"Paw Prints"
Farley Elementary School's Weekly Family Update
Dear Farley Families,
We have lots to be thankful for this week! First, thank you to Sue Temper and all of the residents of the WestRidge Condominium Community in Hudson. This Thursday, they delivered their second installment of snacks for our Farley Snack Pantry (see picture to the right). They donated so many snacks that we will not have a need for more until next year! Their continued support, year after year, means the world to us. We immensely grateful for their commitment to making a difference in the lives of our students.
Other sincere gratitude goes to dedicated servicemen Specialist Maguire, Sargent Roth, Specialist Dore and Specialist Olivo who took time out of their busy schedules to visit our grade 4 students. Specialist Doug Maguire is married to our art teacher Cassia Maguire. Every year, he volunteers to come talk to kids about his job and the adventures his position takes him on all over the world. Specialist Maguire, holds a special place in my heart because I had him as a student for two years in middle school-now almost 20 years ago. In addition to sharing about their jobs as Blackhawk helicopter mechanics, Sergeant Maguire also shared his passion for art (just like his wife). The students were introduced to different "patches", some of which were created by Specialist Maguire. Mrs. Maguire then guided all students in an activity where everyone made their own personal patches. Below are some pictures from the visit. If you would like to see more, Mrs. Maguire created a Google Folder. Click HERE to see her pictures.
This weekend, I'm headed to the "Downtown Worcester Winter Festival". This is event is family-friendly and open to the public. There will be ice-skating on the Common, an Alpine slide, ice sculptures and local food options. If you are looking for something to fun to do, head on down Rt.290-it's only twenty-five minutes away! Clink the link below for more information. Have a great weekend!
https://www.downtownworcester.org/things-to-do/downtown-worcester-winter-festival/
Read Always,
Rachel Scanlon (She, Her, Hers)
Farley Principal
NEED TO KNOWS
NEED TO KNOWS:
February 7th:
- Home and School Association Meeting @ 6pm in the library
February 14th:
- Half-Day for students
February 15th:
- Math Night from 5:30-7:00pm More information located below. Click HERE to register!
February 19th-23rd:
- Winter break-No school
Mark Your Calendars Now: SPRING MCAS DATES
ELA
- Gr 3 April 2 and 3
- Gr 4 April 4 and 5
Math
- Gr 3 May 7 and 9
- Gr4 May 14 and 15
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
OUR WALLS ARE RUNNING OUT OF SPACE!
Congrats to our newest Farley Fox role models.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
WELCOME MS. LAUREN LACAVA!
This week, Farley welcomed a new Applied Behavior Analyst (ABA) to our Pre-K classroom. Ms. Lauren LaCava has been working with children of all ages and abilities for the past 15 years. She holds a Bachelors in Psychology from Framingham State University and a Massachusetts EEC certification for Director and Lead Teacher for infants/ toddlers/ preschool. Her family has resided in Hudson for a number of years and she is so excited to be working in the local school system. In her spare time, she likes to read, cook with her mom, travel, and bike. While she has a love of nature and the environment. her true passion is for working with young children and inspiring their imagination. Ms. LaCava adores helping students gain independent skills and a better understanding of the world around them.
MATH NIGHT SPOTLIGHT
JOIN US FOR MATH NIGHT ON FEBRUARY 15TH!
Farley Math Interventionists, Ms. Lisa Leger and Ms. Williams, would like to invite you to their Annual Farley Family Math Night. This year's theme is "Let’s Celebrate Math!". Math night is being held on Thursday, Friday 15, 5:30 to 7 pm. Farley Family Math Night is an opportunity for students to bring their families to school in the evening and participate in different Math activities. As students travel around the building, they get to build, solve, create, and calculate using their mathematical minds.
This event is "Open-House Style" which means you can come and go as you please. You do not have to get there for 5:30pm. All students must be accompanied by an adult. Click HERE to sign up!
BULLETIN BOARD SPOTLIGHT
THANK YOU MS. SUSANA AND MS. BRENDA FOR THEIR ARTISTRY!
VALENTINE'S SPOTLIGHT
MAKE SURE TO READ ABOUT VALENTINE'S EXPECTATIONS
FARLEY HOME and SCHOOL UPDATES
PLEASE JOIN OUR NEXT HOME & SCHOOL MEETING!
Please join Farley's Home and School Association's next meeting on Wednesday, February 7th 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/kyj-jsgf-abr
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!
OTHER UPDATES AND REMINDERS
NEW PROGRAM TO HELP SUPPORT ALL STUDENTS!
Click the links below to find out more information about this new opportunity and free webinars that support students' and families' mental health!
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.
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!
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