Eclipse...an update! WPS 4-1-24
Next Monday afternoon, weather permitting, we will be able to see part of the upcoming solar eclipse. During the day, we will be distributing eclipse viewing glasses to all students and staff so that they will have them before dismissal as the eclipse is taking place in our area later in the afternoon outside of our regular school hours. We were able to obtain these glasses from a vendor approved by the American Astronomical Society and are reported to comply with ISO 12312-2 international standard for appropriate eyewear for viewing a total solar eclipse. Teachers will be talking with students throughout the week about the dangers of looking directly at a solar eclipse without appropriate eye protection. If you are looking for additional information, this link to the NASA website is helpful: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/
At our next School Committee meeting on Monday, we will be looking at the progress we have been making in year one of our Strategic District Improvement Plan as well as discussing the year two action plan for next school year. As we enter April, it seems fitting to share that one of our initiatives has been to “ensure that all students and staff are able to explore and understand in an age appropriate manner Westford’s Climate Roadmap (4.1)” authored by the Clean Energy and Sustainability Co. As we have done in the past, we would like to share with all of our families that Westford Climate Action is encouraging all of us to celebrate April as Earth Month and have provided a number of resources and lists of activities to consider throughout the entire month.
In a few short weeks, we will be having our April Vacation (4/14-4/19). It is always my hope that everyone is able to get what they need out of these breaks and return rejuvenated and ready to finish out the year.
As you most likely already know, due to the large turnout which exceeded capacity limits, the Annual Town Meeting was postponed to April 27, 2024 at 9:00 am. It will now be able to take place outside on the Trustees Field at Westford Academy where a larger number of people can have access to the process. Even though the weather was not great on March 23rd and the meeting was never able to get started, the attitudes were by and large relatively positive. I was able to witness a great deal of kindness and patience exhibited throughout the morning at Westford Academy as well as on the bus many of us rode to and from the meeting to the satellite parking location over at Robinson. I hope everyone who was planning to participate on March 23 will also be able to attend the new meeting date later this month and engage in this important annual civic process.
Cheers!
Chris
Christopher Chew, Ed.D
Superintendent
Westford Public Schools