Center Community Chat
Staff edition- January 31, 2021

Dear Families and Staff,
Have you thanked your school counselor this year? If not this week is the perfect time to do it in observance of National School Counseling Week. We are fortunate to have a caring and dedicated counseling staff at Center. Many thanks to Kate Lallas, Dr. Julia Sollenberger, Katie Sapp, Megan Mayers and Amanda Ritson for the support they have provided to our students, families, and staff during these challenging times. An example of their dedication, is the webinar, Supporting Families with Remote Learning, they are hosting on February 10th, at 9:30. If you are unable to join us, the session will be recorded and shared following the event.
We are so thrilled we have a community event to look forward to this week and hope to see many of your faces remotely for Bingo Night on Friday. Please visit the PTO website and check out the link below for more information.
Don't forget to let "your kind shine" tomorrow, as it is the first Monday of the month.
Valentine's Day
Due to safety concerns and logistics, we ask that you not send in cards to classmates this year. This is yet another event that we will have to find creative ways to reimagine and celebrate. Our student council is working to celebrate Valentine's Day with an act of kindness; stay tuned...
Have a great week. Be well.
Dianna & Donna
2nd Grade is Currently Reading
We read a book called Why Your Skin is Beautiful. This book is about two sisters who go to the dermatologist. The dermatologist explains to the children what skin is and how it gets it’s color. She reminds them that all skin is beautiful! The book explains race and racism in kid friendly language. The kids were able to understand and have a discussion about these important topics. You are able to download a FREE copy on the authors’ website.
GOOD THINGS
Joy of Learning is evident in in 1J
Having fun with Number Comparison Knock | This author wrote a non-fiction book about animals | And this eager reader entertained his class with an engaging read aloud |
Music and movement in Ms. Trager's class
This week from the PTO : BINGO, Taste Reimagined, & Staff Appreciation
Stronger Together - a midpoint reflection and reminders
As we head into the second half of the school year, this is a good time to reflect on what is working well, where we can strengthen our partnership and reinforce student expectations that will foster academic and social growth for all students.
How can you partner with us to support our students?
Physical Presence on hybrid days
Students should be in person on their hybrid days unless they are ill. It is a disruption to the class if students are home when they are scheduled to be in school and do not have the materials they need for learning.
Attendance in the afternoon
Students should be back in their learning environment from 2:00-3:18.
Students need to either log on to their live specialist or complete asynchronous work.
Please try to schedule appointments after school, whenever possible.
Meet expectations
Cameras should be turned on throughout the day unless a teacher states otherwise.
Students should have a quiet working space, free of distractions.
Students should be actively participating in class discussions.
Please see our PRIDE Passport for online learning below. Consider making a copy of this and posting it in your students' work place for them to refer to.

Talking to Young Children about Race and Racism
Notes from the Nurse - Attention 3rd grade families
Third Graders
Third Grade students enrolled in Chelmsford Public Schools are required to submit a signed current physical exam for school health records. A physical exam includes a general statement of health and any physical restrictions. This communicates your child is safe to participate school activities.
Massachusetts General Law 105 CMR 200.00 Section 100 requires that a child be examined every three to four years after entering school. Chelmsford Public Schools requires a physical exam on file for all kindergarten, third, sixth, and ninth graders. A physical completed between January 2020 to June 2021(last 18 months) is acceptable.
If you have not done so already, you may send in a copy or have your child’s doctor’s office fax it to Center School Nurse at 978-256-4282 (Fax). The nurse will make a copy and return the original to upon request.
Thank you,
Kathy Rossman BSN RN NCSN
Upcoming Events
This week...
Monday, February 1: Let your kindness shine Spirit wear day!
Wednesday, February 3: PTO co-Pres Meeting 9:15 am
Friday, February 5: Kindergarten Teacher Deadline for posting grades
Friday, February 5: BINGO NIGHT 6:30 - 8:00pm
And next...
Tuesday, February 9: Kindergarten Term 1 Grades online for Parents
Tuesday, February 9: Think A-Head enrichment: 4S, 4C, 4O
Wednesday, February 10: Supporting Families with Remote Learning -Webinar, 9:30-10:15
Wednesday, February 10: Half Day (Professional day)
Wednesday, February 10: Think A-Head enrichment 4G, 4M
Wednesday, February 10: PTO Virtual Meeting 7-8 pm
Thursday, February 11: National Make a Friend Day
February 15 - 19 February recess
Monday, February 22 school reopens
Week of 2/22-2/26- Alice Drills
Resources
Technical Issues
We kindly ask you to follow this progression which will help us best support and assist our students and families.
- If your student is having difficulty logging into Clever or their Google Classroom, be sure they signing in with their Chelmsford email address that ends in @cpslions.com
- Watch & Read instructional videos and directions contained in the Tech Tips document (a link to this is below)
- Submit a request for assistance through IIQ(formerly the helpdesk) https://chelmsford.incidentiq.com/guest/TKHNDKXH/parent-support#top
- Your child's teacher will try to assist you but be mindful that they are also trying to provide instruction to about 20 other students, so please try the steps above to limit interruptions to learning.