Day School News
January 8, 2022
Dear Day School Community,
We would like to thank all families for their efforts to keep our school community safe during the pandemic. Keep in mind that if your children have any of the following symptoms, it is imperative they stay home and get well: fever, cough, trouble breathing, and gastrointestinal problems like bellyache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other complaints may include headaches, muscle aches, loss of taste and smell, and cold symptoms. Please be sure to call in the absence to the front office and get in touch with school nurse Cheryl Carpenter. If your child will be absent for 5 days or more, a doctor's certificate is required.
For extended absences, classroom teachers will not be able to replicate what happens in the classroom with a packet of work. Please do not request school work from your child's teacher.
Students are encouraged to read and practice mathematical concepts while away from school. Missed assignments and assessments should be made up upon return to school.
Thanks again for your support!
Sincerely,
Chris Louis Sardella, Principal
Hilary Sturgis, Assistant Principal
Norman E. Day Elementary School
Panorama Survey
We thank you and your family for being our valued partners as we work together to educate the children in our district. Westford Public Schools values input from our community – and we need to hear from your child or children! Students are important partners as we work to improve our communication, academic program and overall experience for everyone.
In order to learn more about student experiences at school, we will be asking for your child’s feedback via an online survey they will be completing at school. The survey shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes to complete.
We are asking that all of our students participate in the surveys, as their feedback will provide invaluable insights into their experiences and how we can improve and adapt our district to their needs. If a student doesn’t feel like they have enough information to answer a question, they will be able to skip the item altogether. The responses to these surveys will be completely confidential. We are partnering with a third-party vendor, Panorama Education, to support us in administering these surveys.
The survey content will ask students to self-reflect on the following topics:
1. Sense of Belonging - How much students feel that they are valued members of the school community.
2. Engagement - How attentive and invested students are in school.
3. Positive Feelings - How frequently students feel positive emotions.
4. Challenging Feelings - How frequently students feel challenging emotions.
5. Supportive Relationships - How supported students feel through their relationships with friends, family, and adults at school.
Each teacher will pick a date and time that works best for their classroom schedule between January 13, 2022 - January 20, 2022. The survey shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes to complete.
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.
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
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
Tiered Focused Monitoring
During the week of January 9, 2022, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Westford Public Schools. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson(s) of the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.
Parents and other individuals may call Alaena Podmore, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (781) 338- 6706 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.
Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the (district or charter school) with a report with information about areas in which the (district or charter school) meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the (district or charter school) requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.
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.
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!
https://www.facebook.com/westfordyouthlax/
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!