Family Update: Start with Hello, Site Council, PTO, Reading at Home, Nurses' Notes, and Mark Your Calendar
Dear Families,
Our first full week of school was full of learning and growing! Superstars are learning and practicing safety routines, completing assessments, and beginning lessons in grade-level content. Superstars also started the Haverhill Public Schools district-wide Anti-Bullying Campaign, and at Walnut Square, we read the "Hillie Pledge" and kicked off "Start with Hello" to remind all of our students how much they matter. Students across HPS are learning what it truly means to be a supportive friend and advocate for their classmates, seeing how small actions make a huge difference. Through this approach, we are encouraging our Superstars and future Hillies to notice peers who may feel left out or isolated, reach out to extend support and kindness, and say "Hello," as a simple greeting can completely turn someone's day around.
Creating this kind of supportive environment starts in the classroom, but it truly thrives when our school and families work hand in hand. Family engagement is key to building a vibrant, supportive environment where our Walnut Square Superstars can shine. Two wonderful groups that lead these efforts and directly support our school community are our School Site Council and PTO. Both offer meaningful ways for families and staff to partner together, share ideas, and make a lasting impact on our students' learning and growth.
The School Site Council is a balanced group of educators, families, and community members who meet monthly to collaborate on shaping our school’s success. Working alongside the principal, the council plays a key role in setting educational goals aligned with local and state standards, identifying student needs, reviewing the annual building budget, and formulating the Walnut Square School Improvement Plan for 2026-2027. Our first session will take place on Monday, October 5th, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Walnut Square School. Additionally, a district-wide Site Council training session will be held on Wednesday, October 21st, from 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm at Dr. Albert B. Consentino Middle School (685 Washington St, Haverhill, MA). If you are interested in participating and making a difference in our school community, please complete our Google Form to sign up: Site Council Sign Up
Alongside the Site Council’s leadership focus, our Parent Teacher Organization offers another fantastic way to get involved and directly impact our students’ everyday experiences. The Walnut Square PTO is always looking for dedicated new members, with our first meeting scheduled for Monday, October 5th, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Walnut Square School. The PTO plays an essential role in enhancing our school community by fundraising to support and enrich the goals of Walnut Square. Throughout the year, PTO funds directly fulfill teacher requests for vital classroom resources like books, visual timers, crafts, sensory materials, headphones, and essential supplies. Beyond daily classroom needs, the PTO sponsors special events and traditions that bring our community together, such as funding Walnut Square t-shirts for all students and staff for Field Day, slush for Field Day and the Grade 3 Luau, Field Day supplies, hosting a community Spaghetti Dinner, bringing in-school field trips like Curious Creatures, and purchasing items for our Kindergarten Teddy Bear Picnic and Grade 3 Promotion Ceremonies. They also show deep appreciation for our educators during Teacher Appreciation Week by providing a week of celebration for all school staff.
At Walnut Square, strong family engagement and active involvement are at the heart of a thriving school community. When families and educators partner together, students build stronger connections, feel more supported, and achieve greater success both academically and socially. Whether it is attending monthly meetings, volunteering for school events, participating in decision-making through our Site Council and PTO, or simply encouraging learning at home, every contribution makes a meaningful impact. I warmly invite all families to share their unique talents, ideas, and voices to help shape our school culture, as true community strength grows when we work together.
I hope you have an amazing weekend, and I’ll see you back at school on Monday morning!
Sincerely,
Jen Rubera
Principal
Reading Together at Home
Spending just 15 to 20 minutes sharing a story together each night builds essential vocabulary, sparks imagination, and helps our K-3 learners grow into confident readers. To help us track our school-wide progress, simply fill out your child's reading log right after you finish reading each evening. Click on this link and enter the book that you have read. Reading Log. Every completed log brings us closer to our September 150-book milestone and gives your student a fresh chance to earn an exciting prize at the end of each month. Let’s team up, keep the pages turning, and smash our reading goal together!
Nurses’ Notes
Annual health screenings will begin soon at Walnut Square Elementary and will continue until all students have been screened.
Screenings:
Vision & Hearing: Grades K–3
Height & Weight: Grade 1
Important Notes for Parents:
Glasses: If your child wears glasses, please make sure they bring them to school every day, especially during screening weeks.
Opt-Out Request: If you wish to opt your child out of school screenings, please provide a copy of their completed screening from their physician.
Extra Clothes: Please ensure your student keeps a spare set of weather-appropriate clothes and underwear in their backpack for unexpected needs.
Mark Your Calendar!
Monday, 9/21/26: iReady Reading Grade K
Wednesday, 9/30/26: Early Release Day- Dismissal is 11:35 am
Mon 10/5/26, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm • WSQ Site Council Meeting (5:00-6:00 pm) and PTO Meeting (6:00-7:00 pm)
Monday, 10/12/26: NO SCHOOL: HOLIDAY
Wednesday, 10/14/26: PreK-8 Trimester 1 Progress Reports Issued
Wednesday, 10/21/26: School Picture Day
Wednesday, 10/21/26: 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm • Site Council Training
Friday, 10/23/26: Kindergarten Field Trip - Fire Safety Program
Wed 10/28/26 • Early Release: Dismissal is 11:35 for Students/Staff PD