Hemenway Happenings
Welcome to the 2022-23 School Year, August 29, 2023
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A Message from the Principal
03/24/2024
Dear PTO,
I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to you and the entire PTO team for your invaluable support during my transition to my new role as permanent principal at Hemenway Elementary School. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve as principal and for the trust and confidence you have placed in me. Your unwavering support has made all the difference, and I am deeply appreciative of the collaborative spirit that defines our school community.
Additionally, I want to specially thank you for organizing the heartwarming car parade. It was a wonderful gesture that brought me joy. I'm humbled and grateful
With warm regards,
Marguerite
Not longer Interirm, but Permanent Principal
Hemenway Elementary School
Marguerite & Kelly
Dr. Marguerite Lackard, Interim Principal mlackard@framingham.k12.ma.us
Mrs. Kelly Napierski, Assistant Principal knapierski@framingham.k12.ma.us
Core Values Caregiver Survey
At Hemenway Elementary School, we have Core Values that guide us in what we do and the choices we make at school. Currently, our Core Values are:
Hemenway Tigers respect themselves
Hemenway Tigers respect each other
Hemenway Tigers respect their school
Hemenway Tigers persevere
Because these Core Values were chosen many years ago, we are in the process of choosing new Core Values that better reflect Hemenway’s current community. We would like your input as we decide upon new Core Values!
The following Core Values were most popular among Hemenway staff members:
- Kindness: To be thoughtful, caring, and to include others
- Responsibility: To take ownership of your learning and behavior
- Belonging: A sense of fitting in and knowing that you belong in the group
- Effort: How much work you put into something
- Empathy: Feeling or understanding what someone else is feeling
- Community: All of us living, working, and playing together in our school
- Ownership: Being accountable and taking pride in my learning, behavior, actions, decisions, words, and their impact.
Please take a moment to complete this survey with the Core Values that are most important to you and your child’s experience at Hemenway. (see survey below)
Lockdown Drill Communication
As previously shared, this year we are introducing safety training lessons and drills for staff and students. These trainings were created in partnership and collaboration between the Departments of Health and Wellness and Department of Safety and Security, with valuable input from the Department of Special Education.
This Monday, March 25th, 2024, Hemenway students and staff will be participating in a lockdown drill. We wanted to share with you some information regarding the drill for your knowledge and for if you would like to talk to your child about it. (The drill should last no more than 10 mins)
Hemenway students have been given the lockdown lesson previously. This and all safety lessons were created to be developmentally appropriate and trauma informed using resources from Safe and Sound Schools. Our focus is to ensure that students understand safety procedures, know that adults are there to help them, but not to have in depth conversations about potential emergencies.
Family Resources:
We encourage you to discuss safety topics with your child at home to ensure they have the knowledge and skills needed to navigate potential emergencies. Here are some resources that you may find helpful:
Sesame School: School Safety Drills (English and Spanish)
Healthy Children.Org What Parents Need to Know (English and Spanish)
National Association of School Psychologists (English/ Spanish/ Portuguese)
Thank you,
Marguerite & Kelly
Hemenway Variety Show
Hemenway Variety Show Tickets On Sale Now!
When: Friday, April 5, 2024 - 6:30pm
Where: Walsh Middle School
-General admission
-$5 a ticket (8 tix max per family)
-Performers in the show do not need tix
Please use this link to purchase your tickets:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B4FA5A62BA0FE3-48680179-2023
Parent -Teacher Conference
Spring conferences are quickly approaching.
Teachers will be reaching out to you to schedule a conference in the coming weeks. A list of our conference dates are listed below:
*March 28th
*April 4th
*April 25th
*May 16th
MCAS Testing
The MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) tests are right around the corner! All students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in grades 3, 4, and 5 will take MCAS tests in English Language Arts and Math; Grade 5 students will also take Science and Technology tests. Our testing schedule is below.
Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping students give their best performance on this important test. As you know, teachers and students at Hemenway School have been busy working hard all year preparing, learning, and reinforcing the content and skills necessary for students to demonstrate their learning on these tests. Even though this assessment is a snapshot--one single perspective--it is important that students feel confident and as prepared as possible. There are many ways in which you can help your child put his/her best foot forward on the day of the test. The following guidelines can help set our students up for success:
The night before the test:
Make sure your child goes to bed on time so he or she is well-rested.
Keep your routine as normal as possible. Upsetting natural routines may make children feel anxious or unsure of him/herself.
Be positive and confident knowing your child will do his/her best.
Plan ahead to avoid conflicts on the morning of the test.
The morning of the test:
Please have students leave all cell phones and electronic watches/devices at home. Electronic devices are not allowed during testing time.
Get up a few minutes early to avoid rushing and make sure your child arrives to school on time.
Have your child eat a nutritious breakfast (or encourage them to eat when they get to Dunning).
Have your child dress in comfortable clothes.
Be positive and communicate that this is your child’s chance to show what he/she knows. The most important thing is they try their very best!
It is important for all students to be IN ATTENDANCE and ON TIME
Thank you for your continued support!
Dates for MCAS
Upcoming Dates:
Hemenway Lockdown Drill: March 25
Early Release/Parent Conference: March 28
Good Friday/No school: March 29
General Information
Dismissing a Student Early
A written request from a parent is necessary for ANY dismissal changes. Requests should be emailed to the classroom teacher and jmellovial@framingham.k12.ma.us or brought into the school office before the start of the school day. (Please, do not sent it to Cheryl; she is retired from the office manager position) No requests will be taken after 2:30pm unless it is an emergency. Ussually no student will be dismissed based on a telephone request.
Lost & Found
We have a number of coats, hats, and other clothing in the our Lost and Found area. If your child is missing any of these items, please stop by the school between 3:30 -4:00 p.m to pick them up.
Student Clothing
***Please place a small label on your child's belongings - Name & homeroom. This will help with returning clothing items that are misplaced
Early Student Pick-Up
If you need to pick up your child early from school, kindly send a note with your child. This ensures that both the classroom teacher and office staff are aware, allowing them sufficient time to ensure a safe and smooth pick-up process. Arriving just minutes before the bell can lead to chaos and miscommunication. Your cooperation in following an orderly procedure is greatly appreciated.
Bus Transportation
If your child takes the bus to and from school, that is the only bus the student can take. It is not the policy of transportation for students to take different buses based on whatever the situation may be. Please, know this policy is in place for safety reasons.
PTO Update
Our PTO is now on IG! Please follow @hemenwayschoolpto for calendar updates and fun event recaps.
Communications Process
- Reporting absences - Call office staff 508-626-9149. Call between 4:00pm and 8:30am if your child is to be absent OR tardy.
- Picking-up your child early from school - note sent to the classroom teacher & call Office Staff. If your child goes to the afterschool program, notify the director of the Hemenway program also
- Immunizations - School Nurse 508-782-6302 or mhenri77@framingham.k12.ma.us
- Transportation - signing-up for a bus. Visit the transportation website to access information regarding transportation.
- Special Education information - Kathryn Thomas, kproulx@framingham.k12.ma.us
- Issues occurring in the classroom - should be shared with the classroom teacher
- After school programing - Contact Demi Akins (508-745-0785; dakins@framingham.k12.ma.us)
- Social Emotional Issues needing to be addressed - our social worker or guidance counselor -clangan@framingham.k12.ma.us or kriley@framingham.k12.ma.us
- Basic Needs (Coats or shoes) - shared with our social worker, psychologist or guidance counselor - clangan@framingham.k12.ma.us or kriley@framingham.k12.ma.us
- Family Concerns that may impacting the student in school - contact our Guidance Counselor
- Food Services Update -kwilcox@framingham.k12.ma.us
- Academic concerns - the classroom teacher
School Hours 9:15am - 3:30pm
Students are welcome to begin arriving at school at 9:00 am, when teachers will be present to greet them.
Early Release Days
- Students are dismissed at 1:05pm.
- Lunch IS served.
- If your child rides the bus, you can expect them to arrive at their stop approximately two and a half hours earlier than normal.
- Early Release Thursdays: 9/19/23, 10/5/23, 10/12.23, 10/26/23, 11/7/23, 3/14/24, 3/28/24, 4/4/24, 4/25/24, 5/9/24, 5/16/24
Half Days
Students are dismissed at 12:30pm.
Lunch IS NOT served.
If your child rides the bus, you can expect them to arrive at their stop three hours earlier than normal.
Half Day: Last day of school.
Attentance Matters
Hemenway School Hours and Phone Numbers
Doors Open: 9:00am
Breakfast: 9:00am - 9:15am
School Begins: 9:15am
School Dismissal: 3:30pm
Office: 508-626-9150
Fax: 508-788-9276
Attendance and Reporting Your Child Absent:
Absence line: 508-626-9149
Call between 4:00 P. M. and 8:30 A.M. if your child is to be absent OR tardy.
Late students must report directly to the office upon arrival.
Dismissing a Student Early
A written request from a parent is necessary for ANY dismissal changes. Requests should be emailed to the classroom teacher and jmellovial@framingham.k12.ma.us or brought into the school office before the start of the school day. No requests will be taken after 2:30pm unless it is an emergency. No student will be dismissed based on a telephone request.
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PTO Information
729 Water Street
Framingham, MA 01701
Phone: 508-626-9150
Fax: 508-877-2262