MHS/WES Newsletter

April 9: 1/2 day of school, Noon dismissal

April 21-25: No School ~ April Break

May 7: 1/2 day of school, Noon dismissal

May 15: MHS/WES School Improvement Council, 4:15 PM

May 15: PTO Meeting at 6:30 PM

May 26: No School ~ Memorial Day

May 28: 1/2 day, Noon dismissal

June 11: 5th Grade Promotion Night at 6:30 PM

June 16: Last day of school, Noon dismissal

MHS School Nurse is requesting any new donations of boys and girls underwear sizes 4-8 as well as new socks. Thank you in advance

At this point in the year, we are encouraging students to gain more independence and self-help skills. We are also continuing to work on our stamina, especially while writing longer pieces in our English Language Arts blocks. Students are also powering their way through understanding how to find equivalent fractions, working with decimals, and beginning to look at the properties of shapes. All of these skills will come in handy when we have MCAS ELA next week and MCAS math in May.

Fourth grade students will continue their trek across the country as we study the geography and history of the five regions of the United States. We focus on the similarities and differences of the 5 regions, and the states and capitals of all 50 states!

We are hoping to go on one more field trip this year to see a play at the Hanover Theater! Stay tuned for more details!

The days keep flying by in fifth grade and our springtime has so much packed into it! We are taking MCAS, preparing for our weeklong class trip in May to Outdoor Classroom, keeping the academics rolling and handling emotions as we race toward the end of their elementary school years! It is a very exciting time in fifth grade but we are aware that this excitement is often paired with worry and stress. We will be doing all we can to support all the emotions as we close our fifth grade school year.

SAVE THE DATE!

Our Fifth Grade Promotion Night will be held on Wednesday June 11th at 6:30 PM in the Westminster Elementary Cafeteria. (Formal invitations to follow.) This will be the night to celebrate students completing their journey through elementary school. We are excited to celebrate their hard work, growth and all the memories made at Meetinghouse School and Westminster Elementary.

Grade 5 MCAS Info

Fifth grade MCAS DATES:

ELA Session 1: April 3rd

ELA Session 2: April 10th

Math Session 1: May 1st

Math Session 2: May 6th

Science Session 1: May 9th

Science Session 2: May 13th

Helpful Tips and Reminders before testing dates:

-Get plenty of rest the night before testing sessions

-Make every effort to arrive at school on time! Testing will begin by 9AM and late arrivals may require students to do a make up test day.

-Bring a healthy snack and water!

-Breakfast will be available at school but if they do not get breakfast, ensure your child has eaten breakfast before they leave for school.

-Bring a FULLY charged Chromebook for testing!!!!

Outdoor Classroom News and Updates:

- A "Family Packet" was sent home with your child with a great deal of Outdoor Classroom information. This packet includes an overview of the program, a packing list, a participation waiver, emergency contact info, and medication forms.

-We are asking for these forms to be returned to school before we leave for April Vacation (April 18th).

-A google form was emailed to parents/guardians this week. This form is for you and your child to fill out with peers that they would like to request being in a cabin with during our trip. Please fill out and submit these forms by Friday April 4th so that we can ensure appropriate cabin placement for your child.

-Our fifth grade students will have the opportunity to attend a “virtual visit” with the coordinators of Outdoor Classroom on Friday April 4th. We are excited about this chance for students to hear more about the trip from the person running the camp and to get their questions answered as we approach the trip! Be sure to ask your child about what they learned!

-Thank you so much for your continued support, and as always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns!

Greetings to all musicians at MHS and WES! March is “Music In Our Schools Month” and there certainly is much to talk about in the general music classroom, and each after school ensemble. Our students have been doing a great job this year and I love seeing them grow with music, which has endless benefits for all!

Grades K and 1 students have been singing and moving to many songs including I Have a Little Snowman, Sky Bears, 2 Famous Men, Cherry Tree, Ram Sam Sam, Down By the Bay, Sarasponda, and Boom Chicka Boom. The 1st graders have started to use xylophones as well. Soon both grades will start preparing to learn patriotic songs of America as they help observe Memorial Day.

Grade 2 students wrapped up their unit on Boomwhackers which are plastic tubes with pitches, that they learned several patterns, and playing simple songs in small groups. The grade 2 students are in a unit on Beethoven, seeing a movie, and video clips of important pieces of music, including Fur Elise, parts Symphony # 5, including different performances of Ode To Joy from his 9th symphony. They will soon start a unit on the Beatles!

Grade 3 students have been working real hard to learn the piano! They have learned where the notes are on the piano, and have started with a simple 5 finger-C position, so that they can learn simple songs. Each 3rd grader has a Keyboard Level 1 packet, that they should keep at home. They sit at their own keyboard, and have both group and individual time to learn. A google classroom has been set up for them so that they can learn songs by watching/playing along with videos that I will continue to add. It will be a great way to let them have additional time to play music at home if they are lucky enough to have either a piano, a keyboard, or even a piano app on perhaps an Ipad. They also started a unit on the great classical pianist, Franz Listz. After watching a movie, they will learn about one of Liszt’s compositions called the Hungarian Rhapsody.

Grade 4 and 5 students have been working very hard at learning how to read music notation and play simple songs at the piano keyboards. They each completed a unit on a composer study, including a movie and parts of important video performances of their most famous compositions. Grade 4 are learning about Gioachinno Rossini, who made opera funny, and will soon learn about the Barber of Seville, William Tell, and the Cat Duet. Grade 5 students will learn about Johann Sebastian Bach, perhaps the greatest composer of all time, who made Toccata and Fugue in D-, Air, the Brandenburg Concertos, and the Cello Suites. They will also learn to play with chords as well. After that they will start their unit on learning to play the Ukuleles! Both grade levels will have google classrooms set up with various videos to help them at home.

B Band At this time, almost all beginning instrumentalists have spent many months learning material from the method book to prepare them for the next level of playing in A Band. B Band has officially stopped and most kids are in A Band now.

A Band Students continue to improve at the Thursday rehearsals. They should ALL be using their google classroom which I have made videos of their individual parts so that they can learn/practice along with the videos at home. Speaking of practicing, there is a 500 Minute Club, which means every time they get to 500 minutes at home, they write it down on the paper we provided at the back of the newsletter. Then the parent signs it, and the private instructor signs it, and they are entered into prizes given out at the spring concert. Our first performance for A Band on District band night was very successful and can be viewed on TV and at the website for Ashburnham Westminster Community Access. The concert showcased the concert bands at each of the AWRSD schools and a few songs where all students play together at the same time. The spring concerts are currently scheduled for May 30 (9am for Veterans/Grandparents) and June 3 (9am at WES for the school, and 6:30pm at ORHS for parents).

Jazz Band students have been practicing on Wednesdays. Sometimes I add students based on need and ability for some students in A Band to our Jazz Band for students who have progressed to a certain point. Their first performance is scheduled for April 17 which will showcase the concert bands at each of the AWRSD schools and a few songs where all students play together at the same time. The next performance is at the WES Celebration night on May 14 from 6-6:30pm. A permission slip is coming soon. The spring concerts are currently scheduled for May 30 (9am for Veterans/Grandparents) and June 3 (9am at WES for the school, and 6:30pm at ORHS for parents).

Chorus students have been practicing on Fridays. They have a google classroom so that they can practice singing along with videos that I have made. They have done well with single part music, which means everyone sings the same part. We will begin to add some more 2 Part singing which is certainly more challenging. Our first performance was the District Chorus Concert showcased the chorus from each of the AWRSD schools and a few songs where all students sang together at the same time. That concert is available on TV on the Ashburnham Westminster Community Media website. The next performance is a short informal one for the opening of the Walk for Cancer on Academy Hill on May 15 from 7-7:30pm, a permission slip will be made. The spring concerts are currently scheduled for May 30 (9am for Veterans/Grandparents) and June 3 (9am at WES for the school, and 6:30pm at ORHS for parents).

IMPORTANT MUSIC DATES

4/17 Jazz Band -District Jazz Night at ORHS 6:30pm (short rehearsal before concert)

4/23 MHS Grade K/1 -MHS Memorial Day Program 9am

4/23 Chorus (Grade 4 only) and A Band (grades 3+4 only) -WES Memorial Day Program (follows MHS program - @10am)

5/12 WES Recital Night - Student must sign up beforehand with a prepared piece 6:30pm

5/14 WES Celebration Creation Night -Jazz Band performance at 6pm-6:30pm

5/15 WES Chorus -Opening for the Walk for Cancer 7-7:30pm Academy Hill

5/26 A Band -Memorial Day Parade (March/perform at program at Academy Hill)

5/30 WES Grandparent Concert - (Spring Concert just for Grandparents/Veterans!) 9am

6/3 Spring Concert -A Band/Chorus/Jazz Band

-Concert 1 at WES 9am

-Concert 2 at ORHS at 6:30pm

6/7 Great East Festival - Grade 4+5 A Band and Jazz Band members only @7am-6pm

PLEASE ALSO NOTE: A complete and detailed schedule of performance dates, times, locations, as well as rehearsal schedules with any date changes was sent out to your child/musician in the February newsletter. Please contact Mrs. Popik or myself if you are not getting any music newsletter/emails. Thank you.

The last day of school after snow days is: Monday, June 16 at NOON. Please take NOTE. As our winter/spring is still not over, that day could change as well. Please stay tuned.

Please remember when you are calling your child out absent, to call the school that they attend.

MHS~ Pre-K , K and 1: 978-874-0163

WES~2, 3, 4, and 5 grade: 978-874-2043

Westminster Elementary School is excited to partner once again with Hannaford grocery stores for this year's Hannaford Helps Schools program, running from March 16 to June 7!

Through this program, shoppers will earn 3 School Dollars for every 4 participating products purchased. At checkout, customers will receive a School Dollar printout they can redeem online to donate to any school in this program.

To redeem School Dollars, all shoppers need to do is enter the unique printout code and store number on the Hannaford Helps Schools program website and select their school. Each School Dollar printout has a QR code that will bring shoppers directly to this link, ensuring that redeeming School Dollars is as easy as possible. Please note that the in-store collection tower has been eliminated.

In the past, Westminster Elementary has earned anywhere from $500 to $1000. This money goes to scholarships for field trips that support students in both MHS and WES. Thank you for your continued support!

If your child forgets to bring their water bottle or Chromebook, you DO NOT have to bring it to the school. They can use the bubbler and borrow a Chromebook. This helps not to interrupt the classroom teaching that is taking place. Thank you for your time.

Did you know that MHS/WES is on Instagram? Check it out!! principalkt24

All students have a bus number assigned to them as well as stops. Please click on the button at the end of this newsletter to see your child's bus number and stop. HOWEVER, if your child is going to be a parent pick up, walker, walker to MHS, or going to extended day, it is VERY IMPORTANT to send in a note with your child's first and last name to the school. One note is sufficient for the year with their schedule, but if it changes at all, we need to know. The safety of your child is our priority. Thank you

Emergency Early Dismissal Policy

In the event of an unforeseen emergency that necessitates the dismissal of students prior to the end of the school day, parent notification will be provided through the automated phone and email system. Typical emergency situations that may precipitate an early dismissal include, but are not necessarily limited to, severe weather conditions, fire and absence of heat or water.

Since it is impractical for school officials to personally contact every parent in the event of an early dismissal, parents and particularly the parents of elementary age children, are encouraged to develop a clear and well-defined plan with their children in case of an early dismissal. Since children will be dismissed to their home, it is imperative that children know how to gain entry into their home and how and whom to call once they are there.

ABSENCES: Please call WES (978-874-2043) or MHS (978-874-0163) when your child will be absent or late for school. Please state your name, your child’s name, teacher, and the reason for absence. If you must speak to someone, please call after 7:45 AM. This system is to ensure the safety of your child. If we do not hear from you, we will contact you at home or work, and if we can’t reach someone we may send a school resource officer to the house to do a well child check. Absent notes are required when children return to school.

AM Arrivals: Bus drivers do not let children off the bus until 8:20 a.m. There is NO Supervision before 8:20 a.m. Walkers/students being dropped off should not arrive before 8:20 a.m. School starts at 8:30 a.m.

PM Dismissals: The school day ends at 2:55 p.m. The office needs to know your dismissal plan. If your child is a car-rider, you will be given a sign to display on your car dashboard to be used each day. Car riders will be dismissed to the cafeteria and called outside in the order cars line up. Please remain in your car. Signs will be posted. If you would like your older sibling to walk from WES to MHS pick-ups for dismissal in the afternoon, please send a note to the office and your child’s teacher.

If your child needs to be dismissed early, please send a note to his/her teacher stating the time and reason for dismissal. Early dismissals will be handled through the main office.

NOTES: Please use student’s (and parent’s) last names in all notes to the teacher/office. Please also date all notes so that we can be sure we are dealing with current messages. Notes are required for any change in dismissal. You may also email a note to mhsoffice@awrsd.org (MHS) or wesoffice@awrsd.org(WES).

MEDICATIONS: ALL Medications must be brought to the nurse by an adult at the beginning of the day. Medication is NOT TO BE TAKEN by any child on his/her own. The school nurse under the following circumstances will administer medication:

• A signed and dated note from a doctor and a parent is sent with the child’s name, dosage, reason for medication and time to be given.

• The prescription bottle is sent with only the amount which will be needed for the administration at school. (Pharmacies will dispense in two bottles if you ask.)

School Announcements:

Please make sure all phone numbers and email addresses are updated throughout the school year to ensure you receive all messages sent from the school or district.

RESTRICTIONS: Please provide the office with any LEGAL DOCUMENT which indicates any legal restrictions on the release of your child as per district policy. These restrictions CANNOT be honored unless we have a copy of the legal documents in your child’s file. Please remember that it is MOST IMPORTANT that your child knows who he/she is allowed to leave school with and restrictions of the same.

TARDINESS: It is important that your child be at school on time. Tardy students need to stop at the office for a tardy slip when they arrive later than 8:30 a.m. If excessive tardiness continues, it will be necessary for the parent and child to meet with the Principal so that we may remedy the situation.

ARRIVAL

8:20 - 8:30 AM

DISMISSAL

2:55 PM

HALF DAYS - DISMISSAL

12:00 PM

AM Session 8:45-11:10 AM

PM Session 12:00-2:30 PM

Full Day Session 8:45-2:30 PM (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Friday)

Please reach out with any questions you may have. We are happy to help!

• MHS - Kathi McCarthy 978-874-0163 ext. 0
• WES - Liz Maillet 978-874-2043 ext 0

General Ashburnham-Westminster Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) membership is open to all AWRSD parents/guardians of children with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans and other interested parties. We need volunteers to help plan workshops, staff tables at local school and community events, become future leaders, assist other parents, and plan new activities and projects. Learn more about us and our work on our website https://sites.google.com/view/ashburnham-westminster-sepac. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ashwestsepac.

Bus passes will be issued for students riding their ASSIGNED bus but getting off at a different stop. A note or phone call from the parent/guardian is required to your child’s school office. The office will then issue the bus pass. Bus passes to ride a DIFFERENT bus will ONLY be issued in the event of an emergency. The school office must be notified by a parent/guardian that there is a circumstance beyond their control/emergency causing a student to ride a different bus. Bus passes are not issued for going to a friend’s house, dances, etc.

If you have specific questions or concerns regarding your child’s bussing, please reach out to bussing@awrsd.org.