May Day...update! SB 5-1-2020

Typically, the first day of May is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate spring and look forward to new beginnings.  If we were returning to school next week, it would certainly have a different feel to it.  Even though it started out rather dreary this morning, it does at least appear to be leading us into a nice weekend. As I am typing this, the sun is creeping out from behind the clouds.  It is amazing how much the nice weather is missed when getting outside is some of the only respite we can get.  I read an article this week written by an educator living in NYC who also grew up there and was reminding others that for many students access to the outside is not an option.  It makes me really appreciate the sounds of the birds that have become my new alarm o’clock.  I’m still working on appreciating my neighbor’s new rooster...

 

Thank you to everyone who submitted a response to the Student Building Access Survey that we sent out earlier in the week.  We were initially planning to arrange the appointment times for the week of May 11- 15, but following a meeting this morning with all of the district principals, we decided to wait until the week of May 18 following Governor Baker’s recent extension of the Stay-at-Home order before allowing any student into the buildings to get things from a locker.  We will be sending out a sign-up genius link later next week for students to select an appointment time in which they can access their locker.  After we complete that process, we will be setting up a separate pick-up schedule for families to retrieve any medicines they still might have stored in our health clinic with Mrs. Hanly.  That will most likely take place during the last week of May.

 

The feedback that I have been receiving this week is that the large majority of our students are engaging in our remote learning and accessing the materials posted each week.  While it is not at all what any of us imagined this spring would bring, there seems to be a strong spirit of resilience emanating through our community that instills hope. 

 

In addition to checking their google classrooms, please remind students to look at their school email accounts associated with their google accounts.  Some of the communications from the main office and from our guidance dept will be sent directly to individual email accounts and not be posted in google classrooms. 

 

The first meeting for the Stony Brook Virtual Book Club will be on May 5 at 3pm. Please join the Google Classroom for more information. The code is dohnx2c. Mrs. Smith is looking forward to seeing you.

 

As we look to the future and prepare for next school year, Mr. McElhinney is organizing the cover contest for next year’s Student Agendas.  You can get all of the directions and information about the contest here: 2020-2021 Agenda Cover Contest

 

Hopefully, you enjoyed last week’s video from the staff.  Mrs. Schultz is still working on assembling a video package of student pictures.  If you still would like to be included, send a photo to pschultz@westfordk12.us


 

Finally, we have been able to organize an opportunity to answer the call sent out by the Westford Food Bank for more supplies.  Every year, Stony Brook students have done a tremendous job “canning the principals” and filling our offices with items for the Food Pantry.  This year, as the offices are not an option, Mrs. Hanly has volunteered her garage as a place where families could drop off donated items.  Here is how you can help if you would like to be involved: 2020 Food Drive Info

 

Have yourselves a weekend!

 

Chris

 

Dr. Christopher Chew

Principal

Stony Brook School


 


From the Westford Education Foundation

National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8, 2020. Our incredible teachers have risen to the challenge of these uncertain times and remained present and a constant in our children’s lives and education. What a perfect time to thank them for all their hard work. Please consider sending a WEF note to your favorite teacher, counselor, teacher’s aide, school nurse, office staff member, or principal.  It’s a perfect way to say thank you and support innovation in Westford schools at the same time! Money generated from these notes will be used to fund grants for the Westford Public School system.

Just make a tax-deductible donation (minimum of $10 per honoree) to Westford Education Foundation and we will send your honoree an email from WEF with a personalized note.  The email will state your name and your note, but will not disclose the amount of your gift.  Better yet, ask your children to write the notes themselves! These cards make great end-of-year class gifts, as well. Note: Donations made to WEF in WPS staff members’ names comply with the revised state ethical regulations in terms of gift-giving and acceptance.

Westford Education Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that promotes excellence in education.  We fund grants to teachers, staff, and the community for innovative educational initiatives, professional development, and life-long learning ventures.

Please visit https://www.westford.org/wef/teacher/ to fill out the form. You can complete your donation using your PayPal account or credit card.