Claypit Hill News and More, June 23

Dear Claypit Hill Caregivers,

As we close another productive and rewarding school year, we want to thank you for your partnership, support, and trust. Together, we have celebrated successes, overcome challenges, and watched your children learn and grow in remarkable ways.

Before looking ahead to summer, we want to pause and recognize all that it takes to support a child through an elementary school year. Family life is busy, and children's schedules seem busier than ever. Throughout the year, we witnessed the countless ways you showed up for your children by helping with homework, reading together, attending events, managing schedules, providing encouragement after difficult days, celebrating successes, and ensuring that your children arrived at school each day on time and ready to learn. We know that none of this happens by accident.

We are also deeply grateful for the many ways caregivers support our school community. Whether volunteering your time, attending school events, participating in our PTO, chaperoning field trips, contributing resources, or simply responding to the many emails, forms, and requests that come home throughout the year, your involvement helps us provide enriching, joyful, and memorable experiences for all students. The vibrant school community we enjoy is possible because of the partnership we share with our families, and we sincerely appreciate all that you do.

Summer offers a valuable opportunity for children to rest, recharge, explore, and continue growing in ways that don't always happen inside a classroom. We hope your family enjoys a safe, joyful, and restorative summer filled with meaningful moments together.

As you head into the summer months, here are ten things to consider doing with your child:

Most importantly, allow time for children to be children. Summer is a season for curiosity, discovery, friendship, adventure, and making memories.

Thank you again for a wonderful school year. We wish you and your family a safe, healthy, and restorative summer. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the fall, refreshed and ready for another year of learning and growth.

Sincerely,

Marie, Kate and Naomi

Stephanie Dines

Lauren Kelly

Molly Lamothe (NEW!)

Kaia Martin (NEW!)

Katy Walther

To Be Announced

Hannah Anderson and Julie Cote

Deborah Comer

Jennifer Root

Emily von der Heyde

Alison Currie

Lynette Biggs and Nina Kazlas

Virginia Whitesides

Jessica Arees

Stacey Laudenslager and Meridieth Palmer

Kristin Murphy

Eirinn Paratore

Annabel Cohen (NEW!) and Erin Almeida Luth

Emily Dodakian

Diane Mello

Elissa Tobin and Sarah Gordon

Darcey Foley and Karen Watson

Jacqueline Moquin

Kathryn Scarpulla

Elizabeth Wales

Jamie Wood

Missing from our lineup...

We are saying goodbye and be well to 10 year Wayland veteran teacher, Caitlin Golden who is pressing pause on teaching to spend time with her young family.

Niki Duffy, a certified reading specialist, will be joining our ranks as a Claypit Hill reading specialist!

Michele Fiske - We are wishing this 18 year veteran of the Wayland Public Schools all the best in retirement!

As we begin planning for next school year, please take a moment to review these important registration reminders:

Students who will ride the school bus during the 2026–2027 school year must be registered by June 30, 2026. Note: METCO families will receive a bus registration email later this summer. Bus routes will be developed over the summer, and bus passes will be mailed to registered students before the start of school. Route information will be available on the Wayland Transportation website by mid-August. Bus Registration emails were sent to all current and new WPS families. If you need it to be resent, please send an email to wayland_registration@waylandps.org.

All families will receive a Returning Student Registration email this summer with instructions for reviewing and updating student, caregiver, and emergency contact information in our system. This process replaces the paper forms previously sent home. Please complete this review to ensure we have accurate information for the upcoming school year.

If your student will not be attending Wayland Public Schools next year, please complete the School Withdrawal Form so your child's current school may update their enrollment.

Thank you for helping us prepare for a successful 2026 - 2027 school year!

As previously shared, student class placement and class lists will not be shared on report cards this year.

In mid August, caregivers will receive directions to help them access their classroom assignment. Later that day, the Claypit PTO will reach out with information about electing to add your child to a class list. Electing to particpate will afford you access to your child's class list. We are optimistic that we can create opportunities for students to connect with classmates before the school year even begins.

School supply lists will not vary from teacher to teacher. Click into your child's grade level in the My School Toolbox and you can see all of the required school supplies. You need not order through this vendor but please do click on the giant orange button to view your child's list.

Grade Six Music Performing Groups Enrollment Information

All students are invited and encouraged to participate in the full range of offerings at Wayland Middle School, including the performing arts. The Music Department provides opportunities for participation in vocal and instrumental performing groups in 6th grade.

The 6th grade band, orchestra and chorus meet during the school day during the ‘flex’ block which meets twice every 5-day cycle. This is separate from a ‘study’ block. If your child is in an ensemble, it doesn’t mean they will miss a study block. There are opportunities for additional participation in the auditioned Jazz Band, Honors Chamber Orchestra and Select Chorus, which meet outside of the school day. (Auditions for these ensembles are held in the fall; students must be members of an in-school grade-level ensemble to be eligible. See below for more information.)  

Instrumental music at the middle school consists of large-group ensembles and small-group workshops for students who currently study a band or orchestra instrument. There is an emphasis on preparation of music for concerts, sight-reading, musicianship training, increasing listening ability and ensemble skills, developing appropriate rehearsal techniques, and understanding the importance of teamwork and responsibility in the overall effectiveness of the band or orchestra.

Chorus is open to all students interested in singing. Rehearsals include the study of vocal technique: breath support, tone placement, intonation, phrasing, and diction. Students learn to develop their musicianship through choral singing and work toward blending their individual voices into one unified sound. Students will be introduced to a variety of music repertoire and will gain performance experience in concerts as well.

CLICK HERE !

*Note: While private instruction is not required, it is recommended for 6th grade students in band and orchestra. (Many voice teachers suggest waiting until age 13 to begin private voice training.)  

The Wayland School Community Programs Private Music Lesson Program offers lessons conveniently located in our schools in the fall.

We look forward to working with you!

Wayland Middle School Performing Arts Teachers 

All audition-based ensembles are open to grades 6-8, and all require students to participate in a school-day grade-level ensemble. They provide an opportunity for students to study and perform advanced repertoire and participate in performance opportunities such as a tour of the elementary schools, performances at the Martin Luther King assemblies, adjudicated music festivals outside of school, etc. Auditions for these ensembles will take place in the fall; specific audition information and signups will go out then.

Honors Chamber Orchestra is open by audition to advanced students who are members of the school-day orchestra. Students should be comfortable with vibrato and shifting. HCO meets on Mondays after school. We participate in the MICCA festival in the spring, as well as multiple performances throughout the year. Private lessons are very strongly encouraged.

Thursday Jazz Band is open to students who are members of band or orchestra. (Pianists and guitarists are not required to play in a school day ensemble.) Jazz Band explores jazz styles, including swing, blues, Latin, funk, rock, and ballad styles. An emphasis will be made on learning improvisational skills. Private lessons are very strongly encouraged and necessary for percussionists wanting to play drum set, pianists, and guitarists.  Jazz Band meets Thursday afternoons after school and participates in a jazz festival in the spring.

Select Chorus is open by audition to students who are members of any school-day ensemble (Band, Chorus, or Orchestra). Students should be able to match pitch and sing smoothly between vocal registers. Students who are chosen to join this group will be with singers from all three grade levels. Therefore, the repertoire will be in multiple-part harmony. This group meets before school on Thursdays.

Tuesday Jazz Band focuses on playing rock and jazz styles such as blues, swing, and Latin. An emphasis will be made on improvisational skills. No jazz experience is required or expected and all grades are welcome. Private lessons are not required but are encouraged, especially for percussionists wanting to play drum set, pianists, and guitarists. Tuesday Jazz Band meets Tuesday afternoons and performs three times a year.

The musical offers opportunities for students to get involved with singing and performing on the stage. Musical rehearsals are after school beginning in November or December, and the show takes place in February or March. More information will be available after school starts. Students may participate in before/after school ensembles AND the musical.

To register for instrumental music for the 2026-2027 school year, please follow these links!

STRINGS (open to grades 3-5)

BAND (open to grades 4-5)

Reminder, the lost and found is full again! Please claim any items by the end of the day on June 23. Any unclaimed items will be donated after that time

A HUGE thank you to all of the caregivers who volunteered to help make Field Day such a success! Your time, energy, and enthusiasm helped create an unforgettable day for our students. I truly couldn't do it without you. It’s because of amazing volunteers like you that our students get to have the "best day ever!"

High fives all around!

Mrs. LeBaron

5th grade activities - Thank you to the picnic team (Annie, Alexis, Holly, April and Ali), memory book team (Alexis, Dee and Drea), t-shirt team (Erin and Amanda) for a fun celebration and the special keepsakes that came home last week! Thank you to Yang for organizing our class gift project, to Blair, Gaby and Courtney for organizing Tuesday's clapout and to Amanda, Eliza and Heather for organizing the 5th grade activities team and budget. Last, but certainly not least, thank you to all the wonderful teachers and staff who supported our 5th graders this year!