This will certainly be a year that we remember for a long time. From remote learning, hybrid, and not fully In-person learning, we have tried it all this year (and been rather successful). Over the summer we are asking that kids stay engaged with each other. Be social, be friendly, and be a kid!. Thank you to the teachers, parents, and students for working with us this year. Everyone involved deserves some nice weather, some downtime, and a fresh start next year.

While we still don't know exactly what to expect for 2021-2022, we can hope that the positive momentum will continue throughout the summer. Also, for future K students and parents, we are planning to offer an orientation during the first week of school. Kindergarten does individual screenings for the first week of school, so K students don't start until after labor day.

Please stay safe and be kind this summer!

I am excited to announce the appointment of our new assistant principal, Mike Leander. Mike wowed the interview panel with his energy and his knowledge of elementary school systems. He has been a teacher and an administrator in multiple elementary schools, and we are lucky to have him joining us.

Mike was able to visit JRB last Friday. We popped in and out of classes and jumped into lunch and recess as well.

Thanks to the efforts of our 5th-grade staff and the Stevens Memorial Library staff, we are happy to share some new ways to participate in summer reading. The first form below allows you to sign up to participate. The middle link is for a library card. Finally, the last form allows you to request a style of book that you enjoy.

As you read this summer from a hammock in your yard or on the beach, feel free to send us a picture of our JRB family readers. We did this a few years ago and saw some amazing sites, so let's try it again. You can email pictures to nnorth@awrsd.org or share them on our social media outlets.

Dear Ashburnham residents and parents of future John R. Briggs students:

Children who turn five years old by August 31, 2021 are eligible to register for kindergarten. Registration is now in process. We encourage you to complete this process as soon as possible. Enrollment packets can be picked up in the school front entryway, or found online at www.awrsd.org/jrb. Please call the school at 978- 827-5750 or email Paula Kuehl at pstlaurentkuehl@awrsd.org if you have any questions, or if your child will not be enrolling.

We look forward to welcoming another class of kindergarten students to John R. Briggs Elementary!

Anyone interested in taking over the JRB Ski Club can reach out to Mr. North via email. Our current organizer has done it for many years and is looking to step back.

Please send to school any BoxTops you may have by Tuesday, June 15th!

We are wrapping up the year of clipping and submitting online! Thank you for your efforts! We have earned $124.80 for this school year and $23,506.00 since we began collecting Boxtops years ago!

Keep on collecting and submitting online over the summer towards our goal of $500.00 for the 2021-2022 school year!

Brenda Brown

BOXtops Coordinator

Dear Families:

Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card. Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the school’s 2020 report card is designed to show families how our school is doing in different areas. You can find the Elementary School Report Cards at the following links.

John R. Briggs School Report Card HERE.

Meetinghouse School Report Card HERE.

Westminster Elementary School Report Card HERE.

The report card includes multiple measures of a school’s performance – more than just MCAS scores. It represents a new way of looking at school performance, by providing information on student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities, and more.

Report cards are designed to be useful tools for everyone connected to our school. Families can use the information to have meaningful conversations with us about what the school is doing well and where there is room for improvement. Community and education leaders can use the information to better understand how to support students and our school.

To improve student performance in our school, we are continuing to assess our approach to providing academic interventions with students. Additional information about our school’s performance can be found in the 2019 Accountability Report. A link to our schools’ Accountability Reports are available at Briggs Elementary, Meetinghouse School, and Westminster Elementary.

We encourage you to become involved in helping us improve our school. We see parents as critical partners in the success of our students and school, and we are grateful for your continued support.

Finally, if your child attends a school that receives federal Title I funds, you also have the right to request the following information about the qualifications of your child’s classroom teachers:

• Whether your child’s teacher is licensed in the grade levels and subject areas they teach,

• Whether your child’s teacher is teaching under an emergency license or waiver,

• The college degree and major of your child’s teacher, and

• Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

If you have questions about our school’s report card, would like to become involved in school improvement activities, or would like to request information about the qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher, please contact Nat North at 978-827-5750 at Briggs or Kathy Taylor 978-874-2043 at Westminster Elementary.

Sincerely,

The Elementary Administrators

Congratulations to the newly elected officers for next year's PTA.

• President - Melissa Basnett
• Vice-President - Vacant
• Treasurer - Greg Belkin
• Secretary - Jason Stanton

Thank you to everyone who made this year as successful as it could be. Hopefully we will be back to normal next year and be able to host the fun, family-friendly events we all love so much! HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!

Email: nnorth@awrsd.org
Website: https://jrb.awrsd.org/
Phone: 978-827-5750