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September 5, 2026
September 5, 2026
We had a great start to the school year and look forward to learning with your children in the weeks to come! Our school year started with our annual flag raising ceremony, pledge of allegiance, and a fun poem about homework by Jack Prelutsky. See the video in this newsletter.
Families have some homework to start the school year. Please pay attention to the following items. More information and links are included in this newsletter.
Complete the student information forms by September 14.
Register for the elementary instrumental program.
Complete forms and emergency card for Nurse Connor.
Welcome back everyone! We are excited for a great school year.
Sincerely,
Chris Louis Sardella, Principal
Chrissy Michaud, Assistant Principal
Norman E. Day Elementary School
Literacy Screening Letter
Dear families,
We are writing to share information about one of the ways your child in grades K-5 will be assessed in reading this year. Our teachers have many ways to check your child’s reading development and growth, including an early literacy universal screening assessment. Early literacy universal screening assessments are brief tests that provide information about your child’s early reading skills. Screening makes it possible to see if a student is at risk of developing reading difficulties, including risk of dyslexia. Screening does not diagnose dyslexia or other disabilities, but it does help us understand which students may need additional support to be successful readers. We are required to assess students in grades K-3 at least twice per year consistent with Massachusetts regulation 603 CMR 28.03(1)(f).
Our district uses a screening assessment called DIBELS 8. It is one of several screening assessments approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Your child will be assessed three times during the school year. It typically takes 5-10 minutes to complete this assessment. Students are typically assessed in September, January, and May/June.
Literacy staff started assessing all students in early to mid-September. When assessments are complete, teachers and Literacy staff will meet to review the results. If a student is at risk or at some risk based on their DIBELS scores, the team will discuss if they are eligible for intervention support. Caregivers will be informed of this eligibility. Students who are at risk or at some risk based on their DIBELS scores, will also be consistently progress monitored so that their growth can be tracked and appropriate and timely instruction can be provided.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s screening results, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.
Screening is another step that helps students at our school become proficient readers, and we are grateful for the continued support and partnership with the Westford Public Schools’ caregivers and families.
Thank you,
Erin Hogan
Erin Hogan, K-5 Humanities Curriculum Coordinator
SUBSCRIBE to the WPS Billboard!
Want to receive the Billboard notices electronically? Click here to subscribe directly. You can also sign up from our district homepage (www.westfordk12.us) by navigating to Weekly Billboards -> View All Billboards, clicking the orange and white bell icon, and following the prompts. Note: Please remember to check your inbox and confirm the request to finalize your subscription!
Day School Student Information 2026-2027
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year!
Please complete the online Student Information Form to ensure that we have up-to-date info regarding your child's arrival and dismissal procedures.
Within the form you will find links to Day School's:
Common Core Values
Behavioral Expectations
Electronic Device Use Guide
School Yearbook Inclusion
This form should be completed by a parent or guardian; your acknowledgement on each section of the form will serve as your electronic signature.
Note: When you complete this form, you will receive an email with information on how to:
Review & Confirm Emergency Contacts
Acknowledge Student Handbook & Media Release
Complete the Health Room Emergency Card
Request a Vehicle ID Card (if needed)
** Important Note: This form is due by Mon, Sep 14. If we have not received your form by the deadline, a staff member will contact you. **
If you need assistance completing an online form, please email knorton@westfordk12.us to arrange a time to come in for assistance from a staff member.
Elementary Instrumental Music Program
Please see the link below for information to register your child for the Elementary Instrumental Music Program by Friday, September 18.
We will be hosting an optional virtual parent night on Tuesday, September 15 at 6:30 pm to provide an overview about the program, discuss the process of renting an instrument and answer many frequently asked questions. Link coming soon!
Todd Hamelin - thamelin@westfordk12.us - Strings at Abbot, Day and Crisafulli
Kimberly Phillips - kphillips@westfordk12.us - Band at Abbot, Day and Crisafulli
Make Screen Time Safe and Positive
Use these planners from Common Sense Media to inspire conversations about tech use as a family.
Use these planners from Common Sense Media to inspire conversations about tech use as a family.
Entertainment and tech have the potential to spark meaningful conversations. And tech planners are a great way for kids to have a shared understanding of how your family makes the most out of entertainment and tech time.
Day School PTO
Day School PTO
Members of PTO chalked positive messages on our sidewalk to welcome students and staff back to school.
Day School PTO Board
The Day School PTO is looking forward to a great school year. Look for updates on events and fundraisers in this section of the school newsletter.
Our first meeting of the year will be virtual. Link coming soon!
News from Nurse Connor
News from Nurse Connor
Welcome to the Day School! I hope you all had a wonderful summer. My name is Connor Crivello, and I’m your child’s school nurse. I’m looking forward to getting to know your child and supporting them throughout the school year!
Allergies
If your child has a life-threatening allergy, new allergy, or takes medication during the school day, please reach out and let me know. EpiPens, inhalers, allergy medications, and other medications require a physician’s order. Orders can be submitted in paper, electronic or fax formats.
Medication Drop Off
Medications can be dropped off on Tuesday, 9/1/26, or anytime next week during school hours. Controlled medications must be brought in by an adult.
Health Changes
Please also let me know about any significant health changes or existing injuries so I can best support your child.
Forms
All necessary forms are available on the WPS website and should be signed by both a parent/guardian and physician.
Emergency Cards
Lastly, please be on the lookout for a paper emergency card from the clinic. Kindly fill it out and return it as soon as possible.
Feel free to reach out with any questions. I’m looking forward to a great school year!
Connor Crivello, BSN, RN
Norman E. Day Elementary School Nurse
ccrivello@westfordk12.us
(978) 692-5591 ext. 3655
FAX: (978) 850-4510
View Your Child's Artwork
Parents! Connect to Norman E. Day School using Artsonia to receive important updates on your child's art classroom activities.
Scan the QR code above or browse to www.artsonia.com/parents and enter Parent code TN6C55S3
Day School Library Wishlist
Wishlist link: https://a.co/7QNNGQX
The Norman E. Day School Library has an Amazon Wishlist! Ms. McGann, our School Librarian, has created an Amazon Wishlist of books consisting of popular and award-winning titles, teacher recommendations, and requests by students. At this time, Ms. McGann is encouraging Parents/Guardians/Caregivers to help build our School Library Collection by donating a book from the List. Once a book has been received, it will be added to the Day School Library Collection and a personalized, permanent bookplate will be added to thank those individuals who donated the book. We greatly appreciate your generosity to our School community and thank you for your continued support.
September Lunch Menu
Meals for School Year 2026-2027 will be free for all students enrolled in Westford Public Schools. No pre-ordering is required.
Additional lunch: $3.25; Dessert: $0.75; A la carte Milk: $0.75
Breakfast is free and available daily in the school cafeteria. All breakfasts are served as a complete meal in accordance with USDA guidelines for school meals.
Wednesday School Lunch: Creamy Mac and Cheese, Garden Salad Cups, Italian Mixed Vegetables, Garlic Knot
Monday, September 7: No School-Labor Day Observed
Tuesday, September 8: Chicken Nuggets or Veggie Nuggets, Assorted Sauces, Sweet Potato Fries, Seasoned Green Beans, Garden Salad Cups OR Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Wednesday,September 9: Creamy Mac and Cheese, Garden Salad Cups, Italian Mixed Vegetables, Garlic Knot OR Make Your Own Pizza Kit
Thursday, September 10: Chicken and Vegetable Dumplings, Steamed Brown Rice, Stir Fry Teriyaki Broccoli and Carrots OR Grilled Cheese Ciabatta Sandwich
Friday, September 11: Pizza Bagels, Farm Fresh Veggie Bites with Dip, Roasted Chickpeas OR Bagel Fun Lunch
News from the Director of Food Services
Universal Free School Meals will be available to all students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for School Year 2026-2027! This means that breakfast and lunch will continue to be served at no cost to all students.
Please note that even though first meals will be free for all, it is very important for families who would qualify for free or reduced meals based on household financial needs to continue to complete the household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2026-2027 school year. The application is available through My School Apps or to print: here. Applications are also available in each school’s main office and in the Food Service Office located in the Millenium Building.
If you are unable to print the application from the district website or to complete the web-based application, contact the Food Service Office and an application will be mailed to you. Please note that all children who qualified based on financial need last year (those families who submitted financial based applications or were directly certified for free/reduced lunches) will have a carryover grace period of thirty days into the school year.
We strongly encourage ALL families who would qualify based on financial need to submit this form as it is very important to the district’s records and allows us to also waive fees, etc. for those who qualify.
In addition, please consider applying for SNAP, the federal nutrition program that provides eligible residents with monthly financial assistance to purchase groceries. The application for SNAP is available now. More SNAP information can be found at gettingsnap.org.
IMPORTANT
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) does not allow students to carry a negative balance on their lunch accounts. While all first meals will be free, extras such as snack items, cookies, bottled water and extra entrees or second meals will not be free. If your child does not have money on their account, they will be denied the purchase. In order to avoid an awkward situation it is strongly encouraged that you maintain a small balance on your child’s meal account. This can be done by creating an account on MySchoolBucks.com or by sending a check, made payable to Westford Schools Lunch Program, or cash to school with your child. The cafeteria staff can add the funds to their accounts.
The Food and Nutrition Department at Westford Public Schools thanks you for your participation in our program. We are grateful for the opportunity to provide nourishing and healthy meals to all Westford Public Schools students so please reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
Colleen Wallace, Food Service Director, Westford Public Schools cwallace@westfordk12.us
Community News
Community News
WESTFEST 2026
Saturday September 27th from 12-4 at Stony Brook Middle School
Please come to check out food trucks, carnival games, pie in the face, music, laughter and much more!
GAMES: Clubs, organizations, non-profits get a free space at the event sign up under FUNFEST! FUNFEST
NOMINATE: Nominate a coach, teacher or Westford community member to get PIED!!! Click on PIEFEST
VOLUNTEERS: We are in need of volunteers please check out our webpage about the event and click on volunteers to sign up, we NEED your help to pull this off! VOLUNTEERS or go to our signup genius directly https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4CA5A92FA1F58-65557773-2026#
Library Card Sign-Up Month
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! A library card offers a front-row seat to everything the library offers, from books and technology to lifelong learning and imagination.
Please stop in to the Children's Room, at the J. V. Fletcher Library's temporary location (515 Groton Road), during the week of Monday, September14th through Friday, September 18th, to register your child for their own J. V. Fletcher Library card. We will have goodies, a fun photo backdrop, and props to celebrate this special moment.
Please note: the library staff will request positive identification showing the parent's name and current legal address; this may include a government-issued photo ID, utility bill, or a tax bill. Questions about the registration process? Please email us at youthservices@westfordma.gov.
Westford Scouting Meet and Greet 2026
September 9 at 5:30 PM
All 3 Cub Scout packs, all 3 BSA troops, and the Westford Girl Scouts are planning an event for families interested in scouting on September 9th. It will be an open house/meet-and-greet in the gym of the Roudenbush Community Center from 5:30 until 7:30 PM that evening. Parents can bring their kids to meet the Scouts; they can come-and-go at their convenience. Please visit this flyer for more information.
Elementary Enrollment/Redistricting Update
Robinson Project
Westford is reimagining its elementary schools and refining the 7 remaining options, focused on two paths -- fix Robinson and keep all six elementary schools as they are today (Grades PK–2 / 3–5) — or close Robinson, consolidate into a larger school, and shift ALL elementary schools, including Miller, Nabnasset, and Crisafulli, to K–5. Robinson, Abbot, and Day all face significant repair costs in the next 5–10 years, which is what put this study in motion. The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is a partner in the process and would reimburse a portion of eligible costs.
Our next forum is coming fast - Wednesday September 9th, at Stony Brook auditorium at 6:30 pm. We'll cover the enrollment option, where preschool should be located, and conceptual redistricting maps. All are welcome! Bring your questions.
Can't make it in person? Join the Zoom -Registration: https://tinyurl.com/Sept9RSBCreg Details for other forums (10/14 and 11/17) and more information at the project website: RobinsonSchoolProject.com
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