Heading back to school after a break can be tough for kids, but a few simple routines can make the transition smoother. From adjusting sleep schedules to focusing on what your child enjoys about school, these tips can help ease the shift. Check out this helpful article from Johns Hopkins Medicine for ideas: 6 Tips for Sending Kids Back to School After Breaks.
Thank you to all of our guest readers! From Mayor DeSimone to our Superintendent Sawyer to the Cardi's (Furniture) Brothers to retired teachers like Mrs. Cotsalas, our students loved hearing our guest readers favorite books! Congratulations to our new librarian, Mrs. Sherman for continuing Mrs. Cotsalas wonderful tradition!
25-26 Transportation Application is Open! All eligible students, including Kindergarten and First grade, who wish to ride the bus to/from any of the Attleboro Public Schools MUST complete the Transportation Application. The only exception to this is for those with specialized transportation needs listed in an IEP. New this year, payment will be due upon submission of the application. Families should refer to the email sent on April 4, 2025, or visit the APS Transportation website for details: https://www.attleboroschools.com/o/apswc/page/transportation
Did you know that daily attendance can reduce stress, increase your child’s self-confidence and lay a foundation for good attendance in later grades? For a list of tips and tricks for different age groups, click here: https://www.attleboroschools.com/o/apswc/documents/attendance/589595
First Posted: March 29, 2025
Dear Hill-Roberts Families,
As we continue this school year, we’re also planning for next year—especially class placements. This process is complex, and we take great care to create balanced classrooms where every child can thrive.
When forming class lists, we consider many factors, including academic, social, and behavioral needs, student relationships, special services (e.g., Special Education, MLL, Title 1), learning styles, and gender balance. While we cannot honor specific teacher requests, rest assured that every Hill-Roberts teacher is highly qualified and committed to your child’s success.
If you have important information to share about your child’s placement (current grades K-3 only), please complete the HRES Student Placement Family Input Form for 25-26 by Wednesday, April 30, 2025. This form is optional, and late submissions may not be considered.
Thank you for your partnership in helping us create a great learning environment for all students!
Dr. Paul Madden, Principal
Ms. Julie O’Boyle, Assistant Principal
Dear Hill-Roberts Families,
Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card. Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the school’s report card is designed to show families how our school is doing in different areas. A link to our school’s report card is available at https://reportcards.doe.mass.edu/2023/00160045. This link will take you to copies of a letter in English, Arabic, Chinese, Hatian Creole, and Spanish explaining the School's report card.
If you have questions about our school’s report card please feel free to contact me, Dr. Paul Madden.
Spring is here with sunny, warm days and the early emergence of pollen and molds that trigger seasonal allergies. Children, who have never been diagnosed with seasonal allergies before, are often affected when the pollen/mold levels are high.
Common symptoms include itchy/watery eyes, nasal stuffiness/drainage, scratchy throat, and headaches. If your child suffers from allergy symptoms, please contact your doctor for advice on eye drops, nasal sprays, or an appropriate non-drowsy allergy medication that can be taken before school to provide all day relief from symptoms.
Poison Ivy is everywhere. Contact with the oil from the plant’s leaf causes irritation and an itchy, red pimple-like rash. Children should wear appropriate clothing to protect skin exposure to poison ivy, especially in wooded or grassy areas. Showering after being outdoors is also a good practice to prevent irritation. If a skin rash develops, over-the-counter medications such as caladryl lotion or hydrocortisone cream will provide relief from minor symptoms. When the rash affects the face or eyes, contact your doctor, as a prescription medication may be needed. It is important to remove over-the-head clothing carefully to protect the face and eyes from contact with poison ivy on clothing.
As outdoor evening activities increase, the time of day when mosquitoes are most active, use of bug repellent can help prevent bites. Ticks can be found in the woods, but also in low bushes, grass and on pets. It is a good practice to check children and pets for ticks when they come in from outdoors.
Drinking enough fluids and good nutrition are very important during the arm weather as the body works harder to regulate its temperature. Please encourage your child to have a full glass of a beverage, water preferred, with breakfast and to bring a drinks for snacks and lunch. Sunscreen can be applied in the morning since recess is usually outdoors, weather permitting.
Sherri Knight-Cloud, RN, BSN
School Nurse
Hill Roberts Elementary
La primavera ha llegado con días soleados y cálidos y la aparición temprana de polen y moho que desencadenan las alergias estacionales. Los niños, que nunca han sido diagnosticados con alergias de temporada, a menudo se ven afectados cuando los niveles de polen y moho son altos.
Los síntomas comunes incluyen picazón en los ojos, congestión nasal, garganta irritada y dolores de cabeza. Si su hijo sufre de síntomas de alergia, por favor póngase en contacto con su médico para obtener asesoramiento sobre colirios, aerosoles nasales, o medicamentos contra las alergias que puedan ser tomados antes de la escuela para proporcionar alivio durante los días con síntomas de alergias.
Poison Ivy está en todas partes. El contacto con el aceite de la hoja de la planta provoca irritación y salpullido rojo (erupción leve y pasajera, formada por muchos granitos o ronchas). Los niños deben usar ropa apropiada para proteger la piel a la exposición de la hiedra venenosa, especialmente en áreas boscosas o de pastizales. Ducharse después de estar al aire libre es también una buena práctica para evitar la irritación. Si se desarrolla un salpullido en la piel, el uso de medicamentos de venta libre, tales como Caladryl o una loción o crema de hidrocortisona pueden proporcionar alivio. Si el salpullido afecta la cara o los ojos deberá consultar a su médico, ya que un medicamento de prescripción puede que sea necesario. Es importante quitarse la ropa con cuidado para proteger la cara y los ojos del contacto con hiedra venenosa que pueda haber en la ropa.
Durante las actividades en la tarde/noche, a la hora del día cuando los mosquitos estén más activos, el uso de repelente de insectos puede ayudar a prevenir las picaduras. Las garrapatas se pueden encontrar en los bosques, pero también en arbustos, hierbas y animales domésticos. Es una buena práctica chequear a los niños y mascotas, en busca de garrapatas, después de haber estado afuera.
Beber suficientes líquidos y una buena nutrición es muy importante durante el clima cálido debido a que el cuerpo trabaja más para regular la temperatura. Por favor anime a su hijo a tomar un vaso de alguna bebida con el desayuno, preferiblemente agua, y a llevar una bebida para la merienda y el almuerzo en la escuela. Protector solar se puede aplicar por la mañana ya que si el tiempo lo permite el recreo es generalmente afuera.
Sherri Knight-Cloud, BSN, RN, NCSN
Enfermera de la Escuela Hill Roberts
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has updated recommendations for schools and the general public to prevent the spread of any respiratory viruses. There are no longer any statewide isolation or quarantine requirements for those who test positive for COVID-19. This aligns with the March 1, 2024, updated guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The new guidance applies to any respiratory viral illness such as Covid, Flu or RSV. Symptoms of a viral illness include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache.
The new guidance states that even with a positive Covid test, individuals may return to school/work and resume normal activities when:
● they have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) AND
● symptoms are improving.
For additional information – please refer to the student handbook under “School and Illness: When your Child Should Stay Home.”
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school nurse.
When your child is sick, it is important to know when they should stay home from school. Your child should not go to school if they have:
• A fever of 100.0 Fahrenheit or greater– your child can return to school after they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication to treat or prevent fever.
• Diarrhea – your child can return to school after 24 hours without any episodes of diarrhea.
• Vomiting – your child can return to school after 24 hours from the last episode of vomiting.
• Excessive coughing or wheezing
• Illness that requires treatment with an antibiotic – your child should remain home until they have completed 24 hours on prescribed medication. (Examples include but not limited to- strep, impetigo, conjunctivitis)
School can be a long and demanding day especially after an illness. Your child should be eating and sleeping normally after an illness before returning to school.
Please contact your School Nurse with any questions or concerns.
Sherri Knight-Cloud, BSN, RN, NCSN
sknightcloud@attleboroschools.com or (508) 399-7560
Please avoid dismissing your students after 3pm. While sometimes this is unavoidable, we appreciate your cooperation in ensuring our attention is focused on safely and efficiently dismissing our 425 plus students. Thank you!
Please keep the area below (note: yellow tape and signage) clear for our busses. This is critical for allowing safe passage of busses. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Please check out updates about Family Events in Project Connect's March/April Newsletter
Visit the APS Community Fliers page to view the most recent events, opportunities, and resources happening within the Attleboro Community.
The students have voted! The winning theme for this Spring’s Someone Special Dance is Out of This World! Now the planning begins. If you are interested in being part of the dance planning committee, please reach out or attend a PTO meeting. Reminder, the dance this year is Saturday May 17th!
Please follow us on Facebook! Hill-Roberts Elementary School PTO | Facebook
Arrival:
Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
Doors will close at 8:45 sharp. Please report to main office if arriving past 8:45.
Classes start- 8:45 a.m.
Dismissal is at 3:25 p.m.
Early Dismissal days end at 12:25 p.m.
If your child is absent or will be absent, for any reason, please call the main office. Mrs. McLaughlin, Clerk and Mrs. Doxsey, Clerk would be happy to help you. Our number is (508) 399-7560.
The Attleboro Public Schools does not, in any education program or activity that it operates, discriminate or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race*, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, religion, disability, age, genetic-information, active military/veteran status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy, or pregnancy-related condition, homelessness, ancestry, ethnic background, national origin, immigration status, or any category protected by state or federal law. The Attleboro Public School District prohibits sex discrimination. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the District’s Civil Rights and/or Title IX Coordinators. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at https://www.attleboroschools.com.
*race to include traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture, hair type, hair length and protective hairstyles.
