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
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.
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 Coverings) that 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.
