Blanchard School News 6/15/19 – Happy Summer!
Hi Everyone,
I couldn’t be more proud of Blanchard as the 2018/2019 school year comes to a close. Remarkable support and school spirit filled our gymnasium yesterday as we gathered to celebrate the eighth grade class at the Middle School Completion and Achievement Ceremony. Nearly 200 individual accomplishments, representing multiple definitions of success, were shared with families. Awards were presented not only for academic excellence, but also for exceptional effort, citizenship, leadership, and service. Faculty members highlighted the diverse ways in which these young ladies and gentlemen left their mark on Blanchard– individually in classrooms, as members of a team, or part of one of our student groups. We enjoyed outstanding performances from the chorus, band, and orchestra, and presented each student with a Certificate of Completion to commemorate this milestone in their educational careers. All of this hinges on the hard work and dedication of our staff and parents. Thank you again for the continued support that made this another wonderful year of teaching and learning at Blanchard.
We would also like to extend a thank you to MSPTO and all of the parents who have generously contributed donations and volunteered over the course of the year. The MSPTO provided all of the students in the eighth grade class with a gift yesterday. If your child did not receive a Westford Class of 2023 hat, please stop by the office on Monday.
Over the past week, we also recognized our final group of 2018/2019 Honored Citizens in grade level assemblies. Students were recognized for exemplifying Blanchard core values of Respect, Opportunity, Cooperation, Kindness, and Service. Congratulations to Emily Fitzpatrick, Meghan Hall, Aidan Mahony, Alanna Saunders, Arianna Mochalkin, Cole Jordan, Brendan Whitmore, Kirish Raaj, Krish Chavan, Leighton Fischer, Levi Ryll, Lillian Clark, Lindsay Ely, Mia Burns, Will Donovan, Ashlyn Wahlquist, Atianna Morales, Carter Scanlan, George Shui, Jack Whitman, Mahi Yerabothu, Maia Gosselin, Rishit Rajput, Stephen Lewis, Catherine Zhu, Evan Pasters, Heer Mehta, Julianne Frechette, and Priyanka Rajaram.
Thursday’s Sixth Grade Spirit Day was also a big hit. Students seemed to be having a blast as they rotated through activities including a photo booth, ice cream truck, movies, and team- building challenges. The sixth graders were great participants– even those who were able to dunk Mr. Merrigan and me! :)
Finally, many of Blanchard’s students chose to participate in A World of Difference’s Day of Silence this week. In doing so, they helped raise awareness for all people in our community and throughout the world whose voices are not heard because of their gender, religion, or race. By choosing to participate in this event, students took the first step towards fighting injustices in our community and the world.
Lots of important information pertaining to the 2019/2020 school year and summer communication is included below.
Happy Father’s Day to all the Blanchard dads! We will see you Monday for one more half day!
Sincerely,
Tim
Last Day of School
Monday, June 17th, is an early release day for Westford Public Schools. Blanchard will dismiss at 11:00. The cafeteria is closed for the year. There will be no breakfast or lunch served on Monday, June 17th.
Welcome from Freshmen Class Advisors
We are excited about having your child join us at Westford Academy next year. As your child's class advisors, we will be with you from their first day all the way to their graduation in 2023. Although we officially won't be meeting them until the fall, we would love to get some ideas from you and your children about fun activities, fundraisers, or trips that you would want to see. Scott Cruikshank and Amanda Everett can be reached at scruikshank@westfordk12.us and aeverett@westfordk12.us. We look forward to hearing from you! Have a wonderful summer!
Amanda Everett, WA Social Studies
https://sites.google.com/westfordk12.us/mrseverettswebsite/
Report Cards
The third trimester report card will be available in iParent next week. Our goal is to release by the afternoon on Wednesday, June 19th.
Required Summer Reading for Middle School
Students are expected to read one book from the English department list below over the summer. Upon return to school in the fall, students will complete an assignment in Language Arts class related the summer reading book of their choice.
https://www.westfordk12.us/bl/students/pages/summer-reading-lists
2019/2020 Placement
We are currently in the final push of a student placement process involving months of planning and collaboration. We want to be sure schedules are thoroughly reviewed before they are released in order to prevent any unexpected changes. We are aiming for early summer – hopefully by July! Schedules will be released electronically in iparent.
Summer Office Hours
- Office administrative assistants will be on vacation beginning Thursday, June 27th. The main office will be closed June 27th – August 2nd. Mrs. Thomas-Boyle, Mrs. Cladwell, and Mrs. Walker return to the office on August 6th.
- Counselors and teaching staff return for the 2019/2020 school year on Monday, August 26th. Please note counselors and teachers do not access school voicemail over the summer.
- Mrs. Demins and I will be in frequently over the summer preparing for the 2019/2020 school year. Do not hesitate to contact us via email with your questions or concerns.
New Student Registration, Transfers, and Changes of Address
The summer registration process is facilitated by central office staff at 25 Depot St. Please contact Jan Walsh at 978-692-5560 ext. 107 or jwalsh@westfordk12.us if you are moving or registering a new student. Please also notify Kerry Caldwell at kcaldwell@westfordk12.us.
Bus Passes for 2019/2020
Busing information and online registration can now be accessed via the Westford Public Schools website at https://www.westfordk12.us/district/transportation. In order to obtain the appropriate number of buses and avoid overcrowding buses at the start of the school year, all registrations must be received before July 15. As of July 15, a $30 per-student late registration charge will be applied. The bus pass fee for school year 2019-20 remains the same as for 2018-19.1 student: $2752 students: $5503 or more students: $750 (family cap)Bus passes will be mailed to home addresses prior to the start of school in August. Questions may be emailed to bus@westfordk12.us.
2019/2020 School Calendar
The 2019-2020 school calendar is available on the WPS website here: https://www.westfordk12.us/district/about-wps/pages/calendar
School Supplies
Each team will have an updated list of recommended supplies for the 2019/2020 school year posted on the Blanchard website by summer vacation. Students are not expected to have supplies on the first day of school.
2019/2020 Athletics
If your child may be interested in a fall sport, check out our sports page for participation requirements. The summer is a great time to update those physicals! Your child will need to have an updated physical within the last 13 months at the start of our season. Seventh and eighth grade students are eligible to try out for our soccer teams and field hockey teams and students all grades are able join our cross country team with no tryouts required. Tryouts and practice for cross country will kick off right after Labor Day. Registration links will be activated closer to the start of the new school year in August. We have set up our sports information meeting for students on Thursday, August 29th during Advisory in the cafeteria. This will be a great opportunity for students to meet the fall coaching staff and gather information about tryout requirements and anything needed to start the season.
Junior Learn To Row
Open to those entering 8th grade and above in the fall who have never rowed before and want to learn. The rowing stroke will be introduced on land as well as on the water in both sculling and sweep boats. Safety, terminology and equipment will also be covered. This program is a good introduction for those considering joining a competitive high school program in the fall.
This program requires a minimum of 6 athletes per term.
Term 2:
July 22 – August 2
Monday – Friday 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Cost: TBD
Coach: TBD
Registration: registration link coming soon
Term 3:
August 5 – August 16
Monday – Friday 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Cost: TBD
Coach: TBD
Registration: registration link coming soon
Notes
All programs require a swim test and signed liability waiver.
Each program requires a minimum number of athletes in order to hold the program. In the event a program is canceled all prepaid registration fees will be refunded.
Erg room and weight room are not included. Athletes are encouraged to obtain access to fitness facilities on their own.
Coaches will be published when they are confirmed, although on occasion substitutions will be made. All WCR coaches are USRowing certified and have current First Aid/CPR, Boating Safety, and SafeSport training.
Terms will not be pro-rated for abscences.
No refunds for weather-related cancelations.
Dates and times for future programs are subject to change.
Don't see what you're looking for? Contact us!
The website to register is: http://www.westfordrowing.com/summer-rowing