Day School News
June 5, 2020
Dear Day School Community,
Mrs. Sturgis and I are excited to join all classes the week of June 8 to celebrate the end of the school year. We are so excited about the accomplishments of your children. Day school students and the parents definitely exemplified the spirit of our core value of perseverance. Congratulations for all of your hard work! Fifth grade families will be receiving invitations to our virtual completion ceremonies on Friday, June 12 or Monday, June 15.
This newsletter is filled with very important information. I encourage all parents to carefully review the anti-racism resources linked in this newsletter. Please read the information about our last day of school parade on Tuesday, June 16. I have linked the last two field day stations so you can have some fun this weekend. Remember that instrument drop off is scheduled for 10AM on Wednesday, June 10 from 9AM-11AM in the Abbot School parking lot. At the end of this newsletter, you will find links to the required sixth grade summer reading lists.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone on June 16!
Sincerely,
Chris Louis Sardella, Principal
Norman E. Day Elementary School
Anti-Racism Parent Resources
Dear Families,
In the wake of the death of George Floyd, we have an opportunity to talk openly with our children about acceptance and kindness for all people. We are hopeful our children will lead the way for a future built on the very values that have built strong communities at each of our elementary schools. Our students learn that every person deserves to be safe and treated respectfully. We encourage the spirit of inclusion and teamwork by inviting others who may be different than us. Most importantly, we expect our students will act with integrity and do the right thing even when no one is watching.
Below is some frank advice about teaching tolerance. Dana Williams from the Southern Poverty Law Center offers three important points to support parents when talking to children about preventing and responding to prejudice:
Speak openly. When we are honest with children about our country’s history of bigotry, sexism and stereotypes, we help prepare them to challenge these issues when they arise. A child who knows the racial history of the Confederate flag, for example, is less likely to brandish that symbol out of ignorance.
Model equity. As parents, we are our kids’ first teachers. When it comes to teaching tolerance, actions speak louder than words. When you say that boys and girls are equal but refuse to buy your son an Easy Bake Oven because it’s a “girls’ toy,” what message do you send?
Do something. Take a stand when you witness injustice. Challenge racism, bigotry and stereotypes, and encourage your child to take action, too. Silence and inaction in the face of bigotry condone it. With regard to offensive mascots, for example, hold a petition drive, write an editorial in the school paper, organize a boycott of the school supply store — do something to make a difference.
Reprinted from: Williams, D. 2007. Beyond the golden rule: A parent guide to preventing and responding to prejudice. Montgomery, AL: Teaching Tolerance.
Link to Download Beyond the Golden Rule
In addition to this parent’s guide, we would like to suggest the following website that has resources from Healthline Parenthood to help you have frank conversations about diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/anti-racism-resources-for-parents-and-kids#books
Jenny Kravitz is the Anti-Defamation League A World of Difference Coordinator for the Westford Public Schools. Jenny is looking forward to supporting families with these conversations. You may contact her by emailing jkravitz@westfordk12.us.
Sincerely,
The 3-5 Elementary Administrators
Jenny Kravitz, Anti-Defamation League A World of Difference Coordinator for the Westford Public Schools
Last Day of School Parade
As the school year winds down, we wanted to invite our families and students by assigned grade levels, for a final farewell to the 2019-2020 school year with a wave parade around Day. Many of the Day staff plan to line up around the school, (in compliance with appropriate social distancing recommendations, including the use of masks) to greet students and families who will drive around the school to say hello! The wave parade will give our staff and students the opportunity to share a quick hello and a wave into the summer as we wrap up the school year. Please note that due to changes in schedules or unforeseen circumstances, some staff members may not be able to attend.
We ask that you remain in your car so social distancing guidelines and safety protocols are followed. Please drive very slowly through the driveway, as many staff members will be lined up throughout the area to wave and cheer as cars go by.
Cars should make a right turn only traveling west from North Main Street onto the school driveway. Please follow the driveway to the rear of the Day School near the playground where you will turn around and proceed toward the exit. To keep traffic moving and to ensure safety, we request that you make a right turn only onto East Prescott Street. Please see map below.
Pick-up for Grade 5 2020 T-Shirt and Completion Certificate, Yearbooks, and Spirit Awards - As you are exiting, the pick-up area will be in the side parking lot. All fifth grade families should proceed to the side parking lot to pick up t-shirts and completion certificates. Yearbooks and Spirit Awards will also be available in the side parking lot for pick-up. We ask that you display a sign with your child's name and teacher so the volunteers can find items quickly. Cars will form two lines in the side parking lot for pick-up. If you have nothing to pick up you may proceed straight to exit right onto East Prescott Street.
June 16th - Farewell 2019 - 2020 School Year - DAY Parade
Grade 5: 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Grade 3 and Grade 4: 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Virtual Field Day Activities
Field Day Station #1: Backyard Obstacle Course
This backyard obstacle course is fun to do and there are many ways to design it. I have made ours approximately 50 feet long. We made a starting point, something to crawl under, then jump over, mark a point to start jogging or moving backwards, lay something on the ground to perform a trick of some kind, and finally run back to beginning to start again. I had my children go three times through before they were finished. Have fun designing and racing and I can't wait to see your pictures and videos! Send pictures and videos to eclaycomb@westfordk12.us
Field Day Station #2: Family Keep it Up/Body Juggling
This activity can be challenging for some. It certainly was for my family and provided many laughs. The only equipment needed is a ball of your choice. A soccer ball, a playground ball, a balloon, or an oversized beach ball are some options. If you are choosing to do this as a group you will need to stand in a circle formation to begin. The first person can toss the ball up and from there you will want to take turns hitting the ball to keep it in the air for as many times as you can before it hits the ground. Remember this activity can be done by yourselves , as well. Good luck and have fun! Send pictures and videos to eclaycomb@westfordk12.us
Field Day Station #3: Catching Compliments
This is one of the stations we were going to do for our actual field day and I think we talked about it in school. In order for us to play this game we still need to think of someone we want to compliment (it can be another student in your homeroom class or in a student in another homeroom). Then you need to think of a compliment. Next, you need someone to video tape you catching a ball and saying the person's name you want to compliment and the actual compliment. The person videotaping you will toss the ball to you from one side and then you will toss it back to them or even out to an open space on the other side to make it look like you are tossing it to somebody else. When I string all the videos together it should look like you are playing catch together. Don't forget to tell your friend that you will be submitting a video for this event so they can do the same and they will have to compliment somebody else. I have attached a video for you to see how it should look. Send videos to eclaycomb@westfordk12.us
Field Day Station #4: Frozen T-Shirt Race
Soak a T-shirt (one per player) in 2 cups of water, squeeze out the excess water and then fold it neatly and place it in a ziploc plastic bag. Place the bag in the freezer and let it freeze for a few hours or overnight. Once it is frozen hold a race to see who can unfold and put their T-shirt on first. It may sound simple, but it will take several giggly minutes for the first player to succeed in getting his/her T-shirt unraveled. This is a great game for keeping kids cool on those really hot summer days. Send pictures and videos to eclaycomb@westfordk12.us
Field Day Station #5: Cold Feet
The game is called Cold Feet. The object of the game is to have the most ice cubes in your bucket before time runs out. If you are playing as an individual you can set a timer for yourself for 3 - 4 minutes and see how many ice cubes you end up with in your bowl. The only items you will need for this game clean feet, two bowls (one large enough to place your feet into), and a dozen or so ice cubes. Send pictures and videos to eclaycomb@westfordk12.us
Field Day Station #6: Hot Hands
The game is called Hot Hands. The object of the game is to melt your ice cube first. You can melt your ice cube by rubbing your hands together or blowing on it. This can be played as a relay race with another team or two or as always you can b[play it as an individual game. If you are choosing to play against another person or team you can either set a specific amount of time you need to hold onto the ice cube before passing it to your partner or you can just pass it once it gets too cold in your own hands. Send pictures and videos to eclaycomb@westfordk12.us
Field Day Station #7: Mouse Trap
This game is called Mouse Trap and it can be played indoors or out. The materials needed for this game are 1 laundry basket, 1 ball, and 1 plastic cup per player. The laundry basket represents the mouse trap with the cup helping to hold it up and the ball will represent the mouse you are trying to trap. Give yourself a time limit to play and the object is to see how many points you can get in that time. You will stand 5 - 10 feet away from your trap and at the start of the game you will roll your ball toward the trap. If you knock the trap down and the mouse is under it you get 2 points. If you knock the trap and no mouse is under it then you get 1 point. You can also earn 1 point by getting the mouse to stay under the trap without it falling down. After every roll you will have to retrieve your ball and possibly reset your trap before rolling again. Good luck and have fun!
Field Day Station #8: Shirt Off Shoot Out
This game is called Shirt Off Shoot Out. This game can be played inside or out. The materials you will need are 1 laundry basket and as many clothing items and accessories you can put on your body. The object is to see how many baskets you can make from 10 steps away in 1 minute. You will receive 1 point for every item that makes it into the laundry basket. Good Luck and have fun!
Class Placement Update
After much discussion, given the current situation of COVID19, the Elementary Leadership Team has decided that in the best interest of all students, the homeroom assignments for students in grades PreK-5 will be announced mid-August. Each student will have a virtual “meet the next grade level team” which will allow students the chance to meet the grade level team of teachers before summer vacation begins. They will have a chance to watch a video to learn a bit about each team member and learn about their new grade level.
With regard to your child’s placement, please know that a great deal of thought, discussion, and consideration goes into our comprehensive placement process. Input from parents, as well as a variety of educators, is taken into consideration when classes are formed. Each child will be thoughtfully placed in a well-balanced classroom. The placement team will create a class of students with diverse strengths, needs and abilities. The team will try to place students with peers who will complement them, both academically and socially. In addition, the team will try to match students with a teacher who will best meet his/her learning style. We are confident that your child will be placed in a classroom environment where he/she will learn, have supportive classmates, and have a teacher who will help him/her to be successful.
Homeroom Placement 2020-2021 will be posted in the parent portal mid-August. An email will be sent to families when the placement information is available. To access the information in August, please log into the Parent Portal to access your child’s homeroom assignment for the 2020-2021 school year. To access the portal, please go to the WPS web site: http://westfordk12.us/pages/iParent/index
Need to Return an Instrument?
We will be offering an opportunity to return musical instruments to David French Music Company on Wednesday, June 10 from 9-11 am in the Abbot parking lot.
Please be sure you have called David French in advance to let them know you will be dropping an instrument off. There will be a designated area in the parking lot with David French representatives there during that time. Please be sure your child's name is clearly labeled on their instrument. Instruments should only be returned if your student is not planning on continuing in the program next fall.
If your student is planning on continuing, they should keep the instrument for the summer and continue practicing! Please reach out to your child's instrumental music teacher with any additional questions. We wish you a happy summer!
Andrea Mejia - K-12 Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum Coordinator
amejia@westfordk12.us
Last Week of School Update
We want to thank you, the families of Westford, for your ongoing support during the remote learning experience that we have navigated since the school closure on March 13th. As we move into our last weeks of school, we want to THANK the elementary staff for all they have done to create lessons and learning experiences for our students. For many of us, the use of virtual meetings and the creation of online lessons were a whole new learning curve for staff and families. It has been amazing how well everyone has shifted to the "virtual" world, although, we know that we would all rather be in our building learning communities and having the personal connections we have each day with our staff, students and families.
During June 8th - June 16th, the virtual learning structure may look a little different as we will be focusing on social emotional learning, end of year activities and saying our summer farewells. This means that the ELA and Math videos will not be posted, so teachers can work on wrapping up lessons and sharing activities that would normally occur during the last week of school, such as presentations, books shares and end of year projects. While we cannot replicate all year end activities, we are hopeful that students and staff are able to find ways to celebrate learning and help bring closure to this unprecedented year.
From Janet Keirstead - 6-12 English Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator:
All students entering middle school have required summer reading this year. Students entering sixth grade should select and read at least one book from their grade level list, then be prepared to complete an assignment on that book when school resumes in the fall.
Middle School Summer Reading List Website - Click here
If you have questions, please contact Janet Keirstead at jkeirstead@westfordk12.us
Click the pop-out link to download a PDF of the WPS calendar.
2020-2021_school_calendar.pdf