Dear Upham and Hunnewell Parents,
First and foremost, thank you for joining us during our Back to School Night. We are so appreciative of your support. As you know, our schools must have your partnership to provide a well-rounded experience. THANK YOU for your continued support.
You will read in this missive a couple of items about safety and an update on SEL (Social Emotional Learning).
Additionally, please be reminded that when you park in the court area for dismissal, please park on the sides first and try to back into the spaces to avoid backing up. It can be not easy to see children and parents walking through the lot. Please be extra careful when exiting.
The Massachusetts Child Passenger Safety
The Massachusetts Child Passenger Safety law requires children to ride in a federally approved passenger restraint that is properly fastened and secured until they are
8 years old OR 4 feet 9 inches tall.
Belt-positioning booster seats are generally used for children between 4 and 8 years old, who weigh between 40 and 80 pounds.
Booster seats help a seat belt fit your child correctly. The shoulder belt should cross the child’s shoulder, and the lap belt should cross the hips.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children 12 years of age and under sit in the vehicle’s rear seat, use an appropriate car seat or lap, and shoulder belt.
Resource: Boston Children’s Hospital and American Academy of Pediatrics
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Update
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is embedded throughout our teaching in our Upham and Hunnewell classrooms. Currently, we are focusing on the SEL core competency of Responsible Decision Making. Teachers have already established their classroom rules and expectations and reviewed our school-wide behavior expectations using the acronym S.O.A.R., which stands for Safety, Outstanding effort, Always be kind, and Respect. All our students have the opportunity to earn a “feather” when they exhibit behavior that exemplifies one of these core values. Additionally, our school social worker, Samantha Kropp, and our school psychologist, Rebecca Hoitash are visiting all the classrooms to teach lessons on Whole Body Listening, Expected and Unexpected Behavior, and Bullying Prevention. Please follow the links for additional information on these topics.
Important Dates
Wednesday, September 20 – Back to School Night (6 pm – Grades 3-5 & 6:30 pm – Grades K-2)
Friday, September 22 – All School Assembly, 8:45 am -Parents Welcome
Monday, September 25- No School, Yom Kippur
Monday, October 2- Picture Day
Wednesday, October 4 – METCO Stay Day
Thursday, October 5 – 2nd Grade Tidepooling Field Trip
Monday, October 9 – No School, Indigenous Peoples Day
Have a wonderful long weekend.
Dare to Dream,
Mr. Dees