Dear Families,
And just like that, the month of September is over! Our September Attendance contest is over, and the classroom with the best attendance is Ms. Oland’s 2nd grade class! Congratulations! An invitation and RSVP to families to attend the breakfast celebration on Friday, October 6th will be sent home next week.
When we return to school on Monday, it will be October- and the start of a new Superstars theme! U is for Uniqueness, and we will explore and celebrate this theme all month. When I was a young child, I watched and loved Mister Rogers; I’d like to share his quote: “Each person in the world is a unique human being, and each has unique human potential. One of the important tasks of growing is the discovery of this uniqueness: the discovery of “who I am” in each of us- of “who I am” in relation to all those whom I meet.” I look forward to exploring and celebrating this with our Superstars all October!
Starting on Monday, we are kicking off “Sock”tober. Walnut Square is partnering with Veterans Northeast Outreach Center to provide new packages of socks and toiletries to veterans. From October 1-31st, Walnut Square is collecting the following items:
- New, unopened packages of socks
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
Thank you for your help and support in partnering with this amazing community organization!
During morning drop off, there is a specific area on North Ave. (between the signs) for parents to drop off their students. Please note, this is not a place to park. It is a place where families can pull up, and students are able to exit the cars safely. If you’d like to park and stay to watch our morning routine, please park on North Ave. outside of this zone or on one of the side streets. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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! Please contact me if you have any questions. Have a wonderful long weekend, and I look forward to seeing you when school resumes on Tuesday, September 5th. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Jen Rubera
Principal
District and Community Resources
- Haverhill Public Library Kids Department and Schedule of Events
- Haverhill Public Schools Community Resources: https://www.haverhill-ps.org/haverhill-community-programs/
PTO News
On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, we will held our first PTO and Site Council meeting on Google Meet. Thank you to those who joined us! We discussed plans for upcoming events and fundraisers! One event that we have scheduled is on Thursday, October 12th beginning at 4:00 pm. It is “Bring Your Own Garden Tool” to help beautify the grounds at Walnut Square. I have purchased some bulbs to plant now so we will have some beautiful (and pollinator friendly) flowers in the spring! If you’d like to bring some bulbs to plant as well, that would be appreciated! You can visit Walnutpto.org to learn more about the Walnut Square PTO and see the schedule of meetings and meeting minutes.
The PTO is also beginning the Dollar Fundraiser starting on Monday, September 18th and ending on Friday, October 13th. Here are copies of the handouts you will receive with an envelope:
Superstars Monthly Theme: Safety
For our Superstars at Walnut Square, our monthly theme is safety. School is a safe place where all students can learn and grow. To stay safe, we follow school rules. School rules are basic expectations on how you behave at school. They are in effect at all times. We have rules to keep everyone safe and help everyone learn. We have two rules at Walnut Square:
1: Follow directions given by grown ups.
2: Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
During the month of September, we will be teaching and reviewing rules as well as teaching routines (what students do frequently throughout the day and procedures (the steps students need to take in order to accomplish a routine). Discussing rules, routines, and procedures at home with your child is a great way to help support your child in school!
Technology Updates
Grade 1 and 2 students, please bring your Chromebooks and chargers with you to school if you haven’t done so. If you have lost or misplaced your charger, you may purchase a new one for $39.00. Please contact Mrs. Greene if you have any questions.
HPS has chosen School Device Coverage (SDC) to insure the Chromebooks that students have been issued. The cost of coverage for the year is $20 and includes accidental damage, loss, fire, and theft. Families have the option to sign up during the month of September:
https://www.haverhill-ps.org/technology/device-insurance/. This information is also posted on the Parent and Student Resources page and the HPS Technology page. For a copy of the HPS Student Device Policy, please click here: HPS Student Device Policy English HPS Student Device Policy Spanish.
Mark Your Calendar!
- Monday, October 2nd: “Sock” tober begins!
- Friday, October 6th: Attendance Breakfast Contest Celebration
- Thursday, October 12th: BYOGT Bring Your Own Garden Tool and bring some bulbs to plant around the grounds of Walnut Square School
- Friday, October 13th: PTO Dollar Fundraiser Due
- Wednesday, October 18th: Title 1 Fall Nature Walk with Pentucket Lake and JG Whittier
- Wednesday, October 25th: K-8 Progress Reports Issued
- Wednesday, October 25th: Early Release (Dismissal is at 11:35 am)
- Wednesday, October 25th: PTO Meeting
- Wednesday, October 25th: Site Council Meeting
- Thursday October 26th: PreK-8 Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Friday, October 27th: Pumpkin Day/Pumpkin Parade