Center Community Chat #5

Dear Center Community,

Thank you to our CSPTO for hosting their first meeting and to all those who attended. We appreciated the updates from Maria Santos and all of our board members. It was great meeting new caregivers, and we look forward to working with you this year. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday at Curriculum night.

Curriculum Night:

5 – 5:25 PM: Principal/Assistant Principal Presentation in the cafeteria for K - 2 grade families

5:30 – 6:15 PM: Grades K - 2 Teacher Presentations.

6:15 – 7:00 PM: Specialists/ Reading/ Special Educators and Related support providers available in classrooms/offices

7 – 7:25 PM: Principal/ Assistant Principal Presentation in the cafeteria for 3 & 4 grade families (The 5 PM presentation is repeated.)

7:30 – 8:15 PM: Grades 3 & 4 Teacher Presentations

• This is an opportunity for caretakers to meet with Center staff. Please make child care accommodations for your children as this an adult only event.

• Curriculum night is an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, see their class, and learn about the curriculum. We respectfully ask you to refrain from asking questions pertaining to your children, this will be reserved for conferences.

• Please note that classrooms will be closed until the grade level classroom presentations. If you have children in both grade levels, feel free to attend only one of the parent meetings in the cafeteria, as it will be the same presentation twice. The Schedule will be as follows:

Dismissal Procedures Soon to Change at Center:

This summer, all elementary schools added a secure lobby vestibule to enhance safety in our buildings. In the coming weeks, our school will also be updating dismissal procedures. As part of this change, parent pickup will take place outside the building, (as it is in all district schools) with families remaining in their vehicles and using a number system to help in the process. We look forward to sharing the updated details with you soon and reviewing them together at Curriculum Night on September 16th . We are hoping to have the new procedures in place shortly after that. Thank you for your patience and support as we work through these important updates.

Center Chirps:

• Looking forward to seeing caregivers on Tuesday for Curriculum Night
• Please have students to school no later than 9:00 AM
• Wednesday, is our first 1/2 day with an 11:45 Dismissal Time-please plan accordingly *There is no school lunch served*

• CPS Nutrition utilizes online lunch ordering for HALF DAYS ONLY.

  For Future Reference regarding 1/2 days & lunches:

  Directions to set up your account and order:

  1. URL Link: family.onlineordering.linq.com

  2. Sign up now: Email, create password.

  3. School District: Chelmsford Public Schools

  4. Student ID: This can be found on x2- Child’s student ID number

  5. Last Name: (You can also search and add siblings/family members at this time). Once this is completed, the student's name should appear on the page.

  How to order meals

  1. School Menu-select online lunch ordering (all schools)

  2. Scroll to week of half day/early release date (top right of page)

  3. Find date, select meal option

  4. Add item to cart/Select Add to order

  5. Click on shopping cart icon at top right of page

  6. Click Check out

  7. Select pick up location: Elementary pick-up location classroom. Middle/high school pick up location cafeteria.

  8. Place order

• Set Up Your Account Now

Warm Regards,

Donna & Jenn

Constitution and Citizenship Day is celebrated each year on September 17th to mark the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Each year, since 1952, the President of the United States proclaims the day as Constitution and Citizenship Day and since 1956 they have proclaimed the week of September 17th through September 23rd as Constitution Week.

The Constitution is a living and active document that both establishes a foundation for our governmental structure and protects our rights and liberties as citizens of this great country.

Please find the CPS academic calendar below.

Please note that parents/adults are not allowed to escort their child(ren) to their classroom on school days. Staff members will be in the main lobby to assist all students and guide them to their classrooms. We appreciate your assistance with this.

This year Massachusetts is offering all school lunch and breakfast at no charge to students. This does not automatically make families eligible for any other benefits. We strongly encourage families that feel they are eligible for transportation or extended day reduced tuition to fill out the online free and reduced meal application. The links can be found below. https://cpsnutrition.com/index.php?sid=1478035692058&page=lunchapps

If you do qualify for benefits you most likely will be eligible for SNAP benefits. https://www.mass.gov/snap-benefits-formerly-food-stamps

Some examples of SNAP benefits are discounts on gas, electric utilities and internet services.

Please visit our school nutrition website at https://cpsnutrition.com/index.php?sid=1478035692058 for more information about our program and also a link to the free and reduced lunch application.

Dear Caregivers,

Thank you in advance for all of your efforts to help students prepare so they can be healthy and comfortable at Center School.

As you work on your new daily routines, please try to incorporate the following into your plans:

• Sleep: The CDC recommends 9-12 hours of sleep every night for children aged 6 to 12 years old. Please plan your child's bedtime to allow for enough rest.

• Breakfast: Encourage your child to eat a healthy breakfast every day.

• Dress: Help your child choose comfortable clothes and shoes for both learning and play. Include layers for changing temperatures and weather.

• Snack: Pack a nut-free snack and water bottle every day.

• Extra clothes: Include a full change of clothes (top, bottom, underwear, socks) in their backpack in case their clothes get soiled or torn after an injury, spill, illness, or bathroom accident.

• Plan for dismissals & sick days: Because illness and injuries come at unpredictable times, it is important to make a plan now so that you know who will care for your child when they need to stay home from school or be picked up early. Students who are dismissed from school for injury or illness need to be picked up within 30 minutes.

For more information on how caregivers can help kids to have a healthy school year, please visit healthychildren.org

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Bus Safety:

Parents and caregivers, please support our bus drivers and reinforce expectations for bus safety. The link below reviews expectations that are reviewed with all students. Thank you for your continued collaboration.

We will be practicing bus evacuations next week.

September

• Monday September 15: National DOT day

• Tuesday, September 16: Curriculum Night, 5-6:15 PM grades K-2 , 7-8:15 PM grades 3 & 4

• Wednesday, September 17: National Constitution Day

• Wednesday, September 17: Half day/Professional Development Day

• Thursday, September 18: Picture Day (updated date)

• Friday, September 19: Show Your Chelmsford Spirit Wear

October

• Thursday, October 2: Custodian Appreciation Day
• Monday, October 6: Be kind, spirit wear
• Thursday, October 9: Ice Cream Social 5:00-7:00
• Monday, October 13: No School (Indigenous Peoples' Day)
• Friday, October 17: Spirit Wear Day- Show your Chelmsford Pride
• Friday, October 17: River Hawks Night
• Saturday, October 18: Trunk or Treat- 1:00-3:00 pm
• Thursday, October 23: Half Day/ Professional Development Staff
• Thursday, October 23: Picture Re-take
• Saturday, October 25: Trunk or Treat Rain Date

Center is not only a wonderful place to attend and learn but also a wonderful place to work, as many of our parents/grandparents can attest to. Substitutes in all areas are always in high demand. Please look at the CPS district website if interested.

The first Monday of the month will be a "Let Your Kind Shine" spirit day. You are invited to wear tops that promote kindness.

The third Friday of the month is Chelmsford/Center Pride spirit day. Sport our district colors, maroon, white, and black.

* Dates may be adjusted due to holidays or breaks. Please look at the weekly calendar of events for specific dates.

A picture speaks a thousand words as they say, and we love to include these in our weekly updates and on the website through our Twitter feed. Please let email Ms. O’Hearn at ohearnc@chelmsford.k12.ma.us. if you do not want your child’s picture included in these forums.