PomPom...update!SB 12-3-2020
Imagine a sea of orange with cresting waves of PomPoms...no, this is not still the absurd update...but it is still middle school. This week’s themed Friday held some additional poinginancy in that we focused on wearing PomPom hats and or the color orange to show our support for a member of our own who has recently been diagnosed with Leukemia. Many of you are already aware of Ali’s Army that has quickly grown in support of Ali Pantoja and her family. As we continue to unite in solidarity to support them there will be more opportunities in the future, as well. In the very short term, we are going to keep the same theme going for next Friday, as well. The last Friday for us before we break for vacation also happens to be National Ugly Sweater day...which would be a shame for us not to acknowledge... so we will also add that to the mix. So, for those students who appreciate more advanced notice to plan and organize their outfits, there you go :-)...it also helps me from panicking on Weds as to what we should announce on Thursday...so many layers.
Translations via Google Translate:
Speaking of layers, after peeling out of the snow clothes drenched from shoveling, you might enjoy watching some of our students’ work launch into space…literally. Tomorrow, December 5 the experiment selected last year to be conducted aboard the International Space Station is finally going to make its incredibly long journey. Something called a pandemic kept interrupting the astronauts ability to get their school supplies to conduct the experiment. But the five Team Imagination students (now 7th graders) whose research proposal (Brassica Napus Germination) was selected were finally given the green light to package all of the elements of the experiment and ship it to NASA. Now, they will be able to watch their work launch into orbit. You can watch as well by accessing this link: http://ssep.ncesse.org/2020/12/watch-live-flight-of-ssep-mission-14-apollo-launching-on-spacex-crs-21-saturday-december-5-2020-1139-am-et/
After coming back to Earth, you could certainly participate in providing feedback to the School Committee as they are currently collecting public input in the Superintendent Search. The deadline for the survey is December 11th at 3pm, and the deadline for applying to the Preliminary Screening Committee is December 21st. Please follow the link below for more information:
https://www.westfordk12.us/district/school-committee/pages/superintendent-search
Stony Brook Theatre Arts production of "Rise Up", a cabaret of songs, scenes, and monologues, will be available to view on Video on Demand starting next Friday, December 11th at 7:30pm. Tickets are $5 and will allow viewing of the cabaret for 48 hours. Tickets can be purchased at showtix4u.com. Info at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/42955)
Finally, this week’s notes from the clinic are brought to you by the other vaccine:
I received notification today by the State of Massachusetts that they need the numbers of students in all schools who have still not been vaccinated for the flu. Whether your child is fully remote or in the hybrid model, all students in K-12 grades are required to receive the flu shot prior to Dec 31st, 2020. Please refer to the following link for more information. If you choose to not have your child vaccinated, I need that information in writing. There are two exemptions: medical and religious. https://www.mass.gov/news/flu-vaccine-now-required-for-all-massachusetts-school-students-enrolled-in-child-care-pre
COVID cases are on the rise across the country and in Massachusetts. Please continue to encourage your children when they are outside of school to maintain social distancing with others. Socialization is important and we can still get together with friends but please work hard to keep everyone’s ‘circle of friends small’ and when there are gatherings, encourage that six foot distance! When someone tests positive for COVID, they are asked about close contacts. A close contact is someone you were with 48 hours prior to symptom onset for more than 15 mins, less than six feet apart!
In one of my last updates, I shared that on November 18th, the Mass Dept of Public Health (MDPH) changed quarantine regulations-reducing the 14 days to 10 days if tested on day 8 or later. On Dec 2nd, the CDC came out with their own changes! They too are reducing quarantine from 14 days to 10 days, but have gone one step further to say if an individual is asymptomatic and is tested on day 5 of quarantine, they can get out of quarantine even earlier. My head is spinning with all of the changes! Bottom line, please call me if you have any questions at all! Currently, we are being advised to follow the MDPH regulations.
Please continue to call me with any health related concerns. If your child is out of school with any illness and being tested for COVID, please give me a call. Our conversation will be confidential.
Thank you for continuing to do your part to keep our school community safe.
Sue Hanly, RN
978-392-6974 (direct line)
Please take a minute to read the incredible opportunities we have included below at the end of this week’s update to help others spread hope and cheer, as well.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Chris
Dr. Christopher Chew
Principal
Stony Brook School
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As an alumni of Project 351.org, and a former student of the Stony Brook School, I (and my sister, Danielle and brother Jack) am helping the Patriots and WBZ News collect toys for their holiday Toy Blitz. Due to Covid, there are no Pats fans at games to bring in toys. Last year there were 400,000 people cheering in the stadium by now. Therefore, the need is desperate. We are hoping for NEW, unwrapped toys for infants – 18 years. Toys can be dropped at my house, 47 Stony Brook Road, Westford (navy blue, red door, circle drive) anytime through December 11th. Dani, Jack and I will be personally bringing the toys to Gillette Stadium on December 12. We are greatly appreciative of any donation. Here are a few ideas: dolls, action figures, art supplies, board games, books, blocks, any sports balls, musical toys, stuffed animals, school supplies, toy cars/trucks, winter clothing (hats, gloves, mittens).
With gratitude,
Michael, Danielle and Jack Shyjan
For the Love of Erika is a toy drive that began in Westford in memory of my friend, Erika, who passed away in 2005. Since then, FTLOE has delivered more than 20,000 presents to children in various hospitals and shelters throughout New England, as well as hosting holiday parties for families in shelters and the Department of Children and Families.
Due to COVID-19, all in-person deliveries and holiday parties have been canceled. We have maintained our commitment in providing gifts to at least 8 shelters and 3 hospitals in Massachusetts and New Hampshire that we support each year. Instead of toy collections, we are seeking monetary donations. 100% of monetary donations will go toward the purchase of gifts. The need for toys is immense, and in order to meet the goal of delivering 250+ toys, the goal is to raise least $5,000 by December 15th.
I'm so grateful for your help every year. Stony Brook has collected so many gifts in recent years, and although we can't have the typical toy drive collection, I am confident that you will be able to help tremendously through donations!
Donations can be made through our GoFundMe page, Facebook page, or checks made out to For the Love of Erika, 3 Cutter Lane, Westford MA. For any further questions, please feel free to reach out to me at tgoodmanleong@gmail.com.
Thank you so much!
Taylor
Westford Girl Scouts are very excited to announce the launch of "Signs of Hope 2021!”
The Girl Scouts are reaching out to community partners who may wish to share a message of hope this holiday season.
For a requested donation of $6-10 your organization can obtain a sign to inscribe with your wishes for 2021. Do it as a group or as an individual. This is a great opportunity to remind us all that good things are coming. Any funds collected beyond cost will be donated to Westford families in need.
Completed signs will be installed on the Westford Common for a community display from Dec. 20-27. Please stop and walk amongst the signs to see that we all share similar dreams for 2021.
The details are on the attached form, including how to order your sign. Signs can be ordered online or picked up in person. You are welcome and encouraged to forward this to any groups who may be interested. we ask that you review the attached instructions and respect the guidelines.
Please join us in filling Westford with hope for the year ahead!
Any questions can be directed to: gswestford@gmail.com