Haynes Elementary School
The Month of November
News and Updates
November 11, 2022
November Edition
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
I would like to start this newsletter by saying happy Veteran's Day. Thank you to current and former members of the United States Armed Forces who have dedicated their lives to serving our country. Our Haynes community has been celebrating Veteran's Day over these past few weeks. Classes read non-fiction picture books, learned about American symbols, creating flags, watched short videos, had veterans visit classrooms, wrote letters to veterans, and had conversations about Veteran's Day at morning meeting.
In this newsletter, you will notice some reminders, updates, and some new opportunities for our students. I hope you enjoy this week's newsletter.
Sincerely,
Nadine Ekstrom, Ph.D.
Interim Principal
This Week's HAWK STARS!
Each day, students are granted the opportunity to receive Hawk Sightings, which are acknowledgments that they have gone above and beyond in supporting our school rules. Their name goes into a grade level jar, and one person is selected from each grade level to represent the weekly HAWK STAR. We are very proud of these students.
At this week's all-school meeting, we began by watching a short video about respect. We talked about the importance of respecting one another in the classroom, on the playground, and throughout our day. We then watched a video of a veteran who served in the US Navy for more than 20 years. I am hoping you can view the video that was shared below. We also had a student advisory council member report to the school that we are now offering a "staff hawk sighting", and students will be able to provide these to staff. At the next all-school meeting, we will recognize a staff member who will also have their own special hawk's nest.
Appreciation
This past week, Ms. Williams and I were humbled by the appreciation of our staff. Haynes staff surprised both of us with this wonderful display of sweets. Their sign above us said, "Nadine and Lisa, thank you for making Haynes sweet again!" The appreciation is mutual. We are off to an amazing start to this school year. This has been a team effort by the staff, administration, parents, and students. This past week, I received an email from an individual who has been working in Haynes for a short time. Her email stated, "You have a very special school here and I hope the rest of the school year is smooth sailing."
So, thank you for our partnership!
Notes from the Front Office
Student safety is a top priority at Haynes. Please familiarize yourself with the following guidelines in the event you need to call your student out of school absent/tardy or if you wish to make a change in their dismissal plan.
Reporting Student Absences or Tardy
If your student is going to be absent or tardy, please call the absentee/tardy line at 978-443-1093 or email haynes_office@sudbury.k12.ma.us Please provide the following details:
Your child’s full name
Your student’s grade/teacher’s name
Reason for tardy or absence
Please provide your name/phone number in the event we need to reach you.
If applicable, please state if a COVID test was done if your child has symptoms. Following is a link for information related to Covid-19 Isolation and Exposure. (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-isolation-and-exposure-guidance-for-children-and-staff-in-child-care-k-12-out-of-school-time-ost-and-recreational-campprogram-settings)
Please call or email us each day your student will be absent/tardy. If you do not make contact with the nurse line or by email as noted above by 8:00 a.m., we will follow up with you to ensure the safety of your child.
Changes in Dismissal
Haynes requires a note from a parent/guardian to make a single day change in their student’s
dismissal plan. Please send your dismissal change request to haynes_office@sudbury.k12.ma.us. Please do not send notes in advance of the date the change is to take place. To help us to ensure a safe dismissal change is made for your student, please provide the following details:
Your child’s full name
Your student’s grade/teacher’s name
The change you are requesting - If you are granting permission for another adult to dismiss your child, please provide the full name of the person who will receive your child.
Please provide your name/contact phone number in the event we need to reach you.
If you wish to make a permanent change to your student’s dismissal plan, please contact the front office.
WINTER IS COMING - Please dress appropriately for the season!
At Haynes, we go outside for recess as much as possible, so please send your student(s) to school dressed in appropriate clothing for outdoor recess (long pants, coats, gloves, hats, snow pants/boots). When deciding if we will go outside, we take into account the real feel temperature and conditions. Students are not allowed to stay in when they are not dressed appropriately for winter conditions.
** Please assist us in reminding students that shorts are not winter attire when it is cold outside. We must send all students out to recess. We may need to request additional pants for the nurse's office should students arrive to school wearing shorts, to ensure they are not too cold when going to recess.
Safety in Haynes Parking Lots - please keep our students safe
Haynes Chess Club
We are happy to report that Haynes is offering Chess Club for students. Dates have not yet been determined as we need to have students enroll before finalizing the dates. This will run for 10 weeks. The cost is $20.00 per hour. The program can begin with a minimum of 10 students. The Chess Club is offered for grades 1 through 5. The Chess Club will run from 2:30 to 3:30. The day of the week and the start date is yet to be determined. If your child is interested in participating in Chess Club, please notify Marcy Sawin, at marcy_sawin@sudbury.k12.ma.us.
Once we have 10 students enrolled, we can finalize the dates.
Announcing MCAS dates
Please refrain from having student absences during these times. We appreciate your support.
Grade 3 MCAS ELA
April 10th & 11th
Grade 3 MCAS Math
May 4th & 5th
Grade 4 MCAS ELA
April 3rd & 4th
Grade 4 MCAS Math
May 2nd & 3rd
Grade 5 MCAS ELA
March 30th & 31st
Grade 5 MCAS Math
April 26th & 27th
Grade 5 MCAS Science
May 8th & 9th
November 18th - Food Pantry
Next Friday, we will have our November food pantry. The theme for this month is Sports Day! We continue to thank you for your contributions.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher Conferences are taking place November 2, 9, & 16 by appointment. We look forward to seeing you at your conference visits.
FY2022 - FY2023 Calendar
Please look at our FY2023 school calendar for Josiah Haynes Elementary School
Upcoming Events
Friday, November 11
Veteran's Day - NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, November 16
Early Release Day (11:45 a.m. dismissal)
Parent/Teacher Conferences (by appointment)
Friday, November 18
Food Pantry Collection (Theme - Sports Day)
Wednesday, November 23
Early Release Day (11:45 a.m. dismissal)
Thursday/Friday, November 24 & 25
Thanksgiving Recess - NO SCHOOL