Dear Families and Staff,

Wow, it was a busy week leading up to break at Center! Many thanks to our counseling and behavioral staff for providing an informative presentation regarding how to support your students learning and also address their anxiety during this pandemic. The recording and resources are below.

Thank you to Mr. Callaghan, a Center parent and Town of Chelmsford Parks and Recreational coordinator, for attending the CSPTO meeting and sharing an update on condition of our playground and surrounding area. He walked us through next steps to address the concerns. You'll be hearing more about this in the coming year.

Center staff began the important work of exploring Aspects of Identity, Implications for Practice, during our professional development day. Initiatives for Developing Equity and Achievement for Students (IDEAS), a program of EDCO Collaborative, is providing guidance and instruction as we continue our creation of an equitable and inclusive school community.

ALICE drills after break

We will be doing our second ALICE drills of the 2020-21 school year during the week of February 22, 2021. The purpose of these drills are to continue practicing the options-based ALICE protocol. After the drills, teachers will be debriefing in classrooms. As stated previously, if you think your child might need extra support before or after this drill, please do not hesitate to reach out.

You will be notified after the drill is completed. I hope you will take some time to debrief with your own child(ren) that evening and reach out should you have any questions. As always, thank you for your support.

Note regarding specialist:

• Please note that occasionally families may notice two live specialist sessions in one week, appearing as if another class is missing a live rotation. Although it appears as if it were a mistake, we strategically planned the rotation so that all students would see a live rotation.

Enjoy the remainder of your break. Be well.

Dianna & Donna

Dear Families,

It is the time of year when your child will begin to consider which arts block class they may be interested in participating next fall. To assist them and you with this process, this letter will provide you with information regarding our 5th grade Fine and Performing Arts Programs at McCarthy and Parker.

In grade 5 at McCarthy and Parker, students select either performance music (Band, Chorus, or Orchestra) for a full year, or visual art for half of the year and music concepts and cultures (a general music class building upon skills from grade 4 general music class) for half of the year. These classes are all offered during the school day. Students who take performance music who would also like to explore the grade-level art curriculum are encouraged to join the Art Club, which is an after-school club taught by the school’s art teachers.

The following video further detail choices for grade 5 Fine and Performing Arts, allow students to see and hear what instruments are available in Band and Orchestra classes, and offer them an opportunity to virtually “meet” the grade 5 arts teachers at each school. Arts options and schedules are the same at both schools.

Students will formally sign up for their arts block choice in April. Between now and then, the elementary art and music teachers will be discussing middle school programs with all grade 4 students to support them in this process, and I will be sharing more information about the selection process and instrument rentals.

Thank you for your attention; I hope this will help you and your child make their Fine and Performing Arts course selection for 5th grade. I am always available to answer questions you may have, so please feel free to contact me or any of the teachers at any time through their contact information below. We are all looking forward to welcoming this class to middle school!

Sincerely,

Dr. Christy Whittlesey

PreK-12 Fine and Performing Arts Department Coordinator

Grade 5 Fine and Performing Arts Teachers

Content Area

McCarthy Grade 5 Teacher

Parker Grade 5 Teacher

Band

Sean Wright

wrights@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Chorus

Jodi Richardson

richardsonj@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Orchestra

Sue Slocum

slocums@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Visual Art

Virginia Cramer

cramerv@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Do I have to comply with the Travel Order if I have received a COVID-19 vaccine?

• Yes. Yes. At this time, vaccinated individuals must continue to comply with the Governor’s Travel Order and related testing and quarantine requirements. While experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions, it will be important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to us to help stop this pandemic, including quarantining after a possible exposure, covering your mouth and nose with a mask, washing hands often, and staying at least 6 feet away from others.

I had a Covid-19 infection and was released from isolation less than 90 days ago, (or after Nov 15 ,2020) do I need to get PCR tested as I am traveling out of state?

* No. Individuals who are COVID-19-recovered, meaning individuals who tested positive more than 10 days but less than 90 days ago and who do not have symptoms, do not need to obtain a negative PCR test prior to traveling to or quarantine upon arrival to Massachusetts. COVID-19 recovered individuals arriving in Massachusetts must have documentation of the positive PCR test result available if asked. ( If you Covid before Nov 15, 2020 this is more than 90 days of protective immunity. If you want to travel out of state you must comply with the Mass Travel ban requirements.)

I am traveling with my children from a non-lower-risk State. I took a test and have my negative result. Do my kids need a test for COVID-19 as well?

• It depends on each child’s age. If your child is 10 or younger, then the child does not need a test. If the child is 11 or older, then the child needs to be tested or will need to quarantine for 10 days, unless an exemption criterion applies.

I am a MA resident returning home after traveling out of state. I have proof of a negative test result on a sample taken before my out-of-state travel, and because I was out of state only for 48 hours, I am returning within 72 hours of the time the sample was taken. Can I use my negative test results taken before I left to satisfy the 72-hour testing rule and avoid quarantine?

• No, you must quarantine or obtain a new test upon return, unless you meet another exemption.

If I develop symptoms but had a negative test what should I do?

• The 72-hour test is a diagnostic test that is a point in time clinical measurement. If you develop symptoms, you should immediately self-isolate, contact a healthcare provider and be tested again.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order#massachusetts-travel-form-

Please click on the following link to see how you can show your PRIDE by supporting our local animal shelter.

We have 6 more days of break, lots of extra time to curl up with a good book during some wet and cold weather in the days ahead. Our South Row friends collaborated with the CPD to compile this great assortment of read alouds. Please check them out!

Community Mystery Readers - Chelmsford Police Department

Lt. Jason Poor

The Giving Tree

Officer Robert Riordan

Pete the Cat - Snow Daze

Officer Robinson

Gertrude Mcfuzz

Officer Conklin

Go Dog Go

Officer Sech

I Can Read with my Eyes Shut

Officer Kevin Quinn

Mike Mulligan

Officer Reedy

Pete the Cat and a Surprise Teacher

Thank you to the Chelmsford Officers who shared their favorite books with us.

This week and next...

• February 15 - 19 February recess

• Monday, February 22 school reopens

• Week of 2/22-2/26- Alice Drills

• February 22: Bus Driver Appreciation Day

• Friday, February 26: Show your Chelmsford Pride!

We kindly ask you to follow this progression which will help us best support and assist our students and families.

1. If your student is having difficulty logging into Clever or their Google Classroom, be sure they signing in with their Chelmsford email address that ends in @cpslions.com
2. Watch & Read instructional videos and directions contained in the Tech Tips document (a link to this is below)
3. Submit a request for assistance through IIQ(formerly the helpdesk) https://chelmsford.incidentiq.com/guest/TKHNDKXH/parent-support#top
4. Your child's teacher will try to assist you but be mindful that they are also trying to provide instruction to about 20 other students, so please try the steps above to limit interruptions to learning.

Email: fulreaderd@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/Domain/9
Location: 84 Billerica Road, Chelmsford, MA, United States
Phone: 978-251-5155
Twitter: @Center_CCS