Panther Pride
From the desk of Mr.McElhinney
Turning the corner...
There is always a sense we have reached the halfway point of the school year following the changing of the calendar to the "new year", that day will actually be a week Monday 1/24 (90days). For now, we will continue to climb the hill. Mr. Antonelli and WA are planning a special (ZOOM) night for all incoming 9th graders, see the details below. Dr. Chew has updated our system for reporting Covid cases (hopefully as we turn that corner). There is a link below to access the district's schools. Please note the survey for adults below regarding the town meetings. It's important as a citizen to have your voice heard when the town is faced with decisions. The town meeting committee is looking for your feedback.
The Panorama survey will take place during a brief period (20-30 min) within a long block advisory Thursday morning. Opt-out form
SBPTO support
The Gr.8 science classrooms are in urgent need of parent volunteers for their upcoming PTO-Sponsored Science Workshop (Physical Changes of Matter II) presented by Discovery Museum, Acton. The workshop requires a minimum of 2 adults in addition to the classroom teacher to help oversee the various hands-on stations. This program cannot take place without the additional adults due to safety issues so please consider volunteering using this Sign-Up Genius link. Thank you! - Stony Brook School PTO
Turn up the heat,
Mr. MacTown Meeting Survey- for adults
The newly formed Access to Town Meeting (ATM) Committee is a group of residents working to improve participation and attendance at Westford's Annual and Special Town Meetings. We want to hear from you - whether you always attend or aren't sure what the fuss is about. Please take a moment to fill out our very short survey (only about 5 questions)!
https://bit.ly/WestfordTMsurvey
We are asking demographic questions because we want our results to be representative of our community. Please help us reach as many Westford residents as possible -- share with friends and neighbors!
Valery Young
Vice Chair, School CommitteePronouns: she/her
774-239-4387
Incoming 9th graders to Westford Academy Curriculum Information Night
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of current 8th grade student,
I would like to invite you to our Curriculum Information Presentation on Wednesday, February 16th at 6:30pm. This event will be virtual.
The program will include:
Information regarding courses offered at Westford Academy. Please review our Freshmen Transition page as well as our Program of Studies which can be found on the counseling website.
A review of the course and level expectations by department.
Information on the scheduling process and timeline.
Please register here:
Parents/Guardians of Stony Brook and Blanchard Middle School 8th Grade Students.
Please join us for a Webinar on Zoom.
When: Feb 16, 2022 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Curriculum Information Presentation for Incoming Freshmen
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q1ifhPqbRZi0je79yWAXcg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
This presentation will be posted on the WA Counseling website the following day for interested parent(s)/guardian(s) who were unable to attend.
I look forward to “seeing you” on February 16th!
Sincerely,
James P. Antonelli
Principal
NEW POLICY ***Unanticipated Bus Route Interruptions***
P5327 Unanticipated Bus Route Interruptions
Westford Public Schools and its transportation contractor(s) will abide by the following procedures when encountering an unanticipated route interruption:
Morning Unanticipated Route Interruptions
For all grades:
Driver will radio dispatch and inform them of the road that is inaccessible and the stop(s) that will be missed.
Upon receipt of notification, dispatch will inform the school(s), providing details of the route interruption, including the bus number and bus stop(s) affected. It will be the responsibility of the school to notify parents. It will be at the school’s discretion to trigger an automated notification of all parents with students on that route or upon arrival of the students to the school, contact only affected families.
Afternoon Unanticipated Route Interruptions
Grades 6-12 - The bus driver will speak to the Police Officer/person in charge at the closure to gather pertinent information, noting the name of the contact for future reference. (If no contact is available, decision making will be the responsibility of the bus driver and dispatch.) Using the details provided and the age of the affected student(s), a determination will be made regarding the safest and closest alternate drop off locations, if one exists. Driver will radio dispatch and inform them of the road that is inaccessible, the stop(s) which will be missed, and the plan for student drop off. If it is determined that no alternate safe location is available, the students will be returned to the school upon completion of the route.
Grades K-5 - Driver will radio dispatch and inform them of the road that is inaccessible and the stop(s) that will be missed. The students will be returned to the school upon completion of the route.
Upon receipt of notification, dispatch will inform the school, providing details of the route interruption, including the bus number and bus stop(s) affected. It will be the responsibility of the school to notify parents. It will be at the school’s discretion to trigger an automated notification of all parents with students on that route or upon return of the students to the school, contact only affected families.
MASC Reference: EEA
Buy a Yearbook
"YEARBOOK! There is still time to purchase a 2021-2022 yearbook for your child! Click on this FLIER to order!"
PTO UPDATE
The Gr.8 science classrooms are in urgent need of parent volunteers for their upcoming PTO-Sponsored Science Workshop (Physical Changes of Matter II) presented by Discovery Museum, Acton. The workshop requires a minimum of 2 adults in addition to the classroom teacher to help oversee the various hands-on stations. This program cannot take place without the additional adults due to safety issues so please consider volunteering using this Sign-Up Genius link. Thank you! - Stony Brook School PTO
Covid daily cases
During Monday Night's School Committee meeting, we discussed discontinuing the letter notifications from each school regarding reported positve cases of COVID-19. We have created a new link on our website that will be updated daily by each school. That information can be found here: Positive COVID-19 Cases by School
We appreciate all of your patience and understanding as we transition towards finding the most effective way to provide updated information at this time.
Sincerely,
Chris
Dr. Christopher Chew
Superintendent of Schools
Westford, MA
COVID TESTING CONSENT LINK
Please visit this link to the online consent form through CIC-health: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma?district=Westford#consent
Additionally, you can access this link to receive more specific information about Contact Tracing and Quarantining under the most recent DESE/ DPH protocols: Family Information Regarding DESE testing and Quarnating Protocols
Covid Testing reminder
"As was mentioned before school started, WPS has elected to participate in the DESE-sponsored COVID-19 testing program supported by CIC-health. The overall program includes multiple testing options for districts. We are initially exploring the “test and stay” program which will allow students identified as close contacts while at school the opportunity to take a rapid COVID test at school to see if they remain negative in order to stay in school. We are working with all of the school nurses to assess whether or not also implementing symptomatic testing throughout the day would be a benefit or create a more challenging scenario for our already busy health clinics. All COVID testing requires parent or guardian permission in order for students to participate. The consent form is accessible online and covers all of the potential DESE testing programs: the two previously mentioned (Test and Stay, Symptomatic) along with the Routine COVID testing (which was previously called “pooled” testing). We are not considering Routine COVID testing at this time; however, the consent form is for all available testing. It clearly states that the school district must inform parents of any changes before implementing them. So, we are asking you at this time to consider consenting to both “test and stay” testing and “symptomatic”. If we ever decide to consider Routine COVID testing, you will be informed ahead of time and given the opportunity to change your consent.
Students Experiencing Homelessness
Child Search
If you know of any child attending public or private school, or who is homeless or has left school, and could benefit from a special education evaluation under Chapter 766 or educational services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, please contact the Special Education Department in Westford. (978-692-5560 ext. 2111)
Every effort will be made to contact the parents to advise them of their rights under these laws.
Notes from the Clinic
Notes from the Clinic 1/14/2022:(You will need to copy and paste any links I have below into your browsers)
There have been many changes in isolation and quarantine guidance since December. Many of you are aware but I wanted to share updates with all of you. The CDC updated their guidance on the 27th on December-please refer to this CDC media statement: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html
This is the link to the Massachusetts guidance which aligned with the CDC: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-isolation-and-quarantine-guidance-for-the-general-public
And finally a DESE flowchart which highlights what we are doing in our schools: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/flowcharts.pdf
Isolation is now for five days from symptom onset. (Symptom onset is day zero-if asymptomatic; test date is day zero) Return to school on day 6 if symptoms are resolving but continue to wear a mask around others for an additional five days. (If your child is actively coughing or sneezing beyond the five days, please keep them home.) For lunch, here is information from DESE: Per the updated protocols, individuals returning from a 5-day isolation and quarantine must mask for an additional 5 days when around others. During meals, masks should only be removed when individuals are actively eating. Additionally, DESE recommends a physical distance of at least 3 feet while eating, as feasible. This means masks must be worn when individuals are waiting for meals or sitting at lunch tables after meals are finished.
The Omicron variant which we are dealing with, is highly contagious. There have been countless cases of the fully vaccinated and boostered testing positive for COVID. Symptoms with this variant are more related to the nasal cavity with headaches, congestion, sore throats and fatigue being the most common. The Delta variant has a greater impact on the respiratory system and has caused some individuals to lose their sense of smell and taste.
If your child is fully vaccinated and has ‘cold-like’ symptoms, please do not rule out that it might be COVID related-especially if there is a known exposure. If your child does test positive or is home b/c they were exposed, make sure when you call in their absence you share that information or leave me a voicemail or email. DESE has asked us to continue sending them the number of students and staff who test positive. We have never shared names, just the number of positives in each school building.
If your child does test positive, please notify the parents of their friends or teammates they spent time with while infectious (You are considered most infectious 2 days prior to symptom onset and 3 days after.) At this time, when someone is symptomatic and tests positive at home, it does not need to be confirmed with a PCR. However, make sure you do notify the pediatrician so it is in your child’s medical records.
Continue to share vaccination records with me–some of your children have received their boosters. Please provide me with that paperwork as well. I encourage all of you to get your children vaccinated if you have not already done so. For concerns related to the vaccine, please read this FAQ from the American Academy of Pediatrics updated four days ago: https://www.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/covid-19-vaccine-for-children/about-the-covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions/
If you are the parent of a 6th grader, send in your child’s physical and immunization records as you take them for their annual physical. We require physicals in grades K, 3, 7 and 11. For any student athlete, send in a physical every year. The immunizations required for 7th grade are Tdap and now Menactra, along with 2 Varivax vaccines.
Have a good weekend. Reach out with any questions or concerns.
Sue Hanly, RN, MSN, NCSN
978-392-6974(direct line)
ATHLETIC UPDATE
Pick Promptness
Please be mindful of the end times for your children's practices and games. Please be available to pick up at the designated end times for the day's event (game/practice). Coaches have other commitments, responsibilities and families to get to after coaching. Our coaches do not want to leave children alone after games or practices so your promptness will guarantee their safety and security after events. Your prompt pick up supports your children's continued participation.
SEPAC
On Wednesday, January 19 at 7PM, the Westford Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC), in collaboration with the Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) is hosting a virtual basic rights presentation focused on understanding the IEP with presenter Clare Vann, Esq.
This presentation will delve into the Individual Education Program (IEP) document, its development, the breakdown of each section and understanding how the document will support a student.
Workshop topics include:
Why the IEP is Important
Who is eligible for an IEP
How the IEP is Developed
Strengths and Concerns
Vision Statements
IEP Sections including PLEP A & B, Annual Goals, and Service Delivery Grid
Differences between Accommodations and Modifications
Response, Placement and Consent
Procedural Safeguards, and more!
This presentation is free and open to all members of the public.
Attendees must pre-register to attend the presentation and receive handouts.
https://fcsn-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkd--upzstHtSTW8FGIsEZ05EzEwHEg39b
Thank you for sharing this information! If you have any questions, please reach out to the SEPAC at sepacwestford@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
The Westford SEPAC Board of Directors
Chair: Ilene Tatroe
Vice Co-Chairs: Jill Atkins & Melissa Mackey
What is the SEPAC? Massachusetts statutes and regulations require that every school district in the state establishes a SEPAC. This public body serves as an adviser to the School Committee on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities. In addition, the SEPAC has a duty to meet regularly with school officials to participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of the district’s special education program.
For more information on SEPACs, please visit the Federation for Children with Special Needs’ MassPAC page.
The Westford SEPAC also encourages community members to follow our Facebook page or sign up for our mailing list to get information about upcoming Westford SEPAC events, as well as topics that the SEPAC Board of Directors believes is of interest to families of students with special needs in our community.