Panther Pride
From the desk of Mr.McElhinney
Lost, but found
Monday will be the grand opening of the SB-MACs' clothing and other stuff store. We have collected lots of donations(accidental) from many generous (forgetful) students. We have items from water bottles to Northface jackets, binders, books, a shoe, as well as several other unique items related to our population of donors(your children). If you have an item you have been searching for send(remind) your little shopper(child) to check out our lost and found, on display in our main lobby.
Sale Ends Soon,
Mr. Mac
In case you missed this
As discussed during this week’s School Committee meeting, WPS is planning to transition to the new updated DESE COVID Testing program that was announced this week. That transition will include opportunities for students and staff to receive at-home rapid antigen tests, provided by DESE, on a routine basis and move towards utilizing symptomatic testing in our schools in the very near future, but we are not there yet. That information will be communicated in greater detail to all of our families, once we receive approval from DESE for Westford Public Schools to participate in the new program.
A similar message has been sent to all of our PreK-5 families along with information regarding a temporary change in how we will be communicating to individual elementary classrooms regarding any new positive cases within their class. We are not making any changes to how communication is taking place at the 6-12 level at this time.
Sincerely,
Christopher Chew, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Make and Impact
Abbie-Gibson-1
Click on the flyer for more information. The QR code may not work so the Venmo info is above.
Town Meeting Survey- for adults
The newly formed Access to Town Meeting (ATM) Committee is a group of residents working to improve participation and attendance at Westford's Annual and Special Town Meetings. We want to hear from you - whether you always attend or aren't sure what the fuss is about. Please take a moment to fill out our very short survey (only about 5 questions)!
https://bit.ly/WestfordTMsurvey
We are asking demographic questions because we want our results to be representative of our community. Please help us reach as many Westford residents as possible -- share with friends and neighbors!
Valery Young
Vice Chair, School CommitteePronouns: she/her
774-239-4387
Incoming 9th graders to Westford Academy Curriculum Information Night
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of current 8th grade student,
I would like to invite you to our Curriculum Information Presentation on Wednesday, February 16th at 6:30pm. This event will be virtual.
The program will include:
Information regarding courses offered at Westford Academy. Please review our Freshmen Transition page as well as our Program of Studies which can be found on the counseling website.
A review of the course and level expectations by department.
Information on the scheduling process and timeline.
Please register here:
Parents/Guardians of Stony Brook and Blanchard Middle School 8th Grade Students.
Please join us for a Webinar on Zoom.
When: Feb 16, 2022 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Curriculum Information Presentation for Incoming Freshmen
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q1ifhPqbRZi0je79yWAXcg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
This presentation will be posted on the WA Counseling website the following day for interested parent(s)/guardian(s) who were unable to attend.
I look forward to “seeing you” on February 16th!
Sincerely,
James P. Antonelli
Principal
NEW POLICY ***Unanticipated Bus Route Interruptions***
P5327 Unanticipated Bus Route Interruptions
Westford Public Schools and its transportation contractor(s) will abide by the following procedures when encountering an unanticipated route interruption:
Morning Unanticipated Route Interruptions
For all grades:
Driver will radio dispatch and inform them of the road that is inaccessible and the stop(s) that will be missed.
Upon receipt of notification, dispatch will inform the school(s), providing details of the route interruption, including the bus number and bus stop(s) affected. It will be the responsibility of the school to notify parents. It will be at the school’s discretion to trigger an automated notification of all parents with students on that route or upon arrival of the students to the school, contact only affected families.
Afternoon Unanticipated Route Interruptions
Grades 6-12 - The bus driver will speak to the Police Officer/person in charge at the closure to gather pertinent information, noting the name of the contact for future reference. (If no contact is available, decision making will be the responsibility of the bus driver and dispatch.) Using the details provided and the age of the affected student(s), a determination will be made regarding the safest and closest alternate drop off locations, if one exists. Driver will radio dispatch and inform them of the road that is inaccessible, the stop(s) which will be missed, and the plan for student drop off. If it is determined that no alternate safe location is available, the students will be returned to the school upon completion of the route.
Grades K-5 - Driver will radio dispatch and inform them of the road that is inaccessible and the stop(s) that will be missed. The students will be returned to the school upon completion of the route.
Upon receipt of notification, dispatch will inform the school, providing details of the route interruption, including the bus number and bus stop(s) affected. It will be the responsibility of the school to notify parents. It will be at the school’s discretion to trigger an automated notification of all parents with students on that route or upon return of the students to the school, contact only affected families.
MASC Reference: EEA
Buy a Yearbook
"YEARBOOK! There is still time to purchase a 2021-2022 yearbook for your child! Click on this FLIER to order!"
PTO UPDATE
The Gr.8 science classrooms are in urgent need of parent volunteers for their upcoming PTO-Sponsored Science Workshop (Physical Changes of Matter II) presented by Discovery Museum, Acton. The workshop requires a minimum of 2 adults in addition to the classroom teacher to help oversee the various hands-on stations. This program cannot take place without the additional adults due to safety issues so please consider volunteering using this Sign-Up Genius link. Thank you! - Stony Brook School PTO
Covid daily cases
During Monday Night's School Committee meeting, we discussed discontinuing the letter notifications from each school regarding reported positve cases of COVID-19. We have created a new link on our website that will be updated daily by each school. That information can be found here: Positive COVID-19 Cases by School
We appreciate all of your patience and understanding as we transition towards finding the most effective way to provide updated information at this time.
Sincerely,
Chris
Dr. Christopher Chew
Superintendent of Schools
Westford, MA
Students Experiencing Homelessness
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.
Notes from the Clinic
Once again there have been changes that I wanted to make everyone aware of. On Tuesdays, there are webinars conducted by state epidemiologists sharing the latest updates for local health departments and contact tracers. This past Tuesday, there was a discussion about the isolation period which has now been reduced to five days, out on day 6 if symptoms are resolving. Isolation has been shortened b/c for the majority of cases, you are most infectious during the first five days. A percentage of individuals still remain infectious beyond those five days. On day 5, if still symptomatic, the recommendation is to do an at-home antigen test, and if still positive, remain in isolation for a few more days. (Note, I said antigen, not PCR test on day 5 if still symptomatic) Mask wearing is crucial for the remaining five days after leaving isolation if you have been diagnosed with COVID.
If your child tests positive, please make sure you don’t just call the absentee line and say they will be out. All of the nurses in the system are required to fill in spreadsheets that are shared with DESE and with the families in Westford. Names are not shared, just the totals at each school. Also, if your unvaccinated child is in quarantine for an exposure, please let me know that information as well.
DESE has also changed testing guidance in the schools. We will be moving away from our test and stay program to symptomatic testing. The reason for this change is that 4 ½ months into our test and stay programs across the state, 98% of those tests have been negative. There are many students, staff and families who have tested positive and will continue to test positive due to the Omicron variant, but transmission in the school setting is at a minimum. There will be opportunities for families of vaccinated and unvaccinated children to opt in to a program which will provide test kits to families on a weekly basis. An email should have gone out to all parents of middle school students yesterday. If you have any questions about information you have received, do not hesitate to reach out.
Continue to send in updated physicals and immunization records, particularly for 6th grade students and copies of completed COVID vaccination cards as well.
Have a good weekend.
Sue Hanly, RN, MSN, NCSN
shanly@westfordk12.us; 978-392-6974
ATHLETIC UPDATE
Pick Promptness
Please be mindful of the end times for your children's practices and games. Please be available to pick up at the designated end times for the day's event (game/practice). Coaches have other commitments, responsibilities and families to get to after coaching. Our coaches do not want to leave children alone after games or practices so your promptness will guarantee their safety and security after events. Your prompt pick up supports your children's continued participation.
SEPAC
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.