- First Day of Kindergarten and Preschool: Tuesday, Sept 8

- PTA Meeting- 6:30PM JRB Library 

- Early Release: Wednesday, Sept 16- 11:55 AM dismissal start

- Ready, Set Glow!, Sept 18th from 6:00- 8:00 PM. 

- School Picture Day- Tuesday, Sept 22
- Open House: Thursday, Sept 24 (5:30-6:30 PM)

Come see how the year has started for your child/children. This informal night is guided by your student. Visit their classroom, the specials teachers, and meet with other members of the school community. Students are asked to remain with their own families. 

If you will be dropping off your student(s), we open the doors at 8:20. You will enter JRB as usual, then take the right to go around the back of the building. Please do not pass any cars while on this road, as students are often near these cars. Once you get to the drop-off circle, enter with your driver's side near the sidewalk. Please pull up to the furthest area open in order to fit as many cars as possible (usually 7). We encourage students to get out of the car by themselves, walk straight to the sidewalk, and enter the building through the open glass doors. Only proceed when the car in front of you has also moved forward to exit the circle turning left. Please consult the map below for a visual of this process. Students who arrive after 8:30 are considered late and should be signed in by an adult in the office.

While we know it is an exciting time for kids, please stay in your vehicle (unless your student is not able to unbuckle). If you need a staff member to help your child out, we are happy to do so.

We usually end our drop-off at 8:30. If you arrive out back and there are no staff members, please drive around to the main entrance.

Finally, we ask for your patience throughout the first few weeks as parents new to this process might take some practice and extra time. September 8th will be extra busy as it is the first day for K students.

Much like parent drop-off, pick-up will again send you around the rear of the school. Students start leaving the building at 2:50 PM. IF YOU SEE CONES BLOCKING THE WAY BEHIND THE SCHOOL, PLEASE WAIT FOR A STAFF MEMBER TO MOVE THEM BEFORE PROCEEDING. You will be asked by a staff member who you are picking up (plus you will be offered a nameplate to hang or post for ease of taking names). When you pull into the circle, please pull up all the way as we try to fit 7 cars in at a time. Please stay in the right lane while waiting to move forward. Finally, please do not pass any cars during pick-up. Students sometimes get in the car on the outside, so we ask that you are extra cautious.

John R Briggs Elementary School believes that uninterrupted, high-quality classroom instruction is the most important business of the school. To create a conducive learning environment, to prevent disruptions, to comply with Massachusetts Senate Bill S.2561, and in conjunction with the Acceptable Use Policy, the following apply:

 The use of personal electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, smartglasses, Bluetooth headphones, or other personal Bluetooth or Wi-Fi-enabled devices in classrooms is prohibited during our school day (8:20-3:10). All such devices should be powered off and stored in bags. We will also offer a storage pouch in the office for a more secure setting. No personal electronic devices should be stored in students’ pockets or on their persons during the school day. Personal electronic devices are not allowed in hallways, classrooms, the cafeteria, or bathrooms at any time during the school day. 

With our one-to-one Chromebook devices, students have the necessary technology to access learning in their classes. Parents are asked not to call or message their children during school hours, but rather contact the main office, and a message will be passed on to their child quickly. In the case of an emergency, students will be allowed to return a parent's call via the school office phone. 

Failure to comply with the policy will result in a parent/guardian coming to the office at your earliest convenience to take possession of the device. 

In certain cases, students with documented medical plans may require access to a personal electronic device and may be exempt from portions of this policy.

Our sign out, which used to be in the vestibule, is now located in the front office. So if your child is late (missed the bus or you were after 8:30 for drop-off), or if you are signing them out for any reason, please come on inside and use the forms provided. This is also where the visitor sign-in paper will be located.

Please let the school know your 'usual plan' for your child at the end of the day. Sending in a note that states if you will be going to parent pick-up, bus, or extended day on a regular basis will be very helpful. You can also email jrboffice@awrsd.org with this information as well.

Attendance

Attendance is taken promptly each morning. Please call JRB (978) 827-5750 or email jrboffice@awrsd.org when your child will be absent or late for school. Please state your name(first and last name), your child’s name, teacher, and the reason for absence. If you must speak to someone, please call after 7:45 AM. If we do not hear from you, we will contact you at home or work. This system is to ensure the safety of your child.

Extended Day Registrations are open! Please make sure your students are registered before attending. Visit MSBactivities.com to sign up. 

If you have a Fourth Grade student at home, you are in luck. Each year students in fourth grade are encouraged to make it a great year by taking advantage of the Every Kid Outdoors program. Follow this website https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm to see America's natural wonders and historic sites for free!

2026-27 BAND/CHORUS NEWS for grades 3, 4, & 5:

For students entering grades 3, 4, or 5 and are interested in joining band and/or chorus, please click on the links below for more information and to register. There will also be paper signup sheets going home in the backpacks during the 1st day of school.

• Beginner Band starts on Tues., October 20th and will be held on Tuesdays from 3-4pm. Lessons will begin the week of 9/14 and are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. Click HERE to sign up for lessons & Beginner Band.

• Advanced Band for students returning from our 2025-26 band will resume on Thurs., September 10th and will be held on Thursdays from 3-4pm. Mrs. Lordan has already been in touch with Advanced Band parents via email to set up lesson times, which will begin the week of Sept. 14th. 

We are having an Instrument Demonstration Night on Wed., 9/2 at 6:30pm in the JRB cafeteria. This is a great opportunity for beginner students to try out a couple of instruments before deciding which one to play! FYI: There is a monthly rental fee for instruments which covers repairs. Please click HERE for instrument rental pricing. There are limited scholarship instrument rentals available. Please contact Mrs. Lordan for more information: mlordan@awrsd.org.

2026-27 JRB CHORUS REHEARSALS will be held on WEDNESDAY mornings, from 7:30-8:20AM, beginning Wed., 9/9! Click HERE to sign up for Chorus. *Voice lessons before/after school with Mrs. Lordan are available! Please email for more information! mlordan@awrsd.org* 

2026-27 MUSIC EVENTS:

• JRB Chorus performance at Celebrate Ashburnham Street Fair, 9/20/26 at 10am

• District Marching Band Night for Advanced Band students, 10/16/26 at 7pm, Oakmont

• JRB Winter Concert, 12/17/26 at 7pm, Oakmont

• District Band Night, 3/11/27 at 6:30pm, Oakmont

• District Choral Night, 3/16/27 at 6:30pm, Oakmont

• District Jazz Night, 4/15/27 at 6:30pm, Oakmont

• JRB Spring Concert, 6/8/27 at 7pm, Oakmont

• JRB Recital Night, DATE TBD