Haynes Elementary School
Welcome Back
News and Updates
Back to School Edition
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
It is my pleasure and honor to introduce myself as your new interim principal for Josiah Haynes Elementary School. I am truly looking forward to working our K-5 students and their families. This is my 23rd year in education, serving in various roles throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Like you, I am a parent as well. My husband and I recently celebrated our 31st year of marriage. Our oldest daughter, Meaghan, was married last year and works as an oncology nurse practitioner. Our younger daughter, Nicole, was married this summer and is a pediatric nurse practitioner. Although our children are adults, we often talk about their elementary school experiences and the impact those classrooms had on their lives. As a parent, I can remember the first time I dropped them off to kindergarten and the mixed emotions of sadness, pride, and excitement. I still share those emotions each time they accomplish a new milestone. I am sure all of you know exactly what I am referring to as we begin to think about that first day of school.
I hope your summer vacation(s) have been filled with much happiness and relaxation. I am proud to say that our Haynes team has been preparing for opening day. Some of our teachers have begun working on setting up their classrooms. They have been meeting with new staff in planning lessons, reviewing curriculum, and assisting me in getting to know more about Josiah Haynes Elementary School. We are preparing for an exciting year ahead to support all of our students as they enter through our doors.
Our office is now open once again, resuming our normal hours of 7:45 a.m. - 4 p.m. each weekday. Please note, on Monday and Tuesday, August 29 and 30, our office and building will be open with limited hours to accommodate staff opening day preparation and meetings.
This newsletter also serves to provide you with some first day of school information, updates on staffing, and some important dates to consider as we begin the school year. Please feel free to reach out to our office staff should you have any questions. We are here to help in ensuring a smooth transition into the new school year.
The Haynes staff and I look forward to a wonderful school year together our Haynes community, families, and students!
Sincerely,
Dr. Nadine Ekstrom
Introducing Our New Assistant Principal - Ms. Lisa Williams
Ms. Williams comes to us from Lexington Public Schools. She will be working at General John Nixon Elementary School and Josiah Haynes Elementary School. Ms. Williams has been preparing for the beginning of the school year and is eager to meet with students and their families.
New Staffing Announcements
Haynes Elementary has some new amazing staff to introduce:
Corinne Jackman - School Nurse
Ms. Jackman comes to us from Natick Public Schools where she worked as a School Nurse.
Stephanie Burrell - First Grade Teacher
Ms. Burell comes to us from Nixon Elementary School and she also spent several years here at Haynes as a First Grade Teacher.
Meaghan Capone – Third Grade Teacher
Ms. Capone comes to us from Lincoln Public Schools where she was a Third Grade Teacher. Meaghan also spent time in the Sudbury Public Schools as a special education teaching assistant and a substitute teacher.
Hillary DeGroff - Third Grade Teacher
Ms. HIllary DeGroff comes to us from Lexington Public Schools where she was a Fourth Grade Teacher. Before her time at Lexington, Hillary taught first grade and was a teacher assistant.
Jennifer Brinigar- Fourth Grade Teacher
Ms. Jennifer Brinigar will be joining us as a Fourth Grade Teacher where she spent time here at Haynes as a Long Term Substitute in Fourth Grade and has also worked as a special education assistant and First Grade Long Term Substitute.
Andrea Halverson - Fourth Grade Teacher
Ms. Andrea Halverson comes to us from Hudson Public Schools where she was a Fourth Grade Teacher. Before her time in Hudson, Andrea taught third and fifth grade.
Patrice Haney – Long Term Substitute Fifth Grade Teacher
Ms. Haney will be joining us as a Long Term Substitue in Fifth Grade until Mrs. Christina Grassetti returns. Patrice did her teaching training here at Haynes last school year in First Grade.
Zoe Perry-Wood - School Psychologist
Ms. Wood comes to us from Danvers Public School District where she worked as a School Psychologist.
Paige Clark - Special Education Teacher
Ms. Clark comes to us from Lawrence Public School District where she worked as a Special Education Teacher.
Alisha Sharp - Learning Center Teacher
Ms. Alisha Sharp comes to us from Norwich, Vermont School District where she worked in special education with a speciality in reading intervention. Prior to working in Vermont, Alisha worked in New York in second and third grade, as well as, 7th grade working in special education.
Julia Long - STEPS Special Education Teacher
Ms. Long comes to us from Loring Elementary School where she was the Lead Teacher in their Special Education Program.
Shawna Collins - Partners K-2 Special Education Teacher
Ms. Collins comes to us from the New England Center For Children.
Simone McHugh – Building Substitute
Ms. McHugh worked at Haynes Elementary school as a substitute teacher last spring and also did her student teaching at Haynes in First Grade last school year.
Roberta Unger - Building Substitute
Ms. Unger joins us from Loring Elementary School where she has many years of substitute teaching experience working across our district.
Alan Standrowicz – Lunch Recess Monitor
Mr. Standrowicz will return as a Lunch and Recess Monitor for this school year. For the past two years Alan worked at Haynes as a Building Based Substitute and he is also employed at our before and after school program through SED.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
We appreciate your review and consideration of this important safety plan as the safety of all students is our number one priority. This will ensure the safety of all students and an efficient drop-off and pick up each day.
The goal of arrival and dismissal is safety, remember we don't have to rush we just want everyone to be safe. Thank you for your patience with us, especially in the opening days of school and during inclement weather.
Back To School Supply List
Back to School Forms
Now is the time to complete a Back to School Packet for each of your children at Haynes. If you haven't already, please be sure to log into the Aspen Family Portal where you will be able to see your child(ren)'s classroom teacher assignment. You'll also need to complete the following for each child attending Haynes this year:
- Update/confirm emergency contact information
- Submit daily dismissal plans
- Update health information (including medication permissions)
- Grant permissions for use of technology, publications and HOP directory information sharing
Until such permission is given, it will be assumed that permission is denied. Timely completion of first day packets through the Aspen Family Portal will enhance student safety and access to resources.
Families with children entering Kindergarten or who are new to Haynes received a USPS mailing with their placement information. New families will receive Aspen login information shortly.
Free Lunch - Announcement from our Coordinator of Food Service
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has decided to extend free school meals for all students through the 2022-2023 school year! This means that breakfast and lunch will continue to be served at no cost to all students.
Please note that even though meals will be free for all, it is very important for eligible families to still complete the household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2022-2023 school year.
You can view and complete the application here: Sharing Form. We strongly encourage ALL eligible
families to submit this form as it allows us to establish eligibility for P-EBT benefits, waive other benefits, and serve families most effectively.
In addition, please consider applying for SNAP, the federal nutrition program that provides eligible
residents with monthly financial assistance to purchase groceries. More SNAP information can be found at gettingsnap.org or by calling Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.
The Food and Nutrition Department at Sudbury Public Schools thanks you and grateful for the
opportunity to provide nourishing and healthy meals to all Sudbury Public Schools Students.
Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns by email at spsfoodservices@sudbury.k12.ma.us or call us (978)639-3228.
FY2022 - FY2023 Calendar
Please look at our FY2023 school calendar for Josiah Haynes Elementary School
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, August 24
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Principal Open House
Thursday, August 25
11:00 a.m. - New Family Orientation (for students entering grades 1-5)
Wednesday, August 31
First Day of School (Grades 1-5)
Kindergarten Welcome Day
Thursday, September 1
Kindergarten Welcome Day
Friday, September 2
Kindergarten Welcome Day
Monday, September 5
Labor Day - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, September 6
First Day of School for Kindergarten
HOP Welcome coffee for new families from 7:55 to 8:30 AM
Monday, September 12
School Picture Day
Wednesday, September 14
Early Release Day (11:45 dismissal)
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - HOP Welcome Back Picnic
Wednesday, September 21
Early Release Day (11:45 dismissal)
Monday, September 26
Rosh Hashanah - NO SCHOOL