Abbot Update
October 22, 2021
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Abbot Families,
We had a fabulous week celebrating school bus safety with our students and honoring our bus drivers with notes of gratitude and a few treats. We are grateful to have an outstanding team of bus drivers who are dedicated to getting our students to school safely while trying to keep everyone happy. Many of our drivers operate their buses as more of a moving classroom and we are so fortunate to have that level of caring and commitment.
I was so impressed with the notes of kindness students wrote to their bus drivers. Many students who don't even ride the bus took the opportunity to thank our drivers for getting their friends to school safely. We have the best students!!!
Please see important information and reminders below.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Lori McDermott
Abbot School Principal
No Fuss Fundraiser
We are extending the deadline for our No Fuss Fundraiser to November 5. Your kind donation will help us bring some amazing in-school field trip programming to students, which enhances our social studies and science curriculum. In the past our third graders have welcomed the experts at Plimoth Plantation who shared the history and experiences of the Wampanoags. The fourth grade has enjoyed the much celebrated “Wingmasters” program, where students meet and learn about all types of owls from an engaging instructor. We would also love to bring back to our fifth graders a session with the Museum of Science scientists called “Starlab,” where students would get up close with the planets and space. These programs are possible thanks to the generosity of our Abbot community.
Please click here for details on how you can help support Arts and Enrichment programs, classroom mini-grants, teacher appreciation events and much more.
thank you to the 73 families who have already donated!
Library News
Dark and Stormy Contest
All 4th and 5th grade Dark and Stormy Stories are due on Monday, October 25th at 2:30.
Stories must be printed out or handwritten and placed in the Dark and Stormy Box in the Library.
Thank you to the PTO for sponsoring this ghoulish event!
The Book Fair is Coming!
The Library will be running a Follett Book Fair from November 15 - 19.
The book fair will take place online and in person.
Parents may place orders online and students will have the opportunity to buy books during library class on that week.
More information and links to online ordering will be sent out in November.
Library Volunteer Needed
The Library is seeking a volunteer who can help out on most Monday afternoons. Duties would include helping with shelving and various other library-related tasks. If you are interested, please email Mrs. Mari at pmari@westfordk12.us
Substitute Teachers
A Message from the Elementary Nurses
Outdoor Classroom
We are thrilled here at Abbot to be the beneficiary of an incredible Eagle Scout project. Please see the message below:
I'm Michael Perrone, and I'm currently working towards the Eagle Scout rank. One of the requirements of this rank is to complete a service project in your community. For my eagle project, I plan to build an outdoor classroom at the Abbot Elementary School. The school will be able to use this to hold classes outside, which could be especially useful during the pandemic. The outdoor classroom will include a whiteboard, 9 benches for students (intended to seat up to 27 students), and a bench for the teacher.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-build-an-outdoor-classroom-at-abbot
this week
5th grade chorus
Abbot School Fifth Grade Chorus meets on Thursday, October 28 at 7:30 AM in the music room.
Halloween Spirit Day
*If your child would prefer NOT to wear their costume, they are welcome to wear black and orange or halloween themed attire.
coming soon
Parent Conferences - save the date!
Parent Conferences will be held on Monday, November 22 and Tuesday, November 23.
Monday, Nov 22 - No school - Conferences 2:00-8:00 PM
Tuesday, Nov 23 - Delayed Opening - Conferences 8:15-10:15 AM
Wednesday, Nov 25 - Early Release
Thursday, Nov 26 - No School - Thanksgiving Break
Friday, Nov 27 - No School - Thanksgiving Break
More detailed information will be coming soon.
reminders from previous updates
Ghosts and Goblins
Abbot School is proud to begin a mentoring program called Ghosts and Goblins. The program is similar to a Big Brother/Big Sister program, in which Westford Academy High School students (Ghosts) volunteer to meet with our Abbot students (Goblins) after school virtually through Google Meet, from 3:00pm - 3:45pm, on Thursday afternoons. The first meeting will begin on Thursday, October 28, 2021 and will continue until Thursday, April 14, 2022. It is offered at no cost to families and is to be held virtually, at least for the foreseeable future.
The purpose of this program is to provide a fun opportunity for students to interact with each other, play games, share interests, help with homework and generally enjoy each other’s company.
school advisory council
DATES TO REMEMBER
- October 28 - 5th Grade Chorus rehearsal (7:30 AM), Ghosts and Goblins (3:00-3:45 PM)
- October 29 - Halloween Spirit Day
community news
Westford SEPAC
SEPAC Meeting: Wednesday, October 27 @ 7PM (Zoom)
The Westford SEPAC will be hosting a meeting on Wednesday, October 27 at 7PM on Zoom. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Register here.
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.
Westford Youth Basketball
It’s never too early to think basketball! Registration is open for all grades for the 2021-22 Westford Youth Basketball season. Go to westfordhoops.com for more informations and to sign up!
Abbot School
Email: lmcdermott@westfordk12.us
Website: https://www.westfordk12.us/as
Location: 25 Depot Street, Westford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-692-5580