"Paw Prints"

Dear Farley Families,

This week’s heartfelt thanks goes to our outstanding office administrative assistant Mrs. Heather Paquette (pictured below). A dedicated and competent elementary school administrative assistant, Mrs. Paquette is the kind of person who ensures that every detail is taken care of long before the first bell rings in the fall. Throughout the summer, she has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, handling a wide array of responsibilities with remarkable efficiency and grace.

Even when school is not in session, Mrs. Paquette is the first to arrive and the last to leave, meticulously organizing student records, coordinating with all district departments, and ensuring that all necessary materials are in place. Her deep knowledge of the school’s operations, combined with a proactive approach, means that nothing is left to chance. From managing enrollment and scheduling to answering countless questions from caregivers and staff, Mrs. Paquette does it all with a calm and reassuring presence.

Despite the heavy workload, Mrs. Paquette remains unflappable, always greeting everyone with a warm smile and a positive attitude. Her commitment to the school's success and the well-being of its students and staff is evident in every task she undertakes. Mrs. Paquette is the backbone of our school and because of her hard work and dedication, the school is well-prepared to welcome students back for another successful year.

Other gratitude goes to all of you caregivers who read my Paw Prints last week and sent me kind emails letting me know that the "Supply List" link wasn't accessible to the public. I was thrilled to see how many caregivers are reading the newsletter! All links should be live now. I wish I could say whenever we publish links they all always work. However, that is not always the case as we are humans and make errors. Thank you for being patient and understanding when it comes to things like this.

The entire leadership team for all of the Hudson Public Schools met this week at the New England Botanical Gardens for our annual three-day conference. This year, we read Stephen Covey's Trust and Inspire: How Truly Great Leaders Unleash Greatness in Others. In addition to sharing what we learned from this book, we also worked on creating the new District Improvement Plan, explored ways we can provide applicable professional development for our staff this upcoming year, and worked out all the nuts and bolts needed to start on August 27th. It was a very productive three days!

In case you missed last week's Paw Prints, I am republishing the most important information:

• The first day of school is 8/27. School Hours are: 8:35-2:55pm with drop off starting at 8:20am.

• Caregivers are invited to “Morning and Afternoon Coffees with the Principals”.
• Since our school is getting air conditioning this summer, we will meet outside at the playground for a Morning Coffee Hour on 8/20 @ 8:00am. Coffee and snacks will be provided.
• Virtual Afternoon Coffee Hour will take place on 8/21 @ 4:00pm. Grab your beverage of choice and join us from home using the link: meet.google.com/mxo-fgkv-amt

• Farley’s Home and School Association (Caregiver/Community group) is hosting Playground Meetups at Farley’s playscape. The dates are listed below. Please make sure to bookmark Farley’s Home and School’s Facebook page to keep current on all the amazing things that are happening! Here is the link: https://m.facebook.com/FarleyHSA.

August 19 @ 6:00-Grades K - August 20 @ 6:00-Grades 1 and 2

August 21 @ 6:00-Grades 3 and 4 - Rain Date is August 22

• Massachusetts has extended the free school breakfast/lunch program another year which means breakfast and lunch will be free for all students.

• Bus information will be published prior to the start of the school year on the district website under the “Transportation” section: https://www.hudson.k12.ma.us/parents/transportation. Bus information will also be available to view in the ASPEN database.

• Farley’s Handbook can be found on our school website: https://cafarley.hudson.k12.ma.us/ and will also be available on the district website: https://www.hudson.k12.ma.us/

• Kindergarten Meet and Greet is scheduled for August 26th from 3:15pm-4:30pm.

This evening, I am off to the lake and will be returning on Tuesday. Even when it rains, being by the water is rejuvenating. I hope you all find time to relax to this weekend...maybe cozy up on the couch to watch a movie or read one of the book suggestions I share in below in my "Back to School Scaries" spotlight. Whatever you do-I hope its fun!

Read Always,

Rachel Scanlon (she, her, hers)

978-567-6153 - rscanlon@hudson.k12.ma.us

#ExplainYourBrain

August 20th:

• Morning Coffee Hour with the Principal-Since our school is getting air conditioning this summer, we will meet outside at the playground for a Morning Coffee Hour on 8/20 @ 8:00am. Coffee and snacks will be provided.

August 21st:

• Virtual Afternoon Coffee Hour with the Principal @ 4:00pm. Grab your beverage of choice and join us from home using the link: meet.google.com/mxo-fgkv-amt

August 19th-21st: Home and School Sponsored Playground Meetups

• 8/19 @ 6:00-Grades K
• 8/20 @ 6:00-Grades 1 and 2
• 8/21 @ 6:00-Grades 3 and 4

August 27th:

• First day of school. School Hours are: 8:35-2:55pm with drop off starting at 8:20am.
• Kindergarten Meet and Greet is scheduled for August 26th from 3:15pm-4:30pm.

August 30th and September 2nd:

• No School

September 12th:

• Open House for Grades 1-4. This is an evening event. More information to follow later.

If your child starts to struggle a bit with coming back to school, try using some of these books to help. I have found an online library full of picture books related to the beginning school. Click the link below to be directed to the library document. Then click each book. This will bring you to a YouTube video of each book read out loud! I hope you enjoy the selections.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1D1nUfAz_M4N-OWxDcFDE0XFdluJv8Kvv5xI61oZCjTk/edit?usp=sharing

Students in Grades 1-4 have the opportunity to join the Boys and Girls Club in Hudson. They provide an affordable option for after-school care. Please click the posters below for more information or head directly over to their website: https://www.bgcmetrowest.org/hudson-after-school. Alexis Carvalho, the Program Administrator, mentioned that registration is now open, however, it looks like her page isn't updated yet. Feel free to reach out to her to her to register. Her contact information is below. Space is limited, so please sign up as soon as you can.

Alexis Carvalho (she/her)

Program Administrator

Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest
21 Church Street

Hudson, MA 01749

alexis.carvalho@bgcmetrowest.org

Tel: 978-562-9924

Our Farley family is eagerly looking forward to welcoming our students back to school this fall. On Friday, August 16h, we plan to send our placement letters to families. These letters will let you know who your child/children will have as their homeroom teacher. We are very proud of our thoughtful, careful process in considering best placements for students. Considerations regarding learning styles, social emotional development and students’ needs were carefully balanced in support of all students. Our class lists are thoughtfully and carefully made with input from teachers and support staff given their thorough knowledge of their students. While we acknowledge that at times, there are surprises regarding a placement, we respectfully appreciate your support in encouraging your student in having a positive start to the new school year.

If by Monday, August 19th, you have not received your letter, please email our office administrator Heather Paquette at hapaquette@hudson.k12.ma.us

Our teachers worked together in grade level teams to create these RECOMMENDED supply lists. These supplies are NOT mandatory and the brands suggested are preferred brands due to allergies. Again, these supplies are NOT required. Many of the items will be shared within the classroom community.

Please click HERE for the specific, grade-level lists. Thank you!

Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Wright wanted to share a few reminders:

• Any new students and all incoming grade 4 students need to provide the nurses with a physical.
• Any medication, both prescribed and over-the counter, must be brought to the nurse by the legal caregiver with a medical doctor's order.
• For your child's comfort, feel free to provide a complete change of clothes to be left in student lockers in case of spills, accidents, etc.
• Please make sure to email or call Mrs. Hill if there are ever any medical changes that occur throughout the year.
• Vision, Hearing, and Height/Weight (Grades 1 and 4) will take place in September. Email Mrs. Hill if you do not want your child to participate in the screening.
• Make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast (at home or at school) and gets lots of sleep!

Nurses' Contact Information:

• Tina Hill, tmhill@hudson.k12.ma.us
• Carla Wright, cjwright@hudson.k12.ma.us

This year, Farley will welcome a handful of new staff. Through out the first few months of school, I will highlight one or two of our new staff in my Paw Prints.

Farley is 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 click the link below. Also, feel free to email Mrs. Duke directly @ amduke@hudson.k12.ma.us if you have any questions or plan to apply.

https://hudson.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

Don't forget about Home and School's Playground Meetups the week of the 20th! More detailed information is described above and below (in poster form).

For those who are new to Farley here is information again on what exactly a "Home and School Association?

The Home and School Association is an organization made up of students’ caregivers for the purpose of supporting the education of children at Farley Elementary by fostering relationships among the school, families, and teachers. The Home and School Association provides a vital and much-appreciated service to school leadership and the entire school community. The activities sponsored by the Home and School are designed to build community and enhance learning.

As a caregiver of a Farley student, you automatically become a member of Home and School and are welcome to attend our monthly meetings (either in person or virtually) as well as take an active role as a volunteer in our school.

Here are some of the amazing ways the Home and School Association (HASA for short) has supported our school in the past:

· The HASA has hosted numerous events and provided volunteers when needed. Here are are just a few examples of the events: the Book Fair, the Farley Fun Day, the Valentine's Dance, Farley Gives Back Bingo Night, the Ice Cream Social, and so many more.

· The HASA has provided funds for field trips and sponsored cultural assemblies

· The HASA puts on the Farley Fun Run-our only fundraiser of the year which has provided funds to upgrade our library, create an outdoor classroom in our courtyard, and most recently enhance our playground.

Pleas join Farley's Home and School Association's monthly meetings. More information to come on the day meetings will be held. Free childcare is always provided for these meetings.

Just in case you don't have Farley's Home and School's Facebook link--here it is:

https://m.facebook.com/FarleyHSA

For new families to Farley, special thanks goes to McGovern Subaru in Acton has one again selected Farley as the recipient of their $3,000 educational donation! Subaru has teamed up with Adopt-A-Classroom.org to grant schools across the United States with funds to use next year. Six teachers have volunteered to be in charge of the $3,000 and to help figure out what our staff needs. We feel incredibly lucky to have been chosen. Thank you McGovern Subaru!

Instructional Focus: #ExplainYourBrain

Email: rscanlon@hudson.k12.ma.us
Website: https://cafarley.hudson.k12.ma.us/
Location: 119 Cottage Street, Hudson, MA, USA
Phone: 978-567-6153