Family Update

Posted on January 30, 2026

Dear Families,

January ended with some wild winter weather!  From a huge storm to frigid temperatures, our community navigated the challenges and supported each other to get our Superstars to school.  Thank you to everyone for prioritizing the habit of daily school attendance!  Next week, we welcome February, and we have a lot of fun dates coming up, including our Spread the Love of Reading Spirit Week (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole) 

    • Mon 2/9:   Hats off to Reading!  Wear a favorite hat or headband.
    • Tue 2/10:  Reading Knocks Your Socks Off!  Wear fun socks!
    • Wed 2/11:  Cozy up with a good book and Read!  Wear your pajamas to school!
    • Thu 2/12:  Reading Gives Your Superpowers!  Wear superhero-themed clothing or your Walnut Square shirt!
    • Fri 2/13:   Friday, February 13th:  Spread the Love of Reading!  Wear a red or pink shirt OR a shirt with a positive message!

In addition to our Spirit Week, we have also kicked off our Caldecott Reading Challenge!  Paper copies were sent home with families, and more information is below.  Parent-Teacher conferences are next week, and notices to sign up also went home this week.  Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions.  The PTO has postponed our Mr. Mike’s Restaurant Night to Monday, February 9th.  I’m also excited to announce that, thanks to the Mayor’s Grant for Youth Activity and Mental Health, there will be a spring season of Girls on the Run!  Information is included below.

I hope you all have a warm and relaxing weekend!

Sincerely,

Jen Rubera

Principal

 

Girls on the Run- Spring 2026 Season 

Dear Families,

I am so excited to announce that through the Mayor’s grant for Youth Activity and Mental Health, we are able to have another Girls On The Run season here at Walnut Square School for the spring.  I have included a link to a flyer that explains how to register for the team.  The grant is covering the participation cost for all students at Walnut Square who register for the Spring Season.

Girls On The Run is an 8 week program that teaches kids how to be strong, confident and connected.  At the end of the program the girls will end the season with a celebratory 5K run with their teammates on the Boston Common.

The coaches for the fall program include Cherie Rousseau, Andrea Oland, Shannon Luttig and Molly Jannell.  We are all looking forward to a great season, and hope that you will consider registering your daughter to participate.

Click on this link to see a flyer that includes information about the program and how to register.

Girls On The Run Spring 2026 WSQ

Here is the registration link to register:

https://www.pinwheel.us/register/index/SPRING26Reg

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out to me.

Sincerely,

Coach Cherie Rousseau

Join Walnut Square School’s Caldecott Reading Challenge!

What is the Caldecott Medal?  The Caldecott Medal is the highest honor a picture book can receive in the United States.  Since 1938, it has been awarded annually by the American Library Association to the artist who created the most distinguished American picture book for children.  When you see that famous gold seal on a book cover, you know you are looking at some of the best artwork in the world!  Silver seals represent “Honor” books, which are the runners-up that the judges also found exceptional.

Why a Reading Challenge?  Picture books are for everyone!  While the stories are wonderful to hear, the Caldecott Award specifically celebrates the visual storytelling.  Looking at these books helps children:

  • Develop Visual Literacy:  Learning to “read” pictures for clues, moods, and details.
  • Build Art Appreciation:  Seeing different styles, from watercolors and oil paints to woodcuts and digital art.
  • Spark Conversation:  These books often tackle big themes like friendship, history, and imagination through beautiful imagery.

How it Works:  We invite your family to dive into this list of winners and honors.  As you read together, don’t just read the words- look at the art!  Ask your child: “How does this picture make you feel?” or “What do you see that the words didn’t tell us?”  Another tip is to take a “Picture Walk” before you start reading.  Flip through the pages without reading any words and try to guess what is happening just by looking at the illustrations.  Then, read the book and see how the art and words work together!

Check off each book as you finish it.  All of these books can also be recorded on your  Superstars Reading Log!  Whether you read one a week or one a night, we hope you enjoy discovering these “masterpieces” together!

– Walnut Square School Staff 

The Caldecott Reading Challenge will “Kick-Off” on Monday, January 26th and end on Friday, February 27th.  A paper copy has been sent 

Recent Winners and Honors

  • Fireworks by Matthew Burgess 
  • Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan
  • Our Lake by Angie Kang
  • Stalactite & Stalagmite: A Big Tale from a Little Cave by Drew Beckmeyer
  • Sundust by Zeke Peña
  • Chooch Helped by Rebecca Lee Kunz (2025 Winner)
  • Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo (2025 Honor)
  • My Daddy Is a Cowboy by C.G. Esperanza (2025 Honor)
  • Big by Vashti Harrison (2024 Winner)
  • In Every Life by Marla Frazee (2024 Honor)
  • Hot Dog by Doug Salati (2023 Winner)
  • Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin (2022 Winner)
  • We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade (2021 Winner)
  • The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson (2020 Winner)
  • Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall (2019 Winner)

 Fun & Funny Read-Alouds

  • Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems (2004 Honor)
  • Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann (1996 Winner)
  • The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith (1993 Honor)
  • No, David! by David Shannon (1999 Honor)
  • Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein (2011 Honor)
  • Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown (2013 Honor)
  • Tops & Bottoms by Janet Stevens (1996 Honor)
  • Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin (2001 Honor)

Wordless Adventures

  • Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell (2018 Winner)
  • Tuesday by David Wiesner (1992 Winner)
  • Journey by Aaron Becker (2014 Honor)
  • The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney (2010 Winner)
  • Flotsam by David Wiesner (2007 Winner)
  • A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka (2012 Winner)
  • The Boy and the Whale by Mordicai Gerstein (2018 Honor)
  • Free Fall by David Wiesner (1989 Honor)

Animals & Nature 

  • The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster, illustrated by Chris Raschka (2006 Winner)
  • A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead (2011 Winner)
  • Finding Muchness by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Charles Santoso (2022 Honor)
  • Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel (1971 Honor)
  • Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall, illustrated by Barbara Cooney (1980 Winner)
  • Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey (1949 Honor)

Iconic “Must-Read” Classics

  • The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (1963 Winner)
  • Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (1964 Winner)
  • Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey (1942 Winner)
  • Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by John Schoenherr (1988 Winner)
  • The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg (1986 Winner)
  • The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton (1943 Winner)
  • Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig (1970 Winner)
  • Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola (1976 Honor)
  • Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (1940 Honor)

Magical Journeys 

  • The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (2008 Winner)
  • Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg (1982 Winner)
  • Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say (1994 Winner)
  • The Garden of Abdul Gasazi by Chris Van Allsburg (1980 Honor)
  • Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young (1990 Winner)
  • Sam, Bangs & Moonshine by Evaline Ness (1967 Winner)

Beautiful True Stories

  • Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe (2017 Winner)
  • Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick, illustrated by Sophie Blackall (2016 Winner)
  • Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Mary Azarian (1999 Winner)
  • The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (2015 Honor)
  • Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill, illustrated by Bryan Collier (2011 Honor)
  • The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley, illustrated by Brian Selznick (2002 Honor)

 

Superstar Reading at Home Resources

Superstars Theme of the Month for January: Respect.

Throughout the month, our classrooms will focus on what it means to be a “Respectful Superstar.” We will be exploring how we treat ourselves, our peers, and our environment with kindness and consideration.

 

Mark Your Calendar!

Please visit https://walnutsquare.haverhill-ps.org/events/   or view the calendar on Parent Square to stay informed about important dates and events!  You also have the opportunity to subscribe to the Walnut Square calendar to get updates right on your device!

February 2026
  •  Mon 2/02, 5:00 pm – 7:15 pm • Walnut Square Site Council and PTO meeting
  •  Wed 2/4 • PreK – 4th Grade Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00-5:30 pm
  • Mon 2/9:  PTO Restaurant Night at Mr. Mike’s
  • Feb 9-13:  Spread the Love of Reading Spirit Week (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole) 
    • Mon 2/9:   Hats off to Reading!  Wear a favorite hat or headband.
    • Tue 2/10:  Reading Knocks Your Socks Off!  Wear fun socks!
    • Wed 2/11:  Cozy up with a good book and Read!  Wear your pajamas to school!
    • Thu 2/12:  Reading Gives Your Superpowers!  Wear superhero themed clothing or your Walnut Square shirt!
    • Fri 2/13:   Friday, February 13th:  Spread the Love of Reading!  Wear a red or pink shirt OR a shirt with a positive message!

March 2026 

  • Monday, March 2nd:  Read Across America Day!
  • Monday, March 2nd:  PTO/Site Council Meeting 5:00-7:15 pm
  • Monday, March 9th:  Pre-K – 8 Grades close 2nd Trimester
  • Wednesday, March 11th:  Early Release/Staff PD  Dismissal is 11:35 am
  • Friday, March 13th:  Pre-K – 8 Report Cards Issued 2nd Trimester

April 2026 

  • Monday, April 6th:  PTO/Site Council Meeting 5:00-7:15 pm
  • Tuesday, April 7th:  Grade 3 ELA MCAS Session 1
  • Thursday, April 9th:  Grade 3 ELA MCAS Session 2

    • ELA Make-up Dates: April 10th and April 13th – 17th

  • April 13th-17th:  April Showers Bring Math Powers Spirit Week
    • Monday, April 13th: You Can Count on Math!  Wear a shirt with a number on it.
    • Tuesday, April 14th:  Math Shapes Your Mind!  Wear a shirt with shapes or wear your favorite workout clothes or sports clothes.
    • Wednesday, April 15th:  Math Ties Into Everything!  Wear your favorite tie, hair ties, or tie-dye apparel.
    • Thursday, April 16th:  Math is Full of Patterns!  Wear your favorite patterns (stripes, polka dots, plaid, or checkered clothes) to show that math is all about patterns.
    • Friday, April 17th:  Our Superstars are Problem Solvers!  Wear your Walnut Square t-shirt or a blue shirt to school.
  • April 20th-24th:  NO SCHOOL SPRING RECESS
  • Tuesday, April 28th:  Pre-K – 8 Progress Reports Issued- Third Trimester

May 2026 

  • Monday, May 4th:  PTO/Site Council Meeting
  • Monday, May 4th- Friday, May 8th:  Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
  • Monday, May 11th:  Grade 3 MCAS Session 1
  • Tuesday, May 12th:  Grade 3 MCAS Session 2

    • Math Make-up Dates: May 14th, 15th, 18th, and 19th

  • Wednesday, May 13th:  Early Release Day- Dismissal is 11:35 am
  • Monday, May 25th:  Memorial Day- NO SCHOOL

 

Early Release Dates:

  • Dismissal time is 11:35 am on the following dates:
    • Wed. 3/11
    • Wed. 4/8
    • Wed. 5/13
    • Fri. 5/29
    • Wed. 6/11 (Day 180-Last day of School)