Hemenway Happenings
Welcome to the 2022-23 School Year, August 8th, 2022
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A Message from the Principal
April 24th, 2023
Good Morning Families and Caregivers,
Welcome back following Spring Break. Whether you were able to take a vacation, enjoy museums or day trips, or simply enjoy relaxed days without the weekly hustle and bustle, we are glad you are back! Please review the updates from our school nurse as well as the art team. Also, take a look at the changes to our afternoon dismissal process and many events to look forward to in the upcoming week's to close out the year. Most importantly, please be sure you have a conference scheduled for one of the upcoming Thursdays allotted for this important partnership. We look forward to all that is to come!
Today's Dismissal Reflection: Thank you all for your patience, cooperation and flexibility. We were able to dismiss our caregiver pickup lanes beginning at 3:37 pm. This was quicker than expected. We acknowledge there was some confusion with the front path walkers and caregiver pickup. We hope that today's dismissal helped to iron out some of these wrinkles in our process. Families that walk to school to pick up their children should use the front path process. This means that students will be escorted out to the Water Street sidewalk to meet their children.
Should you arrive to pick your child up after 3:50 pm, we ask that you use the front of the building, as our Explorers Program will be using the playground area once the caregiver pickup area is all clear. For more detailed information about the dismissal process, please see the section further down on our Smore.
MCAS testing resumes this week on April 28 for Grade 3 ELA. Take a look at the MCAS message below for the Math and Science testing dates following vacation week.
Upcoming School Year Class Placement: As we plan for the upcoming school year, we encourage your input with respect to your child's placement. Please read this Smore regarding our process for class placements for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.
Field Trips: We are excited to be back to the routine of engaging in school field trips. Each grade level has planned an event to enhance their curriculum. Information will be disseminated by the classroom teacher and include a required permission slip. All permission slips must be returned in order for children to attend the trip. We also encourage caregivers to serve as chaperones. If you are interested in chaperoning for a field trip or school event, please consider completing a CORI form ahead of time so that does not delay your opportunity to join in on the fun.
Thank you as always for your continued partnership and we look forward to seeing you at the upcoming parent conferences.
Sincerely,
Marybeth O'Brien
Principal
Message from Walsh Middle School for Class of 2030
Incoming 6th Grade Parent Night
We will be welcoming our next class of 6th-grade parents to Walsh on April 26 from 6:00 - 7:30. The presentation will include information on the curriculum, after-school programs, self-guided tours, and to meet the administration, department heads, and other educators
ATTENTION GRADE 3, 4, 5 Families: MCAS Testing
As we near the end of March and welcome Spring, we prepare for our annual state assessments. All students in grades 3-5 will participate in the MCAS 2.0 or Next Generation MCAS. These assessments provide us with important data regarding the performance of our students and our school. This year students in grades 3-5 will be participating in these assessments during the months of March - May. Each grade level will participate in 2 English Language Arts sessions and 2 Mathematics sessions. The 5th grade will also participate in the Science assessment which is 2 sessions. These tests are computer-based and will be administered using the student tablets.
It is our goal to ensure that all students feel prepared and confident when approaching the assessment. We ask that students take this assessment very seriously so they can show all that they have learned. We ask that they show their thinking by working through difficult text and problems to demonstrate a growth mindset. You can help at home by ensuring that your child:
- Gets a good night’s sleep and plenty of rest the night before each testing session.
- Arrives at school on time so they may enjoy breakfast in the classroom with their peers.
- Comes to school with a positive “I can” attitude (a word of praise from parents is always a great way to begin the day)
Your partnership is very important to us. Please call us with any questions or concerns.
Here is the current schedule. Please make every attempt for your child to be present on this day and refrain from scheduling appointments. We ask that students are on time and remain in school the entire day to ensure that they have as much time as needed to complete their assessment.
Grade 3 Testing Dates:
- March 27th and 29th: English Language Arts
- April 28th and May 2: Mathematics
Grade 4 Testing Dates:
- April 11th and 12th: English Language Arts
- May 9th and 10th: Mathematics
Grade 5 Testing Dates:
- April 4th and April 6th: English Language Arts
- May 3rd and 5th: Mathematics
- May 16th and 19th: Science, Technology and Engineering
Arrival and Dismissal Maps & Procedures
Attendance and Reporting your child absent:
Absence line: 508-626-9149
Call between 4:00 P. M. and 8:30 A.M. if your child is to be absent OR tardy.
Late students must report directly to the office upon arrival.
Dismissing a Student Early
A written request from a parent is necessary for ANY dismissal changes. Requests should be emailed to the classroom teacher and tlambert@framingham.k12.ma.us or brought into the school office before the start of the school day. No requests will be taken after 2:30pm unless it is an emergency. No student will be dismissed based on a telephone request.
Stay Hydrated
It is very important to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the day. All of our classrooms have water bottle fill stations. Please send your child to school with a water bottle, so they are able to fill their bottles and stay hydrated. If you are unable to provide a water bottle, please contact your child's teacher, and the office will provide a water bottle for your child.
Dear Families,
The character education theme of the month for April is “Determination”. We have defined determination as “Working hard and putting in your best effort”. This month students will engage in lessons focused on doing their best work and persevering, especially when the work is challenging. Challenges will occur throughout our children’s lives, in school, in social situations with peers and family, and in work situations as adults. Determination is a quality that can be fostered in young children. Through morning meetings, focused read-alouds, and social emotional learning blocks in their classrooms, students will learn about the importance of determination. Students will practice using positive self-talk from the SEL Curriculum Second Step to help them through difficulties, they will learn the importance of not giving up when they make mistakes, and that mistakes are true learning opportunities. They will become aware of the skills, behaviors, and attitudes that will help them do their best. We welcome families to join in the conversation with their children to strengthen our students' skill and understanding that through hard work and putting in their best effort they can learn through mistakes to reach their goals both in and outside of school.
Character Trait of the Month:DETERMINIATION
Learning and Life Competency Skill Sets
Self Awareness:
- I know myself.
- I am aware of skills, behaviors, and attitudes that help me.
Self Management:
- I identify, express, and manage emotions.
- I exhibit self-regulation.
- I demonstrate perseverance and resilience.
Social Efficacy:
- I communicate and problem solve effectively.
- I demonstrate empathy and respect.
- I foster healthy relationships.
- I am assertive and I self-advocate.
- I cooperate and participate.
- I demonstrate civic responsibility.
Academic Efficacy:
- I invest in quality work.
- I organize to learn and study.
- I set goals and self-assess.
Here are some conversation starters that we are working on in class around DETERMINIATION
- How do you think making mistakes helps you achieve your goals?
- What are some of the ways you can use your “Inner Coach” from Zones of Regulation to help you be determined?
- What is a goal that you have been determined to reach? Did you reach it? If so, what helped you along the way?
- Who is someone you think is successful? What might that person have been determined to achieve to become successful?
Upcoming Events
APRIL - JUNE
- April 11 - Grade 4 MCAS: ELA
- April 12 - Grade 4 MCAS: ELA
- April 12 - PTO Meeting: 6:30 pm
- April 17 - April 21: April/Spring Vacation Week
- April 25: School Improvement Council Meeting 8:00 am Hemenway Office
- April 27: Early Release Parent-Teacher Conferences
- April 28: Grade 3 MCAS: Math
- May 2: Grade 3 MCAS: Math
- May 3: Grade 5 MCAS: Math
- May 4: Early Release Parent Conferences
- May 4: Kindergarten Helper Gallery Walk 10:00-10:30
- May 9: Grade 4 MCAS: Math
- May 10: Grade 5 MCAS: Math
- May 10: PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
- May 11: Early Release - Parent Conferences
- May 16: Grade 5 MCAS: Science, Technology, Engineering
- May 18: Early Release Parent Conferences
- May 19: Grade 5 MCAS: Science, Technology, Engineering
- May 25: Early Release Parent Conferences
- May 25: Grade 2 Family Math Event
- May 26: Kindergarten Field Trip - Natick Community Farm
- May 29: No School - Memorial Day Observance
- June 1: End of the Year Concert
- June 2: Grade 5 Field Trip - YMCA Ropes Course
- June 6: Grade 3 Field Trip - Ecotarium
- June 7: Kindergarten Only - No School, Orientation for Incoming Kindergarten
- June 8: Kindergarten Sing-a-Bration!
- June 12: Grade 4 Field Trip: Harvard Museum of Natural History
- June 12: Grade 5 Yearbook Signing
- June 14: Grade 5 Awards Celebration (Rain Date June 15)
- June 14: PTO meeting - 6:30 pm
- June 16: Grade 5 DJ Party hosted by PTO
- June 16: Hemenway Fitness Day - 10:18 - 11:18
- June 19: No School - Observance of Juneteeth
- June 22: Last Day of School - 12:00 Release
Community Event: Youth Dance Team Clinic - May 7th
Community Event: Juneteeth Fest 2023
PTO: Parent Teacher Organization Info and Meeting Dates
Parent Teacher Organization:
The mission of the PTO is to enhance and support the educational experience at Hemenway for all students, to develop a closer connection between school and home by encouraging caregiver involvement, and to improve the community environment at Hemenway through volunteer and financial support. Sign up for the PTO newsletter to learn more about the happenings, volunteer opportunities and more: https://hemenwaypto.membershiptoolkit.com/create_account
The PTO meets monthly to plan events, discuss PTO business, and work to achieve its mission. Join a meeting. Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 7:00-8:00 pm at the Hemenway Cafe.
- Wednesday, September 14th: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday, October 12th: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday, November 9th: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday, December 14th: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday, January 11th: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday, February 8th: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
- Wednesday, March 8th: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
- Wednesday, April 12th: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
- Wednesday, May 10th: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
- Wednesday, June 14th: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm