Friday, October 7, 2022
Good afternoon,
It looks like a great stretch of weather ahead of us. Such a great time of year in New England! Enjoy the long holiday weekend.
Yesterday we hosted our Back to School Event. It was great to see so many of you in attendance. It was even better that we were able to welcome you back into the building in order for you to put a name with a face in each classroom. I received a lot of positive feedback from parents/caregivers and from the faculty. I know the faculty enjoyed being able to meet in person, instead of the virtual visits or a tape-recorded message. If you have any questions or concerns about the event, please feel free to email me. If you have questions or concerns regarding specific departments, please feel free to contact a curriculum coordinator or the teacher directly. Progress reports will take place on October 19, 2022. I will be sure to alert you when you will have access to student grades.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
From the Dean’s Corner
Club Activity Fees Now Due. If your student has joined one or more clubs, please click the following link to pay the one time fee. Club Fee https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZHCKVF90G01ERQ_ZZJGWKS6C... your student qualifies for free/reduced lunch, please email Dean Murphy at bmurphy@westfordk12.us and she will process a fee waiver. Thank you!
School Pictures were taken today for grade 9, 10 and 11. If you would like to purchase photos, please visit legacystudios.com. Students were handed a card with a QR code for their pictures. Please allow 2-3 weeks to preview images.
Senior Privileges: Parents FYI: Students with a DLT are allowed to arrive late, leave during the school day and/or leave the last block of day only if they have DLT on their schedule. Students are not allowed to leave school if their class is sent to DLT due to a teacher absence.
AP Exam Registration
Just a friendly reminder that AP Exam Registration (with a late fee) ends on Saturday October 15, no exceptions! For exam registration information, please see link below. Students can access this information in the WA Google Classroom - AP 20223.
https://www.westfordk12.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif5181/f/uploads/ap_testing...
Financial Aid Night for Parents & Students
Join Us! College Financial Aid Night for Parents & Students at Westford Academy Tuesday, October 11th at 6:30 (Performing Arts Center). MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) will be presenting an overview of college financial aid processes, applications and programs (FAFSA, CSS, Merit Aid, etc) followed by a Q&A session afterwards.
WA Counseling October Newsletter
NHS Induction Ceremony
NHS will have an Induction Ceremony on Thursday, October 13 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm in the PAC for new members recently accepted into the organization. Family and friends of new members are welcome to attend.
Students' Mental Health and Well-Being
In an effort to promote the health and well-being of students at Westford Academy, students will be periodically provided with questionnaires, surveys, and screeners that address issues related to mental health. The information gained will support the school's ability to provide comprehensive and timely support for your child if they require assistance. Students can opt-out of filling out any questionnaire, survey, or screener that they are not interested in taking and you can opt-out your child at any time by contacting your child's counselor. We are committed to ensuring your child is supported academically, socially, and emotionally, and we look forward to partnering with each of you towards achieving this goal.
Westford Special Town Meeting, Monday, October 17th
Please attend part or all of Westford's upcoming Special Town Meeting on Monday, October 17 starting at 7 pm in the Westford Academy Gymnasium. There will be a Family Friendly Area for those who want to bring the kids and need some extra space. Presentations and vote results will be visible on video screens. Town staff, volunteer committees and department heads have been preparing diligently to fully inform you of the issues at the meeting and allow you to vote with confidence. There are eleven articles to be voted on including funding for a proposed Library expansion, funding for a new municipal building at 51 Main Street and changes to our Zoning Bylaw regarding accessory dwellings. For a full list of articles and other information about Town Meeting check out the links on the Town Moderator page under the Government tab of the Town of Westford website www.westfordma.gov. Town Meeting is the legislative body of our Town. It’s up to the voters to determine the rules we live by and how our local tax dollars are spent. Please make the time to attend this important meeting, which should last
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.
Calling High School Students – Coaching and Officiating Youth Basketball
Applications for coaching and/or officiating in Westford Youth Basketball this year are now OPEN. This is a great way to give back (and earn community service hours), all while learning and having fun! Our younger players really look up to you, so you can have a huge influence on their play, their attitude and their sportsmanship.
Click here for Coaching App https://www.leagueathletics.com/UserForm.asp?RegID=184819&org=westfordho...
OR
Click here for Ref App https://www.leagueathletics.com/UserForm.asp?RegID=184818&org=westfordho...
Any questions, email Christy DeSisto christy.desisto@gmail.com or Ed Brown edcolbro@gmail.com
Registration to PLAY this year is now OPEN
Whether you are a serious baller, just like to have fun on the court, want to spend time with friends, or have a slight case of FOMO... be a part of one of the coolest high school leagues ever! Most towns don't provide opportunities to play basketball to high school students (other than school teams). WYBA makes sure your love of the game can continue all the way till graduation! Disclosure: Covid really set us back. We need you to help rebuild this awesome experience for you and your friends. Past seasons have even had their own instagram accounts and highlight videos... the league will be as great and fun as you make it!! Come join us! Register HERE or www.westfordhoops.com
WESTFORD LWV HOLDS SPECIAL TOWN MEETING PREVIEW
The League of Women Voters of Westford is hosting a Special Town Meeting Preview on Wednesday, October 12, to educate residents about items on the meeting warrant. The preview will be held virtually at 7:00 p.m. Residents can obtain a Zoom link prior to the event by going to the organization’s website at lwv.westford.org/.
The Special Town Meeting will be held in person on Monday, October 17, at 7:00 p.m. in the Westford Academy gymnasium, 30 Patten Road. Voter registration deadline for Special Town Meeting is Friday, October 7, at 8:00 p.m.
There are 11 articles on this year’s Special Town Meeting warrant. Of particular note are Articles 5 and 6.
Article 5 would appropriate $12 million for the construction of a new municipal building at 51 Main Street (site of the former fire station on the Common) contingent on voters’ approval of a debt exclusion on the November 8 town ballot.
Article 6 would appropriate $32.5 million for the renovation and expansion of the J.V. Fletcher Library. This project also requires voters’ approval of a debt exclusion on November 8. Westford is eligible for a grant of $7.8 million from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to help fund the project.
More information about Town Meeting can be found on the town’s website at westfordma.gov/393.
STUDENTS CAN JOIN THE LEAGUE FOR FREE & ENTER TO WIN AN APPLE IPAD AIR
The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts has launched a student membership drive that will run through October 31. All students who enroll in a free student membership using this form will be entered into a free drawing to win a new Apple iPad Air—a $600 value! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNITc6Vfq78aQPMwJ4BIt9uzHDjkhz...
Encourage any MA students you know to join the League in October. The rules to participate are:
Massachusetts high school students (grade 9 and up) and college students are eligible for this promotion.
Students must use this form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNITc6Vfq78aQPMwJ4BIt9uzHDjkhz... to join by October 31. If a student lives in a town/area where there is a local League, they will be added to that League’s roster. The winner will be announced on November 14 by email.
LWVMA sponsor ihloom Cybersecurity donated the iPad Air.
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.
PARENTS OF FRESHMEN (CLASS OF 2026)
Freshman Class T-shirts are ready to be ordered and we could not be more excited!!!!!! These will go down in WA history as one of, if not THE BEST, Freshman class t-shirts EVER!!! They are long sleeve, performance jersey material so they won't shrink, students should remember that when choosing their size. A sample of the shirt can be viewed on the Google Form here: Class of 2026 T-Shirt Order Form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRQpaRdWGnhAYICP8f0Eh0iw8GCE5_...
If students would like one, they MUST fill out the Google Form NO LATER THAN next Thursday October 13th. Payments can be made to Mrs. Jozokos in room 111 before or after school any day between October 11 and October 21. They are $25 each. You can pay with cash or checks made out to WA Class of 2026.
***If your family is having financial difficulty and cannot pay for a shirt, please email mjozokos@westfordk12.us ***
Sophomore Class Shirts
Sophomore shirt payments ($18.00) are now being collected. Cash and checks can be brought to Mrs. Bostrom & Mrs. Conti during the advisory block on Wednesday 10/12, or you may pay through MySchoolBucks. https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZHCKVF90G01ERQ_ZZ5SD6Q0R...
Yearbook Announcements
Please bookmark the following page that will help with adhering to deadlines for all things yearbook.
This week, Senior paragraphs are due! Senior parents, please remind your senior. Thank you so much for your support!
https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/wa-yearbook
WA Agenda Books
WA agenda books are still available for sale in room 200. Books are $10, and are an essential tool for getting organized.
National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
The National Honor Society Induction Ceremony will be held Thursday October 13th in the PAC at 6pm. Students interested in joining next year should see the NHS webpage on the WA website for dates of information sessions in the Spring:
https://sites.google.com/westfordk12.us/national-honor-society/home
Nurse’s Notes
Epipens: The Westford Academy Handbook states that in order for a student to participate in any field trip they must have their current Epipen paperwork on file in the Nurses’ Clinic. There are no exceptions.
Freshman: If you want your child to be screened for scoliosis please call the nurses clinic and we will be glad to screen your child.
Sophomores: We are in the process of screening all students for vision and hearing. Letters will be sent home to those students requiring follow up with their doctors. We will also be screening all 10th grade students for height and weight in order to calculate their BMI’s. If you don’t want your child to participate, please notify the clinic in writing. E-mail is acceptable. Please call the clinic with any questions or concerns.
Massachusetts State Law requires that all 10th graders provide the clinic with a copy of a current physical, dated after August 1, 2021. Please submit your son’s/daughter’s physical as soon as possible.
New Meningococcal School Requirements:
11th Grade Entry: 1 Booster dose of meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) received on or after 16 years of age. (One or more doses of MenACWY vaccine are acceptable as long as one dose was received on or after 16 years of age.)
For questions or concerns please call the clinic at 978-692-5570 x 7415or 7437. Thank you for your cooperation.
Joan Mitchell, MEd BS RN
Kathy Bourdeau, BSN RN NCSN
Have a great long weekend!
Respectfully, Jim Antonelli