News From The Nest: Issue #21

Hello Elm Street School Families and Friends!

We squeezed so much into our final week of January here at the Nest! We kicked off the week with our fantastic Glow Run in celebration of raising over $35,000 for our school. Students really enjoyed heading down to the gym during their essentials block and as a grade level running in the dark with the glow of some rope lighting illuminating their paths. Thank you to all of our family volunteers who came in to support the run on Monday.

We closed our week, and the month of January, with our monthly all school assembly. We started off with our greeting (ask your child(ren) to show you the banana and/or star greeting at home) followed by a beautiful share from our Grade 3 students and Music educator Ms. Veneto. In celebration of Black History Month and in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day each third grade class highlighted a different person who has contributed positively to American history and culture including Ruby Bridges, Katherine Johnson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Harriet Tubman. They shared important facts about each of their lives and contributions and then shared a chant they created that highlighted some important positive character traits for each woman. After the share we heard an update from our Grade 5 Student Council about our reusable lunch trays in the cafeteria and Kindness Week. And lastly we wrapped up celebrating all of the students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 who received High Fives this month.

In this edition of our weekly newsletter you will find information about:

• upcoming dates and celebrations for February
• counseling newsletter for February
• Essentialist Newsletter: Music
• Cold Weather Gear Reminder
• K-5 Report Cards Published
• Kindness Week at Elm
• February Vacation Camp
• February Coffee and Conversation
• SEPAC Q&A with Ask Advocacy

We look forward to celebrating the 100th day of school this upcoming Wednesday and are holding out hope that Punxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow this Sunday and we have an early spring ahead.

See everyone back at the Nest on Monday!

Jen

At the beginning of each month I will share a calendar of some upcoming Elm events as well as upcoming cultural celebrations and heritage months with hyperlinks to more information if you are interested in learning more. Below is information for the month of February.

If there are cultural celebrations that are important to you and your family that you would like to share with the adult Elm community, please email me so I can be sure to include them in upcoming newsletters. If you have any questions about anything you see on our calendar, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly.

• Black History Month

• 2/2 Groundhog Day

• 2/3 - 7 National School Counselor Week

• 2/5 100th Day of School

• 2/6 6:45p School Committee Meeting

• 2/7 Early Release Day

• 2/10 - 14 Kindness Week

• 2/13 7:00p Elm PAC meeting

• 2/14 Valentine’s Day

• 2/15 Parinirvana Day

• 2/17 Presidents’ Day

• 2/17 - 21 February Break- SCHOOL CLOSED

• 2/21 International Mother Language Day

• 2/25 3:15p School Council meeting

• 2/27 6:45p School Committee meeting

• 2/28 K-5 Assembly, Color Spirit Day (K: Red, Grade 1: Orange, Grade 2: Yellow, Grade 3: Green, Grade 4: Blue, Grade 5: Purple)

Please help your children remember to bring cold weather gear to school. Boots, snow pants, a hat, and gloves/mittens are needed if children want to play in the snow. If they do not bring this gear they will be able to enjoy recess outdoors on the blacktop. Since we go out in the colder temperatures (unless the weather is extreme) it is important that all students have at least a warm coat, hat, and gloves/mittens.

Families now have access to their child's Elementary Standard Based Report Cards and Special Education Progress Report (if applicable) in the Aspen Family Portal

The Term I report card communicates student progress toward meeting end-of-the-year learning standards. The slight, but important, change we made several years ago to the descriptors of the Academic Performance Levels is the phrase “at this time”. The purpose of including this phrase is to share with families where their students are academically, at this time of the year.

Educators assess student performance against these learning standards, which are specific and observable grade-level skills. Our report cards reflect the learning standards as outlined in the current Massachusetts State Frameworks. Educators assess by measuring individual student performance against the identified concrete learning standards, rather than in relation to the performance of other students.

Please check out the Parent/Guardian Guide by CLICKING HERE

During the week of Monday February 10 - Friday February 14 we will celebrate Kindness Week at Elm with some special activities planned by our Grade 5 Student Council. The theme is "What Does Kindness Mean to You"

• All week we invite classrooms to decorate their doors in response to our theme
• Students are encouraged to create a special Valentine's Day card or drawing that will be shared with seniors through the Walpole Council on Aging. These cards and drawings can be submitted to Mrs. Simpson by Wednesday 2/12.
• All week we will be collecting items to donate to a local animal shelter. Items that will be collected include used towels, blankets, wet/dry pet food, and training treats. All donations can be dropped off on the table in the main lobby
• We are encouraging buddy classes to get together and do a special activity connected to the theme

February Vacation Camp 2025

The Walpole Schools Extended Day Program is excited to host a February Vacation Camp for all Walpole Students in Grades K - 5. Registration closes on February 12th.

Families can create an account/register at this link: https://register.capturepoint.com/reg/login.cfm?cuBNAf%2FV0p4trnasCJNBkrfRqxVbA8M1ugTdgJwcwr%2BLxIFL2ZCtvf%2Fw

WHEN

● Tuesday, February 18 - Thursday, February 20.

● Drop off will take place from 8:00am-9:00am. Pick up will take place from 3:00-4:00pm.

● An Extended Day option will be available each day from 4:00-5:00pm.

**Once a student is dismissed from the program they may not return the same day.**

WHERE

● Boyden Elementary School (1852 Washington St, South Walpole, MA 02071)

● Drop off and Pick up will take place at the front door of the school.

FEES

● 1 Day Camp Option - $100

● 2 Day Camp Option - $200

● 3 Day Camp Option - $280

● 1 Day Extended Day Option - $25

● 2 Day Extended Day Option - $50

● 3 Day Extended Day Option - $75

● Younger siblings will receive a 10% discount.

● Families may only register for the Extended Day option on days that they are registered for the February Vacation Camp.

● Families will be invoiced via CommunityPass.

● Payment is due prior to the start of camp. A $25 late fee will be applied to late payments.

PROGRAMMING

● Supervision is provided by Extended Day Site Coordinators and Assistants from all four elementary schools.

● Students will be grouped based on age/grade and rotate through a variety of sports, arts, and stem activities over the course of the 3 days.

WEATHER

● We will make every effort to be open regardless of weather. If inclement weather or emergency situations require a change of hours or closing, parents will be notified soon as possible.

● Children should bring clothing suitable for outside play.

FOOD

● Extended Day provides all students with a morning and afternoon snack.

● Parents need to provide both breakfast and lunch.

MEDICAL

● Please be aware that any students requiring an epi-pen, inhaler, seizure and other medications must bring their own on the first day of camp. All epi-pens, inhalers, seizu and other medications will be kept with an on site nurse. All epi-pens, inhalers, seizure and other medications will be sent home with students on the last day of camp. If your student will need medication administered during camp hours, you will be asked to complete a consent form, which must be delivered with the prescribed medication on the first day of camp

Want More Information?

Reach out to Dan Santangelo,

Director of Extended Day at:

dsantangelo@walpole.k12.ma.us or Evan

Storlazzi, Assistant Director at:

estorlazzi@walpole.k12.ma.us

Our next Coffee and Conversation will take place on Friday, February 7th in the Elm cafeteria. Our agenda includes a brief update about what's been happening around the Nest followed by our guest presenter Shannon Findley, the WPS English and Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator for Kindergarten to Grade 5. Mrs. Findley will share an overview of literacy learning at Elm including how we have been adopting and adapting to our new curriculum this year.

Coffee and connection begins at 8:15a and our program will start at 8:30a.

Email: jbuller@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.walpole.k12.ma.us/o/ess
Location: 415 Elm Street, Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: 508.660.7374

Instagram: ElmStSchool