Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Dates to Remember:


Dec. 8:                                                                      Third Grade Field Trip
Dec. 11-15:                                                               School Store Week
Dec. 15:                                                                    Report Cards Posted in Aspen
Dec. 19:                                                                    Solstice Stroll, 4:30-5:30
Dec. 22:                                                                    Early Release, 11:15 Dismissal
Dec. 25-Jan. 1:                                                         Winter Holiday

From the Principal: 

Dear Cutler Families,


It’s the busiest time of the year, and we are bustling at Cutler School as well.


This morning we had an All School Meeting where kindergarteners sang “Old McDonald”, some 4th graders shared poems and stories and 5th grade shared their projects about the Inca and Maya. It is always wonderful to be together, and to feel the energy of the community.


Our Friends of Cutler has done a wonderful job supporting our theme “We Belong” this year and has organized trips for 3rd- 5th grade to the Audubon Society. Though this is a favorite place for some families, it was also a new experience for many. We have so many beautiful natural places around us owned by Trustees, Greenbelt and Audubon and I encourage you to explore nature with your children! Some of my favorites include Hamlin Reservation in Ipswich and Appleton Farms. The first snow of the year, is a great time to get outside!


We currently have a food drive going on, and will extend this until Friday, December 15th. Please see the attached blurb about what we are accepting.


Lastly, there is a lot coming up!

We are planning a Community Day on Wednesday, December 20th for multi age groups to get together for a schoolwide “We Belong” craft, and we are planning our annual sing-along and PJ day on Friday, December 22nd.


I hope that we all carve out moments to enjoy this season, family and the beauty in our lives.


Warmly,

Juliana 


From the Office:

Please check (or have your children check) Lost and Found; we are overflowing with coats, sweatshirts, hats, mittens, and gloves, and are running out of space for them. 

If you haven't already done so, please update your information in Aspen.

UPDATING INFORMATION IN ASPEN:

Below are the steps to follow. It is very important we have accurate and updated information. Thank you!

In order to review, edit and sign off on the documents please follow these steps:Login to your Aspen account through the parent portal. If you need assistance with logging in, please email aspenhelp@hwschools.net
Once you login, click the Initiate button in the Start a new Student and Contact Information Update box.Error! Filename not specified.
Click on Each Tab and Review/Update the information.

***Some fields are required and you will not be able to submit until they are completed.***

In order to confirm your child’s Aspen and medical information, the Digital Signature box requires a Yes answer before signing your name. No updates will be made without your digital signature, even if you “finish” completing the form.If you start to fill out the form and need to finish it at a later time, you may click on the Save & close button at the bottom of the form. To resume filling out the form, click on the green check mark next to your student’s name under Resume working on any Student and Contact Information Update that has already been started. Error! Filename not specified.
When the information is entered how you want, click on Submit.
The information will be sent to the main office for review before being updated in Aspen.

**Please ensure all information is as you would like. Once it is submitted, it cannot be edited until after review has been completed.**

The student handbook and relevant policies are linked in Aspen and require your review and signature and are included in this process of updating information.

Please contact us at aspenhelp@hwschools.net if you need assistance.

From the Health Office:

Guidelines for Dismissal or Reasons to Keep Your Child Home from School:

In an effort to minimize the spread of contagious illness, the Hamilton Wenham Regional School District has developed the following guidelines for determining whether your child needs to be sent home or stay home from school: Fever (elevated temperature of 100.0 or higher). Must remain home until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines, such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil).
Vomiting or diarrhea. May return to school 24 hours after the last episode.
Generalized rash of unknown origin. Must be evaluated by a doctor and provide a note for re-entry into school.
Live head lice. Must be treated at home, and then re-checked by the school nurse, preferably with a parent/guardian present, upon return to school.
Red or pink itchy eyes with crusty and/or green/yellow drainage. May return to school when there is no drainage and/or on medication for 24 hours.
Strep throat. May return 12-24 hours after beginning antibiotic treatment and feeling better.
Uncontrollable cough or symptoms that make your child unable to function in the classroom.

COVID-19 Guidance for K-12 schools:

Children and staff who test positive must isolate for at least 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever free without the use of fever-reducing medicine fo1 24 hours, they may return to school after Day 5 and should wear a high-quality mask through Day 10 If the individual is able to mask, they must do so through Day 10.If the individual has a negative test on Day 5 or later, they do not need to mask
If the individual is unable to mask, they may return to programming with a negative test on Day 5 or later.

This list is a guideline. The School Nurse reserves the right to dismiss students who, in their professional opinion, are possibly contagious or are too ill to be in school.

Dr. Michael Yoon, School Physician
Lea Tabenkin, BSN, RN, NCSN, District Nurse Leader and HWRHS Nurse
Darlene Budds MSN, RN, NCSN, Cutler School Nurse
Jessica Baker, BSN, RN, NCSN, Winthrop School Nurse
Lisa Druskat, BSN, RN, NCSN, Buker School Nurse
Lynne Nardella, LPN, District Float Nurse
Maribeth Ting, MSN, RN, NCSN, MRMS Nurse


From the Cafeteria:
Lunch Menus:
Here is the link to access the lunch menu:  Elementary Lunch Menu

From the Superintendent's Office:


Please click the below link regarding a school committee vacancy:

School Committee Vacancy


For the Acord Food Pantry: There is a box in our front lobby for donations.




From the Hamilton-Wenham Police Department:


From the HW Special Education Advisory Council: 




The Hamilton-Wenham Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)

Parents Rights Workshop

Monday, December 11th from 6 – 8pm

 via ZOOM

The workshop will be presented virtually via ZOOM by Tracey Morgan, a special education advocate. Everyone must register via the Zoom link in order to receive the meeting link and presentation materials for this workshop.

 

This workshop will provide a comprehensive introduction to special education laws and procedures. We will cover the purpose of the law, referrals, evaluations, and the team meeting process including determining eligibility.  You will also learn what to do if the student is not eligible and the parent’s procedural due process rights for resolving disputes. The Federation for Children with Special Needs hosts additional parent workshops on topics such as “Transition Planning” and “Understanding the IEP”. Dates and times of all Federation-sponsored events can be found on their website: https://fcsn.org/event-calendar/

 

Registration Link: https://fcsn-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsf-GtrDsjEtYZWq1LlIYvbm-irZjyoPDc       

 




The FoC team continues to celebrate our annual school theme of "We Belong" by supporting field trips to Massachusetts Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary.  In recent (and upcoming!) weeks, our third, fourth, and fifth graders will learn about our local ecology.  On a winter hike, our students will examine survival strategies of animals in winter and learn basic tracking identification skills while investigating winter habitats.  The fourth graders went last week, our fifth graders head out this week, and our third graders will enjoy this experience next week! 

In addition to this, FoC was thrilled to sponsor the Learnin' The Ropes jump rope assembly, which proved to be a fun and inspiring event for the whole school last week! Check out pictures from the event on our Facebook page.  

Finally, Friends of Cutler is looking forward to a busy, fun-filled December!  
  • Join us in spreading holiday cheer to the Cutler team by donating some yummy baked goods to our annual cookie swap on December 18th
  • And Save the Date for one of our favorite new Cutler traditions, the Winter Solstice Stroll December 19th from 4:30 - 5:30!  Bundle up and bring your whole family as we bring light and good cheer to the year ahead!