Day School News

January 29, 2022

Dear Day School Community,


Xīnnián hǎo!


Happy Lunar New Year! Help us celebrate the Year of the Tiger by joining our virtual celebration on Saturday night @7PM. For complete details, see the flyers in this newsletter for complete program details.


Please read Mrs. Carpenter's Clinic News to find out information about the new COVID protocols. We are discontinuing the test and stay program and will begin symptomatic testing. Please see the News from the School Nurse for a link to sign up for at home test kits.


Fifth graders who would like to participate in this year's musical should sign up by Friday, February 4. More information can be found in this musical.


Finally, our deadline for the STEM fair was Friday, February 28. We're offering one last chance to sign up this weekend. See more information in this newsletter.


Enjoy the snow this weekend!


Sincerely,

Chris Louis Sardella, Principal

Hilary Sturgis, Assistant Principal

Norman E. Day Elementary School

Are you interested in helping out with the yearbook this year? Join Day School PTO members Denise LeGrow and Mary Ann Robertson for a virtual meeting to find out how you can help.

Thursday, February 3 @7PM

Google Meeting:

meet.google.com/zij-uwpv-dqb

2022 Lunar New Year Event

Year of the Tiger

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! Wishing everyone a happy and healthy tiger year in advance!

Check out the detailed program list above for more details about how we are celebrating the lunar new year.

Click on the flyers above to join the virtual event or copy this link in your browser: meet.google.com/isa-xhei-kvn

Pictures of the Week

Students in Mrs. Green, Mrs. Hummer, and Mrs. Lapham's classes made and donated over 50 bags with care items for the homeless. A big THANK YOU to the Day School community for helping us in our endeavor to spread kindness to others. The bags we made were delivered to the veterans in Lowell MA. The veterans beyond thrilled to receive so many awesome, kind, and generous donations.

News from the School Nurse

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

New COVID-19 Protocols

As per the recent communication from Dr. Chew, WPS will be moving to weekly at-home testing for those families who choose to do so, and symptomatic testing for children who become ill during the school day with 2 or more symptoms of COVID. If you have previously given your consent for the Test and Stay program, it covered all 3 forms of testing - symptomatic, test and stay and pool testing. Your child is automatically enrolled in the new Symptomatic Testing Program at school. Test and Stay is discontinued effective 1/28/2022.

  • If you would like your child to bring home an at-home test kit for weekly testing at home, please sign up here.

  • If you would like to participate in symptomatic testing, sign up here.

  • If you would like to revoke your permission, please contact school nurse Cheryl Carpenter at ccarpenter@westfordk12.us or call (978) 692-5591 to opt-out.





Guidelines for Symptomatic Testing:

If your child does not feel well before school, please keep them home from school. Do not send a child to school to be tested. They will be sent home.


Symptomatic testing is for a child who starts to develop 2 or more symptoms of COVID during their school day. Previous consent given for the Test and Stay program offered at the beginning of the school year covered all 3 forms of testing - symptomatic, test and stay and pool testing. Your child is automatically enrolled in the new Symptomatic Testing Program at school. If you chose not to participate in this program then please notify your school nurse to “opt out”.


The child will be allowed to insert the nasal swab gently into their nose and swab themselves under the supervision of the school nurse. You will be contacted directly should they test positive and your child will need to be dismissed. If they test negative, your child will be given a slip of paper to bring home stating the time, date, symptoms and negative result. Dismissal for any presenting symptoms is at the discretion of the school nurse, given the complete assessment of the child, even if the child tests negative.

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.



Cheryl Carpenter, MEd, BSN, RN, NCSN

Norman E. Day Elementary School Nurse

(978) 692-5591 ext. 3655

Fax (978) 692-8476

she, her, hers

Fifth Grade Musical

Hello, families! For those of you who I have not yet met, my name is Brendan Ferrari; I teach 3rd-5th grade music, 5th Grade Chorus, and am excited to be directing this year’s musical: Frozen! Any 5th grader who enjoys acting, singing, likes to work as a team, is looking for a place to belong, and can commit to our rehearsal schedule is highly encouraged to join!

The fee for this activity is $10.

Auditions Monday, Feb. 7th from 2:45-4:00

To participate please fill out this form by Friday, February 4.

Callbacks Wednesday, Feb. 9th from 2:45-3:30


Although there are only so many singing/speaking roles, all students who audition will be part of the production!


Alternatively, for those who are not interested in solo singing or speaking roles, you can simply sign up for our Frozen chorus; no audition required!


Rehearsals: Monday afternoons from 2:45-3:15 PM and Wednesday afternoons from 2:45-3:30 in the Day School cafeteria beginning Feb. 14th and run until June 3rd, the date of our live performance.


***Parent/Guardian Volunteers Needed!*** If you would like to assist in the areas of choreography, staging, set design, costumes, supervision, etc. please contact me.


Brendan Ferrari bferrari@westfordk12.us


Audition Materials

For audition materials, please click here to join our Google Classroom. Join the class and click on the Classwork tab to access the materials.


If you are interested in a SINGING ROLE, please choose ONE of the following options sing during the audition (you do not need to memorize):

“Let It Go”

OR

“In Summer”

If you are interested in a SPEAKING ROLE, please choose ONE of the following options to perform during the audition (you do not need to memorize):


Option A: learn the audition parts for Anna, Elsa, and Olaf

OR

Option B: learn the audition parts for Hans, Kristoff, and Olaf


If you are only interested in being part of the chorus, you do not need to attend auditions but you must register.


Dr. Ferrari is happy to help anyone with audition questions and materials if they have any questions about the auditions and the materials. Auditions are meant to be as low pressure as possible and there is no need to worry or panic! Focus on having fun and auditioning in a way that makes you comfortable and happy.


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.

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!