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Family Update

Dear Families,

Superstars took the iReady Reading Diagnostic this week, and we are all so proud of how hard they have been working!  Progress reports will go out to families on Friday, January 24th.  However, if students were absent or didn’t finish iReady, there will be a delay in receiving them.  Please contact me if you have any questions.  There will be no school on Monday, January 20th in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our next spirit week will be the week before February, and the theme is “Spread the love of Reading!”   Please click on link to view the flyers:   Spread the Love of Reading Spirit Week 2/10/25-2/14/25   To encourage reading both at school and home, I invite all Superstars to fill out the Superstar Book Review.  By completing this log, you will help our school community create a wonderful resource to share that will help to encourage others to read!   Here is the link to complete the form after you read each book:  https://forms.gle/iDTbdMb6mkwBkmAu6.  

Wishing you all a wonderful long weekend, and I hope you’re able to enjoy reading together!

Sincerely,

Jen Rubera

Principal

ATTENDANCE MATTERS:  SHOWING UP TOGETHER 

 

 

 

GETTING READY FOR iREADY! 

Students will begin the Mathematics i-Ready® Diagnostic beginning next week, and I’ve included the schedule below. The second Diagnostic is an important benchmark for understanding your student’s growth, which is why it’s so important they try their best. These results allow us to better support them in achieving their growth goals for the year.  The most important thing we can do is prepare students and motivate them to put forth their best effort. Here are a few things you can do to help support your child:   

  • Make sure they get a good night’s sleep and eat breakfast in the morning.  
  • Let them know you’re excited to celebrate their progress.
  • Talk to your student about why the second Diagnostic is important. You can say things like:
    • The second Diagnostic helps you find out how much progress you’ve made since the beginning of the year.
    • It allows your teacher and I to celebrate your accomplishments!
    • Try your best, and do not rush—but don’t spend too much time on a question either.
    • Remember, questions on the Diagnostic change based on your answers to earlier questions. You will see some questions you don’t know. That is okay! Just try your best.

iReady Diagnostic Winter 2025 Schedule:  

* Students complete the assessment in 15-20 minute intervals over a few days. The schedule is as follows:  

  • Tuesday, 1/21/25:  Mathematics Grades K-3 
  • Wednesday, 1/22/25:  Mathematics Grades K-3 
  • Thursday, 1/23/25:  Mathematics Grades K-3 

 

What is i-Ready?

i-Ready is an online program that will help us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth, personalize their learning, and monitor their progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows us to meet your child where they are and provides us with data to inform instruction.

The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions to suit your child’s needs. Each item a student receives is based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier ones. The purpose of this is not to give your child a score or grade but to determine how to best support their learning.  

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to your child’s education and our school community. Your encouragement and involvement play a crucial role in your child’s success!  I am grateful for your partnership and look forward to celebrating the progress and achievements of all our students during this important assessment period. Thank you again for your dedication!

KIDS CLUB AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM AT WALNUT SQUARE

The Haverhill Boys and Girls Club is hosting an afterschool Kids Club at Walnut Square.  Please click on the flyer below for more details and contact information if you are interested in enrolling your child.


PTO NEWS

Walnut Square PTO:  https://walnutsquare.haverhill-ps.org/pto/

The Walnut Square PTO is excited to announce a fun-filled Pancakes with the Principal fundraiser, taking place on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 9:30 AM! This special event invites students and families to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to enjoy a delightful morning of pancakes served by our principal—all while dressed in their favorite pajamas! It’s a wonderful opportunity to foster school spirit and strengthen our community bonds while raising funds for important school programs. Don’t miss your chance to make lasting memories and enjoy a tasty breakfast with Mrs. Rubera!

 

SITE COUNCIL NEWS:  https://walnutsquare.haverhill-ps.org/site-council/



ILLNESS EXCLUSION GUIDELINES 

As we return from break, I want to stress the importance of daily school attendance.  Daily school attendance is important because it fosters consistency in learning and helps students stay engaged with their education. Regular attendance allows children to build a routine, enhances their social skills through daily interactions with peers, and supports their academic growth by ensuring they don’t miss out on important lessons and activities. Additionally, attending school consistently helps develop responsibility and discipline, which are valuable life skills. It also provides an envionnment where social and emotional learning is supported.  In short, being present in school sets the foundation for a more successful and well-rounded educational experience.

Building the habit of daily school attendance is important, but it can sometimes be challenging to know when to keep your child home if they’re not feeling well.   When is sick too sick for school?  Here are the illness exclusion guidelines from HPS Health Services:

Staying Home When Sick

If a child’s needs while sick with an infectious illness would interfere with the school staff’s ability to teach and care for other students, the child should stay home.  Schools must balance the risk of infectious disease spread with educational, social and mental health needs of children when determining when students should stay home.

If someone has the following symptoms, they should stay home (or be dismissed):

  • Fever, including a fever with a new rash
  • Vomiting more than twice in the preceding 24 hours
  • Diarrhea that causes ‘accidents,’ is bloody, or results in greater than 2 bowel movements above what the child normally experiences in a 24-hour period
  • Skin sores that are draining on an uncovered part of the body and are unable to be covered with a bandage
  • Respiratory virus symptoms that are worsening or not improving and not better explained by another cause, such as seasonal allergies

*The CDC definition of fever: temperature 100.4 or greater, or feels warm to the touch or gives a history of feeling feverish

Handwashing Song for Kids to Sing While Lathering Hands

Mark Your Calendar!  **Subscribe to our Google Calendar!  

January 2025

  • Mon 1/20 • No School-Martin Luther King Jr., Day
  • Tuesday, 1/21/25:  Mathematics Grades K-3 
  • Wednesday, 1/22/25:  Mathematics Grades K-3 
  • Thursday, 1/23/25:  Mathematics Grades K-3 
  • Fri 1/24 • PreK-8 Progress Reports Issused-2nd Trimester
  • Thu 1/30, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm • PreK-8 Parent Teacher Conferences

February 2025

  • 100th Day of School:  Monday, February 3rd *pending no snow days 
  • Spread the Love of Reading Spirit Week 2/10/25-2/14/25 
    • Monday, February 10th: Hats off to Reading!
    • Tuesday, February 11th:  Reading Knocks Your Socks Off!
    • Wednesday, February 12th:  Cozy up with a good book and Read
    • Thursday, February 13th:  Reading Gives Your Superpowers!
    • Friday, February 14th:  Spread the Love of Reading!

Early Release Dates: 

  • On Early Release Days, student dismissal time is 11:35 am
    • Wednesday, March 12th
    • Wednesday, April 9th 
    • Friday, May 23rd 

District and Community Updates: