Center Community Chat #22

Dear Center Community,

Brrr, what a frigid week! Hopefully we can get students outside in the near future. A reminder that Monday is a kind spirit day, so Let Your Kind Shine! Thursday, February 5th is a half-day for all students. Students will be released at 11:45. Please let your student's teacher know if this results in a change to their dismissal plans. This week Ms. Cotter's & Ms. Pooley's classes had a great time at the Discovery Museum.

National School Counselor's Week- February 2-6, 2026

Shout out to: Shannon Bishoff - Chelmsford's Coordinator of Social Emotional Learning and Counseling Services, psychologist -Jasmine Haug, guidance counselor- Kate Lallas and Center's social worker -Jaelithe Brodeur who always go above & beyond to support Center Elementary. We appreciate their collaborative efforts and everything they do for our school community to support the well-being of our students and staff!

Taste of Chelmsford Raffle Tickets Now On Sale

The CSPTO is excited to announce the Taste of Chelmsford calendar raffle!

This February, tickets for the Taste of Chelmsford Calendar Raffle are on sale for $25, with only 1,000 tickets available! We're raffling off over $6,000 worth of prizes from Chelmsford-area restaurants and small businesses.

Drawings will take place every day in March, and each ticket can win multiple times! Purchase multiple tickets to increase your chances of winning

See prize details and purchase your raffle tickets today at: www.tasteofchelmsford.com

Staffing:

• Ms. Hutchinson & I have been interviewing for our open paraeducator & recess aide positions. We hope to onboard new staff in the upcoming weeks.

Center Chirps:

• Students will be going out for recess if the real feel temperature is 20 degrees or warmer and it is not raining (snow or a slight drizzle are fine)during your students' recess time slot. Please make sure they have appropriate outerwear. If this is a hardship, please reach out to our counselor or nurse.

• Thank you to all of the parents who have adjusted to our single file parent pick-up line. Students are getting out smoothly and safely.
• Please be patient and stay attentive in your cars at drop-off & parent pick-up...we have valuable cargo to load and unload!

Warm Regards,

Donna & Jenn

This year, students across the Commonwealth will be taking The Next- Generation MCAS for our annual standardized state testing. All students in Chelmsford will be taking the computer-based assessment using Chromebooks. Please mark your calendars for the important dates below. We strongly encourage all students to be present and on time these days. If your child is sick, we will have make-up sessions so that they are able to take the assessments when they are able to show their personal best work.

Chelmsford is fortunate to have access to iReady to support student learning. Students have access to this learning tool at home. Please reach out to your teacher if you have difficulty logging on. There is much research to support enhanced student achievement on MCAS when using this valuable tool. Please press here for more information.

ELA MCAS TESTING:

Grade 3:

Wednesday, April 8th, 3rd Grade – Session 1

Thursday, April 9th, 3rd Grade– Session 2

Grade 4:

Tuesday, April 14th, 4th Grade – Session 1

Wednesday April 15th, 4th Grade– Session 2

Math MCAS TESTING:

Grade 3:

Wednesday May 6th, 3rd Grade– Session 1

Thursday May 7th, 3rd Grade– Session 2

Grade 4:

Wednesday May 13th , 4th Grade – Session 1

Thursday May 14th, 4th Grade – Session 2

Links:

http://i-readycentral.com/familycenter/

https://www.curriculumassociates.com/research-and-efficacy

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.

Bus Safety:

Parents and caregivers, please support our bus drivers and reinforce expectations for bus safety. Administration has been actively working with NRT and riding buses to reinforce expectations with all students. The link below reviews expectations that are reviewed with all students. Thank you for your continued collaboration.

February

• Coming Soon- Taste of Chelmsford- Tickets to be sold in Feb. & raffled in March!

• February 2 - 6: National School Counselors week

• Monday, February 2: Be Kind Spirit Wear day

• Thursday, February 5: Half day/Professional day

• Thursday, February 5: Staff Appreciation

• Tuesday, February 10: Binglo Night: 5:00- 8:00 pm; (3 seatings- 5:00, 6:00 & 7:00)

• Annual 4th grade trip to PAC - 9am

• February 16 - 20: February Recess

• Friday, February 27: Chelmsford Spirit Day

March

• Monday, March 2: Be Kind Spirit Wear day

• Tuesday, March 10: Gr 1-4 End of Marking Period

• Wednesday, March 11: Half day/Professional day

• Wednesday, March 11: Staff Appreciation

• Wednesday, March 11: Science Fair 6:30-7:30

• Monday, March 16: Para meeting (2) 9:15 - 10:15am

• Wednesday, March 18: 7pm PTO meeting

• Friday, March 20: Gr 1-4 Teacher deadline for posting grades

• Friday, March 20: Chelmsford Pride wear day

• Wednesday, March 25: Gr 1-4 Grades available online for Parents

• Wednesday, March 25; One Center, One Community

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.