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Walnut Square Elementary School

Shine Bright, Superstars!

Family Update: Remembering 9/11, No Photo/Video Opt Out, Nurses' Notes, Reading at Home, iReady Inform

Posted Date: 09/11/26 (11:01 AM)
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“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

― Fred Rogers

Dear Families,

This week, we welcomed our Kindergarten students to Walnut Square, and now our school community is complete!  During the first two weeks of school, we allow families in our schoolyard. Beginning on Monday, September 14th, only staff and students are allowed on the school grounds when supervision begins at 8:45 am. This routine helps us ensure a safe, smooth, and secure drop-off process for all of our children.  Thank you for your ongoing partnership, support, and cooperation in keeping our students safe and helping us build this routine for the year ahead.

I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you my list of resources and stories about September 11, 2001 that I’ve compiled over the years.  I was teaching reading to my fourth-grade students at Silver Hill Elementary when the first plane hit.  Like many of you, I vividly remember many details and emotions about that day 25 years later.  To honor and remember those we lost, I have always shared stories about hope, courage, and “the helpers” to my students over the years.  

For our children, 9/11/2001 is history.  As parents, you can share your memories about September 11th to build your child’s background knowledge.  Building background knowledge helps your child become better readers. In the book 7 Keys to Comprehension:  How to Help Your Kids Read It and Get It! by Susan Zimmermann and Chryse Hutchins share,  “You might think you have nothing of interest to say to your child as you read.  You’re wrong.  Your memories and childhood experiences are fascinating to her.  Immerse your child in your memories.  It helps her build background knowledge.  She’ll realize all that books can spark while strengthening her grasp of language.” 

Below are some read aloud videos, other videos, and a booklist for you to share with your children.  Parents, please preview these  first to select which ones are appropriate for your child’s age, grade, and readiness level.  

I hope these stories give you some comfort and hope.  

Sincerely, 

Jen Rubera 

Principal 

Books to Read:  

  • America is Under Attack by Don Brown

  • The Man in the Red Bandanna by Honor Crowther Fagan

  • Fireboat:  The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman

  • 14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy

  •  The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein

Videos:  


Nurses’ Notes 

Annual screenings will begin soon at Walnut Square Elementary and continue until all screenings are completed.  Vision and hearing screenings will be conducted for grades K-3.  If your Superstar wears glasses, please make sure they are wearing them to school.  Height and weight screenings will be completed in grade 1.  If you wish to opt your student out of school screening, please provide a copy of the completed screening from their physician.


Please also make sure that Superstars have a change of clothes in a plastic baggie in their backpacks.  

HPS Media (No Photo/Video) Opt Out


The Haverhill Public Schools (HPS) recognizes the importance of celebrating student achievements and sharing school activities with the community through various media outlets, including the district website, social media, local news, and printed publications. This policy establishes a standardized "Opt-Out" procedure to ensure student privacy is respected while streamlining administrative tasks for district staff.

To view the complete Haverhill Public Schools’ Student Media Opt-Out Policy, visit the webpage.  Fill out the HPS Student Media Opt-Out Form here.


Reading Together at Home 


It’s so exciting to see the Summer 2026 Reading Logs returned to school!  Please note that you had the option of writing it down on the log sent home in June, or complete on the Superstar Reading Log Google Form.  Either way, we’re excited to see the number of books that Superstars read this summer!  Please return all Summer reading logs to school by Friday, September 11, 2026.  Thank you!  


This school year, all WSQ students and families will complete the Superstar Reading Log online via this link: https://forms.gle/jAx5G8bnpGbcmfJHA when they finish reading a book.  Throughout the year, we will set monthly school-wide goals for our students to reach a target number of total books read, and every entry counts toward our collective goal!  For the month of September, our goal is to have 150 books read and logged into our Superstar Reading Log!  


We also have a September Reading Challenge of books that we have selected for families to enjoy together- copies will be sent home with Superstars.  You can check off the books that you have read and return it at the end of the month.  We hope you enjoy!  

 


Another way to enjoy books is online, and we hope you enjoy these sites with a variety of stories to enjoy!  




iReady Inform for Reading and Math News  

The name of the i-Ready Diagnostic assessment your student takes has changed to i-Ready Inform™. You and your student will see this new name starting in the 2026–2027 school year.

This new name better reflects what the assessment is designed to do: give educators, students, and families the information needed to support each student’s learning journey.

While the name is new, i-Ready Inform will continue to provide the reliable, personalized information about your student’s strengths and areas of growth that you’re used to. The i-Ready Inform assessments your student may take in the 2026–2027 school year include: 

  • i-Ready Inform for Reading (formerly the i-Ready Diagnostic for Reading)

  • i-Ready Inform for Mathematics/i-Ready Inform de matemáticas (formerly the i-Ready Diagnostic for Mathematics, English)

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 Inform 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.

What can I do to help?

To help prepare your child for the i-Ready Inform, encourage them to: 

  • Get a good night’s sleep and eat a full breakfast the day of the assessment.

  • Try their best on each question and try not to rush.

  • Try not to worry about questions to which they do not know the answers- remind them that it is expected that they will only get about half of the questions correct.

  • Be respectful of other students who take longer to finish.


What happens next?

The i-Ready Inform will provide results that help me identify your child’s strengths and determine next steps for instruction. We look forward to sharing these results with you throughout the year and providing a learning experience that will engage your child while teaching important skills and concepts.

If you have any questions about i-Ready, please contact your student’s teacher or me. You can also learn more about i-Ready by visiting i-ReadyCentral.com/FamilyCenter.  Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your student’s learning.


Mark Your Calendar!  

  • Monday9/14/26:  iReady Math Diagnostic begins for grade Grades 1-3 

  • Wednesday, 9/16/26:  K iReady Math Diagnostic 

  • Monday, 9/21/26:  iReady Reading Grade K

  • Wednesday, 9/30/26:  Early Release Day- Dismissal is 11:35 am 

  • Monday, 10/12/26:  NO SCHOOL:  HOLIDAY

  • Wednesday, 10/14/26:  PreK-8 Trimester 1 Progress Reports Issued