MHS/WES Newsletter
April 5, 2019
Ella gets a special ride!!
Our students celebrate Ella with a parade!
Getting ready for the parade
News from the Principal
Our schools are all decked out in honor of Ella!
Oakmont Student Council kids got involved to help decorate!
MCAS is here!
Our first round of MCAS tests begin next week with Grade 5. A great night's rest and a filling breakfast, coupled with a mindset of positivity and perseverance are the best things you can encourage at home. Our students have worked hard preparing for these tests, they are ready!
Grade 3
ELA Session 1 - April 23
ELA Session 2 - April 24
Math Session 1 - May 9
Math Session 2 - May 10
Grade 4
ELA Session 1 - April 25
ELA Session 2 - April 26
Math Session 1 - May 7
Math Session 2 - May 8
Grade 5
ELA Session 1 - April 10
ELA Session 2 - April 11
Math Session 1 - May 1
Math Session 2 - May 2
Science Session 1 - May 14
Science Session 2 - May 15
News from Kindergarten!!
Spring is definitely in the air! With April Vacation just a little over one week away, we thought it might be a good time to remind everyone about practicing those sight words and math fluency cards.
Spending some time traveling? Is it a rainy day? Is your child saying “I’m bored”? These are perfect opportunities to practice sight words and math fluency cards, or maybe even read a good book.
We have a special trip planned …. We will be attending MWCC to See Aladdin Jr. on Friday April12th. This trip would not have been possible without the help of Westminster Cultural Council and the PTO. Westminster Cultural Council is paying for all of our Kindergarteners to see this wonderful production. And, we are so thankful that the PTO has agreed to support us by paying for our transportation. Thanks so much, to both groups, for your support!
It is our hope that you have a wonderful vacation week with your child/children!
Important Dates
- April 6: Ash-West Benefit Hockey Game @ Cushing Academy
- April 8: Natures Classroom CHAPERONE MTG. only 6:30PM at WES in Mr. Sifert's Room
- April 9: 2nd Grade Learner's Showcase 6:00-6:30 & 6:45-7:15
- April 10: PTO Meeting at WES Library 6:30 p.m.
- April 11: District Jazz Night at Oakmont Regional High School
- April 15-19: No School-April Vacation
- April 26: Sweetheart Social Dance 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. @ WES cafeteria
- April 29-May 3: Book Fair for both schools held at MHS
- May 2: Spaghetti Dinner at WES Cafeteria 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- May 8: PTO Meeting at WES Library 6:30 p.m.
- May 15: Ms. Banning's Creation Celebration at WES
- May 20-May 24: 5th Grade Nature's Classroom
- April 30: MHS Kindergarten Orientation, Session 2 @ 9:30 a.m.
- May 9: 5th Grade Panoramic picture
- May 30: MHS Kindergarten Orientation, Session 3 2 9:30 a.m.
- May 31: 4th Grade State Fair
- May 31: 1/2 day of school 12:00 Noon dismissal
- June 10: WES Spring Music/Chorus Concert for students only
- June 10: WES Spring Music/Chorus Concert at ORHS 6:30 p.m.
- June 12: Full Day of School
- June 14th: Last Day of School - 1/2 day of school Noon dismissal
Anne Banning ~ Purple Palette and Paintbrush
Greetings from the Purple Palette and Paintbrush!
Creativity abounds in the 2 school studios here in Westminster!!!
Among many other creative happenings, here are a few new things our students are learning about: Kindergarten students have learned about wax crayon resist and watercolor, while Grade 1 students learned the difference between 2D and 3D art by creating paper sculpture "playgrounds". Grade 2 children have learned the delight of weaving with yarn and making god's eyes. Grade 3 students finished their "heart maps" to help them with idea generation. Grade 4 was recently given a "creature feature" assignment where they must create a creature using recycled materials. Most grade 5 students are finishing up their art show pieces for display in May.
SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, May 15: Creation Celebration! (Art Show and Music) at WES
from 6:00-8:00pm. LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH PREPARATIONS AND FOR THE NIGHT OF THE SHOW!!!!!! :-) email me if you can help PLEASE!!!! abanning@awrsd.org
Donations needed: Tin foil, socks, paper towel tubes
THANKS!
Ms. Banning
Fifth Grade News!!!
5th Grade has been very busy! The Invention Convention is the culmination of a multi week long project. Students have started by identifying problems in their daily lives to then working to find solutions in the form of an invention. The project included engineering, writing, collaboration and lots of critical thinking. These projects were completely student led! The excitement and pride that students have over these projects is awesome!
Fifth graders will be taking math, ELA and science MCAS testing this year. Each subject will be two sessions. The dates are 4/10 & 4/11 for ELA, 5/1 & 5/2 for math and 5/14 & 5/15 for science. Ensuring plenty of sleep, a good breakfast and being on time to school will be very helpful to your child on these days!
We are under 50 days away from our highly anticipated week long trip to Nature’s Classroom at Camp Cody in Freedom, NH. Students will have the opportunity to hear from the site coordinator next week! This will give them a chance to learn more about their week away and have their questions answered. If any questions arise while we approach and plan for this trip, do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher!
Our fingers are crossed for spring weather, but please be aware that we go outside for recess at any temperatures above freezing. It may be getting warmer, but t-shirts, shorts and sandals are still a bit premature some days!
Lastly, all classes can benefit from donations of tissues with the cold season still lingering and allergy season. Thanks so much for your continued support!
RISE Awards Ceremony
The Ashburnham-Westminster Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) will host the second annual Remarkable Inspiration in Special Education (RISE) Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 9th at 7:00 p.m. at J.R. Briggs Elementary School. If you would like to attend and see this year’s honorees accept their awards, please RSVP to https://goo.gl/forms/tdWBunKO4gkGB8qm1 by April 29th. For more information, contact: Kendra Steucek (awrsdsepac2@gmail.com • 978-827-6355) or Kim Caisse (awrsdsepac3@gmail.com • 978-833-6163).
Important News from our Special Education Department
During the week of April 29, 2019, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson of the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff, and review of student records or onsite observations.
Parents and other individuals may call Sandra Hanig, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (413) 314-6707 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.
Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the district with a report with information about areas in which the district meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the district requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/reports/.