Dear Families,

October is one of our favorite times of the school year. The fall colors have been stunning lately, and while we never turn down a pumpkin latte or a warm apple crisp, what we treasure most is seeing the smiles of our children every day. Their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning are inspiring.

By this point in the year, our classroom routines have become second nature, which allows us to go deeper in our learning together. Our students and staff care deeply and put in great effort every day. As we look back on the past few weeks, there is so much to be proud of!

A few reminders as we look ahead:

• Parent-teacher conferences will be held on November 2nd and 3rd. Please watch for information from your child’s teacher on how to sign up for a time that works for your family.
• Safety drill: This Friday, we will be practicing a routine safety drill. These drills are a regular part of our school year, and we will make sure students feel prepared and comfortable.
• Veterans Day food drive: Our WES Student Council is participating in a non-perishable food drive to support local Veterans this Thanksgiving. Students and their families are invited to bring in non-perishable food items and Thanksgiving-related goods, such as:
  • Boxed stuffing
  • Gravy
  • Chicken and/or turkey broth
  • Bakery items
  • Other non-perishable food items suitable for families

We are also looking for 2-3 parent volunteers to join our MHS/WES School Improvement Council. The council meets about five times a year, usually from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., and serves as an advisory group to the administration as we make decisions about school policies and discuss budget implications. Parent perspective is a valuable part of this work. If you are interested, please contact Kathy Taylor at ktaylor@awrsd.org. Our first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10th at 4:00 p.m.

Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support.

Kathy and Mike

Each year we practice several fire drills with the help of the fire department and at least 1-2 evacuation drills that involves all town resources such as the Police Department, Fire Department, and Department of Public Works. Our first evacuation drill of the school year is scheduled for this Friday, October 24th.

We want our students to always be aware of their surroundings and to look towards their teachers or other trusted adults if they are unsure of what to do in any situation. Here are the key elements that we focus on:

1. We already do a lot of things to keep ourselves safe, such as fire drills.
2. Stop, Look, and Listen - Always be aware of your surroundings. Do you know where the exit doors are located?
3. If we had a fire drill or needed to evacuate the building, where do we go?
4. What do you do if you become separated from your class?

We do not discuss various reasons of why we need to evacuate our schools. During this drill, students will practice evacuating the building quickly and safely, following established procedures. We have carefully planned the drill to minimize disruption to regular classroom activities and ensure that it is a calm, educational experience for everyone involved. Please be assured that these drills are essential for helping students understand what to do in the event of a real emergency, and are conducted in a controlled and supportive environment.

The safety and well being of our children is our top priority. Please reach out with any questions.

As Thanksgiving approaches, Veterans Inc. is organizing its Holiday Harvest effort to provide food and other holiday essentials to Veterans and their families in need across Central Massachusetts.

This year, the WES Student Council is proud to join in by hosting a non-perishable food drive to support local Veterans. We warmly invite students to bring in non-perishable food items and Thanksgiving favorites, such as:

• Boxed stuffing
• Gravy
• Chicken or turkey broth
• Bakery items
• Other non-perishable foods that families can enjoy

Donations will be collected from Monday, November 2nd through Thursday, November 19th. All items will then be delivered to Veterans Inc. to help Veterans and their families enjoy a more comfortable Thanksgiving. To keep everything safe to distribute, we kindly ask that all items be unopened and in their original, undamaged packaging.

Thank you for helping us show our appreciation for those who have served!

October 28: Wednesday ~ MHS/WES Picture Retakes

October 30: Friday ~ MHS Costume Parade, 9:15 AM

October 30: Friday ~ Grade 5 Vocabulary Parade, 2:10 PM

November 2: Monday ~ Evening Parent Teacher Conferences

November 3: Tuesday ~ No School, Parent Teacher Conferences

November 10: Tuesday ~ MHS/WES School Improvement Council 4:00 PM

November 11: Wednesday ~ No School, Veteran's Day

November 12: Thursday ~ PTO Meeting, MHS Cafeteria 6:00 PM

A friendly reminder that we require notes or emails when there is a change in your student's end of day dismissal. Be sure to include the date and student's last name. If you need to send an email to either school you may use mhsoffice@awrsd.org for MHS and wesoffice@awrsd.org for WES.

Star of the Week Has Begun in First Grade!

Our First Grade Star of the Week tradition has begun! Every student will have an opportunity to be celebrated as Star of the Week. Each week, one student from each class is chosen to shine in the spotlight!

During their special week, students get to share their favorite things with their classmates and bring in 4–6 pictures of themselves to share. The week wraps up with a tour of the big school, a special lunch with Mrs. Taylor and Mr. Leander, and a personalized book filled with messages from their classmates.

We look forward to celebrating each student and helping them feel special as they take their turn being Star of the Week!

In third grade we work on increasing student independence and responsibility. Here are some suggestions of things children at this age can/should do to develop their independence.

• Tie their own shoes.

• Unpack their own home/school folder.

• Pack their own snack for school.

• Have their address memorized.

• Have their parents’ phone numbers memorized. 

💻 Technology & Engineering Newsletter

What’s Happening in the Technology Room with Mrs. Breen?

Our K–5 students are busy building their technology skills, exploring digital tools, and learning how to become responsible digital citizens! From creating digital farmyards to designing comic strips, students are learning to use technology as a tool for creativity, communication, problem-solving, and learning.

Here’s a look at what each grade level is exploring in the Technology/Engineering room!

🚜 Kindergarten: Digital Exploration with Make a Scene

Our youngest learners are building foundational iPad skills using the Make a Scene: Farmyard app! Students are learning how to navigate an app, select a background, and drag and drop animal stickers to create their own digital farmyard scenes. They are also exploring interactive features by tapping animals to hear their sounds, practicing volume control, and learning how to properly close apps and care for their devices.

Along the way, students are connecting technology with early math skills! As they create their farmyard scenes, they are practicing their counting and additional skills, recognizing numbers, identifying groups, and using positional words such as above, below, beside, and between to describe where they place their stickers. These activities combine digital exploration, fine motor development, early math concepts, and problem-solving while helping students build confidence and independence with technology.

🎨 First Grade: All About Me with Wixie

First graders are using Wixie, a creative digital learning platform, to work on an All About Me project! Students are learning how to combine pictures, text, and digital tools to express their personalities, interests, and favorite things. This project encourages creativity and self-expression while helping students become more comfortable navigating a digital workspace and creating their own digital projects.

👣 Second Grade: Understanding Our Digital Footprints

Second graders are discovering what it means to have a digital footprint. They are learning that our online actions—such as posting, sharing, commenting, and interacting with others—can leave a lasting record. Through age-appropriate discussions and activities, students are exploring how their choices online can affect their digital lives. We are encouraging students to pause, think, protect their personal information, and make positive, responsible choices whenever they use technology.

⌨️ Third Grade: Google Tools & Keyboarding Skills

Third graders are strengthening their foundational computer skills as they become more familiar with our Google learning platforms. Students are practicing how to navigate digital learning tools and use the keyboard more efficiently through structured keyboarding activities. These skills will help them become more independent and confident when completing assignments, creating projects, and communicating their ideas using technology throughout the school year.

☁️ Fourth Grade: Google Docs & Cloud Computing

Fourth graders are learning how to create and format documents using Google Docs while exploring the basics of cloud computing. Students are discovering how cloud-based tools allow them to create, save, access, and organize their work digitally. They are also developing important skills such as entering and editing text, formatting documents, and navigating their Google learning environment. These foundational skills will prepare them for more advanced digital projects and collaborative learning experiences.

💬 Fifth Grade: Digital Citizenship Comic Strips

Our fifth graders are putting years of digital citizenship learning into action by creating their own Digital Citizenship Comic Strips! Students are using storytelling and visual communication to demonstrate their understanding of important online safety and responsibility topics, including:

• Privacy & Security: Protecting personal information, using strong passwords, managing location sharing, and recognizing online threats such as phishing.

• Digital Footprints & Identity: Understanding how online posts, comments, and shares can shape our digital reputation.

• Think Before You Post: Making thoughtful choices about what we share and how we communicate online.

• Media Balance & Well-Being: Maintaining a healthy balance between screen time and offline activities.

• Device Security: Avoiding unsafe downloads and using trusted apps, tools, and networks.

• Online Safety: Recognizing risks to personal information, physical safety, and emotional well-being.

• Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech: Identifying harmful online behavior, knowing how to respond, and understanding when to seek help.

• Copyright: Learning the difference between materials that are free to use and those protected by copyright, and why it is important to give credit to creators.

Through their comic strips, students will illustrate real-world situations and demonstrate responsible ways to respond to digital challenges. This project gives students an opportunity to show what they know while developing creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills.

🌟 Learning Beyond the Screen

Across all grade levels, our goal is to help students become confident, creative, and responsible technology users. Whether they are learning to navigate an iPad, creating a digital project, developing keyboarding skills, or making thoughtful decisions online, every activity helps build skills they can use both inside and outside the classroom.

Thank you for supporting our students as they explore, create, and learn!

Keep creating, keep exploring, and keep thinking like engineers!

— Mrs. Breen, Technology/Engineering

💻 Technology Club Is Starting Soon!

Exciting news! Westminster Elementary School Technology Club will be starting soon for students in grades 3–5!

Students will have the opportunity to explore the Technology/Engineering room, experiment with different equipment, and try out some of Mrs. Breen’s special STEM and technology kits in our Open Technology Studio.

Interested in signing up your child?

Please email Mrs. Breen at nbreen@awrsd.org with your child’s name, grade, and classroom teacher. A registration form will then be sent home with your child.

📅 All registration forms must be returned by Friday, October 30th.

I look forward to sharing an exciting, creative, and hands-on technology experience with our students!

Help Support Mrs. Breen’s Technology & Engineering Classroom!

Our classroom wishlist includes supplies and materials that help bring exciting technology, engineering, and STEM learning experiences to our students. If you’re able, please consider purchasing an item from Mrs. Breen’s classroom wishlist. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference and helps our students explore, create, and discover!

Thank you for supporting our classroom and helping make learning hands-on and fun!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/dl/invite/AQICAHild4Vpadjqcz7bdgUf6Qu6-OaRt7P_FJRNNbyMlg-OQwHU4nsevTUnQHRX6_WQ8vDlAAAAjzCBjAYJKoZIhvcNAQcGoH8wfQIBADB4BgkqhkiG9w0BBwEwHgYJYIZIAWUDBAEuMBEEDNiTpYWudNPW-wMJEgIBEIBLXVu0ptDS8eOf8dlBy4LETaEpUfdxLbxRdWJuHe3LDAGvLLDe8tVFJDOO-kjEyCzhTmNtIiefW3P5I2ocNuvFHWWpYMSI04BmdX9E?ref_=wl_share

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

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)

ARRIVAL

8:20 - 8:30 AM

DISMISSAL

2:55 PM

HALF DAYS - DISMISSAL

12:00 PM

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.

For questions about transportation, please email bussing@awrsd.org and provide your child's full name, school, address, and the question/issue.

• IMPORTANT BUS NOTES for 2026-2027:

  • All students are expected to be present at their stop and visible to the driver 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. This includes all door-to-door stops as well as group stops. 

  
  

  • All K and 1st Grade students must have an adult at the stop to receive them in the afternoon, unless authorization to get off the bus alone or with an older sibling has been given to the school office or busing coordinator.

  
  

  • All 2nd & 3rd Grade students must have an adult/older sibling/designated person visible to the driver when dropping off. They don’t have to be at the stop location, they can be on a porch, in a doorway, etc., as long as the driver can see them.

  
  

  • Students who miss the bus in the morning can board at any other stop along the route, but the buses will not stop if it isn’t a designated stop location, for legal and safety reasons. However, in the PM, unless there is a pass indicating otherwise, the student will only be dropped off at their stop of record for legal and safety reasons.

  
  

  • Due to transportation limitations and the increasing number of requests, separate bus trips will no longer be provided for any student group traveling to a local organization for scheduled club or activity. For any outside organization in the student’s hometown/community, if a student’s designated bus goes by the organization location, the school may issue a bus pass. If the student’s designated bus route does not go by the organization’s location, and an alternate bus has space, the school may issue a bus pass. The district CANNOT guarantee a specific drop off time (i.e. start of the outside program) or space on an alternate bus. If there is a new request from a community organization to offer bus passes to students, it will need Superintendent’s office approval via bussing. 

Thanks to the hard work, generosity and participation of our school community, our school raised $882.00 through the 2026 Hannaford Helps Schools program. These funds will help us continue creating a positive, thriving environment for every student. Your support has made a meaningful impact on our school and your involvement and encouragement truly make a difference for our students, teachers and staff. Thank you for your continued dedication to our school community!