Dear Conant Families and Caregivers,

It has been a full, short week at Conant School. On Tuesday, our 4th, 5th and 6th graders were introduced or able to review the different instruments available if they choose to participate in ABRSD music program. It was lovely to hear all the beautiful sounds coming from our cafetorium. I encourage you to discuss participating in instrument lessons or chorus with your child. It is a great opportunity for all students.

One of the most important of the many responsibilities we have as staff members of Conant School is keeping all students physically safe. Within our school we have many protocols and expectations that routinely ensure every child’s safety. Our outside doors are always locked, we use a “sign out” form when students need to leave their learning spaces to use the bathroom or visit the healthroom and classes are always with an adult during transitions and instructional time. These are just a few examples of our regular practices that help us know where every student is at all times. When we know where they are we can care for them.

For similar reasons, we appreciate families and caregivers who use our Safe Arrival and  Change in Dismissal forms. Ensuring we know exactly where our students are and need to be going during arrival and dismissal time requires a community effort. I am grateful to families and caregivers who use these processes to help our office staff have the information they need to answer questions and respond to irregularities. You might also know that due to budget cuts, we have reduced school office staff hours. So, Ms. Lack and Ms. Ali, our fearless office leaders, are doing this important work with fewer resources.  Your support is appreciated.

For clarification, please use the Change in Dismissal form when your child’s regular afternoon plans change. Completing this form is the best and requested way to communicate any changes to your child’s end of day schedule. Please do NOT send an email to your child’s teacher or contact the school office directly. Once you complete the form, information is instantly available to the office staff  and at 1:00 p.m., we update classroom teachers of any changes.  This process minimizes classroom interruptions throughout the day and ensures that your child’s teacher will get the message before dismissal as they are not often able to access email while leading a class. Please make sure that all  submissions are received before 1:00 p.m. An email confirmation will be sent to you when the form is received. There is no need to follow up with a phone call or email to the office.

The Safe Arrival form should be used when your child will be absent from or late to school. You can use the form or call the school and leave a message 978.266.2550 #2.  

Thank you for your partnership in this important process. It makes a difference.

I am looking forward to next week, which will be a full week of school. The consistency of five consecutive days in school will help all of us strengthen our routines and habits. 

If there is anything I can do for you or your family, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely, 

Tricia O’Reilly, Ph.D. Principal, Conant School

TOReilly@abschools.org