Abbot Update
November 12, 2021
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Abbot Families,
I hope you enjoyed the Veterans Day holiday and were able to take advantage of the beautiful weather. Thank you to all of the veterans and their family members in our Abbot community for their service and sacrifice.
This week I spent some time in each classroom reminding students of the importance of keeping their hands to themselves in order to ensure that everyone feels safe and happy at school. In fact, I am sure some of your children will share that I have made a "no football" rule for the near future. This is the first time that I have had to do this at Abbot, but due to the high level of unsafe physical contact, it is necessary. This year, more than any other, we are seeing students struggle to maintain physical safety across all settings, including the bus, the classroom, the playground, etc. I think many of our students are somewhat out of practice due to the pandemic. That coupled with the excitement of being all back together in school seems to be resulting in some unexpected physical contact. The good news is, we ARE all back which means we have plenty of time to practice. I have no doubt that we will get there! Any additional support in reiterating this message that you can provide at home would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your continued partnership.
Please see important information and reminders below.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Lori McDermott
Abbot School Principal
Vaccination Clinic
Please see the attached information on the upcoming COVID19 vaccination clinic for children 5 to 11 years old.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
Rae Dick BS. CP-FS
Interim Health Director
Westford Health Department
978-399-2553
Student Council Update
The Abbot School Student Council has already been hard at work planning some upcoming events:
Thankful Tree (Month of November)
Students voted to create a Thankful Tree in which each student is invited to write one thing they are thankful for on a leaf during the month of November. This will happen at school. All the leaves will be shared on a tree in the cafeteria.
Spirit Day
Student Council has also voted to have a Fall Colors/Football spirit day on Friday, November 19.
Community Drive for Catie's Closet
Abbot School will be collecting new winter items including mittens, hats, socks and pajamas of all sizes to be donated to Catie's Closet. This compassion project will run from November 19-December 17.
We are so grateful for our student leaders!
Happy Diwali
Tiered Focused Monitoring - DESE Visit in January
During the week of January 9, 2022, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Westford Public Schools. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson(s) of the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.
Parents and other individuals may call Alaena Podmore, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (781) 338- 6706 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.
Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the (district or charter school) with a report with information about areas in which the (district or charter school) meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the (district or charter school) requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.
this week
ABBOT SCHOOL BOOK FAIR
The Book Fair is Coming! The Abbot School Book Fair will run from November 15th - November 19th during library class!
The best way for students to purchase books during the book fair is with cash OR check (made payable to Westford Public Schools). Every penny earned from the book fair will go to purchase books for the students at Abbot School. There is a 6% sales tax on all purchases.
This year we hope to raise $1000 to purchase new books for the students. The money will be used to round out series, to replace damaged books and to buy high interest titles such as the Aru Shah series, the Dog Man series and Massachusetts Book Award Books, and to update our collections of curriculum materials such as Biography, Holidays and Explorers.
Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend with their students during library times.
You may also visit our book fair from home! Parents and community members can purchase books by clicking on this link: Book Fair
If you’d like to volunteer at the Book fair, please email Denise Seyffert at dseyffert@westfordk12.us OR fill out the volunteer form that went home with your student.
fifth Grade band rehearsal
Spirit Day
reminders from previous updates
Parent Conferences - save the date!
Parent Conferences will be held on Monday, November 22 from 2:00-8:00 PM and on Tuesday, November 23 from 8:15-10:15 AM.
Please read THIS important letter with information regarding parent-teacher conference sign-ups.
For the Love of Erika Nov 15 – Dec 10
For the Love of Erika is a toy drive in memory of Erika Gould, a Westford resident who passed away in 2005. Since then, FTLOE has delivered more than 25,000 presents to children in various hospitals and shelters throughout New England, as well as hosting holiday parties for families in shelters and the Department of Children and Families.
Due to COVID-19, holiday parties have been canceled, but FTLOE is planning for in-person deliveries depending on location. This year, FTLOE is accepting both physical toy donations via school collection, as well as monetary donations. 100% of monetary donations will go toward the purchase of gifts. The need for toys is immense, and in order to meet the goal of delivering toys to 4 hospitals, 10 shelters, and DCF, the goal is to raise least $5,000 by December 10th.
Any donations are greatly appreciated! Donations can be made by bringing a new, unopened toy to your school’s donation box, through GoFundMe page (gofundme.com/fortheloveoferika2021), or checks made out to: For the Love of Erika, 3 Cutter Lane, Westford MA. For any further questions, please feel free to reach out to Taylor Goodman-Leong at tgoodmanleong@gmail.com. For current updates, please refer to our Facebook page: facebook.com/theloveoferika.
A Message from the clinic
A Message from the Elementary Nurses
DATES TO REMEMBER
- November 12 - Last day to order PIES
- November 15-19 - Library Book Fair
- November 17 - 5th Grade Band Rehearsal (7:30 AM)
- November 18 - 5th Grade Chorus rehearsal (7:30 AM), Ghosts and Goblins (3:00-3:45 PM)
- November 19 - Wear Fall Colors/Football Jerseys Spirit Day
- November 22 - NO SCHOOL, Conferences 2:00-8:00 PM
- November 23 - DELAYED OPENING - 8:15-10:15 AM, PTO Meeting (4:00-5:00 PM)
- November 24 - Early Release at 11:40 AM
- November 25 - NO SCHOOL, Happy Thanksgiving
- November 26 - NO SCHOOL
community news
Child Search
If you know of any child attending public or private school, or who is homeless or has left school, and could benefit from a special education evaluation under Chapter 766 or educational services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, please contact the Special Education Department in Westford. (978-692-5560 ext. 2111) Every effort will be made to contact the parents to advise them of their rights under these laws.
Roudenbush Community Center Speaker Series (formally Westford Parent Connection
Overcoming Stress and Burnout in the time of Covid
Parenting is one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences in life; during the pandemic both the challenge (and the reward) has grown significantly for most families. While we have more time with our children, we are also more responsible, perhaps, for their learning, for keeping our families safe and healthy, and maintaining and thriving in our careers - add to this the uncertainty in the world in general and you have the perfect recipe for burnout. Join us to learn to recognize signs of burnout and some concrete strategies for mitigating stress.
About the presenter:
Mary Ellen Rogers Mary-Ellen Sposato RogersMary-Ellen Sposato Rogers, ICF certified Executive Coach and acclaimed corporate trainer, was the founder and former CEO of Work/Life Innovations, acquired by a Fortune 500 health care provider in 2008; the company provided EAP, wellness, and work/life resource & referral services to major corporations including Bank One, The University of Illinois, McDonald’s Corporation, ESPN and United Technologies, to name a few. Under Mary-Ellen’s direction the company was the first vendor ever to be named an Innovative Excellence Award Winner by The Alliance for Work Life Progress, an honor they received twice (2003 and 2005).
Presentation is on November 17 at 7 pm via zoom please register at https://www.roudenbush.org/events/overcoming-stress-and-burnout-during-a-pandemic-with-mary-ellen-rogers.
We are also hosting a follow up coffee talk the next morning for people to discuss what the learned and to share thoughts. The Roudenbush Coffee Connection will be held on Thursday No 18th from 9 to 9:45ma via zoom, please can register here https://www.roudenbush.org/events/roudenbush-coffee-connection-overcoming-stress-and-burnout for the zoom link
Westford SEPAC Virtual Open House Nov. 17 with Dr. Christopher Chew, Courtney Moran, and Jenn Traverso
On November 17 at 7PM, the Westford Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) is holding a virtual open house -- via Zoom -- with Westford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Chew, Director of Pupil Services Courtney Moran, and ELA Curriculum Coordinator Jenn Traverso.
This public meeting is open to all parents and families of students with special needs who live in Westford or who have a child attending school within the district, as well as to other interested parties.
The meeting will be held via Zoom; attendees must pre-register.
The SEPAC has also published its schedule for the 2021-2022 school year. You can find the list of meetings and workshops here.
What is the SEPAC? Massachusetts statutes and regulations require that every school district in the state establishes a SEPAC. This public body serves as an adviser to the School Committee on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities. In addition, the SEPAC has a duty to meet regularly with school officials to participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of the district’s special education program.
For more information on SEPACs, please visit the Federation for Children with Special Needs’ MassPAC page.
The Westford SEPAC also encourages community members to follow our Facebook page or sign up for our mailing list to get information about upcoming Westford SEPAC events, as well as topics that the SEPAC Board of Directors believes is of interest to families of students with special needs in our community.
Westford Academy Theater Arts
Westford Academy Theater Arts presents THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, a fun, family friendly musical directed by Ms. Maggie Sulka and conducted by Mr. Ken Culver. Direct link to purchase tickets.
WA Pie Sale
WA Class of 2023 is hosting its annual Thanksgiving Pie sale. Order your pies and breads for Thanksgiving from October 29 - Nov. 15th. Pickup will be at Westford Academy after school on Tuesday, Nov 23rd and Wednesday Nov. 24th. Families are also able to buy pies/breads that will be donated to a local food pantry. If you are interested, please use the form below to order. For any questions, please email 2023ghosts@gmail.com
Link to order form: https://formfaca.de/sm/pvDm3ublN
Abbot School
Email: lmcdermott@westfordk12.us
Website: https://www.westfordk12.us/as
Location: 25 Depot Street, Westford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-692-5580