Growing by Leaps and Bounds
Martha Jones School - Westwood, MA
Matt Kuklentz, Principal
Martha Jones Motto:
Be Kind. Be Curious. Be Courageous.
Westwood Public Schools | Martha Jones School | Martha Jones PTO
Principals Message
MJ Community,
Martha Jones will be hosting our first annual Walkathon on October 8, 2024 from 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM during the school day at MJ (rain date 10/15). The weather looks like it will cooperate. Our Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders will walk the baseball field from 9:30-10:00 and the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will do the same from 10:00-10:30. It will be a very fun event!
In addition to the Walkathon being a community building event for our school, this event will help the Martha Jones PTO fundraise for our community. The funds that PTO raises each year helps to pay for all the in school enrichment opportunities that your children benefit from grade level and all school enrichment events, teacher grants and stipends and other MJ community events. The strength of our school is related to the strength of our PTO.
Matt Kuklentz
Martha Jones School
Principal
Math League
Coming Soon Math League at MJS!!
Registration for MJS Math League will run from October 10th through October 18th, 2024.
· The goal is to make math fun and accessible by showing kids they have the ability to successfully take on new math challenges.
· Math League is open to 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th graders of all math abilities.
· We meet roughly every other Friday morning before school at Martha Jones School from 7:50-8:40 AM from November 8th, 2024 to April 4th, 2025.
Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
School Breakfast and Lunch
Beginning this school year Westwood Food Service will be providing FREE REIMBURSABLE BREAKFAST, in addition to FREE REIMBURSABLE LUNCH, to all students enrolled in the Westwood Public School district.
We are excited to bring the FREE BREAKFAST program to Westwood. A variety of options will be provided at all schools, including Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Vegan and Dairy Free offerings.
Your school menu can be viewed at Menus | Westwood Public Schools (nutrislice.com)
News from the MJ Health Office
Health Office REMINDER
In Massachusetts, public schools are required per Mass General Laws to screen students periodically for the purpose of identifying health related concerns. Click this link to see the required schedule for all grades. The complete Westwood Public School Policy on Health Screening can be found here. The purposes of each screening is outlined here.
If you feel your child needs additional support or education, or you want more information regarding when your child will be screened, please reach out directly to your school nurse.
HEALTH Screenings:
Health screenings will take place during the months of October through December.
Grade K, 2 & 3
Vision and Hearing
Grade 1
Vision, Hearing and Height/Weight (BMI)
Grade 4
Vision, Height/Weight (BMI)
Grade 5
Vision & Postural
If results of the screening warrant further follow up you will hear directly from your school nurse.
The majority of students do not exhibit any abnormal findings. You will not be notified if your child has a normal screening.
Medical documentation of a required screening from your child’s primary care physician can be provided to exempt a student from school-based screenings. Additionally, if you wish to opt your child out of a required health screening, please notify the school nurse by October 12, 2023.
If you have any questions, please contact our school nurse using the information below.
Thank you for supporting a healthy learning environment at MJ!
Nurse Doyle
781-326-7500 x 6263
Important Upcoming Events
Tues, Oct. 8th - Walk A Thon
Mon, Oct. 14th - No School - Holiday
Wed, Oct. 16th - Early Release/Parent Teacher Conferences, 12:00pm
Fri, Oct 25th - PTO "Haunted Hallway" event
Wed, Oct. 30th - Early Release/Parent Teacher Conferences, 12:00pm, Nighttime Conferences
Tues, Nov. 5th - No School - Professional Development
Thur, Nov 7th - Picture Retake Day (morning)
Mon, Nov. 11th - No School - Holiday
Wed, Nov. 13 - Early Release, 12:00pm
Wed, Nov. 27 - Early Dismissal
Thur, Nov. 28 - No School - Holiday
Fri, Nov. 29 - No School - Holiday
Wed, Dec. 11 - Early Release, 12:00pm
Fri, Dec. 20 - Early Dismissal
Mon, Dec 23-Wed. Jan. 1, 2025 - No School - Vacation
Thur, Jan. 2 - School Resumes
Wed, Jan 8 - Early Release, 12:00pm
Mon, Jan 20 - No School - Holiday
Wed, Jan 22 - Early Release, 12:00pm
Wed, Feb 5 - Early Release, 12:00pm
Mon, Feb 17-21 - No School - Vacation
Wed, Feb 26 - Early Release, 12:00pm
Wed, Mar 12 - Early Release, 12:00pm
Wed, Mar 26 - Early Release, 12:00pm
Tues, Apr 8 - MCAS ELA (Gr. 3, 4, 5)
Wed, Apr 9 - Early Release, 12:00pm
Thurs, Apr 10 - MCAS ELA (Gr. 3, 4, 5)
Tues, Apr 15& Thurs, Apr 17 - MCAS ELA Make-up Dates
Mon, 18-25 - No School - Vacation
Wed, Apr 30 - Early Release, 12:00pm
Tues, May 13 - MCAS Math (Gr. 3, 4, 5)
Wed, May 14 - Early Release, 12:00pm
Thurs, May 15 - MCAS Math (Gr. 3, 4, 5)
Fri, May 16 - MCAS Math Make-up (Gr. 3, 4, 5)
Mon, May 19 & Tues, May 20 - MCAS Science (Gr. 5)
Thurs. May 22 - MCAS Science Make-up (Gr.5)
Wed, May 28 - Early Release, 12:00pm
Wed, June 4 - Early Release, 12:00pm
Mon, June 16 - Student Last Day (no snow days)
News from the MJ Front Office
MJ Student Pictures
Student pictures were distributed in classrooms earlier this week. If you have any issues with your picture package please contact CoffeePond Customer Care staff directly. They are equipped to handle any and all questions about order forms, late orders, missing orders, retakes, and refunds.
By phone: 1-800-632-2323 ext. 0
By email: Lifeguards@coffeepond.com
Retake day has been scheduled for the morning of Thursday, November 7th (Reminders will be sent beforehand.)
News from the MJ Classroom's
News from 5P (Mr. Parkhurst)
Students in Mr. Parkhurst's class are in the midst of the Mystery Science unit Chemical Magic. Students have been testing out different substances to see if they can create chemical reactions!
News from 4P (Mrs. Perry)
This week, fourth graders started their second math unit, generating and representing measurement data. Students challenged themselves to see if they could create a line plot using their writing. Students carefully read through the drafts of their fictional writing to find run-on sentences. Each time a student found a run-on, they put a tally on a sticky note which was used to create a class line plot. Students used this opportunity to celebrate run-ons and how we can better our writing!
News from 1B (Ms. Brock)
First grade scientists are learning about daily patterns and how the sun's position moves across the sky. Students enjoyed an activity called "moving shadows" where they learned that moving the position of a light source (in this case flashlights) moves the shadows of stationary objects (paper gnomes). Students then made connections to how shadows change throughout the day.
News from Mrs. O'Rourke
In the learning center, we started the school year getting to know one another. We began the year talking about what is close to our hearts. The students, ranging from Kindergarteners to 4th graders, created a "Heart Map" drawing/telling us what is close to their own hearts. This was a great activity that sparked a lot of conversations and connections in our room.
PTO News
Happy October!
WEBSITE & DIRECTORY INFORMATION
The Martha Jones PTO is a non-profit organization that takes great pride in supporting our teachers and students. We do this by offering valuable programs, organizing exciting events, and providing essential resources that enhance the educational experience of every student.
Log in or register on the PTO website to stay updated on all PTO events, receive important PTO emails, and stay connected with Room Parent communications. You will also be able to update your information, contribute to our Annual Contribution Drive, purchase Birthday Books, and volunteer for various PTO committees or in the Library! Many of our committees are still looking for volunteers. Sign-up today!
ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION DRIVE
We aim to raise $7,500 from our annual PTO drive and are halfway to this goal! Every donation, no matter the amount, is appreciated and important in helping us continue to fund enrichment and community activities. Please consider making a contribution today! As a reminder, we also have a Corporate Match option. Many Employers offer matching donations because MJS PTO is a qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
ROOM PARENT SIGN UPS
Martha Jones classrooms are still looking for a volunteers to be Room Parent for one of the older grades. Duties consist of being the main line of communication for things such as coordinating volunteer opportunities within the classroom, collecting classroom supplies, and collecting the holiday and year end teacher gifts. Sign up here to volunteer!
WALK-A-THON
Martha Jones will be hosting our first annual Walkathon on October 8, 2024 from 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM during the school day at MJ (rain date 10/15). Help us fundraise for our community. Register or re-login to your parent dashboard at getmovinfundhub.com to make an online donation or share with friends and family that want to help!
MJS Halloween Party
The MJS Halloween Party will be on Friday, October 25th at 6-8pm! This is a fun outdoor event with a DJ, haunted hallway, food, and photo booth! It’s a great chance to meet new families, caregivers, and come together as a community! The 1st half hour (6-6:30pm) will be sensory friendly with no lights, smoke, and music. Please bring a donation for the Westwood Food Pantry, and if you can, sign-up as a volunteer!
BIRTHDAY BOOKS & LIBRARY V
Participate in the PTO Birthday Book Program! Ms. Swinning has selected some fantastic books that students have requested, but the Martha Jones library does not currently have. During their birthday month, participating children are invited to the library to pick a brand new book from this collection. A bookplate commemorating your child’s birthday will be placed inside the front cover and they will be the very first student to borrow this book! Once they’ve finished reading it, the book will be returned to the library’s collection, where it can be enjoyed for years to come. The cost of this program is $15 per student.
Sign-up as a Library Volunteer! Mrs. Swinning needs one parent per class to help check-in, shelve, and check-out books. This is a great opportunity to get into the school, interact with your child’s class, and support the library program!
MARTHA JONES PTO FACEBOOK GROUP AND INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
Join the Facebook group and follow us on Instagram to get the latest PTO news and updates delivered right to your news feed! Join our Facebook group or follow us on Instagram @marthajonespto.
Martha Jones PTO Meeting Dates SY 2024-2025
September 24, 2024, 7pm
November 19, 2024, 7pm
March 4, 2025, 7pm
May 6, 2025, 7pm
PTO CONTACT FOR EVENTS, NOTICES:
If you have an event or notice for our PTO update, please email it to:
PTO Co-Secretary - Priscilla Stephan, Jenn Katsilieris
Martha Jones PTO Board 2024-2025
Kristen Donahue, Co-President
Ally Pavlic, Co-President
Kristen Gautreau, Co-Treasurer
Abbe Lynch, Co-Treasurer
Priscilla Stephen, Co-Secretary
Jenn Katsilieris, Co-Secretary
Katie Collins, Co-Social Media
Priya Sharma, Co-Social Media
District & Community News You Can Use
Westwood SEPAC
The Westwood Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is a state-mandated, parent-run group working to promote a network of parents, guardians, and caregivers of children with special needs.
Information about SEPAC and events can be found at https://www.westwoodsepac.org/events.
Westwood Youth and Family Services
We hope you all have had a wonderful summer! WYFS is reaching out to share our Fall group programming for Kindergarten-5th graders through Westwood Youth and Family Services.
Below are the links and program flyers:
Social Smarts for Kindergarten / 1st Graders
Calm & Cope: Anxiety Coping Group for Kids
Please let us know if we can answer any questions. If you would like to learn more about the services we provide to Westwood children and families please visit our website: https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/departments/youth-family-services or follow us on Instagram and Facebook @westwoodyfs.
School Calendar
Westwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation.
If you need this document translated, please call the Westwood Public Schools’ Student Services Department at 781-326-7500 ext. 1346 or email your request to lplouffe@westwood.k12.ma.us. Thank you.
如果您需要翻译本文档,请致电Westwood的公立学校的学生服务部在781 326-7500 ext. 1346 或电子邮件您的要求 lplouffe@westwood.k12.ma.us 谢谢你。
اذا بحاجة الى هذه الوثيقة المترجمة ، يرجى الاتصال على إدارة المدارس العامة ويستوود 'الخدمات الطلابية في 781 326-7500 ext. 1346 أو على البريد الالكتروني الخاص بك lplouffe@westwood.k12.ma.usلك. لطلب كنتشكرا
Если вам нужен этот документ переводится, пожалуйста, позвоните Вествудгосударственных школах "Студенческие службы Департамента по 781 326-7500 ext. 1346 или по электронной почте запрос на lplouffe@westwood.k12.ma.us Спасибо.