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Claypit Hill News and More, December 16

Posted Date: 12/16/25 (08:35 AM)
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Claypit Hill Elementary logo with contact information and staff names on an orange background.
 

Claypit Hill News and More

December 16, 2025

 
Dear Caregivers,

A very sincere thank you to our Claypit Hill PTO and all of the Claypit families who contributed to the Jingle and Mingle Staff Appreciation Shop. Our conference room was completely transformed into a warm gathering space complete with coffee and cocoa, sweet treats, socks for our feet, and a virtual roaring fire. One of the best parts was the beautiful hand-written notes of thanks from our students. You all spoil us! Thank you for showing your gratitude at every turn. It is our great honor to educate your students. The thanks you show warms our hearts!

We are excited for the district wide elementary choral concert this evening where our 4th and 5th grade students will take the stage at Claypit Hill beginning at 6:30 p.m. We wish Ms. Sleisinger and her students, good luck.  We can’t wait to cheer them on!

We hope that the long vacation, beginning this Friday, December 19th at 2:20 p.m., will give our families who desire it, an opportunity to travel and our students opportunities for fun and rest. After a period of increased absenteeism due to flu-like symptoms and norovirus we’re hoping that we’re all able to get back on track with good attendance when we return on January 5, 2026. We encourage you to offer your children plenty of time for outdoor play and reading despite the lure of electronics this time of year. Healthy habits tend to lead to good health!

December is packed with global celebrations like the Jewish Hanukkah (Festival of Lights), the African American/Pan-African Kwanzaa, the Christian Christmas (celebrating Jesus' birth), Pagan/Wiccan Yule (Winter Solstice), Buddhist Bodhi Day (Buddha's enlightenment), and Sweden's Saint Lucia Day, plus cultural days like Boxing Day in Commonwealth nations, showcasing diverse traditions from ancient solstice rites to modern cultural commemorations. Here at Claypit, our families celebrate many of these holidays. We wish our students and their families joy, peace, and good health as we celebrate December holidays and welcome in 2026.  

We look forward to welcoming you all back in the new year!  

Sincerely,
Marie, Kate and Naomi
 

A Message from the Health Office

Respiratory Illness Season is Here – Take Action to Help Slow the Spread of Germs
Everyday preventative actions can help slow the spread of many different illnesses.
  • If you are sick, stay home. Go here for respiratory illness guidelines and return to school guidance.
  • Wash your hands before eating or touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Note, hand sanitizer is not effective against norovirus.
  • It’s not too late to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19. Go here for more information on where you can get vaccinated.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
  • For more information on how to protect yourself and your loved ones, see https://www.mass.gov/seasonal-vaccines

If your child is diagnosed with a contagious illness such as strep throat, COVID-19, or the flu, please notify the school nurse as soon as possible. Tracking these illnesses helps us monitor trends and take necessary precautions to keep our school community healthy and safe. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

 
A schedule for the 2026 MCAS tests is displayed on a white background.
 

Bingo Night!

Bring the whole family to the Claypit Hill cafeteria from 5:30-7pm on Friday, Jan 9th for our 2nd Annual BINGO night (siblings welcome!) Connect with others in the community while playing games and enjoying prizes. Every child player will receive a small prize this year. 

Cafeteria space is limited for 50 families, please RSVP here ASAP to ensure a spot! This is a FREE event, however, Pizza slices will be available to purchase the night of Bingo, bring cash or credit card! Email Amanda Gale with questions: acmgale@gmail.com.

 

5th Grade Families

5th grade families - If you haven’t yet, please fill out this form and pay the fee by Sunday, December 14 to cover your child(ren)’s 5th grade activities this year (includes memory book, 5th grade t-shirt, play, picnic, class gift and clapout). Financial support is available to ensure every student can participate in the festivities - please contact your child's teacher or Ms. Brigham (marie_brigham@waylandps.org). There will also be separate RSVPs and fees to attend the winter and spring town-wide elementary events. Email Claypit5thgrade@gmail.com with any questions.
 
Poster for the Wayland METCO Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Luncheon on January 19, 2026.
 

Science Fair and Steam Discovery Night

Save the date for our annual Science Fair and STEAM Discovery event, coming up on February 4, 2026. In early January, watch for the sign-up and more details on creating a science fair project. This Claypit tradition includes:
  • Science Fair and STEAM Discovery Night from 5-7pm on Wed 2/4, where kids can share science fair projects (on any topic that inspires them) and enjoy interactive activity stations featuring experts on this year’s theme: Sound!
  • In-school STEAM lessons/activities in each classroom to dive deeper into this year’s sound theme
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PTO Thank You

A very big thank you to our wonderful PTO volunteers and supportive families for all you do to help at Claypit! 
  • Holiday gift drive - Thank you Danielle Flynn, Amanda Gale, Devin Murphy, Molly Kaufman and Sarah Blanchard for organizing our holiday gift drive, and to all the generosity in our community for fulfilling all the children’s wish lists and providing extra gifts, wrapping supplies and gift cards! 
  • Staff appreciation - Thank you to Gina Cherco and Gina Anderson for two delightful events this November and December to remind our staff how much we value their efforts to support our children! 
  • Cultural Enrichment - Thank you Larina Mehta and Jen Lux for organizing the Tanglewood Marionettes for our kindergarten and first grade students!
  • Just Like Me - Thank you Colleen Kurson, Avi Noble and Ahmed Abouelnaga for leading our 5th graders in a program to learn more about autism

 

My Brother's Table

Claypit Hill collects donations throughout the year to support local families through My Brother’s Table food pantry. Watch for suggested donations each month, and consider picking up a few items to contribute when you’re at the grocery store. There is a donation bin at the Claypit Hill entrance, which is an easy spot for kids or families to drop-off donations as they enter the school.
Image promoting a food drive, requesting Thanksgiving items like cranberry sauce and canned vegetables.
 
A cartoon calendar with the word 'DATE' displayed prominently.

Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar


  • Wednesday, Dec 10 - Super Wednesday Early Dismissal, Dismissal at 11:30am
  • Wednesday, Dec 10 - Town Wide 5th Grade Concert, 6:30pm
  • Thursday, Dec 11 - In School Concert, 9:30am
  • Tuesday, Dec 16 - Elementary Choral Concert, 6;30pm
  • Monday, Dec 22 throught Sunday, Jan 4 - Holiday Break
  • Monday, Jan 5 - Classes Resume