"Paw Prints"
Farley Elementary School's Weekly Family Update
THOUGHTS and THANKS
Dear Farley Families,
I hope this message finds you soaking up the last few weeks of summer-relaxing and recharging with family and friends! For those of you new to the Farley Family, my name is Rachel Scanlon and I am the principal of Farley Elementary. Prior to this role, I was a middle school language arts teacher at JFK/Quinn for eleven years, the assistant principal of Farley for six years, the interim principal for one year Farley, and then I was lucky enough to have been selected to be the "official" head principal of Farley last August. As I enter into my 20th year with the Hudson Public Schools, I am extremely excited and honored to welcome you to the Farley Fox Family.
Throughout the summer, I spent lots of weekends with my wife, my rescue pup Rusty, and my extended family at our little lake house in Connecticut. I also travelled to Paris and London where I got to attend Wimbledon. This was my first time visiting those countries and I can't wait to share my adventures and pictures with all of the students during Morning Meetings this September. During the work week, Mrs. Duke (our assistant principal formerly known as Mrs. Doble) and I have loved seeing students throughout the summer who participated in a variety of Hudson programs. Now that it is August, our talented teachers are beginning to set up their classrooms, our conscientious custodians are making our hallways sparkle, our enthusiastic office team is busy ordering new materials, and our much appreciated Caregivers' Home and School Association is gearing up to offer exciting events and provide volunteer opportunities to all families. Overall, the entire Farley Elementary School family is excited to welcome your children back to school on August 30th! Over the next month, we will be sharing lots of information with you. Please do not get overwhelmed. We are here to help and guide you through it all. We are also an email or phone call away if you need anything. Be on the lookout for a Welcome Packet being mailed home on August 15th.
This week's thanks goes to Farley caregiver and Hudson Public School's Welcome Center Liaison Fabiana Hummel for organizing this summer's Read and Roll Events (click the fliers below for more details). Last week, Farley staff got to be mystery readers at Town Hall. Much appreciation goes to Mrs. Larocque (Dual Language Gr. 2 teacher), Ms. Silva (Dual Language Gr. 1 teacher), Ms. Rachel (EL teacher), Mrs. Duke (assistant principal), and Mrs. Anderson (Director of English Learner Education for HPS) who all came to read. Students heard books in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. I loved sharing my book "Zen Pig" with everyone. Special thanks to former Farley student Mauricio who took all of the pictures below and current Farley student Olivia who made sure the bubble machine was always working! There are still two more chances for families to join in on the fun: 8/9 @ 10:30 at Cellucci Park and 8/16 @ 2:30 at Wood Park. Remember this is a free event-all are welcome!
Throughout the year, I try to send my "Family Paw Print Smore Newsletters" every Friday. Be on the lookout! Have a lovely weekend and again...welcome to the Farley Family--You are now officially a Farley Fox.
Read Always,
Rachel Scanlon (she, her, hers)
Principal
NEED TO KNOWS:
August 21st:
- In-person Coffee Hour with the Principals @ 7:45am in the cafeteria. Coffee will be provided.
- Grades K, 1, and 2-Home and School Summer Playground Meet-Up @ the Farley Playground from 6-7pm
August 22nd:
- Virtual Coffee Hour with the Principals @ 7:45am online. Join us from home or work using the following link: meet.google.com/bxi-nrrv-ntw
- Grades 3 and 4-Home and School Summer Playground Meet-Up @ the Farley Playground from 6-7pm.
August 24th:
- "End of Summer" Welcome Back Virtual Dance Party with Mrs. Scanlon and Mrs. Duke. Join us online from 6:00-6:45pm. To join the Google Meet type or copy and paste this link into your browser: meet.google.com/dub-faqv-oda
August 28th:
- Tentative date for Kindergarten Teacher Meet and Greets @ Farley from 3:15-5:00.
August 30th:
- First Day of School for Students-Drop off starts at 8:20am. School ends at 2:55pm.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
THE FARLEY FAMILY IS EXPANDING!
WANT TO KNOW YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER?
Our Farley family is eagerly looking forward to welcoming our students back to school this fall. On August 15th, we plan to mail our placement letters to families in our Welcome Packets. These letters will let you know who your child/children will have as their homeroom teacher. We are very proud of our thoughtful, careful process in considering best placements for students. Considerations regarding learning styles, social emotional development and students’ needs were carefully balanced in support of all students. Our class lists are thoughtfully and carefully made with input from teachers and support staff given their thorough knowledge of their students. While we acknowledge that at times, there are surprises regarding a placement, we respectfully appreciate your support in encouraging your student in having a positive start to the new school year.
If by August 21st, you have not received your letter or Welcome Packet, please email our office administrator Heather Paquette at hapaquette@hudson.k12.ma.us
TEACHER SHIFTS
- Mrs. Jen Lewis is leaving the Grade 4 classroom and becoming Farley's Instructional Coach
- Ms. Susana Cabrita is heading upstairs to be the new 2nd Grade Portuguese Dual Language Teacher
- Mrs. Brenda Larocque is shifting from an EL teacher to our new 2nd Grade English Dual Language Teacher
- Mrs. Kim Gaffney is going back to Grade 1 as a classroom teacher
- Mrs. Cassia Freitas is heading back to her roots as a Grade 3 classroom teacher
- Ms. Nancy Hubert is joining Wendy Smith's K class as the K paraeducator
HUDSON IS HIRING!
https://www.hudson.k12.ma.us/departments/human_resources/employment_opportunities
NURSE'S SPOTLIGHT
A Note from the School Nurse:
Mrs. Hill, Farley's school nurse wanted to share a few reminders:
- Any new students and all incoming grade 4 students need to provide the nurses with a physical.
- Any medication, both prescribed and over-the counter, must be brought to the nurse by the legal caregiver with a medical doctor's order.
- For your child's comfort, feel free to provide a complete change of clothes to be left in student lockers in case of spills, accidents, etc.
- Please make sure to email or call Mrs. Hill if there are ever any medical changes that occur throughout the year.
- Vision, Hearing, and Height/Weight (Grades 1 and 4) will take place in September. Email Mrs. Hill if you do not want your child to participate in the screening.
- Make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast (at home or at school) and gets lots of sleep!
Nurse's Contact Information:
- Tina Hill, tmhill@hudson.k12.ma.us
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
STUDENT SUPPLY LISTS
Please click the link below for the specific lists. Thank you!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1heXt0pjusR7gfUQu8zjhYFT4d_OcEmpkHY5a3LGhv1E/edit?usp=sharing
HELP WITH BACK TO SCHOOL SCARIES
If your child starts to struggle a bit with coming back to school, try using some of these books to help. I have found an online library full of picture books related to the beginning school. Click the link below to be directed to the library document Then click each book. This will bring you to a YouTube video of each book read out loud! I hope you enjoy the selections.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1D1nUfAz_M4N-OWxDcFDE0XFdluJv8Kvv5xI61oZCjTk/edit?usp=sharing
FARLEY HOME and SCHOOL ASSOCIATION UPDATES
WHAT IS A "HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION"?
The Home and School Association is an organization made up of students’ caregivers for the purpose of supporting the education of children at Farley Elementary by fostering relationships among the school, families, and teachers. The Home and School Association provides a vital and much-appreciated service to school leadership and the entire school community. The activities sponsored by the Home and School are designed to build community and enhance learning.
As a caregiver of a Farley student, you automatically become a member of Home and School and are welcome to attend our monthly meetings (either in person or virtually) as well as take an active role as a volunteer in our school.
Here are some of the amazing ways the Home and School Association (HASA for short) has supported our school in the past:
· The HASA has hosted numerous events and provided volunteers when needed. Here are are just a few examples of the events: the Scholastic Book Fair, the Farley Fun Day, the Valentine's Dance, Farley Gives Back Bingo Night, the Ice Cream Social, and so many more.
· The HASA has provided funds for field trips and sponsored cultural assemblies
· The HASA puts on the Farley Fun Run-our only fundraiser of the year which has provided funds to upgrade our library and create an outdoor classroom in our courtyard. This year, some of the funds will go to enhancing our playground!
More information to follow on the day and time of the monthly meetings and ways to volunteer! The tentative date for the first meeting is September 6th at 6:30pm.
HOME AND SCHOOL SPONSORED PLAYGROUND "MEET-UPS"
Just like last summer, Home and School is hosting "Grade-Level Meet and Greets" in August. Mark your calendars with the dates below! These are for students and families. Farley teachers will not be in attendance.
Monday, 08/21 @ 6:00 pm – K, 1st & 2nd grades
Tuesday, 08/22 @ 6:00 pm – 3rd & 4th grades
OTHER UPDATES AND REMINDERS
FARLEY BUILDING SUMMER IMPROVEMENTS
- Repair the stone wall up the hill near the Farley staff room
- Painting of upstairs classroom hallways
- Installation of new washer/dryer
FARLEY AWARDED $3,000 from McGovern Subaru!
HPS SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM
Hudson Public Schools is here to help feed our students even during the summer the months. This year, we are offering a weekly food delivery program that will run from June 26, 2023 through August 21, 2023. Food boxes will include a variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, milk, bread, and meat. For more information or to sign up, please contact Nely Frias at ncfrias@hudson.k12.ma.us
For hep with food throughout the year, head to the MetroWestFoodCollaborative.org.
DON'T FORGET TO #EXPLAINYOURBRAIN
Farley's Instructional Focus is getting all students to "explain their brains" across all content areas. Whenever possible this summer, don't forget to ask your child to explain their thinking and reasoning.
Last Year's Farley Family Directory
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