Pine Hill Post - October 2025
Dear Pine Hill Families,
We’ve made it to October—a month full of fall traditions, cooler days, and longer nights. At Pine Hill, students are settling into routines and diving into their first units of study across all subjects. I encourage you to check in with your child about what they are learning as you continue to establish homework routines at home.
This month, we are building on our school-wide expectations with a focus on Being Responsible. In September, we highlighted our core value of Being Kind. Now, students will have the opportunity to earn Pine Hill Points for their grade level by showing responsibility in our common spaces—hallways, cubbies, bathrooms, cafeteria, recess, and dismissal. After our all-school meeting on October 8, I encourage you to ask your child about the ways they can demonstrate responsibility at school.
October is also a month full of community events. I look forward to seeing many of you at the PTO Trunk or Treat and during Parent Conferences later this month. Wishing you and your families a wonderful start to October!
In Gratitude,
Reid
Important Dates
Below are important dates and events for families to know about. We hope you can join
October 1 - Early Release
October 2 - No School - Yom Kippur
October 3 - Picture Day
October 13 - No School - Indigenous People’s Day
October 14 - School Committee Meeting
October 15 - Early Release
October 17 - Trunk or Treat at Pine Hill
October 29 - Early Release
October 29 - Afternoon and Evening Parent Conferences
November 5 - Early Release
November 5 - Afternoon Parent Conferences
News and Announcements
Parent Conferences
Parent conferences will be held this year on Wednesday afternoon, 10/29, Wednesday evening, 10/29, and Wednesday afternoon, 11/5. Please reach out to your classroom teacher to schedule a time to meet.
PTO Halloween Celebration
The Pine Hill PTO is once again putting together a Halloween celebration at Pine Hill. This year’s celebration will take place on Friday, 10/17 from 5:30 - 7:30pm at the Pine Hill School.
Halloween at School
Halloween is coming at the end of the month. Please do not send your child to school in costume or with a mask, and please refrain from sending in candy to support the health and safety of all of our students. For all those who celebrate, feel free to wear black and orange clothing on 10/31, and have a safe and fun evening!
New Faces at Pine Hill
There are many new faces at Pine Hill this year! We will be spotlighting some of those folks each month until we have gotten the chance to meet them all.
Kim Tula - School Adjustment Counselor
Hi my name is Kim Tula and I am the new Adjustment Counselor here at Pine Hill. I've worked in Mental Health for over ten years in community settings and in schools for 6 years. For the last 4 years I have enjoyed serving the community at Thurston Middle School and am now looking forward to getting to know all the wonderful staff and students at Pine Hill! When I'm not at school, I'm spending time going on adventures with my little family, my husband and one year old daughter, Aurora.
Kerri Anderson - Grade 5 Teacher
Hello Pine Hill! My name is Kerri Anderson and I'm thrilled to join the 5th grade team this year. This is my 20th year teaching and 5th year in Westwood. For the past four years, I was a math specialist at Downey and prior to that, I taught 5th grade in Boston for many years. I’m very happy to be back in my own classroom and at Pine Hill. We're off to a strong start in 5A!
Cyndi Cram - Speech Language Pathologist
My name is Cyndi Cram and I graduated with my masters in Speech-Language Pathology from Bridgewater State University. I am excited to be joining the WABA program this year! I have extensive experience working with students with complex communication needs and have worked in both the public school and private settings. Outside of work, I love to travel, read, go on walks and spend time with family and friends. I look forward to being part of the Pine Hill team!
Useful Resources
WPS Calendar and School Day Hours:
- A one-page printout of the updated 2025-2026 school calendar, including school hours, is available on the district website.
- School Day Hours: 9:00am - 3:20pm
- Morning Arrival: 8:40am - 8:55am (Bell rings at 8:55am to line up)
- Dismissal: 3:20pm (12:00pm on early-release Wednesdays)
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures and Other Important information
- Please click here for important Pine Hill Information
You made it! Thank you for taking the time to read all the way to the end. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding this information.
Thank you so much,
Reid & Samantha
Sincerely,
Reid J. Jones Samantha Bean
Reid Jones Samantha Bean
Principal Assistant Principal
rjones@westwood.k12.ma.us sbean@westwood.k12.ma.us
Contact Us
Email us at pinehillpto@westwood.k12.ma.us.
Introduction Video - check out this video to learn more about Westwood SEPAC!
**What is The Westwood SEPAC?**
The Westwood Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is a parent-led volunteer organization that fosters a supportive network for parents, guardians, and caregivers of children with special needs.
SEPAC collaborates with the Director of Student Services and the School Committee to shape policies and initiatives. Westwood SEPAC strives to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion for all special education students by gathering input from parents, teachers, service providers (such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, etc.), and the broader Westwood community.
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**Join us**
- If you are a parent and/or a caregiver of a child currently receiving special education services in Westwood through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), 504 accommodations, or an out-of-district placement.
- Your child is experiencing learning difficulties.
- You want to improve your advocacy skills.
- You are a parent, an educator, a service provider, or a community member interested in learning more about Westwood Public Schools’ Special Education Services.
- To find strength and offer support within a community of parents and caregivers who truly understand the ups and downs of nurturing a child through learning challenges and share in the experience.
