MHS/WES Newsletter

December 6: PTO Book Fair at MHS (last day)

December 9: Report Cards for Trimester 1 are available

December 10: WES Holiday Concert for Grandparents and Veterans 9:00 AM, WES Cafeteria (doors open at 8:50 AM)

December 12: WES Holiday Concert 6:30 PM, Oakmont High School Auditorium

December 17: Kindergarten Sing Along at 1:15 PM, MHS Cafeteria/Gym

December 23 - January 1: No School ~ December break

January 9: MHS/WES School Improvement Council Meeting at 4:15 PM, WES Office

January 9: MHS/WES PTO Meeting at 6:30 PM

Preschool has had a great start to the school year!

We have developed an understanding of preschool expectations and how to follow a classroom routine.

Over the past couple months we have been developing pre- academic skills by exploring and learning about many different themes. We have learned about the life cycle of apples and pumpkins. Worked on letters, colors, shapes and number sense through themes such as scarecrows and fall leaves. Dramatic play and sensory centers have a big role in the preschool classroom. We use these open learning opportunities to develop social skills and problem solving.

The cold weather is here! Please send your child in cold weather appropriate clothing. Recess can be windy and chilly.

Warm regards,

The Preschool team

Our second graders are practicing their writing skills through many winter writing activities. They are learning about different cultures and traditions around the world. Second graders have all moved into Wit and Wisdom, Module 2: The American West. Additionally, the children are looking forward to "Grinch Day" on December 20th. This is a special day in which we enjoy "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" book and movie.

On Friday, December 6th the third graders will travel to Monty Tech to view The Nutcracker by MEM Dance Theatre. It will be a magical way to kick off the holiday season! Our students will represent our school by being respectful audience members. Thank you to the Westminster Transportation Grant for covering the bus expense.

We are also moving on from the ocean and blasting off to space in Wit and Wisdom. We will be analyzing some great art pieces such as Starfield by Vija Clemins. We will also be diving deeper into space by reading books such as Zathura, Moonshot, One Giant Leap and Starry Messenger.

Greetings from the Purple Palette & Paintbrush!

I have been out on a short medical leave for a knee replacement. My wonderful Substitute is Miss Grace Wyson and I am in contact with her daily. I will return, a bionic art teacher, after the holidays, January 2, 2025! I MISS THE KIDDOS! Miss Wyson sends me pictures of artists in action.

Lots of creativity bursting out in the art studios! Grades K & 1 recently created mitten and snowman pictures, using tempera paintsticks. They also experimented with model magic to create medallions/ornaments. Grades 2 and 3 just recently worked on the skill of overlapping with ripped paper scraps on their art journals. Grades 4 & 5 were introduced to a new center: ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) The concept is the same as baseball cards or Pokémon cards, but instead, it is tiny art! Each student is working on “thinking small” this week. They all have plastic card sheet protectors in their art journals and will have the opportunity to “trade” cards with each other after the holidays.

LOOKING FOR DONATIONS: if you are able to donate: the art studios need the following items: cardboard tubes (paper towel or tp tubes), empty tissue boxes, wine corks, THICK chunky yarn, brown paper lunch bags. THANKYOU!!!!!

PURPLE PALETTE & PAINTBRUSH Art Club will be starting up again in January for GRADES 2 and 3. It will be on the following Mondays: January 27, Feb. 3,10,24, Mar.3., 3:00-5:00pm. $60.00 fee. Registration forms available in January. PLEASE EMAIL ME if interested! abanning@awrsd.org PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN HOW I USUALLY RECEIVE INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS. I usually send home registration forms to all students, but I am trying a different sign-up format. So, I will only send home registration forms to those interested, which means I need an email from parents/guardians to indicate interest. The Club is limited to 15 students. I will accept emails beginning immediately to reserve your spot and will send home the registration forms in January.

WESTMINSTER YOUTH PLAYHOUSE begins in January as well for GRADES K &1. It will take place on the following TUESDAYS:
Jan.14,28,Feb.4,11,25. 3:00-5:00 pm. $60.00 fee. The children will be performing a short play based on the picture book “Ten Little Ladybugs”. Limited to 25 participants. PLEASE EMAIL ME IF INTERESTED. abanning@awrsd.org. I will then send home registration forms to the first 25 email responses I receive. I will accept emails indicating interest beginning today.

Thank you! Happy Holidays and stay creative!

Ms. Banning

Thank you Terkanian Family! Nora, a WES student council member, took initiative to help improve our MHS sign. We think you can all agree, it looks beautiful!

You may have heard from your child, we had a unique race on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Several staff members dressed up as inflatables and raced for a chance to win a home cooked pumpkin pie by Nurse Abby Shea. Congratulations to Mr. Tshudy, AKA Giant Squid for the win!

Please remember when you are calling your child out absent, to call the school that they attend.

MHS~ Pre-K , K and 1: 978-874-0163

WES~2, 3, 4, and 5 grade: 978-874-2043

During the November conferences, one parent inquired about how they could support their child’s vocabulary development at home. This conversation blossomed into sharing board games/APPS to improve student’s vocabulary, reading skills and Tricky Word fluency. (Please note, these are suggestions. There is zero requirement to purchase any of these materials.)

Exciting Games for Improving Student's Vocabularies:

The Increasing Challenge of Teaching Vocabulary

Improving student's vocabulary skills is a constant challenge. Effective games are an ideal method for teaching students how to improve their vocabulary skills, Tricky Word recognition and reading skills. Rigorous games are an effective way of enticing students to practice skills because learning should always be FUN!!!

1. Apples for Apples

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00112CHCK?tag=hubacct3655-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

2. Classwords

https://www.amazon.com/Edupress-Classwords-Game-Grade-EP63750/dp/B00344S718/ref=sr_1_24?crid=19TMU34W2KHMC&keywords=vocabulary+games+upword&qid=1699657521&s=toys-and-games&sprefix=vocabulary+games+upword%2Ctoys-and-games%2C63&sr=1-24

3. Word Teasers

https://www.amazon.com/Word-Teasers-Small-Fry-Interactive/dp/0984527257/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=UAI6YCDBGADN&keywords=vocabulary%2Bgames%2Belementary%2Bschool&qid=1699657385&s=toys-and-games&sprefix=vocabulary%2Bgames%2Belementary%2Bschool%2Ctoys-and-games%2C75&sr=1-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

4. Wordplay for Kids!

https://www.amazon.com/Wordplay-For-Kids-Board-Game/dp/B00005LBY6/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=3CMYRE00F4JQ2&keywords=vocabulary+games+5th+graders&qid=1699658458&s=toys-and-games&sprefix=vocabulary+games+5th+graders+%2Ctoys-and-games%2C87&sr=1-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

5. Scrabble

https://www.amazon.com/Scrabble-Game-Board-Table/dp/B09NZ8ZSM7/ref=sr_1_18?crid=1M5FHL52D2NIO&keywords=vocabulary+games+scrabble&qid=1699657465&s=toys-and-games&sprefix=vocabulary+games+scrabble%2Ctoys-and-games%2C94&sr=1-18

6. Upword

https://www.amazon.com/Upwords-Challenging-Family-Stackable-Letter/dp/B07N3ZM4GQ/ref=sr_1_4?crid=19TMU34W2KHMC&keywords=vocabulary%2Bgames%2Bupword&qid=1699657521&s=toys-and-games&sprefix=vocabulary%2Bgames%2Bupword%2Ctoys-and-games%2C63&sr=1-4&th=

7. HedBanz

https://www.amazon.com/Hedbanz-Picture-Guessing-Board-Families/dp/B085B23JHC/ref=sr_1_20?crid=37LRVRJZN6H6X&keywords=educational%2Breading%2Bheadbands&qid=1699658344&sprefix=educational%2Breading%2Bhead%2Bbandz%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-20&th=1

Here are links for Improving a student’s Tricky Word Recognition:

Sight Word Pizza

https://www.amazon.com/Pint-Size-Scholars-Vocabulary-Readiness-Educational/dp/B0753KGH4S/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=educational+reading+vocabulary+board+games+elementary&qid=1699657977&sr=8-5

Sight Word Swat!

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Resources-Sight-Word-Pieces/dp/B01NCNLLWD/ref=sr_1_16?crid=1CKDOS2U5WE6V&keywords=educational%2Breading%2Bvocabulary%2Bboard%2Bgames%2Belementary%2Bheads%2Bup&qid=1699658201&sprefix=educational%2Breading%2Bvocabulary%2Bboard%2Bgames%2Belementary%2Bheads%2Bup%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-16&th=1

Ten Interactive Online Games to Teach Sight Words to Beginning Readers:

https://www.ateachableteacher.com/online-sight-word-games/

Links for the Top APPS to Boost Reading Skills:

1. https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/reading-apps/

1. https://happyfroglearning.com/product/reading-fluency-builder/

Please note, this is a brief sample of quality games to support your child’s academic success while reinforcing that learning through discovery is exciting!

Thank you and Happy Holidays!!

Mrs. Davis

WES Reading Intervention Teacher

The MHS Nurse for grades PRE-K through 1 is looking for donations of the following items:

winter jackets, girls or boys, size 4/5 or 7/8

Thank you in advance

If your child forgets to bring their water bottle or Chromebook, you DO NOT have to bring it to the school. They can use the bubbler and borrow a Chromebook. This helps not to interrupt the classroom teaching that is taking place. Thank you for your time.

Did you know that MHS/WES is on Instagram? Check it out!! principalkt24

All students have a bus number assigned to them as well as stops. Please click on the button at the end of this newsletter to see your child's bus number and stop. HOWEVER, if your child is going to be a parent pick up, walker, walker to MHS, or going to extended day, it is VERY IMPORTANT to send in a note with your child's first and last name to the school. One note is sufficient for the year with their schedule, but if it changes at all, we need to know. The safety of your child is our priority. Thank you

Emergency Early Dismissal Policy

In the event of an unforeseen emergency that necessitates the dismissal of students prior to the end of the school day, parent notification will be provided through the automated phone and email system. Typical emergency situations that may precipitate an early dismissal include, but are not necessarily limited to, severe weather conditions, fire and absence of heat or water.

Since it is impractical for school officials to personally contact every parent in the event of an early dismissal, parents and particularly the parents of elementary age children, are encouraged to develop a clear and well-defined plan with their children in case of an early dismissal. Since children will be dismissed to their home, it is imperative that children know how to gain entry into their home and how and whom to call once they are there.

ABSENCES: Please call WES (978-874-2043) or MHS (978-874-0163) when your child will be absent or late for school. Please state your name, your child’s name, teacher, and the reason for absence. If you must speak to someone, please call after 7:45 AM. This system is to ensure the safety of your child. If we do not hear from you, we will contact you at home or work, and if we can’t reach someone we may send a school resource officer to the house to do a well child check. Absent notes are required when children return to school.

AM Arrivals: Bus drivers do not let children off the bus until 8:20 a.m. There is NO Supervision before 8:20 a.m. Walkers/students being dropped off should not arrive before 8:20 a.m. School starts at 8:30 a.m.

PM Dismissals: The school day ends at 2:55 p.m. The office needs to know your dismissal plan. If your child is a car-rider, you will be given a sign to display on your car dashboard to be used each day. Car riders will be dismissed to the cafeteria and called outside in the order cars line up. Please remain in your car. Signs will be posted. If you would like your older sibling to walk from WES to MHS pick-ups for dismissal in the afternoon, please send a note to the office and your child’s teacher.

If your child needs to be dismissed early, please send a note to his/her teacher stating the time and reason for dismissal. Early dismissals will be handled through the main office.

NOTES: Please use student’s (and parent’s) last names in all notes to the teacher/office. Please also date all notes so that we can be sure we are dealing with current messages. Notes are required for any change in dismissal. You may also email a note to mhsoffice@awrsd.org (MHS) or wesoffice@awrsd.org(WES).

MEDICATIONS: ALL Medications must be brought to the nurse by an adult at the beginning of the day. Medication is NOT TO BE TAKEN by any child on his/her own. The school nurse under the following circumstances will administer medication:

• A signed and dated note from a doctor and a parent is sent with the child’s name, dosage, reason for medication and time to be given.

• The prescription bottle is sent with only the amount which will be needed for the administration at school. (Pharmacies will dispense in two bottles if you ask.)

School Announcements:

Please make sure all phone numbers and email addresses are updated throughout the school year to ensure you receive all messages sent from the school or district.

RESTRICTIONS: Please provide the office with any LEGAL DOCUMENT which indicates any legal restrictions on the release of your child as per district policy. These restrictions CANNOT be honored unless we have a copy of the legal documents in your child’s file. Please remember that it is MOST IMPORTANT that your child knows who he/she is allowed to leave school with and restrictions of the same.

TARDINESS: It is important that your child be at school on time. Tardy students need to stop at the office for a tardy slip when they arrive later than 8:30 a.m. If excessive tardiness continues, it will be necessary for the parent and child to meet with the Principal so that we may remedy the situation.

ARRIVAL

8:20 - 8:30 AM

DISMISSAL

2:55 PM

HALF DAYS - DISMISSAL

12:00 PM

AM Session 8:45-11:10 AM

PM Session 12:00-2:30 PM

Full Day Session 8:45-2:30 PM (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Friday)

Please reach out with any questions you may have. We are happy to help!

• MHS - Kathi McCarthy 978-874-0163 ext. 0
• WES - Liz Maillet 978-874-2043 ext 0

General Ashburnham-Westminster Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) membership is open to all AWRSD parents/guardians of children with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans and other interested parties. We need volunteers to help plan workshops, staff tables at local school and community events, become future leaders, assist other parents, and plan new activities and projects. Learn more about us and our work on our website https://sites.google.com/view/ashburnham-westminster-sepac. You can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ashwestsepac.

Bus passes will be issued for students riding their ASSIGNED bus but getting off at a different stop. A note or phone call from the parent/guardian is required to your child’s school office. The office will then issue the bus pass. Bus passes to ride a DIFFERENT bus will ONLY be issued in the event of an emergency. The school office must be notified by a parent/guardian that there is a circumstance beyond their control/emergency causing a student to ride a different bus. Bus passes are not issued for going to a friend’s house, dances, etc.

If you have specific questions or concerns regarding your child’s bussing, please reach out to bussing@awrsd.org.