Dear Families,

What a strong finish to the week!  Our daily school attendance rate for Friday the 13th is 98.13%!  Thank you all for your commitment to building the habit of attending school everyday.  If you look at the pictures below, you’ll see there is the daily attendance rate for this week as well as the monthly attendance rate for Walnut Square.  If you notice, you’ll see our monthly attendance rate has improved from last year!  Next week is the last week of December and the last week of school for 2024…we have a spirit week full of fun!  Let’s finish strong!

Friday, December 20th is an early release day, and dismissal is 11:35 am.  The week before winter break is also Winter Spirit Week!

• Monday, December 16th:  Grinch Day  Dress in green or like anyone in Whoville!  
• Tuesday, December 17th:  Gingerbread Day  Wear something brown. 
• Wednesday, December 18th:  Winter Wonderland Wednesday  Dress in Blue, White, or like a snowman!
• Thursday, December 19th:  Sweater Weather Thursday Wear your favorite piece of clothing that keeps you warm- socks, turtlenecks, hats, and ugly sweaters encouraged!
• Friday, December 20th:  Hibernate Friday Get ready for a long winter’s nap.  Wear your pajamas to school!

Daily school attendance is not only important at Walnut Square; it’s an initiative that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)  is taking steps to highlight and support schools to improve attendance.   One way they’re doing that is through the “Presence is Powerful” campaign.  DESE is having a contest asking students to share why they attend school….and Walnut Square is entering!  More information about the contest can be found here:   https://www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/attendance/.  To complete an entry form, a media release must be completed by both the student and a parent.  Hard copies of this will be sent home today with your child.  Please complete and return the agreement before Friday, December 20th so your child’s submission (artwork, video, picture, etc.) can be entered.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  As we work on our submission, I am so grateful and appreciative to be a part of this school community!   You may also want to enter an individual submission as well, and if you need any help, please reach out!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Jen Rubera

Principal

KIDS CLUB AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM AT WALNUT SQUARE

District and Community Updates:  

• Haverhill Community Resources:  This link provides many resources in our community to support families.
• YMCA Swimming Lessons Flyers in English and Spanish
• Family Literacy Opportunity!
  • English Family Literacy Flyer
  • Spanish Family Literacy Flyer
  • Portuguese Family Literacy Flyer
  • Haitian Creole Family Literacy Flyer
  • Arabic Family Literacy Flyer
  • Vietnamese Family Literacy Flyer 
  • French Family Literacy Flyer