CPS Superintendent's Update
PERSEVERANCE * RESPECT * INTEGRITY * DEDICATION * EMPATHY
Superintendent's Update - 11.17.2023
Dear CPS Community,
With temperatures in the 60s it is hard to believe that we are approaching the Thanksgiving holiday break! It seems like we just started school yesterday, yet here we are 54 days into the school year. November is a great month to reflect on the happenings of the district and identify things to be grateful for in this season of thankfulness. As always, the constant that I am thankful for is the hard work of our students, staff, and families. I am always impressed with the accomplishments of our students and truly appreciate the family and community support for our district. I appreciate the dedication and effort from the entire Chelmsford community that allows the district continued success each year. Thank you to everyone for your continued support!
Since there are only two and half days of school next week, I will not be sharing an additional newsletter before the Thanksgiving break. However, there are a few things to highlight prior to our return to school on Monday, November 27th. First, you still have time to get tickets for the student production of Mama Mia! for the Saturday matinee and evening performances. If your plans have changed or you are still looking for something to do, please join our theater guild performers this weekend. Also, tickets are still available to see the Chelmsford Lions football team play against the Billerica Indians at Fenway Park on Wednesday, November 22nd at 4:00 p.m. This is sure to be a great game between these two rivals at a unique location. Please note, in case there is inclement weather, the game will be rescheduled to Thursday, November 23rd at the Billerica Memorial High School field at 10:00 a.m.
Although today’s highs are in the 60s, it is inevitable the winter weather will come our way and impact the opening of schools soon. Below I have outlined the process and procedures used if weather or other factors impact the opening of schools.
CPS Inclement Weather (Snow Day Procedure)
If School is delayed or canceled this winter, a message will be communicated consistently with past practice as follows:
- An e-mail and telephone message will be sent to the primary contact number for each student and staff member in the district. This is a great time to verify your primary contact number in X2, our student/staff database, at which you desire to be contacted is accurate. If no message is received, school is being conducted as usual that day;
- A message will be displayed on the Chelmsford Public Schools website notifying the public of the status of school for that day. If no message is received, school is being conducted as usual that day;
- A message will be displayed on local television channels 4, 5, 7, and 25. If no message is received, school is being conducted as usual that day.
To allow families and staff a little extra time to plan and prepare for a school closure, whenever possible, I attempt to make an announcement the night before when it is evident from the forecast that school will be impacted. This is not always possible, many times I need to wait until the early morning hours to make a decision for the district. Under these circumstances, I will endeavor to make and announce a decision by 5:30 a.m. on the day school will be impacted.
Please enjoy the upcoming break next week. I hope you can spend some quality time with your families and friends during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Yours truly,
Jay Lang, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Upcoming Events
- Athletics Schedule
- Mama Mia! Musical, 11/16 - 11/18 - Evenings 7:30 p.m.; Matinee 2:30 p.m.
Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Northeast District Senior Festival Auditions, 11/18, All Day
School Committee Meeting, 11/21, 6:00 p.m.
Fall Varsity Athletics Night, 11/20, 6:30 p.m.
South Row School Picture Retake Day, 11/20, All Day
Early Release, 11/22, See School TImes
No School, 11/23 & 11/24, All Day
Thanksgiving Day, 11/23, All Day
Winter Sports First Practice 11/27, Afterschool
CHIPS Picture Retake Day, 11/30, All Day
Harrington Picture Retake Day, 12/1, All Day
Center Picture Retake Day, 12/1, All Day
CHS Theatre Guild takes the stage in “Mamma Mia!”
Chelmsford High School’s Theatre Guild has been hard at work at the Carl J. Rondina Performing Arts Center as they prepare to take the stage in “Mamma Mia!” which will feature four performances, Nov. 16-18. For Erin Maitland, this will be her first production as Chelmsford High School’s theatre director. “It’s been pretty amazing,” she said. “The students have been so welcoming and they’re so talented, so they’ve made my job a lot easier. … I couldn’t have asked for a better group of kids.” Ms. Maitland also praised the hard work of those who don’t appear onstage, including technical director Craig Robertson, vocal director Martha Robertson and Matthew Buono, director of the pit orchestra. To read more about the production and to view the gallery of pictures, please visit website.
Harrington Elementary School Veterans Day Assembly
On Wednesday morning, "honor" and "thanks" were the themes as the Harrington Elementary School held its annual Veterans Day Assembly. The Assembly honored more than 50 veterans and active military members related to the Harrington students, faculty, and staff. Gades 1 and 2 singers performed our National Anthem and “You’re a Grand Ole Flag,” as well as “Thank a Veteran” and “America The Beautiful,” led by music educator Matthew Buono. Please see the gallery of pictures from this event on our website.
CHS Career Center Third Annual Veterans Panel
South Row Elementary Students Write Letters to Veterans
Leading up to Veterans Day, students at South Row Elementary School were busy writing, coloring and putting their own creative touches on letters that would eventually wind up in the hands of some local heroes. The letter-writing campaign served as the Kind Act of the Month at South Row, assistant principal Jayson Ramalho explained. Fourth grade teacher Jaclyn Duncan, who was in charge of collecting and sorting all of the letters, said outreach to veterans has been a long-standing tradition at South Row. Using an array of patriotic templates, teachers at South Row encouraged their students to color, draw and write meaningful messages to those who have served. And the outcome was absolutely heartwarming. To read more about this letter writing campaign and to view the gallery of pictures, Please visit our website.
McCarthy Middle School kicks off Project 300
McCarthy Middle School’s Project 300, which started 48 years ago with a goal of collecting 300 cans of food, has become one of the most impressive and recognized food drives in the state, with hundreds of thousands of items donated to local organizations. Each November, students and staff come together to donate non-perishable food items and money to local food banks. Most of the food goes to the Salvation Army in Lowell, but many items go to the Chelmsford Food Pantry, as well. “We average about 25,000 food items a year in one week,” said math educator Tom Gallagher, who has been a longtime coordinator for Project 300. “We feed about 900 families in the Merrimack Valley.” Overall, more than 800,000 items have been collected and donated since Project 300 began in 1975, making it an enormous source of pride for students and staff. Please visit our website to read more about Project 300 and view additional photos. This year, following the merger of Parker and McCarthy Middle Schools, Mr. Gallagher and social sciences educator Eric Sullivan, another longtime coordinator for Project 300, said they have their sights set high in terms of a goal.
CPS Social Work Department Outreach Event
Meet the CPS Social Work Department
Byam School Third Grade Library Class
Lions PRIDE Preschool Students Fall/Thanksgiving STEM Activities
CHS Chemistry Students Conducting "Flame Tests"
Center School Community Donates to the Chelmsford Food Pantry
South Row School "High Five Friday" with CPD
Favorite Book Character Day At South Row School
We're Hiring
Chelmsford Community Education is seeking a long-term substitute childcare supervisor. To learn more and apply, please see the job posting using the following link.
Chelmsfordopoly - The Sequel to Benefit CPS Music Programming
Those looking for a unique, one-of-a-kind holiday gift that will benefit a worthy cause will be happy to learn that Chelmsford Friends of Music (CFOM) has created the perfect present. Chelmsfordopoly The Sequel is based on the classic Parker Brothers and Hasbro board game Monopoly but features places around Chelmsford. “It’s played the same way as Monopoly, the key difference being that all of the spaces are sponsored by local businesses,” CFOM co-president Kerrie Moore explained. “Boardwalk and Park Place, for instance, are replaced with Druzy Rose and Graze. The money is sponsored by several businesses. The cards and deed cards are also sponsored.” Proceeds from the sales of the board games will go to CFOM, a non-profit booster organization that supports musical programming within Chelmsford Public Schools. Please visit our website to learn more about Chelmsfordopoly - The Sequel.
Resources To Support Attendance
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.
Purchase Tickets to CHS Athletic Events
Chelmsford High School has a cashless system for admittance to its regular season home athletic events. To get your tickets, CHS has partnered with GoFan.co, a digital, cashless ticketing app used by more than 10,000 schools, for fast and convenient payments for regular season home games. CHS fans are encouraged to download the GoFan app. For Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association postseason tournaments, the MIAA also utilizes GoFan.co as its own ticketing system. Visit the MIAA Ticket Information page.
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 Health Services.
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