Friday, December 9, 2022
Good afternoon,
Lots for you to read today or over the weekend! Enjoy!
From the desk of Jeff Bunyon, Director of Athletics
As we enter the Winter Season, I want to share the consistent language that was adopted by the Dual County League regarding spectator behavior. Dual County League Code of Expectations for Athletics. Looking forward to welcoming & safe winter athletics season!
https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/principals-corner/files/dual-county-league...
From the Desk of Sejal Costa, Student Support Services Leader
Thank you to the Westford Education Foundation for accepting the proposal made by Amy Pardi and Roni Elliott! This grant will allow for Amy and Roni to begin developing a Vocational Lab, purchase curriculum materials focusing on application of skills and purchase Transition focused assessments. The purpose of the Vocational Lab is to create various stations that allow for students to work on skills such as clerical and retail skills, in efforts to build independence in different areas. The goal is to develop these skills in efforts to help obtain internships or gain competitive employment. All of these materials, resources and assessments will help develop a more robust transition and postsecondary program. We appreciate the support of the Westford Education Foundation and we are excited to get started!
From the Westford Academy School Counseling Department
Junior & Sophomore students received a Google Form link today to select career speakers they'd like to meet with at the Career Exploration Breakfast which will be held on January 11. We have secured approximately 60 speakers for this event and students will have the opportunity to learn about two different careers. Every effort will be made to place students in two of their top three choices for this mandatory event. The deadline for students to submit their selections is Friday 12/16 at 7:35 AM. After this deadline, students will be assigned on a space available basis.
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
Support WA Hockey at Evviva Trattoria
Friends of WA Hockey is hosting a Dine For a Cause night at Evviva Trattoria on December 13th. The fundraiser runs all day, but you do need to present the staff with a copy of our flier or mention the fundraiser for our organization to be credited for the sale. So, please mark your calendars and join us for lunch or dinner at Evviva Trattoria next Tuesday, the 13th, in support of your WA Hockey teams. Go ghosts!
Flier : https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/principals-corner/files/friends-wa-hockey-...
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!
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.
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! Click here to shop and support the class! https://www.lynchcreekfundraising.com/c/299936
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 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!
Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy Program
Westford Academy is proud to participate in the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy program. The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded at graduation to seniors who demonstrate literacy in two or more languages, a partner language as well as English. Please note that the partner language does not have to be one that a student has studied in the Westford Public Schools. The Seal of Biliteracy Program encourages students to develop their language skills and expand their cultural understandings to be better prepared to enter the workforce and contribute to a global society. Please see the attached letter https://www.westfordk12.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif5181/f/uploads/seal_of_bi... for more information regarding the program and for information about how seniors can apply to take the qualifying language exams. Students must begin by filling out the ap for more information regarding the program and for information about how seniors can apply to take the qualifying language exams. Students must begin by filling out the application form located on the World Language Department page on the Westford Academy website by Friday, December 16.
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
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
J. V. Fletcher Library - Young Adult Advisory Board
The J.V. Fletcher Library is seeking interested middle and high school students to join their new Young Adult Advisory Board. Members of the YAAB will serve the library as representatives of teen library users. They will work together with the YA Librarian to make improvements to the YA space, suggest additions to the collection, plan and run events, and provide service to the Westford community and beyond. Active members are eligible for signed community service hours. Visit https://westfordlibrary.org/teens/ya-advisory-board/ for more information, and e-mail Jess at jdyment@westfordma.gov if you have any questions.
POPULAR WA MERCHANDISE FOR SALE!!! QUICK TURNAROUND TIME - PLEASE READ!!!
Thank you to everyone who helped support the Freshman class at Holiday Bazaar last weekend! If you didn't get a chance to grab some of our new WA merch, don't worry! Attached is the form to order our select choice of quarter-zips (which SOLD OUT before 11am!), sweatshirts (SOLD OUT before 1pm!), and sweatpants! If you are interested, please place your order using this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYE6-t9-HC_Yig8RZ1x_kPiU-sfLRr... send in cash/check (made out to WA Class of 2026) to Mrs. Jozokos in room 111 or through the MY SCHOOL BUCKS QR code: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HyTVMOQxe50NyIT3WZtjGB4kXX_3I-VKmYrb... & PAYMENTS must be made by 2:00 pm THIS COMING MONDAY, December 12. Please look out for an email in the future to let you know when the merchandise comes in - it SHOULD BE in before winter break!
If you have any questions, please reach out to
Mrs. Jozokos
Mr. Towers
Class of 2026 Advisors.
Thank you!
Community Service Opportunity For WA
The Ghosts & Goblins program is looking for a few more responsible WA students to mentor younger Westford students at some of the other schools in town. This program takes place after school, in a one-on-one setting or in small groups one day per week. The program is in-person this year and will run weekly from now until mid-April. Students who sign up for this program should know that attendance is mandatory. There's only a few spots left and it's a great opportunity to give back and earn community service hours. For questions or to sign up students should see Mrs. Jozokos in room 111 at WA or email her at mjozokos@westfordk12.us
WA Holiday Drive – St. Judes Children’s Hospital – December 2022
This year Freshman Prakruti Kottani, along with the help of the Freshmen class, will be running a Holiday Drive in support of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. They will be accepting monetary donations as well as donations of new toys, dolls, fidgets, journals, pens, headphones, books, card games, playdough, Lego sets, crayons, coloring books, pop-its and action figures!
You can donate through the QR on our Holiday flyer (link below) or students can bring in donations of cash or toys to Mrs. Jozokos in room 111.
Have a great weekend!
Respectfully, Jim Antonelli
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