Abbot Update
October 8, 2021
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Abbot Families,
What started as a dreary, chilly week ended with beautiful fall sunshine and crisp air. We are more grateful than ever when our New England weather cooperates so that we can bring the learning outdoors! Thank you for continuing to remind your student to dress for the weather, as we make every effort to get outside as much as possible.
Thank you for your patience again this week as we had some unexpected menu changes and were even completely unable to cook in the kitchen on Tuesday resulting in a rushed pizza order. Your children were so understanding. We highlighted this real life opportunity to demonstrate flexibility and patience and as usual, students rose to the occasion.
As a school, we continue to focus on creating a strong sense of belonging across all settings. This includes making meaningful connections with and among all students and staff while embedding social emotional learning into each and every aspect of our school day. We know that in order for children to be successful, they must feel safe and happy at school. This is always our focus at Abbot, but this is crucial now more than ever!
Please continue reading below for important information regarding the upcoming short school week, as there are also some upcoming events, including Back to School Night!
Have a great long weekend!
Sincerely,
Lori McDermott
Abbot School Principal
Staff Update
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.
"New" Bike Rack
this week
NO SCHOOL
There will be no school on Tuesday, October 12 due to a Professional Development day for teachers.
School Advisory Council
5th grade chorus
Mr. Ferrari, our new music teacher, and I are thrilled that 5th Grade Chorus is coming back! Any 5th grader who enjoys singing, likes to work as a team, is looking for a place to belong, and can commit to our rehearsal schedule is highly encouraged to join!
Please click here to read a message from Mr. Ferrari with details and registration information.
First rehearsal is Thursday, October 14 at 7:30 AM in the music room.
Back to School Night
Below is the schedule for the evening:
5:20 - 5:35: Special Education, Literacy Specialist, Guidance Counselors
5:40 - 5:55: Specialists (Music, Art, PE/Health)
6:00 – 6:25: Grade 3 Teacher Presentations
6:30 – 6:55: Grade 4 Teacher Presentations
7:00 – 7:25: Grade 5 Teacher Presentations
Coming soon
School Bus Safety Week
We will also have spirit day on Friday, October 22. Students and staff are invited to wear YELLOW, BLACK and/or WHITE to show our appreciation for the School Bus Drivers!
reminders from previous updates
school advisory council
No Fuss Fundraiser
A Message From the elementary school nurses
DATES TO REMEMBER
- October 11 - No School (Columbus Day)
- October 12 - No School (Professional Development Day), School Advisory Council Meeting (3-4 PM)
- October 14 - 5th Grade Chorus rehearsal begins (7:30 AM), Back to School Night (see schedule above)
- October 19 - PTO Meeting (4-5 PM)
- October 21 - 5th Grade Chorus rehearsal (7:30 AM)
- October 22 - School Bus Safety Spirit Day (wear yellow, black and/or white)
- October 28 - 5th Grade Chorus rehearsal (7:30 AM), Ghosts and Goblins (3:00-3:45 PM)
community news
Westford SEPAC
Transition Planning Assessment: What, When and How Workshop with NESCA’s Kelley Challen, Ed.M.,CAS on Wednesday 10/13
Join the Westford SEPAC on Wednesday, October 13 at 7PM via Zoom for a workshop on Transition Planning and Assessment: What, When and How, presented by Kelley Challen, Ed.M., CAS, Director of Transition Services & NESCA Assistant Director at NESCA. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED: Register here.
Age-appropriate transition assessments are important for helping students identify their strengths, interests, and skills as well as the knowledge and services that will be needed to reach their goals for life after high school. Participants in this webinar will learn important basics about transition assessment—When? Why? What?—as well as how assessment results inform IEP transition planning.
About the Presenter: Kelley Challen, Ed.M., CAS, is NESCA’s Director of Transition Services, overseeing planning, consultation, evaluation, coaching, case management, training and program development services; she is also the Assistant Director, supporting day-to-day operations of the practice. Ms. Challen began facilitating programs for children and adolescents with special needs in 2004. She spent several years at the MGH Aspire Program where she founded an array of social, life and career skill development programs for teens and young adults with Asperger’s Syndrome and related profiles. Ms. Challen has also worked at the Northeast Arc as Program Director for the Spotlight Program, a drama-based social pragmatics program, serving youth with a wide range of diagnoses and collaborating with several school districts to design in-house social skills and transition programs. While Ms. Challen has special expertise in supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, she provides support to individuals with a wide range of developmental and learning abilities, including students with complex medical and/or mental health needs.
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