R. H. Conwell Community News 9/23/2022

Worthington School District
147 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
413-238-5856
gmorsedobosz@hr-k12.org

September 23, 2022

Dear Community:

Happy Fall!  We sure had an exciting Friday morning!  Around 10:44 a.m., one of the basement smoke detectors went off,  and the faculty and students immediately evacuated the building.  The Worthington PD and Fire arrived almost immediately.  The students did a great job of remaining calm and exiting the building. There was no fire, but a faulty smoke detector in the basement. The Worthington PD and Fire checked the building and gave the all clear about 14 minutes later and the students returned to the building.  About an hour later, the fire alarms went off again, and the emergency responders came back to the school.  It was determined that the faulty alarm could continue to go off throughout the afternoon, so we decided to spend the beautiful afternoon teaching and learning outside.  Make sure to ask your child what their favorite part of the afternoon was.  We have contacted the service company and they will be out here today to look at and/or replace the alarm.

The temperature at night has certainly cooled down and I’ve noticed the leaves changing colors!  This is always one of my favorite times of the year!  As we transition into cooler weather, please make sure to send your child in with layers because the mornings will be cooler than the afternoons!

Yesterday, we gathered in the cafeteria to honor and celebrate Mrs. Julia Sharron, our volunteer librarian.  We are incredibly grateful to her for her dedication to the library and the children.  The district honored her by dedicating the library in her name.  Lisa Ouellet presented her with a beautiful wooden plaque.   Please follow the link here for the remarks read by Gail Bergeon, and be on the lookout for an article written in the Hampshire Gazette.  

Pavilion Committee: The district is looking for someone interested in leading the pavilion committee, alongside the current members.  We have taken many steps, and at this point we need someone to support the committee in moving forward.

All School Meeting:  Every fourth Friday of the month, the students and faculty gather at 9:05 a.m. in the cafeteria for an All School Meeting..  Today was our first All School Meeting, and the ⅚ grade students did an amazing job leading us through the meeting.  

PTO Update:   We are looking for volunteers to help with the grinder sale. Please email Max Breiteneicher at jmaximilianb@gmail.com to sign up to help.    The next meeting is on October 20 at 6:00PM.

School Pictures:  It’s not too late to send in your order form if you forgot to send it in last week.  Students that were absent will have the opportunity to have their pictures taken on Tuesday, 9/27. 

Spirit Gear Forms are due on Tuesday, September 27.  Please send in your order form with cash or check made payable to R.H. Conwell Elementary School PTO.  Please contact Ms. Lisa at louellet@hr-k12.org if you need another order form.

Reminders from Nurse’s Office: 

  • If you have a health concern and feel that a call to Nurse Meg is warranted to help make a decision about sending your child to school, please text Nurse Meg at 413-320-8172 or email her at mbreymann@hr-K12.org before 7:00 a.m. and until 7p.m.
  •  During school hours, Nurse Meg can be reached at 413-238-5856 extension 1.  

Open House:  Is on October 6, 2022 from 5:30 – 6:30PMWhat is Open House?  It is a chance for the students to show their families their classrooms, their desks and lockers and share some of the work they have been doing in the classroom.  This is also a great opportunity to meet the teachers and see the school if you haven’t already.  We are excited to announce that the PTO will be having a Grinder sale that night at 5:00 P.M.    The order form will be coming home in the students folders on Monday.    

Volunteers:  We are looking for community members to substitute and/or volunteer at R.H. Conwell.  Please see the volunteer form found here and kindly fill out and return to the office. If you have questions,  please call me at 413-238-5856

Hampshire Regional School District Middle and HIgh School Newsletter: 

https://www.smore.com/2c7j9

Upcoming Events:

October 6:  Open House:  PTO GRINDER SALE beginning at 5:00 p.m. and classrooms will be open beginning at 5:30 p.m.

October 10Holiday – No School

October 11:  No School:   Professional Development for the teachers

October 13:  School Committee Meeting beginning at 6:30 in the cafeteria.  A zoom link will be provided.

October 14Fire Safety Presentation:  Chief Scott,  the local fire chief will come to the school and meet with the students.

Have a wonderful weekend!  

Warmly,
Gretchen Morse-Dobosz
Principal/Superintendent, Worthington School District
gmorsedobosz@hr-k12.org