Panther Pride
From the desk of Mr.McElhinney
A Little bit of Spring
I hope you didn't miss Spring (I think it was a day last week). There have been a couple of days in the last week or two that gave us a glimpse of Spring. If we are lucky we will begin to see more of the nice weather.
We will be returning to one venue for lunch beginning Monday, March 28th. With the warming weather, there may be opportunities for students to take their lunch outdoors too, depending on staffing. Many students seem excited to finally get back to a seat while eating. I did announce this to them at the close of school today, so you may hear the buzz.
The Westford in Tune talent show, sponsored by Stony Brook Theatre Arts, will be held Tonight at 7:00 in the Stony Brook Auditorium. Proceeds from the show support the Lowell Transitional Living Center. Admission is a suggested donation of $10 or an item from the Living Centre’s wish list. Items include towels, toiletries, clothes, or medical supplies. For those participating in the show, arrive at the auditorium by 5:30. Hope to see you there!
A six grader has taken it upon herself to seek ways to support the Ukrainian refugees . She has started a "bracelet of support" campaign.
"Join me and many others in an international project. We are making friendship bracelets for refugee children leaving their homes in Ukraine with only the clothes they are wearing. Some of these kids are in orphanages now.
These bracelets will provide a small spark of light into these refugee children's lives. We want to show these kids the world hasn’t forgotten them.
Please join me in making bracelets and show them we care. Look for the poster in the main entrance and you’ll see the basket underneath to put your bracelets in. Let's see how many bracelets our school can make!"
MCAS testing Dates
April 12,13 ELA
May 11,12 Math
May 18,19 STE (8th grade only)
Please be mindful of these dates as you schedule appointments and other absences.
Looking forward to the Flowers,
Mr. Mac
(Message from Dr. Chew)
As a reminder, we are still participating in the DESE COVID testing option for symptomatic testing as well as providing at-home rapid tests to students and staff who opt-in to participate. Throughout the duration of the program, students and staff can elect to opt-in or discontinue participation. As a district, in order to have the opportunity to provide the at-home rapid tests, we must provide the opportunity for the symptomatic testing, as well. Individuals, however, do not need to participate in both in order to access one or the other. Each part has a separate consent process. We submit the orders for the at-home rapid tests on a two week cycle, so it is possible to change participation on an ongoing basis moving forward but adjustments need to be made within the ordering windows for each cycle so there could be a delay. For those participating in the at-home rapid test program, the expectation is that the tests are administered at home on Sunday evening or Monday morning and any positive results are communicated to the school nurse. All of the information is available on our website:https://www.westfordk12.us/district/news/covid-19-school-related-information-0
8th Grade field trip Information
8th Grade Field Trip:
Location: NH Lakes/Mountains. Dinner Cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee
Date: Wednesday June 15, 2022. 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Cost per student: $199 plus optional trip insurance
Registration is completed with Capitol Tours. www.capitaltours.net
Scholarships are available. (information to follow)
If you would like to contribute toward scholarships for students needing assistance, please send your donation to Laurie DeTolla in the main office.
Parent Information includes links and forms as well as an itinerary.
SEE VIDEO BELOW
SB MACS still open for business
HEART & SOLE (GIRLS ON THE RUN)
Heart & Sole is a program from Girls on the Run for girls in grades 6-8. It encourages girls to challenge themselves, try new things, make new friends and build confidence to be themselves. As a team the girls will run, laugh and connect.
The season begins on Tuesday, March 29. It will meet Tuesdays & Thursdays after school from 2-3:30 through June 12th. If your child is interested in participating, they MAY NOT sign up for a Spring Sport at Stonybrook in addition to Heart & Sole, as this is considered a Spring Sport.
Lottery registration is open for Heart & Sole (GOTR) runs through March 11th. There are 15 slots available. Girls who are chosen from the lottery will be notified via email on March 13th. Registration link: https://www.pinwheel.us/register/index/GOTRGBSpring2022GirlReg
If you have any further questions feel free to reach out to Roberta Oehley or Sue Hanly.
Civil Rights Information
PTO UPDATE
Gr.8 Celebration:
The SBSPTO is looking for parent volunteers to help plan and execute the End-of-Year Celebration for the 8th-grade students. Please SIGN-UP HERE to help us give the outgoing students a great send-off to high school.
Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2 to May 6)
The PTO requests donations of food/beverage & raffle items for the Teacher Appreciation Week. Please consider donating to help us make the week special for our dedicated & hardworking teachers & staff. Donate HERE
PTO Team 2022-23
The PTO is in urgent need of parent volunteers to fill several open positions in the 2022-23 school year. We invite you to see the list of open positions and SIGN UP to join the PTO team. Help & support will be provided by current PTO members to all new members.
PTO Meet & Greet
Come meet the Stony Brook School PTO team and get more information on ways to get involved & our next Meet & Greet scheduled for 6:00 PM on Thursday, May 12 at Evivva Trattoria, Westford. Please mark your calendar & RSVP HERE
Get more SBSPTO information at our website HERE
If you have questions or comments please email us at stonybrookschoolpto@gmail.com
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 3/25/2022:
Spring sports will be starting soon. Students cannot participate unless there is a current physical on file in the clinic. (A physical within the last 13 months) Please have the physicals sent to me or dropped off in the clinic, not given to the coaches. I update the coaches through a shared spreadsheet. Do not assume that your child has a current physical if they participated in sports over the winter or fall.
6th grade parents: Continue to send in physicals and immunization records as you take your child to the pediatrician for their annual check up. Several parents have sent me pictures of the physical and immunization record that I have been able to download and print out
7th grade parents: The vision and hearing screenings were conducted earlier this week. Letters will be sent out next week if your child failed the screening. Several students failed the screenings because they forgot their glasses at home! I will also be sending letters to those parents so you can encourage your child to wear their glasses to school.
8th grade parents: SBIRT Screenings will take place this coming Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. If you do want your child to be screened, please notify me by email or phone.
Allergy season is upon us and we have had more colds and stomach bugs since the mask mandate was lifted. I do not stock allergy medication or cold medication. Feel free to send in medication that I can keep in the medicine cabinet for your child. Students should not be carrying medication on them except Epipens and inhalers. If they need to take any medication during the school day, it should be taken in the clinic. Mucinex is an effective cold medicine and Delsym is an effective cough medicine that can be taken every 12 hours.
There has been only one case of COVID this week in the SB community and only 5 in the Westford Public School system! Vaccines are recommended for anyone who has not been vaccinated. Please send in your child’s COVID vaccination records if you have not already done so.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Sue Hanly, MSN, RN, NCSN
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.
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