Friday, September 2, 2022
September 2, 2022
Caregivers, Guardians, Parents:
Welcome to the new school year 2022-2023! The administration, faculty, and staff are excited to welcome over 1550 students to our school. I recently learned that we welcomed 18 new students to our school in the Class of 2026! How exciting! As we addressed our 9th graders this week, we encouraged those students who have been in the system, either at the Blanchard or Stony Brook Middle Schools, to reach out and to welcome our new W.A. students.
As I reflect upon the school year 2021-2022 I recall with intense emotion the situation that occurred on the evening of January 28, 2022. Our Westford Academy Girls Basketball Team was hosting the Wayland Girls Basketball Team for a Dual County League Game and at the game there was unacceptable fan behavior. I believe most of you recall the negative publicity we received from the news media following that game. It was extremely painful for all of us to hear that we were being called out as a “racist school and community”!
Since that most difficult event, we pushed even harder with our work on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and the sense of Belonging. Both high schools met for a “talk and play” practice session last spring, the Dual County Athletic Directors and Principals created a summer Leadership Summit with all DCL schools, sending at least one captain per sport to a workshop on sportsmanship at Concord-Carlisle High School on August 18, 2022. The Dual County League leadership is now formulating specific language that will be posted at all athletic events and venues regarding sportsmanship.
The DCL is fully committed to this work and we were very direct in our message to team captains, coaches, and referees. The message is clear, “sportsmanship is our number one priority” and we (as a league) will not tolerate chirping, taunting, or any kind of negative or disparaging language at any sporting event. We were even more clear with our captains that THEY must be the upstanders, and they must encourage their peers, fellow athletes, and all spectators to do the right thing!
In addition, each DCL school has developed specific language and consequences connected to any derogatory language or actions. These consequences will send a strong and unified message that the DCL is taking this work very seriously and will not tolerate any form of negativity! A clear message will be shared with all spectators that once they enter an athletic event/venue, good sportsmanship is expected!
With that being said, I ask you as caregivers, guardians, and/or parents to engage in a conversation with your student and/or student-athlete about what it means to be an upstander instead of a bystander. Encourage your student to step up and to be courageous. As difficult as that may be, we all know that if people act as upstanders, our world will be a better place.
Thank you and I wish you and your families a wonderful school year.
Respectfully, James Antonelli
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
On a humorous note, you might like this video. Please don’t take offense to the “tuck and roll” at drop off. I just thought you might like a little humor to start the long weekend!
https://www.today.com/parents/moms/moms-tuck-roll-carpool-line-tutorial-...
Prior Years iParent Report Cards
As you know we have transitioned to a new Student Information System (SIS), PowerSchool. If you want or need to retain your child's report card(s) from prior years, please log into the former system, iParent, and download or print the report cards. The iParent link is https://westford.ipassweb.net/school/ipass/syslogin.html Report Cards can be found under Documents. Past years documents will be available to download or print until September 30, 2022. Thank you.
Welcome Back CLASS of 2023
https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/principals-corner/files/class-2023-welcome...
Senior/Caregiver Counseling Letter, September 2022
https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/principals-corner/files/seniorcaregiver-co...
WA Counseling Department - September Newsletter
Please see here for the September edition of the counseling newsletter: https://www.smore.com/rujp5. We've included lots of helpful information including AP registration information, upcoming events and more.
WA Traffic Control
https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/principals-corner/files/wa-traffic-control...
MASS General Hospital iDECIDE Opt-Out Letter
https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/principals-corner/files/mass-general-hospi...
WA Agenda Books for Sale
Westford Academy agenda books will be available for sale during the Grade 9 Activity Fair (Friday Sept. 2nd) and during lunches in the lower cafe. Agenda books are $10, cash only.
PSAT Information
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c-I_JRxTgscwIkHBd2PDZ_PtEZVrSj4TmqLo...
SAT Mathematics Prep Course at Roudenbush (100% online)
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: 9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27 3:00-5:00pm
Option #2: 4 Tuesdays: 9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27 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 College Mathematics Professor who also taught Mathematics at Westford Academy.
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.
Community Wellness Coordinator - Town of Westford
Community Wellness is a new department for the Town of Westford. The Community Wellness Coordinator provides community outreach and education to the Westford community on availability of programming and services to support individual and family well-being. Collaboration with Town departments, schools, and community groups. Increasing community awareness of resources and supports, including mental health and substance use.
Contact information :
Nicole Laviolette
Tel: 978-399-2503
Website: https://westfordma.gov/1487/Community-Wellness
AP EXAM REGISTRATION: SEPT 01-SEPT 30
For more information about the exam registration process, steps, policies and all deadlines, please visit the WA Counseling page, under the AP Testing Registration tab.
https://www.westfordk12.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif5181/f/uploads/ap_testing...
First-Ever Benefit Concert for Westford Climate Action
Please join us on Friday, September 2nd from 6:30-7:30 pm at the Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln Street, Westford, for “Sounds Across Seas” a celebration of music from around the world!
This piano concert will feature a wide variety of pieces from different composers and styles, including Mozart, Chopin, and Disney ballads. Suggested donation is $5.
Malvika Bhardwaj and Estella Cui will be the evening’s performers. They decided to perform this concert as their senior/graduating concert. Although they are both juniors, they felt that this year was the best year for their concert.
These young women deeply value the environment, both in their community and around the world; and they are both involved with Westford Academy's Environmental Club. Thus, they decided to donate all proceeds to a cause that mattered and chose the local volunteer organization, Westford Climate Action.
Learn about what Westford Climate Action has done and is doing in Westford:
https://westfordclimateaction.org/
Emily Teller
Chair, Outreach and Public Relations
Westford Climate Action
9 Texas Road
Westford, MA 01886
978-884-4473 mobile
http://WestfordClimateAction.org
Facebook.com/
WestfordClimateAction
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
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.
Items Forgotten at Home
Should your child contact you during the school day and ask that you drop off his or her homework, project, lunch, sports equipment, musical instrument etc., please know that the main office will not take responsibility for getting these items to your child. Should you choose to bring these items in for your child, we ask that you please place them on the “drop-off” bookcase which is located in the main office. It will be up to you to communicate to your child that these items are ready to be picked up.
Please stay safe and enjoy the long Labor Day weekend!
Respectfully,
Jim Antonelli