Friday, June 12, 2020
Good afternoon,
Let’s start by celebrating!!!
Late Junior Ceremony Award: This book came in late from UML.
Junior Book Award Addition: UMASS Lowell
UMass Lowell has inspired generations of hard-working students. Students who are fearless in the face of adversity, who go forth with the spirit, compassion and drive necessary to make the world a better place for themselves, their loved ones and future generations. The UMASS Lowell book award seeks to recognize a junior student who is a fighter, stay-up-all-nighter, teacher, builder, dreamer and steadfast believer. Their hard work, dedication and willingness to keep going is a credit to everything we, as humans, can accomplish on this earth. This year's recipient of the UMASS Lowell Book Award is Siobhan Driscoll.
Congratulations Siobhan!
More news:
This is it! The last Friday of the “very different” 2019-2020 school year! Great job! This is my last Friday email for the year, however I will continue to post information as it comes in from the Department of Education. It is going to be a very interesting summer in preparation for the school year 2020-2021. Stay tuned!
Remote Learning ends on Tuesday, the last day of school. I am sure teachers will want to connect with students before the close of school on Tuesday. Monday and Tuesday is the official last two days of school. I wish all of you a fun, safe, and relaxing summer vacation!
Note: Grades will be available through iPass Parent Portal on Friday, June 19, 2020.
Dean of Students, Dan Twomey and I will keep you informed regarding the proposed Senior Prom at Kimball’s in August as well as the proposed graduation and Last Night event. As far as graduation goes, we are planning on August 7that 10:00 AM on Westford Academy’s Trustee Field. Only the graduate and immediate family may attend and there will be a pre-registration prior to the event. More information to follow!
2020-2021 Schedules
The iStudent portal will open at 2 pm on Friday, June 12 for viewing of your 2020-2021 schedule. Due to the uncertainty of the structure and format for this coming fall, your schedule will show courses and blocks only. Teacher assignments are not available at this time. Thank you for your understanding.
If there is an unscheduled block in your schedule, that will be a DLT (study hall). If you are scheduled for less than 32.5 credits, please contact your school counselor via email and they will share with you what is available.
Please note: We have an excellent faculty at Westford Academy and therefore do not accept requests for specific teachers.
Other Announcements:
AP Summer Assignments
These required AP Summer Assignments are designed to help you keep your skills fresh. In most cases, they include a review of prerequisite content and/or give you a preview of the foundational topics you will need to know in class. They may be graded and you may be tested on this material when school begins. Please refer to the Guidance Department webpage containing course-specific instructions and requirements.
College Essay Writing Workshop
Roudenbush Community Center is offering a College Essay Writing Workshop taught by WA English teacher Lynn Bonakdar and WA Guidance Counselor Tracy McLaughlin. The course begins June 22 and will include remote instruction (three evenings), ongoing instructor feedback throughout the writing process, and one-on-one conferencing. For a full course description and to register, please visit Roundenbush's website: https://www.roudenbush.org/events/college-essay-writing-workshop-3.
SAT English Prep class
Roudenbush Community Center is offering an online SAT English Prep class taught by WA English teachers Lynn Bonakdar and Emily Coates. The course will meet July 7th-9th from 5-7pm. For a full course description and to register, visit the Roudenbush website: https://www.roudenbush.org/events/sat-english-online-prep-course
From the Desk of Jeff Bunyon, Director of Athletics
Field Use at W.A.
On June 1, 2020, Governor Baker issued COVID-19 Order No. 35, clarifying the
progression of the Commonwealth’s phased workplace re-opening plan.
The following guidance should be followed when using Outdoor Westford
facilities:
Outdoor athletic facilities shall be open and available for organized youth and
adult sports activities
Group size is limited. Programs must separate participants into groups of no
more than 10 participants, including coaches and staff.
Inter-team games, scrimmages, and tournaments shall not be permitted for
any organized sports activities.
Contact sports (e.g.,basketball, football, baseball, soccer, field hockey,
lacrosse, hockey and other sports where ordinary play puts players in direct
contact or close proximity) must limit activities exclusively to no-contact drills and
practices.
* Programs must separate participants into groups of no more than 10, including
coaches and staff. Larger playing areas and surfaces, such as athletic fields,
tracks, tennis courts, and full-size basketball courts, may be used by more than
one group of 10 at one time, provided that adequate social distance and group
separation can be maintained. To ensure group separation, groups must be
spaced at least 20 feet apart while sharing a playing surface or field.
Activity Organizer Guidance
* Limited sports activity is allowed for players; players must maintain 6 feet of
distance at all times and there should be no contact between players. If
maintaining physical distance is difficult or impossible because of the nature of
the sport, coaches should limit players to workouts, aerobic conditioning,
individual skill work, and drills.
* Scrimmages, organized games and tournaments are not allowed for contact
sports in Phase II. Contact sports are those where ordinary play puts players into
contact or close proximity to one another, and include, without limitation
basketball, football, baseball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, and hockey. Games
are permitted during Phase II only for those sports where ordinary play allows for
social distancing (e.g., tennis and other racquet sports).
* Referees, umpires and other officials are not required for practices and cannot
be present in Phase II.
* Spectators must be limited to ensure social distancing on the sidelines or other
observation areas.
* Coaches must be responsible for maintaining social distance among players,
coaches, staff, and spectators. Youth chaperones should be encouraged to help
their own child maintain distance before and after practice. Youth chaperones
must wear face coverings.
* Athletes should be discouraged from high fives, fist bumps or other social
contact during practice.
* All organized activities conducted on Westford athletic facilities must
have a current permit in place for the use of the specific facility.
**For Questions regarding Westford Academy athletic field permits, please
contact Jeff Bunyon, Director of Athletics at jbunyon@westfordk12.us
Have a great weekend! Jim Antonelli