Warm Wishes for the Holiday Season & Winter Break ❄️✨

Dear Willett Families,

We will be in session next week on Monday, December 22nd and Tuesday, December 23rd. Our Winter Break begins on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 and we return to school on Monday, January 5, 2026

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Congratulations to Ms. Potucek and our 4th grade students for putting on amazing choral performance on Wednesday night at Brennan Middle School. 

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We would like to thank Jennifer Laferriere for serving as our Health teacher for the first part of the school year. We have hired Emma Gaulin to finish the year in that position.

Also, we have welcomed Deb Amato as our new library paraprofessional. Julie Friess has moved to a different position in our district. 

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As we are coming to the close of this calendar year, we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and support. The holiday season and winter break are special times to pause, reflect, and enjoy meaningful moments together.

We hope the coming days bring rest, joy, and opportunities to connect with loved ones—whether through quiet moments at home, festive traditions, or new adventures. May this holiday season be filled with warmth, laughter, and time to recharge as a family. ☃️💙

As many students may receive new technology during the holiday season, we kindly encourage families to be mindful of the digital content children are accessing. Taking time to review and monitor what students are watching on YouTube and other online platforms can help ensure safe, age-appropriate, and positive experiences.

Please note that this will be the last edition of our Whaler for the calendar year. Our next edition will be shared on Friday, January 9, 2026.

Wishing you a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season and winter break. We look forward to reconnecting in the new year! 🎉❄️

Mr. Jeffrey Cateon, Principal 

Competency Determination Policy 

Massachusetts requires all students to meet Competency Determination (CD) requirements in order to graduate from high school. In November 2024, Ballot Question 2 updated this requirement by removing MCAS as the sole way students demonstrate competency. 

Because of this change, the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education updated its regulations and now requires school districts to explain how students will meet the new graduation requirements. The Attleboro School Committee approved an updated Competency Determination policy that outlines these expectations. 

Families can review the approved policy using the link provided. Please contact your school if you have any questions. 

AI Survey for Families 

The District AI Task Force is launching a short survey to learn how families are using artificial intelligence, what questions you may have, and what supports would be most helpful. Your feedback will help the district create clear expectations, build shared understanding, and ensure our approach to AI is safe, responsible, and aligned with community needs. 

Please take a few minutes to complete the Family AI Survey at the link below. Thank you for contributing your voice. 

Family AI Survey Link 

A Note from Mrs. Brierly

Dear Families,
I wanted to share that I will be on medical leave starting Friday, November 21, 2025, and plan to return on Monday, January 5, 2026. While I’m away, our amazing staff will continue to care for and support our students every day.

If something urgent comes up, please don’t hesitate to contact Principal Jeffrey Cateon at jcateon@attleboroschools.com or the main office. I’ll miss seeing all of our students and families during this time and look forward to returning in the new year with renewed energy!

Warmly,

Mrs. Christine Brierly, Assistant Principal

Opt In or Opt Out to District SMS Messaging 
District/School text messages are sent from the short code 989-00. Per CTIA requirements, recipients must be able to opt out of receiving SMS messages by replying "Stop" to that number. This will stop only text messages (calls and emails will continue as usual). 
 
If you previously opted out and would like to start receiving text alerts again, simply send "Start" to 989-00 to be added back into future SMS communications.

APS Redistricting is now in Phase 2. During this phase, the Operations & Infrastructure Council continues to review potential boundary change proposals. See the APS Redistricting page for more information.

December 24 - January 2 - No School - Holiday Break 

For other important dates, please review our website as well as the district calendar - 2025-26_District_Academic_and_Events_Calendars.pdf

Welcome Center Update 

Contact or visit the Welcome Center for access to Community Resources, Community Flyers, and support for all things APS.  

APS Community Flyers 

The APS Community Flyers page includes both APS and local events and resources. Included this week are winter break snack packs from the Family Resource Center, the AHS Financial Aid & Scholarship night, and information on spring sports. 

Hello from the Health Office,

With the cold weather and an increase in illness throughout the community, please see the attached information to assist families in making decisions about when their students should stay home and when they can come to school.  

When is sick TOO sick for school?

Reasons to keep me home from school

The first week of December is National Handwashing Awareness Week. According to the CDC, keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.

Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water.

Making a habit of good hand hygiene is an easy, effective way to prevent infections and sicknesses. If you’re someone that chooses to skip the handwashing once in a while, read these mind-blowing statistics and you might think again next time!

– 80% of communicable diseases can be transferred by touch (person-to-person contact).
– Washing your hands a few times a day can reduce diarrhea rates by 40%.
– Touching your face with dirty hands spreads sicknesses pneumonia, a cold, and the flu.
– Pneumonia is the number one cause of childhood death, and is preventable by regular handwashing.

The two most important times to wash your hands are before and after preparing food, and after going to the bathroom.

Project Connect November/December Newsletter

Click here for our website!

Contact Us

Main Office Phone: (508) 222-0360

School Clerks:

Kelly Van Den Berghe kvandenberghe@attleboroschools.com

Katie Rebelo krebelo@attleboroschools.com

Administration:

Principal Jeffrey Cateon jcateon@attleboroschools.com

Asst. Principal Christine Brierly cbrierly@attleboroschools.com