Beware a 2 for 1 Ides of March...update!SB 3-15-19

Had last week’s update drama taken place today, I would understand as the soothsayer did not say beware the 8th of March...

In this special 2 for 1 update, you will hopefully get some valuable information...albeit some of it is after the fact instead upcoming...as well as an attempt at humor as I relive the technical difficulties of the recent website debacle...or what I like to call “beware of hiding emoticons”...of course Julius Caesar's inability to decipher the soothsayer had a little more permanent impact on his future communications.

The good news is that we now know that the website does not support certain emojis that were included in one of the messages from one of our community partners attached to the last week’s update.  It took a very dedicated team of tech folks to figure out that it was a simple picture inserted into a sentence after a word that was wreaking havoc on my update so I shall remain steadfast in my commitment to old school emoticons :-) and hold all content submitted to these updates to that same very high standard ;?)

There are two new pieces of info for this week for those of you uninterested in the ancient world of the previous week...which I must say has some great news in it...but I digress... it is not too late to still get a yearbook and have all of those of wonderfully awkward pictures in one place. The deadline to order and customize pages in your student's 2018-2019 Stony Brook yearbook is April 22nd. If you already ordered a yearbook, you have until April 22nd to customize two pages of the book (for free) with photos of your child, friends, family, etcetera. If you haven't yet purchased a yearbook and would like to, please click on the PURCHASE LINK (https://tr5.treering.com/createAccount/1015224146213733) to order.

The WPS grade 6-12 math curriculum coordinator, Ms. Kristine McHugh has asked us to share the following information which is also available here (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hlsDvwR12RwETaq_zTWYL4TklSIINsN-1WaQyECY9Xk/edit):

Each year we hold meetings for parents to communicate the math placement process.  We plan to offer this presentations again this year.

Our presentation will include information on the curricular differences between the standard and accelerated math programs in the 7th and 8th grades. We will also outline the placement criteria.  Students in an accelerated math class one year are not automatically placed in an accelerated math class the following year.  Characteristics of successful accelerated math students will also be discussed with parents/guardians.

Please join us for the meeting on Monday, April 1, 2019 from 6:00-7:00 pm at Stony Brook.

Letters will be sent electronically to indicate eligibility for the process in early April, which will include information about the testing windows. The tests are intended to determine students’ mastery, retention, and accuracy. Therefore, preparatory materials will not be provided.

For those of you unable to attend, our presentation will be available on the District Website after April 1st.

Now, let us journey to the past…

The original message penned for last Friday is included below.  As you will read, I was already moderately cranky heading into the weekend, but when the website continued to fail in posting the weekly update at 10:30 Friday night (March 8th) my mood shifted quickly into a description not really suitable for an update title and only deteriorated from there as the week went on without a fix to the problem. So, with that colorful image, here is that delightful missive…

Cranky...an update! SB 3-8-19

Sleep continues to be one of my favorite things and while I appreciated getting a little extra at the beginning of this past week, I grew increasingly cranky in anticipation of springing forward this weekend.  The optimist in me tries to focus on the fact that this dreaded event ushers in a new season and warmer weather is sure to follow...eventually.

Following up on last week’s update, the Stony Brook MathCounts Team performed very well last weekend at the State Competition.  The Team brought home the 3rd place trophy and 8th grader Max X. took first place in two individual categories making him State champion!  He will be representing Massachusetts in the National competition in Florida in May.

Our choral students proudly represented Stony Brook at this week’s Townwide Chorus Concert held at Westford Academy.  It took three busses to bring them all over to WA from Stony Brook for the rehearsal on Tuesday as our program has grown tremendously over the past few years.  Congratulations to Mrs. Watson for all her hard work in preparing them for this opportunity to connect with both the elementary programs and the choirs at Westford Academy.

This weekend is the MMEA Eastern District Music Festival and the following Stony Brook students were selected back in the fall to participate in either band, chorus, or orchestra: Lauren A., Julia D., Aarushi G., Justin H., Sarah H., Mia I., Anika K., Mia K., Rori L. and Amelia M.  It is a great opportunity for them to connect with other musicians and work with different conductors throughout the weekend culminating in a wonderful concert.

Next week, our Student Leadership Council is sponsoring a spirit week.  The themes are Monday=Comfy Day (we prefer not to encourage middle school students to roll out of bed for a pajama day...it is still a daily struggle to remind early adolescents of the social responsibility of personal hygiene), Tuesday=Rainbow Day, Wednesday=Twin Day, Thursday=Maroon & White Day (which is also the early release day & pi day 3.14), and Friday=Dress like a teacher day.  

Springing forward to April, as it is Autism Awareness month, we are selling t-shirts to raise money for the National Autism Association. Feel free to order some for friends who are not part of the Stony Brook community!  Here is a link to the order form with more specific information: https://bit.ly/2J1KZ0y

Try to get to bed an hour earlier!  (I hope that worked out for you)

Chris

Dr. Christopher Chew

Principal

Stony Brook School

The 8th Grade Volleyball Showdown is ON!

Friday, March 29th 6-8:30 pm  (game starts at 6:30pm SHARP).

8th grade students and Middle School Staff can sign up at the schools to play (announcements are being made at both schools).

We need your help to make this event a success! Please click on the link below to sign up to help at the concession stand or check-in table, be a referee, or donate baked goods, snacks and beverages. Thanks for your support!  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a48aba92caafa7-middle

"New Inca Son: Music and Dance of the Andes” still needs a parent/guardian volunteer at Blanchard to meet the presenter.

On Wednesday, March 20, 2019 for our 6th grade classes, we are still looking for 1 adult/guardian/parent from Blanchard to meet the presenter, take a few pictures, and if you’d like – you can even stay for the event (though not required).

Blanchard volunteer needed from 8:45am - 9:30am (performance is at 9:20 am).

Stony Brook performance is at 12:50 pm.  We do already have a volunteer for SB (thx).

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a48aba92caafa7-wmspto2

Donate to WMSPTO.

WMSPTO is still fundraising!  This Academic Enrichment Program (AEP) is funded by YOUR generous donations.  If you haven’t donated yet, you can still do so easily via PayPal https://www.paypal.me/westfordmspto/, or by sending a check into the school (envelope marked WMSPTO, please).  Suggested donation is $50 per student, or whatever amount you can give. If you have already donated, thank you (!), and if you need a tax receipt, please reach out to westfordmiddleschoolpto@gmail.com.

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.