Friday, December 17, 2021 | Westford Public Schools

Good afternoon,

Short week ahead! Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday are full days with a half day on Thursday. Everyone is ready for a vacation for sure! For your information, teachers were reminded that no homework is to be assigned over the break and nothing should be due on the day we return to school in January. Everyone needs some downtime to catch up on their sleep, binge watch some Netflix, read a good book, etc.! I hope all of you have the chance to see some friends and family over the break. So many of us have been away from our families. Because of COVID I haven’t had the chance to meet my brothers first grandson! I look forward to meeting little Raymond Antonelli this holiday season. Fingers crossed that we all stay healthy.

FROM THE DESK OF: Jeff Bunyon, Director of Athletics

Please be advised of the indoor masking guidelines for the winter season. This information is consistent with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and set forth by the Commissioner of Education. In order to maximize full participation of winter sports, we will begin the winter season with the same guidelines that we utilized this fall.

These are minimum required State safety standards that remain consistent with the practices that take place during the school day.

While masking guidelines may vary at off campus facilities and venues please treat practices and competitions as school events and adhere to all in school guidelines. All student-athletes, coaches, officials & spectators must wear masks at all indoor facilities while attending Westford Academy events.

Thank you in advance for complying with all safety protocols established to keep everyone safe.

DESE has set a January 15, 2022 date to assess masking guidelines.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

Seniors who have January 1 or January 5 application deadlines MUST have these colleges properly updated in SCOIR. Counselors will be sending school documents to these colleges before break. If a student adds a college to SCOIR during break, the documents will be sent after school resumes. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Seniors - Introduction to the Capstone Program

Seniors received an introduction to the Capstone program last Friday, December 10th, during Advisory. The presentation is available here and provides a lot of helpful information for students and families: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PvBIed7V-Oy9WUenbcLk1haS-Jb2RDSF...

SENIORS – Class of 2022 – Time to Order Your CAP, GOWN, TASSEL & SASH FOR GRADUATION ($36.00 "Essential Package")

Please use the link below to order your cap, gown, tassel, and sash for graduation. The $36 “Essential Package" includes the minimum that you will need to wear to the graduation ceremony. (Please note that the website will only refer to a cap and gown, but the tassel and sash will be included.) There are other graduation packages you can purchase as well (using this link) should you wish to do so that include a variety of graduation attire and keepsakes. Please note that the deadline to order your graduation attire is January 14th (A late fee will be charged for any order placed after this date.) The graduation cap, gown, tassel, and sash will be delivered to WA and given to you just prior to graduation.

LINK to Order Graduation Attire:

https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/principals-corner/links/class-2022-jostens...

If you have any questions, please email: ScholasticSolutions@jostens.com

Midterm Care Packages

The Class of 2023 wants to make sure you're prepared for midterms! Please consider sending your child (all 4 grades) a midterm care package to help them get organized and energized. The package contains school supplies (notecards, post-its, pens, pencils, highlighters), refreshments (Smartwater, Gatorade, Rice Krispies treat, granola bar, and M&Ms) along with a personalized note from the buyer. Midterm care packages will be delivered a week before exams during your child's first period class. If you would like to order a midterm care package, please email 2023ghosts@gmail.com. The cost is $15. Orders are due no later than December 23rd. Thank you!

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM)

During the week of January 9, 2022, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Westford Public Schools. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.

In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson(s) of the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.

Parents and other individuals may call Alaena Podmore, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (781) 338- 6706 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the (district or charter school) with a report with information about areas in which the (district or charter school) meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the (district or charter school) requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.

WA Athletic Boosters - 7th Annual Trivia Night

The WA Athletic Boosters invite you to our 7th Annual Trivia Night on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at the Westford Regency. $200 per table (10 people per table) when purchased in advance, or tickets for $25 each. Join us for raffles, silent auction, cash bar, and lots of friendly competition! All adults welcome, doors open at 7:00 pm.

To reserve a table or purchase a ticket, email Jill Trotter at jmaguiretrotter@yahoo.com

DECA Parents

Urgent Plea: Your kids need Chaperones & Judges for our upcoming January 12 field trip! Without your help, the trip to ULowell does NOT run. Your own DECA kids will be competing at their District Conference (field trip) on Wednesday, January 12 at ULowell's South Campus from approximately 8:00am to 2:00pm. We are looking for Chaperones to help facilitate the competitive events and Judges to assess role play presentations. Please check your schedules. Ask a spouse or peer if they’d like to help too! If you can be free that day, contact John Rogers (WA Business Teacher & DECA Advisor) a.s.a.p. at: jrogers@westfordk12.us for more details and answers to any questions. Thank you for your consideration. Without parental help, our club (your children) cannot attend this conference.

Have a great weekend! Jim Antonelli