Dear CPS Community,

We reached the end of the school year with next week closing the books on an incredible year marked by continuous change, yet a renewal of excitement and hope. With the challenges COVID presented over the last few years, I don’t think anyone would have thought we would be ending the school year on such a high note with all the incredible in-person events allowing for lasting memories in our school community. Chelmsford PRIDE Core Values came shining through with a heavy emphasis on P for Perseverance, as we navigated many obstacles to get to the end of the school year. I am truly appreciative and impressed by our staff and family’s resolve, as everyone stood resolute to provide the best educational experience for our students as possible, no matter the circumstance. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all for your collective efforts to make it happen for the students of Chelmsford.

As we transition into summer, people have inquired if there will be COVID restrictions for the 2022/23 school year. At this time, we have not received updated guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) or the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that would require us to implement protocols different from what we are doing now in our schools. I will be watching for guidance over the summer and will review DPH and DESE protocols to communicate what, if anything, we need to modify for our return to school in the fall. This is the last day families will be receiving free At-Home Rapid Antigen Test kits. If you have not used all your test kits this year, please feel free to use your remaining tests this summer as you see fit. I will be working closely with the School Committee to review our COVID procedures and protocols this summer and will communicate information on how we plan to start the school year in early August.

Summer is a busy time for families and students, many are involved with activities that keep them active throughout the summer months. I would like to provide you with a few resources students have available to them this summer when time permits in their schedules. The first is a new free program called Paper Live. Paper Live will provide K-12 students with access to unlimited, free, live educational programming – created and curated to spark inspiration! Everything from astronomy, nature, improv, to engineering and brain puzzles – this eclectic programming seeks to offer something for every student. The registration for classes will begin very soon. You may enroll in the summer edition right now by following the link to be notified when registration begins. This is a special extension of Paper’s academic support, designed and developed to involve students in a wide array of topics that may interest them. If you have any questions about Paper Live, please contact their support team at live@paper.co. Also, our 24/7 on-demand free Paper Tutoring will continue to be available for our middle and high school students who may be working on academics over the summer. Students may access Paper Tutoring through their CLEVER accounts. Other resources for families may be found in the curriculum newsletter that contains grade-level specific activities to help students remain connected and engaged with learning during the summer months. This resource provides many ways students may engage in learning in fun, exciting ways. Keeping students engaged in the learning process maintains skills and helps with the transition back to school in the fall. We encourage you to work with your child(ren) this summer to help reinforce the importance of learning.

In closing, I would again like to congratulate the entire CPS Community on your dedication and perseverance this past school year. It was a monumental task and our success as a district lies with our caring and dedicated school community who work tirelessly to develop relationships and advance student learning. This is the final Superintendent’s weekly update for the school year. Please enjoy the pictures below from the schools this past week. I will be sending necessary communications and updates over the summer and will keep you informed of any decisions on plans for the fall reopening of school. I look forward to connecting with you again for the 2022/23 school year. Be safe and have a well-deserved, happy, and healthy summer break.

Yours truly,

Jay Lang, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

• Parker Middle School PRIDE Run, 6/11, 8:30 a.m.
  

• "Under the Stars" Junior Cotillion, 6/11, 7:00 p.m.

• Incoming Freshman Athletics Night, 6/13, 6:30 p.m.

• McCarthy Middle School 8th Grade Dance, 6/14, 7:00 p.m.

• Parker Middle School 8th Grade Canobie Lake Trip, 6.15, All Day

• McCarthy Middle School 8th Grade Awards Ceremony, 6/16, 8:30 a.m.

• Last Day Students: CHS, McCarthy, Parker, Center, Harrington, South Row, 6/16, Half-Day

• Last Day Students: Byam Only, 6/17, Half-Day

The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners who PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential.