Haynes Happenings
News & Notes from Josiah Haynes Elementary School
August 30, 2021
Principal's Message
Welcome back to school! I look forward to joining with your children and you in another meaningful, productive and fun year of learning, working, building, creating, playing and celebrating together.
The onset of summer brought the hope of a return to normalcy with the start of the new school year. Now that we are days away from opening our doors for the new school year, we recognize that normalcy may still be a ways away. That said, we have never been more excited to start a school year. After all, it has been 17 months since our entire school community was together under one roof at once!
As a community of educators and parents, we are smarter and more nimble than ever. We are sharper with technology. We are even more adept at prioritizing the most impactful learning targets. We continue our prioritization of students' emotional needs, mindful of the tenet that students need to be ready to learn before they can learn. We learned a lot in the last year and a half, and are ready to put those lessons and best practices into play for our students.
Please carefully review the information below, and check off the items requiring action ahead of opening day. As always, the Haynes team and I are available to you to address your concerns and answer any questions.
I look forward to welcoming your children and you on opening day!
Sincerely,
Jeff LaBroad
Principal
Reminder: Back to School Forms Due Now
If you haven't already, please be sure to log in to 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 should complete the dismissal plan emailed to you; all other forms were completed at the time of enrollment. New families will receive Aspen login information shortly.
Sudbury Establishes COVID Mitigation Plan for September Opening
- MASKS are worn by everyone when in the building.
- PHYSICAL DISTANCING will be maximized indoors whenever practical. Students' "home base" desks will be spaced three or more feet.
- LUNCH will be eaten in the cafeteria, where students will sit six or more feet apart from one another.
- SNACK will be eaten outdoors (or in the cafeteria in inclement weather).
- MASK BREAKS will be scheduled in addition to each grade's daily recess.
- HANDWASHING has been included in each grade's daily schedule and teachers will be coaching students on this practice.
- OUTDOOR SPACE will be used during the instructional day by students and educators when it is practical to do so.
Individuals are not required to wear masks or maintain physical distance when outside, though students who do choose to wear masks outside will be supported to do so.
Parents dropping off items like forgotten lunches, etc., should ring the front bell. One of our team members will assist you. A cart by the door is also available to leave items for us to collect. Please pre-label any items with the student's name and classroom.
Complete the SPS COVID Readiness Form for Each Student
Arrival and Dismissal Directions
Please review these guidelines carefully. Your cooperation with this plan ensures the safety of all students and an efficient drop-off and pick up each day.
The goal of arrival and dismissal is safety, not expediency. Thank you for your patience with us, especially in the opening days of school and during inclement weather. Again this year we anticipate a longer than usual carline. Please adjust your morning and after school plans accordingly to allow for a procedurally safe dismissal.
Lunch and Snack Provided at No Charge
Haynes Remains Peanut/Tree Nut-Free
Sudbury Launches Kindergarten Welcome Days September 1-3
Getting Ready for the First Day
- Students in grades 1 through 5 should proceed directly to classrooms. Staff will be present to assist students in finding their classrooms.
- Students have outdoor recess daily. When dressing for school, students are encouraged to wear comfortable, close-toed shoes (sneakers recommended, and required on physical education days). A backpack to carry belongings to and from school is a great idea. Please be sure to label your student's belongings.
- Students should also pack a healthy morning snack and a lunch if not purchasing through our cafeteria. Practice with your younger children to make sure they can open the containers they bring to school.
- Click here to see the school supply lists for each grade. Supplies ordered through HOP will be in classrooms on the first day of school.
The shift from the pace of summer back to school routines can be a tough one for all of us. To help ease the transition, we offer the following tips:
START EARLY: It’s a great idea to begin preparing your routines now, starting with heading to bed and waking at your regularly scheduled time. Other family routines, such as standard reading time or instrument practice can start up before the first day of school, too.
BE READY FOR THE DAY: Students that come to school with everything they need, including lunches, instruments and knowing where they’re going after school are better able to focus on learning. Prepare what you can at night: pack the backpack, lay out clothing, talk about options for breakfast and lunch to minimize morning
madness.
BE READY FOR THE BUS: We encourage a 10-15 minute window at the beginning of the year, as route times are approximations. Be respectful of the time as those not prepared or taking a lot of pictures will delay the route for all. A few minutes at multiple stops will quickly add up to a significant delay for others. For the dismissal route, again, please allow a 10-15 minute window of time. Route times are approximate, not exact.
Click here for a checklist to help prepare for the return to school.
Beth Murray Returns as Haynes Interim Assistant Principal; AP Search planned for September
Please join me in congratulating CARA BLANCHETTE on her appointment to Cristo Rey High School in Boston. We thank Mrs. Blanchette for all she has done to support students, teachers and families in her time at Haynes School.
Welcome New and Returning Faculty and Staff
Haynes is excited to welcome several new (and returning) staff members to our team starting this fall.
Sarah Markowitz is our new Speech and Language Pathologist. Sarah comes to us from the Westwood Public Schools where she most recently served in a similar capacity.
Susan Venturoso is our new Physical Therapist (splitting her time between Loring and Haynes). Susan most recently served as a PT in the Chelsea Public Schools.
Anna Noel is our new Occupational Therapist. Anna joins us following a successful run as an OT at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Sarah McInnis is our new Special Education Teacher. Sarah most recently worked as a special educator and previously as a fourth grade teacher, both in the Belmont Public Schools.
Shaun Reed is our new Partners 3-5 Lead Teacher. Previously Shaun worked at the NECC campus in Southborough, and previously worked in school sites including in Abu Dhabi.
Jennifer Harding is a new Special Education Teaching Assistant. She most recently worked for nearly a decade as an elementary educational support professional in the Marlborough Schools.
Kim Burgess returns to Haynes as a Special Education Teaching Assistant. Kim has served many roles at Haynes in the past, including as a kindergarten teacher, kindergarten teaching assistant and special education teaching assistant. Welcome back, Kim!
Kristyn Traversi returns from her leave of absence as the Haynes School Counselor.
Chelsey Ryan shifts from the Partners 3-5 room to lead the Partners K-2 room.
Sahana Shenoy moves from Library Assistant to Kindergarten Assistant in Angela Spirito’s classroom.
Cathleen “CB” Bradley will shift from Teaching Assistant to Tutor in the Steps program.
Suzanne Foley moves over from Teaching Assistant to ABA Tutor in the Partners program.
Anna Veloutsos will serve as our newest Permanent Building Substitute. Anna will continue as one of our two crossing guards in the morning and afternoon.
Finally, two staff members changed their names this summer:
- Ms. Marshall is now Ms. Flashner
- Ms. Francer is now Ms. Hansen
You can find the complete Haynes Staff Directory here.
Congratulations and Thank You!
Since we celebrated the planned departures and transitions of some of our educators at the end of last year, five more teachers have news to share.
Congratulations to Partners Tutors RACHEL AUCOIN, who accepted a first grade teaching position in Worcester, and EMILY SWEET, who relocated with her family to New Hampshire. Congrats to Teaching Assistant AMANDA LOW on her appointment as a fifth grade teacher in Swampscott, and to Partners Lead JEN DAVIDSON, who begins a new role at the New England Center for Children. CONOR RAULT also departed this summer for his next professional endeavor.
Calendar
Wednesday, September 1
First Day of School (Grades 1-5)
Kindergarten Welcome Day
Thursday, September 2
Kindergarten Welcome Day
Friday, September 3
Kindergarten Welcome Day
Monday, September 6
Labor Day - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, September 7
Rosh Hashanah - NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, September 8
First Day of School for Kindergarten
5:00-7:00 HOP Welcome Back Picnic
Wednesday, September 15
ILAP Early Release Day
Thursday, September 16
Yom Kippur - NO SCHOOL
Haynes Happenings
Website: sudbury.k12.ma.us/haynes
Location: 169 Haynes Road, Sudbury, MA, USA
Phone: 978-443-1093