RUSSELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BACK TO SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 2015
A Message from Mrs. Hamilton
Welcome to a new school year! Welcome to Russell Elementary School!
After a very busy summer with the move out of Juniper Park and into Russell Elementary we are ready to begin!
I hope that you and your children are as excited about the new school year as all of us here are! The teachers and staff
have spent many hours getting rooms ready and transforming this new space into a warm and inviting place for teaching
and learning.
As with all big changes, we can expect a few bumps in the road. There will no doubt be unforeseen challenges as
navigate this new adventure. I ask that you be patient and communicate with me when you have questions or concerns.
Please also know that I highly value home/school communication. It is vital and plays an integral role in each student’s
success. Please do not hesitate to contact me if/when the need arises. I will do likewise.
As we begin this new year, the staff and I pledge to you . . . our students and parents . . . that this will be a wonderful
year of engaging, meaningful and rigorous work in our classrooms, along with some fun and special times in our school
community.
I look forward to a very positive and productive year together!
Important reminders about school hours
Students should be in their classrooms, ready to learn at 9:00 each morning! Doors open at 8:45. If your child will be
eating breakfast at school please be sure he or she is there for 8:45. Dismissal is at 3:00.
Important safety reminders during school arrival and dismissal
As we begin the school year in a new neighborhood, it is important to remind everyone to take caution when traveling
around schools, especially during arrivals and dismissals. Our new school is located at the end of a small quiet street.
Our presence will significantly increase traffic in the area. Please be mindful of the 20 MPH limit.
The parking area at Russell Elementary is small. When all spaces are filled, we ask that you park along the perimeter of
the back area. There is no parking in the fire lane.
At arrival time, buses will be entering left of the parking lot and traveling around to drop children off in front of the
cafeteria doors. Parents who are dropping their children off will enter the parking area and circle round to the front
school entrance. There will be staff members in both areas supervising and directing.
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When dropping off your child at school move safely and promptly through the drop off zone.
Be patient, be attentive and follow all school staff directions.
Please do not get out of your vehicle at the drop off area.
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When picking up your child, you will follow a similar pattern, going through the parking lot and waiting in line for
your child.
Please do not get out of your vehicle during this time so that we can have a steady, safe flow.
We encourage all families to take advantage of our school buses. We will be working together with the transportation
department and drivers to ensure that the children have a safe and comfortable ride to school. Please take time to talk
with your child about how they can Give a HOOT on the bus:
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Always follow the driver’s directions
Remain in seats and keep the aisles clear
Always keep arms, legs and heads inside the bus
Keep conversation at a reasonable level
There is no eating or drinking on the bus
Staff News: I am so pleased to welcome back our fine teaching team and equally pleased to introduce some new
members of our staff!
Mrs. Tarbox is teaching Health, Physical Education and heading our PBIS team. She comes with many years of experience
at Franklin Avenue School.
Ms. Considine is teaching Art on Thursdays and Fridays
Mr. Houle is with us full time this year teaching technology as well as science
Mrs. Roselli is with us half time as Reading Coach
Lynda Pierce is our Special Education Supervisor
Mrs.Wiechec will be working alongside Mrs. Howe in the office
Ms. Rigg will be working in Ms. Coughlan’s kindergarten
Mrs. Loughnane is our new Literacy Assistant
Mr. Barrows and Mr. Burns are our custodians
You are cordially invited to join the Russell Elementary Parent Teacher Cooperative:
Meetings for this year will generally be held the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm in the Library at
Russell Elementary School. For the months of February and April due to planned school breaks the PTC
meeting will be held on the 2nd Wed of the month. Please join us.
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September 16
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October 21
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November 18
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December 16
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January 20
February 10
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March 16
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April 13
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May 18
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June 15
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Stay tuned for more information about how you can be involved in this group!
Important dates to know:
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September 1st ~ Opening Day for grades 1 – 5
September 1st , 2nd , 3rd ~ Kindergarten meet and greets and orientation
September 8th ~ First day for our Kindergarten Friends
September 16th ~ PTC meeting 6:30 in our new library
September 24th ~ 6:30 – 7:30 Open House
Reminders about appropriate dress for active learning, inside and outdoors:
We are very fortunate to have beautiful grounds here at Russell Elementary School and our intention is to
have children learning and playing outside every day.
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Sneakers and other closed toe shoes are best and safest for active play
Dressing with layers is helpful when mornings are cool and temperatures rise during the day
Communication, communication, communication….
Especially during the first weeks of school, your children will be bringing many forms and letters home in their
backpacks. Please make it a point to check their folders each and every day. Timely return of forms is greatly
appreciated.
We are working to bring our website up to date and will continue to update it throughout the year. You can
find it at www.schoolsofwestfield.org Go to the dropdown menu “select a school” at the top of the page.
While we are in transition, select Juniper Park to get access to Russell Elementary News
We have a new telephone system. The main office number is 413-642-7130
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but
on building the new.”
Socrates