Abbot Update
August 8, 2019
Welcome Back!
Dear Abbot Families,
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer. I have managed a nice balance between spending time with extended family in Myrtle Beach and Cape Cod and planning for the new school year at Abbot.
Abbot School is coming to life and I couldn't be more excited! The teachers have been busy moving furniture, organizing supplies, creating beautiful bulletin boards, preparing lessons and collaborating to create a welcoming environment for our students. Ms. Edgecomb and Mrs. Roberge have been hard at work in the office checking in supplies, registering new students, preparing documents and answering many questions. The custodial team continues to work tirelessly to put the finishing touches on our building's deep clean in preparation for opening day. I am so appreciative of everyone's hard work.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
Lori McDermott
Abbot School Principal
Communication
In addition to general notices and reminders, please expect a weekly Abbot Update. These email messages will be sent on Fridays through Blackboard Connect, which is the mass notification system that is linked to our iPass database. Messages will be sent to the email address you provided. Please be sure to send email address changes to Ms. Edgecomb (sedgecomb@westfordk12.us) as needed. I will also post the weekly updates on the Abbot School Website under the News tab.
I will do my best to keep the weekly updates brief. Please forgive the lengthiness of this first message, as there is a great deal of information to share as we begin a new school year together.
The best way to reach me or Assistant Principal, Mrs. Jerzylo is through email.
Please feel free to reach out at any time. We are here to help!
Staff Update
Please join me in welcoming the following new staff members to our Abbot School team:
- Thomas Elder – Physical Education/Health/Wellness Teacher
- Amelia Jenison - Music/Chorus Teacher
- Jane Bassett - Grade 4 Classroom Teacher
- Christine Hoskins - Grade 4 Classroom Teacher
- Emily Sullivan - Grade 4 Classroom Teacher
Back-to-School Forms
We have included important Back-To-School forms for your review and signature. These forms should be sent in with your child on the first day of school.
All parents must print, sign and return these important Welcome Back Forms with your child on the first day of school.
Other forms here offer information for your review only and do not need to be returned:
- Abbot Student Pledge
- Fingerprinting Instructions (if you wish to chaperone for field trips)
We offer an optional Early Arrival Program at the school that starts at 7:00am.
An afterschool program is held at Abbot School through the Westford Recreation Department, details about the program can be found at www.westfordrec.com
We thank you for your assistance in getting the forms to us in a timely manner. If you need assistance with printing please email Ms. Edgecomb at sedgecomb@westfordk12.us and she'll mail you a packet. If you have any questions about forms, please call the office between 8AM and 3PM, at 978-692-5580.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Bus Riders
Buses will begin unloading at 8:15am at the front of the building. Staff members will be present to greet students outside and in the lobby each morning as they enter the building. Students are expected to be in classrooms by 8:25am for the start of school.
Car Riders (New Location)
Parents who are driving students to and/or from school must stop by the office for a car placard to be displayed on the right hand side of the car windshield. Car drop-off and pick-up will take place on the parking lot side of the school this year. This is a change from last year. Car riders should aim to be in the car line by 8:10am to ensure a prompt arrival and by 2:25pm for dismissal. The school day ends at 2:30pm.
Dismissal Notes
Late Arrivals and Absences
Student arrival begins at 8:15am with school starting promptly at 8:25am. It is important for students to arrive on time and ready to learn. In the event that your child will be absent or late, please call the main office at 978-692-5580 to inform us so we can account for all students.
Safety and Security
All visitors and volunteers are required to sign in at the main office to receive a badge so we know who is in the building at all times. Please remember to sign out and return your badge before leaving. Thank you for following this important safety procedure.
Parents planning to volunteer in school must complete a CORI Form for the District. CORI Forms are completed annually.
School Lunch Accounts
I recommend having conversations with your child regarding expectations around allowable purchases for lunch. I have seen students in the past purchase two entire lunches and several desserts at one time. You can and should view balance/purchase information on a regular basis. Please reach out to Rose Lawlor, our Cafeteria Manager, for any further assistance (rlawlor@westfordk12.us).
A Message From Nurse Grassi
Due to the many number of students with severe peanut/tree nut allergies at Abbot School, all classrooms will be peanut and tree nut free areas. We are asking for your assistance in providing the students with a safe classroom learning environment by providing snacks for your children that do not contain any peanut or tree nut products.
Your child may bring in peanut and tree nut products for lunch and eat them in the cafeteria. The Abbot School has a designated peanut/tree nut free table in the cafeteria.
We appreciate your support and cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Terry Grassi RN BSN CPN
Abbot School Nurse
978-692-5580 x17
Volunteer Opportunities
School Advisory Council
School Advisory Council acts as an advisory board to the principal. The council is made of parents, staff and community members. Our meetings will take place monthly on Tuesdays from 3:00-4:00pm. Our first meeting is Tuesday, October 15. We are looking for three parent volunteers. If you are interested in participating, please complete this School Advisory Council Candidate Form and return it to school by September 6. If more than three volunteers come forward, a vote is required in order to appoint council members. Thank you for considering.
PTO
Core Values
SPIRIT
We are thrilled to share with you that the six K-5 elementary schools have adopted and will implement a new, consistent set of core values- utilizing the acronym SPIRIT- during the 2019-2020 school year. A consistent set of core values will pull our six elementary schools together to create a closer community feel, and the same consistent message will travel with the children and staff as they grow and move on to new elementary schools within the district. The creation and development of these consistent core values is the culmination of feedback and work of the elementary staff throughout the district. We are excited to continue our work next fall as we more clearly define our social-emotional learning expectations as those that identify civic and character education as vitally important to the development of well-rounded students.
We will build this respectful community by asking our students to “Show their SPIRIT!”
Safety
Students of the Westford Public Schools will demonstrate SAFETY. They will honor others' space and property, and will keep their hands, feet, and other objects to themselves. They will exhibit self-control by walking as they travel throughout the school building, by using an appropriate voice level for the setting, and by following directions and instructions given by adults the first time. They will use words and adult intervention to solve problems.
Perseverance
Students of the Westford Public Schools will demonstrate PERSEVERANCE. They will set goals and strive to reach them each day. They will work hard and not give up even when something is difficult. They will demonstrate a growth mindset when met with challenging tasks and activities. They will keep a positive attitude.
Inclusion
Students of the Westford Public Schools will demonstrate INCLUSION. They have a responsibility to break down barriers by inviting new people into teams, circle of friends, and experiences as they work to be a unified, collaborative community. They will show acceptance to everyone around them.
Respect
Students of the Westford Public Schools will demonstrate RESPECT. They will think about others before speaking or taking any action. They will appreciate the contributions of others, while showing respect for themselves, other people, personal and/or community property, and the environment. They will treat others the way that they want to be treated.
Integrity
Students of the Westford Public Schools will demonstrate INTEGRITY. They will do the right thing, even when no one is watching. They will show good character. They will be honest, fair, and humble. They will exercise their best effort and judgment in all activities in which they participate and will set goals that promote positive academic, social, and personal development.
Teamwork
Students of the Westford Public Schools will demonstrate TEAMWORK. They will encourage others to do their best. They will listen to the ideas of others, while also sharing their ideas to ensure the best end product. They will show empathy, considering another person's situation, feelings, or motives before speaking or taking action. They will compromise when necessary. They will behave in a manner that allows all others to enjoy a safe, positive learning community.
Upcoming Events
Welcome Back Wildcats
We invite you all to attend our Welcome Back Wildcats event on August 26 from 4:00-6:00pm. The building will be open from 4:00-5:00pm for students to visit their classrooms. Please be advised that teachers will likely not be in the classrooms.
The office staff will be available at this event from 4:00-5:00pm to assist with the completion of CORI and Early Arrival forms as well as car placards that are necessary for car riders.
Nurse Grassi will be available to collect EPI pens and medication with doctor's orders.
Additionally, we will have new student tours of the building on August 13th at 9:00am for those who are new to Abbot.
Band & Strings
Wednesday, September 4 at 6:30pm in the Abbot Cafeteria, parents who are interested in the elementary Strings or Band program are invited to an optional informational session. Ms. Gately (Band) and Mr. Hamelin (Strings) will be available to introduce you to the elementary instrumental offerings. For more information, please contact Band instructor Ms. Gately pgately@westfordk12.us or Strings instructor Mr. Hamelin thamelin@westfordk12.us
Back to School Night
Below is the schedule for the evening:
6:45 – 7:45 Specialists (Music, Art, PE/Health, Library), Special Education, Literacy Specialist, Guidance Counselors
6:30 – 6:55 Grade 5 Teacher Presentations
7:00 – 7:25 Grade 3 Teacher Presentations
7:30 – 7:55 Grade 4 Teacher Presentations
Volunteer Orientation
Picture Day
Dates to Remember
August & September
- August 26 - Welcome Back Wildcats, 4-6pm
- August 27 - First day of school for students
- August 30 - No School
September 2 - No School (Labor Day)
September 4 - Instrumental Parent Information Night, 6:30pm
September 7 - Instrument Rental Day at Abbot, 8:30-11:00am
- September 12 - Back To School Night (see schedule above)
- September 13 - Volunteer Orientation, 1:30-2:20pm
- September 16 - Picture Day
- September 24 - PTO Meeting, 2:50-3:50pm
Abbot School
Email: lmcdermott@westfordk12.us
Website: https://www.westfordk12.us/as
Location: 25 Depot Street, Westford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-692-5580