Day School News
April 4, 2021
Dear Day School Community,
We are looking forward to a new beginning on Monday, April 5. This will be the start of full days of school for all of students whether they are in person or in our remote learning academy. In some classes, teachers will be welcoming new students. In many ways, April 5 will be like the first day of school. Teachers will be taking some time to set expectations and establish relationships with new students in their classes. There is no doubt this day will be filled with mixed emotions including excitement and a bit of nervousness. However, I have no doubt Day School teachers will go above and beyond to make this day special for all.
Please review the FAQ's about our full return and the news from the nurse before April 5. If you are planning to drop off your child at school, you will need to register your vehicle. You can find links for vehicle ID cards, bus registration, and ordering lunch in the document below.
Mrs. Sturgis and I are looking forward to seeing everyone on April 5!
Sincerely,
Chris Louis Sardella, Principal
Norman E. Day Elementary School
Check out all the Book Character SPIRIT Day Photos by clicking this link: Book Characters Photo Album
2020-2021 Remote Book Order Form 4.pdfDownload Form to Order Kevin Kurtz books by Tuesday, April 6.
We had a wonderful visit with guest author Kevin Kurtz during our Reading and Writing Celebration week. Please download the order form if you would books to remember this event.
News from the School Nurse
Medications
If your child requires any medication, inhaler or Epipen at school, please provide the proper annual physician documentation. Medication/s must be in the pharmacy labeled container. See the following website for medical forms at https://westfordpshealthservices.weebly.com/ Contact your school nurse if you have questions.
COVID Symptoms
Please follow the CDC and MPH COVID guidance. Children with symptoms will be evaluated by the school nurse and most likely dismissed. If your child has any of the following symptoms, KEEP THEM HOME and contact their pediatrician for further advice:
Nasal congestion or runny nose in combination with other symptoms
Headache in combination with other symptoms
Fatigue in combination with other symptoms
Muscle or body aches
Sore throat
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Cough
Fever, chills
New loss of taste or smell
Water Bottles
Remember to have your child bring a water bottle each day. The refill stations and fountains remain off.
Allergies
Spring allergy season is here. Is it time to start your child’s allergy regimen? Are your child's seasonal allergies under control? Consult your child's doctor about the best treatment during allergy season. Listen to the 3/8/2021 podcast by Dr. Sara Narayan, an Allergy and Immunology Specialist at Allergy West in Westford, on Allergies, Cold, Flu or COVID-19? How to Tell the Difference
https://www.emersonhospital.org/articles/allergies-or-covid-19
Managing Allergies at School (webmd.com)
Did you know that the WPS nurses have had a blog since May 2020? Please visit the link to see our up-to-date information on COVID-19 as well as a variety of other topics. https://westfordpshealthservices.weebly.com/blog
Picture Day is Coming
Save the Date: Thursday, April 15
Picture Day for Hybrid students and RLA students by appointment
More Details to Follow
WA Last Night
This has been a tremendously difficult year for all Westford families and students. So much has been lost. However, the Westford Academy Class of 2021 has lived through a truly trying and unique experience for a senior class. They have been unable to experience or celebrate, as an entire class together, much of the milestones that come with senior year. The high school years seem so far in the future when your children are in elementary school, but they will be walking through the doors of Westford Academy before you know it! Hopefully they will get the senior year and experiences they will have worked so hard for and will deserve.
While WA Last Night is unable to host its traditional all night lock in at WA, we are planning to give the Class of 2021 a Carnival Celebration to remember. WA Last Night is appealing to the entire Westford community again this year to rally behind the Class of 2021. We understand that the pandemic has adversely impacted many families in the community. If there is any amount you are able to donate to help us, we would greatly appreciate it!
Please donate by sending a check to WA Last Night, PO Box 4079, Westford MA 01886 or
donate via PayPal by using this link:
The Cameron Senior Center has become a SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Outreach Partner. If you are experiencing financial hardship and/or food insecurity, call Alison Christopher LICSW at 978-399-2325 to inquire about eligibility. The social services staff can assist with online applications, recertifications, and communication with the Department of Transitional Assistance for families of all ages. https://www.mass.gov/service-details/snap-outreach-partners
Westford Education Foundation Meet & Greet
The Westford Education Foundation is holding an online Meet and Greet, Wednesday April 7th at 8:00pm. Join us to learn more about WEF and how you can get involved! We are looking for new board members and event volunteers. Help us make a difference for our teachers and students in this great community! Getting to know more people in town and working closely with our schools are just some of the benefits!
For more information please check out: https://www.westford.org/wef/meet-and-greet/
Fifth Grade Parent Volunteers Needed
The Day School is looking for parent volunteers for the 5th grade Celebration Committee. We would like to make this memorable for the students as they move on to Middle school next academic year and we cannot do it without your help! Please join the committee and find out what you can do to help continue this Day School tradition.
Please contact the Day School PTO at dayschoolptopresident@gmail.com
Day School Yearbook
Click the Day School Yearbook link above to find out more information about submitting photos, fifth grade yearbook contest, and ordering yearbooks. We need your candid photos!
Westford Integrated Preschool
Westford Integrated Preschool offers a curriculum that is meaningful to Westford’s youngest learners with focus on social and emotional development through play based learning and alignment with Massachusetts pre-kindergarten common core standards. Our inclusive preschool program welcomes students with and without disabilities.
Preschool classrooms are housed in each of the neighborhood PreK-2 schools: Nabnasset School, Col. John Robinson School and Rita E. Miller School. Whenever possible, students are placed in their neighborhood school; however, because of limited space as well as specially designed programs, placement in a neighborhood school is not always possible.
For students that have been found eligible for special education services because of a disability, the range of service will vary and may include walk-in therapy appointments or participation in one of the integrated classrooms. The exact type of instruction/therapy and frequency of service is determined by a Team at an initial eligibility meeting and agreed upon in a signed IEP. If you suspect that your child may have a disability, please contact Courtney Moran at cmoran@westfordk12.us to initiate the evaluation process.
Westford Integrated Preschool is now welcoming applications for the school year 2021-22.
Applications are needed for the tuition-paying role model openings ONLY.
In order to apply, please click on one of the following schools. By filling out the on-line form, you are entering a lottery for the school in which you identified. Your application is not automatically applied to every school. A lottery will be held at each of the schools on Friday, April 9, 2021. We are anticipating a high volume!
Click on your choice of school for the application form:
Students who have already been identified and are currently recommended for services because of a disability should refer to their child’s IEP service delivery grid for clarification about their child’s recommended participation.