Haynes Elementary School
The Month of March
News and Updates
March 10, 2023
March Edition
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
Our Haynes community has been very active these past two weeks. The teachers are planning for field trips, spring events in our schools, and have been completing spring benchmark assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics. The students are getting ready for the Spring season as they have begun spring crafts in the younger classrooms and the older students are preparing for the upcoming MCAS assessments.
Our parent/teacher conferences have been a great success this year. Some have met with me and Ms. Williams as well, which we truly appreciate. We have one more week of parent/teacher conferences. If you have not already set up a time to meet with your child's teacher, please email them as soon as possible.
As you may recall, our students were voting on a name for our hawk mascot. The winning name was "Brownie". This past week, Ms. Duckett's class was selected to host Brownie and create the "hawk's nest". Ms. Duckett's class has announced this afternoon that the winner for next week is Ms. Weart's class. This class was selected because Ms. Duckett's class said:
* Ms. Weart's class is always ready at the end of the day;
*They are kind to each other;
*This class is always polite & respectful of each other;
*Ms. Weart's class is friendly to everyone;
* They are good at taking turns and sharing.
Congratulations to Ms. Duckett's class and Ms. Weart's class.
We hope you enjoy this week's newsletter. As always, thank you for your continuous support for Haynes.
Sincerely,
Nadine Ekstrom, Ph.D.
Interim Principal
Cradles to Crayons
Clothing Drive for Massachusetts Children in Need
From March 13 - March 24 Ephraim Curtis Middle School is hosting a clothing drive to benefit children in need in Massachusetts. All items collected will be donated to Cradles to Crayons, a non-profit organization that provides essentials to Massachusetts children who are homeless or in low-income households.
The collection drive has been organized by ECMS 8th grader Maddie D’Amelia, with help from the Curtis Angels. Maddie was chosen to represent Sudbury this year at the annual statewide community service and leadership initiative, Project 351. As part of her role as a Project 351 Ambassador, Maddie has been asked to coordinate a clothing drive in her own community.
Cradles to Crayons is requesting gently used or new clothing and shoes for children ages 0 to 12 years old. For health reasons, the charity is asking that donated socks, pajamas, and underwear be new. Collection bins for clothing and shoe donations will be located in the Curtis lobby and the lobbies of the elementary schools. If you would like to offer a cash or check donation, it will be used to purchase new children’s clothing. Checks should be made payable to Cradles to Crayons. Cash and check donations can be left at the ECMS main office.
If you have questions about the collection drive, please contact Ivar Henningson, Curtis Angels Faculty Advisor, or Maddie at:
ivar_henningson@sudbury.k12.ma.us
Lysol Wipes
Well, this truly happened!! On March 1st, the Frontline Impact Project supplied Sudbury Public Schools with more than 30,000 packages of wipes. We would like to thank ALL of those who assisted with the distribution of these wipes to all of our Sudbury schools. It was definitely a team effort. Each classroom at Haynes was provided with 4-6 boxes (16-24 packages) of lysol wipes last week. In addition, we have boxes and supplies of Lysol wipes in our storage spaces for the remainder of this year and next school year.
Again, thank you to everyone for your assistance!!!
ECMS Theatre Troupe proudly presents Matilda the Musical Jr. at the Curtis Middle School Auditorium on March 16-19, 2023!
Enjoy the work of over 70 Curtis students on stage and behind the scenes in this Broadway Junior adaptation of the Tony Award-winning hit. Matilda The Musical Jr. is packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs and is guaranteed to leave you smiling!
Show times are:
Thurs, March 16th at 6:00 PM
Fri, March 17th at 7:00 PM
Sat, March 18th at 7:00 PM
Sun, March 19th at 2:00 PM
Order your ticket online, beginning March 8th at 5 pm using this link: https://www.showtix4u.com/events/ecmstheatretroupe Note that a small processing fee will be applied.
A limited number of tickets will also be available for sale at the door.
Please email the ECMS Theatre Troupe Box Office at ecmstkts@gmail.com with any questions.
We would love to have you in the audience! It means so much to our students!
- ECMS Theatre Troupe
Mass Health Renewal
Dear Families,
We are sharing with you important information from the state that will impact MassHealth (Medicaid and CHIP) health insurance coverage for children and families. All current MassHealth members will need to renew their health coverage to ensure they still qualify for their current benefit.
What is changing:
In March 2020, the federal government declared a public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, in response to federal requirements, MassHealth put protections in place that prevented members’ MassHealth coverage from ending. These protections are ending and MassHealth will soon return to standard annual eligibility renewal processes. In the coming year, all current MassHealth members will need to renew their health coverage to ensure they still qualify for their current benefit. These renewals will begin in April and will take place over 12 months.
Please take a moment to read and follow the steps below:
Update your contact information. Make sure MassHealth has your most up to date address, phone number, and email so you do not miss important information and notices from MassHealth.
Report any household changes. These include a new job, address, changes to your income, disability status, or pregnancy. MassHealth wants to make sure we have the latest information for you and all members of your household, so you get the best benefit you qualify for.
Create an MA Login Account. An MA Login Account is the fastest way to renew your MassHealth and Health Connector coverage, update your information, and report changes to your household. Current members under the age of 65 can create an account by following the link provided on the back of your MassHealth notices or by visiting mass.gov/masshealthlogin.
Read all mail from MassHealth. MassHealth will mail you information about your health benefit that may require you to take action to keep your current coverage. Look out for a blue envelope in the mail and make note of the important deadlines.
Please click Here for an informational flier.
** If you think you may no longer be eligible for MassHealth, other health coverage options are available, such as an affordable plan through the MA Health Connector.
Members can visit https://www.mahealthconnector.org/ or call customer service at 1-877- MA ENROLL (1-877-623-7773) to learn more or enroll in a plan. Losing MassHealth coverage is a Qualifying Life Event (QLE), which allows members to enroll in a plan through the Health Connector outside of the regular Open Enrollment Period.
Message from the School Nurse
Winter (and its associated illnesses) are still hanging around. Here are a few reminders to help keep our school healthy:
I have seen an increased number of students diagnosed with Strep Throat.
The best way to tell if it is strep throat is to have the provider test for it. You can also look for sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, exudate on the tonsils, and no cough present. If in doubt, call the provider.
Students with strep throat must be on the prescribed antibiotic (and fever free) for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
Please keep students with diarrhea and vomiting home.
COVID
The only way to know if it is just a cold or COVID is to test for it. Please remember to perform an at home antigen test for symptoms.
If you have any questions please reach out to Nurse Jackman Corinne_Jackman@sudbury.k12.ma.us or 978-443-1093 x1204
Food Pantry
This week's food pantry collected 157 banana boxes, a drop from last month's record total, but still respectable! Your donations and work gathering them means a lot to the Pantry.
Date Total # banana boxes
9/23/22 169
10/21/22 207
11/18/22 205
12/16/22 144
1/20/23 127
2/10/23 208
3/10/23 157
The food pantry is busier than ever, and the benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, are dropping by about $90 a month for individuals and $250 or more for families. The food pantry served 100 families on Wednesday, their busiest day of the year.
Thank you for the continuous support! The next food pantry is April 14!!
Lost and Found
Please take the time to look at our lost and found items. Each day, Ms. Greenwood brings the lost and found items to recess for students to review and search for their lost items. We continue to gain more items each week. If you could please ask your child to look through these items to see if anything belongs to them, we would appreciate it. We will also have the lost and found items displayed in the front area during our parent/teacher conferences.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter!
Dismissal safety
Please determine whether your child is a bus student, walker, or pick-up at the end of the day. Over these past few weeks, there have been many students who are being dismissed as "walkers" and are meeting with families on the corner of Haynes Road and Julian's Way. For the safety of our students, we can no longer ask students to walk to this corner to have parents waiting in their vehicles. First, the significant increase in student numbers requires an additional crossing guard. Second, the crossing guard cannot guarantee that your child is going into the appropriate vehicle and not that of a stranger.
Therefore, if your child does not live in walking distance from the school and would not be considered a walker, then we respectfully ask that parents pick their child up in the "pick-up" line.
Thank you for your assistance and understanding regarding this matter. As always, if there are any questions about the school's dismissal expectations, please do not hesitate in contacting the principal directly.
MCAS Update
MCAS - As you can see from the dates listed below, MCAS testing is quickly approaching! Please encourage your child to get sufficient rest the night before their tests, to eat breakfast, and to extend their best effort. Children should also be encouraged to bring a small water bottle to school; hydration is a key to concentration. Please try to avoid any appointments or trips that will prevent your child from attending school on testing days. If you would like to learn more about MCAS, you may find the parent resources on this link helpful. Feel free to reach out to Assistant Principal Lisa Williams if you have any questions.
MCAS Dates
Grade 3 MCAS ELA (English Language Arts) - April 10th & April 11th
Grade 3 MCAS Mathematics - May 4th & May 5th
Grade 4 MCAS ELA (English Language Arts) - April 3rd & April 4th
Grade 4 MCAS Mathematics - May 2nd & May 3rd
Grade 5 MCAS ELA (English Language Arts) - March 30th & March 31st
Grade 5 Mathematics - April 26th & April 27th
New Haynes Principal Update and Budget Updates
Please click on the link below to review Superintendent Crozier's announcement that was released yesterday:
2023-2024 School Calendar Released
Sudbury Public Schools 2023-2024 Calendar is now available.
Haynes Principal - Announcement by Superintendent Crozier
Haynes Principal Finalist Announcement
Dear Haynes Community,
Please mark your calendars for the upcoming Haynes Principal Finalist Visits on Friday, March 3rd. You will have the opportunity to meet each of the finalists and ask questions.
I’ve included brief biographies for each of the candidates, by means of introduction. The candidates will spend the better part of the day at the Haynes School interviewing with different members of the SPS team. The candidates will also have an opportunity to tour the school and meet with a group of designated students.
Bryant Amitrano currently serves as the Interim Principal at Merriam Elementary School, a project-based looping school in Acton. Prior to his position as Interim Principal, Mr. Amitrano served as the Assistant Principal at Merriam, beginning in 2018. During his time at Merriam, Mr. Amitrano has been a member of a district-wide STEAM committee which works on developing a STEAM vision for the district. Bryant taught fifth and sixth grade at the Healey School in Somerville before receiving his CAGS in School Administration and becoming the Interim Assistant Principal at Healey in 2017. Bryant holds a postgraduate Certificate of Study in School Administration from the American International College and a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Regis College where he served as a graduate assistant in the athletic department. Bryant also completed his undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Bryant University. Mr. Amitrano was voted Captain of his collegiate, division 1 men’s lacrosse team, worked as a head youth lacrosse coach in Somerville, an assistant coach for the Northeastern University men's lacrosse program and as an associate head coach for a youth lacrosse program in Arlington. Mr. Armitrano earned his Eagle Scout badge in 2005.
Paul McKnight has over 23 years in education, both as an educator and as an administrator, most recently serving as Assistant Principal at Raynham Middle School. Prior to this role, Mr. McKnight worked as an Elementary Assistant Principal in the Randolph Public School District. Mr. McKnight holds a certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in School Administration from American International College as well as a Masters Degree in Special Education from The University of Massachusetts - Boston. Mr. McNight started his career as a Paraprofessional while pursuing a higher degree in Special Education. After a one year position as a Special Needs Teacher at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, Paul taught as a Special Educator for 12 more years at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School and Walpole High School. Throughout the course of Mr. McKnight's professional career, he has supervised staff in all school positions and facilitated professional development on topics such as MTSS, Social Emotional Learning, critical response training, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Paul has also participated in Diversity Equity and Inclusion training to explore injustices within educational institutions as they relate to racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse students. He currently serves on his district’s DEI Advisory Committee which has helped him build a reputation as a supportive and compassionate leader who seeks equitable outcomes to issues that challenge students' growth and success. Mr. McKnight served as an Anti-Armor Weapons Specialist with the Massachusetts Army National Guard from 1994-2000, during which time he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal.
Lisa Williams is the Assistant Principal at both Josiah Haynes and John Nixon Elementary Schools in Sudbury. Prior to joining Sudbury in July 2022, Lisa worked in the Lexington Public School District where she served as a K-5 teacher for 28 years and an Assistant Principal for 3 years. Throughout her career, Lisa has worked with students with diverse learning profiles across all grade levels and is a staunch advocate for all students. Her background includes collaboration with district leaders to implement and directly support highly specialized programs for students with autism, language-based learning disabilities, neurological and/or communication disabilities, and social emotional disabilities. Her work in Lexington focused on building a positive school culture through the implementation of a school-wide SEL curriculum, leading her school-based Equity Team, facilitating the EL Mentor Program, and developing school-wide projects to support the METCO program. Her commitment to equity was further enhanced when she joined the SPS administrative team in their work with Dr. Benson’s Anti-Racist Leadership Institute. This intensive training informed her work as an SPS METCO liaison and a building leader tasked with planning staff meetings focused on district and school-based DEI data and responding to findings from the 2022 SPS Equity Audit. Lisa holds her B.S. in Elementary Education from Framingham State College, M.Ed. in Computers in Education from Lesley College, and is a graduate of the MSAA Leadership Licensure Program with Teachers21.
I want to extend my appreciation to the selection committee who reviewed resumes and conducted initial interviews. We had a robust pool of qualified candidates and are confident that the Haynes community will be well served by its next principal.
Sincerely,
Brad Crozier,
Superintendent
Thank you to SERF!
SERF has assisted Haynes significantly this year. Our most recent award is for our "Tournament of Books". The Haynes Equity Committee has been working on identifying a variety of books for our school that supports an appreciation of culture and racial diversity. We are pleased to report that SERF has approved of this investment for our Haynes Community.
Sudbury Girls' Softball is Open!
We are offering the following leagues this spring:
Kindergarten Clinic - Sunday mornings
Minor League (Grades 1 & 2) - Monday (practices) & Saturday am (games)
Junior League (Grades 3 & 4) - Tuesday (practices), Friday (games), Sunday (games)
Intermediate League (Grades 5 & 6) - Wednesday (practices), Saturday (games), Sunday (games)
Senior League (Grades 7, 8, & 9) - Wednesday or Thursday (practices), one game per week (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday)
Register and pay by February 1st to get a $20 early bird discount! The spring season begins April 24th. Get all the details http://www.sudburysoftball.org/
Kate Marchand
katemarchand@hotmail.com
978.580.9111
FY2022 - FY2023 Calendar
Please look at our FY2023 school calendar for Josiah Haynes Elementary School
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, March 1
1/2 Day Wednesday (dismissal at 11:45)
Parent/Teacher Conferences (by appointment)
Friday, March 3
Staff Appreciation Breakfast (hosted by Kindergarten Families)
Principal Coffee (8:15 am) - RSVP to haynes_office@sudbury.k12.ma.us
Bingo Night: Session 1: 5:30-7pm
Session 2: 7:30-9pm
Tuesday, March 7
Principal Coffee (5:30 pm) - RSVP to haynes_office@sudbury.k12.ma.us
Wednesday, March 8
1/2 Day Wednesday (dismissal at 11:45)
Parent/Teacher Conferences (by appointment)
Friday, March 10
Sudbury Food Pantry Collection
Wednesday, March 15
1/2 Day Wednesday (dismissal at 11:45)
Parent/Teacher Conferences (by appointment)