JGW Family Memo 8/25

Posted on August 24, 2023

Hello JGW Community,

The best time of the year is next week!!! We are at the last weekend of summer and the first day of school is on Tuesday. We can not wait to welcome our scholars back for a new year of learning. Hope to see you all at the Open House on Monday night. 

Open House: Is scheduled for Monday August 28th at 6pm-7:30pm. We will use the same structure as last year. Tables for each teacher will be outside of the building and families can find their child’s teachers and get information to start to build a relationship with staff. 7/8th grade teachers will be on the Pentucket Lake side of the building, specialists will be in the courtyard, and 5/6th grade teachers will be on the opposite side of the building. We will also have the opportunity for 5th grade families to tour the building. 

First Day of School: Tuesday August 29th 

Friday September 1st: Is a half day.

Fresh STARt Party: On Friday September 1st we will have our annual Fresh STARt party during the school day. Fresh STARt Party is an activity to celebrate our core values of STAR

Success, Teamwork, Accountability, and Respect.

Scholars will be outside and able to play a variety of sports- basketball, football, soccer, and wiffle ball. Draw at our art mural, dance with Mr. G our music teacher, get their face painted, or play tug of war. We will also have a dunk tank and for the low price of $1 scholars will have the opportunity to dunk Mr. Condon. All proceeds will go toward funding our school store. 

Our school store will open in October. Scholars do not pay with money; they can earn STAR points during the school day for showing our core values. Scholars last year were able to buy school supplies, jibbitz, stickers, JGW hats, JGW T-shirts, and everyone’s favorite JGW hoodies. 

HPS Wellness Department Family Topic: Mental Health and Vaping: 

School Supply List: ​​https://whittier.haverhill-ps.org/2023/08/02/school-supply-list-2/

PTO Newsletter: JGW PTO Newsletter Sept 2023

PTO Box Tops for Education Fundraiser: BTFE_Overview

Calendar: Whittier website is update and we have added community events to our calendar

https://whittier.haverhill-ps.org/events/

Community Events:

  • Open House: Aug. 28th 6pm-7:30pm
  • First Day of school: Aug. 29th
  • 8th Grade Washington DC Meeting: Tuesday Sept. 12th 6pm (JGW cafe)
  • Picture Day: Tuesday September 26th 
  • PTO Movie Night: September 29th 7pm
  • Pumpkin Stroll and Trick or Trunk: October 18th 6:30pm-8pm
  • Parent Teacher Conferences: Oct. 26th 6pm-7:30pm
  • Thanksgiving Dinner: Nov. 15th
  • 7/8th Grade Dance: Dec. 1st 5pm-6:30pm
  • 5/6th grade Dance: Feb. 2nd 3pm-4:30pm
  • Trivia Night: Feb. 8th
  • *We will continue to update the calendar and send notices before each event

Staff Emails: We also updated the website to include email and all current and new staff to the building. https://whittier.haverhill-ps.org/staff-listing/

Water Bottles: Since COVID the school has replaced the old water fountains with water filling stations. For our scholars to access water they need a water bottle. PLEASE ADD THIS TO YOUR LIST OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES. 

Morning/After School Drop Off and Pick Up: 

5/6th Graders: Drop off and pick up will be in the main parking lot (if you are looking at the building on the right side of the building. Cars will drive in the parking lot to the right and create a circle around the parked cars and let their scholar at the corner of the building by the cafeteria. 7/8th Graders: Drop off and pick up will be at the corner of Crest Ave and Concord St. We will have staff in that area to help for the first few weeks of school. 

PTO/Site Council Meetings Dates and Times:

PTO: please join our monthly PTO meetings at JGW. This group of family members helps support our teachers and scholars here at Whittier.

School Site Council: A school council is a representative, school building-based committee composed of the principal, families, and teachers. This group helps make building based decisions on the School Improvement Plan (SIP), programs, building upgrades, and supports the budget process. If you would like to be a part of the School Site Council please email me directly at matthew.condon@haverhill-ps.org. 

Location: JGW

Time: Site Council 5pm-6pm and PTO 6pm-7pm

Dates: 

  •  9/13/2023
  • 10/11/2023
  •  11/8/2023
  • 12/13/2023
  • 1/10/2024
  • 2/7/2024
  • 3/13/2024
  • 4/10/2024
  • 5/8/2024
  • 6/12/2024

Haverhill Public Schools Countdown Tips:

  • Reach out now to share any changes that have occurred for your student. Did you move?  Have a new phone number or email? Maybe there is a change in a medical condition?  Communicate this with your school now for a smooth start to the school year. find your school contact information here https://www.haverhill-ps.org/
  • Start talking to your child in a positive manner about school.  Whether they are in 1st grade or 12th grade each school year brings excitement but also brings anxieties.  Allow your children to talk about their feelings without judgment.  All feelings are valid and the more your child can share their thoughts with you, the better equipped they are to face any challenge that may come their way. Not sure how here’s some tips https://childmind.org/article/help-children-manage-fears/
  • Don’t wait for school to start to get your child back on a sleep schedule.  Waking up late or not getting enough sleep can add unneeded stress to those first few days of school. Create a bedtime routine now, that includes turning off all electronic devices at least an hour before they go to sleep. https://www.thensf.org/back-to-school-sleep-tips/
  • Check Supplies!  Summer is not only a time of relaxation but also a time of growth.  Don’t wait until the last minute to see if their school clothes and shoes fit, or maybe it’s a new backpack or lunch box. When the first day of school does come, be sure to lay everything out the night before so you can save more time for those first day of school pictures.
  • Practice the expected.  No matter how your student gets back and forth to school, start practicing now.  Walk or bicycle with them to school, to the bus stop or drive over to school.  Look into forming carpools or walking buddies for the school year.  https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/safety-on-the-way-to-school.aspx
  • Schedule your child’s Doctor, Dentist, and other appointments now so that you can get times that have minimal impact on their school day.  Good physical and mental health is essential to being in school and effectively learning.  Here is some great information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about your child’s well-being and school attendance. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/school/Pages/School-Attendance-Truancy-Chronic-Absenteeism.aspx
  • Enjoy these last few days of summer! We can’t wait to see our Poets back at school.

 

Matt Condon

Principal

JGW

#LEGACY