What's on the horizon...update! SB 3-12-21
Our math teachers really brought their A game to our “Numbers” theme today in celebration of Pi day. Electronic masks, witty shirts, geometric shapes...Mrs. Nelson’s shirt made me laugh out loud as it proudly proclaimed, “My password is the last 8 digits of Pi”...very funny.
Translations via Google Translate
Lots of big things on the horizon…
First...the sun...will be on the horizon an hour later starting Sunday as we enter Daylight Saving Time. My absolute worst weekend every year. Not because I don’t like the later sunsets...because I really do love those...I just hate losing sleep. But the gift that comes in the fall must be repaid each spring. Everything in balance. As much as I love falling back, I have always dreaded springing forward. I am, however, emotionally prepared and my family knows not to wake me too early on Sunday.
Next, a very important survey was shared yesterday with all our district families in order for us to gather the incredible important data regarding our upcoming plan to combine both pods and return to full days in April. If you have not had a chance to access the survey, here is another copy of the link so that you can keep it on your radar as we need the information as soon as possible so that we can complete any necessary adjustments that best support this effort: https://www.westfordk12.us/district/school-reopening-information/pages/april-full-return-letter-surveys
As our travels continue to expand the horizon, the window of opportunity to be included in this year’s Yearbook is beginning to close...here is some IMPORTANT YEARBOOK NEWS!! If your child did not have their school portrait taken this year and you would like to send in a photo from home, please submit the photo directly to TreeRing.com NO LATER THAN April 1st. Instructions for UPLOADING A PORTRAIT OF YOUR CHILD: https://help.treering.com/hc/en-us/articles/360057155012-Uploading-a-Portrait-Photo-of-Your-Child"
Our Gr8 families are all well aware at this point that WA course registration is on the horizon. The WPS Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum Coordinator, Ms. Andrea Mejia, has asked that we share the following information:
Dear Grade 8 Parents,
We know that your child has many important decisions to make about course selection at Westford Academy, and just wanted to share this link for more information about the offerings in the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Please don't hesitate contacting me if you have any questions or would like additional information.
https://www.westfordvpa.org/wa-program-offerings
Sincerely,
Andrea Mejia
K-12 Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum Coordinator
Now this is both soon and far in terms of the horizon...please consider supporting WA Last Night as this program is most successful when everyone pays it forward:
This has been a tremendously difficult year for all Westford families and students. So much has been lost. However, the Westford Academy Class of 2021 has lived through a truly trying and unique experience for a senior class. They have been unable to experience or celebrate, as an entire class together, much of the milestones that come with senior year. Some families may have seniors in the Class of 2021 and know all too well what they have lost. Your middle school children will be seniors very soon - these next 4 to 6 years will fly by! Hopefully they will get the senior year and experiences they will have worked so hard for and will deserve.
While WA Last Night is unable to host its traditional all night lock in at WA, we are planning to give the Class of 2021 a Carnival Celebration to remember. WA Last Night is appealing to the entire Westford community again this year to rally behind the Class of 2021. We understand that the pandemic has adversely impacted many families in the community. If there is any amount you are able to donate to help us, we would greatly appreciate it!
Please donate by sending a check to WA Last Night, PO Box 4079, Westford MA 01886 or donate via PayPal by using this link:
https://walastnight.org/donate
Finally, this week’s notes from the clinic are brough to you by the...Horizons: the promise of a new day and or the adventure of the unknown depending on which direction captures your gaze…
At the beginning of the school year, a letter had come from the nurses letting parents know when we would be asking you to take your child to the doctor. I am copying and pasting this information here for all of you:
● Parents and guardians will be asked to screen their child/ren prior to sending them to school each day. Please keep your child/ren home if you or your child/ren are experiencing any of the symptoms listed below.
❏ Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
❏ Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
❏ Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
❏ New loss of taste or smell
❏ Sore throat
❏ Headache when in combination with other symptoms
❏ Muscle aches or body aches
❏ Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
❏ Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
❏ Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptom
I thought it was important to send this to you now because we are heading into allergy season. A reminder, if your child needs allergy medication like Claritin, Allegra or Zyrtec, I do not stock that. You can send in a bottle of it with your child to leave in our medication cabinet if you would like. I do have Benadryl on hand but that should not be used for daily allergies.
Also, the MDPH just came out with news this week that I shared with our staff. When fully vaccinated, you are able to travel in and out of Massachusetts without needing to be tested upon return and you do not need to quarantine if you have been identified as a close contact. If one parent is vaccinated and one parent is not, with travel, you would have to follow the travel guidelines for the unvaccinated parent. Children under 10 would not need to be tested but they would not be able to return to school until we had the results of the unvaccinated parent. Children over 10 would still need to be tested upon return to the state. If both parents are vaccinated and you are traveling with children under 10, they do not need to quarantine or get tested upon return to the state but children over 10 would need to be tested and quarantine until results are in.
Chris Chew and I have been on the COVID committee since the fall. We have been meeting with other administrators, nurses, physicians and other medical personnel as well as a few parents every 2 weeks. Conversations have centered around getting students back to school as safely and as soon as possible. We all feel strongly that our schools have been and will remain safe places to be for our students and staff. I am grateful that a decision was made to have students back in the building this school year. While we will have more students in the building, safety measures will remain in place. If you have had your child fully remote and would like to speak to me individually about your safety concerns, please reach out to me at 978-392-6974. Yes, we have had students and staff diagnosed with COVID-you have seen the letters. Not one of these cases was from transmission within our school buildings. Sports, outside activities and social gatherings are the main reason for COVID cases.
Finally, there is a website now to preregister for the vaccine. I signed my husband and son up today. Although they are not yet eligible, when they are, they will get a text with vaccination availability. This is the website to sign up: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/preregister-for-a-covid-19-vaccine-appointment
Have a good weekend.
Sue Hanly, MSN, RN
978-392-6974
With all of the beautiful weather this week, we were able to explore more extended outdoor learning opportunities again. This afternoon, Mr. McElhinney worked closely with one of our district technology experts to boost our WiFi signal enough to support more options for teachers wanting to take lessons requiring access to our outdoor classroom spaces. This is the type of springing forward I enjoy :-)
Enjoy!
Chris
Dr. Christopher Chew
Principal
Stony Brook School
Westford