Worthington School District
147 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
413-238-5856
gmorsedobosz@hr-k12.org
Dear Community:
We really enjoyed seeing so many families during our annual Open House last evening. A huge thanks to the PTO for providing the hot dogs and hamburgers!
Parent/Teacher Conferences: Parent/teacher conferences will be held November 1-3. Please make sure to sign up for a day/time to meet with the classroom teacher(s). Those three days will be a noon dismissal for students.
News from our bus drivers: Kudos to the School Bus Children. On Wednesday, October 18, Robin’s bus 162 and Elodi’s bus 154 were to practice a bus evacuation drill when they arrived at school that morning. The students had been coached the day before to anticipate the evacuation by the back door of the school bus. Two older students had volunteered to open the back door, sit down and slide out to assist all the other students out of the bus. The others were to evacuate orderly starting in the back to front; sitting on the back door edge and sliding out. Some of the older students volunteered to be bus buddies to the younger students in car seats. The older were to escort the younger staying with them the entire time. It had been decided to gather far from the bus and stay together. Everyone followed the plan; orderly out the back of the bus and to the second tree in front of the school. Afterwards Robin and Elodi congratulated them. The students returned the buses, gathered their belongings, and were released to go to recess or breakfast. Well done R. H. Conwell students!
- On Friday, October 27, the school bus afternoon runs will be combined on one bus. Middle School and High School students from Hampshire Regional School will be dismissed at 2:20 p.m., but all will stay on Bus 154 to be taken home. Please expect that students will be arriving home at a later time than usual. Elementary students from R. H. Conwell School will be picked up at a later time than the regular 3:20 p.m. dismissal and will arrive home at a later time.
- Parent drivers at R. H. Conwell School should not be using the driveway whenever school buses are parked there. This includes when the bus stop sign is out or not. Please drive in and out by the Starkweather Road entrance/exit.
- Please remember when entering the driveway off of Route 112 to stop off students drivers should reduce speed immediately from 20 MPH to 5 MPH before entering school grounds.
Library: Please check out the latest newsletter from our librarians here.
PTO: The Harvest Festival will be on October 31 with the parade starting at 1:15. There will be goodie bags, games, donuts, and cider with a schedule to follow. Look out for a couple fun new fundraisers within the next few months. Anyone with any questions or requests can reach out to us at worthingtonpto.ma@gmail.com Thanks families!
We are looking for volunteers to help with our second annual Harvest Festival on 10/31. We need parents to help support pumpkin painting for the younger kids, someone to watch over the fire, a few people to man the game stations and a couple parents to help pour the cider and hand out the donuts.
On 11/22 we will be hosting an ice cream social. If any parents would like to help serve or clean up we would greatly appreciate it!
We are also looking for parents to help with the holiday bazaar on 12/13. We would need volunteers to help organize the donations, wrap the presents and help the children shop. We could also use some parents to assist with setting up and taking down the bazaar as well.
Thank you for your interest in making your child’s upcoming holiday season a successful and joyous one! We appreciate all of the help.
PTO meetings will typically be on the third Thursday of each month with the next one scheduled on November 16. This will be a hybrid meeting. Coffee and homemade cookies will be served if you attend the meeting in person! Hope to see you there!
Volunteers: We are looking for community members to substitute and/or volunteer at R.H. Conwell. Please call Lisa at 413-238-5856.
R.H. Conwell’s Girls on the Run group will be holding their 5K practice on Monday, October 30 beginning at 3:30 and should be done by 4:30. They will be running/walking down Ridge Road, crossing over Buffington Hill and going about three quarters of the way down the dirt part of Ridge Road and then will turn around and head back to the school. We hope you will be home to cheer them on and offer words of encouragement!
Update from Ms. Lexi: I’m currently in the process of planning a new round of lunch groups and have availability to include more students in grades K-6. All lunch groups will be organized with students in the same classes and will focus on an age appropriate topic, such as friendship, self-advocacy, confidence building, etc. If you would like me to include your child in a lunch group please email me at ajohnson@hr-k12.org.
We were also contacted recently by a local Realtor, Melissa Stevens, who is organizing a Blessing Basket drive for those in need of a Thanksgiving dinner. For more information to donate and/or receive a basket, please refer to the flyer below.
In yoga we’ve been focusing on our hamstrings/lower back and all students have learned poses to strengthen/release these areas. Please encourage your kiddos to take a quick forward fold (toe touch with knees bent) if they’re complaining of pain!
Autism Waiver Program: The Autism Division of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) administers the Children’s Autism Waiver Program (AWP), which provides one-to-one interventions through a service called Expanded Habilitation, Education (intensive in-home services and supports) to help children with autism who exhibit severe behavioral, social, and communication challenges. The Program Open Request Period will be held from October 16 – 31, 2023. Families of students aged from birth to 9 years old are eligible to apply.
Visit the DDS Autism Waiver Program website for more information and applications, which are available in nine different languages.
Update from the Nurse’s Office
A Reminder about a Peanut Allergy in our school: A student in our school has had a life threatening response to peanut exposure. To protect this student we designated our First and Second grade class a peanut free classroom. We also have a peanut free table in the cafeteria. Our school kitchen and all food prepared there is also peanut free, as is the Enrichment Program.
Earlier in the school year, Nurses Steph and Meg visited the classrooms to teach your children about dangerous allergic reactions. Please review with your children the importance of keeping peanuts and peanut butter snacks out of the 1st/2nd grade classroom.
Peanut products are welcome in the cafeteria except at the peanut free table. Please feel free to contact us if you want information to share with your child.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the flu clinic this week! We appreciate your efforts in helping to keep our community healthy this season!
If you were unable to attend and are still interested in receiving your flu vaccine this season, the Town of Worthington will be hosting two additional clinics. One will be strictly flu and the other flu & updated Covid vaccine.
FLU CLINIC: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (ALL AGES)
October 30th from 12 noon- 2pm @ Worthington Town Hall
TO PRE-REGISTER PLEASE CALL #413-667-3009
When you reach a recorded voice, hit “0” and then enter ext. 0628.
This will direct you to the call center. If you are directed to leave a message, you should receive a call back quickly.
FLU & COVID CLINIC: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (ALL AGES)
November 13th from 1pm-3pm @ Worthington Town Hall:
TO PRE-REGISTER PLEASE VISIT THE LINK BELOW
https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/northampton
OR CALL# 413-587-1314 for assistance registering over the phone.
*This is NOT a booster dose of COVID. This is an updated vaccine to better protect against current variants. There is no requirement to have completed the primary series or any of the previous booster doses to be eligible for vaccination.
News from the Cafeteria: We invite families to join us for breakfast and lunch each month. For October, family lunch will be Friday, October 27. Sign up sheets will be coming home today. Any questions or concerns please email me atompkins@hr-k12.org. Thanks! Ms. Ashley
- On Thursday Mrs. O’s 3 & 4 class room came into the kitchen to help prepare the Harvest of the Month fruit, Pears! The pears were grown from Mrs. O’s tree. The students peeled and chopped and seasoned the pears, we baked them and served them as a pear crisp for lunch!
- We are also able to provide treats for special celebrations in the classrooms. Please check out the link here for more information and the order form.
The cafeteria now has a peanut free table at lunch time due to the presence of a student in the school with a severe peanut allergy.
Community Notes: Do you need help making a costume for Halloween? Costume Creation Studios located at 33 Main Street in Cummington, is having sessions on 10/21 and 10/28 from 1 – 4. Please check out their website for more information.
Upcoming Events:
October 24: Parent Coffee beginning at 8:30 a.m. October 27: All School Morning Meeting October 27: Family Lunch
October 30: Girls on the Run practice 5K will be at 3:30 down Ridge Road and back.
October 31: Halloween Parade beginning at 1:15 p.m. and then the Harvest Festival sponsored by the PTO will take place afterwards. Stay tuned for the schedule.
November 1-3: Noon Dismissal -: Parent Teacher Conferences
November 9: School Committee meeting at 6:30 p.m.
November 10: No School: Veterans Day
November 22: Noon Dismissal for Thanksgiving recess Have a wonderful weekend!
Warmly,
Gretchen Morse-Dobosz Superintendent/Principal