Panther Pride
From the desk of Mr.McElhinney
Busy time of year
There always seems to be a ramping up just at the point in the year you would expect a winding down, but such is the case in education....... very back-loaded!
We wrapped up MCAS this week with the 8th grade STE testing. We will continue with makeups this week and wrap that up and put that on the shelf for another year. Next week we will host a SB-6-7-8 Orchestra concert on Wednesday May 25th from 7-9pm. On Thursday May 26th, the SB 6-7-8 Band will have a concert from 7-9 pm. On June 1st, 8th graders will travel to the WOO Soxs for a baseball event. Also on June 1st, the SB 6-7-8 Chorus will host an event at SB from 7-9. Thursday June 2nd will be "Incoming 6th grade Parent night" -6:30-7:30. June 10th we will host the 5th grader transitional visit to SB. Several 7-8th graders will provide tours and programming for our "new" students' visit- 9-11 am.
Then comes the busy week! June 15th- 8th grade trip to New Hampshire, Squam lake Science center, polar caves, Cannon tram, Mt. Washington boat ride and on and on 7am-10pm. June 16th- 7th grade to Canobie lake 8am-2pm -(at press time 6th grade was working on an event... stay tuned). 8th grade will have some inhouse events on Thursday also- yearbook signing, field day (if it did not happen on Tuesday- with SHAVED ICE truck), and movie. Friday caps off the week with 8th grade award ceremony 8:30-10 am, followed by the PTO sponsored 8th grade celebration 11am - 2pm. PHHEEEEEWWWW! Then we wrap up the school year Tuesday the 21st with a half day for all 6-7-8th graders. Yes, a busy time of year.... thank you for all your support with these events.
Regarding the 8th grade award ceremony. This event has evolved several time in my years at SB but We will make a return to the Auditorium this year. This venue allows the comfort of air conditioning and no threat of a weather issue. Unfortunately, we cannot host all the parents of the 8th graders (as it has always been), as we do not have the capacity. This is generally a short program that will run from 8:30-10 am (tentative- usually shorter) on June 17th. We are, however, exploring options to view the ceremony either by posting the video or streaming it live. Please stay tuned for the updates as we approach that date.
Staying Busy,
Mr. Mac
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
The Roudenbush Community Center invites all Gr.8 students in Westford to 'Light Up The Night', the end-of-year dance on Friday, June 10 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Tickets $10.
Purchase tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/Gr8Dance22
Volunteer to help here: https://tinyurl.com/SignUpToHelpJun10
If you have any questions please email:aczado@roudenbush.org
Westford Education Foundation
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.
Westford Education Foundation
P.O. Box 535
Westford, MA 01886
978-418-9179
Protecting our Tweens and Teens
Protecting our Tweens and Teens:
Anxiety Awareness and Suicide Prevention
The tween and teen years bring an explosion of developmental milestones. Coupled with the excitement of personal growth, adolescents are already anxious about grades and college admissions, relationships, finances, and a host of unknowns. Adding the wallop of an endless pandemic, plus global concerns such as the war in Ukraine, today's young people are living with unprecedented stress. This special forum offers practical strategies to help youths in the face of anxiety, mental health issues, and the risk of suicide.
WHO: Concerned family members, emergency responders, school staff,
MRC volunteers, nurses, counselors, and care providers
WHAT: Forum on crisis mental health and our region's youths
FEATURED SPEAKER: Jon Mattleman, MS
WHEN: Monday, May 23, 2022
TIME: 6:30 p.m. – Registration with light refreshments
7 to 9 p.m. – Program with Q&A
PLACE: Stony Brook School Auditorium
ADDRESS: 9 Farmer’s Way, Westford
CONTACT: Nancy Burns, 978-399-2549, nburns@westfordma.gov
CONTINUING EDUCATION: 2.4 CEUs for nurses and 2 contact hours
for WPS staff. Requesting 2 OEMS hours for EMTs and 2 CMEs
for social workers.
Jon Mattleman, a mental health consultant, is returning to update our ability to help local adolescents through the current mental health crisis. Jon believes in teaching people the language to use when dealing with a mental health challenge in a family member, friend, student or colleague. Participants leave with proven tools that can be implemented immediately; who has time to wait?
This program is hosted by the Upper Merrimack Valley Medical Reserve Corps, the Westford Health Department, and Westford Public Schools.
Civil Rights Information
MySchoolBucks (MSB) Fees
As the district increases its use of MSB for payments, we wanted to call attention to the program’s One-Pay option. All individual payments incur a 4.95% processing fee, whether payment is made via credit card, debit card or e-check (authorization of a direct withdrawal from a checking account through the use of the bank routing and account number). Under the One-Pay option, a family can choose to either pay $12.95 for a single student or $26.95 for a family, and this would cover all e-check fees for one year from date of enrollment (note that credit/debit card payments would still incur fees). This can cross over school years. Enrollment in the One-Pay option is off of the MSB home page.
PTO UPDATE
Academic Enrichment Programs
Generous donations by parents help us fund enrichment programs for our students. The final two events for this year are scheduled for next week:
May 24 - Gr.8 students will enjoy a performance of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
May 26 - Gr.7 students will see a Mythmasters presentation of Tales from Greek Mythology
Learn more about PTO sponsored enrichment programs HERE
Mini-Grants
Parent donations also fund mini-grants for SBS staff members. See HERE for details of items funded by the PTO this school year through Mini-Grants.
Get more SBSPTO information from our website HERE
If you have questions or comments please email us at stonybrookschoolpto@gmail.comStudents Experiencing Homelessness
Child Search
If you know of any child attending public or private school, or who is homeless or has left school, and could benefit from a special education evaluation under Chapter 766 or educational services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, please contact the Special Education Department in Westford. (978-692-5560 ext. 2111)
Every effort will be made to contact the parents to advise them of their rights under these laws.
Notes from the Clinic
SEPAC
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 Summer Music Program 7/11/22 through 7/15/22
Westford Summer Music Program 7/11/22 through 7/15/22
Come join the fun for a week-long program where band and orchestra ensembles will rehearse daily from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Stony Brook School! During the week students will learn new music while building community and friendships. We will conclude the program with a free performance on Friday, July 15th at 11 a.m. This program is open for band and orchestra students entering grades 5 through 9 in September 2022.
Summer Band directed by Mr. Adam Shekleton
Summer Orchestra directed by Mr. Todd Hamelin
For more information and registration please visit: www.westfordk12.us/summermusic
For questions, please contact:
Julie Ottesen - jottesen@westfordk12.us
Basketball Clinic
The WA Girls' Basketball program will be running basketball clinics for girls entering 2nd grade through those entering 9th grade. These clinics are coached by members of the WA Girls' Varsity basketball team. Dates are June 22, 23, and 24th at Blanchard and June 27, 28, 29, and 30 at Westford Academy.
Please go to the WAGB program website at www.wagb.webnode.com for registration information - dates, times, and forms. Also, please email Coach Russ Coward at rcoward@westfordk12.us if you have any questions. Thank you!
WEPTO
The last WEPTO meeting for this school year will be Tuesday, May 24 at 7:15pm. Roudenbush Room 105. All parents and guardians of WPS students are welcome.
Our annual elections will be held during this meeting. The positions up for re-election are:
Co-President(s)- Jamie Holmes
Treasurer - Jenn Smagula
Secretary - Janine Jones
All elected positions are open to any parent or guardian who will have a Westford K-8 student(s) for the 2022-2023school year. If anyone is interested in running for one of these offices or would like additional information: send a private message, email weptopresident@gmail.com, contact your current school PTO president or principal.