"Paw Prints"
Farley Elementary School's Weekly Family Update
Dear Farley Families,
Throughout the day yesterday, I heard from numerous folks that our "December 'Round the World" concerts were a magical time. I was so sad to miss them. The services for my "Grumpy" were lovely. Thank you to all caregivers who sent condolences. Your kindness meant a lot. I was given a video of the concerts from HUD TV early last evening so I was able to watch them and share them with my family. Everyone was so impressed by the singing, instrument playing, dance moves, and dialogue. A blizzard of gratitude therefore goes to Mrs. Strauss and all the students who brought smiles to everyone's faces and filled hearts with happiness. Also, special thanks to paraeducator Laysse Beserra and ESL teacher Charissa Ahlstrom for being our interpreters. Mrs. Strauss goes to great lengths to make sure our shows are inclusive, educational, and a whole lot of fun.
Sincere gratitude also goes to all of the Farley families who supplied cookies for Home and School's annual cookie extravaganza for staff. I wish you could see our staff's eyes and hear their excitement when they walk into the cookie room! I brought home a Tupperware full of goodness. Over this past weekend, I actually helped my mom and niece roll 216 peanut butter ball cookies. This is a holiday tradition I treasure each year. The picture to the right shows the room full of cookies!
I would also like to thank Home and School for sponsoring our mobile Planetarium visit today. Students had a blast learning about Space inside a humongous globe. They were transported into the galaxy! See pictures below. The last picture is of a student comforting his classmate when she a bit nervous about being in the dimly lit globe. He showed "Compassion in Action" which is one of our four tenants of the Choose Love Social Emotional Curriculum. It was so heartwarming.
Lastly, as we conclude 2023, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all who help make Farley an incredible place. We are a community with many gifts and talents, which we share daily with one another. From the classroom, to our living room and all points in-between, our collective efforts to raise the whole child are filled with passion and commitment. I believe the faces of our children best express the true meaning of the holiday season. They radiate a sense of unbridled enthusiasm, untainted hope and unabashed joy for life and the opportunities that await them. My wish for all of you in the New Year, is that you live life to the fullest as my Grumpy did his entire 96 years on this earth. A simple man, he cherished his family, his modest home of 70 years, his ability to work until he was 90, and each breath that he was afforded. I hope you all have a restful break next week. I am heading down to Florida to be with my wife whose one-woman show got picked up by Sarasota's Urbanite Theatre. I will actually be gone until January 7th which means there will not be a Family Paw Print the first week we get back. Please reach out to our Assistant Principal Anne Duke if you need anything amduke@hudson.k12.ma.us. Happy New Year! See you in 2024!
Read Always,
Rachel Scanlon (She, Her, Hers)
Farley Principal
NEED TO KNOWS:
December 23-January 1st:
- No School-Winter Break-Students return on January 2nd
January 5th:
- Home and School Association Meeting 6pm in the library. You can join virtually as well:
January 15th:
- No School-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 16th:
- Ms. Susana's Travel with Books at the Hudson Public Library. Scroll all the way down for more information.
January 24th:
- Half-day for students
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
CONGRATS TO OUR NEWEST FARLEY FOX
Bravo to Mia Metcalf in Mrs. Sullivan's grade 1 class! She held her Farley Fox up with great pride and enthusiasm.
CAREGIVER SPOTLIGHT
WE HAVE SUCH TALENTED CARGIVERS!
This week, Felicity Johnson's caregivers, Paul and Rebecca joined Mrs. Freitas' Grade 3 classroom and shared their talents with all the students. Mr. Johnson played the guitar and sang while Mrs. Johnson was his sidekick, scrolling down so he could see his music and ringing the bells on command. Not only was Mr. Johnson a great musician, he was also quite a comedian and had us all in stitches. Here are two quick videos of the class singing:
LUNCH MONITOR SPOTLIGHT
WINTER COATS ARE A MUST!
Our dedicated Lunch Monitors would like to remind families that all students need to have a coat in order to go outside to recess. If your child is in need of a coat, please send me an email as I have a dozen brand new coats ready to be given away!
HUDSON POLICE DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT
OFFICER MURF MERCHANDISE NOW FOR SALE!
FARLEY HOME and SCHOOL UPDATES
SPIRIT WEAR IS BACK!
Farley is excited to announce that all new spirit wear is back just in time for the holidays! Spirit Wear is clothing that celebrates and represents Farley Elementary. Click here to place an order or use the QR Code. Choose your own style and color. Items are shipped directly to you!
PLEASE JOIN OUR NEXT HOME AND SCHOOL MEETING!
Please join Farley's Home and School Association's next meeting on Wednesday, January 5th 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/fne-musi-rmi
OTHER UPDATES AND REMINDERS
WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL
As we enter cold and flu season, Farley nurses wanted to remind families of when students should be kept at home when they are sick. Please read the list below.
When to keep your child home from school
- If a child is unable to fully participate fully in all school activities because of illness or injury, has a contagious condition, or has a rash with an unknown cause.
- Child must be fever-free (oral temperature of less than 100° F) for at least the last 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
- Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours or unable to eat normally.
- A diagnosis of strep throat unless your child has received antibiotic treatment for at least 24 hours.
ONLY PRESCHOOL FAMILIES CAN DROP OFF IN THE PLAYGROUND PARKING LOT
Over the past few months, numerous caregivers have been pulling into that playground parking lot and dropping off their kids so that they do not have to go into the actual car drop-off line. Because of this, it has become increasingly dangerous for our students who walk and their families who accompany them. Administration, teachers, our custodian, interpreters, Officer Chad, and fellow caregivers who walk their children to school have repeatedly been outside and asked families not to drop off there. I have also contacted specific families directly and still they continue to not follow protocol. Please remember, the ONLY families who get to use that lot for drop off and pickup are PRESCHOOL families. In order for everyone to be safe, please refrain from parking in that lot and dropping or picking up your children there. We thank you in advance your cooperation.
REPORT CARDS ARE AVAIALBE ONLINE!
In case you missed the important report cards information in past Paw Prints, here is it again. . Last year, report cards were placed online for the entire district. Therefore, in order to access your child's report card, caregivers will need to have an Aspen Parent Portal account. Paper copies of report cards will only be sent home if specifically requested. Directions on how to get your Aspen Parent Portal account or access your account were shared in my earlier this year in my Paw Prints and in Ellen Schuck's (the District's Head of Technology) newsletters as well. In case you missed it, here is the information from Ms. Schuck:
"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" at the beginning of the school year 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. HPS suggests downloading the report card, saving it to your computer, and printing out a few hard copies for your files or for when students sign up for football or other sports."
As with all things technology, there may be issues that arise. Please do not hesitate to fill out an Incident IQ or reach out to your child's teacher for help.
YEARBOOK PICTURES NEEDED
Grade 4 caregivers, Meghan Freitas and Lainie Dougherty, are heading up the 4th grade yearbook this year! In order to have the most colorful yearbook possible, they needs lots of pictures! They are hoping to get a jump start on collecting pictures from the teachers and caregivers. 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!
STUDENTS CAN SHARE THEIR TALENTS
Please see the updated message from community member Kelly Haley about Hudson's Got Talent Jr.
Do you have a special talent (dance, sing, play an instrument, take karate lessons or gymnastics, etc.)? Do you like to perform? WE WANT YOU! Forest Ave is hosting the 14th Annual Hudson’s Got Talent Jr.!! HGT Jr. is open to Forest Ave, Farley & Mulready 3rd & 4th grade students.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Registration closes: 1/6/23
Performance Previews - NEW DATES 1/8/24 or 1/9/2024 from 6-8PM at Forest Ave (you only need to attend one date)
Dress Rehearsal - 2/8/24 in the HHS Auditorium
Show date: 2/9/24 in the HHS Auditorium
Complete the registration form HERE by January 6, 2024. Detailed information will be emailed to parents after registration closes. Acts should be no more than 3 minutes long. All music should be in a MP3 (Youtube videos are OK). Music should be able to be shared. ITunes songs cannot be shared, however, Amazon sells MP3's and they can be shared. Please contact Kelly Haley with questions - kellyannhaley@gmail.com or 508-577-5869.
FARLEY FAMILY DIRECTORY IS COMPLETE!
Home and School has finished compiling all the contact information voluntarily submitted by Farley families for our school directory. The 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.
If you need to make any changes, would like to be added to the January edition please use the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSff1IG-Xt95f2rCz0YhdinmH1fHLsZ8DZcdVdfbSqP1N8qFgg/viewform.
Thank you to caregiver Sarah Tracy for creating the directory!
2023-2024 Home and School Farley Family DirectoryATTENDANCE LETTER RECAP
We are at the start of a NEW YEAR. It's time to change those attendance habits and make sure you child comes to school everyday and comes to school ON TIME.
To make sure those hopes and dreams are realized, I want to ask for your commitment to making sure your child attends school every day possible this year. The evidence is clear: children with good attendance are more likely to be successful in school and in life. Research shows that high attendance rates in elementary school are directly linked to high student achievement in high school and college.
Every day counts. Missing school even 10% of the time has a significant impact on reading and math achievement as children progress through school. Good attendance starts early. Attendance habits established Kindergarten through Grade 2 have lasting effects on students throughout their education: students with low attendance in the early grades are more likely to have low attendance—and lower academic performance—throughout middle and high school. Irregular attendance is also associated with higher high school drop-out rates.
As caregivers, you are your child’s most influential teacher, I am asking for your support in helping your child get to school every day and to get to school on time-by 8:35 every day. We realize that every family faces challenges. Please let your child’s teacher know if your family needs help dealing with a challenge to your child’s good school attendance. We will do our best to help you and your family ensure that your child’s school attendance stays on track.
Like last year, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has mandated that families, whose children have 5 or more absences or 5 or more tardies be formally notified, in written form, of their child’s attendance. While Farley keeps accurate records of which absences are “excused” and “unexcused” the DESE does NOT distinguish between “excused” and “unexcused” absences.
Every school in the Hudson district will be sending these letters home twice month. Please do NOT worry or panic if you receive one of these notifications. We understand that kids, especially elementary age, get sick more often, have medical appointments, etc. We also understand that Covid-19 and the flu are still an issue. Farley staff always reaches out personally-via email or phone if attendance or tardies are a true concern. We like to work one-on-one with families to help rectify any attendance issues that arise. So, again, if you receive a letter in the mail, do not fret.
DON'T FORGET TO ATTEND MS. SUSANA'S PORTUGUESE STORY HOUR!
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