Martha Jones School

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Message from the Principal

 The year is off to a terrific start.  I’ve heard lots of great stories about summer fun and I’m always impressed with the variety of experiences our students have each summer.  From traveling across the world to riding bikes around the neighborhood, summer is meant to enjoy time with family and friends and it is nice to hear that is what happened for so many of our students.

Please welcome new faces - This year we have 37 new kindergarten students at Martha Jones and 8 new families with students in grades 1 through 5. If you see a family you don’t recognize, please be sure to reach out and say, “Hello” and “Welcome.”  It is very important to me and part of our school culture at Martha Jones School to have a warm, friendly, welcoming environment where everyone feels included. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to support you in this area.

Aspen Portal - If you haven’t already done so,  please be certain to go into the Aspen portal to review and update all information. This includes renewing permissions each year.  I encourage all of you to select “yes” for media permissions. This allows your child to be in school photographs on our website and participate in photos during special events.   In addition to media permission, permission to release directory info to the PTO/PTA is included in the contact verification and permissions. The Martha Jones student directory is available to all members of the PTO.  I encourage you to allow your information to be put into the student directory. It is a great resource for arranging playdates, birthday parties, and classroom get-togethers. If you have any questions about the media or directory permissions, please see me. Changes may be made by updating your Aspen account online.

All parents are welcome to meet the District Administrative Team members Emily Parks, Superintendent; Allison Borchers, Asst. Superintendent; Steve Ouellette, Director of Technology, Learning & Innovation; Abby Hanscom, Director of Student Services, and Heath Petracca, Director of Business and Finance for a coffee on Mon., Sept. 24 at 9am at the Downey School. The coffee is open to all Westwood Schools' families to discuss perspectives, hopes, and expectations for children's experiences in school. 

PICTURE DAY IS COMING - SEPTEMBER 27TH - Lifetouch pictures has been our school picture vendor for the past few years.  They take time with each student and offer a variety of different packages and on-line registration and purchases.  More information will be coming soon. Lifetouch gives a generous donation back to the school for every photo purchased. 

Curriculum Night

Please save the evening of Thurs., Sept. 27th for Curriculum Night. Teachers will provide an overview of the content at their grade-level and their plans for the year ahead. Classroom presentations for parents of students in grades 3 through 5 begin at 6pm; the principal welcome and PTO meeting for all parents is at 7pm; followed by classroom presentations for parents of students in kindergarten through grade 2 at 7:30pm. Please remember that this is an evening for parents only. If childcare is prohibiting you from attending, please contact Mrs. Tobin at dtobin@westwood.k12.ma.us for assistance.

Reporting an Absence:  If your child will be absent or tardy, please call the school office at 781-326-7500, ext. 6321 or send an email to: dsantangelo@westwood.k12.ma.us.   

Same and Different Like Me Program -  Over the next few months we will be implementing our Same and Different Like Me, Understanding Our Differences program. This program introduces our students to a range of disabilities. The program incorporates lessons at each grade level as part of our Open Circle time and are team-taught by special education and classroom teachers. The program is made up of six units, one taught each year K-5. Students will learn about: Including One Another (K), Physical Disabilities (grade 1), Sensory Disabilities (grade 2), Learning Disabilities (grades 3 and 4), Autism Spectrum Disorders, and topics in Mental Health specific to Depression and Anxiety (grade 5). The program aims to give children an accurate, current perspective on disability-related issues which are appropriate to their development level. The goal is to begin and maintain a conversation in classrooms about how we are all the "same and different." If you have questions about the program, please feel free to contact me.

Arrival and Dismissal - Children should be in school by 8:45 and Dismissal is at 3:10 -  

Carpool - If you are picking up in carpool, PLEASE have a sign in the front passenger window with your child’s last name on it. While we know many of you, it is difficult to see through most of the tinted windows when we are going down the line quickly and having your child’s name clearly displayed in the window is very helpful!!!  This helps to keep the carpool lane moving. Thank you!