Day School News
March 18, 2023
Dear Day School Community,
We look forward to seeing you next week for parent/teacher conferences. Please consider contributing to our teacher luncheon and breakfast during conference days. There is a link to sign up in this newsletter. The PTO is sponsoring two exciting events for students and their families. Movie night will be on Friday, March 31st as our culminating event for our Reading and Writing Celebration week. Students are voting on one of three movies that are based on popular books. You can begin purchasing tickets next week after the vote. Science night will be on Tuesday, April 4th. There is a link for advance ticket sales in the newsletter below. Please consider getting involved with PTO. The PTO is the backbone of our school community and helps to support exciting activities for children and their families, funds innovative grants and education programming, and helps to appreciate teachers and staff for their hard work throughout the school year. Find out how you can get involved in this newsletter.
Sincerely,
Chris Louis Sardella, Principal
Chrissy Michaud, Assistant Principal
Norman E. Day Elementary School
March 2023 Parent/Teacher Conference & Report Card Schedule
Monday, March 20, 2023: Early Release; Afternoon/Evening Conferences (1:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
Tuesday, March 21, 2023: 2 Hour Delay; Morning Conferences (8:30 AM - 10:15 AM)
Friday, March 31, 2023: Parent Portal to Review Report Cards Opens at 3:30 PM
Fifth graders and their teachers pose with their wordless picture book stories at the JV Fletcher Library on Friday.
Our students were posed with a community problem: wordless picture books are not being checked out frequently from the J.V. Fletcher Library. In an effort to solve this problem, they have been busy writing narrative stories to accompany published wordless picture books.
More than 30 books, along with the kids’ published stories, will be on display for you to read and enjoy. A temporary display at the library will follow, in the hopes of inspiring library visitors to read these books.
Reading and Writing Celebration
Get ready to celebrate a week of reading and writing adventures at the Day School beginning Monday, March 27.
Monday, March 27
Fox in Socks Crazy Socks Day
Wear your favorite crazy socks as we celebrate Fox in Socks and his crazy tongue twisters!
Tuesday, March 28
Favorite Picture Book Buddies
Find your favorite picture book and share it with your book buddy!
Wednesday, March 29
Guest Author Day
Do you love graphic novels? Here's your chance to meet author Justin LaRocca Hansen to learn all about the art of the graphic novel. You will meet the author at an assembly for your grade. You will also have the chance to participate in an afternoon workshop where you will get a hands-on approach to learng about visual storytelling with Justin.
Thursday, March 30
Dress as Your Favorite Book Character Spirit Day
Make your favorite books come to life! Students and staff who participate will be entered into a drawing to win new books of their choice!
Friday, March 31
Pajama and Flashlight Day
Wear your favorite cozy pajamas and bring a flashlight. When you least expect it, your class will drop everything and read!
Movie Night @6:00 PM
Join us for a book themed movie night in the Day School gym. Students will be voting soon on a movie from one of their favorite books. We'll have book related activities and snacks at movie night!
Other Highlights of Our Week
Writing Contest-Students can submit an original piece of writing for an opportunity to be published and read at our next Council of Hawks meeting.
Kahoot! Game-Students will guess books from famous lines and dialogue.
Service Learning Project-We are partnering with Up With Books to bring new books to children living in poverty.
Mystery Guest Read Alouds-Members of our community (police, fire, government, town officials, etc.) will be joining us for classroom read alouds.
March Reading Madness-Which picture book will win? Vote for your favorites!
Art Project -Here's your chance to bring your favorite books to life with a fun art project!
Read-a-thon -Read the most minutes for some fun prizes!
2023-2024 DAY PTO OPEN POSITIONS
Are you looking to give back to your community, your school, benefit your child(ren)s lives and make life-long friends? Are you looking to build your resume, brush up on a current skill and/or learn a new skill? If so, consider joining the Day School PTO!
Day School PTO needs to fill open board positions for the 2023-24 school year. These positions are the backbone to the support our PTO, and its members, give to our schools and students. Without our PTO many events, including most Arts and Education Programs would not be possible.
Information for all board members:
● Attend monthly meetings and volunteer where needed.
● An election will take place if more than one candidate applies, but some positions may have co-chairs.
● All members are bonded and insured.
If interested, please contact dayschoolptopresident@gmail.com.
PTO Events
Spring 2023 Teacher Conference Meal Sign Ups
We are thrilled to be able to once again provide our hardworking teachers with lunch and breakfast during their spring conferences! We have organized for a local restaurant to cater part of it the event but we do need help with drinks, desserts, table cloths, flowers, clean up, set up and some other smalls items for our morning coffee cart.
Thank you so much for your assistance with this event!
Sign up using this link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b48aea92fa3fe3-spring1#/
Click to access backflyer with link to menu and how to sign up: WECO Signup Link
When: Tuesday April 4th - 6:30-8pm, Doors open at 6pm
Where: Day School Cafeteria
Cost: Tickets are $10 per student if purchased by March 24; $15 per student after that date. Advanced ticket sales only.
Use this link to purchase tickets: https://tinyurl.com/paypalsciencenight
Recycle Sneakers and Raise Money for Day 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!
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
In partnership with the Federation for Children with Special Needs, the Westford Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) will be offering two (2) virtual events:
March 30, 2023 at 7:00pm - Evaluation and Eligibility https://fcsn-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqfuiqqDojEt2bfqhmOXFJya9Nuu3-zPmX
May 9, 2023 at 7:00pm - Turning Three Essentials https://fcsn-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUld-quqz8pGNJ3_gRvFidCtieuSkB5uIVw
If these topics are of interest to you, please click on the link and sign up for the event.
The Annual Parent and Caregiver Survey is now OPEN.
The Westford SEPAC, in collaboration with Westford Public Schools Office of Pupil Services, is interested in your feedback as it relates to special education. Our 3rd annual survey allows both the SEPAC and the district to self-reflect on current practices, make improvements, and plan for meaningful SEPAC activities.
If you have a child on a 504/IEP, please take a moment to fill out this brief survey, we expect the survey should take less than 10 minutes to fill out. You can access the survey here:
https://forms.gle/wqRs1B2TdfJHo9pr8
Last year's survey helped us gain some insight into the successes and concerns, and we're looking forward to comparing this year's results to last year to see improvements and additional areas we need to focus on. If you want to see last year's survey findings, check out Survey 2021-2022 School Year results here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YPJ-a-PohwskRYZvb7ebj5LeQyEEq8MH/view?usp=sharing
Westford Education Foundation March Madness Auction
Westford Education Foundation is excited to announce their MARCH MADNESS AUCTION FOR EDUCATION! Starting Friday March 17 you can begin bidding on silent auction items. We have amazing items for the whole family! Items include: month-long memberships to CodeWiz, Goldfish Swim School and The Little Gym, WESTFORD ACADEMY Junior Parking Pass, 2 Bren Bataclan original paintings, gift card to the Optical Gallery at Family Eye Care, and 6 weeks of fitness and nutrition at Prime Fitness. Bidding closes on April 1st!
Visit https://www.westford.org/wef/march-madness/ to place a bid! Good Luck! Remember all money raised goes right back into our school system with innovative education grants.
Middle School PTOs
Stony Brook School PTO
is urgently looking for 2 PTO Co-Presidents and several Board Members for the 2023-2024 school year. If your child will attend Stony Brook School this Fall please consider volunteering to help. Sign-up here: https://forms.gle/DZxVmD7oTmaqNJ9y6.
Step-by-step guidance will be provided for all positions. Current PTO members will assist new members during the transition period. Please do not hesitate to sign-up even if you are unfamiliar with the workings of the PTO or do not have previous PTO experience. Please email stonybrookschoolpto@gmail.com for more information.
Learn about the SBSPTO by visiting our website: https://sites.google.com/view/stonybrookpto/home
Blanchard PTO needs YOU!
We would love some new folks to join our PTO! Come shadow our outgoing PTO president for a year, support the many fun activities and projects, or or just attend a meeting to check out what’s happening. For more information or to join our PTO meeting mailing list, please email BlanchardPTOWestford@gmail.com
Hope to see you in the fall!
Spotlight on Mental Health
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.
PrimaryCareProviders_Final_0224.pdfClick the PDF above for more information about the Behavioral Helpline.
FAQs
What is the Behavioral Health Help Line?
The Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) connects individuals and families to the full range of treatment services for mental health and substance use offered in Massachusetts, including outpatient, urgent, and immediate crisis care. Call for real-time support, initial clinical assessment, and connection to the right evaluation and treatment.
How does it work?
The BHHL is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by phone call and text at 833-773- 2445 (BHHL), and online chat at masshelpline.com.
When I contact the BHHL, who answers?
The BHHL is staffed by trained clinicians and certified peer specialists to support every caller’s needs. Every call, text, or chat conversation includes follow up by trained clinicians, and staff will remain on the line with you until you are connected to the help you need.
Who can use the BHHL?
Everyone! The BHHL is for anyone in Massachusetts, including LGBTQIA+, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing, individuals with disabilities, and individuals whose first language is not English.
If I do not speak English, can I call?
The BHHL is available in more than 200 languages. Individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing can also use the BHHL by contacting MassRelay at 711.
How much does it cost, and do I need to have health insurance?
The BHHL is free and available to all Massachusetts residents, even if you do not have insurance.
If I’m concerned about my child or friend, can I call to get help for them?
Yes – you can call to get help for yourself or for someone you care about, including children and other family members.
I’ve tried to get help before, and it didn’t work out. How is this different?
A trained, caring staff member will work with you to figure out what treatment may be helpful to you and will help you navigate the process. They and will stay on the line with you until you have been connected to the help that best fits your individual needs and will follow up with you afterward to make sure that your needs are being met.
Will I be able to access services or treatment in my own community?
Yes. The BHHL connects people to treatment in their community, including one of the new Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) across the state. The BHHL uses a comprehensive directory of mental health and substance use treatment providers.
What kinds of mental health or substance use issues can I call about?
The BHHL can help with any mental health or substance use concern. Maybe you’re sad or anxious, or worried about drug or alcohol use. Even if you’re not quite sure what the problem is or what kind of help you need, the BHHL staff will listen and connect you with care for yourself or a loved one.
For a mental health crisis, should I go to the emergency room or call the BHHL?
The BHHL is available 24/7 for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis and can directly connect you with crisis support in your community. The BHHL connects callers to 911 when needed for immediate safety. You can also visit a Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) in your area for crisis intervention.
