Spring Howler

05-10-2025

Important dates:

5/12-5/15 - Grade 3 and Grade 4 Math MCAS Testing

5/13 - PTO Meeting

5/16- Early Release Day

5/17 - Someone Special Dance

5/26- No School - Memorial Day

5/30 - Art Show at BOGO Book Fair Family Night

5/12-5/15 - Math MCAS (Grade 4, then Grade 3)

5/17 - Someone Special Dance

6/2-6/5 - BOGO Book Fair

6/6 - Last day of Kindergarten

6/11 - Field Day, Grades 1-4 (volunteer sign-up forthcoming)

6/19- No School - Juneteenth 

6/20 - Projected last day of school and Grade 4 Step Up Day

Dear Hill-Roberts Families,

What an incredible week it's been at Hill-Roberts! Our amazing PTO, students, and families truly showered our staff with care and respect—thank you for making us feel so appreciated! From five fun-themed days to the generous gift of brand-new White Board Easels for every classroom, we are beyond grateful. Wow!

As we look ahead, next week brings our ELA and Math MCAS testing: Grade 4 will test on May 12 and 13, and Grade 3 on May 14 and 15. We know our students will do their best and shine bright!

This past week was also full of memorable moments, including a visit from the Roger Williams Zoo biologists, who brought animals and excitement to our Grade 1 students! A huge thank you to our PTO and families for supporting such a hands-on, educational experience.

At our May CREST Assembly, we had a lot to be proud of: a wonderful performance by our 4th grade chorus, 19 new Golden Huskies who exemplified Safety and Trust, and a special shoutout to Aiza Basit—only the fourth student in our school's history to pass 260 comprehension tests on 260 books! Her face now joins the Wheaties Box of Hill-Roberts Reading Program champions alongside Luke Newman. What an inspiration!

Quick Reminder: This upcoming Friday is an early release day - 12:25pm!

Wishing all the incredible mothers and caregivers in our community a very Happy Mother’s Day this Sunday! And stay tuned—there’s still plenty of field trip fun and learning adventures ahead this May/June!

Dr. Paul Madden, Principal
Ms. Julie O’Boyle, Assistant Principal

May CREST Assembly - Safety and Trust Theme

Our May CREST Assembly included:

  • A performance by our 4th grade chorus

  • A celebration of Aiza Basit for being the fourth student in Hill-Roberts history and second this year (Luke Newman) to pass 260 comprehension tests on 260 books and her face on a Hill-Roberts Reading Program Wheaties Box!

  • 19 new Golden Huskies who exemplified Safety and Trust

4th Grade Chorus at CREST
CREST Team

Roger Williams Zoo at Hill-Roberts! Grade 1

Grade 1 had the Roger Williams Zoo Biologists and some of their animals come to Hill-Roberts! Thank you to the PTO and our families for sponsoring this highly engaging, hands-on and educationally rich experience!

Roger Williams 2
Roger Willliams 1

Suggestions for MCAS Readiness

Dear Hill-Roberts Grade 3 and 4 Families,

ELA Math MCAS is this upcoming week! Grade 4 will test on 5/12 and 5/13 and Grade 3 will test on 5/14 and 5/15.

To help create a smooth testing experience, please review the following expectations and suggestions:

Expectations:

  • On-time arrival: Students must arrive by 8:45 AM. If they arrive late and testing has already begun, they will not be allowed into their classrooms until testing is finished.

  • No candy or snacks during testing. Water only.

  • Charge Chromebooks to 100%.

  • No electronics: Students may not have cell phones, smartwatches, or other devices during testing.

Suggestions for Supporting Your Student:

  • Encourage their best effort:

    • Answer all questions, including the short answer and constructed response questions (which makes up 15% of the total score). There is no penalty for guessing.

    • Double-check answers—finishing early isn’t the goal! Remind them that everyone works at their own pace.

  • Stay calm and focused: If a question is stressful, they can take a deep breath or come back to it later.

  • Eat a full, balanced breakfast: A good breakfast helps with focus and stamina. If they don’t eat at home, encourage them to eat at school.

  • Get plenty of sleep: Well-rested students think and perform better. Testing days can be exhausting!

  • Dress in layers: Classrooms can be warm or cool, so dressing in layers helps them stay comfortable.

As always, thank you for your support! Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
Dr. Madden
Principal, Hill-Roberts Elementary School

Wicked Awesome Teacher Appreciation Week! Thank you SO much!

The PTO, our students, and our families showered us with care and respect this week! Thank you for 5, fun themed days and new White Board Easels for each of our classrooms! Wow!

We are so appreciative of your partnership and, of course, your special recognition this week! It is our honor and passion to work with your students! Thank you again!

Sweets and kind messages
Coffee and treats
POPcorn cart!
Staff Luncheon
New white board easels

ELPAC Meeting, 5/13/25 at 5:30pm

Join parents of other English Learners for an ELPAC meeting on May 13, 2025, at 5:30 PM. Parents/Guardians who attend will learn about the different ways to use the Aspen family portal. 

  • Complete the survey! Responses will inform what Aspen topics are discussed during the meeting. Take the survey here: https://forms.gle/ucwkPqipQu8JxJzP6  

  • Interpreters must be requested by Friday, May 9, 2025, by texting or emailing: 508-431-0396 

    or Welcome@attleboroschools.com   

  • Childcare will NOT be provided for this meeting. Children may attend and sit quietly at the table with their parents in the meeting. 

  • Each family who attends will have the chance to win a GIFT CARD! 

  • Click the link for more information: https://www.smore.com/n/um3yf    

ELPAC - Portuguese
ELPAC - Spanish
ELPAC - English
ELPAC - Hatian Creole
ELPAC - Mandarin
ELPAC - French
ELPAC - Thai
ELPAC - Arabic

Lost and Found (Still) Overflowing (5-10-2025)

Our lost and found is overflowing still. With the change in weather, some extra layers are being left behind. Please check that your child's names (or initials) are written in all hats, jackets, hoodies, or any other layer-able gear. All clothing not collected by the end of the year (6/20) will be donated to charity. Thank you for your help!

Lost and Found

25-26 Transportation Application is Open!

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 

Bus registration

Daily Attendance Matters!

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   

Attendance Matters

DESE School Report Card

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.

Nurse Office Note

Spring Things…from the Health Office

     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

Cosas de la Primavera…de la oficina de Salud

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

Urgent Care Now Open

Updated Guidance for Respiratory Viral Illnesses

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.

School and Illness: When Your Child Should Stay Home

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.

Sick day

Sherri Knight-Cloud, BSN, RN, NCSN

sknightcloud@attleboroschools.com or (508) 399-7560

Before 3pm for Dismissals, Please

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!

Reminder - No Parking Areas

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.

Drop off and pick up policy update

Reminder - ELC Preschool Screenings

Preschool Screenings

Project Connect Newsletters

Please check out updates about Family Events in Project Connect's May/June Newsletter

APS Community Fliers

Visit the APS Community Fliers page to view the most recent events, opportunities, and resources happening within the Attleboro Community. 

PTO1
PTO 2
PTO News

Teacher Appreciation Sheets

Just a reminder to send back the teacher appreciation sheets that were sent home last week so we can get them sent out to the teachers and staff this week. If you missed it, here is a link to a PDF print out.

Volunteers Needed!

The PTO is looking for volunteers to help out at a few of the upcoming events! We could use a few extra hands with teacher appreciation week next week, the upcoming dance and art show, and the end of year book fair. Please email the PTO (HillRobertsPTO@gmail.com) if you’re interested in getting involved and helping out.

🐾🌸 Spring Spiritwear Shop is Open! 🌸🐾

Hey families! 🎉 Our Spring Spiritwear Shop is now open and ready for your orders! Show your school spirit with our awesome collection of gear. The shop will be open until May 9th, so don't miss out!

📦 All orders will be delivered directly to students, making it super convenient for everyone.

Visit the shop today and grab your favorites! Let's make this spring season extra special with some fresh spiritwear. 🌟

www.myclassgear.com/hillroberts

HR Spiritwear

Don’t forget to purchase your Someone Special Dance Tickets!

Out of this world Dance

Hill-Roberts Summer Social!

Summer Social

Buy-one, Get-one (BOGO) Book Fair, 6/2-6/5

BOGO Book Fair
Calling all Parents - Volunteers Needed

PTO needs volunteers for the last and final book fair of the year! 

Take a look at the open time slots and please consider helping even for an hour if you can. 

Sign Up Genius
May 13 PTO

Join Our PTO!

Join Our PTO

https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/HillRoberts

Instagram

Please follow us on Facebook!  Hill-Roberts Elementary School PTO | Facebook

Save the Dates!

5/13/2025 - PTO Meeting at 6:30pm

Contact PTO

www.facebook.com/groups/hillrobertspto

hillrobertspto@gmail.com

Hours

  • 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.

Absent? Call the Main Office

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.

Contact HRES

Dr. Madden, Principal

Ms. O'Boyle, AP

Mrs. McLaughlin, Clerk

Mrs. Doxsey, Clerk

(508) 399-7560

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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.