Center Community Chat
Staff Edition- February 28, 2021
Dear Families and Staff,
This week we held two ALICE practice drills at Center, one on Tuesday and another on Friday. We reassured students both before it began and when it was complete that there was no danger in the building. Each year, we work with the Chelmsford Police and Fire Departments to ensure that staff and students know what to do if we ever needed to use this procedure. We are pleased to report that the students and staff completed the drill successfully. During the drill, staff used the information they had available to make the best response decisions. While we hope we never need to use this procedure, we are happy that our staff and students know what to do to keep themselves and one another safe.
Many thanks to our CSPTO for yet another surprise treat. Center staff all have their lunch break at the same time this year, resulting in a long line for the microwave. Thank you for providing an extra. Thank you, as always, for meeting our needs.
Looking for another way to support Center School and the students? Tonight is your LAST CHANCE FOR TASTE OF CHELMSFORD RAFFLE TICKETS. There are still a limited number of tickets available for this year’s Taste calendar raffle! Help the CSPTO raise funds for enrichment programs at Center School.
The raffle calendar features over $5K in prizes from Chelmsford-area restaurants and small businesses. Tickets are $25 and each ticket can win 31 times in March! All prizes are valued at $100 or more.
As always, funds raised from the Taste directly support enrichment programs for all students at Center Elementary School. Please help us continue the Taste tradition!
Purchase your raffle tickets today at: www.TasteOfChelmsford.com
Note regarding specialist:
- Please note that occasionally families may notice two live specialist sessions in one week, appearing as if another class is missing a live rotation. Although it appears as if it were a mistake, we strategically planned the rotation so that all students would see a live rotation, as well as equitable distribution of specialist classes.
Have a good week. Don't forget to "Let Your Kind Shine" tomorrow.
Dianna & Donna
Let's Get Moving in March!
Upcoming Events
This week...
March 1- 5: Last opportunity to bring items in for the Lowell Humane Society
Monday, March 1: Kindness Spirit wear day! Let your kindness shine
Tuesday, March 2: National Dr. Seuss Day (Read Across America Day)
Wednesday, March 3: Half Day (Professional Day), specials from 11:15-11:45
Wednesday, March 3: PTO Co-Pres Meeting 9:15 am
Thursday, March 4: 4th Grade Enrichment: Sheryl Faye as Sally Ride
And Next...
Sunday, March 14: Pi Day
This week from the PTO :
Good Things
Snow Much Fun at Center!
PRIDE all class reward in 2K!
Mr. M making music with Ms. Trager's class
Great example of perseverance and dedication from a former Center student
From our Fine Arts Department
Middle School Arts Block Information for Incoming Grade 5 Students - McCarthy
Dear Families,
It is the time of year when your child will begin to consider which arts block class they may be interested in participating next fall. To assist them and you with this process, this letter will provide you with information regarding our 5th grade Fine and Performing Arts Programs at McCarthy and Parker.
In grade 5 at McCarthy and Parker, students select either performance music (Band, Chorus, or Orchestra) for a full year, or visual art for half of the year and music concepts and cultures (a general music class building upon skills from grade 4 general music class) for half of the year. These classes are all offered during the school day. Students who take performance music who would also like to explore the grade-level art curriculum are encouraged to join the Art Club, which is an after-school club taught by the school’s art teachers.
The following video further detail choices for grade 5 Fine and Performing Arts, allow students to see and hear what instruments are available in Band and Orchestra classes, and offer them an opportunity to virtually “meet” the grade 5 arts teachers at each school. Arts options and schedules are the same at both schools.
Students will formally sign up for their arts block choice in April. Between now and then, the elementary art and music teachers will be discussing middle school programs with all grade 4 students to support them in this process, and I will be sharing more information about the selection process and instrument rentals.
Thank you for your attention; I hope this will help you and your child make their Fine and Performing Arts course selection for 5th grade. I am always available to answer questions you may have, so please feel free to contact me or any of the teachers at any time through their contact information below. We are all looking forward to welcoming this class to middle school!
Sincerely,
Dr. Christy Whittlesey
PreK-12 Fine and Performing Arts Department Coordinator
Grade 5 Fine and Performing Arts Teachers
Content Area
McCarthy Grade 5 Teacher
Parker Grade 5 Teacher
Band
Sean Wright
Chorus
Jodi Richardson
richardsonj@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Orchestra
Sue Slocum
Visual Art
Virginia Cramer
Discover Language Learning Resources
Notes from the Nurse
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.
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