“Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple.”
―J.K. Rowling
Dear Community:
We’ve had an awesome week at school! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the students in their classrooms, and seeing their enthusiasm for learning! Music, Art, P.E. and Library began this week! Just a friendly reminder to make sure students wear their sneakers on TUESDAY for P.E. class with Coach Fletcher.
Did you know… Chronic absenteeism can lead to poor academic performance, put students at higher risk of dropping out of school, and in turn can lead to risk taking and other unhealthy behaviors, and even lead to suboptimal long-term health outcomes. The most recent student attendance data on the DESE website shows RH Conwell with 13.2 % of students meeting the definition of chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of school days). We recognize the importance of students being in school to support their physical, emotional, and social development. RH Conwell staff and administration with support from the Wellness Committee will be working hard this year to identify and remove barriers, support families, and incentivize being present at school as we know the positive impact it has on our youth. We have included a handout that provides some tips and routines to promote regular school attendance. If you are struggling with getting
your student to school (in the absence of an illness that necessitates them being out), please do not hesitate to reach out to Gretchen, Lisa, Nurse Meg, Nurse Steph, or your child’s teacher. We are here to support you.
School Photos: Order forms were sent home yesterday. Please return completely filled out and with payment. Pictures will be taken on Thursday, Sept. 12.
Parent Coffee: Please join me on September 12 for the first Parent Coffee! This is an opportunity for parents to hear about some of the school wide goals for this year, and to ask questions. Also, families will be invited to join classroom morning meetings beginning at 9:05. PLEASE RSVP to
R.H. Conwell After-School Program News: The After-School Program will begin on Monday, September 16th! The program will be open on full days of school – Monday through Friday from 3:20 to 5:15 for grades 1st through 6th and will be open on Monday through Thursday for Kindergarten. The After-School Program is free to students thanks to the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant through the Department of Education (DESE). DESE requires students to enroll and attend the program a minimum of 2 days a week. Some of the fall activities will be: Art, Nature Explorers, Travel Our World, Harry Potter Club, Escape Room, Instrument Lessons for grades 4 to 6, Fun Friday, Outdoor Exploration, Conwell’s Student Leaders, and Soccer.
Registration forms for session one were handed out to students in their classrooms the first week of school. Forms should be returned to school day teachers or
e-mailed to Shannon Madden by Monday, September 9th. For more information or to receive a registration form please contact Shannon Madden, Out of School Time Program Coordinator, at smadden@rhconwell.org.
From The School Nurses: Please send in all required health documentation as soon as possible (physical exams, immunization records or updated exemption letters, and student emergency forms). It is critical that we have up to date information to best care for your students during the school day, as well as appropriately respond to healthcare trends and infectious diseases in the school setting. Two important notes regarding sending health documents to the nurses:
- While patient portals are an invaluable tool in being able to access your students’ health information, oftentimes the forms you can print from there do not have the provider’s signature, or clearance to participate in all activities during the school day. Please make sure any physical exam you send contains these two components.
- Protected health information, such as physicals, should be mailed, faxed (fax # 413-238-5880), or hand-delivered to the nurse’s office. The Attorney General has ruled communication via email in the public domain is not confidential, and is considered a matter of public record. If you email us health documentation for your student, we will accept this, but we want you to know this is not a secure way to send confidential health information so you understand that risk.
From The Cafeteria: Please join for Family Breakfast on September 27, 2024. Watch for a sign-up sheet in your child(ren) folder. Adult meals are $4.00! Hope to see you then.
Just a reminder, If your child would like to have milk and just milk with their home lunch the cost is $.50. You can send in cash or a check made out to the town of Worthington each day or I can put money on their lunch account and charge a milk. So, to clarify breakfast and lunch meals are free, but a single milk has to be purchased with a home lunch. They get milk with the school meal.
If you have any questions please email Ashley @ atompkins@rhconwell.org
Upcoming Events:
Sept 12: School Pictures
Sept 12: School Committee at 6:30 p.m.
Sept 13: Parent Coffee at 8:30 a.m.
Sept 20: WALK TO SCHOOL
Sept 25: Noon Dismissal
Sept 27: All School Meeting beginning at 9:05
Have a wonderful weekend!
Cheers,
Gretchen Morse-Dobosz
Superintendent/Principal