CPS Superintendent's Update
PERSEVERANCE * RESPECT * INTEGRITY * DEDICATION * EMPATHY
Superintendent's Update - 5.5.2023
Dear CPS Community,
Happy Cinco de Mayo! There is a lot to celebrate this month including this holiday that is celebrated annually on May 5th commemorating the Mexican army's victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, during the Franco-Mexican War. Although Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, it has become a popular celebration in the United States, especially in areas with significant Mexican American populations. The holiday is often associated with parades, parties, and traditional Mexican food and music. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16th. Instead, it is a day to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage, and to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of the Mexican soldiers who fought in the Battle of Puebla.
In other celebrations, next week kicks off Teacher Appreciation Week, May 8th - 12th. Teacher Appreciation Week is a special week dedicated to showing gratitude and recognition for the hard work and dedication of teachers. It usually takes place in the first full week of May each year, and it is a time to celebrate and honor the contributions teachers make to education and society. Our PTOs, schools and families have organized various activities and events to express their appreciation for teachers. It is always a great week at the schools where teachers can enjoy some great treats and prizes to show how appreciated they are in our school communities. It is important to recognize the role that teachers play in shaping the lives of students and in building a better society. Taking time to show teachers appreciation for their dedication and efforts helps to foster a culture of respect and support for our educators.
To continue the celebration theme and highlight another essential role in our schools, National Nurses' Week is upon us. National Nurses Week is an annual event celebrated in the United States from May 6th - May 12th. It was established by the American Nurses Association (ANA) in 1993 to honor and recognize the contributions of nurses to society. The week-long celebration begins on May 6th, which is also known as National Nurses Day and ends on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. The theme for National Nurses Week changes each year, but it always focuses on the critical role that nurses play in healthcare and their impact on patients' lives. National Nurses Week is an opportunity for individuals and organizations to express their appreciation for the dedication, compassion, and expertise that nurses bring to their work every day. Please take some time to recognize our school nurses’ contributions to improving the health and wellbeing of people in their communities and around the world.
In culminating celebration news, mark your calendars because in less than a month our Chelmsford High School seniors will be crossing the stage as the 106th graduating class, forever known as the Class of 2023. This year’s commencement will be on Saturday, June 3rd at the Tsongas Arena beginning at 4:00 p.m. High school graduation is an important milestone in the life of a student. It marks the completion of their secondary education and prepares them for the next phase of their life, which could involve pursuing higher education or entering the workforce. We are so proud of our seniors and look forward to celebrating together this June.
The future weather forecast looks promising with temperatures creeping into the 70s. I hope you can get outside and enjoy the weather this weekend.
Yours truly,
Jay Lang, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Upcoming Events
CHS Theatre Guild presents 'Frenemy Feud', 5.4-5/6, 7:00 p.m.
Parker MS Music Festival Performance, 5/6, All Day
SATs, 5/6, 8:30 a.m.
South Row PTO Spring Dance and Raffle Baskets, 5/6, 6:00 p.m.
Chelmsford High School Pops Concert, 5/9, 7:00 p.m.
Live Webinar: College Search: Finding Affordable Schools, 5/10, 6:30
Parker Middle School Spring Chorus Concert, 5/10, 7:00 p.m.
Parker Middle School PTO Virtual Meeting, 5/10, 7:00 p.m.
Council of Chelmsford Schools Meeting, 5/11, 6:30 p.m.
Kindergarten, "Meet the Bus" Event, 6/3, 11:00 a.m.
CHS Graduation, 6/3, 4:00 p.m.
CPS Science - Trail Cam Tuesday
CHS Theatre Guild children’s production - ‘Frenemy Feud'
The Chelmsford High School Theatre Guild presents its 2023 children’s production of ‘Frenemy Feud,’ May 4-6 (7 p.m.) at the Carl J. Rondina Performing Arts Center. Admission is $7 and tickets can be purchased online. Students who print their ticket and bring to the door can have one parent admitted free. The student-written and directed ‘Frenemy Feud’ depicts the story of Amara and her friend group competing against a team of bullies on the fictitious famous show, Glockenspiel. The two teams fight to spin the glocken-wheel and lead their team to victory. It is a story of friendship and life lessons that will leave the audience laughing. ‘Frenemy Feud’ runs approximately 1:15 with a 15-minute intermission. For more information, contact the Chelmsford Theatre Guild or click on the attached flyer. Buy Tickets
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.
SAVE THE DATE
Chelmsford First Grader Nhyira Quao Wins MAEA Youth Art Month President’s Choice Award
Center Elementary School first-grader Nhyira Quao always looks forward to Tuesdays. That’s when she has art class with teacher Beth Glennon at 2:15, the perfect end to a school day. Nicknamed ‘Shi Shi,’ Ms. Quao’s love for art is abundantly evident in her projects, of which the folks at the Massachusetts Art Educators Association (MAEA) have taken notice. Ms. Quao was named the Grade 1 recipient of the MAEA Youth Art Month President’s Choice Award, announced recently. Her painting, titled ‘Sunflowers,’ was one of 13 works of art to earn the award, which is presented to one student statewide in each grade K-12. She received a gift certificate for $25 to Blick Art Materials. Please visit our website for more information about this award and the gallery of pictures.
Chelmsford High School, Middle School Ensembles Capture Eight Medals at 2023 MICCA Festival
Eight musical ensembles from Chelmsford Public Schools were awarded medals at the 2023 Massachusetts Instrumental and Chorus Conductors Association (MICCA) Concert Band and Orchestra Festival, held from Apr. 5-7. The Festival attracted more than 100 ensembles statewide and was held at several different venues around greater Boston. Ensembles that participated were judged on qualities such as tone, balance and blend, intonation, expression style and phrasing, rhythm precision and repertoire among other rubrics. Please visit our website to read more about this event.
CHS’s Nokham-Naylor Named Runner-Up in the Hunt’s Photo and Video High School Photography Contest
Chelmsford Middle School Music Festival
Governor Healey and MASS Dignitaries Visit to CHS
Highlights From the CHS Ecology Club’s Earth ‘Week’
The Ecology Club at Chelmsford High School used its Spring Break to beautify the campus and support the Town.
- On Tuesday, Apr. 18, 14 members assisted custodial staff raking leaves.
- On Saturday, Apr. 22, Earth day, students assisted the Chelmsford Department of Public Works with collecting hazardous waste from residents.
- Other members advocated for a greener planet in front of the Chelmsford Library, speaking with residents about the Club’s year-long green endeavors at the high school.
The Ecology Club’s Green Crusaders hope their efforts will help make a difference to our community and raise community awareness about sustainability. Please visit our website for more information and gallery of pictures.
Obstacle course in Physical Education at Center School
‘Talk Saves Lives’ Presentation to Address Suicide Prevention
The Town of Chelmsford hosts ‘Talk Saves Lives: A Brief Introduction to Suicide Prevention,’ Tuesday, May 9 (6:30-7:30 p.m.) at the Chelmsford Public Library’s McCarthy Meeting Room. ‘Talk Saves Lives’ will cover what is known about suicide, the most up-to-date research and what can be done to prevent suicide. The presentation is provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Town of Chelmsford Department of Health, and the Chelmsford Public Library. Participants must register for the event. For more information, view the attached flyer or contact Taryn Angel, Town of Chelmsford Public Health and Wellness Coordinator, at tangel@chelmsfordma.gov.
Participants will learn:
- Common risk factors
- Spotting the warning signs
- How to keep loved ones safe
Save the Date - Parker Pride Run - May 21st
The Parker Middle School PTO will host the 2023 Parker Pride Run on Sunday, May 21 at 9 a.m. The Run is open to all students and members of the community. Prizes will be awarded to the top runners in each grade level. Runners who register by Friday, Apr. 28 will receive a race t-shirt. Proceeds from the Run will be used to fund new gym equipment, indoor/outdoor recess activities, and enrichment programs for all 5th and 6th graders in Chelmsford. For more information use the following link.
Community Education Summer 2023 Catalog
Chelmsford Community Education’s Summer 2023 Programming is now Open for Registration! Chelmsford Community Education’s Summer programming begins on Wednesday, July 5th. New Classes are added weekly. Visit ChelmsfordCommunityEd.com for our full list of programming and like us on Facebook (Chelmsford Community Education) for new class announcements as they happen.
CTM Student Film Festival
Paper Tutoring - Academic Support for Grs. 5-12 Students
Paper is an online, on-demand tutoring service that provides students with unlimited, 24/7 academic support. Whether they’re stuck on homework, studying for a test, or need someone to read and make suggestions for their writing, there will always be experts available online to assist students one-on-one in all subject areas and in more than four languages. See Paper FAQs to learn more.
CPS Handbook and CHS Addendum
CPS Health Services
The CPS Health Services Department is committed to providing evidence-based/ best practice holistic nursing care to the unique, culturally diverse students of Chelmsford Public Schools. In collaboration with all stakeholders, we advocate for their safety and healthcare needs. We are dedicated professionals who are committed to bridging health care with education and making a positive impact on the present and future wellness of Chelmsford’s school community. Please visit the Health Services page on the website for all your health services needs.
CPS Employment Opportunities
The Chelmsford Public Schools utilizes School Spring to advertise job postings and the online application process. To apply for any of our positions, please visit our website.
CHELMSFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS MISSION
The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners who PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential.
Chelmsford Public Schools
Email: information@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://chelmsfordschools.org
Location: 230 North Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 251-5100
Facebook: facebook.com/chelmsfordpublicschools
Twitter: @ChelmsfordPS