"Paw Prints"

Dear Farley Families,

I'm a bit winded as I type this week's Paw Prints Newsletter! I just got back inside from our "Farley Fun Run Inflatable Reward Extravaganza". What a memorable event! I was lucky enough to get to wear the fox inflatable! Thank you to all of the staff members who volunteered to wear costumes and make light of themselves in front of the students and staff. We are so grateful to Mrs. Pierce, Ms. Georger, Mrs. J. Leger, Ms. Nathaly, Mrs. Farley, Mrs. K. Charbonneau, Mrs. Russell, Mrs. Crapulli, Mrs. Casto, Mrs. Eckelman, and Officer Chad. I will be sending home pictures and a video of this event next week! Feel free to watch it on repeat.

Other gratitude this week goes to Farley School Improvement Council members who met for our first meeting of the year on Wednesday. This year, we are happy to welcome community member Mark Terra-Salamao to our council. Mark comes to our council with lots of experience. Not only was Mark a previous town-wide School Committee Member, he also attended Farley as an elementary school student, and currently still lives in the Farley district. He is the perfect addition to our group! Our other loyal members are: Farley Staff: Sarah Mielke-School Adjustment, Caregiver: Molly McKenzie, School Committee Member: Erica Ankstitus. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules!

Lastly, special thanks also goes to caregiver Sarah Tracy for creating the first draft of this year's Farley Family Directory. This is a wonderful resource! If you still want to be part of the directory, please still sign up! Please email Sarah @ sarah.tracy97@gmail.com if you have any questions

Here is the link to this year's directory: Farley Family Directory 24.25

Here is the link to last year's directory: Farley Family Directory

Still want to sign up? Click this link: https://forms.gle/eEQg6ZaSBnDqoDko7

Don't forget that picture day is Monday. All students will get their pictures taken individually and with their class. Fliers went home last week with all the important information. You can also order online using the QR Code to the right or going to mylifetouch.com. Next week I am not in school on Friday. I have a family reunion that I am attending, so there will be no Weekly Paw Prints Newsletter. Have a lovely fall weekend!

Read Always,

Rachel Scanlon (she, her, hers)

978-567-6153 - rscanlon@hudson.k12.ma.us

#ExplainYourBrain

October 7th:

• Picture Day-Fliers have been sent home in backpacks. See information and QR code below to order online.

October 14th:

• No School

November 6th:

• Home and School Association Meeting-6:00pm in the Farley Library. Join online using this link: meet.google.com/goh-pzio-oev.

In addition to being our Farley Mascots, grade 4 students also get an opportunity to be "Student Monitors". Student monitors welcome kids to school, guide them to breakfast, encourage walking in the hallways, give high-fives, and hand out Paw Print stickers for positive behaviors. Mrs. Duke is in charge of both the Mascots and the monitors, so if you or your child have questions feel free to email her: amduke@hudson.k12.ma.us.

Here are our newest Farley Fox role models. Look at those smiles! Way to go Kalliope, Victoria and Ethan!

We are now one month into the 2024-2025 school year and I know that you have many hopes and dreams the days to come. To make sure those hopes and dreams are realized, I want to ask for your commitment to making sure your child attends school every day possible this year. The evidence is clear: children with good attendance are more likely to be successful in school and in life. Research shows that high attendance rates in elementary school are directly linked directly to high student achievement. Every day counts. Missing school even 10% of the time has a significant negative impact on reading and math achievement as children progress through school.

Good attendance starts early. Research has shown that the attendance habits established Kindergarten through Grade 2 have lasting effects on students throughout their education: children with high attendance in the early grades continue to have good attendance; and students with low attendance in the early grades are more likely to have low attendance—and lower academic performance—throughout their elementary and middle school years.

As caregivers, you are your child’s most influential teacher, I am asking for your support in helping your child get to school every day and to get to school on time by 8:35 every day. We realize that every family faces challenges. Please let your child’s teacher know if your family needs help dealing with a challenge to your child’s good school attendance. We will do our best to help you and your family ensure that your child’s school attendance stays on track.

Like last year, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has mandated that families, whose children have 5 or more absences or 5 or more tardies be formally notified, in written form, of their child’s attendance. While Farley keeps accurate records of which absences are “excused” and “unexcused” the DESE does NOT distinguish between “excused” and “unexcused” absences.

Each school in the district will be emailing these letters home twice month. Please do not worry if you have received one of these notifications. We understand that kids, especially elementary age, get sick more often, have medical appointments, etc. We also understand that Covid-19 and the flu are still an issue. Farley staff always reaches out personally if attendance or tardies are a true concern. We like to work with families to help rectify any attendance issues that arise.

This August, Ms. Nikki Tunes moved from Brazil with her partner and their cat to join the Farley family. Ms. Nikki has a degree in Languages and another in Early Childhood Education. This is her 10th year teaching, having worked at many bilingual schools in São Paulo, Brazil. She is the oldest of 5 siblings, with a 25 years age gap between her and her youngest brother. She speaks Portuguese, English and Spanish, and wishes she knew more languages. Ms. Nikki loves cats (and even has a tattoo of her elderly cat) and the color is green

Did you know every pear in the U.S. is hand-picked? When picking this fruit, look for pears without bruising. Pears are ripe when the area near the stem feels soft when pressed – and they ripen best at room temperature. Eating pears provides essential gut health and promotes stable blood sugar management! Enjoy pears as a delicious sauté or over a salad:

Sunny Salad:

Servings: 4

Serving size: ¾ cup; 100 calories, 9 g CHO, 2 g Protein and 7 g Fat

Salad Ingredients:

Allergens: Contains Milk

2 cups greens (spinach, romaine)

1 (11 oz) canned or fresh pears

2.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Optional: 4 thin slices of sweet, red onion (cut into ½ rings)

Dressing Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp 100% orange juice

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Method:

1. Wash and prepare fresh fruits and vegetables.
2. Place greens in a large bowl and top with oranges or other fruit (and onion if using).
3. Shake dressing ingredients into a jar or whisk in small bowl.
4. Pour over salad and toss before serving.

Fun Fact: Pears are fat and cholesterol free. They come in many different flavors, colors and textures and provide our bodies with many beneficial health benefits! Enjoy pears in the cafeteria today!

For the past few years, Ms. Susana has been organizing a "Traveling with Books Project". This Portuguese Story Hour is open to all students and takes place on the weekends at the Hudson Public Library. This year, Ms. Brenda and Ms. Dione are also helping out. The main goal of the reading event is to develop students’ Portuguese language literacy as well as establish relationships and connections between multilingual students and different resources in the community. See the fliers below for more detailed information.

Please read the following message from the DESSE:

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct an Integrated Monitoring Review of Hudson Public Schools during the week of November 4th, 2024. Each school district, charter school, vocational school, and virtual school undergoes an Integrated Monitoring Review every three years. The areas addressed during an Integrated Monitoring Review are organized into two groups, known as Group A Universal Standards and Group B Universal Standards.

Hudson Public Schools will be undergoing a Group B monitoring review that addresses special education teacher and related service personnel licensure and professional development; parent, student, and community engagement, including compliance with Child Find requirements; facilities and classroom observations; implementation and oversight of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs); time and learning, and equal access.

The process includes interviews with district staff and administrators, policies and procedures, and school building visits. The process may also include parent/caregiver, student and teacher focus group meetings to gather additional information. Interpretation will be provided, if needed.

Hudson Public Schools will host an orientation about the review process in collaboration with the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). The Department will also send a parent survey, in multiple languages and formats, as needed, to parents /guardians of special education students to gather key information on the special education processes and procedures.

Parents/guardians and other stakeholders may call Jesus Pena, Monitoring Review Chairperson, at (781) 338-3767 to request a telephone interview. If anyone requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the (district or charter school) with a report that includes information on further actions that may be required. The public can access the report at https://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/default.html.

The first draft of the Farley Family directory is now available. Thank you to Sarah Tracy for creating this resource. If you still want to be part of the directory, please still sign up!

24.25 Farley Family Directory Link

Here is the link to last year's directory: Farley Family Directory

Still want to sign up? Click this link: https://forms.gle/eEQg6ZaSBnDqoDko7

Please email her @ sarah.tracy97@gmail.com if you have any questions

Farley's Home and School Association's next meeting is November 6th @ 6:00pm. Please join in person or online. We will meet in the library. Free childcare is provided!

Here is the link to join online: meet.google.com/goh-pzio-oev.

For those who are new to Farley here is information again on what exactly a "Home and School Association?

The Home and School Association is an organization made up of students’ caregivers for the purpose of supporting the education of children at Farley Elementary by fostering relationships among the school, families, and teachers. The Home and School Association provides a vital and much-appreciated service to school leadership and the entire school community. The activities sponsored by the Home and School are designed to build community and enhance learning.

As a caregiver of a Farley student, you automatically become a member of Home and School and are welcome to attend our monthly meetings (either in person or virtually) as well as take an active role as a volunteer in our school.

Here are some of the amazing ways the Home and School Association (HASA for short) has supported our school in the past:

· The HASA has hosted numerous events and provided volunteers when needed. Here are are just a few examples of the events: the Book Fair, the Farley Fun Day, the Valentine's Dance, Farley Gives Back Bingo Night, the Ice Cream Social, and so many more.

· The HASA has provided funds for field trips and sponsored cultural assemblies

· The HASA puts on the Farley Fun Run-our only fundraiser of the year which has provided funds to upgrade our library, create an outdoor classroom in our courtyard, and most recently enhance our playground.

Pleas join Farley's Home and School Association's monthly meetings. More information to come on the day meetings will be held. Free childcare is always provided for these meetings.

Just in case you don't have Farley's Home and School's Facebook link--here it is:

https://m.facebook.com/FarleyHSA

Click the flier below to find out more information about Hudson Rec Basketball!

For the safety and well-being of both students and staff, the Farley teachers at car pick-up and drop-off kindly ask that drivers not use cell phones while in line. They would like caregivers to refrain from taking pictures and videos of kids walking into school as well. Thank you in advance for help with this.

Students get Paw Print Stickers for going above and beyond. When a staff member "catches" them doing something spectacular, they get two stickers-one to wear and one to put on their homeroom Fox poster. When their classroom Fox poster fills up with stickers, they get to have a classroom celebration. If you see a paw print on your child's clothing or backpack, please ask them what good deed they did to receive the sticker!

A few of the residents who live on Lincoln Street asked me to remind all car pick-up drivers, to please refrain from parking in front of the driveways on Packard or Lincoln Streets while waiting for pickup. Blocking driveways makes it difficult for residents to access their homes. Within the next few weeks, car pick-up will be so fast that this shouldn't be problem. But for now, please be mindful of where your care is idling. The residents thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Farley is in need of substitutes. We are looking for both day-to-day subs and permanent building subs. Day-to-Day subbing offers employees a flexible schedule. Our Permanent Building Substitute works every day but in a variety of classrooms. The Permanent Building Substitute job is a salaried, benefit eligible position. If you are interested or would like more information, please click the link below. Also, feel free to email Mrs. Duke directly @ amduke@hudson.k12.ma.us if you have any questions or plan to apply.

https://hudson.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

Vision:

Farley Elementary School prepares all of its students with the academic and social-emotional skills they need to thrive as thoughtful, creative, and curious citizens who value diversity and lifelong learning.

Mission:

Farley Elementary School is a safe and inclusive community where everyone feels seen and valued. We inspire and empower all of our members to grow, explore, and ignite a love of learning. We value creativity, curiosity, global citizenship, and equity and believe our cultural and linguistic diversity makes us stronger.

Instructional Focus: #ExplainYourBrain

Email: rscanlon@hudson.k12.ma.us
Website: https://cafarley.hudson.k12.ma.us/
Location: 119 Cottage Street, Hudson, MA, USA
Phone: 978-567-6153