Dear Leeds Caregivers,

April is National Autism Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and promoting acceptance and understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is estimated that 1 in 54 children in the United States are diagnosed with ASD, making it one of the most prevalent developmental disorders. During this month, individuals and organizations across the country come together to educate the public about autism and advocate for the needs of individuals with ASD and their families. This includes promoting early detection and intervention, increasing access to resources and support, and celebrating the unique strengths and abilities of those on the autism spectrum.

Budget FY24: Our school committee will be reviewing the new district budget proposal this Thursday at their meeting. I will forward the agenda once it has been posted.

Dismissal Safety Concerns: I would just like to review our pick up procedures. For preschool and kindergarten families, please pull into our parking lot. I know this can be difficult at times. Our students in grades 1 through 5 should be picked up at our upper loop. We have made arrangements for siblings that work for families. It has been brought to my attention that cars are parking on Florence Street. There is absolutely no parking on Florence Street. Additionally, you may not leave your car running and parked on Florence Street. Also, please do not use neighbor's driveways to turn around or to park. This is causing a safety hazard at dismissal time. If you are having trouble with pick up in kindergarten and/or preschool or have any suggestions, please let me know.

No School: Next week will be our April break. We will not have school from April 17-April 21.

Leeds Literacy and Math Night: Tuesday, April 25th from 5:30-6:30pm. Please sign up to come, so we have enough pizza for everyone. See form below.

MCAS: We have English Language Arts MCAS for grade 5 students this Wednesday and Thursday. We will have Mathematics MCAS for grades 3-5 in May. Our grade 5 students will also take Science MCAS in May. (See dates listed below.)

Volunteering at Leeds: We have many engaging activities for the end of the school year. Just a reminder that if you would like to volunteer, you will need to be cleared through VINS (Volunteers in Northampton Schools) before the day you would like to volunteer. It may take two (2) weeks for you to get cleared to volunteer.

I hope everyone has a great April break.

With kindness,
Chris Wenz, Principal

Join the Northampton Special Education Parent Advisory Council as we honor the NPS staff and community members that made a difference for students this year at the:

NORTHAMPTON SEPAC AWARDS

Wednesday, May 3, 2023 | 5:30-7:30 pm

JFK Middle School Community Room

100 Bridge Road

Snacks served & childcare available

All students with IEPs and 504 plans in the Northampton Public Schools and their caregivers are invited to submit nominations.

Submit nominations and RSVP by scanning the QR code or at: bit.ly/SEPACawards2023

Questions? Accommodation requests? Email us: NorthamptonSEPAC@gmail.com

Our Leeds PTO is sponsoring a virtual book fair through High Five Books from April 3-April 17. For more information, please click on the flyer below.

bookshop.org/shop/highfivebookfairs

Questions? Please email Kinsey: kinsey@highfivebooks.org

Our Leeds PTO is collecting items for our Auction. If you would like to donate an item, you can drop it off in our office. Thank you for supporting our school!

Upcoming Dates (updating on a regular basis)

• 4/3 - 4/17 PTO sponsored - High Five Book Fair
  

• 4/12 Grade 1 Field Trip to Smith Art Museum & Botanical Garden
  

• 4/12 MCAS - Grade 5 ELA Session 1

• 4/13 MCAS - Grade 5 ELA Session 2

• 4/13 Leeds Equity & Inclusion Committee Meeting @6:30pm

• 4/17 - 4/21 April Break - No School
  

• 4/22 Earth Day - Tree Planting at Leeds (Rain Date 4/23)

• 4/25 Leeds Literacy & Math Night 5:30-6:30pm (Please register to ensure we have enough food)

• 4/27 Teddy from The Grateful People's Project visits Leeds

• 5/2 Grade 5 Field Trip Smith Art Museum & Botanical Garden
  

• 5/2 Leeds School Council Meeting @6:15pm

• 5/3 Leeds Community Meeting Day @8:30 (Rain Date 5/10)

• 5/4 MCAS - Grade 4 Math Session 1

• 5/5 MCAS - Grade 4 Math Session 2

• 5/5 School Lunch Hero Day

• 5/8-5/12 Educator Appreciation Week

• 5/7-5/13 PTO Auction Virtual

• 5/10 National School Nurse Day

• 5/11 MCAS- Grade 5 Math Session 1

• 5/12 MCAS - Grade 5 Math Session 2

• 5/12 Grade 3 Field Trip to Smith Museum & Botanical Garden

• 5/13 PTO Auction - In Person 6:00-8:30

• 5/15 Early Release Day @11:30am / PD

• 5/16 MCAS - Grade 3 Math Session 1

• 5/17 MCAS - Grade 3 Math Session 2

• 5/18 MCAS - Grade 5 Science Session 1

• 5/19 MCAS - Grade 5 Science Session 2

• 5/24 Community Reader Day 8:30-9:30

• 5/25 Leeds Science Fair @5:30-6:30

• 5/26 Early Dismissal @11:30am- Teacher Work Day

• 5/29 No School - Memorial Day

• 5/31 Grade 5 Nature’s Classroom at Leeds -Day #1 of 2

• 6/1 Grade 5 Tour of JFK @9:00am

• 6/2 Grade 5 Nature’s Classroom at Leeds -Day #2 of 2

• 6/2 Grade 2 Field Trip Smith Art Museum & Botanical Garden

• 6/5 Early Dismissal @11:30am - Teacher Work Day

• 6/7 Anti-Bias/Anti-Racist Culmination Community Event - more details to come (Rain Date 6/9)

• 6/13 Field Day (Rain date: 6/14)

• 6/15 Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony @8:30am in Leeds Cafeteria

Click here for the most up to date District calendar.

Click here for the School online calendar.

Sandy Bombard, Administrative Assistant

(sbombard@northampton-k12.us)

Gabrielle Hollender, Early Bird/Late Bird Afterschool Coordinator

(ghollender@northampton-k12.us)

Chris Wenz, Principal

(cwenz@northampton-k12.us)

Email: sbombard@northampton-k12.us
Website: http://www.northamptonschools.org/project/leeds-elementary-school/
Location: 20 Florence Street, Leeds, MA, USA
Phone: (413) 587-1530