Friday, November 4, 2022 | Westford Public Schools

Good afternoon,

Lots of good information for you today. Don’t forget about turning your clocks back on Saturday night! It will be dark at 4:30 pm next week! UGH!

Student Contact Information is Being Updated

We are updating our student contact information! During advisory on 11/16, all students will be asked to update the contact information that is in our new student information system, PowerSchool. Each student will need to verify information (home address, home phone, guardian/caregiver's email address, guardian/caregiver's cell phone number) and provide us with emergency contact information for our records. Please make sure your child has this information so they can update the form during advisory on 11/16.

Counseling Department November Newsletter

November newsletter: https://www.smore.com/kxq3d

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Athletics

Westford Academy Winter 2022 Sport Registration is now OPEN! All student-athletes MUST register on FamilyiD prior to try outs and turn in an UP-TO-DATE physical to the coach or to Danielle Mendonca in the main office prior to ANY participation. Reminder, physicals are valid for 13 months. All tryouts are tentatively scheduled to start on Monday November 28th. Sports Offered this Season: Alpine Ski, Basketball, Cheer, Crew, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Indoor Track, Nordic Ski, Swim/Dive, and Wrestling. Activity fees are due AFTER teams are selected. This can be done online through MySchoolBucks or by check. Checks are to be given to the coach.

Virtual Webinar - Strategic District Improvement Plan

On Wednesday evening, November 9, Supt. Chew is conducting a virtual webinar at 7:00 to discuss the four priority areas that are being explored for Westford Public Schools' next Strategic District Improvement Plan. It will start with a brief presentation about the priorities and then provide opportunities for feedback . Similar to the conversations that have been taking place at each of the School Advisory Council meetings recently, we want to provide this presentation for anyone not able to attend one of the meetings at the schools.

When: Nov 9, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Topic: WPS SDIP Feedback Session on Priorities

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

WESTFORD LEAGUE HOSTS CIVIC SOCIAL WITH DR. CHEW

Have questions for WPS Superintendent Dr. Chris Chew? Now’s your chance. The League of Women Voters of Westford is hosting its next Civic Social on Wednesday, November 16, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. The event is an opportunity to have a conversation with Dr. Chew and hear his plans for Westford schools.

This is Dr. Chew’s ninth year in the Westford Public School system, and his second as superintendent. He was originally hired as principal for the Stony Brook Middle School, where he worked for seven years.

Civic Socials are the League’s informal monthly get-togethers, open to all, where people can learn what’s happening in and around town and about what the League is doing. Email info@lwv.westford.org to get a link to the Zoom meeting.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, issues-oriented organization of women and men that encourages informed and active participation in government. The League does not support or oppose any candidate or political party.

Panorama Survey Information

We thank you and your family for being our valued partners as we work together to educate the children in our district. Westford Public Schools values input from our community – and we need to hear from your child or children! Students are important partners as we work to improve our communication, academic program and overall experience for everyone.

To learn more about our students' experiences at school, we will be asking for your child to reflect on their own mindsets and approaches to learning via an online survey they will be completing at school. The survey administration window is scheduled to take place between the week of December 5, 2022 to the end of the week of December 12, 2022.. The survey shouldn’t take more than 20-30 minutes to complete. The survey is available to view in the main office. Please complete the Google Form by November 18, 2022 ONLY if you would like to OPT OUT your child out of taking the survey.

Click the link below for more information:

Westford Academy - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdUXDr1Ww-dzIdCtM2lgWl_9mAbR_HV...

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!

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

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... 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.

Class of 2023 Parent/Guardians

Graduation planning is underway!

We want to make sure that your student's name is printed correctly on their diploma. Please review your student's name in PowerSchool and make sure that their first, middle, and last names are spelled correctly.

To do this, you will need to use a web browser either on your phone, laptop, desktop, and use the following link:

https://westford.powerschool.com/public

(You will not be able to use the PowerSchool app because your student’s middle name will not be visible to you.)

Sign into PowerSchool

Click on your student's account

Click on “Demographic Info”

(Please note that if you student does not have a middle name, it will show as “NMN” - “no middle name”)

Please let Hilary Langille know by November 7th if we need to make any changes.

Please email Hilary at: hlangille@westfordk12.us

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.

WPS Food Services Department

WPS Food Services Dept. is looking to hire full time and part time experienced and dedicated food service professionals to work in Westford's school cafeterias. Are you looking for a full time (28/hrs/wk) or part time (20/hrs/wk) job in a school system with great benefits? We are looking for enthusiastic cooks, general workers and daily substitutes. Summers, School Vacations and National Holidays off and best of all: no travelling to work on Snow Days! Up to ten paid holidays and sick days per year, two personal days , incentive and perfect attendance bonuses, uniform and shoe allowances, etc...Positions start immediately or upon your availability. Please email Colleen Wallace at: cwallace@westfordk12.us

Senior Class of 2023 - College Updates

The counseling department has been receiving many questions regarding school records and sending by the deadlines. For colleges listed in your “applying’ and “applied” columns in SCOIR, counselors will be sending all school records to colleges by the application deadline.

Reminders:

· All official school documents have been sent to colleges with November 1st deadlines.

· Please give colleges 3-4 weeks to match the supporting documents with your application.

· Counselors will not send Q1 grades to colleges with November 1st deadlines unless the student or college requests this.

· Once you submit a college application to a college, please go into SCOIR and drag the college tile to the "APPLIED" column so your counselor gets an email notification.

· Check each college website for financial aid and scholarship deadlines. Some colleges have earlier deadlines for merit scholarships than what is listed in Scoir - students must research this information on their own. For example, you must apply to UCONN by the December 1st deadline to be eligible for merit scholarships.

· You can see when a document was sent in your “My Colleges” section if you click on the college's tile. From there, scroll down and find the Application Document Status section.

· When you hear back from the college regarding their decision - accept, deny, defer, waitlist - please enter that into SCOIR as well.

· Don't forget to pay the one-time $8 transcript processing fee - you can pay here:https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZHCKVF90G01ERQ_ZZI0CSV1D...

Please let your counselor know if you have any questions!

Parent Volunteers/CORI Applications

A reminder that parent volunteer CORI applications for the 2022-2023 school year will only be processed through December 2022. As of January 1, 2023, CORI's are only done on an emergency basis. If you plan on volunteering during the 2022-2023 school year, you need to be CORI'd by January 1. If you even think there may be a chance that you will be volunteering in some capacity at Westford Academy, please come to the Main Office between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM to complete a CORI application.

Attention All Senior Parents

The Class of 2023 is looking for donations for the silent auction being held at the Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, December 3. We are looking for items as small as gift cards and as big as sports tickets and stays at vacation homes. If you have anything to donate or any questions, please contact the advisors at 2023ghosts@gmail.com

The Class of 2023 thanks you for your support!

From the Yearbook Advisor

The 2023 Yearbook is well underway. Thank you to all that pre-ordered their copy of the yearbook. You can still do that up until January 2024.

Parents of Seniors

Please don't miss out on purchasing a PDA (Parent's Display of Affection) tribute ad for the yearbook. Details on pricing and how to complete this ad are on this website.
https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/wa-yearbook/pages/parent-information-page

Also, we need some photos of the senior class from younger years for the Remember When and Friends Forever sections of the yearbook. Please consider uploading some photos to the site here. LINK

Please feel free to send any questions to gmustoe@westfordk12.us

Thank you so much for your cooperation!

The National Honor Society – Collection for Military and Local VFWs

The National Honor Society will be collecting snacks, travel size toiletries, and puzzle books to send to members of the Class of 2022 that are serving in the military and to local VFWs. Members will be at the senior doors collecting donations from 7:10 - 7:30am on November 3rd, 4th, 7th, 9th, and 10th.

Suggested snack items include:

individual snack bags of popcorn or chips

Cliff bars or granola bars

Gum

Mints

We also collected shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and other items last year. Crossword puzzles and sudoku books are also appreciated.

Thank you for donating to our event.

FamilyiD: https://www.familyid.com/programs/westford-academy-athletics-registratio...

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 - 9:30 AM (2 hours)

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!

**If you can commit to the 2-hour time frame on Wednesday, January 11 from 7:30 - 9:30 AM, please reply to Karen Halloran at khalloran@westfordk12.us with your name and career area that you'd like to represent.

We are very appreciative of your valuable time!

Have a great weekend! The weather looks amazing!

Respectfully, Jim Antonelli