Here At JRB

The 100th day of school was a blast. Staff and students alike in grades 1-5 were able celebrate the accomplishments of the hard work through 100 days, and both groups were able to look forward to what the next 80 days held in store for them as well. Our kindergarten starts 4 school days later than the rest of our grades, so they will be able to celebrate the 100th day on Monday, February 12th.

Happy Groundhog Day!!

We are well into the cold/flu season here at school, and we have seen many students with numerous illnesses to include but not limited to flu, strep, and COVID. If a parent has a concern and/or question regarding whether or not a student should go to school or be sent home due to a medical issue, please call and talk to the school nurse. It is very important to relay any information such as if they would like their child to be dismissed, checked in on, or something of that nature. I always welcome calls and information sharing so that I may provide the best care within my ability and scope.

It is the district's policy that students will be medically dismissed by the school nurse for a fever

over 100 degrees, vomiting/diarrhea, or a serious injury or a suspected serious illness. Students

should be fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication before returning to school. I am

seeing an abundance of students come to see me informing me that they were told they could

go home. We strongly dissuade parents/guardians to tell your student to ask the nurse if they

can go home. Again, I welcome and encourage open communication regarding your student

and if they are feeling unwell or having a rough day. However, I am unable to dismiss every

student that comes to the nurse’s office that is asking to go home, without the having the

above symptoms or due to information relayed from home.

Please continue to send in a copy of any updated or recent physicals. If your student has any

injuries or illnesses which require a temporary activity limitation or restriction for recess and/or

PE, please send that documentation in as well.

Nurse Cassie

Cassandra Benes RN, BSN

John R. Briggs School Nurse

Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District

P: 978-827-5750

F: 978-827-5699

Cbenes@awrsd.org

We’re inching closer, slowly, but closer, to our goal of 100 kits sold! We really need everyone to work together and participate. We’ve extended our fundraiser to February 20th! Make sure you’ve sent your unique link to anyone who will support you and our fundraiser. Think of anyone you know who likes pizza…HINT HINT, that’s everyone! $6.00 of every kit sold goes towards our Nature’s Classroom Scholarship Fund and JRB’s Enrichment Fund!

https://fundraising.littlecaesars.com/login/join-fundraiser/bfcf5b45-a540-4676-ba4f-c8cac268981c

Thank you,

Brenda Brown (JRB Little Caesars Pizza Coordinator)

2/9- JRB PTA Dance Party

2/19- 2/23- No School Winter Break

3/13- Half Day Of School

Throughout the school year, if you take any photos of your student at a JRB or PTA event (i.e. costume parade, game night, band concerts, etc.) please upload them to TreeRing so they can be added to the yearbook. Login or create your account at www.treering.com (school passcode: 1015374667562301). You can also email them to jrbriggsyearbook@gmail.com.

Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce its new, free MPY Parenting Solutions Library. To date, over 2,200 videos have been borrowed. MPY is offering the MPY Parenting Solutions Library in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions is a dynamic hub of trusted knowledge and compassionate support that inspires parents to create positive change for their children, their families and themselves. Through this new partnership, MPY is pleased to offer proven resources to help students’ families thrive.

Peace At Home Parenting Solutions specializes in empowering parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections that safeguard their children's mental well-being. When parents grasp the interconnection between the brain, body, and behavior, they experience reduced stress levels, resulting in less stress for their children.

The Peace At Home Parenting Solutions team, comprised of experts with advanced degrees, stays abreast of the latest advancements in child development. With more than 30 specialists focused on child and adolescent development, including specific issues such as difficulties in school, mental health challenges, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ identity formation, handling racism, navigating grief, and other matters parents and our partners identify. These experts present easy-to-use strategies for long-lasting change.

Parents can watch or just listen to experts who get right to the point solving big and small challenges. The 24 library presentations focus on the topics below. Each presentation includes a 10-minute videos and handouts.

· Inspire School Success for Elementary, Middle and High School Students

· Parenting Principles for Progress Not Perfection

· Mental Health Knowledge and Skills

· Support Your Anxious Child Library

· ADHD and Autism: How to Help Your Child Thrive

The Home Parenting Library may easily be accessed using the link: https://peaceathomeparenting.com/mpy-solution-libraries/ No log in or passcode is needed.

We request your assistance sharing this valuable and free resource with parents and caregivers in your district. Please contact MPY Executive Director Margie Daniels at margie@mpyinc.org with questions.

Best regards,

Margie