MHS/WES Newsletter
Friday, October 1, 2021
Important Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, October 13~Walk to School Day
Wednesday, October 13~MHS/WES School Improvement Council 4:15 p.m. WES Library
Wednesday, October 13~PTO Meeting 6:30 p.m. WES Library
Monday, October 18~Kindergarten Picture Day and retakes or absent student
Thursday, October 21~ 1/2 Day of School~Professional Development
Tuesday, November 2~No School~Election Day
MHS/WES School Improvement Council
We are looking for 1 community member to participate in our School Improvement Council Meetings. This community member does not have any children in our schools, but has an interest in improving our schools for the better. The Council meets once a month to discuss our improvement plan. If you are interested in participating in our School Improvement Council please email Kathy Taylor, Principal at ktaylor@awrsd.org
Walk to School Day - October 13th
MHS & WES are partners of the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Program, a federally-funded initiative of MassDOT, promoting safe walking and biking to school to decrease traffic congestions, increase physical health and better the environment.
On October 13th, MHS & WES students will be participating in the International Walk to School Month, an internationally recognized walk to school day promotion. Students will be picked up at their regular bus stops in the morning and will be dropped off at the Aubuchon Warehouse driveway (95 Aubuchon Drive, Westminster). The first bus (after they have dropped off their students) will then go to WES and pick up the students from Extended Day and bring them to Aubuchon’s. From the Aubuchon location ALL children will walk with teachers and staff to their schools.
The Westminster Police and Fire Departments are also partners in this event and will be on hand to help ensure both pedestrian and traffic safety.
AM Drop-offs: Those children who are usually driven to school and who wish to participate can also be be dropped off at Aubuchon's.
The walk is intended to serve many purposes. These goals include:
- To remind children and parents about the range of transportation choices;
- To teach students important lifelong walking safety skills;
- To create an awareness among drivers;
- To demonstrate the health benefits for our children through regular exercise;
- To improve the physical health, environmental health, and safety of our students;
- To have fun and strengthen our community connection.
If you request that your child not participate, please call or email the school by Friday, October 8th.
OPEN HOUSE AT MEETINGHOUSE SCHOOL K & 1
Students are welcome to come and show off their school to their families. You may come anytime between 6:00-7:00 p.m. to visit MHS.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Pictures Re-Takes and Absentee students
Third Grade News
Fifth Grade News!!
Fifth grade is such an important year and it is so great to have our students in front of us for five days a week this year! We always spend a lot of time discussing expectations and establishing routines at the beginning of the year, but this year we are doubling down on these efforts more than ever! This is particularly important due to the circumstances of the past two school years being so greatly affected by the pandemic. Our goal is to build relationships and confidence so that the last year of elementary school is a smooth and positive learning experience for all students.
Along with the team building activities, fifth grade has begun units across all subject areas. In math, we will continue to use the Bridges program. The goal of this program is to make lessons engaging and accessible to all learners. Lessons are delivered by direct instruction, structured investigation and open exploration. We are working on a lot of fundamentals with reading and writing in ELA, a Colonial Unit in Social Studies and Earth’s Systems in Science.
Lastly, all teachers have noticed students are struggling a bit with being tired at school now that we are back to five days a week. Many fifth graders have shared some of their sleeping and screen time habits and we think this could be a major factor! It is very helpful for students to get plenty of sleep in order to set them up for success each day! We appreciate any help with this!
Music News - September 2021 - Mr. Lucander
Welcome back everyone, I hope your school year is starting off great! Here is my news for each grade level music class, the Bands, and the Chorus!
Grade K+1 -Our Meetinghouse kids are getting used to singing some fun songs and doing hand motions while they have fun doing the ABC’s, Twinkle Twinkle, various versions of Happy Birthday, and the Animal Fair. They also have learned how to echo rhythms by drumming.
Grade 2+3 -They have been working at learning rhythms by rote and by reading quarter notes, eighth notes, and quarter rests.
Grade 4+5 -These students should have their own 3 ring binder which will be holding various packets and papers, which they need to bring into each class. They have been reviewing their level 1 keyboard notes in class, but will be starting a big unit on rhythm.
BAND!!! -Our Beginning Band (B Band) has been starting to form and we have the biggest crop of beginners ever at WES, with OVER 60 NEW students and it keeps growing every day! It is not too late to sign up, so just email me at the school, I can have my assistant Director help you get squared away. Come join our band, and do a highly educational/worthwhile activity that is both challenging and fun! Lessons have begun this week already after school and the B Band rehearsals will start on 10/15 from 3-4pm. For additional questions, please contact my assistant director, Mrs. Jean Popik at wesmusicprogram01473@gmail.com for more details.
-Our Advanced Band (A Band) has been practicing already and will be performing at the Westminster Cracker Festival from 10-11am. By the way, Mr. Lucander will also be performing with his classic rock band Mr. Strickland at 1pm-2:45pm!
Chorus!!! -Sign ups for Chorus have closed and rehearsals have started on Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00
PTO updates
Look for the flyer coming home this week (and included with this newsletter) with directions to sign up for the PTO. Becoming a member gives you free access to the student directory and does not require a time commitment unless you choose to attend meetings or volunteer.
Our next meeting is October 13 at 6:30 in the WES Library. A link will also be sent out with the option to join through Google Meet. A main focus will be the upcoming Boosterthon Fun Run. The Fun Run is scheduled for November 12. More information to follow.
Connect with us:
https://westminster.ptboard.com/
2021 FLU CLINIC SCHEDULE
The Nashoba Associated Boards of Health, in partnership with your local board of
health, will be providing flu clinics throughout the district in October. Nashoba
will be using an online registration system (COLOR) for the convenience of our
residents instead of the paper form. To access the online registration, click on the
registration link for the specific clinic and age group. Appointments are based
upon the availability of vaccine and walk-ins will be accepted as vaccine supplies
allow; residents can attend any district clinic.
WHO: Nashoba district residents may attend ANY of our clinics. Visit our website
for the complete listing of clinics. ALL ages, including infants (6 months old & up)
through seniors, refer to our website for specific age restrictions.
WHAT: Annual Seasonal Influenza Vaccine (quadrivalent), preservative free for 18
years of age and younger, High Dose for seniors 65 and older.
* Please bring your photo ID and insurance cards to the clinic.
Answers to FAQs:
We will provide only inactivated, injectable influenza vaccine (no nasal/live
vaccines)
All influenza vaccines are quadrivalent (protect against 4 strains of influenza)
We will offer High Dose flu vaccine for seniors aged 65 years and older
We can vaccinate ALL ages starting at 6 months old, adults, & seniors
We only provide influenza vaccine at the clinics
We expect attendees to respect all social distancing & mask wearing is required
We expect people will NOT come to clinic if they are sick with ANY signs of illness