June 9 ~ K-4 Field Day

June 10 ~ Oakmont Marching Band visits MHS and WES

June 11 ~ 5th Grade Promotion Night 6:30PM

June 17 ~ Last day of school ~ Noon dismissal

Wow, time goes fast when you are having a blast! This year has been such a fun journey with your children. They have worked so hard, and every student is leaving with some very strong skills. 

Our Davis Farm field trip was an amazing end to the school year! Students enjoyed a tour, the play areas, and a picnic lunch. 

Over the summer please continue to read, write, draw, and practice math facts with your child. But, most of all enjoy time with each other!

Thank you for your support throughout the year. Without the help from families, we would not be able to do what we do. 

Have a great Summer!

With Love, 

Kindergarten Team

Happy June!

Just like the flowers blooming outside, our first graders are blossoming too! As we move into the final weeks of school, students are showing growing confidence and proficiency with the many skills they have worked hard to develop throughout the year. It has been wonderful to watch their growth academically, socially, and in the independence they demonstrate each day.

As second grade approaches, there are a few simple ways families can continue to support learning at home. Practicing coin names and values, counting to 120, and working with adding tens and ones (such as dimes and pennies) can help reinforce important math skills. When reading together, encourage your child to talk about the main topic and identify key details in both the text and illustrations.

Encouraging independence at home can also make a big difference! Having children practice packing and unpacking their backpacks independently and working on shoe tying skills will help continue building confidence and responsibility.

Next week, students will have a special visit from the librarian at Forbush Library as she introduces their summer reading program. The Summer Reading Kickoff Party will be held on June 13th from 9:30 AM–1:00 PM. This is an exciting way to jump into summer reading adventures!

Thank you for all of the support, partnership, and collaboration you have shown throughout the year. We are looking forward to making these final days of first grade fun, memorable, and full of learning!

Earlier this week, our 5th grade student council members gave our first grade students a tour of WES. Our first graders seemed excited to go to the "Big School" next year!

Student Council breakfast celebrating our student leaders.

Second graders have been busy wrapping up an amazing school year! Students have recently enjoyed the Spring band and chorus concert, Camp Learn-A-Lot, and will soon enjoy the upcoming field day. It was heartwarming to see the awe and joy on their faces when they walked into their classrooms that had been transformed into campsites. Thank you so much to all second grade families for such a supportive, fun-filled school year. We hope you all have a fantastic summer!

We are so excited that our 3rd graders are going on a field trip to the EcoTarium in Worcester on Thursday, June 11th! The EcoTarium is a fantastic science and nature museum, and our trip is perfectly timed to bring our science units to life. It is going to be a day filled with hands-on learning, exploration, and a whole lot of fun.

 What Our Day Looks Like

Our students will get to explore three floors of interactive exhibits, live animal habitats, and beautiful outdoor nature trails. Some of the highlights we're looking forward to include:

• The Wild Cat Station: Getting a closer look at native wildlife and learning about animal adaptations.

• City Science: Exploring how science, technology, and engineering shape our everyday lives.

• The Space Adventure Show: We will view a show in the planetarium all about space!

Greetings to all families as we all approach the end of the school year. As usual, the music rooms are very active with lots of learning, playing of instruments, and singing! Below are some insights to what students are learning as well as schedules for events.

Last night was the last of the 3 Spring Concerts, and wow, the kids did an awesome job at Oakmont last night! I am very proud of each of the groups! Please look for the performance on local Cable TV, or online on AWCA. Send the link to other family members who did not get a chance to see the concert! They will love it!

Grade K and 1 - The students have been learning about America through singing several patriotic songs/books and were part of an in school assembly for Memorial Day on Friday. Veterans from the local VFW in town were present to observe the students, and our superintendent Dr. Stewart also spoke to the kids. They looked great wearing patriotic colors on Friday, thanks!.

Grade 2 - Students in Grade 2 finished up their Boomwhacker unit recently by playing tone chimes, which are used in bell choirs. Currently, they are learning about the Beatles and learning several of their songs. They will also soon learn about all of the instrument families of Brass, Woodwind, Percussion, and Strings. We will also talk about how to sign up for learning an instrument for the Band program which any student in grades 3, 4, and 5 can be involved in. Official sign ups are in September for the beginning instruments of flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and snare drum. 

Grade 3 - All of the grade 3 students have been learning simple songs including Twinkle Twinkle, Ode To Joy, and Hound Dog on the keyboards. Each student has their own keyboard station, and access to a google classroom at home where I post videos on how to play a song as well as a performance video where they can play “keep up” with me. 

Grades 4 and 5 - Ukuleles! Yes, that’s right, we are in our 5th year of having ukuleles in the classroom. Our students have been learning various chords, and will be playing along with videos to learn chords, and songs like Stand By Me, Surfin’ USA and more. 

CHORUS - The grade 4 and 5 students in Chorus recently performed Don’t Stop Believing, and Eye of the Tiger at the opening ceremony for the American Cancer Society’s “Relay For Life” on Academy Hill recently. The students have been learning how to sing beyond unison singing and splitting into two sections for partner songs and harmony as well. Solos have been issued for the spring concerts. Performances included the Grandparent and Veteran Concert, and the Spring Concerts at WES and Oakmont. Grade 4 students in particular recently performed at the in school Memorial Day Program hosted by the grade 4 students. 

A BAND - Our A Band students have been working on 13 selections for the Spring Concerts, including It’s Raining Tacos! Grade 4 students in particular recently performed at the in school Memorial Day Program hosted by the grade 4 students. All students marched in the Town Memorial Day parade and then performed at WES on Memorial Day. Three of our top Trumpet players performed services for Taps at all of the town cemeteries and monuments with the Veterans in the morning as well. Performances included the Grandparent and Veteran Concerts, and the Spring Concerts at WESA and Oakmont, and soon at the Great East Trip/Competition at Canobie on June 5. The students will reform in the fall to perform the concert one last time at the Westminster Cracker Festival at 10 am on October 17. Also, Mrs. Popik has sent families a detailed Music Memo with directions for the Canobie Trip/competition. A meeting is being held 6/4 at 4pm to give more details.

JAZZ BAND - Our Jazz Band has 5 selections .They performed really well at the WES Creation Celebration Night recently. Performances included the Grandparent and Veteran Concert, and the Spring Concerts at WES and Oakmont, and soon at the Great East Trip/Competition at Canobie on June 5. The students will reform in the fall to perform the concert one last time at the Westminster Cracker Festival at 10 am on October 17. Also, Mrs. Popik has sent families a detailed Music Memo with directions for the Canobie Trip/competition. A meeting is being held 6/4 at 4pm to give more details.

MUSIC SCHEDULE - JUNE

6/5  -Great East/Canobie Competition/Field Trip (Grade 4+5 A Band, Jazz Band who are signed up for the trip only)

6/1 to 6/5  -Last week of scheduled lessons

6/8+9 -Any rescheduled make up lessons

10/17 -Westminster Cracker Festival - 10am

(Current A Band and Jazz Band students form the June 2025 Spring Concert)

Technology & Engineering 

Dear Families,

As we approach the end of another wonderful school year, I wanted to share some of the exciting learning taking place in our Technology & Engineering classrooms. Students have worked hard all year developing their problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and technology skills, and it has been exciting to watch their growth.

Kindergarten

Our Kindergarten students are being introduced to the foundations of coding through engaging activities on Code.org. They are learning the basics of sequencing, understanding how instructions must be completed in a specific order, and exploring simple loops that help make coding more efficient. These early coding experiences help build logical thinking and problem-solving skills that will support them throughout their educational journey.

Grade 1

First-grade students are continuing to develop their coding skills using Code.org. They are learning about sequencing, loops, and how computers follow specific instructions to complete tasks. Through hands-on activities and interactive lessons, students are beginning to understand how coding helps solve problems and create projects.

Grade 2
Second-grade students are finishing the school year by strengthening their keyboarding skills through engaging typing lessons. They are learning proper finger placement, home row keys, and correct typing techniques while building speed and accuracy. These foundational keyboarding skills help students become more confident and efficient when using technology for learning, communication, and future classroom projects.

Grade 3
Third-grade students are continuing to develop their keyboarding proficiency through typing lessons that focus on accuracy, fluency, and proper technique. As students become more comfortable using the keyboard, they are learning how efficient typing can support their work across all subject areas. Through practice and perseverance, they are building important technology skills that will benefit them throughout their educational journey and beyond.

Grade 4

Fourth-grade students have been diving into the world of computer programming using Scratch at Scratch.mit.edu. They are learning how coding works by creating projects and exploring how existing programs can be remixed and modified. Students are discovering how changing code can produce different outcomes and are developing computational thinking skills while expressing their creativity through programming.

Grade 5

Our fifth-grade students are engaged in their exciting end-of-year Genius Hour projects. During Genius Hour, students choose a topic or passion they are interested in exploring and spend time researching, designing, creating, and presenting their learning. These projects encourage independence, creativity, innovation, and problem-solving as students take ownership of their learning and showcase their unique talents and interests.

Technology Tip for Families

Ask your child to show you something they learned this year in Technology & Engineering. Whether it is a coding project, an engineering challenge, or a STEM activity, having students explain their learning helps reinforce their understanding and builds confidence.

A Special Thank You

As the school year comes to a close, I want to thank all of our students and families for a fantastic year. One of the greatest joys of being a Technology & Engineering specialist is having the opportunity to work with every student in the building, from Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. It is truly amazing to watch students learn, grow, gain confidence, and develop new skills year after year.

I love seeing the excitement on their faces when they solve a problem, create something new, or discover a skill they didn't know they had. Watching their growth throughout the year reminds me every day why I love teaching. Thank you for sharing your wonderful children with me. I am so proud of all they have accomplished and look forward to seeing all the amazing things they will continue to achieve.

Wishing everyone a safe, fun, and relaxing summer!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Breen
Technology & Engineering Educator
Westminster Elementary School & Meetinghouse Elementary School

It is hard to believe that the end of our school year is near! As the year comes to a close and we look forward to summer, it is important to keep in mind that the excitement and fun also bring additional challenges and stressors. Families are often overworked and overwhelmed by schedules and commitments while students are overtired and overstimulated from all of their activities and events. It can be a lot! For this reason, we hope that you can at least find moments as a family to be present, enjoy your time together, and make the best of these milestones knowing they will someday be missed. Be sure to reflect with your student about the achievements they have made, challenges they’ve overcome and the friendships they have developed over this school year.

These transitions can also be difficult as the structure and routine of day-to-day life changes for most as we move from school year to summer. This may be a hard adjustment and you can expect some changes in behavior from the whole family as a new normal is established. It might be helpful to consider ongoing social-emotional learning throughout your summer break to maintain skills while also preparing them for the school year to come.

Here are some things you can do as a family over this summer break:

The Learning Experience blog also recommends some of these activities with your children:

Feelings Charades How to play: Write different emotions on a small piece of paper, such as happy, frustrated, excited, proud, or nervous. Children take turns acting out the emotion while others guess what it is. Skills children build: ● Emotional awareness ● Empathy ● Expanding emotional vocabulary

The Compliment Circle How to play: Sit together in a circle and take turns sharing something kind about the person next to you. Encourage children to notice things like kindness, teamwork, or creativity. Skills children build: ● Positive communication ● Self-confidence ● Friendship building

Calm Down Jars How to make one: Fill a clear jar with water, glitter glue, and a little extra glitter. When shaken, the swirling glitter represents big emotions. As the glitter slowly settles, children can watch and practice calming their bodies. Skills children build: ● Emotional regulation ● Mindfulness ● Patience

Helping children manage big feelings is an important part of growing up. Using calming strategies like breathing exercises, quiet reflection spaces, and thoughtful conversations can help them learn to regulate. 

Friendship Building Activities Activity Idea: Invite kids to work together on a shared project, such as building a block tower, completing a puzzle, or creating a group art project. Skills children build:

● Teamwork ● Cooperation and sharing ● Problem-solving Collaborative play is a core part of learning. Through hands-on group activities, children practice communication, cooperation, and celebrating shared success.

Storytime with Feelings How to do it: After reading a story together, ask open-ended questions like: ● How do you think the characters felt? ● What could they do to solve their problem? ● Can you tell me about a time when you felt the same way? Skills children build:

● Empathy ● Emotional reflection ● Understanding different perspectives Through engaging stories, children explore lessons about kindness, perseverance, and caring for others.

Daily Gratitude Moments How to practice: At the end of the day, ask your child to share one thing for which they are thankful. Skills children build: ● Positive thinking ● Emotional awareness ● Appreciation for others

Wishing you a great summer break and we look forward to seeing you again in the fall!

Your School Counselors,

Ms. Milne and Ms. Thomas

5th Grade gathers for the start of their Field Day!

Thank you to Animal Adventures for visiting with our preschoolers at MHS!

For student safety, we kindly ask that children wear sneakers or other secure, closed-toe shoes to school whenever possible. Shoes such as Crocs, sandals, flip-flops, and backless footwear can increase the risk of trips, falls, and injuries, especially during recess, physical activity, and on the playground. Sneakers provide the best support and protection to help students stay safe and active throughout the school day.

As we approach the end of the school year, this is a friendly reminder for parents/guardians to pick up any student medications from the health office by the last day of school. Any medications that are not picked up by the end of the school year may need to be discarded according to school policy. Please contact the health office with any questions.

Thank you for your cooperation and support!

Nurse Sarah

Thank you for your support! Together we have raised over $1,000 to support our Outdoor Classroom scholarship fund.

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)

Follow us on Instagram!

principalkt24