 12:15 p.m. (no FLL Gr. 5)
Oct. 20 - Coffee with the Principal 9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m
Oct. 21 - Spirit Day - Wear School Panther Pride Colors
Oct. 24 - Progress Reports Issued K-5
Oct. 24 - 28 Pumpkin Decorating Week
Oct. 25 - Panther Leadership Team first meeting @ 3:15 - 4:15 p.m
Oct. 26 - SEPAC Meeting 6:30 Zoom click on link for more information
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tCM7xhItANaPT0vMvNA6jGSVmz-MkEp0/view?usp=sharing
Oct. 28- Storybook Character Day
First Lego League Schedule for October (3:15-5:00 p.m.)
Grade 4 - 10/3, 10/17, 10/24
Grade 5 - 10/5, 10/26
Please take a few minutes to fill out this 2 question Survey below about a future Family Literacy Night!
Thank you United Way for Making our Playground super fun!
Oct. calendar below was revised after the paper one was sent home. Please refer to this revision. Sorry for the confusion.
Decorate a Pumpkin Patch! It will be "gourd"geous!
A few rules about pumpkin decorating:
- Please do not bring in carved or cut out pumpkins-decorate outside of pumpkin only.
- Use any kind of gourd.
- Be creative and have fun!
If you would like to drop the pumpkins off during after school hours I am usually here on most days until 5:30-6:00 p.m.
Your child will be able to take their pumpkin home on Oct. 28th.
The Importance of Good Attendance
One of the topics we discussed at the Open House parent meeting was the importance of good school attendance. I would like to clarify the process we follow at LAW to help improve attendance situations that may arise.
At LAW:
- We monitor attendance numbers daily.
- Families will receive notices from our office if your child is chronically absent.
- Chronic absenteeism is defined as 10% of the days school has been in session. (Currently school has been in session for approximately 20 days. If your child has missed 2 or 3 days already they are considered chronically absent)
- Parents may be asked to meet with the principal in order to work out a plan if your child's attendance reaches a level of high concern.
- Outside agencies may be involved if attendance issues cannot be resolved between the school administration and the family.
Of course we know your child will get sick and they need to stay home. Please follow the district guidelines for reasons to keep your child home.
Most importantly missing school can be detrimental to your child's academic success. Please remember we are here to assist you should you have difficulties getting your child to attend school.
Open House Night - Thank you parents for your support! Fun night had by all!
STEM Week Oct. 17th -21st
Students will participate in STEM related activites throughout the week!
We will make sure to put plenty of photos of all the wonderful STEM activities in the next November Newsletter!
LAW School Psychologist and Counselor News
Dr. Jayne Garrett School Counselor and Ms. Monica Groulx - School Psychologist
It was wonderful to see so many of you at Open House! If we missed you, please feel free to say hello next time you are at LAW. Students will see us when we are teaching in their classrooms and engaging with children in the school. Parents and guardians are welcome to phone or email with any social, emotional, behavioral health or other concerns. We look forward to working with everyone to make this a great year for students!
The cost of food seems especially high right now. Families who need a little extra help are invited to sign their students up for the LAW Weekend Snack Pack Program. The form can be found here, or email if you prefer that we send home a paper copy.
Happy Fall,
Monica Groulx, School Psychologist, K, 1, & SLC’S
mgroulx@asrsd.org 978-772-8600 x1130
Jayne Garrett, School Counselor.
Grades 2 - 5, jgarrett@asrsd.org 978-772-8600 x1104Small group instruction is such an important part of teaching and learning!
Check out our 4th and 5th Graders learning how to play Disc Golf from the Pros!
Update from Mrs. Noll, Assistant Principal
Do you have concerns about your child’s progress in school with academics, social skills, or other areas? Communicating with the classroom teacher is always the place to start. Please share your concerns with your child’s homeroom teacher as you know your child best.
When a student is not making effective progress, we have a Student Teacher Assistance Team (STAT) that meets to provide support and accommodations for struggling learners. When a student is recommended for a STAT, a team meets to discuss current student performance and areas of concern that includes the classroom teacher, related service providers, guidance counselors, administration, and other appropriate staff. Next, the team puts accommodations and interventions in place for a period of time (typically 6-8 weeks). The team meets again to review the student progress, and make changes to the intervention if necessary. Sometimes, students are referred to be evaluated for Special Education if there is a suspected disability given the lack of progress. Most often, the interventions are proven effective as the student makes effective progress in the areas of concern. If you feel that your child is in need of additional support or have concerns about a lack of progress, please reach out to their classroom teacher.
PBIS
Our PBIS program is up and running successfully. Throughout the school day, students are earning green paws for meeting our expectations of respect, responsibility, communication,
safety, and panther pride. Each week your child is able to shop at the school store to redeem various items using their green paws. Some of this month’s most cherished rewards included water bottles, tee shirts, locker decor, folders, and more!
You may hear your child talking about Golden Paws at home. Each class sets a goal of earning 6 Golden Paws for a class reward. Some classes earn a special theme day such as pajama day or hat day. Other classes may choose to buddy read with another classroom or have a flexible seating day. Golden Paws are a great way to build a classroom community and work together towards a common goal!
Grade 4/5 After School Chorus Coming End of October! Look for flyer in the future!
Panther Leadership Team - Opportunity for Gr. 4 and 5 Students
The Panther Leadership Team is an opportunity for our Grade 4 and 5 students to take on a leadership role in our school. Student leadership is such an important part of our school community. It allows our older students to feel a sense of ownership and pride in their school. It also gives them a voice in decision making and the opportunity to participate in various student-led school events.
We will be sending out an application to grade 4 and 5 students. We will accept the first 40 applicants who properly fulfill the application process. Former PLT members (now gr. 5 students) need only fill out the application and do not need to complete the essay. ,
There will be criteria that students will have to abide by in order to maintain their leadership status once they are on the leadership team (this will be highlighted in the application process).
Meetings will be held after school on the last Tuesday of the month. Once we complete our first meeting at the end of October, we will be able to pull together the calendar for the remainder of the year. Please look for the application form in your child's folder in the next few weeks. First meeting will be held on October 25th from 3:15-4:15 p.m.
We have such wonderful students and staff here at LAW!
Coffee with the Principal
Here is your chance to chat with the principal. I look forward to this opportunity to get to know more parents and to gain insight from a parent's perspective. I will alternate the times to accommodate parents' schedules. Coffee and light refreshments will be available.
The first meeting will be held on Oct. 20th @ 9:15 - 10:00 a.m.
FYI: The meeting in November will be held later in the afternoon, TBA.
Looking forward to this opportunity!
Beth Lewis
Storybook Character Costume Day @ LAW
This year on Oct. 28th students in grades 1-5 can dress up like their favorite storybook character. Classrooms might choose to select a book or book series and all students in that classroom will dress like a character from the same book. Or teachers may just decide to allow their students to pick their own favorite storybook character to portray. Please look for this information in your child's classroom monthly or weekly communication before purchasing or pulling together a costume for your child .
Kindergarten students will be following their own special celebration. Please look for the Kindergarten Newsletter for further details.
Please no weapon-like accessories or scary masks.
Make sure the costume your child wears is comfortable, respectable and able to be worn during recess . Students will wear their costumes to school and be expected to wear it throughout the day.
Some Pics from Spirit Day celebrating Patriots Opening Day at Gillette Stadium!
School Council Members
A School Council is a representative, school building-based committee composed of the principal, parents, teachers, and community members. School Councils were mandated in every public school in Massachusetts by the Education Reform Act of 1993.
There are three major areas of responsibility for School Councils. They are to assist principals in:
- Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards.
- Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school.
- Formulating a school improvement plan.
Each meeting will begin at 3:30 and last for about 45-60 minutes on the following dates througout the school year:
10/18
11/15
1/17
3/21
5/16 if needed
Beth Lewis, Principal 978 772-8600 x 1101
Courtney Noll, Assistant Principal 978 772-8600 x1105
LAW Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mission Statement
At the Lura A. White Elementary School we value diversity, equity, and inclusion. We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual, embrace diverse backgrounds and respect differing points of view to build a strong inclusive community. As we learn together, we draw on the differences in we are.