CH School News & More - 2.25.25

We recognize that the flu, Covid, and RSV have been fierce this season. Please continue to keep your child home if they are sick, waiting for them to be fever free for 24 hours before a return to school. PLEASE DO send well children to school. We truly appreciate our families who are resisting the urge to schedule vacations during scheduled school time. We love teaching your children and we appreciate everything you do to ensure their attendance.

Remember the school day at Claypit Hill begins at 7:55 a.m.

Thank you to our Claypit families who supported our recent Souper Bowl for Caring. This Claypit tradition started many years ago by longtime Wayland educator, Mark Owen, is one that we are proud to continue in his memory. With your help, we met our goal and celebrated by having a school-wide dance party Friday afternoon. We danced our hearts out for the last ten minutes of the school day!

We hope that many families will be able to join us one week from today (March 4th) at the Wayland Sings Choral Concert. Our 4th and 5th graders who participate in chorus will join choruses from across the district in a special concert. The concert will begin at 7:00 at Wayland High School.

Please be sure to check out this edition of our enews carefully. The weeks ahead will be busy ones including lots of school and district wide events. We hope to see you as we celebrate our students in the upcoming weeks!

Sincerely,

Marie, Kate, and Naomi

Bus Driver & Crossing Guard Appreciation Breakfast

Wednesday, March 12, 9:15-10:15 am; Happy Hollow Cafeteria

Help us thank our bus drivers and crossing guards for all that they do to get our students safely to and from where they need to go. Whether your child walks to school, rides the bus, plays sports, or has enjoyed a field trip on the bus – we couldn’t do it without these folks! This year Happy Hollow is hosting this PTO-organized event, and there are three ways that you can help:

1. Sign-up here to contribute food, supplies or time on March 12th.

2. Write a personal thank you note to your bus driver or crossing guard (from you or your child). These can be dropped off in the elementary school offices by the end of the school day on Monday March 3rd, or can be dropped off/mailed to Sarah Shtutin, 7 Old Farm Circle, Wayland, MA 01778.

3. Consider a $10 donation, instead, to help offset the cost of the breakfast and the simple gift bags for each driver/guard. Please make a check payable to “Wayland PTO” and mail to Sarah Shtutin, 7 Old Farm Circle, Wayland, MA 01778

Please check the lost and found for your child's items. We will be donating it on March 7.

Planning for the 2025 Backpack Auction has begun! The auction is the second (of two) fundraising events that directly supports all of Wayland’s elementary schools. The auction (to take place in March) has historically had a huge response across families and the Wayland community and we hope it lives up to its reputation in 2025! Our goal is to identify thoughtful and exciting bidding items to make this year’s auction a success!

That’s where YOU come in!

Please consider donating any of the following to the auction:

• Your services or hobby or skill (sports or music lessons, hiking guide, photography, baking or cooking lessons, etc.)

• Donations from a local business, virtual experiences, online subscriptions, outdoor activities, or even time in a vacation home

• Cook & deliver a meal for a family

• New toys, apparel or items for the home

• Gift cards to your favorite restaurants and businesses

If you have a auction item to donate, please complete this Google form: https://forms.gle/H8deThuoLvGCHM6v6

Have questions? waylandbackpackauction@gmail.com

Did you know: The funding we raise for the PTO this year determines our 2025-26 budget and directly impacts what we’re able to do for our students next year--think of the back-to-school picnic, incredible field trips, and all of the other wonderful enrichment opportunities that the PTO enables through your generous support.

~Thank you from the Backpack Auction Team

The 4th grade Claypit Hill Girl Scout troop is collecting toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, combs) for families living in a nearby shelter. Please consider dropping off a donation at Claypit Hill or the following spots around town (Arte Salon, Btone, Joint Ventures or Wayland Library) between now and February 28. Thank you in advance for supporting the troop's service project and helping support families in need of these everyday necessities.

We’re thrilled to announce that the 2025 Claypit Hill Elementary School Talent Show is coming March 20th at 5pm. We’re looking for amazing performers like you to take the stage! Whether you sing, dance, act, perform magic, or have a unique skill, this is your chance to shine.

Registration is open through Friday, March 7th. Register here!

Please email Annie Matthews (anniematthews20@yahoo.com) with any questions.

Rehearsals will be held on Wednesday, March 19th. Participants will receive communication with details. Rehearsal is not mandatory but encouraged.

Sunday, May 18
2:00–4:00 PM
Loker School Back Field

Mark your calendars for the return of Wayland World's Fair, hosted by all three Wayland Elementary Schools!

Get ready for a fun-filled afternoon of culture, community, and connection! The Wayland World’s Fair is a fantastic event where families can explore traditions from around the world. From delicious food and traditional dress to dance, games, and crafts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Want to be part of the fun? Sign-ups to host a country booth or volunteer will open in March—a great way to share your culture and make this event even more special.

The SOUPer Bowl of Caring Leaders are grateful to the many Claypit Hill students, families, and staff members that donated to the SOUPer Bowl of Caring food drive. We are also grateful to our PTO for their generous assistance. With your support, Claypit Hill School collected 434 food items that were given to My Brother’s Table food pantry in Wayland! Thank you for working to help others. Your generosity will bring comfort to many in our community.

The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) provides districts with a testing window. We have scheduled our assessments late in the window to provide for as much time for teaching and learning as possible before the assessments. As a result, there is little time provided for make up tests. It is imperative that travel not be scheduled during the MCAS testing days. Please support our school by planning accordingly.

3rd Grade

ELA - March 25th and March 27th

Math - May 13th and May 15th

4th Grade

ELA - April 3rd and April 8th

Math - May 19th and May 21st

5th Grade

ELA - April 1st and April 4th

Math - May 14th and May 16th

STE - April 30th and May 2nd

• Tuesday, Mar 4 - All School Meeting, 8:15, Gym
• Tuesday, Mar 4 - Wayland Sings, 7:00pm, WHS
• Thursday, Mar 6, Multilingual Family Potluck, 6:00pm, WHS
• Monday, Mar 10 - 5th Grade Field Trip, Ms. Moquin and Scarpulla
• Friday, Mar 14 - 5th Grade Field Trip, Ms. Foley and Ms. Wales

• Thursday, Mar. 20 - Talent Show

• Wednesday, Mar. 26 - Art Show

• Sunday, May 18 - World's Fair, Loker School

• Tuesday, May 20 - 5th Grade Play

• Wednesday, Jun. 4 - Spring PTO Meeting, 7:00pm