MOSCA MARTIAL ARTS IS BACK AT BOYDEN
This 4-week class is for students in grades K-2 and will take place in the gymnasium on Thursdays in October.
Literacy Screener for Grades K-3
Our teachers have many ways to check your child’s reading development and growth, including an early literacy universal screening assessment. Early literacy universal screening assessments are brief tests that provide information about your child’s early reading skills. Screening makes it possible to see if a student is at risk of developing reading difficulties, including risk of dyslexia. Screening does not diagnose dyslexia or other disabilities, but it does help us understand which students may need additional support to be successful readers. We are required to assess students in grades K-3 at least twice per year consistent with Massachusetts regulation 603 CMR 28.03(1)(f).
Our district uses the screening assessment called iReady. This screening assessment is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Your child will be assessed two or three times during the school year, depending on grade level. Grades 1-3 will be given the computer adaptive assessment in the Fall. Kindergarten will be given the computer adaptive assessment in the Winter. Assessments given in the Winter and Spring will also include offline literacy task assessments for grades K-3.
The tentative schedule for this school year is shown below.
Screening Assessment Months (Subject to Change)
Kindergarten
- January
- May
Grades 1 - Grade 3
- September
- January
- May
Following the screening assessment, a team at our school will review all students’ results. If your child scores significantly below benchmarks, we will contact you to discuss how we can support your child.
Screening is another step that helps students at our school become proficient readers, and we are grateful for the continued support and partnership with the Boyden families. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Boyden School Council
We are in need of two parents to join the School Council. Meetings are typically On Wednesdays from 3:45 - 4:45 approximately five times during the year. If you are interested or have questions, please contact me.
The Boyden School Council is an advisory group that plays an important role in many aspects of the school. It is required by law that all schools have a School Council. According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE), the main areas of responsibility for School Councils are as follows:
“The law outlines four major areas of responsibility for councils. School councils are to assist principals in:
Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards
Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school
Reviewing the annual school building budget
Formulating a school improvement plan”
For more information on School Councils, visit the DESE link below:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/advisory/schoolcouncils/default.html
What's Happening in Art Class?
Check out more here:
PAC News
Volunteer Opportunities
The Boyden PAC needs you! Check out the sign-up genius below for many exciting opportunities to volunteer and enrich the Boyden community during the 2023-2024 school year. You can help with a Halloween Trunk or Treat, work on the school's Scholastic Book Fair, connect teachers and parents for your student's grade, and much more!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849A8A828A7FCC34-44091848-boyden
Thank you for your help!
- PAC fundraising supports activities that benefit Boyden students, teachers, and staff throughout the year. Information on how to make a donation can be found here or on the direct donation flyer sent home with students. Thank you!
Math Update
It has been great to see the excitement as students enter our second year in the Bridges Math Curriculum. They are enjoying the activities in Number Corner, the daily routine that builds number sense and flexible thinking around numbers and concepts. We have also had a fantastic launch of ST Math. The goal this year is for all students to reach 80% of their journey by mid-May, and many of them are already on their way. Students are anxiously awaiting JiJi’s first visit to celebrate what a great start to the year they have had.
We also wanted to take this opportunity to remind our returning families and share with our new families the link for our Family Math Website which is full of great resources and information to help build your child’s math disposition, conceptual knowledge, and basic skills through at-home activities. There are so many activities students can do at home to build their math skills from reading books to playing board and card games to even going on a grocery shopping trip and talking about all the different ways they see and use numbers at the store. In future notes, different parts of our website will be highlighted to share more specific examples of things you can do at home. We are looking forward to a great year of mathematical learning and building math confidence in all of our students!
News from the Digital Learning Coach
Students at Boyden are already using devices within their classrooms for academic purposes. Mrs. Carroll, the Digital Learning Coach, has been visiting classrooms with lessons about Digital Health and Well Being. These lessons will continue for students throughout the year. The first lessons are about Caring for Devices and Being a Digital Leader.
Do you have 5 minutes to take this online safety quiz? Along with the quiz there are helpful hints from ‘online safety experts’ that provide the reader with some great information in several areas including sleep, screen time, gaming and social media use. These hints will guide you and your family towards a positive experience online.
Take the Online Safety Quiz - From the WPS Online Safety Hub
Private Lessons through the WPS Music Department
The Walpole Public Schools Music Department is pleased to announce the fall session for our Private Lesson Program for students in grades 4-12. If your child is interested in taking private instrument or voice lessons, here is your chance. Lessons are offered in flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, tuba, piano, percussion, violin, viola, cello, guitar and voice. All lessons are taught by accomplished performers on their respective instruments. Most lessons are currently being taught virtually.
Session 1 will run from September 25 to January 26. Registration is open until Monday, September 18th.
For more information, visit:
https://sites.google.com/walpole.k12.ma.us/wpsmusic/private-lesson-program/overview
To register, visit:
https://www.familyid.com/walpole-public-schools/private-music-lessons-2023-2024-session-i
For questions, email:
Tim Fleming (K-12 Music Coordinator) at tfleming@walpole.k12.ma.us
Important Dates
October 6th - Early Release (12:25 Dismissal)
October 9th - No School
October 11th - Boyden School Council (3:30 PM) Boyden PAC Meeting (7:00 PM)
October 18th - Picture Day
October 23rd - Book Fair Begins (more info to follow)
October 25th - Parent/Teacher Conferences (6:00 - 8:00 PM)
October 27th - Early Release (12:25 Dismissal) (Parent/Teacher Conferences 1:00 - 3:00 PM)
November 2nd - Parent/Teacher Conferences (6:00 - 8:00 PM)
Click Here for the Walpole Public Schools School Year Calendar
