Panther Pride
From the desk of Mr.McElhinney
Setting Your Calendar (a review)
-June 1st, 8th graders will travel to the WOO Soxs
-June 1st, the SB 6-7-8 Chorus will host an event at SB from 7-9.
-June 2nd will be "Incoming 6th grade Parent night" -6:30-7:30.
-June 10th we will host the 5th grader transitional visit to SB.
-June 15th- 8th grade trip to New Hampshire
-June 16th- 7th grade to Canobie lake 8am-2pm
-June 17th- 6th grade Roller Kingdom
-June 17th- 8th grade award ceremony 8:30-10 am (Westford CAT), PTO sponsored 8th grade celebration 11am - 2pm.
8th grade award ceremony. This event has evolved several time in my years at SB but We will make a return to the Auditorium this year. This venue allows the comfort of air conditioning and no threat of a weather issue. Unfortunately, we cannot host all the parents of the 8th graders (as it has always been), as we do not have the capacity. This is generally a short program that will run from 8:30-10 am (tentative- usually shorter) on June 17th. We are, however, exploring options to view the ceremony either by posting the video or streaming it live. Please stay tuned for the updates as we approach that date.
Mr. Mac
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
The Roudenbush Community Center invites all Gr.8 students in Westford to 'Light Up The Night', the end-of-year dance on Friday, June 10 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Tickets $10.
Purchase tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/Gr8Dance22
Volunteer to help here: https://tinyurl.com/SignUpToHelpJun10
If you have any questions please email:aczado@roudenbush.org
Westford Education Foundation
Give The Gift That Keeps On Giving! Can’t find just the right gift to show your appreciation for the wonderful job your child’s teacher or special staff member has done? Consider sending a WEF note to your favorite teacher, counselor, teacher’s aide, school nurse, office staff member, or principal. It’s the perfect way to say thank you and support innovation at Nashoba Valley Technical High School and in Westford Public Schools at the same time!
Proceeds from these notes will be used to fund grants for innovative educational programs for NVTHS and WPS. This is also a great idea for class gifts!
Just make a tax-deductible donation (minimum of $10 per honoree) to the Westford Education Foundation and we will send your honoree an email from WEF with a personalized note. The email will state your name and your message, but will not disclose the amount of your gift.
Note: Donations made to WEF in honor of NVTHS and WPS staff members comply with the state ethical regulations for gift-giving and acceptance. The Westford Education Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that promotes excellence in education. We fund grants to teachers, staff, and the community for innovative educational initiatives, professional development, and life-long learning ventures.
Visit our website at https://www.westford.org/wef for more information on the programs we have funded in your school. All of this would not be possible without the support of our community and people like you.
Please visit https://www.westford.org/wef/thank-a-teacher_winter/ to complete your donation. You can complete your donation using your PayPal account or credit card. You will receive a confirmation email when your note is delivered. Questions? Contact WEF at wef@westford.org. Thank you!
Please check to see if your company has a matching gift program. Your gift may be doubled, or even tripled! Check with your human resources office for a matching gift form to submit with your donation.
Westford Education Foundation
P.O. Box 535
Westford, MA 01886
978-418-9179
PTO UPDATE
Academic Enrichment Programs
Generous donations by parents help the PTO fund enrichment programs for the students. The final event for this year, the Gr.7 Mythmasters presentation of Tales from Greek Mythology took place on Thu, May 26.
Learn more about PTO-sponsored enrichment programs HERE
Mini-Grants
Parent donations also fund mini-grants for SBS staff members. See HERE for details of items funded by the PTO this school year through Mini-Grants.
Get more SBSPTO information from our website HERE. If you have questions or comments please email us at stonybrookschoolpto@gmail.com
Notes from the Clinic
Notes from the clinic 5/27: (Links will need to be copied and pasted into your browser)
Thank you to all of the 6th grade parents who have been sending in copies of your children’s physicals and immunization records this week. Unless your child’s annual physical is this summer, the most recent one you have is the one I am looking for. A copy of the physical as well as the immunization record needs to be submitted.
A few COVID updates: On Wednesday the 25th, DESE changed their guidance once again! Whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, a student can attend school if they are identified as a close contact. This is the latest guidance:
Quarantine for asymptomatic exposed students, regardless of where the exposure occurred, is no longer required for these settings. Children who are identified as close contacts may continue to attend school as long as they remain asymptomatic. Those who can mask should do so until Day 10. A test on Days 2 and 5 is recommended, but not required.
Children who test positive must isolate for a minimum of 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever-free for 24 hours, they may return to school after Day 5. If the child is able to mask, they must do so through Day 10. If the child is unable to mask, they must have a negative test on Day 5 or later in order to return to school prior to day 11.
Symptomatic students can remain in their schools if they are tested immediately onsite, and that test is negative. Best practice would also include wearing a mask, if possible, until symptoms are fully resolved.
Test kits are readily available at all pharmacies but there are also free kits available, delivered right to your door. Here is the link for these tests: https://special.usps.com/testkits
Fortunately our COVID cases have been minimal this week-only 6 cases in the SB community.
I wanted to let all of you know that I will be retiring as a school nurse at the end of this school year after 22 years in the district. Shannon O’Donnell who was hired in the fall as our COVID nurse will be taking over for me. She has been spending time with me recently and looking forward to taking over next year. Any questions over the summer, please direct them to her. Her email address is sodonnell@westfordk12.us
Have a good weekend
Sue Hanly, MSN, RN
Westford Summer Music Program 7/11/22 through 7/15/22
Westford Summer Music Program 7/11/22 through 7/15/22
Come join the fun for a week-long program where band and orchestra ensembles will rehearse daily from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Stony Brook School! During the week students will learn new music while building community and friendships. We will conclude the program with a free performance on Friday, July 15th at 11 a.m. This program is open for band and orchestra students entering grades 5 through 9 in September 2022.
Summer Band directed by Mr. Adam Shekleton
Summer Orchestra directed by Mr. Todd Hamelin
For more information and registration please visit: www.westfordk12.us/summermusic
For questions, please contact:
Julie Ottesen - jottesen@westfordk12.us
Basketball Clinic
The WA Girls' Basketball program will be running basketball clinics for girls entering 2nd grade through those entering 9th grade. These clinics are coached by members of the WA Girls' Varsity basketball team. Dates are June 22, 23, and 24th at Blanchard and June 27, 28, 29, and 30 at Westford Academy.
Please go to the WAGB program website at www.wagb.webnode.com for registration information - dates, times, and forms. Also, please email Coach Russ Coward at rcoward@westfordk12.us if you have any questions. Thank you!