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Walnut Square Elementary School

Shine Bright, Superstars!

Family Update

Posted Date: 05/01/26 (01:42 PM)
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Principal's Post 

Dear Walnut Square Families,

Welcome back from April vacation!  I am so proud of how our community came together recently to honor our planet and our school grounds.  We kicked things off with the Citywide Earth Day cleanup, and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the families who joined us to roll up their sleeves and help beautify the park and grounds at Walnut Square.  We continued that spirit of environmental stewardship this past Monday, April 27, with our Arbor Day Ceremony.  As the poet Lucy Larcom so beautifully put it, “He who plants a tree, plants a hope.”  Arbor Day is unique because it isn’t about looking back at history, but about looking forward to the future.  I am thrilled to share that every single student went home with a tree of their own to plant and nurture, a gift made possible by the incredible generosity of our DPW.  A massive thank you goes out to the teams at the Conservation Department, DPW, and Haverhill’s Brightside for their hard work and for providing our Superstars with their own “hope” to take home.  The highlight of the day was undoubtedly planting a stunning American Chestnut tree at the park next to Walnut Square School.  This tree represents resilience and is our gift to future generations of Walnut Square students and the community.  

Progress reports went home with our Superstars this week, and I want to take a moment to discuss how we measure student growth.  At Walnut Square, we use standards-based grading to give you a clear and accurate picture of your child’s progress toward specific learning goals.  To help you navigate these expectations, I am resharing the family guides to the Massachusetts learning standards, which are available on our school website.  These guides were specifically designed by DESE to help families and teachers work together by outlining exactly what students are expected to know and be able to do by the end of each grade level.  I encourage you to review these resources so we can continue to partner effectively in supporting your child’s academics.  You can find the guides by visiting this link: https://walnutsquare.haverhill-ps.org/walnut-square-family-information.

I am writing to share an update on our school’s progress regarding chronic absenteeism and to celebrate the incredible dedication you have shown to your child's education.  As I review our data through May 1, 2026, I am so proud to report that our current absenteeism rates are trending well below our goals.  Specifically, our Grades 1-3 students currently show an absenteeism rate of 7.1%, which not only meets our accountability target of 17.7% but actually exceeds our more ambitious K-3 goal of 15.8%.  Our school-wide rate stands at 10.6%, which shows the collective effort of our entire community.   To me, these numbers represent more than just data on a page; they reflect a school culture where students feel excited to walk through our doors every morning.

As of today, we have only 35 school days remaining in the year.  While I know we are all starting to look toward summer, these final weeks are absolutely vital for your child’s growth.  I cannot overstate the importance of attending school every day; it is the only way for students to fully access the curriculum and finish the year with the confidence they need for the next grade level.  Just as importantly, being here every day allows your child to stay connected with their friends and continue building bonds with the supportive teachers and staff who care about them.  I want to ensure every student finishes the year strong, and I look forward to seeing your child here at Walnut Square for each of these final 35 days.

Sincerely,
Jen Rubera
Principal



Routines Reminder:  No Toys Please 

Students are not allowed to bring toys from home into the school. This includes trading cards, fidget toys, figurines, toy cars, dolls or games. Toys are expensive for parents and we would hate for them to get lost or broken. Furthermore, toys brought from home can disrupt the learning at school. While we understand that children may wish to carry familiar toys with them and to show their friends items they consider precious, it has been our experience that bringing toys from home to school can create difficult situations to manage. The students have many toys and games to play with here at school. If toys are found at school they will be collected by staff for safekeeping and returned after school. Thank you for your cooperation and attention to this matter.


Routines Reminder:  Family Drop Off and Pick Up 

To ensure a safe and smooth start to our day, a friendly reminder that student drop-off begins at 8:45 AM, which is when our staff supervision starts.  For those using the family rolling drop-off on North Avenue, please pull up between the two signs in front of the crosswalk. T o keep our students safe, please avoid dropping off where the orange striped lines are painted.  Students exit the car on the sidewalk (passenger) side only.

To keep the line moving efficiently, please remain in your vehicle while your child exits. If you would like to get out of the car to assist your child or say a longer goodbye, please park in an area outside of the designated rolling drop-off signs. Thank you for helping us keep our Superstars safe!

Superstar Reading at Home Resources

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!

May 2026 
  • Monday, May 4th:  PTO/Site Council Meeting  Google Meet Link to Join:  https://meet.google.com/bzn-dwrf-dzq
  • 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
  • Thursday, May 14th 4:00-7:00 pm:  HPS City-Wide Art Show at HHS
  • Friday, May 22nd:  K-3 Spring Music Concert 10:15 am
  • Friday, May 29th:  K-3 Spring Music Concert 10:15 am RAIN DATE
  • Monday, May 25th:  Memorial Day- NO SCHOOL
June 2026 
  • Tuesday, June 9th:  Field Day
  • Thursday, June 11th:  Field Day Rain Date
  • Friday, June 12th:  Grade 3 Walk Up Day to Pentucket Lake 9:30 am-11:30 am
  • Monday, June 15th:  Kindergarten Teddy Bear Picnic 9:45-10:45 am
  • Tuesday, June 16th:  Grade 3 Promotion Ceremony 11:00 am- 12:00 pm
  • Tuesday, June 16th:  Grade 3 Luau 1:30-2:30
  • Wednesday, June 17th:  Last Day of School *Early Release Day- Dismissal is 11:35 am
 
Early Release Dates:

  • Dismissal time is 11:35 am on the following dates:
    • Wed. 5/13
    • Wed. 6/17 (Last day of School