Thursday, November 10, 2022 | Westford Public Schools

Good afternoon!

I hope that all of you get to enjoy the long holiday weekend and you take some time to say “thank you” to a veteran(s) along the way. Our great nation owes so much to our veterans for their dedication to our country. A salute to all of our soldiers past and present!

***VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE: 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.

Hello Seniors and Parents/Caregivers of the Class of 2023:

Report cards will be made available to students and families by 3pm today. If you haven't logged into PowerSchool this year, please view this document for the instructions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KixTHHSGxoK2ttkGHh78c45Hx9eXwwcr930Q...

You will NOT be able to view progress reports or report cards in the PowerSchool app on your phone. If you'd like to view reports on your phone, you'll need to log into the web browser. Once logged in via the web browser (https://westford.powerschool.com/public) you can access the report by clicking on "student reports" on the left hand side. You can then view the report card from the archived report.

Please review your report card for accuracy. If there is an error on your report card, please email your school counselor by 8am on Monday, 11/14. If you need quarter 1 grades sent to any colleges that have a November 1 deadline, you must contact your counselor. If you have a November 15th deadline, your Q1 grades will automatically be on your transcript and sent to colleges.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

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

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.

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.

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!

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!

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 - 9:50 AM

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! We are very appreciative of your valuable time!

**If you can commit to the entire time frame on Wednesday, January 11 from 7:30 - 9:50 AM, please reply to Karen Halloran at khalloran@westfordk12.us with your name and career area that you'd like to represent.

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.

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...

SAT Math Prep Class - In-person for one night

The Roudenbush Community Center is offering an in-person one night SAT Math Prep Course on Thursday, December 1st. Students will take an actual SAT practice test and will learn strategies for taking the SAT. Please go to the Roudenbush website for more information.

thttps://www.roudenbush.org/service-page/sat-math-cram-prep-course-dec-1s...

Have a nice weekend!
Respectfully, Jim Antonelli