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CH School News & More - 3.4.25

CH School News & More - 3.4.25

Claypit Hill News and More

March 4, 2025

Hello Claypit Hill Caregivers,


This week, we’re sharing the presentation made to our second and third grade scientists. The presenter was a meteorologist from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It was truly fantastic!


Weather is such an engaging topic for our students because it is a science topic that they have real life experiences with, even at a very young age. We encourage you to review the slides and think about how you might use them to engage your child. Perhaps your child is in second or third grade. Having a sense of what they learned may help you to spark conversations at the dinner table or in the car. Perhaps your younger student or older student did not attend this presentation. You might consider looking at the slides together just for fun. A little scavenger hunt might be fun, too!


  • Can you share what kind of extreme weather occurs over 100 times a year in Kansas?

  • What is the difference between a water droplet and a raindrop?

  • What tip would you give to someone who sees a flooded road up ahead?

  • Which storm, hurricanes or tornadoes, has potentially stronger winds?

  • Can lightning actually strike twice (in the same place)?

  • Which type of air rises, warm or cold?

  • Can you name some tools used by meteorologists to learn about weather? Which tool seems most fascinating to you?

  • Can you name two things that cause damage during a hurricane?

  • What do we call the geographic area covering parts of at least 8 states where tornadoes are more common?

  • What is the scientific term that describes water that falls from the sky in its various forms?


There are also some great review questions at the end of the presentation, too!


We are grateful to our PTO for providing such enriching learning experiences for our students and we hope that this presentation will give you an opportunity to engage with your students in a fun and educational way!


Sincerely,


Marie, Kate and Naomi

Family Math Night

Wayland Bus Driver and Crossing Guard 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

Lost and Found

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

Claypit Hill Art Show

Claypit Hill Art Show is coming up at the end of March! Claypit's cafeteria will be transformed into an art gallery featuring each student's favorite masterpiece from this year. I will need volunteer help to prepare student art to go on display. There are several ways to help; if you are interested, please sign-up here:

  • Week of March 10-14 - Visit your child's art class to help artists mat and label their artwork (K-3 only)

  • Monday March 17 - (during the school day) - Help behind the scenes to mount artwork on display boards

  • Wednesday March 26 - Night of the show! Help set-up (before), work with kids on a collaborative art project (during) or clean-up (after)


Thank you in advance, this event wouldn't be possible without your and PTO support!

News from the Library

Author Alicia Klepeis will visit all grades at Claypit Hill School on Friday, March 28. Ms. Klepeis has authored over 200 books. Students may send in a book written by Ms. Klepeis to be signed. All books must be clearly labeled with the student's first and last name. Please drop off all books to Ms. Burman, Library Teacher, by Thursday, March 27.

Claypit's Got Talent!

This is the final week to register for the Claypit Hill talent show! To participate, please register here by Friday, March 7. Whether your child wants to sing, dance, act, perform magic, or has a unique skill, this is a great opportunity to share!


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.

Claypit Composting

Our PTO and green team are excited to bring composting back to Claypit Hill! Our 4th and 5th graders will be kicking off our composting initiative at lunch, then it will expand to include all grades. Thank you in advance for reaching out if you’re interested in learning more or getting involved!

Just Like Me

Just Like Me, our disability awareness program, is coming to Claypit on March 17th for 4th grade and March 26 for 3rd grade!

  • Third graders will be learning about Deafness and Hard of Hearing

  • Fourth graders will learn about Learning Differences


The hour-long session will include an opening introduction with a video and then students will break up into stations for some experiential learning activities. A guest speaker will come later to speak to the students.


We will need parent volunteers to help with activity stations. Activities are heavily scripted and material and the script will be provided in advance. Please sign-up here if you can help. Thank you for your help in bringing this back to our community and running smoothly! Any questions, please reach out to Elizabeth Wuerz at elizabeth.wuerz@gmail.com

2025 Backpack Auction

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

MCAS Dates are Finalized

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

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

  • 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

Carol Reynolds
Claypit Hill News and More