Monday, November 29, 2021

News to Use, November 29th

Dates to Remember

November 30th                                                                                      Pool Testing Resumes 

December 22nd                                                                                     Early Release (11:15)  

December 23nd - December 31st                                                        Winter Recess                                                                                                             

We hope that you all had a happy and healthy Thanksgiving Break!



News About Wednesday(s) Materials Making Workshops


Beginning on Wednesday, December 1st, Mary Adamik will be hosting a 2- hour materials making workshop. The hours will be from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. We will meet in the gallery. Please feel free to drop in for all or any of the time and help provision language arts and math materials for students in Grades K-5.  If you are unable to come, but would like to complete some jobs at home, please send Mary Adamik and email at m.adamik@hwschools.net. The workshop will be held every Wednesday from 9:00 to 11:00.

We so appreciate your continued support of our students and teachers.


News About the Use of Cell Phones


An increasing number of cell phones have been noticed at Cutler particularly amongst the 4th and 5th graders. This is a friendly reminder that students are not permitted to bring cell phones to school for any reason. Should a student need to call home, they can visit Mrs. Bellenis in the Front Office and make their call from there. 


News from the Health Office


Please read the following news from the Health office. 

HWRSD Nurse’s Health Update.



General District News!


Adopt-a-Senior this Holiday Season:

This holiday season MRMS is looking to serve a population often overlooked over the holidays: our seniors (ages 60+). MRMS and Acord Food Pantry are once again partnering to create special holiday gift bags of little luxuries for fifty local seniors in need. Check out this link on how you can help. Remember to shop local.


2021 Stuff-A-Cruiser Toy Drive Event

Please spread the word and join the Hamilton Police Department in supporting Shriner’s Hospital for children & local families in need, click here for the details.

 

Free Community Skate

The HWRHS Boys Hockey Team is holding a free community skate (no sticks or pucks) on Saturday, November 27th at the Johnson Rink @ Pingree School from 6-7 pm. Bring your children, your out-of-town guests, or dust off your skates and take a few laps around the rink. Helmets are required. All are welcome! 







Friends of Cutler Meeting 12/1
We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break! Our next Friends of Cutler meeting will be this Wednesday 12/1 @ 7:30 pm via Zoom. We hope to see you there as we discuss our upcoming events! Please note that Eric Tracy will be our guest at this month's meeting.

Here is the zoom link for Wednesday's meeting: 
Topic: Friends of Cutler
Time: Dec 1, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91735290715?pwd=UThGL0NhRkVCeUQ2ZUlvQ1VUTXlXZz09

Meeting ID: 917 3529 0715
Passcode: VKm32e



Monday, November 22, 2021

News to Use November 22, 2021

Dates to Remember

No Pool Testing                                                                         November 23rd

Thanksgiving Recess                                                                November  24th - 28th

Early dismissal - 11:15                                                        November 24th

Pool Testing Resumes                                                              November 30th


** DON'T FORGET TO SCROLL DOWN TO 'THE FRIENDS OF CUTLER' SECTION TO READ ABOUT HOW SUCCESSFUL THE SKI, SKATE, BOARD EVENT WAS!**                                                                                                                                                            


News About Kindergarten Bus Stops


Please remember that all Kindergarten parents and caregivers need to meet the bus at the curb before the driver will allow your student to get off the bus. Waiting for parents to be there is causing significant delays in the routes (especially on Wednesdays which directly impacts the MS/HS routes resulting in more delays down the line). If you are meeting your student at a neighborhood stop, please be sure the driver is aware that you are there to greet your student.


News About Wednesday Materials Making Workshop

Beginning on Wednesday, December 1st, Mary Adamik will be hosting a 2- hour materials making workshop. The hours will be from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. We will meet in the gallery. Please feel free to drop in for all or any of the time and help provision language arts and math materials for students in Grades K-5.  If you are unable to come, but would like to complete some jobs at home, please send Mary Adamik and email at m.adamik@hwschools.net. The workshop will be held every Wednesday from 9:00 to 11:00.

We so appreciate your continued support of our students and teachers.


News about Fourth Grade Ukulele 'Ukes on Deck'


Mrs. Graham reports that the first meeting of the Thursday 4th Grade Ukulele group 'Ukes on Deck' went wonderfully well, with great participation and enthusiasm. Mrs. Graham requests that you make note of the pick-up time: 3:40 pm.


News About the Use of Cell Phones


An increasing number of cell phones have been noticed at Cutler particularly amongst the 4th and 5th graders. This is a friendly reminder that students are not permitted to bring cell phones to school for any reason. Should a student need to call home, they can visit Mrs. Bellenis in the Front Office and make their call from there. 


News from the Health Office


Please read the following news from the Health office. 

HWRSD Nurse’s Health Update.



General District News!


Adopt-a-Senior this Holiday Season:

This holiday season MRMS is looking to serve a population often overlooked over the holidays: our seniors (ages 60+). MRMS and Acord Food Pantry are once again partnering to create special holiday gift bags of little luxuries for fifty local seniors in need. Check out this link on how you can help. Remember to shop local.


2021 Stuff-A-Cruiser Toy Drive Event

Please spread the word and join the Hamilton Police Department in supporting Shriner’s Hospital for children & local families in need, click here for the details.

 

Free Community Skate

The HWRHS Boys Hockey Team is holding a free community skate (no sticks or pucks) on Saturday, November 27th at the Johnson Rink @ Pingree School from 6-7 pm. Bring your children, your out-of-town guests, or dust off your skates and take a few laps around the rink. Helmets are required. All are welcome! 


Lost and Found


The Lost and Found area in the cafeteria continues to bulge! If there is a possibility that your child may have something there, please ask them to visit and check it out for items that belong to them. Parents are welcome to come into the building to check themselves. After the Thanksgiving Break, we will be packing up leftover items and donating them to charity.


Problem Solving Quick Guide


Every once in a while you may run into an issue and not know who to call or email.  The new HWRSD - Problem Solving Quick Guide will help you figure out who to call when specific issues arise. More often than not, we would ask you to start with the source, at the building level.  The quick guide is set up by level so that you can quickly find whom to contact.  If you have a general question, our parent liaison, Jen Caufield can help.









Ski Skate & Board Event

Our 10th Ski, Skate & Board event is in the books, and what a weekend it was! We had a great turnout! Thank you to all who donated, consigned & shopped, and most importantly those who volunteered their time to help. Special thanks to our event chairs, Jeannine Ryan and Dabney Smith, who always work so hard to make this event such a huge success! 

Monday, November 15, 2021

Dates to Remember

Ski, Skate, Board Set Up and Drop Off                            November 17th & 19th

Ski, Skate, Board                                                               November 20th & 21st

Picture re-take day                                                                   November 19th

No Pool Testing                                                                         November 23rd

Thanksgiving Recess                                                                November  24th - 29th

Early dismissal - 11:15                                                        November 24th

Pool Testing Resumes                                                              November 30th

                                                                                                                                                                      

Important News to Notice Right Away! 


The Ski, Skate, Board Event is the largest and most significant fundraiser held by The Friends of Cutler each year. Proceeds from this event enable the Friends to fund field trips, classroom supplies, guest experts, cultural enrichment presentations and field trips, to name a few. This is a fun event and we are enormously grateful for your help,  We encourage you to volunteer your time if you possibly can!


*****The Ski, Skate and Board event is THIS WEEK! ***** We need an "all hands on deck" approach to make this event a success! Drop off/ setup days are 11/17-11/19, and the event is 11/20 & 11/21. 


There is no need for or ski experience to volunteer; we have plenty of jobs that are not ski related! The only prerequisite is that you are willing to help! Please check out the Sign-Up Genius links below to volunteer. All volunteers completing a 2-hour shift will gain access to the coveted 'Pre-Sale'!

We appreciate your help and could not do this without all of you! 

  


News about School Picture Re-take Day


Please note that our picture re-take day is this Friday, November 19th, starting at 9:00 am in the Gym.  


*    If you are requesting a re-take then please make sure that your child brings the original package of photographs you were sent, but are unhappy with, in with them on the 19th. This will aid in processing and delivering the new photographs.


*    If your child was an absentee on our original picture day, you will have already been sent an order form and your child should bring that in on the 19th. If you ordered on line you do not need to be concerned. 


All children requesting photographs whether it is a re-take or absentee issue, will have their photographs taken!



News from the Counselor's Corner


Please see Mrs. Creilson's newsletter below.  In it she continues last week’s discussion about Positive Childhood Experiences(PCES) that increase resilience and support social and emotional well-being.

 

Counselor’s Corner Newsletter 11/15/2




News from the Health Office


If you are planning to be away for extra days around the Thanksgiving Break, it would be helpful if you could inform Lynne Nardella, School Nurse, your classroom teacher, and Janie Bellenis in the front office. This kind of 'heads up' gives us all the chance to plan ahead. 



Covid Vaccine Guidelines


The following are guidelines for symptoms after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, particularly after the second dose:

 

It is common for people to experience symptoms such as injection site soreness, headache, fatigue, low grade fever, muscle aches, and chills.  These symptoms may last a few days.  If they do not resolve after a few days, we would recommend seeking COVID-19 testing. 

 

If your child(ren) develops respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, or loss of taste or smell, these are not expected side effects from the vaccine.  These may be due to an illness exposure that occurred around the same time as your child(ren)’s vaccination.  If they experience these symptoms, please check our guidelines for when to stay home and/or seek COVID-19 testing.

 

Once your child(ren) receives their second COVID-19 vaccination, please provide a copy of their vaccine record to your school nurse.


Here are the CDC guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals.  People are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines,  or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.


Please contact your school nurse or health care provider with any specific questions.



Vaccines for 5-11 year-olds


There have been a couple of inquiries regarding vaccines for 5-11 year-old students.  After speaking with the Town Health Nurses, we have learned that you should first attempt to get the vaccine at your child’s pediatrician’s office.  At this time there is no plan to vaccinate 5-11 year-old students at school.


Per the DESE all students who are absent with Covid 19 symptoms must call their pediatricians and obtain a PCR test or an alternative diagnosis before returning to school.



Pool testing

Per the DESE recommendation, there will be no Pool Testing the Tuesday before the Thanksgiving holiday, (November 23rd). Pool Testing will resume the week after the holiday weekend (November 30th).



Mask Mandate Extension


By now you are aware that Commissioner Riley extended the mask mandate for all schools until “at least January 15, 2022”. Currently, if a school building demonstrates a vaccination rate of 80 percent or more of all students and staff in the school through an attestation form submitted to DESE, then vaccinated individuals in that school would no longer be subject to the mask requirement. Many of you have asked about the 80 percent rule. Whether or not to follow the 80% rule is a local decision. The HWRSD also has a school committee policy (EBCFA - Face Coveringsthat is in place locally. It requires that all individuals in school buildings wear face coverings. This policy is reviewed at each school committee meeting to determine changes or to stay the current

 course.


News from the Art Room


Mrs Brousseau would love to have one or two volunteers to help prepare art materials and display student art work. Please note that some of the projects can be taken away and completed at home. If you are interested in helping, please contact Kristen Brousseau directly at

k.brousseau@hwschools.net.  



News about Next School Store

School store will be this week! We have implemented some new guidelines in order to help make it run more smoothly and efficiently. Grade levels will be assigned a day and students' names will be checked off a list. Please see the schedule below. If for some reason your student can not attend on the scheduled day, Thursday and Friday will be make up days. 

Monday, November 15th - Kindergarten 
Tuesday, November 16th - 1st and 2nd grades
Wednesday, November 17th - 3rd and 4th grades
Thursday, November 18th - 5th grade and makeup students 
Friday, November 19th - makeup students 

News about Fourth Grade Ukulele 'Ukes on Deck'

The fourth Grade Ukulele group 'Ukes on Deck', will meet for the first time this Thursday, November 18th. 'Ukes on Deck' will meet on Thursdays going forward from 3:00pm - 3:40pm.  All Fourth Graders are welcome to join. Students can either bring their own ukulele or borrow one from Mrs. Graham who can be reached at m.graham@hwschools.net.

News about Professional Development Day, Friday November 12th

People often ask what happens when teachers have a full day of professional development. Last Friday, the entire district spent 2.5 hours working with our consultants from Equity Journey Partners. 

  

Topics addressed were:

  
  • How our social identities impact how we feel and move through the world.

  • How privilege operates to normalize some identities over others.

  • How social identity manifests in the school and classroom. 

  

At the Elementary level, teachers also worked in grade-level groups to adjust curriculum pacing and resources.

 

News From HW Friends of the Arts


HW Friends of the Arts will hold their monthly meeting this week, Wednesday, November 17th at 6:30 pm.  Please note, they will be meeting in the high school conference room which is on your right off the main lobby. Guests this month will be two high school students that attended the Montserrat program this summer. They will be showing some of their work. Also joining the meeting will be A J Lease,  Theatre Teacher, and Ferrini Dramatics Center Manager. All are welcome to attend!


Lost and Found


The Lost and Found area in the cafeteria is bulging! If there is a possibility that your child may have something there, please ask them to visit and check it out for items that belong to them. Parents are welcome to come into the building to check themselves. After the Thanksgiving Break we will be packing up leftover items and donating them to charity.


Problem Solving Quick Guide


Every once in a while you may run into an issue and not know who to call or email.  The new HWRSD - Problem Solving Quick Guide will help you figure out who to call when specific issues arise. More often than not, we would ask you to start with the source, at the building level.  The quick guide is set up by level so that you can quickly find whom to contact.  If you have a general question, our parent liaison, Jen Caufield can help.








Monday, November 8, 2021

Dates to Remember

Veteran's Day No School                                                          November 11

Teacher's Professional Development                                     November 12

Picture re-take day                                                                     November 19

Thanksgiving Recess                                                                  November  24 -

                                                                                                        November 29                                                                


News from the Art Room

Mrs Brousseau would love to have one or two volunteers to help prepare art materials and display student art work. Please note that some of the projects can be taken away and completed at home. If you are interested in helping, please contact Kristen Brousseau directly at

k.brousseau@hwschools.net.  



News about Next School Store

School store will be next week! We have implemented some new guidelines in order to help make it run more smoothly and efficiently. Grade levels will be assigned a day and students' names will be checked off a list. Please see the schedule below. If for some reason your student can not attend on the scheduled day, Thursday and Friday will be make up days. 

Monday, November 15th - Kindergarten 
Tuesday, November 16th - 1st and 2nd grades
Wednesday, November 17th - 3rd and 4th grades
Thursday, November 18th - 5th grade and makeup students 
Friday, November 19th - makeup students 


News about Fourth Grade Ukulele 'Ukes on Deck'

The fourth Grade Ukulele group 'Ukes on Deck', will meet for the first time on November 18th. 'Ukes on Deck' will meet on Thursdays going forward from 3:00pm - 3:40pm.  All Fourth Graders are welcome to join. Students can either bring their own ukulele or borrow one from Mrs. Graham who can be reached at m.graham@hwschools.net.


News about Transfer Busses


The Transfer Bus system began today - November 8th - for some of our students.  All in all, it was a successful roll-out. If this change affects you, (you know who you are!) and you have any questions or comments, please call Janie Bellenis in the Cutler Office or email her at j.bellenis@hwschools.net. 



News about School Photographs


Your children's school photographs have been sent home in their backpacks. Please note that due to delays with UPS, we have re-scheduled our picture re-take day to Friday, November 19th.



News from the Counselor's Corner

 

It has been wonderful to have a somewhat “normal” beginning of the school year and it’s been such a joy to once again see parents and families in the building!


As we continue to move through the pandemic, an incredibly challenging time for many families, I wanted to share some recent research with you around the power of positive childhood experiences(PCES).  In late 2019, Dr. Christina Bethell of Johns Hopkins University released the results of a large study that aimed to identify the positive experiences in childhood that may offset traumatic ones. The study identified multiple factors that increase resilience in children and are linked to social and emotional health in adulthood.  These are:


~Feeling able to talk to your family about emotions

~Feeling as though family is supportive during difficult times

~Feeling safe and protected by an adult at home

~Having at least two non parents that genuinely care

~Enjoying participating in community traditions

~Feeling supported by friends

~Feeling a sense of belonging in high school


These experiences are incredibly powerful and can offset the adverse experiences children will inevitably experience.  After reading over these, I was struck by how all but one of these PCES apply to elementary aged children. With intention, we as parents and guardians have real power to proactively support our children’s social and emotional well-being!  


With that, in the coming weeks, I will be sharing supports we use at Cutler to foster resilience along with resources and ideas you might implement at home. If you would like to know more about PCES, here is a synopsis of the latest study, and here is a podcast from Lynn Lyons on building your family’s psychological immune system.

 

As always, I am available by email or phone for any questions or concerns you

might have. 


 HW Gives Back


Beginning Monday, November 8th, HWgivesback will once again be joining forces with Anton’s Cleaners for their annual Coats For Kids & Families drive. Last year we collected and donated 275 coats and we hope to collect even more this year. Please consider donating lightly used and new coats, in all sizes (infant to adult), to help ensure that everyone stays warm as we move into the colder months. Coats can be dropped off on the tables in the front lobby of the high school. The collection will end on Friday, January 7th. If you have any questions about this charitable endeavor, please contact  s.rogal@hwschools.net


Problem Solving Quick Guide


Every once in a while you may run into an issue and not know who to call or email.  The new HWRSD - Problem Solving Quick Guide will help you figure out who to call when specific issues arise. More often than not, we would ask you to start with the source, at the building level.  The quick guide is set up by level so that you can quickly find whom to contact.  If you have a general question, our parent liaison, Jen Caufield can help.


Lost and Found


The Lost and Found area in the cafeteria is bulging! If there is a possibility that your child may have something there, please ask them to visit and check it out for items that belong to them. Parents are welcome to come into the building to check themselves. After the Thanksgiving Break we will be packing up leftover items and donating them to charity.



News from the Health Office


Vaccines for 5-11 year-olds

There have been a couple of inquiries regarding vaccines for 5-11 year-old students.  After speaking with the Town Health Nurses, we have learned that you should first attempt to get the vaccine at your child’s pediatrician’s office.  At this time there is no plan to vaccinate 5-11 year-old students at school.


Per the DESE all students who are absent with Covid 19 symptoms must call their pediatricians and obtain a PCR test or an alternative diagnosis before returning to school.


COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

Students who are unwell should remain home.  Below is the full list of symptoms for which caregivers should monitor their children, and staff should monitor themselves.  

  • Unvaccinated individuals presenting these symptoms should seek PCR testing or contact their medical provider.

  • Vaccinated individuals experiencing symptoms in bold, should seek PCR testing and or clinical guidance to assess the need for PCR testing. 

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS LIST

Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath • New loss of taste or smell • Muscle aches or body aches • Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough) • Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms • Headache when in combination with other symptoms • Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms • Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms 


Pool Testing Link:

Here is the link for anyone signing up for our weekly pool testing. This link is for both students and staff. https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma


Masks:

This is a reminder to all families to please make sure to send your children to school with extra face masks. As the day wears on they can get hard to wear and a fresh new mask is appreciated, and often essential. 


In addition, we would be grateful if you would send your child in with a water bottle each day as masks make for a dry mouth.



Mask Mandate Extension


By now you are aware that Commissioner Riley extended the mask mandate for all schools until “at least January 15, 2022”. Currently, if a school building demonstrates a vaccination rate of 80 percent or more of all students and staff in the school through an attestation form submitted to DESE, then vaccinated individuals in that school would no longer be subject to the mask requirement. Many of you have asked about the 80 percent rule. Whether or not to follow the 80% rule is a local decision. The HWRSD also has a school committee policy (EBCFA - Face Coveringsthat is in place locally. It requires that all individuals in school buildings wear face coverings. This policy is reviewed at each school committee meeting to determine changes or to stay the current course.






Ski, Skate, and Board Sale

The Ski, Skate and Board event is less than a month away! We need an "all hands on deck" approach to make this event a success! 

There is no need for ski experience to volunteer, there are plenty of jobs that are not ski related! Only prerequisite is that you are willing to help! 

Please check out the Sign-Up Genius links below to volunteer! All volunteers completing a 2-hour shift will gain access to the coveted 'Pre-Sale'!

We appreciate your help and could not do this without all of you!