The Curtis Connection
November 6, 2020
MR. MELA'S MESSAGE
This week has been challenging for many people. In the last few days, I've spoken with a number of students and adults who are experiencing anxiety and stress with everything that is happening in the world.
As we come to the end of a week filled with a complicated election and late nights and the continued worries about living in an pandemic, we must continue to remember the importance of patience, kindness, respect, empathy, and understanding.
Let's take this weekend to catch up on sleep, enjoy the warm weather, spend time with our friends and families, and think about how we can support each other. I encourage you all to do something that brings pleasure, relaxation, and a real break from all of the stressors.
Please continue to reach out to us so we can best support all of our students.
Take care,
Jeff
*****
COVID-19 Travel Order
Please keep in mind the Massachusetts travel order issued by Governor Baker. Massachusetts residents are urged to limit any out-of-state travel only to states designated as COVID-19 lower-risk states.
A negative result from an antigen test must be confirmed by a negative result from an FDA EUA-approved molecular (PCR) SARS-CoV2 test, on a sample obtained 72 hours or less prior to arrival in Massachusetts. Serology tests will not be accepted.
Please inform your school nurse of travel plans to a higher-risk state and provide a copy of the COVID-19 test result before your child(ren) returns to school.
The NEW current list of COVID-19 lower-risk states includes:
California
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Maine
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Vermont
Washington
*Rhode Island is currently considered a higher-risk state
If you travel for any reason you must follow the mandated guidelines below unless you meet the exemptions for travel listed below.
Exemptions to travel order:
Transitory travel through a state
Travel for work, school, or medical treatment
Military travel requirement
*Any overnight stay in a state considered higher-risk requires a COVID test and quarantine until test results are known.
Complete the Massachusetts Travel Form before returning to MA from a higher-risk state. For more info: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order
A MESSAGE FROM THE ECMS HEALTH OFFICE
WE NEED PHYSICALS!
Have you submitted your child's 7th grade physical exam to the Health Office? Please send it in as soon as possible.
FLU SHOTS REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS K-12
Please provide documentation of immunization to the school nurse:Your pediatrician’s office may fax it to 978-443-1098.
- You may email a scanned copy or picture of the document to katelyn_griffin@sudbury.k12.ma.us and/or lynn_lucier@sudbury.k12.ma.us
- Your child can bring a paper copy to school and place it in the locked, black mailbox on the wall outside of the Health Office door
- You may mail it to: Health Office, 22 Pratts Mill Rd Sudbury, MA 01776
If you have already sent it in, THANK YOU!
ECMS PRIVATE SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES
If your child is applying to private school, please contact your child’s grade level school counselor so that we can help facilitate the process. To ensure that this process is efficient and expedient, please follow these guidelines:
Prior to submitting any forms (electronically or on paper), please ensure that your child contacts their teachers and the counselor to ask for their recommendation.
Most schools are using on-line platforms for applications and recommendations. Please notify the grade counselor which schools your child is applying to and the platforms that these schools use.
If the applications require paper forms, they should be dropped off at the ECMS main office to the attention of the grade level counselor. Please do not send any paper recommendation forms directly to teachers; the grade level counselor will distribute these to teachers.
In order to send records and recommendations to the private school, we must have a signed release from a parent or guardian. This is usually provided with the private school application form or may be part of the on-line platform.
We request that you submit all forms as early as possible to allow teachers and counselors ample time to complete recommendations. Please be aware of the following timeline for submitting forms to the grade level counselor:
By December 15, 2020 for a January 15, 2021 deadline
By January 5, 2020 for a February 1, 2021 deadline
In early spring after you have heard from the school’s admissions department, please contact the grade level counselor to inform us of the application outcome and private school decisions for your child.
Please direct any questions about the status of recommendations to the following counselors.
Procedure for applications requiring direct mail:
Include a large (10 x 13) stamped standard mailing envelope for each school with the forms, so that we are able to mail them out quickly when the applications are complete.
On each mailing envelope, include a postage amount of $2.94.
Print the specific name and address to whom we are directing the application.
Leave the return address blank as we will fill this in indicating that the materials came from Curtis.
- Ivar Henningson, Grade 6 ext. 7511
- Terry Miller, Grade 7 ext. 7513
- Jennifer Hymes / Alyssa O'Hare, Grade 8 ext. 7510
Thank you very much for your assistance and cooperation with this private school application process.
ECMS Counseling Department
ASSABET VALLEY REGIONAL TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSIONS UPDATES
Important information and dates regarding applying for the 2021-22 School Year:
Pre-recorded Information Session (30min) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OuFnZtnUiJNmz6nEFPhUIqaN164ktI9y/view
Virtual Open House 12/2
Live tours to begin 11/18, please register here.
Live REMOTE tours are available, please register here.
For more information, look on Assabet Valley Admissions Website or contact Jennifer Hymes, 8th Grade Curtis School Counselor.
CURTIS CARES GIFT CARD DRIVE
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Every year staff and families contribute to “Curtis Cares," a program designed to help Curtis families who are experiencing financial difficulties. We have been able to give back and help many families with necessary items such as gas, groceries, winter clothing, and holiday expenses. In the past, Curtis families have always responded generously and it has been greatly appreciated.
Curtis Cares is again seeking gift card donations of any amount. Gift cards to the following stores are most helpful:
Grocery stores (Market Basket, Shaw’s, Stop & Shop, Sudbury Farms)
Target
Amazon
Walmart
TJ Maxx
Gas cards
Drugstore cards (CVS, Walgreens)
Gift card donations can be dropped off in the Curtis front office (no cash or checks, please). We would appreciate any gift card donations by Monday, November 30th so we have adequate time to distribute them.
Please contact Emily Ambeau, School Adjustment Counselor, or you may call her at 978-443-1071 ext. 7219 with any questions or if your family would benefit from help through the Curtis Cares Gift Card Fund. You may also contact your child’s school counselor with questions or to request assistance. All inquiries and gift card distributions are kept confidential.
Ivar Henningson, 6th grade counselor x7511
Terry Miller, 7th grade counselor x7513
Jennifer Hymes, 8th grade counselor x7510
Now more than ever families need our help! Please drop gift cards off in the Front Office by November 30th.
Thank you for your generosity,
The Curtis Cares Team
A MESSAGE FROM THE COUNSELORS
We think it is important that there be consistent outreach to all of our students throughout the year, with the opportunity for kids to tell us if they would like to connect privately.
Please remind your children that we all know this is a challenging time and that it is very important for them to reach out and let someone know if they need help.
Here are some tips for helping your child stay happy and healthy during this time:
Encourage your child to get a proper amount of sleep and to eat healthily. Regular bedtimes and routines are important for everyone.
Encourage your child to exercise regularly - example: walk the dog, go for a run, ride a bike. Movement breaks also help with focus and concentration on at-home school days.
Encourage your child to safely connect with friends and family.
Limit the amount of time your child spends on social media. Discuss with your child why this is important.
Find time to connect with your child to check in -- validate that this is a hard time and that you will get through it together. Focusing on having hope and gratitude is also helpful.
Plan for fun things to look forward to together; simple things are effective, too (family movie night, a special meal, etc.)
Make sure your child has time to relax, get outside, and do something that is stress-relieving/fun for them.
Reach out for support from your child’s doctor, teacher, school counselor if you have concerns about their mental health.
Click here for a helpful article about supporting your child during tough times.
As always, please reach out to your child’s grade level counselor if you would like to discuss your child’s needs.
6th Grade School Counselor
7th Grade School Counselor
8th Grade School Counselor
PROCEDURE FOR STUDENT DISMISSALS DURING THE DAY
If a student has an appointment during a hybrid remote day or Sudbury Remote, please leave a detailed message on the absentee and tardy line (978-443-1071, press 1) with their departure time, approximate time that the student will be returning to remote learning, as well as the reason for dismissal.
For students who are "in-house" who have appointments during the day, please continue to have them bring a note to the front office first thing in the morning. The note should include time of departure and reason. Parents must come into the front office to sign the student out. The student can sign themselves back in when they return.
CURTIS SCHEDULE
Please click here to access the SPS 2020-2021 School Calendar. The calendar is color-coded by cohort for easy reference.
IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday, November 11 - No School - Veterans Day Holiday
Monday, November 16/Tuesday, November 17 - Picture Retake Day
Wednesday, November 18 - Parent-Teacher Conferences
Thursday, November 26-Friday, November 27 - Thanksgiving Recess
NOVEMBER LUNCH MENU
HOPEsudbury 19TH ANNUAL TELETHON & AUCTION GUIDE
HOPEsudbury stands ready to help Sudbury residents during these unprecedented times. The HOPE Fund, our signature program, provides emergency financial support for any Sudbury residents in need. Since 2002, The HOPE Fund has helped hundreds of Sudbury residents and distributed over $700,000. If you are in need of assistance, please reach out the Bethany Hadvab, Sudbury’s Town Social Worker. She can connect you to The HOPE Fund as well as other resources.
Attached is our 19th Annual Telethon & Auction Guide which offers a preview for our largest fundraising event and highlights the incredible talent and items our community has offered in support of neighbors in need. Our website, Hopesudbury.org, will be continually updated with information as well. Bid online beginning Nov 6 at 7 PM and tune in to SudburyTV on November 7 from 3-9 PM.
HOPE you can join us and demonstrate what The Power of Community can accomplish!
Questions? Email info@hopesudbury.org
CPO NEWS
November 2 – November 15
- Great titles for at-home reading
- Lots of choices for holiday gift shopping
- 25% of fair profits go directly to purchase books and materials for the Curtis Library
- Shop from your home, starting
November 2nd, when it’s convenient for you - Books ship directly to you within two weeks
Please see attached flyer below for more information!
__________
Direct Appeal
Thank you to the many families who have already contributed to the 2020–2021 CPO Direct Appeal! Your donations help to provide enrichment activities and fund classroom resources and initiatives NOT covered in the SPS budget. The CPO's fundraising efforts this year will go towards additional standing chairs and active boards for the classrooms.
The Direct Appeal is the only fundraiser this year, and our goal is to get 100% participation! If you have not yet donated, please take a moment to donate online. Simply click here or make a donation. We suggest a $75 donation—but no donation is too small—and all are appreciated. Thanks in advance for your contribution!
HOLIDAY GIFT CARD DRIVE
During this difficult time, it may be challenging for families to purchase gifts this holiday season. Please consider donating a gift card that can be given to a Sudbury family to bring a smile to the face of a child.
Please mail your gift card by November 30th to:
Sudbury Neighbor Brigade
P.O. Box 735
Maynard, MA 01754
Any questions, please contact Emily Hayes at: SudburyMA@neighborbrigade.org.
*Mailing a gift card requires more than one standard postage stamp.
CURTIS CORE VALUES
Learning ~ Respect ~ Responsibliity
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