Day School News

January 22, 2022

Dear Day School Community,


We are so excited to bring back the Westford STEM fair in each of the intermediate elementary schools. Students who would like to participate should check out the information in this newsletter with their parents. Students have the option to complete a scientific inquiry project or an invention using the engineering design process. All students who participate in the STEM fair will receive a logo t-shirt courtesy of the Westford Education Foundation. Don't miss out! Sign-ups are due by January 28.


Sincerely,

Chris Louis Sardella, Principal

Hilary Sturgis, Assistant Principal

Norman E. Day Elementary School

Day School STEM Fair

Classroom Presentations March 29

School Gallery Walk March 30


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 January 28, 2022.

Pictures of the Week

Students in Mrs. Lapham's fifth grade class are enjoying new flexible seating options and reading materials courtesy of a PTO grant. The Day School staff is so grateful for the generous support of the parent community. Thank you to the PTO for all you do!

Care Packages for the Homeless in Lowell

Donations are due on Monday, January 24. Please click on the flyer above to donate.

2022 Lunar New Year Event

The Day School PTO and its community collaborators will be hosting a virtual celebration for the 2022 Lunar New Year on January 29th from 7pm-8pm. During that hour, participants will be introduced to the history and traditions of the Lunar New Year, watch a variety of cultural performances carried out by the amazing Westford students, pick a fun game to play together, make a paper craft to keep for the year, learn about Chinese chess and a lot more! A detailed program list will be posted in next week’s newsletter. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy tiger year in advance!

News from the School Nurse

Mandated Screenings


After a year hiatus due to COVID, the State-mandated screenings are back. Information on the screenings may be found online under the "Parent" section of the Day School website (https://www.westfordk12.us/ds) or in the Student Handbook on page 49.


Grade 3 - vision, hearing

Grade 4 - vision, height, weight

Grade 5 - vision

Postural (scoliosis) screening for Grade 5 students is on an opt-in basis only.


The school nurse has begun vision screening. A parent may opt their child out of any screening by emailing your preference ASAP to ccarpenter@westfordk12.us

WPS COVID-19 Cases by School

Email notifications regarding positive COVID-19 cases have been discontinued. The following link will be updated on a daily basis by each school: Positive COVID-19 Cases by School

Proof of COVID Vaccines for Students

Please send in proof of COVID vaccination when your children have completed their second shot. Vaccinated children are exempt from close quarantine restrictions and may remain in school UNLESS they develop symptoms. Parents will still be notified if their child was a close contact in school, but will just need to look for symptoms. Send in a copy of the vaccine either by email to ccarpenter@westfordk12.us or hard copy.

Flu Mist Clinic

Westford Health Department has doses of FLUMIST available for seasonal flu. This flu vaccine is for ages 2-18 years old. If interested please contact the Public Health Nurse at 978-399-2548 to schedule an appointment.




Cheryl Carpenter, MEd, BSN, RN, NCSN

Norman E. Day Elementary School Nurse

(978) 692-5591 ext. 3655

Fax (978) 692-8476

she, her, hers

Westford Youth Lacrosse

WYL is accepting registrations for the Spring 2022 season for the boys and girls programs (Grades 1 - 8) as well as the mixed FiddleStix Program for Kindergarten age.


Westford Youth Lacrosse play starts in mid-March with indoor practices. Games start in early April and run through mid-June. Boys and Girls programs consist of one to two practices per week with games on Sundays in Westford or the neighboring towns.


FiddleStix is a great entry program for Kindergarten age children looking to try something new. No equipment needed. One day per week commitment. No weekends.


Registration ends January 15, 2022, for Grades 1-8 programs so don’t miss out. Go to

www.westfordlax.org to learn more and to register for any of the WYL programs. FiddleStix registration will remain open until April 1. Lacrosse is the fastest sport on two feet and one of the fastest growing youth sports in the country. Help spread the word to your friends who may be interested in playing Lacrosse that registration is HAPPENING now!


http://www.westfordlax.org/

https://www.facebook.com/westfordyouthlax/



WYBSL Registration

Registration for the Westford Youth Baseball and Softball League Spring 2022 Season is currently open for all divisions. Please see details below and register soon!

Registration Details:


  • Registration is open through March 15, 2022 for all divisions except for U6 Tee Ball and 6U Softball which are open through April 1, 2022.

  • Register on or before January 31st, 2022 to receive the "Early Bird" discount. Registration fees will increase by $30.00 effective February 1, 2022 with the exception of U6 Tee Ball and 6U Softball.


  • Athletes who turn 13 years old before the end of 2022 can register to be a Youth Baseball and/or Youth Softball Umpire. WYBSL will train youth umpires in the early Spring.


  • Please note: In order to be eligible for the Cal Ripken Tournament team a player must play Spring rec.



Safety First-Winter Wear

As you know, temperatures are beginning to drop, and New England weather is unpredictable. Please send your child to school in a warm jacket and appropriate late fall/early winter clothing each day (long pants, jacket, hat, gloves and scarves). Winter snow boots and snow pants are required for those who would like to play in the snow during recess. We will be trying to get outside for recess as much as possible (20 minutes each day), unless it is below 20 degrees (temperature or wind chill). We want to make sure the children have appropriate clothing for the weather. Sweatshirts are not sufficient for 20 minutes of outdoor play when temperatures are below freezing.

Snow Days and Delayed Openings

As the winter weather approaches, we wanted to share the procedures for snow days and delayed openings due to inclement weather. Dr. Chew will initiate a Blackboard Connect phone message to notify both staff and families of school closings or delays. These notifications will also be posted on the district's website.


In the event of a snow day or delayed opening due to inclement weather our morning programs (Before School Care, Student Council, Chorus, Morning Band and Orchestra) will not take place.

Westford Public Schools have an urgent need for substitute teachers. Would you consider being a substitute teacher?


Although Westford prefers substitutes to hold a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, we welcome applicants who have completed 2 years of undergraduate work or other life experiences. Substitutes do not have to be certified in the field of education.


Questions may be directed to the HR Department at 978-692-5560 X2108 - Please apply HERE.


Town Meeting Survey

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!

Got Sneakers?

Recycle Sneakers and Raise Money for our School


  • Did you know that in the U.S., roughly 200 million pairs of shoes and sneakers end up in landfills each year?

  • Did you know that more than 600 million people worldwide don’t even own a pair of shoes?

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!