Dear Community,
We have enjoyed a full week of teaching and learning in the tents. The weather has been beautiful for this transition! We have one more week of school before spring recess. I want to take this moment to express my gratitude to our families for the hard work in following the Health and Safety protocols. The Worthington School District has been open safely for in-person learning since early September because of the collaborative efforts by the students, families, teachers and community members who have followed the safety guidelines both in and out of school. We ask that you remember your actions do not only impact the health, safety, and educational opportunities for your child, but they also have an influence on whether or not all of the children and faculty in the school are able to continue learning in-person in a safe, healthy environment. Please consider this fact before making those out of state travel plans.
Message from School Committee about Superintendent/Principal Survey:
Below you will find a link to a confidential questionnaire from the Worthington School Committee. This is the first year of a new annual questionnaire the school committee will be asking families to complete, answering questions about Ms. Morse-Dobosz’s leadership, to help us as a committee in our job of completing regular evaluations of her in her role as Superintendent. All school committees are required to evaluate their superintendents regularly, and we can do this best with your input. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Parents: https://forms.gle/HfWQHx6nY1dNpUEy5
MCAS Dates: MCAS testing window is from May 10, 2021 to June 11, 2021. The district will announce our revised MCAS testing dates in next week’s Friday news.
This year only, DESE is allowing schools to offer a remote administration of the grades 3–8 tests to accommodate families who chose to have their children learn remotely through the end of the school year. Below are some initial details shared with us from DESE about how remote testing will take place. More information will be provided in the coming weeks.
Technology Set-up
Students testing remotely will use a browser-based version of TestNav.
Test Security Considerations
Schools are strongly encouraged to communicate with parents/guardians about the importance of test validity and test security.
Test administrators will use a synchronous video tool (e.g., Google Meet, Zoom) to remain in contact with students during remote administration and to assist in monitoring.
HILLTOWN HEALTH CONNECTION: Ready4K is a research-based text messaging program for families with kids ages 0 to 10. Each week, you’ll receive texts with fun facts and tips on ways to help your child learn and grow. You’ll also receive information on community resources to support you and your family. Ready4K tips build on your daily routines, like getting dressed, bath time, or preparing a meal. And you’ll always get messages that match your child’s age. See the link below for more information.
What are your intentions for next year?: Just a reminder that forms went home this week asking families to indicate if they are planning to send their child(ren) back to R.H. Conwell in the fall. Please return these to the office by April 12, 2021.
Message from Ms. Hawthorne, the Art teacher : We are doing a tin punching art project this spring in 3/4th grade. We need 25 flat pieces of 1″ by 12″ x 12″ wood. We are looking for donations of wide planks of 1″ wood — pre-cut into 12″ sections would be preferred but I can cut longer lengths to size. Please email Carolyn Hawthorne, Art Teacher, at chawthorne@hr-k12.org if you have any to donate.
Sun and Insects: Now that we are back outside full time, I wanted to send some quick friendly reminders to all families regarding our return to outdoor learning and how to keep your kids safe and healthy while at school.
- Please apply sunscreen to your child(ren) prior to arrival at school
- Broad spectrum sunscreen of a minimum of 15-30 SPF is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Please send your child with a refillable water bottle for use at school
- Water fountains are not available for use due to Covid restrictions, however we have a refillable water station available and limited plastic cups
- With the temperature fluctuations between mornings and afternoons, it is recommended that your child(ren) dress in light layers to change throughout the day
- The temperature between the tents and in the fields also fluctuates throughout the day
- With spring temperatures, comes spring insects including bees, wasps, and ticks.
- With the amount of time spent exploring in the woods and the back fields, please be sure to periodically check your child(ren) for ticks
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. Thank you for your continued support.
Nurse Sam
A Weekly Covid Update from the Nurse’s Office (4/9/2021)
| Number of positive cases within the school community: 0 Overall health of the school community: Healthy We are continuing to have great success with our health and safety protocols within our school community, and we continue to thank you all for your support in keeping our students safe and in person learning. |
A Message from Jessica of Pumpkinhead Photography:
Happy Spring R. H. Conwell Families! I am so excited to be asked back for annual school portraits. I will be at the school April 28 for group photos and portraits, as well as the 29th for any absentees. There will be a retake day scheduled in mid-May as well. While it may not be the fall weather we are used to, I know we will still be able to get some great pictures of smiling faces to remember this school year. As always, this is a fundraiser for your PTO and a percentage of sales goes directly back to your school.
In an effort to make ordering easier, I am now offering online ordering. The packages and add-ons are the same as you are used to. Just be sure to add a package to your cart first before adding in any additional prints or products.
Visit www.pumpkinhead.photography/schoolphotos
- Review and add a package choice: A, B, C, D or E
- A form will pop up. This is similar to order forms of the past.
- Add any additional products, if you wish.
- Checkout
- Keep a copy of your order for your records
If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at jessica@pumpkinhead.photography. A paper form is also available, if you prefer, with a cash or check payment. Just let the school or myself know and we will get it to you.
UPCOMING DATES:
- April 19- 23: Spring Break
- April 28, 2021: Picture Day
- April 29, 2021: Rain Date or Make-ups
- May 1, 2021: Annual Town Meeting
Warmly,
Gretchen Morse-Dobosz,
Superintendent/Principal
Worthington School District
147 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
413-238-5856
gmorsedobosz@hr-k12.org