Friday, January 17, 2020 | Westford Public Schools

Good afternoon,

Earlier today a fire alarm went off at W.A. and students were evacuated outside the building. We initially thought that a phone charger had overheated and caused the issue. That was not the case. Evidently there is an Internet challenge taking place through social media. I was able to view how this challenge works with the help of some tech savvy students. The challenge is to plug the block from a phone charger into the wall and then insert a coin between the block and the circuit thus causing a spark and the tripping the breaker. In this instance all of this occurred, plus a load noise and smoke billowed into an adjacent classroom. The two individuals have been caught and police and fire officials are working with the families. I thought you should be aware of this very dangerous challenge, which could have caused a lot of damage today, injured the perpertrators, and/or other members of the student body or staff.

MID YEAR EXAM SCHEDULE:

Tuesday Exams A and B

Wednesday Exams C and D

Thursday- No Exams- Classes E, F, G meet

Friday- Exams E and F

Monday Exam G and Make up Exams

NOTE: Dismissal is quite busy during mid-year exams. One suggestion is to let your son/daughter stay at W.A. and study with peers, seek extra help from his/her teachers, or find a quiet place to study in the library or in the cafeteria. There are plenty of locations for students to study in small groups to prepare for upcoming exams. In addition, food is available at lunch and there are healthy snacks in our vending machines. Thank you in advance for your patience during a busy time at the high school.

All bus routes and times remain the same

Light lunch served in café (12:00 - 12:30)

Library available all day to students - Quiet Study ONLY(7:15 am - 3:00 pm)

Teachers available for extra help

Before Exams: 7:35 - 8:25 AM

After Exams: 12:30 - 1:55 PM

Students must attend all exams (REMINDER- any senior with a 90% average or above in a semester course is exempt from the midterm)

Students must remain in class for the full testing block

Breakfast food will be available in café each morning and during break

Study Tips for Midterms

Plan ahead

At one time or another we have all waited until the last moment to study and crammed before a big exam. Cramming so much information in such little time results in poor test results. The brain can only process and retain so much information in such little time. To avoid cramming, organize your time by putting aside time to study each day leading up to the exam.

Start Early

Gather together all the materials you’ve received during the term - handouts, notes, projects, past assignments, and past assessments. Read through your class notes twice and use a highlighter.

Take Advantage of Extra Help Time

On mid-term exam days, time has been set aside from 7:35 – 8:25 AM AND 12:30 – 1:55 PM for you to receive extra help from your teachers.

Step away from Technology

We are all guilty of watching Netflix, updating social media, and texting while we are studying. Thanks to technology, we can have trouble focusing on just one thing. Turn it off or leave it in another room to reduce distractions.

Stress Management

If you are feeling overwhelmed, take a break from studying and hit the gym or take a walk. Give yourself time to breathe.

Study in Groups

Working with others not only helps clarify questions you may have, it makes studying more enjoyable. Your peers are going through the same thing, so get some of your classmates together and make it less stressful on all of you by working together!

Sleep & Eat

Sleep the recommended NINE hours per night for teens and eat a healthy breakfast to allow for appropriate concentration and functioning.

**Midterms don’t have to be stressful, as long as you prepare! Keep yourself organized and focused leading up to midterms. Also, make sure to get a good night’s rest and a healthy breakfast before exams! Good luck!

Other Announcements:

8th Grade Parent Night Letter February 12, 2020

https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/friday-email/files/8th-grade-parent-night-...

Library Hours During Midterms

The WA library will be open for QUIET STUDY during midterms from 7:20 AM - 2:00 PM.

Need a place to study for Mid-Term Exams?

Come to the J.V. Fletcher Library! The Library's Meeting Room will be open for students from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM on January 21-23. Caffeine and snacks provided, pizza served at 6:00 PM each evening. Prompt pick-up required no later than 10:00 PM.

Midterm Study Tips: Start Early and Plan Ahead

Midterms will be less stressful if you prepare ahead of time. The brain can only process and retain so much information at once, so cramming typically leads to poor test results.

Start organizing the materials you’ve received throughout the semester for each class, including handouts, notes, projects, assignments and assessments to review. Go over your class notes carefully and review past assessments, making note of any outstanding questions you may have. See the schedule on the reverse side to help you manage your time.

When you get study guides from teachers, it’s important that you complete these thoroughly and correctly. ASK QUESTIONS to ensure you get all the information you need.

Use Study Techniques That Work for YOU

Do you prefer to study alone or would you benefit from doing some of your midterm prep with friends/classmates? Do you concentrate better away from your house (library, etc.)? Think about what environment suits you best.

Think about what strategies have worked best for you in the past. Flashcards, Quizlet, having a family member quiz you, etc. are all things you can try. Remember that studying for math should be an ACTIVE process (i.e., do practice problems).

Take Advantage of Extra Help Time

Teachers are available every exam day for extra help from 7:35 to 8:25 AM (before the first exam) and from 12:30 to 1:55 PM (after the lunch break following exams).

Step Away From Distractions

You-Tube, TV, social media and texting will make studying take much longer and be far less efficient. Remove distractions and only allow yourself access during breaks.

The 15-minute trick. If you feel stuck or writer's-blocked, here's a trick: Set the timer on your phone to 15 minutes. Then spend those minutes just writing or working on your most daunting task. Then take a break. Usually you'll find that 15 minutes was all you needed to get into a groove. And if not? Then you weren't ready to groove and you needed a break! Move on to something else that requires a little less intense focus.

Manage Stress in Healthy Ways

It is very important to get enough sleep (teens should aim for nine hours per night) and maintain healthy eating habits during midterms. Give yourself some down time, and if you are feeling overwhelmed take a break and talk to a friend/family member or use a positive coping skill (get some exercise, listen to music, etc.).

Child Search

If you know of any child attending public or private school, or who is homeless or has left school, and could benefit from a special education evaluation under Chapter 766 or educational services under the McKinney-Veneto Homeless Assistance Act, please contact the Special Education Department in Westford. (978-692-5560 ext. 2111) Every effort will be made to contact the parents to advise them of their rights under these laws.

SAT MATH Prep Course

Roudenbush is offering an SAT Math Prep Class. The course will run for four weeks on Wednesday nights starting on February 12th . The last session of the class is a few days before the SAT test given at WA. For a full course description, and to register, please visit the Roudenbush website: https://www.roudenbush.org/events/sat-mathematics-prep-course-3

Nor’easters LIVE in Westford!
Northeastern University’s premier co-ed a cappella group will be performing in Westford on Saturday, Jananuary 18, 7:00 PM at Westford Academy PAC to raise funds for FAME (Friends Advancing Music Education). Check out their latest video, performing their winning National A Cappella Convention (NACC) 2019 set this past April in Memphis, Tenn. https://youtu.be/-H9BRii8l4o. Tickets on Sale Now! Open to the Public! General Admission: $20 pp, Kids 10 Yrs & Under are Free with Paying Adult. At the Door, $25 pp Cash Only. Pre-Event Mini Workshop/Show Ticket: $25 pp (for students in grades 5-12 only.) Talented 5 th-12 th grade students are invited to participate in a mini-workshop with the Nor’easters just prior to the show from 6:00-6:45 PM as well as the amazing opportunity to perform on-stage with the Nor’easters to close out the show! The workshop is facilitated by the Nor’easters Music Director and will be designed around the student's abilities and ages.

Workshop Advance Registration is REQUIRED by January 16th so music files can be emailed to participants in advance of workshop. Workshop Registration Fee of $25/student includes autographed t-shirt and event ticket. Register using ticket link, then google form will be emailed to all registrants with further instructions.

Buy Tickets Now https://sendomatic.com/fame2020

Enjoy the weekend! Break out the shovels! Respectfully, Jim Antonelli