Claypit Hill News and More, May 19

Dear Claypit Caregivers,

As the temperatures suddenly begin to feel much more like summer, we ask families to help children come prepared for warmer days. Please remember to apply sunblock to your child before school, as staff members are unable to apply sunscreen during the day. Sending a reusable water bottle is also a wonderful idea. Students can refill water bottles throughout the school day, and staying hydrated helps everyone feel and learn their best.

We continue to feel grateful for the many moments that bring our community together. Claypit Hill’s Family Movie Night was such a joyful evening, and we are incredibly appreciative of our PTO for organizing and facilitating this special event. Similarly, the Wayland World Fair, hosted this past Sunday at Loker School, was a tremendous success and a beautiful celebration of our broader Wayland community.

This week is also Book Fair Week! We hope the excitement of choosing new books helps launch a summer filled with reading adventures, imagination, and family read-alouds. Thank you, as always, to everyone who helps make literacy such a valued part of our school culture.

We are happy to share that MCAS testing is officially wrapped up with the exception of a small number of make-up sessions. Thank you for setting just the right tone with your children throughout the testing season. Our collective impression this year was that students took the assessments seriously while also remaining calm and confident. That balance matters, and it reflects the healthy partnership between home and school that supports children so well.

Finally, we are asking for one last strong push around attendance as we head toward the end of the school year. Last week, we had a day with only ONE student absent. ONE! We would absolutely love another opportunity to send out a Claypit Hill “perfect attendance” email before the year ends.

At the moment, our chronic absenteeism rate is the highest among Wayland’s three elementary schools, and our overall attendance is down from last year. Attendance is one factor included in the state’s school report card system, but more importantly, consistent attendance has a direct impact on student learning and belonging. Research consistently shows that students who attend school regularly are more likely to feel connected to their classroom community, build stronger academic habits, and achieve greater long-term success. Even missing just two days per month can add up significantly over the course of a school year.

Unless children are truly sick, please make every effort to have them at school each day. Every day matters for our school community and, most importantly, for each individual child.

Sincerely,

Marie, Kate, and Naomi

Claypit Hill nurses will conduct required postural screenings on Friday, May 23. These screenings help identify early signs of possible spinal concerns and are not diagnostic.

If you would like your child to opt out, please send a written request (email, note, or fax). If you have already contacted us to opt out, we have your request on file—thank you. Email Heather_Yates@waylandps.org to opt out. 

Please have students wear clothing that allows for easy back observation. Families will only be contacted if follow-up is recommended.

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped bring our community together for a movie night/book fair kick-off on Friday as well as the Wayland World’s Fair on Sunday! 

.

Thank you Rachel Ryan, Sean Ryan, Gina Anderson, Wendi Bock, Danielle Flynn, Kiera Liu, Katie Harris, Meghan Schreck and Alexis Schayowitz for turning Claypit’s gym into a movie theater and front entry into a book shop, and creating a fun family evening for our community! 

Thank you Avi Dagan-Noble, Swetha Subramanian, Andrea Toochin, Alexis Schayowitz and all the families who helped to host booths or support the Wayland World’s Fair on Sunday afternoon! This cross-school event was a delightful celebration of cultures around the world here in Wayland.