Worthington School District
147 Huntington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
413-238-5856
gmorsedobosz@hr-k12.org
Dear Community:
Thanks to all the family and community members who joined us this morning for the All School Meeting and Spring Recital which featured the Conwell Chorus and Band members.
Cradles to Crayons Clothing Drive: From March 25th to April 5th, the Spring Into Action group at RH Conwell, along with Project 351, will be collecting clothing donations in support of the organization Cradles to Crayons. With the goal of ending clothing insecurity for children across Massachusetts, we will be collecting new and like new clothing, sizes newborn to adult medium. Donation boxes will be located at RH Conwell at the back door of the school. If you have any questions contact Ada Corner at adavcorner@gmail.com or Shannon Madden at smadden@hr-k12.org.
School Committee Budget Documents and ATM Handouts:
MCAS Breakfast: On Tuesday and Wednesday students in grades 3-6 will be taking the MCAS ELA test. I will be making homemade waffles for those students on Tuesday, and we will have Tandem bagels and cream cheese for Wednesday!
MCAS DATES: Students in grades 3- 6 will be taking the MCAS test during the dates listed below.
- ELA: April 2 and 3
- Math: April 30 and May 1
- Science: May 14 (grade 5 only)
Solar Eclipse: On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. While no place in Massachusetts will see the sun completely disappear, some parts of the state will see a shadow cover 95 percent of the sun, if weather permits. The eclipse will begin shortly after 2 p.m. and will last about two and a half hours until about 4:30 p.m. We ordered solar eclipse glasses for all the students!
Walk to School Day: We had such a positive experience on our walk to school day in February that we have decided to do it monthly moving forward! Please join us on Friday, April 12, 2024 for our next walk to school day!!!! Buses will be dropping students off at the Worthington Golf Club that morning. Staff will be there to greet students and walk down Ridge Rd. to school together! Caregivers that drive their student(s) to school should plan to drop off their student(s) at the Golf Club at 8:30am. On the day of, please drive up Buffington Rd and down Ridge Rd to the golf course to park there. Families are welcome and encouraged to join us as well!
6th Grade Graduation: Graduation is scheduled for June 11, 2024 beginning at 1:30 in the cafeteria.
News from the school nurses: Happy Spring!
While many of us look forward to the longer days and warmer temperatures, those who experience seasonal allergies this time of year may feel differently about welcoming Spring. If your student(s) typically require daily over the counter allergy medication this time of year, it is important to understand they work best when taken preventatively.
These medications will not cure the allergies, but are designed to treat the associated symptoms. If the medications are stopped, the symptoms will return. Different types of pollen are prevalent at different times of year.
We recommend you start giving allergy medications to your student(s) anywhere from 2-4 weeks before they begin their typical allergy season. If your student(s) have a prescription allergy medication, it is best to follow the guidance of the prescribing provider. Please feel free to reach out if you need help navigating how best to support your student(s).
Preschool families: We completed mandatory vision screenings with preschool students this week. They all had fun playing “seeing games” with the school nurse. If your student’s screening was abnormal, we will be in touch with you over the next week. If you do not hear from us, that means your student’s screening was within normal limits! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, or would like a copy of your student’s screening results (even if normal).
News from the cafeteria:
Hi! We had a great time celebrating the harvest of the month this month by doing an all school Ice Cream making event! The whole school came down to the Cafeteria, where Ms.Jaime and myself gave out bags of ice and then bags of ice cream ingredients. The students shook their bags till a soft ice cream was made then got to enjoy it right from the bag with sprinkles!
HOTM: www.massfarmtoschool.org
We are 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.
Upcoming Events:
April 2, 2024: MCAS testing for grades 3- 6 beginning at 9:00 a.m.
April 3, 2024: MCAS testing for grades 3- 6 beginning at 9:00 a.m.
April 11, 2024: Dog Sled Presentation: BB from Hilltown Sled Dogs, brought to us by PTO, will present a reading of her Serum Run Children’s Story Book with accompanying slides from Alaska. Families are welcome to join us.
April 12, 2024: Walk to School Day (watch for more information and a permission form to participate)
April 15 – 19, 2024: School Vacation Week Have a wonderful weekend!
Warmly,
Gretchen Morse-Dobosz Superintendent/Principal