AES Weekly Blast
01/22/21 (Volume 23)
Ashby Elementary School
Email: agapp@nmrsd.org
Website: https://www.nmrsd.org/Domain/11
Location: 911 Main Street, Ashby, MA, USA
Phone: 978-743-1005
News from the Principal
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is removing the requirement for flu vaccination for attendance in childcare/preschool, primary, secondary and postsecondary education. Preliminary data show that this has been a mild flu season to date, presumably as people have received their seasonal flu vaccine and have been adhering to mask-wearing and social distancing due to COVID-19. Given the intensive Commonwealth-wide efforts regarding COVID-19 vaccination, DPH wants to alleviate the burden to obtain flu vaccination and focus on continuing our COVID -19 vaccination efforts.
MCAS has been set for the Commonwealth and the spring testing windows have been set. Elementary principals are meeting shortly to pick one-day for ELA and one day for Math for 3rd and 4th-grade NMRSD students. Testing will be sometime in April and May. Stay tuned for more details.
We are pleased to welcome back Mrs. Whittier, former +STEPS Teacher, who is replacing Mrs. Bixler who is pursuing new educational options.
Kindergarten Registration for the 2021-2022 SY will be out shortly.
Have you ever received an e-mail from your child's teachers and noticed all those badges on the bottom by their signature and wonder what that is all about? The badges represent on-line technology courses staff took part in at the beginning of last summer, as we continued with our remote and on-line learning. The courses are offered through our district free of charge and after completion of the courses which vary in length. After completion of a course and maybe a project a badge is given which they can add to the bottom of their signature line. AES staff have a lot of badges and continue to grow their craft by participating throughout the school year.
I am excited to share that our fourth graders will have an opportunity to participate in an after school Virtual Choir on Thursday from 3:30-4:15. This will be a group class with fourth graders from both AES and SMS Music teacher, Mr. Bueno will be sharing more details shortly. Be on the lookout for an e-mail from me.
All students K-4 are involved in mid-year assessments. Teachers are having students complete I-Ready math and ready. Our benchmark Assessment System better know as BAS during through Fountas and Pinnell is testing current independent and instructional reading which includes a few comprehension questions. This is will go on till February break.
Our annual School Council is looking for one more parent volunteer. We meet once a month on the first Monday of the month at 3:15 PM. Please e-mail me if you are interested. Thank you to newly acquired community member Deb Dancause for joining our council.
Please remember that is essential that you preorder student lunches so that our daily count preparations are accurate and students aren't waiting. Thanks for your help in this matter. Link to Ashby Lunch Request Form LUNCH REQUEST FORMS
Continue to send in your Coke caps and codes for us! We gain points towards free stuff for our school.
Calling all Fourth Graders! Baby pictures are due. Please e-mail directly to Mrs. C at agapp@nmrsd.org. I am also looking for two fourth grade parent volunteers to help with an annual Wall of Fame project. Please e-mail me at agapp@nmrsd.org if you are interested.
I hope you are enjoying our Smore background pictures. Most of them are taken from local spots around town and neighboring towns.
Dates to Remember:
January 29 - Kindergarten Grades Close
- February 5 - Kindergarten Report Cards Issued
- February 12th - Student Council presents Red/Pink/White Day
- February 15-19- NO SCHOOL
- March 1st- Dr. Seuss Day - Stay tuned for details
News from Grade 3
Art news - AES Virtual Art Gallery Slideshow- Ever Changing!
News from PTC
Happy New Year! In December, the PTC funded stress-reducing massages to teachers as their holiday gift. It was positively received by staff.
Upcoming events to watch for:
Square 1 Art (which is replacing silver graphics this year) will be completed in early spring.
MCM fundraising including Braided Bread will begin around February 22nd. There will be an online option this year.
We are planning an AES night at Gold Bowl where a portion of the night's sales will be donated to the school.
Stay tuned for more information and follow our Facebook page: AESPTC.
January 2021 Breakfast Menu
January 2021 Lunch Menu
Free/Breakfast and Lunch and Curbside Meals
NMRSD COVID-19 Dashboard
Dear NM Community,
Please find the link to our COVID-19 Dashboard: https://www.nmrsd.org/Page/1534
This dashboard will be updated as new cases are confirmed.
Reading in a Winter Wonderland
Hello library friends, I hope this email finds you warm and cozy as we continue through the winter. As January continues, you may be looking for ways to beat the winter doldrums. We are here to help with Binge-Watching Bundles, new books for 2021, and maybe a board game or puzzle to pass the time.
Read below for more what we have in store for you this month.
Happy Reading!
Tiffany Call, AFPL Director
Reserve materials for Curbside Pickup online with your library card at www.cwmars.org, call the library 978-386-5377, or email tcall@cwmars.org
New to town or just never had a library card?
Join Miss Jacki and her friend Squirly every Tuesday at 11am on the AFPL Facebook page for a live storytime.
Zoom Book Club
Self-Help Books
To reserve for curbside pickup, call the library 978-486-5377, email tcall@cwmars.org, or log on to your account at www.cwmars.org/
Winter Boredom Buster Bundles
Our Winter Boredom Buster Bundles are ready for Curbside Pickup! Each bundle contains 5 Winter Books, 1 Board Game, 1 Winter DVD, Activity Sheets & Crayons, Popcorn & Candy.
Available through the month of January. Call the library to reserve, 978-386-5377.