LAW Principal's Corner
May 2023
As we near the conclusion of the academic year, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the strides your child has made. We're immensely proud of our students and their commitment to learning.
With only a few weeks remaining, it's crucial to keep our students motivated and focused. We recognize that the allure of warmer weather and summer plans can be distracting, but it's vital to emphasize the importance of finishing strong and not letting their efforts go to waste.
We urge you to continue supporting your child's academic journey by emphasizing the completion of homework and preparation for upcoming tests. Encourage them to stay on track and reach out to teachers for any additional assistance they may require to finish the year on a high note.
Furthermore, we have a lineup of exciting end-of-year activities planned, including field day, field trips, student presentations, and other enjoyable events. These occasions will serve as a means to celebrate our students' hard work and dedication throughout the academic year.
Please read:
Finally, we will celebrate Memorial Day on May 24th during our School Wide Morning Meeting. Last year we honored Shirley Residents who served our country in one of the 5 branches of the military. We would like to honor relatives of students this year. If you have a relative that served and is deceased please send a brief description of the relatives military service and a picture for our slideshow to elewis@asrsd.org. This event is for students and staff only.
Thank you for your unwavering support and collaboration in your child's education. Let's finish the school year strong together.
Fun times ahead!
Mrs. Lewis, Principal
Dr. Donaher, Assistant Principal
May 1 and 2 -Gr. 5 River Trip (Raindate May 3)
- 1/2 White/Cirrone May 1
- 1/2 White/Dow May 2
May 6 - 90 Minute Release 1:45 p.m Dismissal
May 10 - Gr. 3 Plymouth Field Trip
May 10 and 13 - Kindergarten Screenings, incoming fall 2024
May 14 - EL Family Dinner MS 5-7 p.m.
May 14 - ASPTO Meeting 7:00 MS Library/Zoom
May 15 - School Committee Meeting 6:30 MS
May 16- Spirit Day "Wear Purple for Peace Day"
May 17 - Ms. Cirrone's Class Play (caregiver event)
May 21 - PLT members (only) Last Meeting/Pizza Trip to Village Pizza - permission slip required
May 23 - Gr. K Slushie Event (student event)
May 24 - Memorial Day School Wide Meeting Event (students and staff only) - wear Red/White/Blue
May 24 - Gr. 2 Migration Exhibition (Caregiver Event)
May 27 - No School - Memorial Day
May 28 and 29- Gr. 4 Nature's Classroom Trip
May 30 - Laps for Learning (rain date - May 31)
May 31- Gr. 1 Rainforest Event - 2:00 p.m. (caregiver event)
On the Horizon:
June 4 - Field Day (rain date June 5)
June 6 - Arts Night 5:30-8:00 (caregiver event)
June 6 - Gr. 1 Zoo Field Trip
June 6 - Gr. 3 Walking Field Trip
June 7 - Gr. 3 Biography Event ( caregiver event)
June 10 - Gr. 2 Field Trip to Botanical Gardens
June 11 - PBIS Final Rally (rain date June 12)
June 13 - Gr. 5 Moving UP Ceremony (caregiver event)
June 14 - Gr. 5 Cookout
June 17 - Last Day of School
Mrs. White one of 5th grade teachers helped spearhead a project funded by a grant to get new raised beds in our garden!
2024 Field Day Volunteers
Thank you to all the LAW families that have signed up to volunteer for LAW 2024 Field Day. The outpouring of parent volunteers was amazing. At this time, we have filled all of our volunteer spots for this year.
If you sent in a Volunteer Form and have a current CORI on file at ASRSD center office you will be receiving a Field Day Confirmation email with Field Day details mid May. If you have sent in a Volunteer Form but do not have a current CORI on file you should have received a call from Mrs. Watelet asking you to come in and complete a CORI form. Once your CORI has been approved you will receive the Field Day Confirmation email.
Note: Due to the busy time of year, it can take up to 3 weeks to get a CORI approved. This means that parents that do not have an approved CORI on file by May 30th will not be able to be a field day volunteer.
Thank you again for everyone that has signed up to volunteer. I look forward to seeing you on Field Day.
Sincerely Mrs. Watelet
LAW PE Teache
"A teacher is like a candle, consuming itself while lighting the way for others." This quote beautifully encapsulates the profound role teachers hold in shaping our lives. As we approach Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10, it's a fitting time to acknowledge and celebrate the dedication of our teachers and paraprofessionals.
We encourage students to express their gratitude through thank-you notes or thoughtful gestures, recognizing the positive impact teachers have on their journey. This act not only shows appreciation but also instills valuable lessons in kindness and gratitude that resonate beyond the classroom.
To honor our educators, the PTO will be hosting a luncheon and various events throughout the week. These initiatives aim to convey our heartfelt appreciation and highlight the immense value of their contributions to our community.
How Can You Help Show Appreciation for our LAW Teachers?
Our annual L.A.W. luncheon will be held on Thursday, May 9th. To help with a dish, please consider signing up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../70A0C49A8A62FA1FD0...
Can't help with food?? Consider making a monetary donation! You can donate on our website below. (please put which school your donation benefits in the donation notes) Donations will help fill in any meal gaps we have or go towards other treats for the teachers!
https://sites.google.com/view/aspto/donatepay/paypal-link...
In order to be eligible for Kindergarten in September, your child must be 5 years old by August 31, 2024.
You may also call Sandra Ferguson (LAW Administrative Assistant) @ (978) 772-8600 x1100 for more information.
I am writing to share some exciting news about our students' recent participation in the Young American Poetry Contest.
During the months of February and March, students in Grades 1-5 embarked on a journey into the world of poetry. They explored different types of poetic forms and unleashed their creativity to craft their own unique verses. It was truly inspiring to witness the dedication and effort that many of our students poured into their poetic endeavors.
Now, after much anticipation, I am thrilled to announce that the results are in! A total of 231 students from Grades 1-5 have had their poems selected for publication in the prestigious Young American Poetry Digest. This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the talent and hard work of our young poets.
If your student's poem was chosen for publication, congratulations are in order! This is a momentous accomplishment worth celebrating. In order for your student's poem to be included in the Young American Poetry Digest, we kindly ask that you sign the permission form enclosed with this letter and mail it to the designated address provided by the Young American Poetry Digest.
It's important to note that purchasing a book is not required for your student's poem to be published. The Young American Poetry Digest is dedicated to showcasing the literary achievements of young poets, and your support in granting permission for publication is greatly appreciated.
Once again, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the students whose poems were selected for publication. Your creativity and passion for poetry have truly shone through, and I couldn't be prouder of each and every one of you.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement in nurturing our students' love for the written word. Together, we can inspire the next generation of poets to dream, create, and share their voices with the world.
Mrs. Atwood
LAW Librarian
Hi, LAW Families--
Happy May! During this past month, students continued to be briefed on all school expectations as they pertain to the school, classrooms, recess, bathrooms, and the bus. Students have been working hard to be great community members and have been earning green PAWS to use at the School Store. In the month ahead, we will continue to educate and reinforce these expectations at our Friday Schoolwide Weekly Meetings. At home, please have a conversation with your student(s) about all school expectations including what it means to be a safe passenger on the school bus--this would be very helpful! As always, I am here to help and support--please do not hesitate to reach out. I am looking forward to the month ahead. For now, I hope that you all have a safe, healthy, and enjoyable month ahead.
Be You & Be Wel
Our Panther Leadership Team convened on April 23rd to strategize activities for Teacher Appreciation Week. Members collaborated in teams to generate ideas, followed by a collective review to select several initiatives aimed at demonstrating our gratitude towards our teachers. During the meeting, we focused on one particular idea: crafting postcards adorned with heartfelt messages for our teachers. On a designated day during Teacher Appreciation Week, PLT members will discreetly place these cards on teachers' car windshields in the parking lot, as a delightful surprise to conclude their hectic day.
Additionally, students proposed establishing a 'Snack Attack' station in the teachers' room, as an additional gesture of appreciation. I will be distributing a separate newsletter detailing how parents can contribute snacks for our teachers.
Last Meeting will take place on May 21st - with a Pizza Party at the Village Pizza shop from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. We will take a bus to the Pizza place and parents/caregivers will pick them up there by 4:15 p.m More details in separate newsletter. Please fill out a permission slip and return to school by May 17th.
May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month!
Before You Go Outdoors
Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals. Spending time outside walking your dog, camping, gardening, or hunting could bring you in close contact with ticks. Many people get ticks in their own yard or neighborhood.
Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several washings. Alternatively, you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents
containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. EPA’s helpful search tool
can help you find the product that best suits your needs. Always follow product instructions. Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old.
Avoid Contact with Ticks
Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
Walk in the center of trails.
After You Come Indoors
Check your clothing for ticks. Ticks may be carried into the house on clothing. Any ticks that are found should be removed. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended. Cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks.
Examine gear and pets. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats, and daypacks.
Shower soon after being outdoors. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease and may be effective in reducing the risk of other tickborne diseases. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check.
Check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, including your own backyard. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Check these parts of your body and your child’s body for ticks:
Under the arms
In and around the ears
Inside belly button
Back of the knees
In and around the hair
Between the legs
Around the waist
I was bitten by a tick, do I have Lyme disease?
If you have not done so already, remove the tick with fine-tipped tweezers.
The chances that you might get Lyme disease from a single tick bite depend on the type of tick, where you acquired it, and how long it was attached to you. Many types of ticks bite people in the U.S., but only blacklegged ticks transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Furthermore, only blacklegged ticks in the highly endemic areas of the northeastern and north central U.S. are commonly infected. Finally, blacklegged ticks need to be attached for at least 24 hours before they can transmit Lyme disease. This is why it’s so important to remove them promptly and to check your body daily for ticks if you live in an endemic area.
If you develop illness within a few weeks of a tick bite, see your health care provider right away. Common symptoms of Lyme disease include a rash, fever, body aches, facial paralysis, and arthritis. Ticks can also transmit other diseases, so it’s important to be alert for any illness that follows a tick bite.
For more information on tick prevention, treatment, or information about Lyme disease or other tick borne illnesses please refer to cdc.gov/lyme
