Here At JRB

While the weather is still nice, the summer is coming to an end. Per usual, our custodians have made the place look amazing, and teachers have been working hard getting the finishing touches taken care of. Now it is your turn. Please make sure those kiddos get a great rest the night before we start on Monday.

We are super excited to see everyone soon, but we have to review a few things as well. Please see below to help you plan.

If you will be dropping off your student(s), we open the doors at 8:20. You will enter JRB as usual, then take the right to go around the back of the building. Please do not pass any cars while on this road, as students are often near these cars. Once you get to the drop-off circle, enter with your driver's side near the sidewalk. Please pull up to the furthest area open in order to fit as many cars as possible (usually 7). Students can then get out of the car, walk straight to the sidewalk, and enter the building through the open glass doors. Only proceed when the car in front of you has also moved forward to exit the circle turning left. Please consult the map below for a visual of this process.

While we know it is an exciting time for kids, please stay in your vehicle (unless your student is not able to unbuckle). If you need a staff member to help your child out, we are happy to do so.

We usually end our drop-off at 8:30. If you arrive out back and there are no staff members, please drive around to the main entrance.

Finally, we ask for your patience throughout the first few weeks as parents new to this process might take some practice and extra time. Wednesday, August 28th will be extra busy as it is the first day for K students.

Much like parent drop-off, pick-up will again send you around the rear of the school. Students start leaving the building at 2:50 PM. IF YOU SEE CONES BLOCKING THE WAY BEHIND THE SCHOOL, PLEASE WAIT FOR A STAFF MEMBER TO MOVE THEM BEFORE PROCEEDING. You will be asked by a staff member who you are picking up (plus you will be offered a nameplate to hang or post for ease of taking names). When you pull into the circle, please pull up all the way as we try to fit 7 cars in at a time. We don't anticipate needing two lines behind the school, so please stay in the right lane while waiting to move forward. Finally, please do not pass any cars during pick-up. Students sometimes get in the car on the outside, so we ask that you are extra cautious.

Please let the school know your 'usual plan' for your child at the end of the day. Sending in a note that states if you will be going to parent pick-up, bus, or extended day on a regular basis will be very helpful. You can also email jrboffice@awrsd.org with this information as well.

Attendance is taken promptly each morning. Please call JRB (978) 827-5750 or email jrboffice@awrsd.org when your child will be absent or late for school. Please state your name(first and last name), your child’s name, teacher, and the reason for absence. If you must speak to someone, please call after 7:45 AM. If we do not hear from you, we will contact you at home or work. This system is to ensure the safety of your child.

During the first days of school we invite those Kindergarten students that have not been screened to join us Monday. Please reach out to the office (jrboffice@awrsd.org) and we will let you know some possible appointment times if we did not already screen your child in the spring.

All K students are invited to join us for a Kindergarten Orientation on Tuesday, August 27th, from 9-10:15. Parents will meet in the lobby and then students are brought down to their K classrooms. After that, we will have parents return to the cafeteria while the students enjoy the rooms followed by a quick bus ride. We will have a few announcements and informational pieces, plus a moment to meet with Extended Day, Food Services, The PTA, and more.

Finally, you will pick up your child from the front sidewalk between 10:15 and 10:30.

Open house will be an opportunity for you and your child to meet their teacher, explore the classroom and learn about the exciting experiences they will have in preschool this year! Please plan on attending on Thursday, August 29th according to the schedule below. This will allow your child to also meet some of their peers.

9am-9:30am for students entering the 2 day morning program at J.R. Briggs

9:30am-10am for students entering the 3 day morning program at J.R. Briggs

10am-10:30am for students entering the 4 day afternoon program at J.R. Briggs

You can find the district bus routes by clicking here. The times and bus route numbers are on each sheet. Any questions about bus routes should be sent to bussing@awrsd.org. Please include your child’s full name, school and address in your inquiry.

BAND INSTRUMENT DEMONSTRATION NIGHT for 3rd-5th grade students & their families is scheduled for: Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024 at 6:30pm in the JRB Cafetorium. If your 3rd-5th grade student is interested in learning a band instrument, please consider attending this event! We will have instruments on-hand for your child to see and learn about, as well as information on instrument rentals and lessons. Beginner lessons start mid-September, and Beginner Band starts at the end of October and typically held on Tuesdays after school from 3-4pm. Beginner students eventually move up to the Advanced Band when ready starting in January, which meets on Thursdays from 3-4pm after school. All band students are expected to take lessons throughout the school year on their instrument, either here at JRB, or elsewhere.

Chorus rehearsals will be held on Friday mornings BEFORE school, from 7:30-8:20am, BEGINNING FRIDAY, SEPT. 6th.

Band & Chorus have Winter & Spring Concerts together, as well as District Band & Choral Concerts in March, which are all held at Oakmont. Both groups also perform at our annual Memorial Day Assembly. Our Chorus is once again scheduled to perform at the Celebrate Ashburnham Street Fair on Saturday, September 21st!

Please discuss with your 3rd-5th grader if they’re interested in joining the band and/or chorus this year! More information and registration will be released during the first few days of school. In the meantime, any questions can be directed to Mrs. Lordan: mlordan@awrsd.org.

August 21, 22, 23- Teacher PD Days

August 22, 4-6 pm- Sneak Peek

August 26- First Day of School Grades 1-5

August 27- 9 AM- Kindergarten Orientation

August 28- First day of Kindergarten

August 30 & Sept. 2- No School

September 3- First Day of PreK

September 17- Open House 6:30-7:30

September 18- Early Release Day

September 20- Ready, Set, Glow

September 24- School Picture Day