Abbot Update
June 12, 2020
I hope you enjoyed a festive end to the school year with our Virtual Field Day activities and our School-wide Spirit week. The classroom teachers did a wonderful job supporting these efforts in their google meets with students and we appreciate the support you all provided at home as well.
We are so excited to see everyone on Tuesday at our wave parade. It has been quite an adventure this year and we couldn't be more proud of our students for persevering through this challenging time. To say that we appreciate all you've done during this time is an understatement. Your collaboration and support has been invaluable and we are so grateful for your incredible efforts at home throughout this remote learning adventure. I imagine you will all be celebrating the last day of school in a big way! :)
This will be my last "scheduled" weekly update for this school year, but I will continue to keep you informed as I learn more about the reopening plans for next school year. In the meantime, I wish you all a wonderful summer and a much needed break from doing double duty! Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Lori McDermott
Send-off to Summer Car Parade
We are thrilled to invite our students and families to a wave parade in front of Abbot School as a final farewell to the 2019-2020 school year on our last day of school, Tuesday, June 16. Many of the Abbot staff plan to line up in front of the school (in compliance with appropriate social distancing recommendations, including the use of masks) to wave to students and families as they pass through the school parking lot. Please note that due to changes in schedules or unforeseen circumstances, some staff members may not be able to attend.
We ask that you remain in your car so social distancing guidelines and safety protocols are followed. Please drive very slowly, as many staff members will be lined up throughout the area to wave and cheer as cars go by. In addition, we ask that anyone in the car wear a mask to keep everyone safe.
Tuesday, June 16
Grade 5: 9:00-10:00 AM
Grade 3 & Grade 4: 10:00-11:00 AM
A few important safety tips from the Westford Police Department:
- Please do not cover your car with so many balloons and signs that you cannot safely see out of the car windows.
Please keep the speed limit to 5 MPH.
- Please keep safety in mind and do not allow students to hang out of windows or sunroofs.
Please enter on Fisher Way and take your first right into the Abbot School parking lot. Proceed around the perimeter of the parking lot toward the side of the building and turn right to pass in front of Abbot School.
We look forward to celebrating our students and their families on the completion of an unprecedented school year!
Report Cards/Class Placements
Here is a guide created by the curriculum coordinators to help you better understand what was graded and how it was graded.
As a reminder, class placements for next year will be shared mid-August. We will be sharing Virtual Move-up Day videos with you next week.
Loaner Chromebooks
We will not be collecting the devices that have been loaned to students during remote learning at this point. Students will be able to use them over the summer and we will reconsider the decision in the new school year when we know what school will look like.
Elementary students will continue to have access to Dreambox, Lexia and Typing Club through at least the end of July.
Daily Challenges
This week's Daily Challenges:
Day 55 - Mrs. Stanvick's name craft
Day 56 - Play the "Flip (Baseball) Game with your family
Day 57 - Try the Fast Folder Field Day activity
Day 58 - Register for the JV Fletcher Library Summer Reading Program
Day 59 - Select your summer reading books
These are the last of our daily challenges for this school year. I hope they have helped you and your children have a little fun during these last 60 days!
Morning announcements will continue through Tuesday, June 16.
reminders from previous updates
Summer Reading
The JV Fletcher library is running the summer reading program this summer. The program will be virtual and there will still be prizes, programs and other incentives. The theme this year is Imagine Your Story. Students can sign up for the program starting June 8 on the Fletcher Library web site. Kate, the young adult librarian, and Nancy, the elementary school librarian, have made excellent videos explaining the program and how to sign up. The links are below.
The Middle School or Young Adult program is for the students in grades 4 -7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXVVWaXgmBQ
Elementary School Program is for students in grades K - 3
Summer Reading for 5th Graders
All students entering middle school have required summer reading this year. Students entering grades 6 should select and read at least one book from their grade level list, and be prepared to complete an assignment on that book when school resumes in the fall.
PTO Update
There will be a drop box available outside the front doors of the school June 8 - June 16 available Monday - Friday between the hours of 7:30 and 2:00 for folks who want to drop off end of year gifts for teachers and staff. Thank you Mr. Bennett for managing this process for us! The Gift Giving guide compiled for teachers and staff is available here: https://tinyurl.com/nababbotgiftgivingguide
2020-2021 WPS School Calendar
The district calendar for the upcoming school year was approved by the School Committee at the June 1st meeting and it has been published to our district's website. Click here or see attachment below.
Dates to Remember
June 16 - End of Year Car Parade (Grade 5: 9:00-10:00am), (Grades 3 & 4: 10:00-11:00am)
Messages from WPS
A Message From WPS Food Service
Monday, June 15, will be the last day that lunches will be available for this school year. Lunch orders need to be placed via this LINK by Sunday night, June 14, at 6:00, and lunch kits will be available for pickup at the side entrance to the Westford Academy cafeteria on Monday morning, June 15, from 10:30 to noon.
We look forward to servicing your children's lunch needs at the start of the next school year.
Have an enjoyable summer!
Regards,
Colleen
Food Service Director
cwallace@westfordk12.us
Social Emotional Support/Resources
A Message from our Abbot School Counselors
Did you know that Ms. Wendler and Ms. Newton have a Counseling Blog? During this time that we are not in school, it will be updated weekly with a few strategies for students and families, including some "mindfulness moment" ideas and some activities your child might want to try at home.
Please check out the link below:
Social Emotional Health and Well Being Website
The WPS School Psychologists, have created a terrific website for tips and resources during this challenging time. Click Here to check it out.
COVID-19 INFORMATION
WPS COVID-19 Website
The district will be sharing information regarding COVID-19 on the WPS website that will be updated regularly. Please click HERE to check it out.
Abbot School
Email: lmcdermott@westfordk12.us
Website: https://www.westfordk12.us/as
Location: 25 Depot Street, Westford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-692-5580
Twitter: @AbbotElementary