Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Good morning!
Happy Thanksgiving! I wish all of you a wonderful holiday and a long enjoyable weekend!
I hope and pray that you get to spend time with your family and friends. We have certainly earned the right to be with family and friends and to enjoy this holiday after enduring the wrath of the pandemic.
For your information, the school department handed out COVID Test Kits to the entire faculty and staff and tests were also provided to your student(s). While testing is not mandatory, it is a good idea for our students and faculty/staff to test before returning to school on Monday, November 28, 2022. The positivity rate has been extremely low and we want to it keep moving in that direction. Tests will also be handed out before the December vacation so that people may test before returning to school after the new year begins.
Yesterday our club known as the Herren Project sponsored ex-Celtics star Chris Herren for an all- school assembly. Juniors and Seniors were in the main gym and we were able to simulcast into the performing arts center for our freshman and sophomores. Chris shared his story about how alcohol and drugs impacted his life and he challenged our students to make good decisions and to reach out for help if they or someone close to them is struggling. You could hear a pin drop in both locations. Chris has been clean and sober for fourteen years and has even opened his own treatment center for those struggling with addiction. Our school counselors were on hand if any student wanted to talk after the assembly or into Wednesday before the Thanksgiving break. I want to thank advisors Melanie Jozokos and Laurie Rybicki as well as the members of the Herren Project for creating this opportunity. We haven’t held an all-school assembly for a number of years. If felt good to have our students together, and for them to hear a very powerful message. I hope you take the time to check in with your student about this presentation.
Below you will find our Volume II Newsletter. This newsletter is loaded with useful dates and other information. Happy reading!
Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Newsletter VOL II, November 2022
https://www.westfordk12.us/wa/principals-corner/files/vol-ii-caregivergu...
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Class of 2024 - Class Rings
It's time to order your Class Rings! Order your ring online by Friday, November 25th. Visit Jostens.com to choose your free gift!
ATTENTION: Child Find Obligation
It is the responsibility of Westford Public Schools to identify any child who may have a disability who is either a resident of Westford or who attends a private school within the geographic boundaries of Westford even if the student is not a resident of Westford. This also includes students who are homeschooled.
Westford Public Schools is also responsible for the evaluation of those students to determine if they are eligible for special education or related services under Federal law, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) or, Massachusetts State Law, 603 CMR 28 (Massachusetts Special Education Regulations).
Westford Public Schools is also committed to identifying children before their third birthday in order to provide early intervention services for three and four year-olds with disabilities. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child's development and would like to have them screened, please contact Courtney Moran, Director of Pupil Services, at cmoran@westfordk12.us
If you suspect that your child may need an evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services, you may request an evaluation, at no cost, through Westford Public Schools, Office of Student Support.
Please contact us at the following:
Office of Student Support
23 Depot St., Westford, MA 01886
978-692-5560 x 2111
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
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!
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.
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.
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!
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...
SAT Cram Courses - English and Math
Roudenbush is 0ffering SAT cram courses starting November 30th for both the English and Math sections of the December SAT.
To learn more and to register, please visit: https://www.roudenbush.org/high-school-classes
WA Crewnecks
Looking for the perfect gift for your favorite WA students, alumni, parents? The Sophomore class is selling WA Crewneck sweatshirts at the Holiday Bazaar! Reserve yours by using the following link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnrlHtqJ0xXWGEIl8FI6pJeRke5bbD...
Payment of $35 is due by December 1st- inventory is limited!
Payment/Pick up details are on the order form.
Have a great weekend!
Respectfully, Jim Antonelli