Day School News

February 11, 2023

Dear Day School Community,

We are so fortunate to have so many caring members of our Day School community. Day School fourth grader Tahir Kaya and his friends from Abbot School are organizing a fundraiser for victims of the massive earthquake that devastated Turkey earlier this month. Please read about how you can get involved in this newsletter. Donations by cash or check are due by Friday, February 17. You can also donate to the relief effort by contributing blankets, sleeping bags, tents, diapers, baby formula and winter clothing including jackets, hats, and gloves. This effort is coordinated by Stony Brook eighth grader Ibsham Bhatra. Ibsham will be collecting all physical donations by Friday, February 17.


Sincerely,

Chris Louis Sardella, Principal

Chrissy Michaud, Assistant Principal

Norman E. Day Elementary School

Hawks are Helping!

Like the rest of the world, we, at Day School are shocked and saddened by the devastation brought on the people of Turkey and Syria from the February 6 earthquake. Our fellow humans are in need of an immense amount of aide that can provide shelter from freezing temperatures, food, and clean water. The need for assistance is enormous and immediate. 


From February 13 to February 17, the Day School will be conducting a drive to raise money to assist in the global efforts to provide whatever help we can. No dollar amount is too small; all donations are welcome. Students should turn in any donations to their teacher by Friday, February 17. Cash or check can be accepted (payable to Day School, c/o earthquake relief).


Proceeds from the Day School drive will go toward BTF (Bridge to Turkiye Fund), a 501 (c) charitable organization designated by the Consulate General of Turkey, out of Boston.

Hi, I am Tahir and I am a 4th grader at Day School. With my friends, Jacob and Deniz, we are raising money to help our country of Turkey and northern Syria recover from a huge earthquake that destroyed many peoples homes. This earthquake occurred on Monday and killed 20,000 people and left thousands injured and homeless. Also many people got trapped under buildings and are trying to get rescued. The earthquake was so deadly the magnitude reached 7.8 which is the biggest recorded in Turkish history. My family is from Turkey and even though they didn't get injured, many did. How you could help is you can donate money to our Earthquake Relief drive. This is one of the best ways to help. So please donate any donation counts.

                             Thank you,

Tahir, Jacob, and Deniz

Donations for Turkey

We are also collecting blankets, sleeping bags, tents, diapers, baby formula and winter clothing including jackets, hats, and gloves. These items should be in good condition and usable. 

We will be collecting donations for around a week until Friday, February 17. With his family, Stony Brook eighth grader Ibsham Bhatra will come to pick up the donations from Day School. From there he will drop the donations off at the Turkish Consulate located in Boston.

Day School STEM Fair 

Monday, April 10, 2023

Calling all young scientists and engineers!  Have you ever wanted to answer a question about the world around you by doing a science experiment?  Or design a solution to a problem using engineering?  If so, this is your chance to participate in the Westford STEM Fairs!


What is STEM?


S = Science: The study of the world around us

T = Technology: Using materials and tools to solve problems

E = Engineering: Designing and building a solution to a problem

M = Mathematics: The use of numbers to draw a conclusion or test a design


The Abbot, Crisafulli, and Day schools each will hold a STEM Fair in March 2022.  Projects will be presented to a student’s class, and be displayed for a gallery walk the next day. (This gallery walk is for students only and will take place during the day.)  


How do I get ideas?


Think of a question you can test about the world around you, or a problem you can solve by building a model and testing it.  Your own ideas are always the best! Think of something that really interests you! If you have trouble thinking of something, a great source of ideas is www.sciencebuddies.org that has a “Topic Selection Wizard” tool to help you find a science or engineering project that interests you.

How do I create a project?


If you are doing a science experiment, follow the Scientific Method directions.  If you are designing a solution to a problem, follow the Engineering Design Process directions.


Can my parents help?


Parents can help by brainstorming ideas and by providing materials. Beyond that, it is important that students learn the scientific and engineering practices themselves and take ownership for their work.  We will recognize and celebrate student effort and outcomes!  


How do I display my results?


Using a tri-fold display board, arrange your information so the viewer’s eye can follow it from the top of the left side to the bottom of the right side.  

Science Experiment


Question – Research – Hypothesis – Plan – Data/Results – Conclusion


Engineering Design


Problem – Multiple Possible Solutions – Plan – 

The Model or Photos of the Model – 

Data/Results of Tests


I’m interested!  How do I sign up?


You may work alone on a project, or in a team of up to three students in the same grade level and school. Fill out the online entry form with your idea and the names of everyone on the team. Each team member needs to fill out a separate entry form. Submit the form by February 16, 2023.


Westford Preschool Applications

Westford Preschool will open the application process on February 1 for the school year 2023-24.  In the event that interest exceeds our capacity a lottery will be held in March.  Please visit 2023-24 preschool for more information.  


Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline

The Department of Mental Health has launched a new Behavioral Health Help Line that people can call or text at 833-773-2445. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 200 languages. The help line can help individuals and families navigate the behavioral health system and access treatment, including mobile crisis services. District and school leaders are asked to please share this resource with staff, families, and students, where helpful. For more information, please see the FAQ. Anyone with questions or concerns about the help line can email the help line director at Mio.Tamanaha@mass.gov.


Dates for School Store

The PTO is excited to offer the popular school store during our lunch/recess blocks on the following Wednesdays.

March 8th

April 5th

May 10th

Fifth Grade Baby Photos Needed for Yearbook

Dear 5th Grade Parents:

 

The Yearbook Committee will be creating a fun "Guess Who" page spread of the 5th grade

class, and we need a baby photo of your student! 

 

Here's what to do:

 

1) Select a favorite baby photo of your 5th grader

2) Upload your child's photo to the "5th Grade BABY PICTURES" folder here: 

https://yearbooks2.pixami.com/NormanEDaySchool/home3/PhotoPost.jsp?ID=LDISA9DJPY4C

 

**Please make sure the photo is a high-quality JPEG file and labeled with your student's FIRST and LAST name. If you have already uploaded your photo, please make sure it is properly labeled, as we have already received photos without a name!

 

Baby photos are due no later than Friday, March 3rd in order to be included in the yearbook.

 

For questions, please email Nicole at: ncormier05@yahoo.com

 

Thanks,

Day Yearbook Committee

News from the School Nurse

Physical Requirement

Reminder to Grade 3 Parents: Please send in a copy of the physical your child has during their grade 3 school year. A physical dated after July 1, 2022 is acceptable. It is a requirement that a copy be on file in the clinic. Reach out if you have questions or if you're unsure a copy has been submitted.


National Hug Day

January 21st was National Hug Day! Hugging has many health benefits. Hugs can relieve stress, improve your immune system and improve cardiovascular health.

Reminders for Keeping Your Children Home When They're Sick


FLU or flu-like illness (fever, body aches, cough, headache, fatigue) - If your child has had a fever, they must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication before they can return to school. If your child has a cough and congestion, keep them home if symptoms are severe. A disruptive cough, or constant runny nose, interferes with their sleep and ability to concentrate.


STREP - If your child has strep throat they should be on medication prescribed by their doctor for 12 hours before returning to school. 


VOMITING/DIARRHEA - If your child has been vomiting or has had diarrhea, a good rule of thumb is to stay at home for 24 hours after the last episode.


COVID - If your child has symptoms of COVID,  test your child immediately. If the test is negative, the department of public health recommends doing another test 48 hours later. If you or your child test positive, follow the guidelines or call your school nurse for further information. For the most up to date information on COVID facts, vaccine sites, and guidance on isolation and quarantine visit this site:

COVID-19 Updates and Information | Mass.gov


COVID exposure - The guidelines recommend if there is a Covid-19 diagnosis in your home, exposed individuals should mask until Day 10 and test on Day 6 from last exposure. 


Allow your child the time to rest and recover. Consult their physician if symptoms are not improving or you have concerns. 


Ultimately, it is at the discretion of the school nurse to dismiss a student for medical reasons.

Cheryl Carpenter, MEd, BSN, RN, NCSN 

Norman E. Day Elementary School Nurse

(978) 692-5591 ext. 3655

Fax (978) 692-8476

 ccarpenter@westfordk12.us

Recycle Sneakers and Raise Money for Day School



The GotSneakers recycling organization will help us to recycle our sneakers! We will ONLY accept athletic sneakers and sports related footwear. Ideally, unused and gently used sneakers will raise the most money for our school. But, if you have sneakers with holes, mold/mildew or detached soles, GotSneakers will take them as well. By participating, you’ll help keep sneakers out of landfills while also putting shoes on the feet of people living in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, West Africa, and Europe. Some of the unusable sneakers will even be made into new athletic surfaces! Your old sneakers will make a huge difference; reducing what we throw away and raising money for our school is a win-win!


Please drop off all donations to the box outside near the Day School’s main entrance doors. We encourage you to bring all non-athletic shoes/boots to the drop-off bin in the St. Catherine’s Church parking lot, to Savers in Nashua, or to other local thrift shops for resale. Thanks so much for your support!

Day School MCAS Dates

Grade 5 Testing Schedule

ELA 1-April 4, 2023

ELA 2-April 11, 2023

Mathematics 1-May 9, 2023

Mathematics 2-May 16, 2023

Science and Technology 1-May 22, 2023

Science and Technology 2-May 23, 2023


Grade 4 Testing Schedule

ELA 1-April 5, 2023

ELA 2-April 12, 2023

Mathematics 1-May 10, 2023

Mathematics 2-May 17, 2023


Grade 3 Testing Schedule

ELA 1-April 6, 2023

ELA 2-April 13, 2023

Mathematics 1-May 11, 2023

Mathematics 2-May 18, 2023