Bon Jovi...an update!SB 1-24-2020
After playing our dismissal song today, a faculty member asked if the tune was chosen because Bon Jovi tickets went on sale today. Admittedly, I was not aware of that fact. I just thought celebrating with “Whoa, we’re halfway there” was appropriate being so close to our 90th day of school for the year.
This week was filled with more of the typical administrative duties wrapped up in the expectations of the office. With the amount of meetings scheduled, I missed getting into as many classes as normal. I was, however, able to catch part of the Geography Bee between a few meetings and was very impressed with the participants. Many of the classes were live streaming the event and I enjoyed hearing cheering and applause from a few rooms as I made way to the auditorium to join the audience there. Special thanks to Ms. Larkin for organizing everything and Ms. Shultz for making the broadcast possible via a google link. Please join me in congratulating the top three finishers: 3rd place went to Soorya G. from Team Aristotle; Second place went to Amita V. from Team Victory; and this year’s school champion in First place goes to Abhi S. from Team Plato. Abhi now advances to the placement test round to see if he can qualify for the State level competition.
One of the meetings that I had this week was enjoyable as it was with the entire 8th grade. So, while they might not have enjoyed the agenda particularly, I very much enjoyed being able to spend time with all of them and trying to make the presentation engaging and memorable. They entered the auditorium to see images from a few recognizable TV shows and a popular teen movie: The Office, Saturday Night Live, Bevis and Butthead, and Mean Girls. However, much to their dismay, rather than watching clips of any of those I started the presentation explaining the concept of satire and how the creators of these projects attempted to utilize comedy to expose idiotic, mean or insensitive behaviors rather than to create role models for those behaviors. While we might laugh at the ridiculousness of the characters’ actions it should not be because we condone the behavior but because we are flabbergasted by it. They seemed to follow the examples very well and understood the connections as it provided a launching point into a discussion of civil rights. The focus balanced between reminding them to take great care in how they treat and talk to each other as well as empowering them to remember their own civil rights and not to tolerate anyone violating those. Throughout the presentation, I tried to impress upon them the importance of understanding these expectations as they are getting older since the media seems to be consistently reporting incident after incident of high school age students around the country getting themselves into trouble for mistreating their peers and making mistakes that can drastically impact their futures.
Another enjoyable meeting this week included our School Advisory Council as we met after having to cancel the December meeting due to weather. We had an informal signing party of our 2019-2020 School Improvement Plan since it was approved by the School Committee following the November presentation. The other part of the January agenda included a review our FY20 school based budget based on our allocated per pupil expenditures. Our next meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, February 25 at 2:30. At that time we are planning to review our student activity accounts as well as discussing our student handbook.
Two items from last weeks update to keep on your radar:
Heart & Sole is a program from Girls on the Run for girls in grades 6-8. It encourages girls to challenge themselves, try new things, make new friends and build confidence to be themselves. As a team, the girls will run, laugh and connect. The season begins on Tuesday, March 24. It will meet Tuesdays & Thursdays after school from 2-3:30. If your child is interested in participating, they may not sign up for a Spring Sport at Stony Brook in addition to Heart & Sole, as this is considered a Spring Sport. Lottery registration opens for Heart & Sole (GOTR) on Jan. 22, 2020 and runs through Feb. 11. There are 15 slots available. Girls who are chosen from the lottery will be notified via email on Feb. 13. Registration link: https://www.girlsontherunboston.org/Register-Now
If you have any further questions feel free to reach out to Roberta Oehley or Sue Hanly.
For all of our families with Gr8 students, here is the updated version of the letter sent previously from WA regarding their information night: Revised WA 8th Grade Letter to Parents https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B95Qx8iWXxBoNUo1bnBrWlJnUzhyMXZEVmNoT2t...
Have a wonderful weekend,
Chris
Dr. Christopher Chew
Principal
Stony Brook School
Westford Parent Connection
Parenting In A Time Of Unprecedented Challenges
Do you find yourself overwhelmed in today’s high-pressure, high-intensity environment? Do you feel it’s harder than ever to raise good kids? Do negative thoughts make you feel hopeless? Join the Westford Parent Connection on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 to hear Charity Bell present Parenting In A Time Of Unprecedented Challenges. (A snow date of Thursday, January 30, is scheduled if need be.)
It’s no secret our kids are growing up in a world vastly different than the one we grew up in. We know more about young people’s brains, for example. And we know the rise of social media has had an incredible impact not only on how we parent but how we see ourselves and others. The demands on our kids’ time – and the resultant stress levels – are at an all-time high. How can we best help the young people in our lives?
Charity Bell is the director of learning and development at the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Northeast. Drawing from non-violent communication, brain science, and her own amazing experiences overcoming adversity, she is a transformational speaker who will leave parents and anyone who works with young people feeling empowered and hopeful.
This event – at the Stony Brook Middle School, 9 Farmer Way, Westford – starts at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors. For more information about Charity, go to http://relentlesspositivity.org/.
Other upcoming Westford Parent Connection events include:
February 6: The Kids We Lose film screening, in collaboration with the Westford Special Education Parent Advisory Council. [Snow date February 12.]
February 25: The Dangers of Vaping, with Westford Police Detective and WA SRO Geoffrey Pavao, in collaboration with the Westford Health Department and See A New Sun Foundation (SANS). [Snow date February 26.]
February 27: The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, And Smart About Money. Westford Parent Connection book discussion group.
For a complete list of events for the remainder of 2020, go to https://www.westford.org/wpc/, or contact Mary Anne Seraphin at mary.anne.seraphin@gmail.com.
Westford Academy presents Camp Sunshine Night - Worcester Railers vs. Adirondack Thunder
DCU Center located at 50 Foster Street Worcester, MA 01608
Saturday, March 21st at 7:05 PM
Tickets $20, with a portion of the price going to Camp Sunshine
Join the Students of Westford Academy at the Worcester Railers on March 21st as we support Camp Sunshine! Camp Sunshine is a camp in Casco, Maine for Children (and their families) as they face serious Illness. Tickets are $20 and include a Railers hat! Make sure to purchase your tickets through the link! Offer expires 48 hours prior to puck drop. All tickets purchased will be emailed prior to the game! Make sure to wear your Camp Sunshine yellow for a post game photo on the ice following the game.
Go Camp Sunshine! www.railershc.com/sunshine
FREE LACROSSE CLINIC
Join Coach Olivier, Westford Academy Varsity Girl's Lacrosse Coach and players from the Westford Academy Varsity Girl's Lacrosse team for two FREE lacrosse clinics for MIDDLE SCHOOL girls grades 6-8. Whether you have played lacrosse for years or are new to the sport - this is the clinic for you!
After school Middle School Lacrosse for girls is coming to Westford in Spring 2020. This is a great way to learn the basics of lacrosse or reinforce concepts you have learned, before the season begins.
When/Where? Friday 2/7 at Blanchard 2:15-3:45pm and Friday 3/6 at Stonybrook 2:15-3:45pm.
What to bring? Lacrosse stick, goggles, sneakers, water bottle.
If you don't have equipment and want to try the sport? We will have extra sticks and goggles.
Sign-up in the main office.
SPRING 2020 MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS LACROSSE
NEW for Spring 2020 Season - Westford Girls Middle School Lacrosse at Stonybrook and Blanchard, after school for girls grades 7 and 8. Register at http://www.lax.westfordma.uslaxteams.com/
Westford Youth Baseball and Softball Registration Now Open: Spring will soon
be here and that means Baseball and Softball season is fast approaching. The
Westford Youth Baseball and Softball League (WYBSL) is currently accepting
registrations for player ages 4-16 at all skill levels. Baseball and Softball
are great ways to develop confidence, strength, determination and teamwork
while having a lot of fun. Baseball and Softball are the safest team sports
to play! And with low registration and equipment costs it makes it a great
sport for any child. All practices are local with 1-2 days a week
(non-mandatory) commitment for games and practices. It is a great way to get
out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine while learning a sport rooted in
history and Americana.
Registration is currently open on the WYBSL website, until March 15th,
,2020. Receive a discount on registration if you register before January
31st, 2020. Our first games begin mid April with Opening Day Ceremonies
tentatively slated for May 2nd. For more information visit our website at