Today, report cards are being sent out electronically via an online account called Plus Portals. A few weeks ago, an email was sent out to parents and guardians with directions for setting up this account. If you can’t find the email, search your email for “plusportals;” the email came from “Admin Admin”. If that doesn’t work, email “accounts@awrsd.org”. They will also be sent home via email.

December 15, Thursday ~ Holiday Concert at Oakmont Regional High School Auditorium 6:30PM

December 20, Tuesday ~ Holiday Show for Veteran's and Seniors 9:00-9:45 AM, WES Cafeteria

December 20, Tuesday ~ Kindergarten Holiday Sing Along, 1:15 PM, MHS Cafeteria/Gym

December 23, Friday -January 2, Tuesday ~ No School ~ Winter Vacation

January 16, Monday ~ No School Martin Luther King Jr Day

January 25, Wednesday ~ No School, Professional Development

Click on this link for help accessing your child's report card: https://bit.ly/PlusPortalsHelp

ILLNESS/ABSENCES: As with every Winter, we have seen an increase in illness in our schools. Please be sure to review the district’s illness guidance and reach out to your school nurse with any questions.

Please contact the main office in the morning if your child is to be absent and inform them why he/she will not be attending. If your child has been ill, he/she should be free of a temperature for 24 hours before returning to school without the use of fever reducing medication.

Testing is recommended for individuals with symptoms of COVID-19.

If students test positive for COVID-19, they must follow the CDC’s isolation guidance. Please contact your school nurse to confirm the date your student may return to school.

If your child is diagnosed with any communicable diseases please notify the nurse and follow the guidelines given by your medical provider. As a reminder, if your child has a fever they must be fever free for 24 hours without taking fever reducing medication (such as Tylenol/Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen/Motrin)

FLU FACTS/INFORMATION: Flu season is upon us! The season for the flu is usually from November to April with most cases occurring between late December and early March. The flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. Although the flu affects everyone, children tend to get it more often than adults.

The flu is often confused with the common cold, but flu symptoms tend to develop quickly (usually 1 to 4 days after a person is exposed to the flu virus) and are usually more severe than the typical sneezing and stuffiness of a cold. Symptoms can last for a week or two. The flu is very contagious. It is spread by coughing or sneezing into the air.

Symptoms of the Flu May Include:

Fever

Loss of Appetite

Sore Throat

Ways to Prevent The Flu:

• To have the flu shot if your pediatrician feels you should have it.

• Wash your Hands thorough and frequently

• Never pick up used tissues.

• Never share cups and eating utensils.

• Stay home from work or school when you’re sick with the flu.

• Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

How Do You Treat The Flu?

• Stay home from school

• Drink lots of fluids.

• Get plenty of sleep and take it easy.

• Call your doctor for a fever or achiness so that he/she can let you know what to take to make your child feel better.

• The student may return to school when he/she is both fever free and has not taken Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin) for 24 hours.

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As always please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns

Bridget Hurley RN, BSN

Westminster Elementary School

Bhurley@awrsd.org

P: 978-874-2043 ext 5

F: 978-874-0964

Cassandra Benes RN, BSN

Meetinghouse School

Cbenes@awrsd.org

P: 978-874-0163

F: 978-874-0726

Our second graders have been practicing their writing skills through many winter writing activities. They are learning about different cultures and traditions around the world. Second graders are finishing up their measurement unit and moving towards double digit addition. Additionally, the children are looking forward to "Grinch Day" on December 22nd. This is a special day in which we enjoy "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" book and movie.

The children have been learning how people and animals prepare for winter and keep warm in the colder months. We are learning about hibernation, flying south for the winter, burrowing underground, and making or finding a nest. Our students have been practicing putting on their coats, hats, and mittens to keep warm.

Dramatic play is so important for social skill and language development in young children. With this in mind, we have been having fun in our Dunkin’ Donuts play center. The children have been learning how to greet their customers and how to listen to what their customers want. They have been practicing following directions and sequencing steps as they prepare sandwiches, make drinks, and pack orders for the customers.

Upcoming dramatic play adventures will be a gingerbread house and bakery, riding on the Polar Express, taking a trip to outer space, and a Petco pet adoption center, grooming station, and Vet clinic. We will have so much fun this year learning through play!

Beginning January 1, 2023, Meetinghouse School has a limited number of spots available for community peers in our four-day afternoon Learning Tree Inclusive Preschool Program. If you are interested in learning more about this, please refer to the Learning Tree Inclusive Preschool Program Application and Lottery Process Information.

Our 3rd grade team has recently begun to implement multisyllabic routines each day. We are having a great time! Decoding multisyllabic words is an essential skill that has a direct impact on reading accuracy, fluency and comprehension of text. We have noticed that decoding or pronouncing longer words is a challenge for many 3rd graders, and we are happy to be addressing this essential skill. We spend about 10 minutes each day using student-friendly routines for the 6 syllable types. Our goal is that this direct, explicit instruction will help guide our students to become more accurate and fluent when decoding multisyllabic words. Please reach out to your teacher if you have any questions.

The studios are in full swing with many centers open and lots of great ideas spilling out of our creative kid's brains! Clay projects coming up in January as well as a few new centers opening after the December break: The Fabric Stash and The Nature Nook. I need donations for the Nature Nook before the snow flies!!!!! If you are able, I am looking for donations for the following nature items: pinecones, small twigs, pebbles, moss, seashells, and sticks (no longer than 6 inches). THANK YOU.

News from Westminster Youth Playhouse:

Grades K and 1 Youth Playhouse session will be January 17,24,31 February 7,14. Tuesday afternoons from 3:00-5:00. Our play will be "Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom!" based on the children's book. Registration forms go out NEXT WEEK.

Stay creative,

Ms. Banning

Mrs. Mary O'Neil is our new English Learner Teacher. We are excited to have her at MHS/WES five days a week. Families are welcome to reach out to her: moneil@awrsd.org. Mary is an avid writer with a passion for storytelling. Over the next several weeks, she will be visiting classrooms and sharing her talents.

Please have your child take a look at our lost and found. Everything will be donated during Christmas Break!!

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