A delayed...update!SB 11-17-18
It seemed an appropriate title...the week was just a little bit off throughout so why not let it manifest itself in update pushed to Saturday, as well.
As most everyone knows, I love sleep and so it was fun to hear from the many students sharing their joy in extending their rest a bit Friday morning. There were tales of helping to clear snow to extra-time to play with pets to grumpy reactions to being woken up only to be told to go back to sleep. The occasional weather event that brings necessary change to the norm demands a certain flexibility that is always interesting to experience in a middle school. The percentage of individuals that tend to struggle with flexibility seems to be the same for students and adults alike. But we can all make it through the challenges of middle school together, of that I am confident.
Before the storm, many of our students were exploring a variety of climates other than our own and literally extending Stony Brook’s presence around the world. After spending time researching weather patterns and creating weather reports from different regions, our 6th graders all gathered together to visit Antarctica by Skyping with a research scientist currently stationed there studying the penguins on the distant continent. They were able to talk with her directly while she was observing the penguins and ask questions about her work. Earlier, they created a Stony Brook flag that included every 6th graders name and it is being sent to Antarctica so that she can fly it there with the penguins. We are all anxiously awaiting her pictures to see their efforts waving among the antarctic birds. Members of Team Socrates in 7th grade were fortunate to watch one of their teammates compete live in her final match at the International Chess Championships in Spain. More of that event to come later after she returns from this amazing opportunity. It was truly fascinating to know that many of our students were engaging in a meaningful, active manner with individuals either in Spain or Antarctica at different locations in our building at same time this week. Closer to home and earlier in the week, representatives from last year’s Team Imagination were invited to present their Project-Based Learning experience at the STEM Summit in the DCU Center in Worcester. The students and teachers shared their work with business leaders, government officials and educators from across the Commonwealth and were praised universally from those in attendance. So, in 24 hours, in a westerly direction, Stony Brook basically circled the globe. The delay on Friday helped to temper jet lag.
Hopefully, this does not come as surprise to anyone, especially since if you are reading this you most likely read the other updates that mentioned it earlier; however, here is a reminder that Monday students do not have any school as our evening conferences are running from 2pm-8pm. Additionally, students have a 2-hour delayed start on Tuesday to accommodate morning conferences. Not to mention, the students are all well aware that they do not have school on Monday. So, if this is a surprise, they are not lying to you. Please remember if you were not able to schedule a conference earlier and would like to meet with your child’s teachers, you can always schedule a team meeting throughout the year if you have specific concerns or questions about progress.
As the year continues to speed by, it will be no time at all that the 8th graders will start thinking about scheduling for next year’s courses at Westford Academy. It is our practice to prepare all of our students for transition to WA in the same manner that 5th graders were scheduled to attend SB from either Abbot or Day. If your 8th grader is not planning to attend WA, it is important that he or she meet with Mr. Lipschutz by Monday, December 17th so that he is able to assist them with any recommendations they might need prior to application deadlines for another school. Anything submitted to him after December 17th might not get processed in time for winter deadlines.
Hopefully, my attempts at humor are well received each week as I believe strongly that we should not take ourselves too seriously while we engage in the incredibly serious activity of nurturing the next generation. That being said, this time of the year is exceedingly difficult for some people for various reasons. While many people look forward to the change of pace and extended opportunities to be with family and friends, remember there are people for whom that very same thought creates a different dynamic altogether. We must all do our best to consider the potential plight of others that the winter season and extended changes to routines or environments can bring and seek ways to best understand. Over the next few weeks many of our students will be participating in different drives to gather resources for others in need. Please consider supporting their efforts as best you can.
With gratitude,
Chris
Dr. Christopher Chew
Principal
Stony Brook School
Westford Academy Girls LAX
Westford Academy Girls LAX program is offering a FREE Middle School Girls Lacrosse Winter Clinic. This clinic is open to all middle school girls. On Nov. 27th, Coach Oliver will be at Stonybrook during advisory for anyone interested in signing up.
It is a 5-week, 1.5 hour clinic for new or experienced lacrosse players. If needed they will supply sticks and goggles. Clinic will take place after school on Fridays, Nov. 30-January 18th, from 2:15-3:45 in the Stonybrook Gym. See link for sign up information and schedule:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y232cGW4MJdXGOHXJYdVNLJRMKpMtM7z/view?u...
Westford Middle School PTO Update
Don't forget to order your cool Westford swag in time for the holidays at https://westfordfall2018.itemorder.com/sale. It's a great way to support WMSPTO, show your town and school spirit and stay warm with all of the cozy options. If your order contains a gift for your child, you have an option at check out to fill in your child's Homeroom/Advisory teacher's name OR FILL IN "Main Office" if you'd like to pick up your order. We will email you when it's in! ALL orders will be delivered to Blanchard or Stony Brook Middle Schools. Look for flyers and place your order!
When doing your holiday shopping, if you're an Amazon shopper, please consider bypassing the Amazon "app" and using http://smile.amazon.com/ch/04-3584230 to make your purchases. It doesn't cost you anything additional, and 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases will go to WMSPTO.
The next Academic Enrichment Program coming to the middle schools, Ancient Egypt: Pyramids & Pharaohs, is coming to our seventh graders on December 5, 2018.
Westford Parent Connection
Westford Parent Connection and the Westford Special Education Parent Advisory Council are hosting Dr. Joseph Moldover the week after Thanksgiving. He will present Autism Spectrum Disorder And Other Social Disabilities on Tuesday, November 27, 2018. Does Your Child Have A Social Disability? Receiving a diagnosis of autism or other social disability can be devastating. Confusing and isolating, too. Parents may wonder which type of doctor to see. What tests to order. How best to work with schools to produce a positive outcome. Parents need to educate themselves quickly in what can be an overwhelming, acronym-laden environment. The Westford Parent Connection and the Westford Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) can help. The two organizations are hosting a talk, Autism Spectrum Disorder And Other Social Disabilities, with Dr. Joseph Moldover on Tuesday, November 27, 2019. Dr. Moldover, a developmental neuropsychologist, brings a wealth of expertise and compassion to the topic. A popular speaker, his interests include the evaluation and care of children and adolescents with learning disorders, developmental disorders, neurological injuries, and psychiatric disabilities. He shares strategies to help parents learn how best to advocate for their children. Dr. Moldover’s presentation will be held at the Stony Brook Middle School, 9 Farmer Way, Westford. Due the generosity of Westford Parent Connection’s sponsors, the event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. For more information about Dr. Moldover, go to https://drmoldover.com/clinicians/. For other information, go to https://www.westford.org/wpc/ or contact Mary Anne Seraphin at mary.anne.seraphin@gmail.com.