Volunteers Read to Memorial School Students for Read Across America on Friday, March 4

by Inanna Arthen
Around 15 volunteers visited Memorial Elementary School on Friday morning, March 4 to read aloud to students in the Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st Grade classes as part of the Read Across America campaign. Volunteer readers included Beals Memorial Library director Manuel King, Winchendon Chief of Police David Walsh, Superintendent of Schools Thad King, Chair of the Board of Selectmen Audrey LaBrie, Winchendon Courier publisher Inanna Arthen, Board of Health Chair Keith Kent, and many others.

Students and teachers dressed in a "Dr. Seuss" theme for the day, with jammies and fanciful hair styles inspired by Dr. Seuss illustrations. Some of the hair styles were impressive works of art in themselves, even on the littlest students.

Volunteers were ushered to their assigned classrooms by young students and their teachers. Some readers were provided books and some brought their own selections.

A meritorious project to promote reading and literacy to our youngest students, the Read Across America read-aloud was a fun time for all.

Congratulations
Winchendon Public Schools Educator of the Week
Chris Daigle
March 8, 2022

Currently working as WPS Technology K-5 Teacher, Mrs. Daigle has taught for 26 years, with 21 of those years in Winchendon. Chris is willing to step in and help out whenever possible of whenever she is needed. During the 2020-2021 school year, she assumed a new role that was meant to support teachers with remote learning. Part way through the year, she transitioned to being a remote classroom teacher to help with the large remote class sizes. Throughout all of that, Chris continued to support her colleagues as challenges arose regarding remote learning and using the technology. In our current school year, Chris is always willing to make herself available to help colleagues and students as they navigate the always changing technology. Chris continues to be a go to when technology questions need answers. In addition to her tech talents, Chris is always willing to help colleagues navigate situations that arise. She is a great mentor, colleague and teacher! When asked about her work, Chris replied, "What I love about being an educator is the connects I get to make with students. In my current position, I am able to work with students for a total of 6 years, and I believe that I am able to have a relationship with them that is different from a classroom teacher. Many come to me to talk because they have known me for years and feel comfortable with me."
Thank you for everything you do for WPS, Mrs. Daigle!

Open Kindergarten Registration Starting March 1

If you have a child that will be eligible for the 2022-2023 Kindergarten school year, you will need to fill out the registration forms that can be found on our website at www.winchendonk12.org/o/mes. They are located under the Menu dropdown, Kindergarten Registration. You can download and fill in the forms. Hard copies are also available at Memorial School. Once completed, you will need to return them to Memorial School along with the items listed below. You can do this any number of ways:

1. Fax: 978-297-3944
2. Email: mmacewen@winchendonk12.org
3. Mail: Memorial School, 32 Elmwood Road, Winchendon, MA 01475
4. Drop off: In person between the hours of 10 AM – 2 PM

No child will be admitted to Kindergarten without having met the eligibility requirements listed below.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. If your child is five (5) years of age by August 31 of the forthcoming year, he/she is eligible.
2. BIRTH CERTIFICATE- Original must be brought with you.
3. PROOF OF RESIDENCY - Current utility bill, or copy of lease.
4. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION INCLUDING VISION AND HEARING SCREENING BY YOUR PHYSICIAN MUST BE DATED AFTER AUGUST 31, 2022.
5. IMMUNIZATIONS - VERIFICATION WILL NEED TO BE PROVIDED BY THE END OF AUGUST. This must include lead screen results. Read or download complete immunization requirements (PDF)

Each child MUST have a physical examination completed by your physician. A signed printout from your child's doctor's office listing all the required information is also acceptable. Students cannot start school without a completed physical. We recommend calling your physician today to schedule an appointment as it sometimes takes several months to get one.

All completed immunization/examination forms need to be in the School Nurse's Office by Friday, August 26th before your child will be permitted to start school. These forms can be faxed by your doctor to the school at 978-297-3944.

There will be a Parent Orientation on Wednesday, May 18 from 6-7 at Memorial School. More information will be provided. A Kindergarten Screening will be conducted, as required by State and Federal school laws. Screenings will be Wednesday, June 1, Thursday, June 2, and Friday, June 3. You will be contacted as these dates get closer to schedule an appointment.

We share the excitement of your child entering Kindergarten and look forward to both of you being a part of the Memorial School family. Please feel free to call the school at (978) 297-1305, with any questions or concerns you may have.

Four Sizer Artists Selected for Worcester Youth Art Exhibit

In March, four Sizer School artists were selected to participate in the Worcester Art Museum's 2022 Youth Art Month exhibition! The exhibit features excellent student art from throughout Central Massachusetts.

MAEA's statewide YAM exhibit is organized by local teachers in conjunction with the Worcester Art Museum.

The Sizer School students honored are Senior Maia Morgan of Fitchburg, Senior Megan DeRirenze of Leominster, 9th Grade student Vio Malley of Winchendon and Junior Jay Ortiz of Fitchburg. The art on display will be Morgan's acrylic painting Inside, DeRirenze's collage Mechanical, Malley's acrylic painting Lemon Head, and Ortiz's ink drawing Window on the Eternal.

"Sizer School's visual arts program allows students to explore their creative process through the mediums and themes that excite them," said Director of Communications & Recruitment Lindsay Sauvageau. "Our students work in clay, glass, ink and paper, paints, pottery and so much more and what they do with it - it's inspiring."

She added, "Every year we see our students making it into the YAM exhibit and we could not be prouder of their creativity and passion and are, as always, grateful for the support and guidance they receive from our amazing Visual Arts Teacher, Cat Judge."

The exhibit is open now to the public through March 31st in the Higgins Education Wing of the Worcester Art Museum at 55 Salisbury Street. Admission to this exhibit is free.

The Museum is open Wednesday - Sunday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

A reception for the artists will be held on Sunday, March 27th from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Find out more about the project-based, innovative education Sizer School offers. For almost 20 years, Sizer School has been sending graduates into the world who THINK for themselves, CARE about others, and ACT creatively and responsibly. Visit www.sizerschool.org for more information.