Friday, January 14, 2022 | Westford Public Schools

Good afternoon,

I am happy to report that our daily student absences continue to decline. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction. With the weather fluctuating from warm to cold, back to warm it’s tough to figure out how to dress! It looks like we are moving back into the artic weather for the weekend and a potential snow storm on Monday. NEW ENGLAND WEATHER!

Last evening the Westford Academy School Council met and one of the agenda items was to select parents/guardians and alumni representatives to the Mascot Committee. Again, I want to thank everyone who emailed me to offer their support with this process. So many impressive candidates to select from! There was a lot of discussion at the table and the members of School Council voted for the following to be part of the Mascot Committee. The vote was unanimous 7-0, with one abstention (me) and one absent member.

Alumni: Jamie Holmes, Ariella Fleischer, Nick Stanglewicz

Parents/Guardians: Amy Chervin, Jannelle Cioffi, Ruth Margetts

I will be reaching out to the students next at W.A. and then for two Community Members. The committee will be comprised of 14. 13 with voting rights 1 with no voting rights (me).

This way the vote cannot end in a tie.

I want to be as transparent as possible in this process. In the end, the students in grades 6-12 will be asked to vote on the image that they feel should represent “the Ghost” at Westford Academy.

8th Grade Parent/Guardian Curriculum Information Presentation, February 16, 2022

https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/principals-corner/files/8th-grade-parentgu...

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Westford Academy Spring Sport Registration is now OPEN!

The Westford Academy winter athletics season starts on Monday, March 21st 2022. The sports offered this season are: Baseball, Cheerleading, Boys and Girls Crew, Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Softball, Boys and Girls Tennis, Boys and Girls Track and Field, and Boys Volleyball.

To register your student go to the Athletics homepage and scroll down to FamilyiD. Here is where you can sign in or create an account. Student athletes must complete this registration and turn in a VALID copy of their physical to the coach, athletics office, or nurse prior to ANY participation. Reminder, physicals are valid for 13 months.

ALL checks should be given to the coach AFTER teams are selected.

https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/wa-athletics

https://www.familyid.com/westford-public-schools/westford-academy-spring...

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of members of the Class of 2023

Please join us for a Webinar on Zoom for our “Life After WA” presentation which kicks starts the post-secondary planning process. This will be held virtually on Tuesday, 2/15 at 6:30pm. There will be a live Q & A session following the presentation.

Please register below:

When: Feb 15, 2022 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Topic: Junior Parent/Guardian Night: Life After WA

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VFVEA15oSoeVpczl2HtZMA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

From the Counseling Department: Scheduling Overview

Welcome to the scheduling process for the 2022-2023 academic year. Westford Academy continues to streamline the scheduling process as we will be utilizing PowerSchool as our scheduling platform in place of iPass. Use of the teacher and student portals helps us in creating a student-centered schedule. It is our hope that PowerSchool will provide you with more information about your child’s teacher recommendations and be a valuable tool for planning your child’s high school academic experience.

On the counseling website

(https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/counseling-department/pages/scheduling-202...) you’ll find a step-by-step guide that will help explain the process. School counselors will be presenting to current 9-11th grade students in our February advisory (2/11) to thoroughly explain the steps involved and work through the document. We’re looking forward to starting the scheduling process for next school year!

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

Westford Special Education Parents Advisory Council – Understanding IEP’s

On Wednesday, January 19 at 7PM, the Westford Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC), in collaboration with the Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) is hosting a virtual basic rights presentation focused on understanding the IEP with presenter Clare Vann, Esq.

This presentation will delve into the Individual Education Program (IEP) document, its development, the breakdown of each section and understanding how the document will support a student.
Workshop topics include:

Why the IEP is Important
Who is eligible for an IEP
How the IEP is Developed
Strengths and Concerns
Vision Statements
IEP Sections including PLEP A & B, Annual Goals, and Service Delivery Grid
Differences between Accommodations and Modifications
Response, Placement and Consent
Procedural Safeguards, and more!
This presentation is free and open to all members of the public.

Attendees must pre-register to attend the presentation and receive handouts.

https://fcsn-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkd--upzstHtSTW8FGIsEZ05EzEw...

STUDENT DISMISSALS

Have your student bring in a dismissal note (given to the attendance secretary Karin Brown who sits in the Guidance Department). OR: Call the attendance line at 978-692-5570 then press #1 to leave a detailed message. Have your student pick up their dismissal pass from the Attendance Secretary (Karin Brown) prior to the dismissal time. Please note that a dismissal is NOT valid unless these steps are followed.

Working Papers

Working papers are requested online. If your student has been offered a job, please have them go on the Westford Academy webpage. Click on “For Students” and then click on “Working Permit – Ages 14-18”. https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/students/links/working-permit-ages-14-18

WestFit, New training home for Westford Academy Swim & Dive Team

WestFit is excited to team up with the Westford Academy Swim & Dive Team. Westford Academy will be using the WestFit pool facilities for their training needs.

Membership Special for Westford Academy Families:

WestFit would like to offer Westford Academy families a membership special. WestFit will waive all 12-month commitment periods along with any joining fees for the memberships shown below. Each membership will activate on the start date you choose and continue month to month thereafter

Individual Membership (18+)

Fitness Only - $29.00 per month

Pool Only - $59.00 per month

Full Club - $65.00 per month

Kids Add - On Membership 4 - 17 yrs

$15.00 per month. Access level follows that of the adult individual membership. Ideal for one parent and one child under 18.

Family Membership (2 Adults, includes all kids' in the same household)

Full Club - $125.00 per month

If you have any questions or would like to join, please email Shawn Orso (sorso@westfitclubs.com). Shawn will be able to override the commitment period and set your account for the above offer.

MIAA Mask Guidelines

https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/principals-corner/files/miaa-mask-guidelines

SAT Math Prep Class

Roudenbush is pleased to offer a MATHEMATICS SAT PREP CLASS. The class will be held on Thursday evenings 2/17,3/3 & 3/10 from 6:30 - 8:30pm and will prepare students for the WA administration of the SAT on March 12th. For more information and to register, go to this link on the Roudenbush website. SAT MATH PREP CLASS

https://www.roudenbush.org/service-page/sat-mathematics-prep-course-thur...

SAT Mathematics Prep Course at Roudenbush - Instructor: Lori Ditto

Contact Information: dittotutoring@gmail.com

Roudenbush is pleased to offer an SAT/PSAT Mathematics Prep Course taught by Lori Ditto.

This 100% online (via Zoom) SAT Mathematics Preparatory Course is designed to help students of all levels and abilities improve their scores on the mathematics sections on the SAT test. Students will not only be exposed to the mathematics curriculum covered on the SAT test, but they will also learn strategies for taking standardized mathematics tests. Students will take actual SAT practice tests where answers and methods for solving problems will be discussed. Cost $250 (8 hrs. of instruction).

Dates:

Option #1: 4 Tuesdays: 2/8, 2/15, 3/1, 3/8 (SKIP 2/22) 3:00-5:00pm

Option #2: 4 Tuesdays: 2/8, 2/15, 3/1, 3/8 (SKIP 2/22) 6:00-8:00pm

For more information and to register, click here or go to the Roudenbush website: https://www.roudenbush.org/service-page/sat-psat-mathematics-prep-online...
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Lori is a current College Mathematics Professor who also taught Mathematics at Westford Academy for almost 10 years. She earned her Undergraduate Degree in Chemistry with a minor in Business Administration from Merrimack College and her Graduate Degree in Education from Simmons College. Lori has been facilitating SAT Test Preparatory classes and privately tutoring students in math and science for a little over 20 years.

Have a great long weekend! GO P A T R I O T S!

Respectfully, Jim Antonelli