"Paw Prints"

Dear Farley Families,

Similar to last year, all Hudson Elementary Schools will be using the Choose Love Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum. This program teaches Social and Emotional Learning, Character Education, Emotional Intelligence, Neuroscience and Mindfulness. This program will play an important role in promoting students’ social and emotional wellbeing and academic and personal success. The Choose Love SEL Curriculum will also enhance our classroom and school climate, making it a place where students are safe, compassionate, connected and able to thrive.

There are over 30 years of research showing the benefits of teaching Social and Emotional Learning. Students who actively participate, practice, and apply skills and concepts learned in Social and Emotional Learning programs have higher self-esteem, stronger communication and relationship skills, greater pro-social behavior, better class participation and attitude, and an increase in academic performance and test scores. All of the evidence points to Social and Emotional Learning as being very beneficial for our children and essential in creating safer, more positive schools and learning environments. For further information on Social and Emotional Learning please visit the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) website- http://www.casel.org.

The Choose Love Program teaches 4 character values and Social and Emotional Learning skills that help to cultivate compassion, connection, optimism, personal responsibility and resiliency. Students learn the Choose Love Formula which is Courage + Gratitude + Forgiveness + Compassion in Action = Choosing Love. The lessons teach students essential concepts and skills related to this formula. They have a lot of fun as they put learning into action through activities, discussions, collaboration, and written reflection.

The 4 Character Values include:

Courage: Students will learn what it means to have courage in any situation. They will

develop a great confidence in themselves to help them strongly face adversity and do the

right thing even when it is hard.

Gratitude: Students will learn what it means to be grateful for all of the good in their lives.

They will discover the many people and things they are grateful for and better understand

how to express gratitude. This will nurture a positive attitude and inspire them to be kind

and giving to others.

Forgiveness: Students will understand what it means to forgive someone who has hurt you.

They will learn that forgiving does not mean you forget or accept the hurtful actions as OK.

But instead, students learn why forgiving is important as it will free them from bad feelings

and helps them to have a positive mindset that will help them in school and life.

Compassion: Students will understand that compassion is LOVE in action. They will

understand what it means to have empathy and be sensitive to the feelings of others. Then

they move beyond that to realize the importance of being in service to those who need help

or support as well as showing self-compassion.

With the Choose Love Pillar of "GRATITUDE" in mind, this week I wanted to extend my deepest gratitude to the Avery family for their incredible efforts in collecting backpacks and school supplies for the upcoming school year. The Avery family mobilized the entire community and together they collected thousands of dollars worth of supplies and stuffed hundreds of backpacks full of school necessities. These backpacks were then donated to each school in Hudson. Farley took 30 backpacks that we will surely put to good use. These gifts will have a tremendous impact, ensuring that hundreds of students have the tools they need to succeed. Your hard work and selflessness are a shining example of Choose Love's "COMPASSION IN ACTION". Thank you for your time, energy, and commitment. See photos below.

Other thanks this week goes to Home and School for hosting incredibly successful playground meetups this week. Mrs. Duke and I loved seeing the kids back at school and watching caregivers connect. This was our largest showing yet! In addition, thank you to all those family members who attended our "Coffee Hour with the Principals" this week. Whether you attended virtually or in person, I thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule.

This weekend, I'm heading to Rhode Island to celebrate my parents' 49th wedding anniversary. My caregivers have "Chosen Love" over and over again and have set a wonderful example for our family. My mom is a retired grade 3 public school teacher and loves hearing all of my Farley stories. Don't forget that Pre-K and Kindergarten students have their Open House with their teachers on August 26th @ 3:15pm. I will see all other students on Tuesday, August 27th at 8:20am for the first day of school!

Read Always,

Rachel Scanlon (she, her, hers)

978-567-6153 - rscanlon@hudson.k12.ma.us

#ExplainYourBrain

August 27th:

• First day of school. School Hours are: 8:35-2:55pm with drop off starting at 8:20am.
• PreK and Kindergarten Meet and Greet is scheduled for August 26th from 3:15pm-4:30pm.

August 30th and September 2nd:

• No School

September 12th:

• Open House for Grades 1-4. This is an evening event. More information to follow later.

As shared in my recent emails to families, Farley administration does not have control over bus transportation. We have heard from many of you and have tried to field any questions or concerns you have. Please continue to email Denise Cobb, Head of Transportation @ dccobb@hudon.k12.ma.us with your additional questions or concerns.

Bus information is published on the district website under the “Transportation” section: https://www.hudson.k12.ma.us/parents/transportation. Bus information will also be available to view in the ASPEN database.

Throughout the year, Mrs. Lisa Leger who is one of our Math Interventionists, creates amazing bulletin boards outside her office which is in located in the library. With the help of her daughter, Mrs. Leger created a "Taylor Swift Tour" themed board. She even made each staff member a "friendship bracelet". We know the students will love this!

If your child starts to struggle a bit with coming back to school, try using some of these books to help. I have found an online library full of picture books related to the beginning school. Click the link below to be directed to the library document. Then click each book. This will bring you to a YouTube video of each book read out loud! I hope you enjoy the selections.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1D1nUfAz_M4N-OWxDcFDE0XFdluJv8Kvv5xI61oZCjTk/edit?usp=sharing

Students in Grades 1-4 have the opportunity to join the Boys and Girls Club in Hudson. They provide an affordable option for after-school care. Please click the posters below for more information or head directly over to their website: https://www.bgcmetrowest.org/hudson-after-school. Alexis Carvalho, the Program Administrator, mentioned that registration is now open, however, it looks like her page isn't updated yet. Feel free to reach out to her to her to register. Her contact information is below. Space is limited, so please sign up as soon as you can.

Alexis Carvalho (she/her)

Program Administrator

Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest
21 Church Street

Hudson, MA 01749

alexis.carvalho@bgcmetrowest.org

Tel: 978-562-9924

• The first day of school is 8/27. School Hours are: 8:35-2:55pm with drop off starting at 8:20am.

• Massachusetts has extended the free school breakfast/lunch program another year which means breakfast and lunch will be free for all students.

• Bus information will be published prior to the start of the school year on the district website under the “Transportation” section: https://www.hudson.k12.ma.us/parents/transportation. Bus information will also be available to view in the ASPEN database.

• Farley’s Handbook can be found on our school website: https://cafarley.hudson.k12.ma.us/ and will also be available on the district website: https://www.hudson.k12.ma.us/

• Pre K and Kindergarten Meet and Greet is scheduled for August 26th from 3:15pm-4:30pm.

Our teachers worked together in grade level teams to create these RECOMMENDED supply lists. These supplies are NOT mandatory and the brands suggested are preferred brands due to allergies. Again, these supplies are NOT required. Many of the items will be shared within the classroom community.

Please click HERE for the specific, grade-level lists. Thank you!

Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Wright wanted to share a few reminders:

• Any new students and all incoming grade 4 students need to provide the nurses with a physical.
• Any medication, both prescribed and over-the counter, must be brought to the nurse by the legal caregiver with a medical doctor's order.
• For your child's comfort, feel free to provide a complete change of clothes to be left in student lockers in case of spills, accidents, etc.
• Please make sure to email or call Mrs. Hill if there are ever any medical changes that occur throughout the year.
• Vision, Hearing, and Height/Weight (Grades 1 and 4) will take place in September. Email Mrs. Hill if you do not want your child to participate in the screening.
• Make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast (at home or at school) and gets lots of sleep!

Nurses' Contact Information:

• Tina Hill, tmhill@hudson.k12.ma.us
• Carla Wright, cjwright@hudson.k12.ma.us

This year, Farley will welcome a handful of new staff. Through out the first few months of school, I will highlight one or two of our new staff in my Paw Prints.

Farley is in need of substitutes. We are looking for both day-to-day subs and permanent building subs. Day-to-Day subbing offers employees a flexible schedule. Our Permanent Building Substitute works every day but in a variety of classrooms. The Permanent Building Substitute job is a salaried, benefit eligible position. If you are interested or would like more information, please click the link below. Also, feel free to email Mrs. Duke directly @ amduke@hudson.k12.ma.us if you have any questions or plan to apply.

https://hudson.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

"For the past five years, Farley Elementary School’s Home and School has partnered with Boosterthon experts to hold an exciting, school-wide Fun Run. This FUN RUN event is the ONLY MAJOR FUNDRAISER of the year. This Fun Run is a healthy alternative to traditional product sales that raises much-needed funds for our school. Family and friends anywhere in the world can support Farley by giving pledges to our student runners!

Typically held on Farley’s baseball field, the Boosterthon Fun Run event is a high-energy day, full of enthusiasm from students, staff, families, friends, and of course, Boosterthon team members. Each grade assembles on the field (for about an hour per grade) and has a blast running laps while our community cheers them on, waving homemade signs and snapping pictures. Upbeat music plays continuously through the speakers as Boosterthon team members join the students around the Boosterthon Speedway, dancing and running to themed laps. You may see students laughing in a conga line, whipping lassos around their heads, driving a racecar, or racing a Boosterthon team member. The goal of this event is to provide an enjoyable experience that builds community and school culture, while including fitness in the students’ school day.

So, you may be wondering, “What exactly happens during the Boosterthon Fun Run Fundraiser?” Here’s a quick run-down of what you can expect as part of our fitness, leadership, and character-based fundraiser.

About two weeks before the Boosterthon Fun Run event begins, students will learn about this year’s character-based theme. Each day brings new learning and another day closer to the Boosterthon Fun Run event. Our fun, fitness event will encourage your children to let loose, be active and play with their classmates! All caregivers, staff, and community members are invited to join us by attending the event and cheering on students as they run an average of 30-35 laps around the “Boosterthon Speedway”. The Boosterthon Fun Run event is designed to celebrate every student learning valuable character and leadership principles while helping their school.

Home and School is excited to kick off our Farley Fun Run on 9/16. Our goal is to raise $25,000 for more playground upgrades and to support student events like last year’s incredible cultural programs that strengthen our school community. Our school relies on this ONE and ONLY fundraiser for the year to provide exceptional opportunities to enhance student learning. We need YOUR HELP to make it successful. What can you do now? You can start by registering your student (register on MYBOOSTER.COM) and by sharing with friends and family. Mark your calendars for the Farley Fun Run fundraiser. It will be kicking off soon!

Key dates to remember:

● REGISTRATION OPENS -9/2

Register on MYBOOSTER.COM

● Farley Fun Run Kick Off - 9/16

● Event Day - 9/25

If you are interested in helping to support this event in any way, please contact Tara Sagor at tara.sagor@gmail.com. Stay tuned for more info to come!"

For those who are new to Farley here is information again on what exactly a "Home and School Association?

The Home and School Association is an organization made up of students’ caregivers for the purpose of supporting the education of children at Farley Elementary by fostering relationships among the school, families, and teachers. The Home and School Association provides a vital and much-appreciated service to school leadership and the entire school community. The activities sponsored by the Home and School are designed to build community and enhance learning.

As a caregiver of a Farley student, you automatically become a member of Home and School and are welcome to attend our monthly meetings (either in person or virtually) as well as take an active role as a volunteer in our school.

Here are some of the amazing ways the Home and School Association (HASA for short) has supported our school in the past:

· The HASA has hosted numerous events and provided volunteers when needed. Here are are just a few examples of the events: the Book Fair, the Farley Fun Day, the Valentine's Dance, Farley Gives Back Bingo Night, the Ice Cream Social, and so many more.

· The HASA has provided funds for field trips and sponsored cultural assemblies

· The HASA puts on the Farley Fun Run-our only fundraiser of the year which has provided funds to upgrade our library, create an outdoor classroom in our courtyard, and most recently enhance our playground.

Pleas join Farley's Home and School Association's monthly meetings. More information to come on the day meetings will be held. Free childcare is always provided for these meetings.

Just in case you don't have Farley's Home and School's Facebook link--here it is:

https://m.facebook.com/FarleyHSA

For new families to Farley, special thanks goes to McGovern Subaru in Acton has one again selected Farley as the recipient of their $3,000 educational donation! Subaru has teamed up with Adopt-A-Classroom.org to grant schools across the United States with funds to use next year. Six teachers have volunteered to be in charge of the $3,000 and to help figure out what our staff needs. We feel incredibly lucky to have been chosen. Thank you McGovern Subaru!

Instructional Focus: #ExplainYourBrain

Email: rscanlon@hudson.k12.ma.us
Website: https://cafarley.hudson.k12.ma.us/
Location: 119 Cottage Street, Hudson, MA, USA
Phone: 978-567-6153