Abbot Update 5.3.19
Dear Abbot Families,
This is the time of year when we take a moment to recognize all those who help to make Abbot School such a special place. This week we celebrated School Bus Drivers' Day and National School Lunch Hero Day. Teachers worked with students to create cards to spread kindness and cheer to these wonderful people. It's such a pleasure to see students experiencing the joy that comes from making others feel happy.
In addition, all of the staff and students surprised me on Wednesday by recognizing School Principals' Day (I never knew that was a thing). Everyone gathered in the gymnasium at dismissal and showered me with cards, flowers and hugs. Unfortunately, Mrs. Jerzylo was at Nab, but she came back to an office full of cards and flowers on Thursday. I can't remember a time when I have felt more kindness and appreciation. As I've said before, the students and staff at Abbot School are amazing and I am so grateful to be part of the team.
Next week, we are looking forward to recognizing Teacher Appreciation Day on Tuesday and School Nurse Day on Wednesday. Let the good times roll!
Please see below for important updates and have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Lori McDermott
Abbot School Principal
________________________________________________________________________________________________________Math MCAS
Grade 4 will take Math MCAS on Monday and Wednesday. Remember, a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast is important.
National Poetry Month
Our very own Head Custodian, Mr. Bill was our "Monday Mystery Reader" during morning announcements this week. He read Sarah Silvia Cynthia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out by Shel Silverstein, which is a funny a poem about what can happen if garbage builds up. Students recognized Mr. Bill's voice right away and got a kick out of the irony of the poem he selected.
Placement
It's that time of year when we start working on building balanced classrooms for next year. Parent Input letters went home on Monday and are due back on Monday, May 6.
Based on enrollment, I would like to highlight some changes for the 2019-2020 school year in terms of the number of classrooms we will have at Abbot. We currently have six sections of 4th and 5th grade. Next year, we will have seven sections of 4th grade and 5th grade. We currently have seven sections of 3rd grade, but the numbers coming up from Nab are lower, so we will have six sections of 3rd grade next year. As a result, Ms. Martinson will be moving from 3rd grade to 5th grade and Lisa Sanderson, our current Digital Learning Specialist, will join the 4th grade team. In addition, Mrs. Sateriale, who has been out on leave, will re-join the 4th grade team next year.
Interviews are scheduled for Monday, May 6 to hire our new PE/Health/Wellness Teacher since Mrs. Devarney is retiring. Joining me on the interview committee will be:
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.
Abbot School Yearbook
THE DEADLINE FOR ORDERING THE 2018-19 ABBOT SCHOOL YEARBOOK HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO MONDAY, MAY 6.
If you haven't already done so please order your copy here: https://tr5.treering.com/validate
PASSCODE: 1014533099032519
PRICE: $15.00
Orders can be placed ONLINE ONLY.
If you have any questions please email Kathy Knapp at kat.knapp@ymail.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
**TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON**
The Abbot School PTO is offering parents a unique volunteering opportunity. Come into the classroom for 20 minutes, so that the teachers can take a full hour for lunch on the 'Teacher Appreciation Luncheon' day (May 10). Get details and sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4daba92fa4f49-give
If you want donate food/money for the luncheon or want to help-out with set-up/clean-up etc.please sign-up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4daba92fa4f49-teacher2
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.
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!
PTO School Store Compassion Corner
Our School Store will be open Thursday during all recess times. Once again, our Compassion Corner idea comes straight from a student. 4th grader, Shannen has requested that we collect donations to be donated to Lowell General's Team Walk for Cancer Care. This one is near and dear to my heart since my mom has been fighting lung cancer with the help of Lowell General's Cancer Team for over 10 years. The care and innovative treatments she continues to receive have literally saved her life. I hope you will consider donating.
REMINDERS
Field Day
Our school-wide Field Day is scheduled for May 28 and will be here before we know it. The theme this year is "On Island Time" and we are looking forward to a funfilled day of community building events. Students are encouraged to wear tropical attire and sneakers, bring a water bottle, hat and sunscreen. 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.
K-12 District-wide Art Show
WPS will be hosting its first ever K-12 Districtwide Art Show at Westford Academy on Wednesday, May 8 from 5-7 pm. There will be artwork from each building as well as performances from music and theater students throughout the evening. A reception will be held outside in the courtyard (weather permitting) at 6:30 pm. Tickets will not be sold for this event, but optional donations will be accepted at the door. Hope to see you there!
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.
Your child will have a notice with all the fine print in their backpack today. You can also read it here.
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
5th Grade T-Shirts
Please remember to return the 5th grade T-shirt form that was sent home last week with your payment.
Dates to Remember
May 6 Grade 4 Math MCAS, Session 1
Placement - Parent Input Forms Due
May 7 Before School Orchestra (7:30am)
Early Release Day (dismissal at 11:40am)
Election Day/Voting in the Gymnasium
Teacher Appreciation Day
May 8 Grade 4 Math MCAS, Session 2
Parkerville (Mulholland)
School Nurse Appreciation Day
District Wide Art Show at WA (5-7pm)
May 9 Chorus Rehearsal (7:30am)
PTO School Store
May 10 Parkerville (Anderson)
Grade 5 Talent Show Proposal & Videos Due
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon
NO Chess Club _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
COMMUNITY NEWS
Westford Academy Theater Arts presents THE OLD MAN AND THE OLD MOON imagined by PigPen Theatre Co. and directed by Maggie Sulka on April 26 & 27 and May 2 & 3 at 7:30 pm and April 28 & May 4 at 2:00 pm in the Westford Academy Performing Arts Center. General Admission Seats will be sold at the door: Tickets are $15.00 for Adults and $10.00 for Students and Seniors. This show is recommended for audiences aged 1-99!
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.
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.
Sunday, May 5, Marks The 20th Annual Westford Road Race
The Westford Charitable Foundation reaches a significant milestone in 2019: the Westford Road Race is being held for the 20th year! For two decades, runners have come from all over to participate in the Family Fun Run and the USA Track & Field sanctioned and certified 5K and 10K races. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised and given back to the community to support a wide variety of local causes. Want to participate in what is sure to be a big celebration? Pre-registration (if completed before April 21) is $15 per person for the Fun Run, $25 per person for the 5K race, and $30 per person for the 10K race. After April 21, the cost increases to $30 for the 5K and $35 for the 10K. (The price for the Family Fun Run remains $15 per person.) The first 600 pre-registered runners are guaranteed t-shirts. All entries are nonrefundable. Runners can register at http://roadrace.westford.org/regform.html or can register the day of the event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Abbot School. The Westford Road Race is held in memory of Cindie Davis Holub. For more information – about the courses, start times, numbers, and so on – go to http://roadrace.westford.org/ or contact Westford Charitable Foundation founder Lori Cogliano at lcogliano@lycos.com.
On May 5th there will be a FAMILY FUN DAY at Westford Academy from 4pm-7pm after the annual Westford Road Race!
This day is to benefit a scholarship for a young man by the name of Trebor Dooley. Trebor graduated from WA back in 2005. Trebor was an amazing young man who was so special to so many people. Unfortunately Trebor lost his second battle to brain cancer this past July.
Because he meant so much to so many of us here at WA, we are hosting a FAMILY FUN DAY in his honor to raise money for a scholarship in his name.
Join us on May 5th from 4pm-7pm here at WA for some fun & games as well as a concert by another WA grad, Caroline Gray, who is currently a Nashville recording artist!
The TRIBUTE TO TREBOR COMMITTEE
For more information, email Melanie Jozokos mjozokos@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