Family Update

Posted on August 11, 2023

Dear Families,

Happy August!  I hope you are all enjoying summer!  At Walnut Square, we are busy getting ready for the upcoming school year.  We are excited to work with you to help your children learn and grow!  This update is filled with information about back to school.  There is a special section for Kindergarten families.  As with all family updates, this will be posted on our school website, https://walnutsquare.haverhill-ps.org/ and sent to you via School Messenger and Remind.  In addition to the Walnut Square School website, you can also “like” our Facebook page, Walnut Square Elementary School, follow us on Instragram, @walnutsquaresuperstars, and/or follow my channel on YouTube, @jenrubera, to get updates and see all of the fun and learning taking place at Walnut Square!  As you enjoy the final days of summer, we will continue to plan for a happy and productive school year.  Please contact me if you have any questions.  Thank you!  

 

Sincerely, 

Jen Rubera 

Principal

 

Title 1 Letter to Families 

Walnut Square is a Title 1 School.  Please click on the link to read the letter to families about Title 1.  Title 1 Notice English    Title 1 Notice Spanish Title 1 Notice Portuguese.

We hope to see you on Monday, August 28th at our Open House and Title 1 Annual Parent Meeting!

 

Open House/Title 1 Annual Parent Meeting

We are looking forward to seeing you at our Open House and Title 1 Annual Parent Meeting on Monday, August 28th from 4:00-5:30 pm!  

  • Kindergarten and First Grade 4:00-4:45 pm 
  • Second and Third Grade 4:45-5:30 pm 

This event will be held outdoors, and families will have the opportunity to take a tour inside.   Please note that the staggered times prevent crowding and parking issues.  If you have children in different grades, please select one time to come.   

Please click here to view the Open House Flyer in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.  

 

Walnut Square Family Guides:  Please visit https://walnutsquare.haverhill-ps.org/walnut-square-routines/ to learn more about the expectations and procedures for Walnut Square School.  

 

Teacher Assignments 

Teacher assignments for grades 1-3 will be posted to the Schoolbrains parent portal beginning August 18th.  It may take up to 72 hours for all students to sync and for teacher assignments to appear.  You can access the Parent Portal on the HPS Launchpad, or click on this direct link:    https://community.schoolbrains.com/haverhill_community 

If you have any questions or need help, please email Support at portalsupport@haverhill-ps.org.  Please have the following included in any email to Portal Support:

  • Full Name
  • Full name of child(ren)
  • Full email address (be sure to contact Portal Support from this same email)
  • Your child(ren)’s Grade Level(s) and School(s)
  • Detailed explanation of issue

School Supply List 

The following items are greatly appreciated!  

  • Headphones that will plug into student Chromebooks.  
  • Number 2 pencils (Ticonderoga pencils are the best)
  • Crayola crayons 
  • Large glue sticks 
  • Dry erase markers
  • Paper towels 
  • Ziploc bags of all sizes 
  • Baby wipes 
  • Clorox wipes
  • For grade 3 students:  a package of 5 highlighters:  pink, green, orange, blue, and yellow 

Transportation

 

Kindergarten Information 

Entering kindergarten is such a big step and we are excited to welcome you and your child to Walnut Square School, home of the Superstars!

Prior to entering kindergarten, all students participate in a screening process in English Language Arts and Mathematics and allows us time to become acquainted with your child.  

Screenings will take place Tuesday, August 29, and Wednesday, August 30, 2023.  Please call the school at (978) 374-3471 to set up your child’s screening appointment.  Each screening will take approximately ½ hour.  

On Friday, September 1, we will have a kindergarten Meet and Greet from 9:30 – 10:30 AM. At this time, your child will have the opportunity to meet his/her teacher along with classmates.  The first day for Kindergarten students will be Tuesday, September 5, 2023.   To help your child get acquainted with Walnut Square, please click on the social story:  Kindergarten Social Story English   Kindergarten Social Story Spanish.  

Mark Your Calendar!

  • Tuesday, August 29th:  First Day of School Grades 1-12; Kindergarten Screening
  • Wednesday, August 30th:  Kindergarten Screening
  • Friday, September 1st:  Early Release (Dismissal is at 11:35 am) 
  • Monday, September 4th:  Labor Day- NO SCHOOL 
  • Tuesday, September 5th:  First Day of School Pre-K and Kindergarten 
  • Thursday, September 14th:  Plant, Paint, Cross-Pollinate Project Grade 3 and Title 1 Event:  Grade 3 1:30-2:30 pm; Title 1 Event:  5:30-6:30 pm 
  • Wednesday, September 20th:  School Picture Day 
  • Thursday, October 5th:  Title 1 Event:  “SEL”-ebrate the ABCs of Walnut Square!  6:00-7:30 pm