Abbot Update 5.10.19
Dear Abbot Families,
The good times rolled on this week as tokens of appreciation from students, staff and families poured in for our teachers and Nurse Grassi. In fact, by Wednesday afternoon, Mrs. Grassi's clinic looked like a well stocked florist. :)
And today we enjoyed the incredible Staff Appreciation Luncheon. Thanks to the PTO and several volunteers, teachers got to relax for a full hour of lunch as they dined on the delicious treats provided by our generous families. This day is always a special day for teachers, but this year, you went above and beyond. On behalf of everyone here at Abbot, we thank you for all of the appreciation shown to us throughout the school year and especially this week. Your kindness and support make Abbot an extra special place to work!
Please see below for important updates and have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Lori McDermott
Abbot School Principal
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It's Carnival Week!
The carnival set-up this week will impact parking, arrival and dismissal. Cars and buses will be unloading and loading at the front of the school. Please be patient and allow for extra time as the process will be different and likely take a little longer.
Math MCAS
Grade 5 will take Math MCAS on Tuesday and Wednesday. Remember, a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast is important.
Field Day
Our school-wide Field Day is scheduled for May 28. The theme this year is "On Island Time" and we are looking forward to a funfilled day of community building events. We will need several volunteers for this event, so please consider joining us for a day that's sure to be one of the most exciting days of the year. Please volunteer here.
Students are encouraged to wear tropical attire and sneakers, bring a water bottle, hat and sunscreen.
Staff Update
Interviews and demonstration lessons were held this week for our new PE/Health/Wellness Teacher. A huge thank you to the interview committee that included:
Christina Pelta - Abbot School Parent, Juliette Wilkie - Grade 5 Teacher, Erin Claycomb - Day School PE/Health/Wellness Teacher, Keith Weston - Nabnasset School PE/Health/Wellness Teacher, Terry Grassi - Abbot School Nurse, Brian Roark - K-12 PE/Health/Wellness Curriculum Coordinator
I will keep you posted as we move through the hiring process.
A Message From the PTO
Nab/Abbot Baseball Outing Update:
If you have not received your Red Sox tickets, through E-MAIL, for Wednesday 5/15, please contact Jackie Fuller at jcern12@gmail.com.
If you ordered tickets to the Spinners Game for Wednesday 6/19 those tickets will come home in an envelope with your child the week of June 10th.
PTO School Store Compassion Corner
Thank you for the generous donations to the School Store Compassion Corner. $71.36 will be donated to Lowell General's Team Walk for Cancer Care.
REMINDERS
5th Grade Camp - A Message From Elaine Santelmann
Now that spring is upon us, plans are underway for all fifth graders to attend a five-day outdoor environmental program in June at the Stony Brook Conservation Land. This fun-filled week features a wide array of outdoor challenges, science activities, and team building. Students and staff look forward to it all year! This year's program will be June 10-14.
Each student needs to be enrolled to attend camp. The enrollment form can be found here. It is also posted on each school's website: Abbot's is under Quick Links on the home page. When you enroll your child, don't forget to sign up to volunteer. We can't operate a program of this size without your help!
We hope to see you there!
Elaine Santelmann
K-5 Science/Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator
CASA Book Drive
WA Seniors, Jessie Peternell and Sydney Roche are working with the CASA project for their senior internship. The CASA project is a non profit organization that revolves around helping abused children find safer homes. Jessie and Sydney are collecting new and gently used children's books to donate to foster homes. A collection box is located in the lobby so please start sending books in on Monday. Thank you!
Diversity and Inclusion
The Westford Public Schools Diversity and Inclusion Team is a committee made up of staff looking to promote diversity and inclusion within the district. We are looking for parent volunteers who are interested in being part of a group of parents who can be a peer contact for immigrant families in the district. This group would be a resource to help immigrant families access district information and resources while also providing a contact who can relate to their situation. If you are interested in this opportunity please contact Mary Mathew at mmathew@westfordk12.us.
Dates to Remember
May 13 Carnival Week Begins
May 14 Before School Orchestra (7:30am)
Grade 5 Math MCAS, Session 1
May 15 Grade 5 Math MCAS, Session 2
Parkerville (Antonelli)
PTO Red Sox Game
May 16 Chorus Rehearsal (7:30am)
May 17 Parkerville (Martinson)
Chess Club, Session 3 (2:30-3:30pm) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COMMUNITY NEWS
Challenge Success
Please read the latest Challenge Success Newsletter http://bit.ly/WestfordCSMay19Newsletter
Red Sox Night
Habitat for Humanity is partnering with The Rajiv Plauri Memorial Fund to raise funds for affordable housing as well as annual academic & athletic scholarships for Westford youth. A flyer with details is attached.
Girls' Basketball
Any girls interested in playing basketball this summer should come to the Grey Ghost Basketball Clinic from June 18 through June 21st. This clinic is run by the WA Girls' Basketball program and is appropriate for all levels of players from recreational to AAU/travel basketball players. Counselors include current members of the WA Varsity Girls' Basketball team plus current NCAA college basketball players Emily Bramanti (Stonehill - NCAA D2) and Cammy Desrochers (Framingham State - NCAA D3). Please see the flyer that was sent home with your student or email Coach Russ Coward at rcoward@westfordk12.us. Thank you very much for your support!
WESTFORD ACADEMY BOYS’ BASKETBALL SHOOTING CLINIC is now Open to All Boys Entering 2-9 Grade (Entering Fall of 2019). Westford Academy Boys' Basketball Head Coach Chris Bramanti, and members of the Westford Academy Boys' Basketball program will host a four day, three hour per day shooting clinic from Tuesday, June 18th through Friday, June 21st from 8:30am to 11:30am. Registration can be found on www.basketballwa.com or you can email Coach Bramanti at cbramanti@westfordk12.us.
Westford Summer Music Program - The Westford Summer Music program is now accepting registrations for band and orchestra students entering grades 5 through 9 in September 2019. Band and orchestra ensembles will rehearse daily from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Stony Brook School on July 8th through July 12th . During the week, the students will prepare new music and give a free performance on Friday, July 12th at 11 a.m.
For more information and registration please visit: www.westfordk12.us/summermusic
For questions, please contact:
Julie Ottesen - jottesen@westfordk12.us
PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
This support group is free drop in group available to any parent who is concerned that their child might be struggling with a mental health issue. This can be something such as ADD, or some sadness, lots of worries or perhaps something more defined. This is a pro bono group offered for parents to come together and share ideas, offer support to each other and realize that they are not alone in our concern for our children. Facilitators are: Dianne Walsh, LICSW (Cogitative-Behavioral Therapist) and Sue Hanly, RN (school nurse at Stony Brook Middle School). All groups include discussion and sharing by any member who is interested in getting feedback from the group. You do not need to be a Westford resident to attend. To be included on the group email feel free to contact: Dianne Walsh, LICSW dwalsh@perkinschool.org or 508-566-3189
Sue Hanly, RN smhanly1@gmail.com or 978-501-0837
Please call the Westford Health Dept for any questions at 978-692-5509.
Dates: 5/14
Location: Millennium School (behind Abbot) Large Old Purpose Room
Time: 7:00 pm-8:00 pm
May 14 The impact on mental illness on the entire family