MHS/WES Newsletter

We miss our students! Just as we were getting into a groove with learning, mother nature had us stop and pause. We are thinking of our families and what a tough week this has been for some of you. Please reach out to our schools if we can be of any assistance.

January 27, Friday ~ WES Spelling Bee, 2:00 p.m. (classroom winners from grades 4 & 5 compete)

February 4, Saturday ~ PTO Night, Worcester Railers 7:05 PM

February 8, Wednesday ~ 1/2 day of school/Noon dismissal

February 15, Wednesday PTO Meeting in the WES Cafe

February 20, Monday through February 24, Friday ~ No School/February Break

January 27th - February 3rd

We didn't want to let this fun week pass us by. We've updated our spirit week for anyone that would like to participate.

• Friday, January 27th – “School Spirit Day”

• Wear your CLASS COLOR! (PreK:BLUE K: ORANGE 1st: PURPLE 2nd: RED 3rd: GREEN 4th: YELLOW 5th: BLUE)

• Goal: Give someone a compliment.

• Quote of the day: “Make the world more awesome!” – Kid President

• NEW DATE: Monday January 30th – “Team up for Kindness”

• Wear your sports jerseys and hats!

• Goal: Be a good sport!

• Quote of the Day: “Kindness is contagious so let’s pass it on.”

• NEW DATE: Tuesday January 31st – “Peace, Love, and Kindness”

• Wear tie-dye clothing (shirts, socks, etc.)

• Goal: Say something nice to a friend in need

• Quote of the Day: “Every act of kindness grows the spirit and strengthens the soul”

• NEW DAY: Wednesday February 1st

• Wear something with our MHS/WES school colors: blue and gold

• NEW DATE: Thursday February 2nd – You’re Never Too Old to be Kind”

• Dress up like a senior citizen/ how you will look in 75 years!

• Goal: Pledge to be kind to one another

• Quote of the Day: “ Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” – Harriet Tubman

• NEW DATE: Friday, February 3rd – “School Spirit Day - Take 2”

• Wear your CLASS COLOR! (PreK:BLUE K: ORANGE 1st: PURPLE 2nd: RED 3rd: GREEN 4th: YELLOW 5th: BLUE)

• Goal: Give someone a compliment.

• Quote of the day: “Make the world more awesome!” – Kid President

Together we can make the world a better place!

Thank you for participating!!

WES Student Council

Second graders have begun the second module in Wit and Wisdom. Throughout our nation’s history, the West has symbolized hope, courage, and possibility. Native populations and early settlers encountered the harshness of life in the West firsthand. What growth came from the struggles? What was life like in the American West for those native to the land? What was life for those who settled there? How do changes impact people and nature? This module explores changes to the people and the environment of the West, building on the concept of change introduced in Module 1.

Third grade mathematicians have done a wonderful job learning the concept of multiplication! We are so proud of the progress and growth they have shown throughout this unit. We encourage students to continue practicing their multiplication fact fluency at home. Some ways to practice are with flashcards, the mathigon app and skip counting songs. Solving multiplication facts fluently helps students to solve problems quicker and more accurately.

Now that Unit 2 has wrapped up, we are getting ready to begin our next math unit- multi digit addition and subtraction, rounding and estimating sums and differences using algorithms and other methods. Students will learn how to round to the nearest ten and hundred, use rounding to help them estimate sums and differences, solve three digit addition and subtraction story problems and more!

Greetings to all musicians at WES and MHS! As we enter our new year all kinds of exciting things will happen. This article will briefly tell you what is going on in the general music classroom and all the ensembles at WES. I am so happy to be able to teach all these great students. Music makes you smarter, so stay involved. I’m looking forward to a great 2nd half of the year!

At MHS, both grades will continue with great singing and rhythm work. Ask your kids to teach you songs for fun, I’m sure they would like to share. The 1st graders will soon be learning how to play xylophones! At WES, grade 2 has entered a unit using pitched tubes called Boomwhackers, while the 3rd graders are now learning how to start playing piano. For organizational purposes, please supply your 3rd grader a 3 ring binder (with perhaps plastic sleeves) to protect their keyboard packet, which they will need at each music class. Grade 4 and 5 will not be only playing piano, but learning through the use of notation. Soon in the spring, grade 4 and 5 will be working with ukuleles!

ENSEMBLE UPDATES:

Chorus - Sign ups are closed for all students in grades 4 and 5 as we have already had our 1st rehearsal. Music has been passed out this Friday, and will include popular hits as well as more challenging 2 part pieces. A spring schedule has been given at a prior rehearsal.

B Band- Practices have resumed on Fridays from 3-4 pm as we transition the students into A Band. Be sure to keep your child practicing and aware of what they need to do from their lesson instructor to advance to A Band. B Band will stop rehearsing in late February/March, and at that point they will still take lessons only until they are accepted into A Band.

A Band- Rehearsals are running on Thursdays from 3-4 pm. They should have all of their music by now in plastic sleeves placed inside a 3 ring binder for organizational purposes. Percussion assignments have been passed out to tell your child what parts they need to prepare with their lesson instructor.

Jazz Band- Auditions have been held and the roster is set. Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 3-4 pm. Other students may be added later by invitation in the spring upon the director’s approval based on need. These kids have to practice at home much more as not only do they need to learn jazz music but their A Band music as well, making it a challenge to learn all the material.

In the past before Covid, we were able to develop a Select Choir, a Wind Ensemble (high end concert band), a Bell Choir, and even a Ukulele Club! If time permits, and if skill levels have developed enough, our music department will hopefully be able to add some of these extra fun activities to help develop our student’s musicianship. Fingers crossed!

PLEASE ALSO NOTE: A complete and detailed schedule of performance dates, times, locations, as well as rehearsal schedules with any date changes will be soon sent out to your child/musician through a paper copy and an email. Please feel free to contact my assistant director, Mrs. Jean Popik (wesmusicprogram01473@gmail.com) or myself (klucander@awrsd.org) if you are not getting any music newsletter/emails about the ensembles. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Mr. Lucander

The library books have missed the kids! The WES library is re-opening soon and we need volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering in the WES library, please complete the Google Form below. There will be a volunteer training session at a later date, along with sign-ups for specific time slots. All volunteer times for the WES library will be during the school day, and you will need to have an updated CORI form completed prior to volunteering. THANK YOU!

VOLUNTEER GOOGLE FORM: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWQgq40hTuNnIFWKBwA-eBWp3WH6eVkCxnvZ61EqLVxv4Isg/viewform?usp=sf_link