"Paw Prints"
Farley Elementary School's Weekly Family Update
Dear Farley Families,
Over the next few weeks, students in grades 3 and 4 may be talking to you about the MCAS tests, some of which will start in a little over a week. For some students, the word "MCAS" can be anxiety producing. This stress is often related to the "fear of the unknown", especially for Grade 3 students who take the tests for the first time this year. Many have been hearing about MCAS from older siblings, neighborhood friends, and sometimes caregivers, now it is almost here. Grade 4 students may have disliked the test they took last year and are therefore dreading the upcoming testing days. It is understandable that they are nervous or upset. Who isn't a little apprehensive about taking a "test"? The key to helping our students through these types of experience is to listen, empathize and instill confidence in them. We know that they are ready. They are well prepared. We remind them that there will be questions they will find easy and questions they might find difficult. All they need to do is try their best!
Throughout the year, we share with students how these tests serve more as a measure for the teachers and the curriculum than for the students. The results give us information about the content we teach and the instructional practices we use. These tests are never used to determine how "smart" someone is and do not affect students' report cards. It is important to remember that tests of this nature don't tell us everything we need to know about a student or about a school. These tests provide a snapshot in time-a data point about a particular day, a particular content area, a particular vocabulary word or a particular mathematical strategy. These tests do not tell us that a child is an exceptional artist, a leader among his/her peers, a good friend, a budding musician or a caretaker to someone in need. They are just one of the measures we use to track student growth and ensure that our curriculum and instruction align with the state's learning frameworks. Please help us reassure students that they already posses the skills and strategies needed to be successful. As we do each day, we encourage all students to give their best effort in all that they do. As you speak to your children and discuss the upcoming MCAS tests, we hope you will reinforce our message. If you are looking for a great conversation starter with your child, these books may be helpful. https://storiesbystorie.com/books-to-share-during-testing-season/
Report cards, another data point we collect, are now live online. As a reminder, in order to access your child's report card, caregivers will need to have an Aspen Parent Portal account. Directions on how to get your Aspen Parent Portal account or access your account were shared in my earlier Paw Prints this year. In case you missed it, here is the information from Ellen Schuck, the district's Head of Technology:
"Caregivers must have an Aspen Parent Portal account to view electronic report cards. To access the Aspen Parent Portal Account click HERE. You can also access the portal from the main Hudson Public's School Homepage. Aspen Parent Portal accounts are automatically created using your child's first contact email account. Caregivers should have received an email from "Aspenhelp" with your account information. If an additional account is needed, please create an Incident IQ ticket using this link. If you need help with your login credentials, please fill out an Incident IQ ticket. Mrs. Schuck and her technology team will be happy to assist you.
Once in your Aspen account, report cards will be available under the "Published Reports" section on the "Pages" top tab. Mrs. Schuck suggests downloading the report card and saving it to your computer."
As with everything digital, we know some issues may arise. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
I look forward to seeing you next week at Caregiver Conferences. If you haven't signed up yet, there is still time. Just click this link: https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/C_A_Farley_Elementary_School. Stay warm this weekend. Rumor has it it might snow!
Read Always,
Rachel Scanlon (She, Her, Hers)
Farley Principal
NEED TO KNOWS
NEED TO KNOWS:
March 25-28th:
- Scholastic Book Fair-More information located below. Click HERE to see when your child is scheduled to attend the fair,
March 27th:
- Half- day for students-Dismissal is at 11:45am-Caregiver Conferences (more information to follow next week)
March 28th:
- Music March Madness Jazz Dress Up: Week 4: Jazz - Ideas of What to Wear
- Half- day for students-Dismissal is at 11:45am-Caregiver Conferences (more information to follow next week)
March 29th:
- No School
April 2nd-3rd:
- Grade 3 ELA MCAS
April 4th-5th
- Grade 4 ELA MCAS
April 5th:
- Music March Madness-Dress like the music you want to win or your favorite style
April 10th:
- Half-day for students
Mark Your Calendars Now for Math MCAS:
- Gr 3 May 7 and 9
- Gr4 May 14 and 15
WOO SOX SPOTLIGHT
JOIN US FOR FARLEY DAY AT THE WOO SOX!
Again this year, the Worcester Red Sox, AKA the Woo Sox, have teamed up with Farley's Home and School and invited us to join them for a "Farley Day at the WooSox" to be held on Sunday, May 19th. Thank you to Laine Dougherty for organizing this fun event again the year. Tickets must be purchased online using the link below or by using the QR Code pictured below and on the fliers. Just click the flier image to enlarge. If you happen to go online and it says "sold out" or if you are have trouble please email Laine @ lainie2122@gmail.com. While I won't be throwing out the first pitch, the Woo Sox do have something special in store for us. Stay tuned for more information!
To purchase tickets use this: fevo-enterprise.com/event/farleyelementary24
CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT
MS. GORDON AND MRS. LEGER'S STUDENTS WELCOME NEWCOMERS!
Fourth grade students in Mrs. Leger’s and Ms. Gordon’s classes recently completed a community service learning project focused on welcoming new students who do not speak English to Farley. During Choose Love, students were learning about empathy and what it might feel like to move somewhere where you don’t speak the language. Students were motivated to do something to address the loneliness and anxiety new students face. They researched where students at Farley have come from and the languages they speak. Students then made welcome cards written in Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian-Creole. Now when new students arrive at Farley, a Welcome Committee consisting of fourth graders will present the cards with a smile and friendship. A first grader who recently received a card even wrote a thank you card back to the Grade 4 students.
MUSIC MARCH MADNESS SPOTLIGHT
CLASSICAL WEEK WAS A HIT!
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Staff Celebrate World Down Syndrome Awareness Day
Third grade teachers, Ms. Gaffny, Mrs. Farley, Mrs. Freitas and Mrs. Lloyd all donned unique socks in an effort to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD). Every year on March 21st, people all around the world come together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by wearing brightly colored, mismatched socks. March 21st is symbolic because people with Down syndrome have 3 copies of their 21st chromosome. Socks were chosen because the karyotype of Ds chromosomes actually looks like mismatched socks! This is a global awareness day has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.
BOOK FAIR SPOTLIGHT
THE BOOK FAIR IS NEXT WEEK!
Our Book Fair starts on Monday! Here are a few reminders:
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Now’s the time to create your eWallet! Watch this short video to learn how it works, then visit our Fair homepage to set up your account.
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Don’t forget the tax! Scholastic requires us to add tax to all purchases. To keep things simple, we round the total purchase up to the nearest dollar. The extra change allows us to ensure EVERY kid at Farley goes home with a book.
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We can't do it without you! Please consider volunteering to help at the Book Fair. The story starts with you! Sign up here!
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Watch book trailers with your child in our interactive book flyer for a sneak peek of our upcoming Fair.
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Many teachers have created eWallets. If you’d like, you can contribute to a classroom eWAllet for teachers to purchase fun new books for their classroom. Check them out here
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Visit our website https://www.scholastic.com/bf/farleyelementaryschool
Here’s some more additional information you need to know about the big event:
You can choose to say goodbye to cash and hello to eWallet—your child’s digital payment account. Before the Fair, you can set up eWallet for worry-free, cash-free purchases (don’t forget the tax!).
Of course, you are more than welcome to send your student in with cash.
ALL STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO PICK A BOOK TO TAKE HOME EVEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE MONEY.
Farley's Book Fair homepage: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/farleyelementaryschool1
CAREGIVER CONFERENCES SPOTLIGHT
CONFERENCES ARE NEXT WEEK!
Caregiver/Teacher conferences will be held next week. Both days will be an early dismissal from school for students at 11:40 am. Evening conferences will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on the night of March 27th. If you would like a conference, you need to sign-up for a specific day and time using a third party website called PTC Fast linked below. Walk-ins are not allowed. School staff who support your child's learning may also attend the conference, too. Also, please do not worry if you see me sitting in on your conference. I like to attend as many conferences as possible so that I can know all the ways we can support our diverse community of learners.
Here is the link: https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/C_A_Farley_Elementary_School.
YEARBOOK SPOTLIGHT
YEARBOOK PICTURES ARE STILL NEEDED
Grade 4 caregivers, Meghan Freitas and Lainie Dougherty, are heading up the 4th grade are still in need of pictures year! In order to have the most colorful yearbook possible, they needs lots of images! They have created an email where pictures can be sent. If you have any pictures, both past and present, that would be great for the yearbook, please email them to: farleyfox2024@gmail.com. Thank you Lainie and Meghan for donating your time to this!
FARLEY HOME and SCHOOL UPDATES
PLEASE JOIN OUR NEXT HOME & SCHOOL MEETING!
Below are the dates for the remainder of our Home and School Meetings this year. All are welcome to join! The meetings will start at 6:00pm. We will meet in the library. Free childcare will be provided! You can also attend virtually using this link: https://meet.google.com/kyj-jsgf-abr
April 3rd
May 1st
June 5th
OTHER UPDATES AND REMINDERS
BOYS AND GIRL CLUB SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
RF WOOD FOUNDATION INFORMATION
The RF Wood Foundation’s mission is to foster positive youth development by providing all kids equal opportunity of youth and high school sports and physical activity. Their goal is to provide funding to local youth organizations and schools, to be used for families with financial need as well as local youth organizations and schools who need funding to provide adequate opportunities of physical activity.
In addition to providing funding, the RF Wood Foundation offers programs to guide our youth in becoming positive role models and influential leaders within our community. For more information on this wonderful foundation click the link: https://rfwood.org/programs/
EXCITING SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
Offer Chad wanted administrators to share information on the Middlesex Sheriff's Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) that is now enrolling children ages 8-12. Click on the fliers below for more information.
THE READING INTERVENTIONISTS ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS!
Farley's Reading Team is looking for family and community members who would like to read with students during the school day. There are a variety of small group and individual support opportunities available at all grade levels and for differing lengths of time. Please contact Mrs. Zinner, one of our Reading Interventionists, at lzinner@hudson.k12.ma.us for more details if interested!
WANT TO PLAY SOCCER THIS SPRING?
My name is Shaun Chambers, I’m currently serving as the VP of Hudson Youth Soccer. Would you be willing to place this registration flyer in your next weekly newsletter to parents? While we do reach out via email and Facebook, getting the information out to all families in Hudson would be very helpful. I’ve included both a .png image and a PDF, if another format works best please let me know and I’ll generate in the desired format.
Website: www.hysa.org
While not noted in the flyer, we do offer assistance for families that can’t afford the full registration fee, if anyone reaches out please send them my way.
INTERESTED IN FLAG FOOTBALL OR CHEERLEADING?
Hudson Youth Football and Cheer is ready for you to register!
SPRING CHEER: Interested in Cheerleading, but not sure about the commitment? Are you a current or former cheerleader looking for something fun to do in the Spring? Join our Spring Cheer program. A very low key, minimum commitment program. No special equipment required. The goal is to have F-U-N!
FLAG FOOTBALL: Our flag football program is a non-contact passing league, geared towards teaching fundamentals. Participants do not need to have any prior football experience. Game days include short practices followed by a scrimmage style game. Shorts, cleats, and a mouthpiece is required.
Online registration: https://hudsonyouthfootball.sportngin.com/register/form/407667024
The cost is a total of $60 for the 6 week session. Sunday mornings for 1.5 hours, April 28 – June 9 (no games or practices on Memorial Day weekend). All events are held at Sauta Field in Hudson. Both programs open to boys and girls currently in grades K-8.
SPRING CHEER:
7U – For ages 4 to 7 (K – 2nd Grade)
12U – For Ages 8 to 14 (3rd – 8th Grade)
*Note – Once registrations close, Cheer will be broken up into three age groups. Grades k – 2, 3 – 5, and 6 – 8.
FLAG FOOTBALL: (Current Grade in Spring 2024)
Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
3rd – 5th Grade
6th – 8th Grade
Games and Practices are held on the same day during the 1.5 hour session. Sessions usually begin at 8:30am Sunday, starting with the lowest grades first. Times will be confirmed once the teams are set. Please visit our website or follow us on our Facebook Page. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us at: info@hudsonyouthfootball.com
WANT TO PLAY BASEBALL OR SOFTBALL?
Baseball registrations ages 4-16
(including T-ball for young softball players):
https://hybs.sportngin.com/register/form/957714472
Softball registrations ages 6-14*:
https://hybs.sportngin.com/register/form/790397597
*Softball includes players who turned 15 on or after September 1, 2023.
We KNOW you have questions! Click here "FOR PARENTS" for more information.
THE FARLEY FAMILY DIRECTORY HAS BEEN UPDATED!
Home and School has finished doing their mid-year update to our Farley Family School Directory. The most recent directory is linked below. Please note that this directory is published for the private use of Farley Elementary School Families only. This directory is for the personal use of the authorized reader and cannot be shared (including on social media), duplicated, or used for commercial purpose. Thank you to caregiver Sarah Tracy for creating the directory!
PAW PRINT REWARD STICKERS!
Students get Paw Print Stickers for going above and beyond. When a staff member "catches" them doing something spectacular, they get two stickers-one to wear and one to put on their homeroom Fox poster. When their classroom Fox poster fills up with stickers, they get to have a classroom celebration. If you see a paw print on your child's clothing or backpack, please ask them why they got it.
"ALL THINGS TECHNOLOGY"
At the beginning of the year, Ellen Schuck, the Head of Technology for the district, sent out one of her Technology Newsletters. This publication has essential information about all things related to HPS technology, including how caregivers can access the "ASPEN Parent Portal". Below is the link to her newsletter.
HUDSON IS HIRING!
Farley has filled all of their paraprofessional positions but is still in need of substitutes. We are looking for both day-to-day subs and permanent building subs. Day-to-Day subbing offers employees a flexible schedule. Our Permanent Building Substitute works every day but in a variety of classrooms. The permanent building substitute job is a salaried, benefit eligible position. If you are interested or would like more information, please feel free to email Mrs. Scanlon @ rscanlon@hudson.k12.ma.us or Mrs. Duke @ amduke@hudson.k12.ma.us directly to set up an interview. You can also apply online using the link below:
https://www.hudson.k12.ma.us/departments/human_resources/employment_opportunities
IN NEED OF FOOD ASSISTANCE?
For help with food throughout the year, head to the MetroWestFoodCollaborative.org. In addition, "The Find Food Menu" on the MWFC website offers information about other food resources, where to find SNAP & HIP retailers, local farmer's markets and CSAs. Lastly, click the link or pictures below to get specific information about food options/distribution for Hudson residents.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GgOhaseQU4WCfjeKki-oMRrG_xQ3e7D4/view?usp=sharing
DON'T FORGET TO #EXPLAINYOURBRAIN
Farley's Instructional Focus is getting all students to "explain their brains" across all content areas. Whenever possible, don't forget to ask your child to explain their thinking and reasoning.
Farley Elementary School
Email: rscanlon@hudson.k12.ma.us
Website: https://cafarley.hudson.k12.ma.us/
Location: 119 Cottage Street, Hudson, MA, USA
Phone: 978-567-6153