Dear PTO, Families and Volunteers,

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible amount of love and appreciation you have showered on us this week! From the sweet treats to the heartfelt notes and all the fun surprises in between, you have truly made us feel like the luckiest staff around.

A very special thank you to the Westminster Cafe for the delicious breakfast and lunch. Every bite was enjoyed and so deeply appreciated!

With full hearts and happy tummies,

MHS/WES Staff

The end of the school year is fast approaching! As excited as we are for summer, we find ourselves wishing we had just a little more time with your children. We have much to accomplish in the weeks ahead, and we plan to make every moment count.

Creating balanced classrooms is both an art and a puzzle, and no one knows your child quite like you do. If there is something meaningful we should keep in mind as we build next year's class lists, please reach out to your child's classroom teacher with any input regarding peers, and contact Mrs. Taylor with any broader concerns, by May 22nd. We genuinely value everything you share, though we are not always able to honor specific requests for pairing or separating classmates. Please also keep in mind that we do not accept requests for specific teachers, however, if you have a prior concern or conflict with a particular teacher, please reach out to Mrs. Taylor by Friday, May 22nd.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Warm Regards,

Kathy and Mike

May 8 ~ Grade 5 Science, Technology, and Engineering MCAS

May 12 ~ Grade 5 Science, Technology, and Engineering MCAS

May 13 ~ Grade 4 Math MCAS

May 13 ~ WES Creation Celebration Night 5:45 PM-7:30PM

May 15 ~ Grade 3 Colonial Day

May 18-22 ~ Grade 5 Nature's Classroom

May 25 ~ NO SCHOOL Memorial Day

May 27 ~ Half Day of School NOON DISMISSAL

Bicycles 

Students in K-3 are not allowed to ride bikes to school unless they are accompanied by an adult. Bike racks are provided for WES students who wish to ride their bikes to school. Students may ride their bikes if:

1. They have their parent’s or guardian’s consent (Grades 4 and 5 only). One note for the year is sufficient.
2. The path they must follow is not deemed unnecessarily DANGEROUS.
3. They have a safety helmet.

The school reserves the right to deny or rescind permission for a student to ride a bike to school.

Mass. State Law requires all children under age twelve to wear a safety helmet when riding a bicycle. No student will be knowingly dismissed from WES to ride a bike home without a helmet.

Students are encouraged to lock their bikes at all times. Students should also be aware of bicycle safety rules and use caution and courtesy when approaching pedestrians.

Bikers are dismissed after all of the buses have been called.

***Additionally, we ask that all students walk their bikes through the school parking lot rather than riding through it. The parking lot can be a busy and unpredictable space, especially during drop-off and dismissal times, and we want to make sure every child gets home safely.

Specifically, please remind your child to:

• Walk their bike through the parking lot — no riding.

• Stay out of the bus lanes, which are active and can be dangerous.

• Avoid riding between parked cars where drivers may not see them.

• Stick to the perimeter of the parking lot when passing through.

These simple habits go a long way in keeping our students safe. Thank you for reinforcing these expectations at home.

Electronics: Cell Phones/ Smart Watches/ Electronic Devices 

We recognize that parents provide their children with cell phones and smart watches for safety reasons. Therefore, we understand that students may occasionally bring these devices to school.

• Cell phones must remain turned off and stowed away in your child’s bag during the school day, this includes the bus.
• Smart watches must have text and call settings turned off during school hours.

Students are not to call, text, or message their family members or peers during the school day. If students need to reach a family member, they can use one of the phones in the main office. Students may also not photograph or take videos of any staff members or other students in and outside of the building or on the bus. You can help us enforce this policy by not texting your children and calling/answering their calls during the school day.

If a student should bring any electronic device, cell phone, or multi-media device etc. to school, MHS/WES is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

Cell phones and smartwatches that are being used to make calls, text (family or peers) or play games during the day will be confiscated. Parents will be asked to pick up the device from school.

To celebrate all of the learning that has taken place this year, Grade 2 will be transforming our classrooms into Camp Learn-A-Lot on Friday, May 29th. Your child will be learning through creative and common-core-aligned activities. 

Decorations will help convert each second-grade classroom into a campground. Tents will be set up, fake fires will be built, and students will work and read by flashlight.

We look forward to this special second-grade celebration of learning!

Dear Families,

Third grade has been keeping busy! We are continuing our work in Module 3 of our Wit & Wisdom curriculum, titled “A New Home.” In this module, students have explored the essential question, “What makes a place feel like home?” Through rich literary and informational texts such as Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say, and The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco, students are learning about the experiences of people who move to new places and how they adapt, preserve traditions, and build a sense of belonging. They are analyzing how authors convey these themes through words and illustrations, and develop their skills in reading comprehension, writing organized literary essays, and participating in thoughtful discussions. 

 We’re also excited to celebrate Colonial Day in third grade—a fun, hands-on event that brings history to life! Students will dress in colonial-style clothing and take part in activities such as candle making, tin punching, butter churning, writing with quill pens, and playing traditional games from the 1700s. This special day supports our social studies learning by giving students a chance to experience what daily life was like for early American colonists. It’s always a highlight of the year, and we can’t wait to see our third graders immerse themselves in this memorable learning adventure!

We look forward to continuing this learning journey with your child and appreciate your support!

Technology & Engineering Newsletter
Mrs. Breen

Dear Families,

It has been an exciting and engaging time in our Technology and Engineering classes! Students across all grade levels have been exploring, creating, and building important skills in coding, research, and problem-solving. Here’s a look at what each grade has been working on:

5th Grade – Genius Hour
Our 5th graders have begun their Genius Hour journey! Students are currently in the early stages of developing their “I Wonder” driving questions. They are using their personal passions and interests to guide their thinking, which allows for deeper curiosity and meaningful research. As they move forward, students will investigate their questions and ultimately create a digital project that showcases their learning and explains how they answered their question. We are excited to see their creativity and critical thinking grow throughout this process!

4th Grade – Ozobot Coding & Storytelling
4th grade students recently wrapped up their unit on color sensing and coding using Ozobots. They combined technology and literacy by writing their own stories and creating story maps. Students then programmed their Ozobots to follow the paths of their stories, recording both their robot in action and themselves reading their work. These videos can be found in students’ Google Drive accounts—be sure to check them out!

3rd Grade – Robotics Unit
Our 3rd graders have just completed their robotics unit. They learned how to build robots by following step-by-step directions and explored key components such as motors and sensors. Students then advanced to coding their robots to complete specific tasks. This hands-on unit helped develop perseverance, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

2nd Grade – Online Research & World Postcards

2nd grade students are diving into online research! They are learning to distinguish between facts and opinions while exploring the seven continents and the animals that live there. After completing their research, students will create a “World Postcard” to showcase their learning. These postcards will be printed and sent home—keep an eye out for them!

Kindergarten & 1st Grade – Introduction to Computers
Our youngest learners have begun exploring how computers help us in the real world. They are learning foundational skills such as how to access the internet, identify and use the URL address bar, and log into their accounts. Students are also being introduced to coding concepts like sequencing and loops, building a strong foundation for future learning.

Additional exciting news! Mrs. Breen has been awarded a classroom grant from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. This grant will support “Rocket Builders,” a hands-on aerospace engineering program for Kindergarten and 1st grade students. In this program, students design and test water bottle rockets, using 3D pens and recycled materials to create fins and explore how different designs impact flight. It provides a fun, safe, and age-appropriate introduction to engineering and design thinking.

Thank you for your continued support in helping your children grow as innovative thinkers and problem-solvers. It’s wonderful to see their enthusiasm for technology and engineering!

Warmly,
Mrs. Breen

Mrs. Romano's class celebrated the 150th day of school by completing 150 equations!

WES starts the day off with a dance party in the lobby!

5th Grade students working collaboratively on projects!

The PTO is hosting Colonial Day for the Third Graders on Friday, May 15, 2026. This will be an exciting day as we step back in time and explore “Colonial Westminster”! Costumes will be provided. Parent volunteers will be needed to make this day a success.

Please contact us with any questions.

Erin Sibley

erinsibley31@gmail.com

Amberly DiBenedetto amberlydibenedetto@gmail.com

Ashley Quinn

ashleymcdonald71@gmail.com

Please reach out with any questions you may have. We are happy to help!

• MHS - Kathi McCarthy 978-874-0163 ext. 0
• WES - Liz Maillet 978-874-2043 ext. 0

When an absence is unavoidable, the parent/guardian should notify the school by phone prior to 8:30 am on the day of the absence. Between 3:30 pm and 7:20 am you may leave a message on our answering machine. The office phone number at W.E.S. is 874-2043 and at M.H.S. is 874-0163. Additionally, the parent can email the offices at mhsoffice@awrsd.org or wesoffice@awrsd.org.

If the school is not notified before the school day starts, an automated voice message will come from the school first and if we do not receive a response, the school nurse OR secretary will attempt to contact you. This is done as a safety check to ensure each student’s well being.

ARRIVAL

8:20 - 8:30 AM

DISMISSAL

2:55 PM

HALF DAYS - DISMISSAL

12:00 PM

AM Session 8:45-11:10 AM

PM Session 12:00-2:30 PM

Full Day Session 8:45-2:30 PM (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

We're looking for dedicated RNs to join our substitute nursing team. Whether you can offer a full day or just a few hours, your expertise makes a meaningful difference in our students' health and well-being. https://www.schoolspring.com/jobdetail?jobId=5442668

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