Center Community Chat
May 7, 2023
Dear Center Community,
Thank you to the CSPTO for treating families to a fun night at Skate 3. It was a wonderful turnout. It was go great to connect with each other outside of school and as a bonus, everyone left with their bones intact. :)
Thanks also to Ms. Roberts for creating a welcoming entrance to Center School.
Important: A reminder that Monday, May 8th is the last day to share additional information you feel we should be aware in placing your child for next year. please send an email with this information to me at fulreaderd@chelmsford.k12.ma.us or send in a note. Please submit this to the principal even if you have discussed your preferences or concerns with the teacher. Please keep in mind that we are unable to honor requests for individual teachers. Letters containing such requests will be returned to you. Letters or emails received after the 8th may not be considered as placement decisions will already have been made.
Staff Updates
As we head into staff appreciation week we want to recognize three staff members who collectively served the students in Chelmsford, primarily at Center, for 66 Years! These three amazing educators will be retiring at the end of this year.
Susan Dooley has been a master teacher in Chelmsford for 25 years, primarily in 1st grade. 1st grade is a critical year for growth in reading , she has taught approximately 500 students this most important skill in her time here. She forms great relationships with students, giving of her time to have lunch with different ones each day. She consistently sets high expectations for all students both academically and behaviorally and provides the support for them to be successful!
Sharon Marcotte has met the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of primarily kindergarten students for just shy of a quarter of a century. Ms. Marcotte's dedication and commitment to helping young children adjust to their first year of school is truly remarkable. It takes a special person to work with 25 five-year-olds for six hours, 5 days a week, and she has done so with unwavering patience, kindness, while maintaining a sense of humor.
Kathy Rossman has met the health needs of students and staff at Center for almost 20 years. Her extraordinary efforts during the pandemic can not be overstated. She spent countless hours beyond her scheduled day contact tracing, communicating with community members, and analyzing data to keep us healthy. She maintained her calm, caring, and compassionate demeanor through it all.
Their presence at Center will be greatly missed, but we wish them all the best as they begin this new chapter in their lives. Thank you, Ms. Dooley, Ms. Marcotte, and Nurse Rossman, for all that you have done for our students and our school. Your legacy will continue to inspire us for years to come.
Ms. MacKessy will be on leave from May 4th until May 22, for a minor medical procedure. Please keep her in your thoughts. Gabriella May will be filling in for her. Welcome, Ms. May.
Ride Resource
Chelmsford RIDE offers transportation for adults to medical appointments in Chelmsford, Westford, Lowell, Tewksbury, Billerica, Carlisle, and Tyngsboro on weekdays from 2pm-6pm. In addition, local (Chelmsford) trips for grocery shopping, retail/pharmacy shopping and other errands are available. Transportation is available for adults aged 18 and over. (Sorry, no children) Chelmsford RIDE can accommodate mobility devices such as canes, walkers, and light, manual wheelchairs (rider must be able to stand and pivot with assistance). At this time, we cannot accommodate motorized wheelchairs.
RATES
$3 round trip within Chelmsford $5 round trip outside of Chelmsford
Please press the button below for more details.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Recycle Day!
On SATURDAY, MAY 13th (8am – 12pm) McCarthy & Center School PTOs are holding their very popular Recycle Day fundraiser, and they need volunteers!! Come help us greet cars, collect, and load e-waste & electronic items dropped off for recycling. All Middle & HS students are welcome to volunteer and earn up to 5 hours of community service. We also need parents to volunteer as well.
Signup at: https://signup.com/go/ofYmWmL
We appreciate your support!!
Center Chirps
- Title I and Intervention support will end on Friday, May 26th for the school year.
- With the warmer weather, please apply sunscreen before students come to school.
Have a good week.
Warm Regards,
Dianna and Donna
A special artist among us!
Looking Ahead to Field Day- Used Books Needed
Looking ahead, we will be having a whole school field day on Thursday, June 8th. The field day will include traditional field activities, a bagged picnic lunch and popsicles, movie, and our annual book swap. Here is your chance to to bring in those gently used books your students may have outgrown and get some new ones. Students will have an opportunity to choose a book (or 2 or 3 depending how many are donated) during field day to enjoy for the summer. There will be many opportunities to participate and volunteer for this. We will need help with set up and lots of caretakers at the stations on the day of the event. A separate email will be sent out as we get closer to the date with more details and a volunteer sign-up sheet.
Please put books on the counters in the lower lobby.
Music Message
I hope you are well.
On Wednesday, May 31st, at 6:00 PM, the Center School Community is invited to attend the second annual Family Sing-Along Night in the Center School Gym. This is an opportunity for kindergarten through fourth-grade students to share songs they have learned in Music Class. I believe in music’s unique ability to bring people together, so everyone will be invited (not required) to participate. Chairs will be provided, but please feel free to bring a blanket to sit on!
I look forward to making music with everyone in the Center School Gym at 6:00 PM on May 31st.
Please complete this short Google Form, so I am able to tailor the event to those in attendance.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Mr. McGillicuddy
mcgillicuddyc@chelmsford.k12.ma.u
Morning Announcements & Dance Party
SAVE THE DATE - NRT HOSTS ‘MEET THE BUS’ FOR INCOMING KINDERGARTENERS
NRT, the bus company of Chelmsford Public Schools, will host ‘Meet the Bus’ on Saturday, June 3 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at 27 Katrina Road in Chelmsford, for incoming kindergarten students to Chelmsford elementary schools.
‘Meet the Bus’ will cover:
- Meeting bus drivers
- Learning about bus safety
- Practice school bus rides
- Other games and activities
For more information, view the attached flyer or contact event coordinator Michelle Perez.
Placement Process
Our placement process for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year is beginning and will take place over several weeks. This process is truly a team effort that involves input from school personnel and student data gathered over time. We put great care into the decisions that are made. All information is reviewed by the present grade level teachers, reading teachers, special education teachers, guidance counselor, principal and other appropriate personnel so that we can be confident that classroom make ups are conducive to learning.
When creating classrooms, it is important that we are mindful of the needs of our students across grade levels. Individual classes need to strike the delicate balance between overall range of abilities, learning styles, special needs, conduct and appropriate combinations of students. Final lists are reviewed very carefully to ensure we have used our collective professional judgment to place each child appropriately in a well-balanced class. Our goal at Center is to provide a learning environment that meets the needs of the whole child and placement is a key factor in realizing this goal. Your input in the process is gladly accepted. If you feel that there is additional information of which we should be aware in placing your child for next year, please inform me ( fulreaderd@chelmsford.k12.ma.us )by letter or email, by Monday, May 8. Please submit this to the principal even if you have discussed your preferences or concerns with the teacher. Please keep in mind that we are unable to honor requests for individual teachers. Letters containing such requests will be returned to you.
Thank you for your involvement and continued partnership in your child's education at Center.
Good Things
The rest of our 1st grade friends finally made it to the Discovery Museum
Mr. L'abbe's class donning their tricorn hats while studying the American Revoluction
One of our recess rockstar teams
Students Caught Showing their PRIDE and KIndness
Upcoming Events
MAY
Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month
May 8- Last date to share placement information for consideration
Wednesday, May 10: School Nurse appreciation day
Wednesday, May 10: Kindergarten Parent Orientation 6:30 PM in the Center cafeteria
Friday, May 12: PTO Co-Pres Mtg 9:30 - 10:15 am
Monday, May 15: Grade 4 Math MCAS -S1
Tuesday, May 16: Grade 4 Math MCAS - S2
Wednesday, May 17: Grade 3 Math MCAS- S1
Thursday, May 18: Grade 3 Math MCAS - S2
Wednesday, May 17: Team Leader Meeting, 8-8:45
Wednesday, May 17: Plantmobile Enrichment- 2nd grade
Friday, May 19: Chelmsford Pride Spirit day
Monday, May 22: Gr 1 Enrichment - Animal Adventures (Classrooms)
Tuesday, May 23: PBIS Meeting 8:00 am in Room 25
May 22, 24, 25, 26 and 31st- Kindergarten screening
Wednesday, May 24: Culture night. 4:30-6:30
Wednesday, May 24: Gr 2 Enrichment - Plantmobile (classrooms)
Monday, May 29: No School - Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 30: CSPTO Meeting, 7PM at Center Library
Wednesday, May 31: Family Sing-a-long in the gym, 6:00PM
Wednesday, May 31: Wear Orange for Prader Willi Awareness Day
JUNE
Friday, June 2: PTO Co-Pres Mtg 9:30 - 10:15 am
Friday, June 2: Fire Safe Program , K-2 times TBD(alternate date Monday, June 5)
Saturday, June 3: Meet the Bus , 11-2 , 27 Katrina Road Chelmsford
Monday, June 5: Kindness spirit wear day
Tuesday, June 2: Term 3 (Gr K-4) End of marking period
Wednesday, June 7: CSPTO meeting at 7PM in the Center Library
Thursday, June 8, Field Day
Friday, June 9: Rain Date Field Day
Monday, June 12: 4th grade Finale
Thursday, June 15: Last day of school for students, half-day
Thursday, June 15: Move Up Day, Students in K-3
Monday, June 12: Term 3 (Gr 1-4) Teacher deadline for posting grades
Thursday, June 15: Term 3 (Gr 1-4) Grades available online
A note from Mrs. Engdahl:
The Center School Book Fair is coming soon to our library! Shopping will occur during library classes from May 19th through May 25th. You can also visit the book fair during the Center School Culture and Arts Festival from 4:30 to 6:30 on May 24th. Click on the links below for more information
2nd Annual Art and Culture Night
Dear Center School Community,
We hope you are well.
On May 24th, from 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM, Center School will hold its second annual Art and Culture Night. There will be musical performances, a book fair, and artwork from every student on display. We hope to see you there!
Please complete this form if your child(ren) wants to participate in the open-mic style musical performances. This is an excellent opportunity for students to share music they learned outside our weekly Music Class. Last year, there were amazing instrumental, vocal, and dance performances.
The book fair will be open in the library throughout the event. Please stop in, say hello, and consider purchasing books to support the Center School Library.
Please contact Ms. Glennon regarding visual art questions or concerns.
Please contact Mr. McGillicuddy regarding music-related questions or concerns.
Please contact Mrs. Engdahl regarding book fair questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Ms. Glennon, Art Teacher
Mr. McGillicuddy, Music Teacher
mcgillicuddyc@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Mrs. Engdahl, Librarian
Resources
MCAS Dates
Save the dates for MCAS, strategies for preparation (iReady) in the new year for grades 1-4
This year, students across the Commonwealth will be taking The Next- Generation MCAS for our annual standardized state testing. All students in Chelmsford will be taking the computer-based assessment using Chromebooks. Please mark your calendars for the important dates below. We strongly encourage all students to be present and on time these days. If your child is sick, we will have make-up sessions so that they are able to take the assessments when they are able to show their personal best work.
Chelmsford is fortunate to have access to iReady to support student learning. Students have access to this learning tool at home. Please reach out to your teacher if you have difficulty logging on. There is much research to support enhanced student achievement with use of this valuable tool. Please press the buttons below for more information.
*****Students are asked to leave phones and smart watches at home on assessment days.****
May 15 & 16- 4th grade
May 17, &18- 3rd grade
Chelmsford SEPAC
Need support in understanding your child's basic rights and the laws that support them?
Looking for parent training on navigating the special education system or supporting your child?
Join the SEPAC. See a link to the SEPAC website below.
Center Elementary School
Email: fulreaderd@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/Domain/9
Location: 84 Billerica Road, Chelmsford, MA, United States
Phone: 978-251-5155
Twitter: @Center_CCS