Albert S. Woodward Elementary School
Be Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and Kind
28 Cordaville Road, Southborough, MA 01772
Phone: 508-229-1250
Fax: 508-501-8040
|
|
|
|
Parent Newsletter | August 2025
Important Dates
Staff Professional Development
Monday, August 25th
Staff Professional Development
Tuesday, August 26th
Staff Professional Development
Wednesday, August 27th
Open House
Wednesday, August 27th
4:00 pm- 6:00 pm
First Day of School
Thursday, August 28th
Opening CARE Assembly
Friday, August 29th
No School - Labor Day
Monday, September 1st
Woodward Welcome Back Picnic
Friday, September 5th (5:00-7:00 pm)
Picture Day
Wednesday, September 10th
|
|
|
|
Welcome Back!
Dear Woodward School Community,
As we turn the page to a new school year, I hope your summer brought moments of joy and relaxation. It’s with genuine excitement that I welcome you to a new school year at Woodward! Whether you’re returning or joining us for the first time, we’re glad you’re here and part of our Community.
The start of school always brings a mix of anticipation, opportunity, and sometimes a bit of nervousness. Please know that Woodward is a place filled with caring educators who are deeply committed to your child’s success and well-being. We’re here to support every step of the journey.
Over the summer, our faculty and staff have been preparing to create an environment where students feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn. Our focus is not only on strong academics, but also on fostering social-emotional growth, responsibility, and kindness. We want every student to feel valued and encouraged as they take on new challenges.
At Woodward, we believe learning should spark curiosity, build confidence, and help students grow into thoughtful, responsible members of our Community. Together, we will continue building on our shared successes while embracing the opportunities ahead.
Thank you for trusting us with your child’s education. We look forward to a wonderful year of growth, discovery, and connection.
Warmly,
Steve Mucci
Principal
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transportation Update
Information regarding transportation can be accessed through our district Transportation page. If you have any questions, please contact Sheila Hana, Transportation and Registration Specialist at: shana@nsboro.k12.ma.us.
To help families with bus arrival times and tracking, NRT offers a transportation tracking app under a new name, Beacon Connect. This will enable you to track the pick-up and drop-off times through GPS. If you are experiencing problems with the app or have questions, please contact NRT directly at BeaconConnect@GoBeacon.com
Please note that the Central Office and School Offices do NOT manage the app
|
|
|
|
Reminders from the Main Office
School Forms
We know that the start of the year is a busy time, but please try your best to return school forms to your child's teachers as quickly as possible. Having updated information will ensure a smooth transition for your child. As always, we are here to help, so if you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher or the main office.
Please also remember to complete the PowerSchool Returning electronic forms that were sent earlier this month.
School Breakfast and Lunch
School lunch is free this year, and students will be able to get school lunch starting on the first day of school. Breakfast will also be free this year and will be available starting Tuesday, September 3rd.
This year, we are excited to share that Whitsons Culinary Group has been contracted by the District to provide Food Services Management for our 10 schools. Information regarding food services can be found on our district website here. Menu options and nutrition information for Woodward School can be found here. Be sure to toggle through the tabs at the top to customize your search and to see additional daily offerings (Condensed/All Available).
Changes in Dismissal
The school day ends at 3:10. Students will be directed to their designated dismissal areas. If you are picking up a student before the end of the day, please come into the office, advise of the dismissal, and sign your child out. If changing the afternoon dismissal, please do so by 2:00 P.M. by calling the main office.
Please feel free to contact our amazing office staff should you have any questions.
Kerry Hill- Administrative Assistant- khill@nsboro.k12.ma.us
Tabitha Stone- Clerical Support- tstone@nsboro.k12.ma.us
|
|
|
Requirements for Volunteering
Please note that there is required paperwork that all volunteers must complete before volunteering in the school 14 days prior to the volunteer event. Please stop by the main office during Open House or regular school hours to complete the forms. A valid government-issued ID is required. *CORI/SORI forms completed for other organizations are NOT transferred to the District.
|
If you are unsure of your CORI-SORI status, please check with the main office. We are happy to help and double-check!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Morning Arrival Reminders During the first several weeks of school, it is to be expected that buses may take longer as they get acclimated to the routes and students become comfortable. Please be patient.
Student Drop-off begins at 8:35 a.m. and ends at 8:55 a.m. The parent drop-off line can become rather long with traffic extending onto Cordaville Rd. Please plan accordingly and consider dropping off your child after 8:35 a.m. or near the end of the drop-off time window.
We use an active drop-off, so please remain in your vehicle. Please DO NOT pass other vehicles as this is unsafe. Once a staff member is present in the lower lot, and after exiting the vehicle from the passenger side, students will proceed up the path and staircase, then meet staff to cross in front of the school using the crosswalks.
If you arrive after 8:55 a.m. or there is not a staff member present, please park your vehicle and walk your student into the main office to sign them in. Please do not drop them off at the front door. 
Afternoon Dismissal Reminders
Please call or email the Main office with changes in dismissal by 2:00 p.m. For student pick-up, please park in the lower parking lot and cross the driveway using the crosswalk. Do not park in the driveway as this impedes bus traffic.
|
|
|
Smart Watches and Cell Phones
As a reminder, cell phones must be powered off and in students’ backpacks during the school day. As smartwatches have many of the same capabilities as phones, they should also be turned off and put in student backpacks. Smartwatches may be worn if they are in school mode and access to text/calling is disabled during school hours. These devices fall under the same guidelines as cell phones, and we ask that you help us enforce these rules by not texting and calling your children or answering their calls or messages during the day. Please contact the main office if you need to reach your child during the day.
|
|
|
|
New Staff and Assignments
Senora Hughes and Senora Grazini
We are thrilled to announce that Spanish instruction will continue to expand this year to 4th-grade students at Neary. As a result, Senora Hughes will be teaching 3rd and 4th-grade students at both schools. Senora Grazini will be teaching Spanish to Finn students and our 2nd-graders at Woodward.
Mrs. Wagoner and Mrs. Mathew
This year, we are excited to welcome Mrs. Nutan Mathew to the Library and Media Center. She will be working with 3rd-grade students at Woodward while continuing her role as the Library Media Specialist at Neary School.
In addition, Mrs. Wagoner will continue teaching 2nd-grade students at Woodward and will also begin working with Kindergarten and 1st-grade students at Finn School.
Mrs. Foy and Mrs. Guccione
To accommodate our rising 3rd-grade cohort, Mrs. Guccione and Mrs. Foy will be teaching third grade. They join a wonderful team and are excited to see so many familiar faces in the 3rd-grade hallway.
Mrs. Walton
We are excited to welcome another new 3rd-grade team member to Woodward this year, Mrs. Annemarie Walton. Mrs. Walton brings to our team a wealth of experience, teaching at several different levels in addition to her time as a special education teacher. Mrs. Walton will round out our 3rd-grade team after Ms. Kelly was appointed to the role of Literacy Specialist within our district.
Support Staff
This year we are lucky to add a number of talented and dedicated Educational Support Professionals to our staff. Please join me in welcoming Ms. Caitlin Dean, Ms. Sheila McKenzie, and Ms. Morgan Baxendale.
|
A Message from Nurse Kiley
|
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Hello and Welcome! My name is Kelly Kiley MSN, RN, and I am the school nurse at Woodward. I hope that you and your student had a relaxing and healthy summer!
If your student has medical concerns such as Diabetes, Allergies, Asthma, Seizures, or other issues or if they require medications while at school, please plan to meet with me prior to the start of school so that we may discuss a plan.
|
|
|
|
I will be available at Woodward during the day on Wednesday, August 27th.
This is a good time to discuss your student's medical issues and for you to drop off medication orders, drop off medications/supplies, complete medication permission forms, complete assessment forms, etc. You can drop in to see me and do not need to make an appointment. The front office will direct you to my office.
In addition, I will be available during the Open House from 4-6, so you can drop off medications and complete the necessary paperwork.
Students who have medication to be administered during the school day on a regular basis require:
-Current MD order for the medication which can be hardcopy-written from MD or faxed to school at (508) 978-2896 for the current year.
-Current medications (dated within code)
-Must be delivered by a parent/guardian (Students are not allowed to transport medications.)
-Medications will be counted by the nurse and parent/guardian.
-Written parent/guardian permission (Health Office has the form)
*Students who may need Tylenol/Motrin at school require parental permission
Please contact me with any questions. I look forward to meeting your child and partnering with you to facilitate their health and safety for the upcoming school year.
Thank you!
Kelly
|
Woodward SOS
The Southborough Organization for Schools (SOS) is our dedicated parent-teacher organization. As a 501(c)3 non-profit, SOS is made up of parent volunteers who collaborate with teachers and administrators to enrich our children's educational experience. Each school in Southborough has its own SOS team. At Woodward, SOS plays a key role in supporting various school initiatives, including Community events, teacher grants, appreciation efforts, field trips, and cultural arts and curriculum enrichment programs. |
|
|
|
Open House
Learn about SOS and get your Woodward gear! Please stop by and visit us in the rotunda during Open House on Wednesday, August 27th, 4:00-6:00 pm. We’d love to meet you and answer any questions you may have about SOS. Woodward merchandise will also be available for purchase. Get it while it lasts!
|
|
|
Virtual Backpack and Community Notices
All Community notices and flyers can be accessed using the link below. If you would like to have your Community notice or flyer posted, please send it to Chery Lepore at clepore@nsboro.k12.ma.us for approval.
Community Notice
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
