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CH School News & More - 11.19.24

August 16th, 2024

CH School News & More - 11.19.24 August 16th, 2024

Claypit Hill News and More

November 19, 2024

Tuesday, November 19, 2024


Dear Claypit Hill Caregivers,

In previous issues, we’ve shared why we are proud to be leaders at Claypit Hill. One reason is that we are home to all three of Wayland's specialized educational programs for students with complex learning profiles. Another reason was because we get to welcome many Boston Residents to Claypit making Claypit a more diverse and rich school. Today, we write to highlight our PTO. Claypit’s PTO is extraordinary. While many caregivers participate throughout the year, there is a core group of parents who are in perpetual motion ensuring that the children and educators at Claypit have everything we need to be successful and happy. We get to meet with PTO President Alexis Schayowitz, bi-weekly. We are constantly struck by the questions she asks and her thoughtfulness. She represents a group of caregivers who couldn’t be more supportive, thoughtful, generous, and who care deeply about education. When we raise an issue or a concern, their follow through is UNREAL! Let me give you a few examples:

  • Play is REALLY important to our Kindergarten team (as it should be!). They’ve been vocal over the last year about how the play options for children on their playground could be better. We shared this concern with Alexis. In short order our PTO responded with $500.00 for some playground enhancements including a storage shed that can hold balls, jump ropes and other tools critical for fun! Stencils and paint were purchased to create game space like “Mirror Me”, “Hopscotch” and “Four Square”. Our Kindergarten team is over the moon. Our hearts are full of gratitude.

  • Kate, Naomi and I don’t live in Wayland but we often patronize local businesses. Wherever we go, be it Ace Hardware, The Wayland Deli, Starbucks, CVS, Jindu, 110 Grill, Starbucks, or Russell’s, we see children with spirit wear from the other elementary schools in town. We have tremendous Claypit pride and we know our staff, children, and caregivers do, too. We mentioned wanting to see children (and adults) storming Wayland in their Claypit gear and in what seemed like only days, gear was designed and our shop was open. The goal was to get Claypit gear on the street. It was not a fundraiser so costs stayed reasonable. As of this writing, 233 online orders have been placed for a total 457 items. Get ready, Wayland, here comes CLAYPIT!

  • One of the goals outlined in our School Improvement Plan is Belonging and Equity — Claypit Hill will strive to foster an inclusive culture of belonging and opportunity where all students and staff feel recognized, valued and supported as integral members of the Wayland School Community. When our conversation turned to PTO sponsored playdates during one of our recent meetings, we raised a concern that playdates weren’t all that accessible for our Boston residents. These families and kiddos cope with the commute to Wayland daily and heading back in on the weekend or afterschool seems like a really big ask. We wondered aloud with Alexis and Lauren Mellen, who was attending our meeting to talk about spirit wear, if we could hold a playdate at some point in Boston. Again, and in short order, our PTO responded. This past Saturday, there was an EPIC first grade playdate between Ms. Anderson’s and Ms. Comer’s classes. All of the Boston resident students in those two classes were able to attend along with many Wayland students. The weather was glorious and fun was had by all, including me!

We’ve worked with PTOs in the past and we can tell you, our’s is special! These parents are tremendous listeners who are action oriented and don’t hesitate to roll up their sleeves and get things done for our students and our staff. They are a force!


Tomorrow morning, when we walk through Claypit’s doors and see our beautiful lobby (also a credit to our PTO and highlighting the genius of Katie Noble Harris, Adam Schayowitz, and many others) We’’ll feel the swell of gratitude return. Thank you PTO, for giving us a HUGE reason to be enormously proud to be leading the way at Claypit Hill!


Sincerely,

Marie, Kate, and Naomi

Wayland MLK Luncheon

METCO Director, La Toya Rivers invites you to attend the annual Wayland METCO Luncheon. The luncheon is held in Boston. Last year, many Claypit Hill community members were in attendance. It is a spectacular afternoon of celebration and community building. Everyone member of our Claypit Hill Community is welcome! Please consider attending.

Holiday Gift Drive

Claypit Hill’s PTO will once again coordinate a holiday gift drive for foster children, partnering with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) Framingham office. This is a wonderful opportunity to share the gift of giving with your own children while bringing joy to a child in need.


How can you and your family participate? See the children's wish list and add your family name and email to the first two columns to sponsor a child. Families are welcome to team up and participate together! Once you have signed up, you can refer back to your row at any time on the 2nd tab labeled Fulfilled. The spreadsheet also includes opportunities to provide Visa gift cards ($25 denominations appreciated) to help us fill any gaps in wish lists, and you can also contribute gift wrapping supplies from the store or our Amazon Wish List. Unwrapped and labeled gifts must be dropped off between Dec 1st-8th - watch for more details if you sign-up.


Involve your children! Shop in person or online to fulfill the wish of the child(ren) you signed up to sponsor. This year we are encouraging families to add a hand drawn picture or two to your gift bundle bringing - include a generic holiday or winter-season message and if you choose to sign your name, please include first names only.


Questions? Contact claypitholidaydrive@gmail.com, and thank you for helping to share the gift of giving with your own children while bringing joy to a child in need!

Gift Your Child

We’re getting there! Help us reach our fundraising goal!

Thank you to all of the families who have donated to the PTO this fall–every single contribution makes a difference!


If you haven’t had a chance, please take a quick moment to support your child’s educational experience by making a donation to the PTO’s Gift Your Child fall fundraiser, in any amount, today!


The fundraiser is set to end later this month, and we’re 85% of the way to our fundraising goal, but we need help to get the rest of the way! If you haven’t donated yet, please contribute now to help us meet our goal and continue to provide the programming and resources that make such an incredible difference in the lives of our students.


Donating is quick and easy, and 100% of your contribution directly funds the PTO. We truly could not do it without you–thank you for your support!

https://waylandpto.org/gift-your-child/

World's Fair

We’re looking for volunteers to help with the 2025 Wayland World’s Fair. This wonderful event brings the community together to celebrate cultures from around the world, and is coordinated by a team of volunteers from all 3 elementary schools. Please email ClaypitPTO@gmail.com if you’re interested to learn more or support this year’s event. Stay tuned, there will be an opportunity for families to signup to share a food, craft/activity/game or information from another country.


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

My Brother's Table

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

  • Tuesday, Nov 19 - 5th Grade Field Trip, Patriots Hall of Fame

  • Thursday, Nov.21 - Grade 3 Field Trip - Plimoth Patuxet

  • Wednesday, Nov. 27 - Super Wednesday Early Release, Dismissal at 11:30

  • Thursday, Nov. 28 - Nov. 29 - Thanksgiving Recess

  • Tuesday, Dec. 10 - 4th Grade Town-wide Instrumental Concert, 6:30pm, High School Auditorium

  • Wednesday, Dec. 11 - 5th Grade Town-wide Instrumental Concert, 6:30pm, High School Auditorium

Carol Reynolds
Claypit Hill News and More