Abbot Update
December 17, 2021
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Abbot Families,
We have had a very busy and festive week here at Abbot and one of the highlights was our PTO Holiday Store. Thank you to the PTO and to the MANY volunteers who made time to help out at the store. It was adorable to hear students chatting about selecting gifts for family and friends and to see them working through their finances to accomplish their shopping goals.
I am thrilled to report that the Holiday Store Compassion Corner collected over $150 for the Westford Food Pantry. Seeing the students donating their change was truly heartwarming.
The festivities will continue next week with Festive Sweater Day, Pajama Day and one of my all time favorite events, the Holiday Sing Along.
Please see important information and reminders below.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Lori McDermott
Abbot School Principal
A Message From the PTO - Magic Mixie Raffle
A generous Abbot family has given us this Magic Mixie to raffle off and proceeds would benefit our PTO.
BRAND NEW IN ORIGINAL BOX!
Tickets will be sold until 11:59pm on 12/21 (no exceptions) and the drawing will be held on 12/22 either live on Facebook here or in the school lobby. This is a PTO sponsored raffle.
Please go to the website below to enter the raffle and pay for your tickets. Venmo or
cash/check sent to Abbot. Checks made out to WEPTO- Abbot PTO
https://tinyurl.com/magicmixieabbot
One ticket for $5 or five tickets for $20
Thank you and good luck! Happy Holidays!
Abbot Trail Footbridge - Eagle Scout Project
Abbot School has once again been selected as the beneficiary of another Eagle Scout project. Zoe Musante designed and constructed a "footbridge" over the stream that runs through the Abbot Trail. I took a little hike after school this week to check it out and it is amazing! I was pleasantly surprised at how quick the hike was (about 6 min each way) and how clear the path was. I have included a few photos below. Some of our classes have taken advantage of the warm temperatures and have already enjoyed a nature "hike".
WEF Grant Recipients
Report Cards/Progress Reports
The Parent Portal will open on Friday, December 17 at 4:00 PM to access Report Cards.
To access your child's report card, log into the Parent Portal: https://www.westfordk12.us/district/parents/pages/parent-portal-information. If you have already registered for iParent access, but do not remember your username and/or password, do not register again. Simply send an email to iparent@westfordk12.us to obtain that information.
Special Education and ELL progress reports will be individually emailed to parents directly from the liaison.
5th Grade Yearbook Club
Due to high demand and limited space, a lottery will be held for the 10 available spots.
THIS WEEK
School Advisory Council/PTO Joint Meeting
Joint SAC/PTO Meeting
Monday, December 20 · 4:00 – 5:00pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/mav-tpyb-otc
Festive Sweater Day
Pajama Day - Date Change
Holiday Sing Along
CORI Deadline
We are hoping to have more and more volunteer opportunities as the school year moves along and into the spring. All volunteers need to have a CORI on file. Feel free to stop by the office between 7:30 and 3:30 next week, as the deadline to submit your CORI for this school year is December 23rd.
Thank you!
COMING SOON
Square 1 Art Fundraiser
We are thrilled to be bring back the Square 1 Art Fundraiser again this year! The "creation days" will begin right after winter break, starting on Monday, January 3rd. As in past years, students will be able to create their own designs during Art class. More details about ordering and deadlines will be coming in January.
REMINDERS FROM PREVIOUS UPDATES
Grade 5 Colonial Day is Coming Soon!
Winter Weather Reminders
Please remember to check the district website in the morning regarding school closings or delays if inclement weather is forecasted, as sometimes the superintendent's phone calls are not received.
Please be advised that there is NO EARLY ARRIVAL option on days when there is a delayed opening. Students will be welcomed into the building at 10:15am.
We make every effort to get outside for recess unless it is raining/snowing or the feels like temperature is below 20 degrees.
Thank you for reminding your children to dress for the weather. Winter jackets, hats and gloves are a must. It also gets particularly wet and muddy around the school, so boots are a good idea.
Tiered Focused Monitoring
During the week of January 9, 2022, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Westford Public Schools. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson(s) of the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.
Parents and other individuals may call Alaena Podmore, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (781) 338- 6706 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.
Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the (district or charter school) with a report with information about areas in which the (district or charter school) meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the (district or charter school) requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.
DATES TO REMEMBER
- December 20 - Joint SAC/PTO Meeting (4:00-5:00 PM)
- December 22 - 5th Grade Band rehearsal (7:30 AM), Festive Sweater Day
- December 23 - Pajama Day, Holiday Sing Along, Early Release (11:40 AM)
- December 24-January 2 - December Break
- January 3 - Welcome Back, Square 1 Art begins
- January 14 - Grade 5 Colonial Day
COMMUNITY NEWS
COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine
Westford Health Dept has 50 DOSES of Pfizer vaccine for the 5-11 year old’s AVAILABLE: Please use link below to book appointment; No Walk-in’s please.
FIRST DOSE ONLY
LOCATION: Westford Academy Cafeteria
DATE: Wednesday, December 15, 2021
TIME: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
VACCINE: Pfizer 5-11 year old
Please use the link below to book your appointment for the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine for the 5-11 year old’s
https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/westford
After the first dose a text/email reminder will be sent to you by COLOR to book the second dose appointment for January 5.
SECOND DOSE CLINIC:
LOCATION: Westford Academy Cafeteria
DATE: Wednesday, January 5, 2022
TIME: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
VACCINE: Pfizer 5-11 year old Second vaccine dose clinic only
Give The Gift That Keeps On Giving!
Can’t find just the right gift to show your appreciation for the wonderful job your child’s teacher or special staff member has done? Consider sending a WEF note to your favorite teacher, counselor, teacher’s aide, school nurse, office staff member, or principal. It’s the perfect way to say thank you and support innovation at Nashoba Valley Technical High School and in Westford Public Schools at the same time!
Proceeds from these notes will be used to fund grants for innovative educational programs for NVTHS and WPS. This is also a great idea for class gifts!
Just make a tax-deductible donation (minimum of $10 per honoree) to the Westford Education Foundation and we will send your honoree an email from WEF with a personalized note. The email will state your name and your message, but will not disclose the amount of your gift.
Note: Donations made to WEF in honor of NVTHS and WPS staff members comply with the state ethical regulations for gift-giving and acceptance. The Westford Education Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that promotes excellence in education. We fund grants to teachers, staff, and the community for innovative educational initiatives, professional development, and life-long learning ventures.
Visit our website at https://www.westford.org/wef for more information on the programs we have funded in your school. All of this would not be possible without the support of our community and people like you.
Please visit https://www.westford.org/wef/thank-a-teacher_winter/ to complete your donation. You can complete your donation using your PayPal account or credit card. You will receive a confirmation email when your note is delivered. Questions? Contact WEF at wef@westford.org. Thank you!
Please check to see if your company has a matching gift program. Your gift may be doubled, or even tripled! Check with your human resources office for a matching gift form to submit with your donation.
Stony Brook Theatre Arts Proudly Presents: Matilda Jr.
Stony Brook Theatre Arts Proudly Presents: Matilda Jr. Come see this family friendly production featuring over 100 Stony Brook students in the cast and crew! Tickets are available at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/58880
Groups may purchase tickets seated together, but the ticketing software will put two empty seats in between each block of tickets purchased for social distancing purposes. All patrons must be masked.
WESTFORD YOUTH LACROSSE (WYL)
WYL is accepting registrations for the Spring 2022 season for the boys and girls programs (Grades 1 - 8) as well as the mixed FiddleStix Program for Kindergarten age. Westford Youth Lacrosse play starts in mid-March with indoor practices. Games start in early April and run through mid-June. Boys and Girls programs consist of one to two practices per week with games on Sundays in Westford or the neighboring towns.
FiddleStix is a great entry program for Kindergarten age children looking to try something new. No equipment needed. One day per week commitment. No weekends.
Registration ends January 15, 2022, for Grades 1-8 programs so don’t miss out. Go to www.westfordlax.org to learn more and to register for any of the WYL programs. FiddleStix registration will remain open until April 1.
Lacrosse is the fastest sport on two feet and one of the fastest growing youth sports in the country. Help spread the word to your friends who may be interested in playing Lacrosse that registration is HAPPENING now!
Sincerely,
The Westford Youth Lacrosse Board
Nashoba Youth Hockey
Nashoba Youth Hockey is very excited to share the return of our Winter Learn to Skate and Learn to Play programs. Registration for both programs are available on the NYH website!
Learn to Skate Dates: Begins January 9 and runs for 10 consecutive Sundays
Time: 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Location: Nashoba Valley Olympia in Boxboro
Cost: $150
Learn to Play
Dates: Begins January 8 and runs for 10 consecutive Saturdays
Time: 7:40am to 8:40am
Location: Skate 3 Ice Arena in Tyngsboro
Cost: $200
Abbot School
Email: lmcdermott@westfordk12.us
Website: https://www.westfordk12.us/as
Location: 25 Depot Street, Westford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-692-5580