LAW Principal's Corner
December 2022
Hello all,
Dear LAW Families
‘Tis the season… to depart from regular schedules. Please make your best attempt to keep your children eating healthy foods, sleeping adequate hours, and coming to school dressed to battle the cold and wet weather. We do send students outside as much as possible, so please be sure your children are prepared for our chilly, New England weather.
As the holidays approach it is easy to get caught in the additional hustle and bustle. Thank you for being mindful of this and sending well rested children to school.
December is a month to reflect on friends and family. Hopefully you can take some time during the Winter break to connect or reconnect with people important to you. We are all so busy just surviving, we often forget to look around and see where we might be able to help others. The holidays provide a great opportunity to teach our students the joy of giving to others.
Report cards will be issued electronically on December 12th. Our teachers spend a great deal of time carefully filling these out. Please read them and discuss the information with your child. If you have any questions or concerns please use the Parent/Teacher Conference times to discuss your concerns with your child's teacher.
Please read the changes that will take place to Parent Pick-up Procedures in a separate entry below. Morning drop off will not be impacted by these changes.
Happy Holidays from the LAW Staff!
Important Dates to Remember
Nov. 29 - Worcester Railers Mascot Visit - Promoting tickets for PBIS Rally
Dec. 1 - ASPTO Winter Extravaganza -Cookies/Crafts/Santa 6-8 p.m. in cafe
Dec. 2 - Picture Retake Day
Dec. 2 - First Trimester Ends
Dec. 6 - School Committee Meeting @ ASHS - 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 6 - Dental Smile Program @ LAW
Dec. 7 - Early 90 minute Release 1:45 p.m. Staff PD
Dec. 7 - FLL Grade 5 Practice from 1:45 - 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 9 - End of First Trimester PBIS rally
Dec. 12 - Report Cards Issued
Dec. 13 - Half Day Dismiss @ 12:15 p.m. - Parent Teacher Conferences 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Dec. 14 - Half Day Dismiss @ 12:15 p.m. - Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00-3:15 p.m.
Dec. 14 - School Committee Meeting @ 6:30 p.m. MS
Dec. 14- ASPTO meeting MS @ 7:00 p.m. (Zoom available ASPTO Fb) Moved due to Conferences
Dec. 16 - Holiday Shop for students
Dec. 20 - Panther Leadership Meeting 3:30- 4:15 p.m.
Dec. 21 - School Committee Meeting @ 6:30 p.m. MS
Dec. 22 - School Wide Winter Solstice Stroll - Families invited 1:00- 2:50 p.m.
Dec. 22 - Spirit Day - Wear Winter Holiday Attire
Dec. 23 - Half-day Dismiss @ 12:15 p.m. Happy Holidays!
No School Council Meeting in December
Parent-Caregiver/Teacher Conferences
Conference Dates/Times:
- Dec. 13 - 6:00- 8:00 p.m.
- Dec. 14 - 1:00- 3:15 p.m.
Here are the guidelines for this year's conferences:
The Pick-a-time sign-up is for those who want a remote conference only.
If you wish to request an in-person conference you will need to email your child(ren)'s homeroom teacher to set up a time to meet. You can start reaching out once the conference sign-up information is sent out.
UA will not be offered on Pick-a-time, If you would like to meet with a UA staff member, please email the teacher and set up an appointment. You may request a remote or in-person option. Due to the large number of students on the UA teachers' rosters, you should only meet with UA if you have a concern.
Research shows that students learn more, have higher grades, and have better school attendance when parents are involved in their child's education. That's why attending parent-teacher conferences is so important: it's a great way for parents to become involved and stay involved throughout the school year. Parent-Caregiver-Teacher conferences are a good way to meet your child’s teacher and learn about your child’s academic and behavioral performance. Keep in mind that you are an equal partner at the conference. If you have questions the conference is a good time to share them with the teacher. Don’t forget to share what you know about your child.
Here are some questions you might ask during the conference:
- Does my child hand in classwork on time and is it complete?
- Is my child doing work at or above grade level?
- Does my child work better in groups or alone?
- How does my child get along with others? Adults? Children?
- Is there any concern about learning or behavior problems that I should know about?
- What can I do at home to help my child build on strengths and improve weaknesses?
- How can I keep in touch about my child’s progress?
Great Veterans Day Tribute- Thanks to Mrs. Swenson and our Panther Leadership Team
IMPORTANT!!! Parent Pick-up Procedures Will Change on December 5th - Please read!!!!
Unfortunately, due to concerns from some residents on Lancaster Rd. we will not be able to conduct parent pick up in the same manner. As stated in an earlier correspondence, SPD has placed no parking signs on the side of Lancaster Rd. indicating no parking between 2:30- 3:30 p.m. Parents picking up their child can no longer “park” or pull to the side there. We have reconstructed the Parent Pick-Up Plan. This plan will go into effect December 5, 2022.
Here is what it will look like:
Parents/guardians should not arrive for pick up before 3:00 p.m. If you can fit in the back parking lot you may arrive earlier. However you will not be allowed to wait on the street until after 3:00 p.m.
We are suggesting that families whose last names begin with A-L arrive around 3:05 p.m. and families with last names starting with M-Z arrive around 3:15 p.m.
If you are sitting on the road, you will not pull to the side anymore but stay in the appropriate lane.
Traffic will be backed up and not allowed to pass on the left.
Thank you for your cooperation and if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me elewis@asrsd.org or 978 772-8600 x1101 or Chief Santiago @ Shirley Police Department.
School-wide Winter Solstice Stroll
What does the Winter Solstice Stroll entail?
Well we are trying something new! In the past and prior to Covid, Grade 2 was the only class to perform for families during the holiday season. We would like all students to have a chance to be involved in this seasonal event of welcoming the Winter Solstice. The main theme is the solstice, snow, snowflakes, cold weather and winter activities.
Read on to find out how we plan to make this happen.
The Winter Solstice Stroll is a 2 hour event. Two members from each family are welcome to stroll around the school visiting classrooms within that timeframe to listen to our students perform music and to welcome the Winter Solstice! A schedule will be provided prior to the event with more details. Grade levels will have performance times listed and parents will be able to visit the classroom to hear their child(ren)'s performance. The performance times will be staggered or offered more than once within the 2 hour timeframe so families with more than one child can enjoy each performance. Mrs. Swenson, our music teacher, in conjunction with the school administration, have pulled together some great festive songs for you to enjoy. In addition to, Mrs. Swenson's after school chorus "Mood Swings" will be performing throughout the timeframe as well. There will be hot chocolate and cookie stations set up in the hallways for family visitors to take a break and enjoy a treat.
While all of this is going on, students will be engaging in crafts and celebrations throughout the afternoon in their classrooms.
More details will be published as we get closer to the event.
See below under volunteer opportunities if you would like to donate cookies to this event!
Our Grade 4/5 Panther Leadership Team will be in charge of decorating the school to give it a "festive air" prior to the stroll.
Let's see how this goes! I think it will be fun and everyone can be a part, parent/guardians, all students, teachers and administration.
Volunteer Opportunity
Cookie Donation Link:
Check out our First Grade singing the finale for their Thanksgiving Play
ASPTO Events for December
The ASPTO is sponsoring a Winter Extravaganza with Santa on Dec. 1st. Cookies, Santa and crafts what more can you ask for!
Sounds like a fun night for our students. I know they are looking for folks to donate or bake cookies for the event. If you think you can be a cookie baker click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0c49a8a62fa1fd0-lawholiday
Teacher Luncheon Dec. 13th
Every year the ASPTO sponsors a luncheon for the staff on the day of evening Parent/Teacher Conferences. If you would like to help or donate food please click on the following link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C49A8A62FA1FD0-lawstaff4
Annual Holiday Shop for Students - Dec. 16th
Every year, students are given the opportunity to shop for inexpensive items to give to their families during the holiday season. This will be held on Dec.16th and requires volunteers to set up and run the event. More info. for parents on how the shop works to follow.
If you think you can help, click here:
Another successful Book Fair- Thank you Mrs. Atwood and Parent Volunteers!
LAW School Psychologist and Counselor's Corner
Conferences are coming up!
Parents and guardians are welcome to schedule a conference to discuss social emotional learning on the evening of 12-13-22 or the afternoon of 12-14-22. Contact:
Monica Groulx, School Psychologist, K, 1, & SLC’S mgroulx@asrsd.org 978-772-8600 x1130
Jayne Garrett, School Counselor. Grades 2 - 5, jgarrett@asrsd.org 978-772-8600 x1104
Holiday Meal
Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry (978)772-4627 x312 is offering Holiday Dinner ingredients on 12-19-22 10AM - 1 PM and 4PM-6PM . No appointment necessary. No income requirements. Open to all residents of Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley. Just join the drive-thru line at 234 Barnum Rd., Devens.
Thanks to all who were able to attend our first Family Literacy Night! Thanks to our wonderful staff who volunteered to make this possible!
The PBIS Rally is Coming Soon!
PBIS Update
Our PBIS program continues to support our students in following behavioral expectations across the school day. This month, we instituted “push weeks” where we focus on specific areas of the building with staff and reinforce students for following expectations. Students are reminded each day of the expectations over the announcements as well.
We continue to focus on character traits through our Student of the Month Program. This month, each teacher will be nominating a student who is “most responsible” in their classroom. These are students who come prepared each day, they complete their work as expected, and they ask for help when needed. We had former Students of the Month review the character traits on the announcements as well! We will be celebrating the Student of the Month during our PBIS rally on Friday, December 9th.
We are very excited for opportunities for students to be entered into fun games with our staff, as well as be entered to win various prizes at our upcoming rally. One of our highlights this rally will be a family 4 pack to a Worcester Railers game! This generous donation was coupled with a visit from Trax: The Railers mascot! Additionally, one lucky student will win a family pass to The Acton Science Museum! We are looking forward to a celebration of all that we have accomplished here at LAW for following our behavior expectations!
Nurse Barter's Corner
Staying Healthy this Winter
vaccines.gov is a helpful website for families to find the nearest location to receive flu vaccines and/or covid boosters. While there isn't a vaccine available for RSV at this time, it is still important to note that there has been a large number of pediatric patients admitted to hospitals with RSV. Please check the attached information sheets regarding the illness for the high risk populations.
Link Fact Sheet # 1
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1onuKzKipvhEAgWl8tZgqnMmJYxzYHOxf/view?usp=share_link
Link Fact Sheet # 2
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1onuKzKipvhEAgWl8tZgqnMmJYxzYHOxf/view?usp=share_link
Mrs. Lewis, Principal x1101
Happy Holidays from LAW !
Mrs. Noll, Asst. Principal x1105
LAW Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mission Statement
At the Lura A. White Elementary School we value diversity, equity, and inclusion. We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual, embrace diverse backgrounds and respect differing points of view to build a strong inclusive community. As we learn together, we draw on the differences in who we are.