Dear R.H. Conwell Families,
Fall is officially here! We are so fortunate to have the outdoor space and a school vision that supports outdoor learning. Unless there is severe or harsh weather conditions students will be outside- rain or shine. Please remember to send your child in with layers and appropriate clothing for all weather.
Below is a photo of the 3rd and 4th Grade Farm Stand. Last week they sold out of almost everything and raised $60.25 to go towards maintaining the garden and chickens. Thanks to everyone who purchased some items!
Parent/Teacher Emails: Please note that teachers ARE NOT expected to return emails during the weekends. Teachers will check their school emails Monday morning before school begins and will have 24 hours to return an email during the work week (Monday-Friday). If there is an emergency or an immediate need to speak to a school member during the weekend or holiday vacation, please call my cell phone at 413-695-7893. Thank you.
Parent Zoom Meeting: This year I have scheduled monthly zoom parent meetings beginning at 6:30 p.m. to talk about school related topics, ask questions, and connect with other caregivers. My first meeting was held earlier this month beginning at 6:30, and I had one parent join me. I wanted to reach out with a short survey to see if there is a better time in the evening for parents to participate in a zoom meeting. Please complete the survey no later than September 29. Thanks in advance for your feedback! https://forms.gle/3Wg3Z6PUCfhkSDna9
Preschool Paraprofessional: The district is seeking a paraprofessional for the preschool classroom. Preschool runs from 8:15 – 3:30, Tuesday – Friday! Please contact me at gmorsedobosz@hr-k12.org for more information.
ESSER III Survey: This survey is to inform each stakeholder group of anticipated district priorities and seeks feedback around anticipated activities through these funds. Please follow the link for the survey. The survey will close on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3NLGK49GwSRenErJZD4ZHVSUu uWCAB2htOv8hGDIGW0_StQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Pavillion Committee: The district is looking for members to join the Pavilion Committee. This committee will look closely at funding options and will develop a timeline for building and site prep. The pavilion will support outdoor teaching and learning at Conwell and available for community members to use. If you are interested, please send me an email at gmorsedobosz@hr-k12.org.
Substitutes: We are looking for classroom substitutes. Please contact the main office for more information.
Parent Volunteer: We are seeking a parent volunteer every Monday from 11:30 -12:00 to support recess duty and from 12:00 – 12:30 to support lunch duty. This volunteer position begins immediately. Please contact the office at 413-238-5856 if you are interested.
Lunch Volunteers for Preschool: We are seeking one volunteer every day from 12:00 – 1:00 to help preschoolers with lunch and getting settled for rest time. This will allow for the preschool teachers to take a lunch break. Please email me at gmorsedobosz@hr-k12.org if you are interested.
Lunch: Until further notice students will eat snacks and lunch outside.
- Friday lunch: Caregivers are welcome to join Friday lunch. We are limiting lunch to three caregivers per class. The K-2 lunch begins at 12:00 and the 3-6 lunch begins at 12:35. Please sign up to attend Friday lunch using the following link. The next family lunch will be Friday, October 1, 2021. Please come to the front door and sign in at the office first.
- If you (the caregiver) will be purchasing lunch please include this into the comment section when you sign up. School lunch costs $4.00. While attending family lunch, we expect that caregivers will sign in at the front office, will wear a mask while they are inside, and find a spot outside with their child. At that time, we ask that families be mindful of social distancing since masks are not required while outside.
Coat Donation Drive for Kids: Drop off new and gently used coats, gloves, hats and winter boots for kids to The Rabbit Hole Restaurant, 144 Huntington Road Worthington to benefit the Village Closet.
Updates from the Nurse’s Office:
Today in preschool, pre-K, and Kindergarten, students completed vision screenings. Individual results were sent home in your child’s folders. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the screening that was completed.
In the next few weeks, I will be sending home information regarding additional screenings to be conducted at all age groups. Upcoming screenings: Vision screenings in grades 1-6, Hearing screenings in grades preschool-4, BMI screenings in grades 1&4, Postural screenings in grades 5&6. Please keep an eye out for any communications regarding these screenings and/or opt-out forms if indicated.
If you have not already done so, please fill out the Abbott BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen Testing Consent form ASAP. There is an opt-out option on the consent form, and a consent/opt-out must be received by all students and staff. If you would like a paper copy of the consent form, you can print this form, be sure to fill out clearly, sign and return it in your child’s green folder. Or visit this website (https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma?district=Worthington#consent) for the electronic version. Please let me know if you have any questions at all regarding testing.
Covid Update:
| R.H. Conwell Elementary School | |
| Covid-19 Dashboard | |
| As of September 24, 2021 | |
| Positive Cases in School | 0 |
| Internal Close Contacts | 0 |
| External Close Contacts in Quarantine | 1 |
| BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen Tests Conducted | 2 |
| Positive Cases in Worthington | 1 |
| Positive Cases in Hampshire County (last 14 days) | 861 |
| Positive Cases in Massachusetts (last 14 days) | 23,213 |
Message from the PTO: PTO meetings will be held on the second Monday of each month at 3:30 on the black top, weather depending. Or in the cafeteria. If that Monday is a holiday, we will hold it the week before. Next PTO meeting will be October 4.
We want to say THANK YOU to all the parents who volunteered in the classroom. Emails will be coming your way shortly from the classroom parent.
We are looking for some parents to help construct a new chicken run for Mrs. O’s chickens. The PTO has purchased a 10×18 chicken run. It’s a kit that should be fairly straightforward to build. We also need to move the wooden chicken house into the new run, along with the chickens and take down the old fence, saving it for the kids to use around their garden. Time and date to be determined once we have some volunteers.
Please email jaimericci@verizon.net if you want to help with this project.
Hillside Pizza fundraiser begins this week. If you are selling pizza to your family and friends, please make sure you collect the payments, and before you turn in your order sheet, make a copy for yourself. The original order form will be returned to you at the time of pick up. Having an extra copy helps with delivering your pizza orders to friends and family. It has been brought to my attention; one form is saying pick up on the 7th will start at 3:30. PLEASE IGNORE! Pick up for orders will be October 7 from 3:10-5:00 in the cafeteria. If you need additional information, please email Jaime Ricci at jaimericci@verizon.net.
BAKE SALE: Please consider baking or purchasing something to donate to the PTO bake sale that will take place during the pizza pick up on October 7. The more goodies the better. Please include a list of ingredients for each item donated. Please bring any donations to the office on October 6 or 7.
Last but not least…… don’t forget to turn in your t-shirt, sweatshirt, hats and scarf orders which are due on Monday, September 27.
Upcoming Events:
September 27, 2021: Noon Dismissal
October 7, 2021: Pizza Pick Up is from 3:10 – 5:00 p.m.
Virtual Curriculum Night and Open House at 6:00
October 11, 2021: No School
October 12, 2021: No School: Full Day Professional Development for all Faculty
October 14, 2021:
- 3:30 – 5:30 Equity Advisory Committee
- 6:30 School Committee
Have a wonderful weekend!
Gretchen Morse-Dobosz
Superintendent/Principal gmorsedsobosz@hr-k12.org