Dear Families,
Hello, October! This week during SEL lessons, students were introduced to our monthly theme of uniqueness! Like Mr. Fred Rogers said, “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.” During the month of October, Walnut Square Superstars will continue to explore and celebrate how we are all unique!
This morning we held the Attendance breakfast and celebrated with Ms. Oland’s class for winning the September attendance contest! Thank you to the families and to Councilor Thomas Sullivan for attending.
On Monday, we kicked 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!
We have a PTO event coming up on Thursday, October 12th beginning at 4:00 pm. It is “Bring Your Own Garden Tool” to help beautify the grounds at Walnut Square. We will be cleaning up the schoolyard and outside area. 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! We hope to see you there!
I’m also so excited for our Title 1 Fall Nature Walk with Pentucket Lake and JG Whittier on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 from 5:30-6:30 pm! I hope you will attend an evening hike around the Lake Pentucket trail while enjoying the beautiful sunset (weather permitting). This is a great opportunity for Walnut Square Families, Pentucket Lake Families, and JG Whittier families to meet. Notices went home this week, and you can also sign up online here: https://forms.gle/XTYXii3HHLeJbMv27. . Please RSVP by Friday, October 13, 2023.
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:
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!
- Monday, October 9th: NO SCHOOL- HOLIDAY
- 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