A Glimpse...of an update! SBS 9-21-18

It was wonderful seeing so many smiling faces last night both before and after the grade level events.  As I mentioned briefly, the goal is getting a glimpse of the overall experience...well, ok, I said sense last night but the alliteration with glimpse is more pleasing to the ear now that I have had time to reflect.  Writing is a process after all. For those of you interested, here is a copy of the slides we used for our talking points with a few links for more information: SB Back to School 2018 (not that it helps as I tend to go off script a lot).  

 

In addition to all of the extra visitors here in the building last night, there was also the typical bustling of activity throughout the week.  The 6th graders have been researching scientists, designing t-shirts, creating maps and taking virtual field trips to create long distance photo shoots. The seventh graders have logged a lot of steps between the three flights of stairs and venturing out to the archaeological dig site this week.   The 8th graders wrapped up their long week of work with a visit to the auditorium to watch “October Sky” this afternoon...a bit premature in terms of the calendar but seemed to line up with the nicely with the weather.

 

As we move closer to the season of sneezes and sniffles, it is important to remember how we all need to contribute to the overall health of our environment by minimizing the spread of germs.  We have a few students in our community here at Stony Brook who are immunocompromised which means that they are at a greater risk of becoming sick than others. We do not want anyone to get sick and although I know everyone wants to be here every single day so that none of the fun is missed, it is imperative that students stay home from school if they have any of the following symptoms: fevers (please be fever free without the use of fever reducing medicine for 24 hours before returning), vomiting or diarrhea (I am pretty sure I have never actually typed either of those words before in a sentence...at any rate, please wait 24 hours after the last episode of either of those joyful experiences before returning to school, as well), or cold symptoms with a disruptive cough or excessively runny nose.  If a student has been diagnosed with a communicable illness such as strep, chicken pox, flu, etc. please contact our school nurse, Ms. Hanly. Finally, if a child is prescribed antibiotics please take them for 24 hours before returning to school. Continue to encourage hand washing...I am going to wash my hands right now just after typing all of this.

 

If the discussion of germs and illnesses has scared you and you are interested in finding ways to be more involved in our school community, please consider participating on our School Advisory Council.  Each year, every public school in the Massachusetts creates a School Advisory Council made up of Faculty members, Administration, Parents and community representatives. The main focus of the council is to develop and assess the annual School Improvement Plan.  Our council meets here at Stony Brook on the third Tuesday of the month from 2:30-3:30 in our large conference room. If you are interested in joining our council, please send me an email with your name and the grades in which your children are currently enrolled.  We have a few openings this year as previous members have transitioned to other schools. If we have more interest than openings, we will conduct an election.

 

Our yearbook club met recently and the advisors have asked us to share the exciting news that this year’s book will have features that allow for more personalization. Additionally, if orders are placed before September 30, families can receive a 15% discount.  For more information, access this link: SB YEARBOOK 2018

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Chris

Dr. Christopher Chew

Stony Brook School

 

PTO Connect!

We enjoyed meeting so many parents last night at the Back-to-School Nights. Hopefully everyone grabbed one of our handouts. Please follow us on Facebook at @WestfordMSPTOto learn more about our organization and how you can support your students and teachers!

Great News!! We are halfway to our $25,000 fundraising goal! These donations fund our Academic Enrichment Programs and other events: teacher appreciation meals, Sweets for Teachers, the 8th Grade Celebration, Blanchard v. Stony Brook basketball game and this year we were able to provide new coffee machines and supply of coffee for both faculty/staff break rooms. Learn more on our website at https://westford.org/wmspto/

As we look forward to the year, we are looking at how we can support the schools with additional student-facing programs as well as teacher support programs ranging from student activity support, offsetting costs for field trips, DC trip support, and more. So please help us meet our goals!  If you haven't donated, please send your $50 donation by the end of September to WMSPTO PO Box 625 Westford, MA 01886 - or - via PayPal at Pay Westford Middle School Parent Teacher Organization, Inc. using PayPal.Me.

ShoeBox Recycling: DONATE YOUR GENTLY USED SHOES TO BENEFIT OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS!

Stony Brook and Blanchard schools are collecting gently-used, wearable pairs of shoes this year for a fundraising program called ShoeBox Recycling. Donated shoes are shipped around the world for resale and reuse. Our school earns approximately $20 for each filled box of shoes! This money goes directly toward funding our many activities, including arts and education programs. We are partnering once again with the Mary’s Community Thrift Shop and doubling our profits with their help. Let's see how many shoes we can collect this year!

Shoes must be in wearable condition, without holes in the soles, cannot be wet or mildewed, and must have shoelaces if they are necessary for the shoe to function.

Types of shoes ACCEPTED: Almost all types of gently used shoes including adult and children's casual shoes, dress shoes, athletic shoes, boots, work boots, and sandals.

Types of shoes NOT ACCEPTED: Shoes in need of repair, wet or mildewed shoes, heavy winter boots, ski boots, roller skates, rollerblades, ice skates, flip flops, Crocs and bedroom slippers.

To help, please drop off gently-used, wearable shoes in the lobbies of both middle schools. If you have any questions about the program or would like to volunteer, please email Sue at corneller1@gmail.com. And thanks!

 

Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age

A few years ago, Perkins showed Screenagers and many staff and community members attended. It was a great success and there is such a demand for this topic, that we’re doing it again as part of the Dr. Charles P. Conroy Speakers Series. Mark your calendars for October 4th.

Described as “a MUST SEE for anyone with kids in their lives!”, SCREENAGERS takes a deeply personal approach to exploring the vulnerable corners of family life; examining struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction, and offering solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance.

Following the film, discussion will be facilitated by Perkins’ own Sharon Lowry, MSW, Perkins Assistant Director of Education and Bridget Matte, MEd, Clinical Coordinator of Perkins’ Day School program.

We invite you, your families, friends, and networks to join us on Thursday, October 4th from 6:00 - 8:00pm for this free and open to the public event in the Janeway Auditorium at Perkins. It’s appropriate for people who work with children, parents, caregivers, children middle school aged and older, and anyone else who might benefit.

Specific information can be found here: Screenagers Event

Please register at https://conta.cc/2M6MB5f and encourage others to do the same.