CPS Superintendent's Update

PERSEVERANCE * RESPECT * INTEGRITY * DEDICATION * EMPATHY

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Superintendent's Update - 1.21.2022

Dear CPS Community,


We have several great things to highlight in our newsletter this week. Kindergarten registration is fast approaching for the 2022/23 school year, information on how to, and what is needed, to register your child may be found below. I believe we have peaked and are on a downward COVID case trend, as may be witnessed in the weekly CPS COVID dashboard and CPS Pool Testing data – that’s great news!


Earlier this week, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released information on a new initiative for districts to review and opt into that provides free at-home antigen test kits for interested students and staff. This new at-home antigen testing option, coupled with our pool testing program, will provide interested students and staff the ability to receive two (2) free COVID-19 tests weekly - 1 antigen test to be administered at home and 1 PCR test administered through pool testing. This will allow the district to continue to monitor and identify COVID-19 positive individuals in our school community. I attended a webinar and will be reviewing additional information on this new program over the weekend, however wanted to let you know I believe it to be worthwhile and the next step in our progression of COVID mitigation in Chelmsford Public Schools. I will send a separate communication early next week with information for interested students and staff (this is a voluntary program) to review and register to receive free weekly at-home antigen test kits. Our weekly COVID-19 Pool Testing initiative for interested students and staff will continue. If you have not already registered to participate and would like to join weekly COVID-19 pool testing, you may register your child at the following link.


Our school nursing unit is partnering once again with Remedium Pharmacy located in North Chelmsford to host another COVID-19 Booster Clinic on Tuesday, January 25th from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Chelmsford High School. Any CPS student aged 12 and over is encouraged and welcome to register to receive their COVID-19 booster, at no charge, on-site at Chelmsford High School. Please take advantage of this opportunity for your child to receive their booster shot if they have not already done so. We ask that you provide a copy of your child’s COVID-19 vaccination record (card) once they are fully vaccinated AND after they receive their booster shot. You may upload a copy of your child’s vaccination record at the following link.


I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Stay warm!


Yours truly,


Jay Lang, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Upcoming Events

Next week:

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten registration for the 2022-23 academic year is open! Please register for an appointment using the following appointment link.

WHEN:

  • Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, from 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, from 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Chelmsford Public Schools Central Administration Office, 230 North Road, North Chelmsford, MA.

For more information and what documents you will need, please visit our registration page on our website.

CPS Vaccine Clinic

The Pfizer COVID -19 Booster is available to anyone ages 12 years and older. A person is eligible for a booster if it has been at least 5 months since the second dose. A Pfizer COVID-19 Booster Clinic will be offered to all students ages 12 years and older on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. We are partnering with Remedium Pharmacy in N. Chelmsford. Remedium Pharmacy will be on-site at Chelmsford High School ( in the Cafeteria ) at 200 Richardson Rd. on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, from 2:00 pm-5:00pm. The clinic is open to all Chelmsford residents ages 12 years and up! A parent/guardian must accompany their child (under the age of 18) to the vaccine clinic. The sign-up page has a Pediatric Consent form- please print out and bring the consent form to the appointment!


To register, please go to the website at Remedium Pharmacy at www.remediumrx.net

Here are the steps to sign up:

  1. Go to www.RemediumRx.net
  2. Click the purple banner on the page that reads "Chelmsford Ages 12+ Pfizer Covid Booster Clinic- 1/25/2022".
  3. This will bring you to a screen that has Chelmsford. If you have more than one child, please register and sign consent for each child.
  4. Enter the Access code and click submit. The Access Code is Chelmsford
  5. Select the appointment time slot and click submit and sign up at the bottom of the page.
  6. Enter your child's demographic information and Click Sign up Now.
  7. Please note:
  • A parent/guardian must accompany their child under the age of 18) to the vaccine clinic.
  • The sign-up page has a Pediatric Consent form download- please print out and bring the consent form to the appointment.
  • Please have your child wear a short-sleeved shirt
  • Please bring your vaccine card to the appointment
  • Please bring a copy of your insurance card, however, no child will be denied a vaccine for lack of insurance.
  • It is recommended that individuals hydrate on the day of the vaccine!
  • Students will be observed for 15 minutes after the vaccine is administered.
  • Side effects may be experienced after getting the vaccine; these are normal signs that the body is building protection against COVID-19
  • The most common side effects are: pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, muscle ache, fever, chills, nausea.
**We strongly encourage all eligible individuals to receive the booster- THANK YOU for helping keep our school community safe!

Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

The Biden Administration has made free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests available to all residents through a new web-based ordering platform. Each household is entitled to 4 testing kits through this program. These rapid antigen at-home tests can be ordered from the U.S. Post Office at COVID Home Tests | USPS. You can learn more about this federal program at: COVIDtests.gov - Free at-home COVID-19 tests. Massachusetts residents have a number of options to get tested for COVID-19. For more details, visit www.mass.gov/gettested.

CHS Music Department "Service Above Self" Rotary Award

The Chelmsford Rotary Club recently presented the Charles and Carla Keen "Service Above Self" Award to the Chelmsford High School Music Department's staff and students. Accepting on behalf of the Music Department was Amanda Roeder. This award recognizes the outstanding commitment and service to the people of Chelmsford. Gwen Paquette, the President of the Chelmsford Rotary Club, made the presentation.

SAVE THE DATE - CHIPS Virtual Information Session

The Chelmsford Integrated Preschool (CHIPS) has scheduled a virtual information session for prospective families regarding registration for the 2022-23 academic year on Wednesday, Feb. 2 from 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. The link to attend the virtual information session will be provided on the morning of Feb. 2. Pre-registration applications will also be accepted on this date. For more information, contact the CHIPS main office at 978-251-5188.

Lions PRIDE Preschool Preparing for Kindergarten

Center Elementary - Dine To Donate

Get Ready to Eat Well for a Good Cause!


Dine to Donate will take place at The Establishment on Tuesday, January 25th! A generous 30% of your dine in or takeout order for lunch and dinner will be given back to Center when you inform your server or hostess that you are there with Center School.

Furry Friends Visitors At Center Elementary

Center Elementary Students Music Students Violin Players

4S Playing The Open String Song on Violins at Center Elementary

Harrington Elementary Library Learning

Kindergarten and Grade 1 students in Mrs. Defreitas'' library class are participating in a fun project the week while reading the book "Snowmen at Night," by Caralyn Buehner. Students are learning about how snow forms in the atmosphere and are conducting a science experiment by mixing Elmer's glue with shaving cream to make puff paint snowmen pictures. Please see their creations in the video below.
Harrington Elementary Library Class

500 Pieces of Pottery in Byam Elementary Art Classes

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College Planning Webinar

7 Ways to Reduce Cost of College

Regardless of your student's age, income level, or how much you have saved for college there are opportunities to make the cost of college less burdensome.

Chelmsford HS is pleased to host a webinar to introduce you to different ways that you can reduce the cost of higher education on February 7, 2022 - 7:00 pm


CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND RECEIVE ZOOM LINK

If you are unable to attend live, a recording will be sent

**PLEASE REGISTER IN ADVANCE


You will hear valuable insights on and have the opportunity to ask questions on:

• How to integrate cost considerations into your college search

• How the financial aid system really works and how to maximize the aid you receive

• Targeting achievable merit scholarships

• The financial aid application requirements

• How colleges vary in their financial aid policies and how you can plan for it

• Avoiding costly pitfalls when paying the college tuition bills We will also be able to answer questions that you have about the college search and admissions process.

Presenter: Gregg Cohen is the Founder and President of Campus Bound, a company that supports hundreds of students each year with finding, applying, and paying for college. He has personally supported thousands of families through the financial aid process in helping them to maximize their scholarships and grants. Gregg understands the intricacies of the financial aid applications, formulas, and awarding procedures of hundreds of colleges. Gregg has appeared on multiple media outlets over the last 20 years to discuss elements of the college admissions and financial aid process.

CHS Dual Enrollment Classes Deadline

Eligible CHS students can enroll in Dual Enrollment courses approved by a local partnering college while they are still attending Chelmsford High School. Credit for these courses applies both to Chelmsford High School and Middlesex Community College transcripts. Registrations are due in Emerson House by the end of the day, Friday, Jan. 28. For more information about Dual Enrollment, please visit our information page on our website.

Reminder - Paper 24/7 Free Online Tutoring Grs. 5-12

And just like that, we’re back! We hope your holidays were restful and relaxing, but we’re ready to get back to learning What are you looking forward to in 2022. Use this link to access everything you need to know about Paper tutoring services.

Chelmsford Community Education Winter-Spring 2022 Catalog

The Chelmsford Community Education Winter-Spring 2022 catalog is out, and it has a program for you: Archery, Street Hockey, Reiki Genealogy Interviewing Skills for Teens, and much, much more! Please see our course offerings catalog. Sign up today!

Public Service Announcement

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Past Superintendent Newsletters

Please find Dr. Lang's previous updates on our website.

CPS Employment Opportunities

The Chelmsford Public Schools utilizes School Spring to advertise job postings and the online application process. To apply for any of our positions, please visit our website.

https://interface.williamjames.edu/

CHELMSFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS MISSION

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.