Thursday, May 18, 2023 | Westford Public Schools

Good afternoon,

The Class of 2023 Senior Prom is this weekend and unfortunately the weather does NOT look good for Saturday. Seniors will be traveling to The Royal Sonesta in Cambridge, MA for a night of dinner and dancing.

Below are some updates for you regarding the afternoon festivities. WEATHER PERMITTING.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: We need to make a call by 1:00 p.m. on Saturday in order to cancel the Westford Police Department detail for the Westford Town Common if there is rain forecasted. PLEASE check your emails on Saturday. It takes a lot of coordination for prom pictures on the town common. You will see the details below, should we have a window of decent weather to have the pictures outside. We all hope there is a window between 4:30 and 5:45 pm for us to meet at the town common.

However, if it looks like a consistent rain from 4:30-5:45 p.m. we will offer Westford Academy as an alternative location for prom pictures. We will open the cafe, the main gym, the bell lobby and the stage in the Performing Arts Center for photos. I know this is not ideal, but it is a back up plan that we have had in place for years.

IF the weather gives us a window of good weather (no rain) please see read the details below:

• Prom-goers, parents, family, and friends- please join us on the Westford Town Common beginning at approximately 4:30-5:45 pm for pictures. A wonderful tradition! (NOT mandatory, but a nice tradition!)

• Students taking the free transportation, please look for the Buckingham Buses or see Mr. Twomey on Lincoln St. Mr. Twomey has the list and will direct you to the free bus. Buckingham Bus will pick up prom-goers at the Town Common, but will drop off after the prom at Westford Academy. Approximately 11:45 p.m.

***IF pictures are at W.A., the free transportation will pick up at the high school.***

• The Prom begins at 7:00 p.m. and ends at 11:00 p.m. Please leave the town common or W.A. by 6:00 p.m.

****Please DO NOT PARK on LINCOLN STREET - the WPD may ticket and may tow your vehicle.****

• Lincoln Street will be closed to regular traffic. Lincoln Street will be used for all of the limousines. There are approximately 35-40 limousines/buses being staged side-by-side on the street that afternoon.

****Parking is available at the Westford Town Hall, the Roudenbush Community Center, Cameron School, the JV Fletcher Library and there are some handicapped spaces in the Police Dept. parking lot.****

• Please park in the marked spaces on Connell Drive ONLY. Individuals that park outside of the marked space on Connell Drive WILL receive a citation from the Westford Police Dept.

• We ask for parents, family, and friends to allow the prom-goers to walk from their respective limousines to the Town Common before starting pictures. This is a safety issue. Lincoln St. will be hectic.

• The Westford Police Department will have four detail officers on site to assist the W.A. Administrative Team with traffic. IT WILL BE VERY BUSY.

• I recommend getting to the Town Common early if you have a handicapped family member.

• Please stay off of the streets surrounding the Common and use the crosswalks. The safest location is for everyone to be located on the Common.

• REMINDER: Handicapped-parking spaces will be available in the Westford Police Department parking lot.

• Last but not least. Parents/Guardians/Caregivers please remind your student to make good decisions Saturday evening. The portable breathalyzer machine will be with us and utilized if we have reasonable suspicion to believe your student is under the influence of alcohol. Serious ramifications may follow, (i.e. loss of Senior Week Activities, and even the loss of Graduation.)

I look forward to a great night. Praying for a window of rain free weather! I hope all of our students have a wonderful time.

Respectfully, Jim Antonelli