Winter Reading Challenge

Feel free to send me in any photos of your child reading. Refer to the Hot Cocoa paper for ideas or create your own. Students can bring in paper and receive a special note from the Principal and all photos will be shared on our digital bulletin board.

Reading to a Grandparent

Happy New Year Message and January Updates

Good Afternoon,

I wanted to wish families a wonderful and enjoyable break. We have had an extremely busy month for December and I am looking forward to the New Year with your children. School will resume as usual on Monday, January 4th. Mrs. Burke will be returning from her long term leave of absence as our Assistant Principal.
There are many things to look forward to in the New Year at the Shawsheen School. One is our initiative to encourage reading at home and as a school. Some of the ideas were developed  by a team of teachers including having one day a month in school with a special theme associated with reading and other fun ideas to get students excited about reading. We are going to finalize our initial ideas in the next month or so. In addition, a flyer was sent home in your child's backpack today and is attached that will kick off our reading initiative. It is completely an optional and fun paper to do if your child reads over break. They pick a marshmallow from the sheet and read with mittens on or to a pet, etc. If your child does any of these and you would like to send in a photo, I will be creating a bulletin board. This is a no pressure activity that is meant to be fun and can be handed in anytime during the winter months.

Another exciting enrichment program coming up in January is that Ooch is returning. Some families may remember him and his message about kindness and friendship. The students year after year really love his program.

In addition, on January 21st will be a family literacy night to promote digital resources. Barbara Raab, Wilmington Children’s Librarian, will present to parents ideas around new technologies in literacy while Linda Cornell, Elementary Reading Specialist, and teachers engage students with digital apps for education. The evening will conclude with a Winter themed scavenger hunt.
Please register in advance at: http://goo.gl/forms/Y2EwOPEF0f

Please view the principal’s blog for more upcoming dates for January.

Thank you for all that you do for our Shawsheen Staff and Families, we appreciate all your support in so many ways.
Thank you again and have a happy new year!
Mrs. King
Principal

December Updates

Good Evening Families,

This month is going to be very busy and go by fast. I wanted to update families on some staffing changes, upcoming dates and happenings. First, the Festival of Trees was a success and the students contributed by decorating the tree and writing their favorite book on a chain. The teachers donated books with special messages inside them. The tree is in our lobby for all to view as one of our teachers ended up winning it!

We also have some important dates to share. The Second Grade concert is coming up on December 14^th. Please check your child’s folder for your classroom times. In addition, we are having an early release day on Thursday, December 10^th at 12:00 for parent/teacher conferences. No lunches will be served. Please remember to enter through the front door for conferences and the secretary or administration will let you in.

In addition to some events, we have more changes to announce. We were so fortunate to have hired Ms. Gayna Akillian for Ms. Rene’s Maternity leave of absence.. Ms. Akillian has her Masters of Music from New England Conservatory of Music and her BA of music from Boston University. Ms. Akillian has a lot of experience teaching music and most recently just completed a long term leave in an elementary school. We are very lucky to have found someone with such great experience and enthusiasm for her job.

Also, Mrs. Lynn Vik is retired from the Shawsheen Elementary School as our Art Teacher. The children all made her special things from each grade level and we will miss her art expertise and her contributions to the Shawsheen School. However, it is with pleasure that we have hired Ms. Elissa Stopyra for the long term art leave. Many of you may remember Ms. Stropyra when she was here as an aide in the Pathways program. Some of you may not realize that Ms. Stropyra passion has been art and that she has her certification in Art and will be completing her Masters this spring. I am sure you will all join me in welcoming Ms. Stropyra back to the Shawsheen.

I also wanted to extend a special thank you to Mr. Richard Dineen who has done a tremendous job filing in for Mrs. Erin Burke as my Assistant Principal. Mrs. Burke will be returning after the winter break and Mr. Dineen’s last day will be December 23rd. We will be having a special assembly for him so that the children and staff can thank him prior to the 23^rd.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year and enjoyable break. For more up to date information, please view the Principal’s blog at http://shawsheenschool.blogspot.com/

And follow us on Twitter @shawsheenschool.

Thank you,

Mrs. King

Principal

November Updates

Dear Families,

We have many events happening soon in the school that I wanted to update parents on. As I stated earlier, the Anti-bullying month went over great within the school. The students really enjoyed working on the pictures and doing different things around the building. To carry this momentum on with community outreach and being good citizens the students are currently working on letters to Veterans. We will be sending these to another teacher in Wilmington who will be sending them along to our Veterans in care packages or to hospitals.  In addition, the Shawsheen School will be donating a tree to the Festival of Trees this year again. Teachers will be donating a book signed by the teacher with a message and each student will write their favorite book on a slip of paper which will be made into a chain around the tree. Look for our tree at the event on December 5^th and 6th! We are continuing to encourage students to read at home and are in the process of formulating some ideas to incorporate monthly reading events at school including book talks, book reviews and much more. 

Some upcoming dates include the following:

November 14^th-PAC Holiday Fair at Shawsheen

November 17^th-PAC Meeting at Shawsheen Evening

November 19^th-Picture Retake Day in the morning

November 20^th-Bus Safety Rescheduled in a.m, Early Release Day

November 25^th-Early Release Day, thanksgiving break, Term 1 closes.
November 26th-27th-No School

Thank you and have a great day,

Mrs. King

Fall Updates

Dear Families,

The fall can be very busy time of year and many things are happening around the building. I wanted to send families an update on all these happenings. We are making a ton of progress with our read a thon through the PAC. It is so exciting to see how much students are reading at home and logging in their minutes. So far for West and Shawsheeen combined we have read a total of 19,312 minutes! Please continue to help your child log minutes in at home and if you would prefer to make direct donations to the PAC instead of the online read a thon, you may do so by sending in cash or check to the Shawsheen/West Pac in an envelope.

In addition to the read a thon the WEF walk will be taking place on Thursday, October 29^th at 2:00. The walk will last for about 20 minutes. The form was sent home and a reminder will be sent home with specifics on Friday. Parents are welcome to join us for the walk!

Also, we sent home a notice to encourage students to create an anti-bullying picture/message that will be displayed in the school for this month. We will be selecting some from each grade to be made into posters for the building. Students can make this on the back of the paper that was sent home or any paper that they wish to use.

In November, there will be a literacy evening at the Woburn Street School for both parents and students. Please click on this link below for more information on this and to register for the event. Registration is required so that they have enough staffing and materials. Last year this event was a huge success and the students had a great time.  https://goo.gl/bJH0qX

Also in November we have vision and hearing screening. This will take place on 11/3-11/9. Please contact the school nurse Mrs. Mary Duffy at mary.duffy@wpsk12.com if you are interested in volunteering. We are in desperate need of volunteers for this.

For more up to date information you can follow the principal blog at http://shawsheenschool.blogspot.com/.

Thank you,

Mrs. King

Parent Volunteers Needed

Parent Volunteers Needed

The Shawsheen School is looking for parent volunteers to assist with vision and hearing screenings, November 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, from 9-11:30.  If interested please contact Sharon Elderd, the Clerical Assistant for Health Services at (978)694-6060 x6615.  Training will be provided.

Stomp Out Bullying Day on Monday, October 5th!

Join the district and wear a Blue Shirt to send the message to Stomp Out Bulling!

Upcoming Dates in October

October 5th-Wear Blue Shirt Day for Bullying Prevention
October 6th-Fire Safety
October 8th-Picture Day
October 9th-NO SCHOOL
October 13th-Anti-bullying pictures due in
October 19th-Random Act of Kindness week
October 19th-Start of Book fair
October 26th-Character Education Bulletin Boards
October 29th-Owl visit grade 3 and WEF Halloween WALK time to TBD

Math Newsletter for parents is a great resource!

Math Newsletter for parents is a great resource!
https://sites.google.com/a/wpsk12.com/wps-prek-5-math/

A Message From the PAC

What is the PAC

The Shawsheen-West PAC (Parent Advisory Council) is a group of parents/guardians who work closely with school administration from both the Shawsheen and the West and are very dedicated to helping our schools be the best they can be. The PAC conducts fundraising activities that provide funds for grants for teachers, enrichment programs for classrooms, and much, much more.

Stay in Touch

PAC website: http://wpsk12.com/shawsheen/westside-pac/
Visit our website for meeting schedule, info on ongoing fundraisers, upcoming events, and more.

PAC email address: shawsheenwestpac@gmail.com

Sign up link to receive PAC emails: http://eepurl.com/AGKqD
Get monthly news, updates and last minute notices delivered directly to your email.

PAC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/shawsheenwest.pac

PAC Volunteer Opportunities: https://www.volunteerspot.com/Group/1216894174046/

Rhonda Finberg
Shawsheen/West PAC President

Open House Letter

Dear Shawsheen Parents/Guardians:

We would like to cordially invite you to attend our Open House to be held on Thursday evening,September 24, 2015.  We are asking parents to report to your child’s classroom for an information sharing session. We have scheduled a separate session for each grade level as follows:

v      Grade 3  – 6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.  ~ Information Session will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m.

v      Grade 1  – 6:45 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  ~ Information Session will begin promptly at 6:45 p.m.

v      Grades 2 – 7:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. ~ Information Session will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m.

v      Special Education Classrooms  ~ Information Session in  B11, B15, and B16 will begin at 6:45 p.m.

v      Specialists and Support Staff  will be available to informally discuss their programs with you from       6:45 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. at the following locations:

o        Special Education Staff -  Learning Specialists - C19 & B12; Speech Pathologists -  C19B

o        Reading Support Staff – C18 and C19A

o        Health – C17

o        Music –B9

o        Art – B10

o        Library –

o        Guidance Counselor – Across from the Main Office

o        Nurse-Nurses office

o        Physical Education-Gymnasium 

Since the school year has just begun, the purpose of this meeting is not to discuss individual student progress.  These individual discussions will take place during parent/teacher conferences or by appointment, if necessary.  Teachers will share their curriculum plans with you, as well as the classroom routines.  We would like to remind you that this event is for parents only. We appreciate your efforts in making arrangements to have someone stay with your child(ren).  Please allow extra time to park since we anticipate a big turnout.

Spirit Day

Show your School Spirit on Friday, September 25th!

Let's celebrate our first full week of school!

Wear Wilmington colors, favorite sports teams, town teams or however you would like to show school spirit.

Glow Sticks For ALICE Safety Buckets

We are collecting glow sticks for the ALICE Safety Buckets. Each school is collecting something different. We will be keeping a donation box outside of the office. If you would like to donate you may do so by bringing them in on open house evening or sending them in with your child. We are trying to reach a total of 500-600 glow sticks!

Early Release Day Tomorrow

Our first early release day is tomorrow, September 18th. Students will be dismissed at 11:55 and no lunches will be served. Please send in a note if your child is going home on a different means of transportation than usual.

Thank you and have a great weekend.

Mrs. King

Bus Routes Are Posted

Shawsheen/West
Bus #5 ~ Morning
1st Bus Stop Time: 8:25
389 Shawsheen Ave
75 Nichols St
Nichols St @ Ohio St
Nichols @ Russell
Russell @ Aspen
New Hampshire Rd @ Kansas
New Hampshire @ Vermont
New Hampshire Rd @ Bradford
Nichols @ Flagstaff
Nichols @ Fifth St
11 Fairmeadow
42 Fairmeadow Rd
Fairmeadow @ Jere Rd
S/W
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #5 ~ Afternoon
389 Shawsheen Ave
75 Nichols St
Nichols St @ Ohio St
Nichols @ Russell
Russell @ Aspen
New Hampshire Rd @ Kansas
14 New Hampshire
New Hampshire @ Vermont
New Hampshire Rd @ Bradford
Nichols @ Flagstaff
Nichols @ Fifth St
11 Fairmeadow
42 Fairmeadow Rd
Fairmeadow @ Jere Rd
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #7 ~ Morning
1st Bus Stop Time: 8:05
Burlington Ave @ Floradale
67 Burlington Ave
Burlington Ave @ Harris
15 Harris
Burt @ Cedar
Burt @ Hillcrest
Burt @ Canal
Canal @ Corey
Canal @ Old Shawsheen
44 Shawsheen Ave
Shawsheen @ Carter Lane
Shawsheen @ Amherst
Shawsheen @ Cushing Dr
Shawsheen @ Moore St
Shawsheen @ Manning St
Lt. Buck Drive (Rte. 129) by Moore
220 Shawsheen Ave
S/W
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #7 ~ Afternoon
Pick up West
Pick up Shawsheen
Shawsheen @ Lt Buck Dr
Shawsheen @ Cushing Dr
Shawsheen @ Moore St
Shawsheen @ Manning St
220 Shasheen Ave
Old Shawsheen @ Amherst
Old Shawsheen Ave @ Carter Lane
44 Shawsheen Ave
Canal @ Old Shawsheen
Canal @ Corey
Canal @ Burt
Burt @ Hillcrest
Burt @ Cedar
14 Harris
74 Burlington Ave
67 Burlington Ave
Burlington Ave @ Floradale
W/S
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #8 ~ Morning
1st Bus Stop Time: 8:15
Chestnut St @ Patches Pond
61 Chestnut St
Chestnut @ AppleTree
69 Chestnut St
88 Chestnut St
98 Chestnut St
109 Chestnut St
149 Chestnut
Chestnut St @ Marion St Ext
Chestnut St @ Mill Rd
229 Chestnut St
285 Chestnut
19 Hillside Way
22A Hillside Way
336 Chestnut
342 Chestnut St
401 Chestnut St
407 Chestnut St
438 Chestnut St
421 Chestnut St
398 Chestnut St
Chestnut St @ Navajo
244 Chestnut St
WEST
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #8 ~ Afternoon
106 Burlington Ave (after fence on right)
32 Chestnut St
Chestnut St @ Patches Pond
61 Chestnut St
Chestnut @ AppleTree
69 Chestnut St
88 Chestnut St
98 Chestnut St
109 Chestnut St
149 Chestnut St
Chestnut @ Marion St Ext
Chestnut St @ Mill Rd
229 Chestnut St
244 Chestnut St
285 Chestnut St
19 Hillside Way
22A Hillside Way
336 Chestnut St
342 Chestnut St
Chestnut St @ Navajo
401 Chestnut St
407 Chestnut St
483 Chestnut St
421 Chestnut St
S/W
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #10 ~ Morning
1st Bus Stop Time: 8:20
166 Lake St
Grove @ Railroad
Grove Ave @ Burnap
126 Grove Ave
Grove Ave @ Park Ave
Grove St @ Burnap
34 Grove Ave
8 Grove Ave
Lake St @ Silverhurst Ave
Lake Street @Fitz Terrace
118 Lake Street
5 Radcliff
16 South St
137 Lake St
Lake St @ Jaques
166 Lake St
S/W
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #10 ~ Afternoon
166 Lake Street
Lake St @ Jaques
Grove Ave @ Railroad
Grove Ave @ Burnap
126 Grove Ave
Grove Ave @ Park Ave
78 Grove Ave
Grove St @ Burnap
34 Grove Ave
8 Grove Ave
Lake St @ Silverhurst Ave
Lake Street @ Fitz Terrace
Lake St @ Warren Rd
118 Lake Street
5 Radcliff
16 South St
137 Lake St
W/S
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #11 ~ Morning
1st Bus Stop Time: 8:15
57 Clark St
7 Stone Ave
Washington @ Stone
14 Washington Ave
Miles @ Dewey
Pine @ Hobson
Hobson @ Wiser
Wisser @ Taplin
Brand St @ Baker St
Baker St @ Phillips St
Wisser @ Main St
Shawsheen @ Sherburn Place
121 Shawsheen Ave
17 Aldrich Rd
24 Apache Way
Aldrich Road @ Bailey Road
Aldrich Road @ Mozart
W/S
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #11~ Afternoon
87 Aldrich Road
Aldrich Road @ Mozart
Aldrich Road @ Bailey Road
Aldrich Road @ Apache
33 Aldrich
17 Aldrich Rd
Shawsheen @ Sherburn Place
Miles @ Hobson
Pine @ Hobson
Hobson @ Wiser
Wisser @ Taplin
Brand St @ Baker St
Baker St @ Phillips St
14 Washington Ave
Washington @ Stone
7 Stone Ave
29 R Clark
S/W
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus# 12 ~ Morning
1st Bus Stop Time: 8:15
Bridge Lane @ Brand Ave
Mass Ave @ River St
Glen Rd @ Miller Rd
Glen Rd @ Jones Ave
Main St @ Williams Ave
Main St @ Davis Rd
Main St @ Fairfield Rd
Main St @ Lloyd
Marjorie Rd @ Beeching St
Glen Ave @ Main
43 Main St
Main St @ Veranda
S/W
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus# 12 ~ Afternoon
182 Main Street
Glen Rd @ Jones Ave
Glen Rd @ Miller Rd
Mass Ave @ River St
Main St @ Williams
Main St @ Davis Rd
Main St @ Fairfield Rd
Main St @ Lloyd
Marjorie Rd @ Beeching St
Glen Ave @ Main
Main @ Dexter Ave
43  Main St
Main St @ Veranda
Bridge Lane @ Brand Ave
S/W
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #13 ~ Morning
1st Bus Stop Time: 8:22
Towpath Dr @ Appletree
Towpath Dr @ Gatehouse Ln
Butters Row @ Factory Lane
34 Butters Row
49 Butters Row
Butters Row @ Elizabeth Dr
79 Butters Row
111 Aldrich Rd
Aldrich @ Andrew
130 Aldrich Rd
Buckingham @ Wakefield
Buckingham @ Cambridge
Buckingham @ Alice
Revere Rd @ end of cul-de-sac
S/W
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #13 ~ Afternoon
W/S
130 Aldrich Rd
Buckingham @ Wakefield
Buckingham @ Cambridge
Buckingham @ Alice
Revere Rd @ end of cul-de-sac
Aldrich @ Andrew
111 Aldrich Rd
Towpath Dr @ Appletree
Towpath Dr @ Gatehouse Ln
Butters Row @ Elizabeth Dr
90 Butters Row
84 Butters Row
49 Butters Row
Butters Row @ Factory Lane
34 Butters Row
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #14 ~ Morning
1st Bus Stop Time: 8:25
3 Hopkins St
Mink Run @ Chisolm
Mink Run @ Pouliot
Pouliot Place @ Blue Jay
Pouliot Place @ Cardinal
2901 Pouliot and Reed St
10 Harold St
Harold @ Shawsheen
Shawsheen @ Reed
19 Grace Drive
Grace @ Melody
S/W
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #14 ~ Afternoon
3 Hopkins St
Mink Run @ Chisolm
Mink Run @ Pouliot
Pouliot Place @ Blue Jay
Pouliot Place @ Cardinal
2901 Pouliot and Reed St
10 Harold St
Harold @ Shawsheen
Shawsheen @ Reed
17 Grace Drive
Grace @ Melody
W/S
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #15 ~ Morning
1st Bus Stop Time: 8:20
22 Hardin St
Jacquith Rd @ Hardin St
Kendall St @ Houghton Rd
1 Kendall St
Aldrich @ Avery
149 Aldrich St
Dorchester St @ Fourth
Dorchester St @ Second
Hopkins (#39) @ Sarafina
Hopkins @ Leonard
S/W
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #15 ~ Afternoon
Houghton @ Shawsheen
Houghton @ Hardin
Aldrich Rd @ Hardin St
Aldrich Rd @ Kendall St
Aldrich @ Avery
149 Aldrich St
Dorchester St @ Fourth
29 Dorchester St.
Dorchester St @ Second
Hopkins (#39) @ Sarafina
Hopkins @ Leonard
S/W
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #16 ~ Morning
1st Bus Stop Time: 8:20
Burlington Ave @ Pitman
249 Burlington Ave
Burlington Ave @ Swain Rd
274 Burlington Ave
306 Burlington Ave
Burlington @ Roosevelt
325 Burlington Ave
66 Forest St
Forest @ Randolph
45 Forest St
Forest St @ Clinton Rd
Forest St @ Cochrane Rd
Forest @ Carter
Forest St @ Edwards
Boutwell @ Roosevelt
7 Rooservelt
23 Rooservelt
Taft @ Swain
Swain @ Taft
182 Taft Rd
Boutwell St @ Presidential Dr
8 Boutwell
W/S
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #16 ~ Afternoon
Boutwell @ Roosevelt
7 Rooservelt
23 Rooservelt
Roosevelt @ Swain
Swain @ Taft
182 Taft Road
Boutwell St @ Presidential Dr
8 Boutwell
Burlington Ave @ Pitman
274 Burlington Ave
Burlington @ Roosevelt
325 Burlington Ave
66 Forest St
Forest @ Randolph
45 Forest St
Forest St @ Clinton Rd
Forest St @ Cochrane Rd
Forest @ Carter
Forest St @ Edwards
S/W
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #17 ~ Morning
1st Bus Stop Time: 8:12
78 Burlington Ave
120 Marion St
91 Marion St
Marion St @ Marion St. Ext. (Old Turnaround)
77 Marion St
52 Marion St
44 Marion St
Marion St @ Rollins
Marions St @ Day
16 Marion St
7 Marion St
Burlington Ave. @ Roberts	1st from Chestnut St
Castle @ Stonehedge
160 Burlington Ave
Burlington Ave @ Dell
Burlington Ave @ Beech St
Forest St @ Congress St
Aldrich @ Tomahawk
W/S
SHAWSHEEN AND WEST INT. SCHOOL
Bus #17 ~ Afternoon
Aldrich @ Tomahawk
Forest @ Carter Rd
Forest St @ Congress St
Burlington Ave @ Beech St
Burlington Ave @ Dell
160 Burlington Ave
Castle @ Stonehedge
Burlington Ave. @ Roberts	1st from Chestnut St
7 Marion St
16 Marion St
Marions St @ Day
Marion St @ Rollins
44 Marion St
52 Marion St
77 Marion St
120 Marion St
78 Burlington Ave
S/W