Breakout...update!SB 10-16-2020
We stuck with the 80s today and played something that most likely none of the students recognized at all. Inspired by the latest update to the Google Suite for Education which finally allows teachers to create Breakout Rooms for collaboration within Google Meets, the 1986 song from Swing Out Sister Breakout bounced through the PA system as we danced through dismissal. I started to regret the choice when the key change indicated it was not ending soon.
Translations provided by Google Translate
While we are on a Google kick, I learned after posting last week’s update that the email that pushes out the update from our website to your inbox automatically activates things that look like links even if they were not intended to be. We did not create the link to the O’Connor Studios that took people to a studio in Canada, I merely included the domain of their mail service so that folks could search their inbox for the picture information. Sorry for any miscommunication and while I am apologizing I will also include an apology to anyone struggling to remember where the Tower Records was located in Chelmsford...it wasn’t. That was my bad...I was thinking of Strawberries Records and Tapes in Drum Hill...silly me.
Now to the important stuff. Our first School Advisory Council meeting of the year takes place next Tuesday at 2:30. Please join me in thanking the members joining me on this year’s council: Kristi Bates, Michele Dulczewski, Annie Juris, Prajakta Kale, Pooja Krishnamurthy, Mary Larkin, Arty Mourtzinos, Rachael O’Toole, Seema Pusalkar, Lynne Stader and Meredith Sweet. We will include updates from our monthly meetings in my weekly updates this year as a way of extending communication from the council with the Stony Brook Community at large.
I realize many of you were disappointed that we did not send home a very large packet of forms for you to complete at the beginning of this school year. However, it does seem like the majority of folks were able to smoothly make the transition to the paperless communication by accessing the SB Start of School Paperwork Link that was sent to everyone electronically a few weeks ago. For those of you who have not visited that link and submitted the necessary information, this is your last weekend to do so before you end up on “the list”...if you simply forgot or have been deliberately holding out in protest, we will start contacting people next week. If needed, we can certainly provide you with paper copies as the information is necessary for us to support all of our students and families.
This week’s notes from the clinic brought to you by antique hard to fold road maps:
Notes from the clinic-October 16th, 2020
To all of the 7th grade parents, please continue to send in updated physicals and immunization records for your students. This pertains to all students-both hybrid and remote. I am still missing quite a few. I am also missing several emergency cards as well as Epipen paperwork. If you are new to the Westford Public Schools, I will also need a current physical.
The holidays are approaching and there has been a great deal of discussion about travel at Thanksgiving. If your family travels to a state that is considered high risk-your children will need to quarantine for 14 days upon return or get a negative test before returning to school. Please refer to the following link: (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order) Call or email me with any questions about travel.
This has been a difficult year for many families. We wanted to let you know of opportunities to assist with finances this holiday season. Please access these links to the Beacon Santa application as well as another opportunity through the Salvation Army. With the Beacon Santa application, you do need to fill out the form and write a brief letter to attach with the application. These forms can then be submitted to either myself, Laura LeBlanc, Brian O'Connell, Eric Lipschutz or Roberta Oehley. Please note- that although the holidays are months away-the deadline for these applications is Oct 30th-two weeks from tomorrow.
Additionally, here is a link to a flier about St. Vincent DePaul. This is another organization based out of St. Catherine's church in Westford who helps all families, regardless of their religious affiliation with finances.
Please let us know if your family is in need of help. There are other resources available.
Sue Hanly, MSN, RN, NCSN
978-392-6974 (direct line)
Now that the topic of Thanksgiving has been introduced, the Class of 2023 at Westford Academy has reached out to us to ask that we share the news of a fundraiser they are conducting now in anticipation of the holidays. Check out the information at the bottom of this update!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Chris
Dr. Christopher Chew
Principal
Stony Brook School
Thanksgiving Pies!
WA Class of 2023 is selling pies for Thanksgiving from October 16-Nov. 4th. Pickup will be at Westford Academy after school on Tuesday Nov. 24 and Wednesday Nov. 25th. Please click here to see the flyer and link to order delicious pies from a local bakery.