Dear LAW Families,
With warm greetings, the entire staff of Lura A. White Elementary School extends a hearty welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! We are thrilled to embark on this educational journey in collaboration with you, fostering an environment where our children can flourish and achieve their utmost potential. Recognizing that a child's success thrives on the partnership between home and school, we eagerly anticipate the positive impact we can create together.
At the core of our mission is a shared responsibility for your child's academic achievement, and we are committed to fulfilling our role to the best of our abilities. To this end, we kindly request your guidance and support as we aim to ensure your child's success. We encourage you to assist your child in the following ways:
- Consistent Attendance: Ensure your child attends school punctually, prepared for the day's enriching learning experiences.
- Homework Completion: Support your child in completing all assignments provided by their teachers.
- Nurturing Reading: Foster a love for reading by encouraging daily reading sessions to enhance literacy skills.
- Open Communication: Engage in conversations with your child about their school experiences, promoting an understanding of their academic journey.
- Seeking Help: Encourage your child to reach out if they require extra assistance in any subject.
- Belief in Success: Convey your expectation that your child will excel in their educational endeavors.
We extend an invitation for your participation in our school volunteer events, as your involvement directly enriches our students' learning experiences and the overall school environment. Our dedicated PTO is actively seeking volunteer assistance, so be on the lookout for opportunities throughout the academic year.
In the upcoming weeks, we will be sharing a list of activities where we could greatly benefit from your assistance. Additionally, during the Open House event, we plan to have a sign-up sheet available for your convenience.
Some of the areas where your support could make a difference include:
- Assisting teachers in instructional activities
- Engaging with students who would benefit from extra reading support
- Contributing to school-wide events
- Participating in student recognition programs
- Collaborating on outreach and recruiting efforts for parent and community volunteers
Attached, you will find our school's behavior expectations document. We encourage you to review it with your child, ensuring a shared understanding of the standards that underpin a safe and productive school environment. If you have any queries regarding these expectations, please don't hesitate to contact me or discuss them with your child's teacher.
Being a part of the Lura A. White school community is a privilege that we hold dear. Your unwavering support is greatly appreciated, and we eagerly anticipate the fruitful partnership that lies ahead. Together, we will make this academic year remarkable and impactful for our students.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Lewis, Principal
Dr. Donaher, Assistant Principal
Behavior Expectations Matrix:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gSNzKRkQCEhq15x_ZKIL5ZsupWF6LerG6qKmoZ1yOAk/edit?usp=sharing
Important Dates to Remember
Aug. 30th - Kindergarten Screening for those who missed the screening in May/June.
Aug. 31st. - LAW Kindergarten Orientation: Students will attend with last names ending A-L 9:15- to 10:00 and M-Z 10:15 - 11:00.
Sept. 1 and 4 - No School Labor Day Weekend
Sept. 5 - First Day of Kindergarten
Sept. 8 - First School Wide Meeting - Topic: School-Wide Behavior Expectations
Sept. 8 - Preschool Orientation @ Ayer Campus
Sept. 11 - First Day of Preschool
Sept. 12 - First PTO Meeting of the Season @ MS 7:00 p.m. Zoom link available on FB page.
Sept. 13 - Early 90 minute release - Dismissal @ 1:45 p.m.
Sept. 15 - United Way Day of Caring - Painting rooms and bathroom
Sept. 20 - School Committee Meeting @ 6:30 p.m. ASRMS
Sept. 21 - Open House-Picnic: Picnic -5:30- 6:15 Open House @ 6:15 - 8:00 p.m.
Sept. 22 - Spirit Day - It's Football Season - Wear your favorite team shirt or other apparel!
Sept. 24- Holdenwood Trail Run/Walk in Shirley Center - Click on link to register: http://www.holdenwoodtrailrun.org/
Coming in October- Enrichment Clubs will begin - Bullying Assembly Oct. 6th both sponsored by our PTO!
New Staff and Staff Changes
We would like to welcome the following new staff members:
Adjustment Counselor Gr. 3-5 -Mrs. Chasse - cchasse@asrsd.org
Adjustment Counselor Gr. K-2 - Mrs. Flaherty-Dawson - hflahertydawson@asrsd.org .
Inclusion Paraprofessional Gr. 5 - Emily DeBlasio
Inclusion Paraprofessional Gr. 4 - Emma Barry
Registered Behavior Technician - Amanda Brooks
Long Term Kindergarten Substitute - Erin Furman
Paraprofessional Gr. 3-5 Structured Learning Center - Brianna Hamel
We are still looking for a permanent building substitute, if you know of anyone who would be interested please reach out to me @ elewis@asrsd.org or call 978 772-8600 x1101 or 1100
PBIS Update!
Here at Lura A. White, we have 5 core values: respect, responsibility, safety, communication, and panther pride. To support our values, we run a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. This is a school-wide initiative in which we explicitly teach behavior expectations, and reward students with a green paw when students are “caught” following expectations. Students are able to maintain these green paws to cash in for prizes such as folders, pencils, fidget tools, backpacks, and more at a school store each week. All of our staff from teachers, to paraprofessionals, the school nurse, administrative assistants, bus drivers, custodians, and administrators all reward students with green paws.
Our PBIS Program is researched based, and has been developed to promote school safety and appropriate behavior. The focus of PBIS is prevention and reinforcement. In addition to rewarding students for following behavior expectations, we analyze student behavior data and look for trends where we may need a little more support.
After being cashed out at the school store, paws are entered into large raffles that are drawn from at our trimester rallies. Here, students and staff alike participate in fun-filled games and some students win prizes. We review our school-wide expectations and reward students for maintaining these standards across the school building and school day. Members of our Panther Leadership Team assist staff to pull off these big events. Some prizes have included scooters, footballs, passes to local ice cream stands, movie tickets, and much, much, more.
Finally, Golden Paws are rewarded to classes when the entire class is demonstrating or exceeding behavior expectations. Each class sets a goal of earning 6 Golden Paws. Once they have reached this goal, they are able to cash in for classroom-wide spirit days, events, and more. Some examples include pajama day, flexible seating day, or partner reading day. The students also have their classroom given a “shout out” on the morning announcements. This is a great way to work collaboratively to meet a common goal!
We are looking forward to another “Pawsitive” year with our PBIS program here at LAW! You are sure to hear about it from your child at home!
Kindergarten Updates
Kindergarten Screening: If your child was screened in May or June at the end of this past school year, you do not need to read on. However, if you registered after June your child is probably scheduled to be screened on Aug. 30th. If you do not have an appointment please reach out to Mrs. Ferguson @ 978 7728600 x1100
Orientation August 31st
The purpose of holding an orientation is to familiarize parents with procedures and protocols regarding Kindergarten so that you and your child will feel confident on the first day of school.
Orientation is two-fold. As parents, you will have the opportunity to meet with your child's teacher, see their surroundings and learn about the routines and expectations set forth by the classroom teacher. In addition, your child gets to attend the orientation and see their classroom and meet our Kindergarten staff, meet other Kindergarten students and even have some time playing on the playground (weather permitting).
Times for orientation: (use last initial)
A-L meet @ 9:15 - 10:00
M-Z meet @ 10:15 - 11:00
*Please enter the school at the main office when you arrive. You and your child will be escorted to the cafeteria for a brief introduction.
Agenda
Group A-L
9:15 - 9:25 Brief Introduction
9:30 - 10:00 Orientation in the classroom for parents
9:30- 10:00 Students enjoy the playground or inside activity
Group M-Z
10:15- 10:25 Brief Introduction
10:30- 11:00 Orientation in the classroom for parents
10:30- 11:00 Students enjoy the playground or inside activity
First Day of Kindergarten September 5th:
We are looking forward to having our new kindergarten students join the LAW Family. We will have extra eyes and hands onboard when you drop your child off for their first day of school to help them navigate their way to their classroom! So make sure you take those first school day photos at home!
We strongly suggest you put a tag or sticker that is visible on your child's backpack with the name of their teacher.
Parent Drop-Off and Pick-Up (for parents driving students to and from school) In case you missed it the first time!
Parent Drop-Off and Pick-Up (for parents driving students to and from school)
Parent Pick-Up (after school)
Here's how it works:
Parent pick up will take place on School St. (same as end of last year change)
You will enter from Harvard Rd and pull in front of the main entrance to retrieve your child(ren).
Your rear view mirror ticket number (see below for rearview mirror ticket info.) will correspond with your child’s name on the dismissal clipboard monitored by a staff member. Your child will be waiting inside and be summons to come to the pick-up spot.
You will arrive at the pick-up spot where a staff member will be waiting with your child.
Your child will wait behind barriers until you pull up to the designated loading spot. Your child will load on the left side of the car. Please make sure this side is clear and free for loading.
We ask that your child if capable open the car door. If they need help we will assist.
You will not be able to get out of your car.
If your child cannot buckle we ask that you pull forward to the "buckle spot" to avoid tying up the car line.
When you exit the parking lot you will continue on School St. and head toward Lancaster Rd.
No child will be allowed to enter a car without an identifying number hanging from the rearview mirror issued by LAW.
Parents without a rearview mirror number or parents with a change of pick up plans for the day will need to park on the far side across from the office entrance on School Street or in the baseball field parking lot and approach the main office to sign your child out.
Note if your child's pick up plans have changed for the day it should be determined earlier in the school day with a note or phone call to the school administrative assistant. Sandra Ferguson @ 978 772-8600 x1100
Parent Drop -off ( Morning)
Drop- off in the morning will remain much the same. Enter the back parking lot from Lancaster Rd., follow the arrows, look for school staff, stop let your child out and staff will direct them to the building door they need to enter. Students eating breakfast in K-5 will enter near the cafeteria and K students not eating breakfast will veer left and enter the 1936 brick building to begin their day.
IMPORTANT!!! Your parent pick up mirror ticket needs to be renewed every year!
How to Get a Parent Pick-up Ticket:
Every school year you will need to obtain a new rearview mirror ticket in order to pick your child up in the car pick up line after school. You can obtain these tickets from our administrative assistances. between Aug. 16th - Aug. 29th. If you are using multiple cars for parent pick-up, you can receive more than one ticket. Last year's mirror ticket will not be acceptable and you will need to obtain a new one.
ASRSD Extended Day Enrichment Program Information
2023/2024 Open Enrollment for students entering Kindergarten-Grade 5
The Ayer Shirley Extended Day Enrichment Program is a fee based program and offers “wrap around” care for students that attend Lura A. White Elementary School and Page Hilltop Elementary School. The program opens at 7:00am and closes at 5:30pm, Monday through Friday. We have space available at both sites.
We have dedicated space in both elementary schools. We are a P.L.A.Y. (Purposeful Learning All Year) based program. We will offer opportunities that will challenge your child to explore, discover, create, and grow at their own pace. Children learn to be cooperative members of a group and how to make their own choices; responsible, decision making, self-regulation and interpersonal skills.
If you are interested in sending your child/ren to the ASRSD Extended Day Enrichment Program this coming school year, fill out the attached 2023/2024 registration form. You can mail it to the Extended Day Enrichment Program, Attn. Maribeth Higgins, 115 Washington Street, Ayer MA 01432, scan (PDF) and send it to mhiggins@asrsd.org, or drop it off at our office at the Page Hilltop Elementary School or the Lura A. White Elementary School front office.
If you have any questions please call Maribeth Higgins at 978-772-8600 ext. 1467 or email at mhiggins@asrsd.org.
Best Regards,
Maribeth Higgins, M.Ed., Director
ASRSD Extended Day Enrichment Program
Early Childhood (ages 3 & 4)
School Age (Kindergarten-Grade 5)
Office Hours: 9:00AM-5:00PM
Office Address: 115 Washington, Ave 01432
Telephone Numbers: (978) 772-8600 ext. 1467 or 1128
Registration Form:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ih9OacEZnMUl83mmr63ickhIx9OAt8d2/view?usp=sharing
Open House and Family Picnic
There are many benefits to attending Open House:
- Meet the teacher
- Learn about the curriculum
- Meet other parents
- Opportunities to sign up to volunteer in your child's school
- Resources from outside organizations available
I will be sending out a separate invite as we get closer to the Open House Date with more details! Can't wait to see everyone in the building again.
Day of Caring - United Way - September 15th
As you may recall, we annually welcome United Way Volunteers to our school for special projects. On September 15th, these dedicated volunteers will be at Lura White, enhancing our environment by painting select classrooms and adding inspirational messages to the bathroom doors on the upper floor. In the past, United Way volunteers transformed our playground with painted games and constructed our school store. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to United Way for their invaluable contributions in making our school an even better place to learn and grow!
If you would like to volunteer to participate through the United Way for this project, please click on the following link:
