Friday, December 2, 2022
Good afternoon!
I hope you will visit with us tomorrow at some point during the day for our annual holiday bazaar! It is a great day! The bazaar is hosted by the Westford Academy Student Council and it is always a fun and festive event! Please come by and visit with all of the vendors that we welcome each year. Some of the vendors have been with us since the first holiday bazaar, which was approximately 40 years ago. See details below.
Holiday Bazaar - Saturday, December 3rd
Tis the season to be shopping! Come experience Westford Academy’s Holiday Bazaar on December 3rd from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM! This is a student run event with all proceeds benefiting WA's Student Council. With over 150 crafters and vendors, the bazaar is filled with holiday gifts, desserts, international foods, games, music, and homemade crafts. There's fun for the whole family and it’s the perfect way to start off the holiday season!
Admission is $2. Senior citizens and children four years old and under are admitted free of charge.
https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/principals-corner/files/westford-academy-h...
Other Announcements:
SENIORS – Class of 2023 – Time to Order Your CAP, GOWN, TASSEL & SASH FOR GRADUATION ($35.30 "Essential Package")
Please use the link below to order your cap, gown, tassel, and sash for graduation. The $35.30 “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, that include a variety of graduation attire and keepsakes. Please note that the deadline to order your graduation attire is December 16th (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://bit.ly/Westford_2023_Jostens_Graduation_Page
Questions? Call Jostens at (888) 248-9084
or Email Jostens at
jostens@scholasticsolutions.net
PSAT Results - 2022
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r50PsRkjBPRkhpETfnVFPW5Joux6CyNvNBvf...
December Counseling Department Newsletter
WPS English Learner Parent Advisory Council
The WPS English Learner Parent Advisory Council is for caregivers, parents, and guardians of students currently or formerly enrolled in the ELL program. The December ELPAC meeting is coming up on Wednesday, December 14th from 6:30-7:30 PM on Google Meet. We will be discussing ACCESS testing, grading, and report cards. Click on the flyer for the meeting link. Please email Amy Bailey (abailey@westfordk12.us) if you would like translation or interpretation.
AP Proctors for this Spring
The WA Counseling Department is looking for AP Proctors for this spring. AP Exams will run from May 1 - May 12. There is a proctor stipend per exam. Proctors must have graduated from high school and not have any children currently taking an AP course/exam at WA or any other school. Proctors may not be employed part or full time at a test preparation company, and proctors may not participate in any coaching activity that addresses the content of secure College Board tests. If interested or for more information, please contact Leah Birnkrant (lbirnkrant@westfordk12.us) and Brian Doherty (bdoherty@westfordk12.us), AP Coordinators.
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)
The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) will take placeon Friday Jan 6, 2023 - 7:30 AM in the Lecture Hall/Rm 144. For more information, or to sign up, please contact Mr. Doherty in the Counseling Department (bdoherty@westfordk12.us) The ASVAB is an aptitude test that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success for military careers.
ATTENTION: Child Find Obligation
It is the responsibility of Westford Public Schools to identify any child who may have a disability who is either a resident of Westford or who attends a private school within the geographic boundaries of Westford even if the student is not a resident of Westford. This also includes students who are homeschooled.
Westford Public Schools is also responsible for the evaluation of those students to determine if they are eligible for special education or related services under Federal law, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) or, Massachusetts State Law, 603 CMR 28 (Massachusetts Special Education Regulations).
Westford Public Schools is also committed to identifying children before their third birthday in order to provide early intervention services for three and four year-olds with disabilities. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child's development and would like to have them screened, please contact Courtney Moran, Director of Pupil Services, at cmoran@westfordk12.us
If you suspect that your child may need an evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services, you may request an evaluation, at no cost, through Westford Public Schools, Office of Student Support.
Please contact us at the following:
Office of Student Support
23 Depot St., Westford, MA 01886
978-692-5560 x 2111
Class of 2023 – Wreaths, Centerpieces, Garland and More!
The Class of 2024 is selling wreaths, centerpieces, garlands and more through Lynch Creek Farm, a family owned business. Give the gift of greenery or decorate your home for a festive winter while supporting the Junior Class. Once you order, items will be shipped directly for free within 2-3 days; you can even set your delivery date! Please contact Ms. Bonakdar or Mr. Claycomb with questions!
Winter Fundraiser: For the Love of Erika
For the Love of Erika is a toy drive that began in memory of Erika Gould, a Westford resident who passed away at the age of seven from cancer. Since her passing in 2005, FTLOE has delivered more than 40,000 presents to children in various hospitals, shelters, DCF, and other social service agencies throughout New England. In addition to this, FTLOE has also hosted hosting holiday parties for disadvantaged children and families, provided summer camp scholarships for children in need, filled back-to-school backpacks with new clothing and supplies, donated more than 100 COVID-19 care bags, and much more!
We couldn’t have done this without your help, and we are hoping that you can help us bring smiles to children in need again this holiday season. We are accepting both physical toy donations through school, or monetary donations (made through our GoFundMe page: gofundme.com/fortheloveoferika2022, or checks made out to For the Love of Erika, 3 Cutter Lane, Westford MA). 100% of monetary donations will go toward the purchase of gifts. The need for gifts this year is immense. Our goal is to raise at least $5,000 worth of toys by December 9th.
Starting Nov 28th, physical toy donations will be accepted by bringing new, unopened toys to your school’s donation box (WA’s Bell Lobby). LEGOs, Barbies, dolls, arts/crafts, and infant toys are highly requested. For any questions, please contact Taylor Goodman-Leong at tgoodmanleong@gmail.com. For current updates, please check out our Facebook page: facebook.com/theloveoferika. Thank you!
From the WA Counseling Department
We are bringing the Career Exploration Breakfast back and we are looking for career speakers!
When: Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Time: 7:30 - 9:50 AM
The goal of this School to Careers program is to help students connect academic schoolwork to career readiness and awareness beyond Westford Academy.
The objective is for our juniors and sophomores to learn more about two particular careers, educational path, typical day, and then connect academic schoolwork to their possible future career.
We welcome all careers! We are very appreciative of your valuable time!
**If you can commit to the entire time frame on Wednesday, January 11 from 7:30 - 9:50 AM, please reply to Karen Halloran at khalloran@westfordk12.us with your name and career area that you'd like to represent.
AFL-CIO Exam
Seniors, see link below to register to take the AFL-CIO Exam to be considered for their scholarship. The deadline to register is: FRI, DECEMBER 16, 2022. There is also a study guide to reference as well. The exam itself will be take place the week of:
FEB 6 - FEB 10th at WA (online exam)
https://massaflcio.org/scholarships
For more information, contact Mr. Doherty - Counseling Dept.
SAT Cram Courses - English and Math
Roudenbush is 0ffering SAT cram courses starting November 30th for both the English and Math sections of the December SAT.
To learn more and to register, please visit: https://www.roudenbush.org/high-school-classes
Stony Brook Theatre Arts presents Rock of Ages: Youth Edition - 12/8-12/10
The Broadway hit musical Rock of Ages has had audiences dancing in the aisles the world over. Now our SBTA students have become the biggest rock stars in the school! Rock of Ages: Youth Edition has all the 80s rock anthems you know and love, with a fun-filled story of romance, fame, and always believin'!
Tickets are available for shows on the following dates:
Thursday, 12/8 - 7:00 pm
Friday, 12/9 - 7:00 pm
Saturday, 12/10 - 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Tickets can be purchased for all shows through this link: https://stonybrook.booktix.com/
School Pupil Driver Certificate Exam Event
The Registry of Motor Vehicles will hold a one-day School Pupil (7D) Driver Certificate exam event from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 10 at the Framingham Sheraton, 1657 Worcester Road, Framingham for individuals interested in becoming licensed 7D drivers. Applicants must have completed the School Pupil (7D) application online no later than midnight on Wednesday, December 7. Participants should bring a check for the exam fee of $15.00 made out to MassDOT/RMV. People who will also be participating in the training portion should bring their completed application and a check for $30 for the application fee and the exam fee.
At the event, a two-hour required training will be offered in both English and Spanish. Additionally, RMV staff will be on site to administer and correct the School Pupil (7D) written exam, record the results, and issue a certificate to people who meet all the requirements. To register, email SchoolBus7DNotify@dot.state.ma.us, put “DECEMBER 10 – 7D EVENT” in the subject line, and provide the required registration information: applicant’s name, license number, phone number, training needs, and email address.
Westford Education Foundation Letters from The North Pole Fundraiser
'Tis the Season! Westford Education Foundation Letters from The North Pole Fundraiser is open and lasts until December 13th!
Let WEF help you bring the magic of the holiday season! Get a letter from Santa for your child while supporting Westford Public Schools.
Click here to learn more: https://www.westford.org/wef/letters-from-santa/
*This is not just for Westford residents please share with friends and family from all over
Westford Education Foundation - Give the Gift That Keeps on Giving!
Give the Gift That Keeps on Giving! Can’t find just the right gift to show your appreciation for the wonderful job your child’s teacher or special staff member has done? Consider sending a WEF note to your favorite teacher, counselor, teacher’s aide, school nurse, office staff member, or principal. It’s the perfect way to say thank you and support innovation at Nashoba Valley Technical High School and in Westford Public Schools at the same time!
Proceeds from these notes will be used to fund grants for innovative educational programs for NVTHS and WPS. This is also a great idea for class gifts!
Just make a tax-deductible donation (minimum of $10 per honoree) to the 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 message, but will not disclose the amount of your gift.
Note: Donations made to WEF in honor of NVTHS and WPS staff members comply with the state ethical regulations for gift-giving and acceptance. The 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.
Visit our website at https://www.westford.org/wef for more information on the programs we have funded in your school. All of this would not be possible without the support of our community and people like you.
Please visit https://www.westford.org/wef/thank-a-teacher_winter/ to complete your donation. You can complete your donation using your PayPal account or credit card. You will receive a confirmation email when your note is delivered. Questions? Contact WEF at wef@westford.org. Thank you!
Please check to see if your company has a matching gift program. Your gift may be doubled, or even tripled! Check with your human resources office for a matching gift form to submit with your donation.
Westford Education Foundation
P.O. Box 535
Westford, MA 01886
978-418-9179
Have a great weekend!
Respectfully, Jim Antonelli