Panther Pride
From the desk of Mr.McElhinney
Start of Winter
For all of you winter, Ski, snowboarding, storm enthusiast, here comes winter! Yes, February is the snowiest month in MA (yes it's still January, you didn't miss anything). I have participated in the winter pastimes of skiing, skating, ice fishing, but would prefer the longer, warmer days of the other 3 seasons. Ironically I love snow storms though! I will spend the day going from window to window, watching the news from around the state, sipping my coffee, just love........ then the hours of cleanup, well that was fun while it lasted...... is it Spring yet..... until the next storm and the cycle starts all over, ugh!
I hope you had the opportunity to read Dr. Chew's update on the "at-home testing program", see the letter below in the "At Home Link" and also the Nurses update below.
Please let your children know if you have opted them into this program. We are working on a plan to distribute the test kits sometime next week and would like it not to be a surprise to your children.(See Nurses Update)
Thank you for your help with drop-offs in the morning. Your assistance in dropping your child off anywhere along the front walkway has a twofold effect; one it gets you on the move to your next destination quicker and reduces the likelihood of your child being marked tardy, win-win!
February 2nd will be an early dismissal PD day, look for your little bundles of joy sometime after 11 am.
Pyramid proposals (7th), digestive tract artwork(7th), and Goldilock on trial(8th) are just a snippet of my visits to classes this week. Ask your children about these conversation starters.
Enjoy the weekend, weather(pun) or not,
Mr. Mac
Town Meeting Survey- for adults
The newly formed Access to Town Meeting (ATM) Committee is a group of residents working to improve participation and attendance at Westford's Annual and Special Town Meetings. We want to hear from you - whether you always attend or aren't sure what the fuss is about. Please take a moment to fill out our very short survey (only about 5 questions)!
https://bit.ly/WestfordTMsurvey
We are asking demographic questions because we want our results to be representative of our community. Please help us reach as many Westford residents as possible -- share with friends and neighbors!
Valery Young
Vice Chair, School CommitteePronouns: she/her
774-239-4387
Incoming 9th graders to Westford Academy Curriculum Information Night
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of current 8th grade student,
I would like to invite you to our Curriculum Information Presentation on Wednesday, February 16th at 6:30pm. This event will be virtual.
The program will include:
Information regarding courses offered at Westford Academy. Please review our Freshmen Transition page as well as our Program of Studies which can be found on the counseling website.
A review of the course and level expectations by department.
Information on the scheduling process and timeline.
Please register here:
Parents/Guardians of Stony Brook and Blanchard Middle School 8th Grade Students.
Please join us for a Webinar on Zoom.
When: Feb 16, 2022 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Curriculum Information Presentation for Incoming Freshmen
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q1ifhPqbRZi0je79yWAXcg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
This presentation will be posted on the WA Counseling website the following day for interested parent(s)/guardian(s) who were unable to attend.
I look forward to “seeing you” on February 16th!
Sincerely,
James P. Antonelli
Principal
NEW POLICY ***Unanticipated Bus Route Interruptions***
P5327 Unanticipated Bus Route Interruptions
Westford Public Schools and its transportation contractor(s) will abide by the following procedures when encountering an unanticipated route interruption:
Morning Unanticipated Route Interruptions
For all grades:
Driver will radio dispatch and inform them of the road that is inaccessible and the stop(s) that will be missed.
Upon receipt of notification, dispatch will inform the school(s), providing details of the route interruption, including the bus number and bus stop(s) affected. It will be the responsibility of the school to notify parents. It will be at the school’s discretion to trigger an automated notification of all parents with students on that route or upon arrival of the students to the school, contact only affected families.
Afternoon Unanticipated Route Interruptions
Grades 6-12 - The bus driver will speak to the Police Officer/person in charge at the closure to gather pertinent information, noting the name of the contact for future reference. (If no contact is available, decision making will be the responsibility of the bus driver and dispatch.) Using the details provided and the age of the affected student(s), a determination will be made regarding the safest and closest alternate drop off locations, if one exists. Driver will radio dispatch and inform them of the road that is inaccessible, the stop(s) which will be missed, and the plan for student drop off. If it is determined that no alternate safe location is available, the students will be returned to the school upon completion of the route.
Grades K-5 - Driver will radio dispatch and inform them of the road that is inaccessible and the stop(s) that will be missed. The students will be returned to the school upon completion of the route.
Upon receipt of notification, dispatch will inform the school, providing details of the route interruption, including the bus number and bus stop(s) affected. It will be the responsibility of the school to notify parents. It will be at the school’s discretion to trigger an automated notification of all parents with students on that route or upon return of the students to the school, contact only affected families.
MASC Reference: EEA
Buy a Yearbook
"YEARBOOK! There is still time to purchase a 2021-2022 yearbook for your child! Click on this FLIER to order!"
PTO UPDATE
The Gr.8 science classrooms are still in urgent need of parent volunteers for their upcoming PTO-Sponsored Science Workshop (Physical Changes of Matter II) presented by Discovery Museum, Acton. The workshop requires a minimum of 2 adults in addition to the classroom teacher to help oversee the various hands-on stations. This program cannot take place without the additional adults due to safety issues so please consider volunteering using this SIGN-UP link.
The PTO is seeking Donations of Baked Goods & Chocolates/Candy or Money for the upcoming Valentine's Day 'Sweets for Teachers' appreciation event.
Please review the list of requested items and:
Get more SBSPTO Information Here
If you have questions or comments please email us at stonybrookschoolpto@gmail.com
Covid daily cases
During Monday Night's School Committee meeting, we discussed discontinuing the letter notifications from each school regarding reported positve cases of COVID-19. We have created a new link on our website that will be updated daily by each school. That information can be found here: Positive COVID-19 Cases by School
We appreciate all of your patience and understanding as we transition towards finding the most effective way to provide updated information at this time.
Sincerely,
Chris
Dr. Christopher Chew
Superintendent of Schools
Westford, MA
Students 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
Notes from the clinic 1/28: (You may need to copy and paste any links into your browser)
At the end of the upcoming week, we will be distributing the at home tests for all students who opted in via the link sent by Dr. Chew. We will plan to send them home with your child unless you request otherwise. The expectation is that you will test your child Monday morning before school. The test kit will last for 2 weeks and every 2 weeks they will be distributed this way. If you have not already signed up, you can still do so. Your child will not get a kit the first week but will get one with the next distribution. These test kits are available whether you have been vaccinated or not. (Please note: If your child recently had COVID, there is no reason to test them weekly.) Please see this link from Dr. Chew for more information: https://www.westfordk12.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif5181/f/uploads/families_-_at-home_testing_rev1.pdf
Note in the link above-there is also an option for symptomatic testing. If you had signed your child up earlier in the year for the test and stay, they are automatically enrolled in this program. If you do not want your child enrolled in symptomatic testing but you had signed them up previously for test and stay, send me an email and we will remove your consent. Symptomatic testing is another program besides the kits that are being sent home. If you consent to have your child participate in symptomatic testing, it means you are giving me permission to do a COVID test if they come into the clinic with a fever or other symptoms which may indicate COVID. Please understand that we do not want children sent to school symptomatic! Every child that comes into the clinic will not be tested. There are other reasons for sore throats and headaches besides COVID. If you want to talk to me individually about this program, please reach out to me via email or phone.
As you are all aware, the Omicron variant has created a great deal of havoc with both unvaccinated individuals as well as vaccinated and boostered individuals testing positive. If your child has been vaccinated and even boostered but is symptomatic, please do monitor closely. This variant is causing more problems with congestion, headaches, sore throats, fatigue and one day fevers in children. Some of the at home antigen tests are coming up negative with preliminary results. This article explains some theories behind the negative antigen tests, followed by positive PCR’s: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/01/23/1074978193/rapid-covid-tests-omicron
Fortunately, our positive cases have come down. We had only one positive today and none yesterday or the day before. I am hoping we will continue to see this downward trend. Please let me know if your child does test positive or is identified as a close contact. Vaccination records are appreciated.
Have a good weekend. Reach out with questions or concerns.
Sue Hanly, MSN, RN, NCSN
978-392-6974(messages left over the weekend and during off hours go into my email!)
ATHLETIC UPDATE
Pick Promptness
Please be mindful of the end times for your children's practices and games. Please be available to pick up at the designated end times for the day's event (game/practice). Coaches have other commitments, responsibilities and families to get to after coaching. Our coaches do not want to leave children alone after games or practices so your promptness will guarantee their safety and security after events. Your prompt pick up supports your children's continued participation.
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.