Poetic...update!SB 1-22-21
“For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
-Amanda Gorman
Translations via Google Translate
My eyes well up everytime I hear that now and I have listened to the entire poem multiple times since Wednesday. Amanda Gorman is the National Youth Poet Laureate who wrote the inspiring Inaugural Poem “The Hill We Climb” and recited it at the ceremony.
If you haven’t seen it, stop reading this and watch that...but then read this...that’s all I have to say about that.
Here is the full text, as well, if you would like to read it: The Hill We Climb: an Inaugural Poem for the Country
Westford Public Schools is participating in the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy program. This is an excellent opportunity for our students to graduate from Westford Academy with this impressive seal on their diploma. Please access the following letter for more information: MA Seal of Biliteracy
Notes from the clinic this week brought to by the bunny slope rope tow:
One thing that has been difficult for me during the pandemic is having to be the “COVID police”. Please understand that I do not make the rules but I am the one who has to enforce them here at Stony Brook. The state of Massachusetts has very strict travel guidelines. If you even go skiing in NH for the day, you are supposed to either quarantine for 10 days or produce a negative test before going to work, school, etc. In a conversation with the state epidemiologists, I was referred to the following website link: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order. The list of exemptions is there. You can leave the state to go to a funeral or to go grocery shopping (I go to Nashua all the time!). Please see this paragraph from the travel order:
Certain Critical Life Activities: grocery shopping, visits to pharmacies, attending appointments with licensed health care providers, including medical, dental, or mental health, visiting persons receiving treatment in hospitals or residing in congregate care facilities, attendance at day care or children’s camps, attending religious services, and funerals or memorial services, or attending to the care needs of a family member.
Skiing is not considered a ‘critical life activity’. It seems recently that a lot more families are traveling out of state for weekends away or weeks away. Please know that when I am told about travel, it is my job to make sure you understand the Massachusetts regulations.
There have been many questions about the vaccination rollout. The town of Westford has not yet received any vaccines. We are trying to work with MDPH to get vaccines available locally for our over 65 population. If you are in the medical field and have not yet received a vaccine-here is a link to register for the vaccine: https://www.lowellgeneral.org/care-and-services/covid-19-vaccination-appointments That is only for health care or first responders!!
As always, call, text or email with any questions. I check my email all weekend. Have a good weekend.
Sue Hanly, MSN, RN
978-392-6974
My knees told me to stop skiing a long time ago. It was a very sad conversation. However, I can assure that my knees were not consulted at any time in the development of our state-wide travel-orders.
I end this week’s missive with more inspiring words from Ms. Gorman as they continue to ring loud and true:
“It’s because being American is more than a pride we inherit,
It’s the past we step into
and how we repair it.”
-National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman
Have a wonderful weekend!
Chris
Dr. Christopher Chew
Principal
Stony Brook School
Register for spring soccer! Westford Youth Soccer Association (WYSA) is accepting registrations for the upcoming spring season. Please access this flyer or head to the WYSA website at www.westfordyouthsoccer.com for additional details.