R.H. Conwell Community Newsletter 11-1-24

Dear Community:

URGENT Message from the Third and Fourth Grade Class: So as some of you reading this may know, someone was at the chicken coop on Saturday and did not latch the door properly. Our beloved rooster got out and sadly a fox killed him! We wanted to write this to remind you not to go into the chicken coop without permission. Mr. Wolf has added another few latches on the door for safety. Make sure to latch the door when you go in and out because if you don’t the school won’t be able to have chickens. The chickens mean a lot to us, all of us. Please be responsible when at the chicken coop.

Picture Retakes: O’Connor Studio will be back on Friday, November 8 at 11:00am for picture retakes or to take if your child was absent. If you want a retake please return the complete photo package.

Betsy’s Bookshelf for Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Last night I finished my reading of a wonderfully small and interesting book about the natural history of the Hopkins Forest in Williamstown. One of my first reflections was— How could I provide a similar ‘polishing off’ experience to students at Conwell?

The geologic processes, historical use as farm, woodlot, and residence, the decline of agriculture, long term caretaking by the Rosenbergs, eventual gifting to the college, and opening to the public of

2,400 plus acres of diverse fields, forested hillsides and streams, seemed analogous to an untold story about Conwell School.

I don’t always have such work-related reflections on my reading. But this month at Conwell, we are planting seeds to nurture the growth of reading habits in our community.

Might I encourage you to reflect on a recent story that you’ve enjoyed, or a favorite from your childhood? As you remember this experience, share the story, and what you liked about it, over dinner with your children.

Good School Attendance Means…

After-School Program Updates; Session two of the program will begin on December 2nd! Registration forms will be sent home in students’ school day folders by November 18th. There is no fee to attend the program due to our DESE 21st Century Community Learning Center grant and our DESE After-School and Out of School Time grant.

SUMMER: Save the dates! The After-School Program’s Summer Program will run from Monday, July 7th to Thursday, August 1st. Students enrolled in R.H. Conwell in grades K to 6 are eligible to attend (K to 6 during the 25-26 school year- next school year’s grades). There is no fee for attending the program due to funding through the DESE 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant. Students must enroll/attend for the 4 weeks. This is a grant and program requirement. More information and registration forms will be available in February.

Contact Information for the After-School Program: Shannon Madden, Out of School Time Coordinator, smadden@rhconwell.org

Message from PTO: We had a blast yesterday at the PTO sponsored Harvest Festival! The children enjoyed cider, donuts, and apples while playing games and having a great time. Thank you to Fletcher Farm, Kosinski Farms, Tripp Shaw, and Kyle Thayer for donating the pumpkins. Also, special thanks to our parents and PTO volunteers for helping make this event possible. If you want to stay up to date with all the PTO happenings and find information on how to volunteer or make a donation, be sure to visit our website at worthingtonpto.org. Thank you for your continued support!

Family Thanksgiving Lunch: We invite you to a Thanksgiving Family lunch on November 22, 2024.

From The School Nurses: For families who expressed interest in Dental Services at School, HCHC is working with their team to see if they would be able to accommodate coming out to us to provide oral health needs at school given the number of interested participants was relatively low. We will update you here as we receive any updates. Thank you!

Wildfires in Massachusetts:

Dry conditions and gusty winds across Massachusetts are creating ideal conditions for wildfires, which have been occurring statewide, with a particular concentration in eastern Massachusetts. All of southern New England is under a red flag warning, alerting firefighters and the public to heightened wildfire risks due to weather conditions that could lead to rapid and dangerous wildfire growth. All of Massachusetts communities are at elevated risk of brush fires. What you can do:

Follow local news and alerts for real-time updates and information.
Visit Healthyairnetwork.org for up-to-date air quality information.
If the air quality is bad, use an air purifier/air cleaner in your home. If you don’t have one you can make your own using a box fan and MERV 13 air filter.
Below are other precautions you can take for your safety and health.

Community update: BAKE SALE: A group of citizens are hosting a Bake Sale on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.-ish at Packard Park.

Donated bake items may be brought to the Packard Park starting 8 a.m.

“All monies raised will be donated to the town of Black Mountain, NC’s Hurricane Helen Relief Fund.”

Checks may be made out to The First Congregational Church of Worthington with a memo note “Black Mountain”.

This is a community-to-community pitching in to help out down in the Appalachian Mountains.

There is also a Teddy Bear collection to be donated to Black Mountain United Methodist Church. Brand new Bears will be accepted and should be no more than 18-inches big. Drop off at The First Congregational School of Worthington and Russell H. Conwell School and the Bake Sale.

This is a community effort to help those who have lost so much due to Hurricane Helene last month. Keep those people in your hearts and thoughts and prayers. Any questions please contact Elodi at 238-4466.

From The Cafeteria: If you have any questions please email Ashley @ atompkins@rhconwell.org

Upcoming Events: