Center Community Chat
February 4, 2023
Dear Center Community,
The temps may be frigid, but our counselors can be counted on to provide warm fuzzies to students, families and staff! A shout out to our counseling staff: Ms. Lallas, Dr. Rachael, and Ms. Broeder, who work tirelessly to support the social and emotional needs of our students, as well as collaborate with families to connect them with resources and services. THANK YOU !
This week we were thrilled to welcome Dr. Rachel Leary to the Center School team as our new school psychologist. She comes to us from private practice, school based and hospital based clinical work. Dr. Rachel has two children of her own ( ages 5 and 2) and loves spending time with them, whether it be playing at home in Groton, sledding/ snow play in the winter (hopefully they'll be into skiing or snowboarding!), going to the beach or pond in the summer, and hiking anytime. She is looking forward to getting to know all the Center School children and families.
Attendance:
Please work together with Center staff to ensure your children are attending school regularly. Persistent absences impact all aspects of their social and academic well being. If your child is out for medical reasons, please provide a doctor's note.
Center School Report Card
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has published the 2022 district and school report cards. Every year, each public school and district in Massachusetts receives a report card from DESE. Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the school and district report cards are designed to show families how our schools and district are doing in different areas. The report card includes multiple measures of a school and district performance – more than just MCAS scores. It represents a new way of looking at school performance, by providing information on student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities, and more. Click here.
Invitations
Please refrain from sending invitations in to school with your student to distribute. This causes a disruption to learning and also some hard feelings for those students who may not be able to attend or who are not invited. You can find student information in the CSPTO sponsored student directory.
Have a good week.
Warm Regards,
Dianna and Donna
MCAS Dates
Save the dates for MCAS, strategies for preparation (iReady) in the new year for grades 1-4
This year, students across the Commonwealth will be taking The Next- Generation MCAS for our annual standardized state testing. All students in Chelmsford will be taking the computer-based assessment using Chromebooks. Please mark your calendars for the important dates below. We strongly encourage all students to be present and on time these days. If your child is sick, we will have make-up sessions so that they are able to take the assessments when they are able to show their personal best work.
Chelmsford is fortunate to have access to iReady to support student learning. Students have access to this learning tool at home. Please reach out to your teacher if you have difficulty logging on. There is much research to support enhanced student achievement with use of this valuable tool. Please press the buttons below for more information.
ELA:
April 10 & 11- 3rd grade
April 12,&13 - 4th grade
May 15 & 16- 4th grade
May 17, &18- 3rd grade
Taste of Chelmsford Raffle Tickets On Sale
The Center School PTO is excited to announce the 24th annual Taste of Chelmsford!
This year’s Taste continues the new tradition of Taste as a month-long raffle in March, with amazing prizes offered daily from area restaurants and businesses. Funds raised from the Taste directly support enrichment programs for students at Center.
Tickets are $25 and each ticket can win 31 times in March! All prizes are valued at $100 or more. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold, so get yours now before they sell out!
Good Things
K students working on algorithms in computer class!
Students Caught Showing their Kindness
Upcoming Events
FEBRUARY
Feb 6 - 10: National School Counseling Week
Wednesday, February 8: Half day (Professional day)
Thursday, February 9: BINGLO, Center Cafeteria, 6:30-8:00
Thursday, February 9: Gr 1 - High touch High Tech (2 classes)
Friday, February 10: Gr 1 - High touch High Tech (3 classes)
Saturday, February 11: Choral Fest Concert at CHS Performing Art's Center - 2:00 PM
Monday, February 13: Dining to Donate- The Establishment
Friday, February 17:Chelmsford Pride Spirit Day
Wednesday, February 22: School Bus Driver Appreciation day
Mon - Fri, February 20-24: February recess
MARCH
Monday, March 6: Kindness Spirit wear day
Tuesday, March 7: Term 2 (Gr 1-4) End of Marking period
Wednesday, March 8: Gr K - Discovery Museum (in classes)
Thursday, March 9: Gr K - Discovery Museum (in classes)
Thursday, March 9: School Council Meeting 4:00 - 5:00pm
Friday, March 10: PTO Co-Pres Mtg 9:30 - 10:15 am
Wednesday, March 15: CSPTO Meeting at 7 PM in the library
Thursday, March 16: Science Fair, 6:30-8:00 PM
Friday, March 17: Term 2 (Gr 1-4) Teacher Deadline for posting grades
Friday, March 17: Chelmsford Pride Spirit Day
Tuesday, March 21: Down Syndrome Awareness Day
Wednesday, March 22: Term 2 (Gr 1-4) Grades available online
Wednesday, March 22: Gr 1 - ***Still confirming*** Brian Lies, Author
Resources
Change in 2022-2023 School Calendar
The professional development for staff and half-day for students in April will be on the 4th instead of April 13th. Please make note of this. Please press the button below for he adjusted calendar.
Message from Nurse Rossman
Reminder from the Nurse
It is very important, if your child(ren) will be out due to illness, that you call the absence line, and leave a detailed message including the symptom(s) your child is experiencing. Some situations need follow up, due to an infectious nature or other times information helps determine trends so preventive measures can be considered. You can email the main office (Elyc@chelmsford.k12.ma.us) or the school nurse (Rossmank@chelmsford.k12.ma.us) with your message as well. Thank you!"
Snow Day Notification - a message from Dr. Lang
If school is delayed or canceled this winter, a message will be communicated consistently with past practice as follows:
- An e-mail and telephone message will be sent to the primary contact number of each student and staff member in the district. This is a great time to verify your primary contact number in X2, our student/staff database, at which you desire to be contacted is accurate. If no message is received, school is being conducted as usual that day;
- A message will be displayed on the Chelmsford Public Schools webpage notifying the public of the status of school for the day. If no message is displayed, school is being conducted as usual that day;
- A message will be displayed on local television channels 4, 5, 7, and 25. If no message is displayed, school is being conducted as usual that day.
To allow parents and staff a little extra time to plan and prepare for a school closure, whenever possible, I attempt to make an announcement the night before when it is evident from the forecast that school will be impacted. This is not always possible and many times I need to wait until the early morning hours to make a decision for the district. Under these circumstances, I will endeavor to make and announce a decision by 5:30 a.m. on the day school will be impacted.
Chelmsford SEPAC
Need support in understanding your child's basic rights and the laws that support them?
Looking for parent training on navigating the special education system or supporting your child?
Join the SEPAC. See a link to the SEPAC website below.
Center Elementary School
Email: fulreaderd@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/Domain/9
Location: 84 Billerica Road, Chelmsford, MA, United States
Phone: 978-251-5155
Twitter: @Center_CCS