Boyden Weekly Update

Dear Boyden Families,

Next week is our last week before the December vacation. School will be closed from December 25th through Monday, January 1st. The students will be returning to school on Tuesday, January 2nd.

If your child is missing a sweatshit, jacket, hat, etc. please have them check the lost and found this week. We will be donating all left over items during the break.

Have a nice weekend!

Brendan

Monday, December 18th from 6:00-7:30 PM in the Boyden Cafeteria

The PAC is excited for the Holiday Sing-A-Long and Movie

• Bring the family to sing some Holiday Classics followed by a Holiday Movie!
• Wear your PJ’s and bring a blanket to sit on!
• Free event sponsored by the PAC to thank our Boyden Families for their generosity so far this year!
• NOT A DROP OFF EVENT. Parents must accompany students

Help is needed to set-up, during and after the event. If you would like to help please contact Erica Burdon at eriann79@aol.com

As we approach the winter break, here are a few tips to encourage reading.

1. Consider setting aside time dedicated solely to reading. Did your student receive a new book as a gift? Do you have a favorite family holiday book? Ask them about their library checkout or explore our ebook collection called SORA. Read aloud together.

2. Create a comfortable reading environment. Break out those pillows and blankets.

3. Read a book together and then watch the movie or series. Is your reader a fan of The Babysitters Club, Ivy and Bean or Last Kids on Earth? Try watching the shows on Netflix after you read the book. For our younger students, Apple TV has created series based on Frog and Toad and Shape Island by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen. Lastly for our older readers, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Christmas Cabin Fever and Percy Jackson and the Olympians begins on Disney + in December.

4. While the Boyden Media Center is closed, visit the Walpole Public Library. They have a wonderful selection of books along with programs, such as Family Game Night.

5. Pair a nonfiction book with an activity. Read a cook book or recipe and create it. Find a craft project and follow the instructions to make it. Read about an animal and create an activity based on it.

6. Keep it fun and do it together!

Happy Reading,

Over the last several weeks all students have been reminded of an important aspect of digital wellness—Balancing Screen Time. Students in K-3 learn alongside their monster friend, Bean (from Seesaw) by helping him make decisions on how to balance on-screen & off-screen activities. Students help Bean ‘Pause & Check’ with these statements: How Does My Body Feel? How Much Time Have I Spent On-Screen? & Am I Spending Time with Others Off-Screen? Students in 4th-5th grade have been learning about how to make ‘Healthy Media Choices’ by analyzing CommonSense Education’s real-world scenarios. Students engaged in conversations about whether the choices represented were healthy or not after considering the What (what media, what platforms), When (what time of day/week; what else is happening at the time), & How Much (time is being spent at once; how much media is being consumed) for each activity.

Why Screen Breaks Matter

1. Physical Well-being: Encouraging our students to step away from screens promotes physical well-being. It allows them to engage in activities that enhance their gross and fine motor skills, supporting their overall physical development.
2. Mental Health: Screen breaks contribute significantly to mental health. By providing moments of respite from digital stimuli, we create opportunities for reflection, creativity, and relaxation, fostering a positive mindset.
3. Social Skills: Face-to-face interactions are invaluable in the development of social skills. By taking breaks from screens, students can engage in conversations, collaborate on projects, and build meaningful connections with their peers.

How Families Can Support:

1. Lead by Example: Children often mimic the behavior of adults. Consider implementing screen breaks in your routine as well, showcasing the importance of balance between online and offline activities.
2. Create Tech-Free Zones: Designate specific areas in your home where screens are not allowed. This could include the dining table during meals or the bedroom before bedtime.
3. Encourage Outdoor Play: Foster a love for outdoor activities. Whether it's a game of catch, a nature walk, or a trip to the park, outdoor play is not only beneficial for physical health but also provides a break from screens.

With Winter Break a week away, we thought it would be the perfect time to share some fun math games that can be done at home. Math games have many positive benefits that go beyond just math skills and concepts. It is wonderful that they help children reinforce and practice math skills, but they also can help reduce the fear of making mistakes, help foster communication and social emotional skills, build a love of math and develop strategic thinking skills. “Children learn to solve problems together, think strategically about what moves to make, and how to be successful in playing the game. Throughout a math game, children make a lot of strategic decisions as they problem solve and plan their next move.” (10 Benefits of Using Math Games with Students).

Our Family Math Site is full of games and activities that your children can do with a grown up, a friend, a sibling, or any willing participant! Many only need a deck of cards or a set of dice. Most board games involve some type of math and definitely involve critical thinking skills around problem solving and decision making.

Play is an important part of learning at all levels, in the words of Mr. Rogers, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning.But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”

It is time to pre-register your child for kindergarten. Children who are five years old before September 1, 2024, are eligible to come to kindergarten. Kindergarten Pre-registration will be conducted from January 3 - January 26, 2024. The school assignment for your child will be visible in the online registration program, Family Connection, once your child's address has been entered.

To pre-register a kindergarten-age-qualified child, a parent or legal guardian must complete the online pre-registration form by going to the following website

• CLICK HERE

Once the online pre-registration form is completed, you may then provide the required documents (see below) to the school, in three different ways:

1. Drop off at the main office of your elementary school from 9:00 AM-2:00 PM
2. Copy and mail to the school (see school address above)
3. Scan and email them to the school secretary Julie Morris at jmorris@walpole.k12.ma.us

Required registration documents

• Proof of residency (town tax bill, utility bill, or lease)
• Health history form and Immunization records
• Original birth certificate with seal
• Mass Health Form

If your child is currently enrolled or receiving special education services through Daniel Feeney Preschool Center, you do not need to submit the online registration form, birth certificate, or proof of residency. However, you will need to provide the elementary school with a copy of your child’s latest physical.

DESE - Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) SEPAC Orientation to the Tiered Focus Monitoring Process

This is a VIRTUAL ONLY event (see link below) will be followed by an open discussion with the Walpole SEPAC.

• Monday, December 18th at 6:00 PM
• Join us on zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89411331336

Questions? Email us at walpolesepac@gmail.com

Start your holiday shopping at The Run House! 20% of all sales from Boyden’s store will go back to the PAC. Many new items to check out along with the favorites!

CLICK HERE to check it out

Boyden PAC are selling Boyden Paw Print Magnets for $5 and Boyden Christmas Ornaments for $10. If you would like to purchase please click on the link and input your information. Please make payment at time of purchase to Boyden PAC indicating how many magnets and ornaments to Venmo @BoydenSchool-PAC. If you would like to make a payment another way please contact Boyden PAC at boydenPAC@gmail.com. They will be packaged and sent home with students. LIMITED SUPPLY!!

Link to order https://forms.gle/CfcnUUq1WBbaToQM6

Thank you for supporting Boyden PAC and Happy Holidays!

The Daniel Feeney Preschool peer applications for the 2024-2025 school year is available on our website from December 1-22. Once the application window closes on 12/22 a lottery system will be employed to select peers.

CLICK HERE and navigate to "Application" for all information. Please read all information carefully and if you have any questions please contact Julie Martin, Director: jmartin@walpole.k12.ma.us

Check out this month's Counselor's Corner from our counselors Mrs. Audet and Mrs. Alden.

If you order holiday cards or other gifts from Minted.com this year, use code FUNDRAISEBOYDEN at checkout. You'll receive 20% off and 15% of all sales will be donated to the PAC. Anyone can use the code and there is no expiration.

Walpole Wheel of Fortune

If you aren't a member of the Walpole Wheel of Fortune Facebook page, join us! The Wheel is a fundraising page managed by the Boyden PAC where items are raffled to raise funds for the school. Raffles will be held weekly on Wednesday or Thursday nights.

Boyden Friendship Directory

Want to add your child's name to the Boyden Friendship Directory? Fill out this quick form and you will be all set! CLICK HERE

December 25th to January 1st - School Closed for Vacation

January 2nd - Students Return to School

January 10th - Boyden PAC Meeting (7:00 PM)

January 12th - No School for Students (Staff Training)

Click Here for the Walpole Public Schools School Year Calendar

Walpole –Walpole’s 300th Anniversary Celebration will kick off with a bang on December 16th with a laser and pyrotechnics show on Stone Field presented by Pyrotecnico. The free display of lights and sounds is a unique opportunity for the whole family to come together and view something truly spectacular. There will be two shows, one at 6pm and another at 8:30pm with ample time in between to stroll downtown and partake in one of Walpole’s many dining options.

Email: bdearborn@walpole.k12.ma.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wpsstafflinks20/school-websites
Location: 1852 Washington Street, South Walpole, MA, USA
Phone: 508-660-7216
Twitter: @BoydenSchool