
Back to School Family Newsletter
August 14, 2024
Contact Information
Howard School Phone: 508-894-1250
Address: 70 Howard St. West Bridgewater, MA 02379
Howard Principal: Mary Giuffre- mgiuffre@wbridgewater.com
Website: https://www.wbridgewaterschools.org/
School Hours
8:00AM - 2:25 PM (early release time is 11:30 AM)
Doors open at 7:55 AM. Only students registered for Surround Care may enter the building before 7:55 AM.
Important Dates
First Day of School- Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Grade 4/New Student Orientation- Thursday, August 22 ; 10:00 AM
Early Release - August 29 (11:30 AM dismissal)
No School - August 30- September 2- Labor Day Weekend
Howard Curriculum Night- Thursday, September 12
Howard Picture Day- Wednesday, September 18
Early Release - September 25 (11:30 AM dismissal)
Placement
Class Placements are viewable in ASPEN today!
Sign in to Aspen using your assigned sign on and password. If you have trouble signing in or can't remember your sign on information please email aspensupport@wbridgewater.com.
All ASPEN support questions should be directed to aspensupport@wbridgewater.com
You will be receiving an email with the ASPEN Re-registration instructions. This will enable you to update all emergency contact information, phone numbers and email addresses. PLEASE NOTE: By selecting Do Not Photograph your child will not appear in any teacher classroom postings, newsletter postings or the Yearbook.
Classroom Supply Lists
ART & STEM Supply Lists for Students
Students will now need the following supplies for both Art & STEM classes. Please make sure your kiddos have these for their first day of school!
ART List: (Crayola preferred)
Colored pencils
Watercolor
Glue stick (1)
Black Sharpie (both fine and extra fine)
Regular pencil and eraser
Sketchbook (no larger than 9x12)
STEM list:
masking tape
markers (will also be used for Art)
scissors (will also be used for Art)
composition notebook
Bussing
Please be advised that it is the policy of the West Bridgewater Schools that students who live within 1.5 miles of their respective school and want to ride the bus can do so on a Pay to Ride basis and only if there is enough space on the bus. It is Lucini’s policy that we have to wait 2 weeks into the new school year to allow any additional riders. Students who are in Kindergarten are exempt from this rule. Please make sure to check the distance you live from each school your child will be attending to see if your child qualifies for the bus.
The Pay to Ride cost for the 2024-2025 school year is $275. If your child does not qualify for the bus and you want them to ride the bus please return this form and and payment to your child's school secretary. The school secretary will be in contact with Lucini’s and will let you know once they approve any additional riders and will contact you with all bussing information.
Please contact your child’s school with any questions or concerns regarding this policy.
Cafeteria News
School Meals: All students eat FREE for School Year 2024-2025! We hope your student will join us for both breakfast (snack) and lunch! Check out our West Bridgewater Food Services Website off of the district website for lunch menus and more information.
Pin Pad #’s: Student’s will use the same assigned 4-digit pin# at the register. Pin numbers will be emailed to 4th Grade parents but don’t worry if they don’t remember it for the beginning of school; our School Nutrition Staff are there to help!
Payment Program: While meals are free this year, we offer a variety of healthy extra a la carte items for sale at meals, including bottled water. Students are not allowed to borrow for these extra items. Parents are encouraged to register their student for a MySchoolBucks account at www.mySchoolBucks.com or by visiting the link on the district website. You will need your student’s 10-digit SASID (state ID) number to register. Cash and checks are accepted but it must be turned in to the homeroom teacher in the morning.
Questions? Please contact Mrs. Ann Marie Grinder, Food Service Director by email at agrinder@wbridgewater.com or at (508)894-1220.
Our PTO will be ordering student t-shirts for all Howard students for our Fun Run this October. Please click on the button below to provide the t-shirt size for your child. T-shirt sizes are due by Friday, August 30.
School Policies
Tardy: If your student enters the school after 8:05 A.M. they will be considered tardy and must sign in at the office. If you know your student will be tardy please call or email Mrs. Nelson. If you know your student will be tardy you may also fill out the Google Lunch Order form online before they arrive.
Absences: We highly discourage vacation holidays taken on scheduled school days. For the best learning environment, students should be present in the classroom. If a student is absent or late please call or email Mrs. Nelson dnelson@wbridgewater.com. You may send in a doctor’s note for an absence /tardiness due to illness or an appointment.
School Calendar: For early release dates and vacation days please check out our School Calendar.
Aspen: Howard report cards will be posted in Aspen, our online portal. Directions will be sent out on how to access Aspen. If you have issues with Aspen email aspensupport@wbridgewater.com.
Aspen Summer Re-registation- At the beginning of every school year it is important to review your information in Aspen to make sure all contact information is correct and the Emergency Contact information is up to date. Directions on how to do this will be emailed to you.
Bussing Information: For safety purposes, students are allowed to only take their assigned bus and exit the bus at their home bus stop. Students are not allowed to go home on a bus that has not been assigned to them. Please note that if you live within 1.5 miles of the school your child can ride the bus on a Pay-to-Ride option only. Please contact Mrs. Nelson for a Pay to Ride form. For additional bus information contact Lucini’s at 508-584-3181.
Cafeteria: We hope your student will join us for both breakfast (snack) and lunch free of charge! Check out our West Bridgewater Food Services Website for menus and more information. For any questions contact Anne Marie Grinder at agrinder@wbridgewater.com or by phone at 508-894-1220 ext. 1320.
Important School Documents/Information: Check out our website for Student Handbooks, Staff emails and other important information.
Newsletter: There will be a Howard School monthly newsletter that is emailed to you and posted on the website.
Nurse: You can reach the school nurse Sarah Mando at smando@wbridgewater.com or 508-894-1250. If you have not submitted a recent immunization/physical, please do so at your earliest convenience. As always, if your child is not feeling well please keep them home.
School Cancellations: Messages are sent via a phone call and email, as well as Facebook posts. Also, check the school website, local TV stations and West Bridgewater Cable Station. Parents will be notified through the same messaging system for an early dismissal/school cancellation. Please have a plan in place in case of early dismissal.
Surround Care: To register or find out more information please visit our Surround Care page or email kquinn@wbridgewater.com.
Parents & Visitors: For safety and security purposes, all outside doors are locked during the school day. All visitors must check in at the office with a photo ID.
Volunteers: All volunteers must have a current CORI form on file at the Superintendent’s Office. A CORI is good for three years. CORI forms are available in the Howard School office or at the Superintendent’s Office. Please include a copy of your driver’s license when submitting your completed CORI.
Howard T-Shirts for Sale
Cost $5 (cash or check accepted)
Order From- Please print out and send in with your child.
Sizes available:
Adult Small
Adult Medium
Adult Large
Youth Small
Youth Medium
Youth Large
Youth X Large
Proceeds will help fund Raising Multicultural Kids
programming for all students.