Beginning of the Year Guide
Families Edition - South Row Elementary School
Welcome Letter from the Principal & Assistant Principal
August 19th, 2022
Dear South Row families,
We want to welcome you and your child(ren) back to South Row for the 2022-23 school year. The start of a new school year is always exciting with fresh supplies, interesting new curriculum and endless possibilities. We hope you are eager to continue your involvement in your child’s education. The elementary school years are truly special, and we invite you to join in the wonder and awe of the learning process alongside your child.
We will continue to communicate with you regularly. Weekly communication from the office comes through Connect Ed and/or X2 on Friday afternoons. The front page of the website will change monthly. We strongly encourage you to read the weekly home link, it is chock full of information and will be helpful in order to stay on top of updates, events, school resources, and information. Checking the website regularly will also keep you in the loop and provide additional information. Additionally, we encourage you to follow us on Twitter @CPSSouthRow and on Facebook @SouthRowElementary. Individual teachers will review their forms of communication at our Curriculum Night on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st. The schedule for that evening is as follows:
5 – 5:25 pm: Principal/Assistant Principal Presentation- Cafeteria (3 and 4 families)
5:30 – 6:15pm: Grades 3 & 4 Teacher Presentations
6:15 – 7:00 pm: Specialists/ Reading/ support providers available in classrooms/offices
7 – 7:25pm: Principal/ Assistant Principal Presentation- Cafeteria (K,1,2 families - same as first presentation)
7:30 – 8:15pm: Grades K, 1 & 2 Teacher Presentations
South Row is very fortunate to have an active Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The PTO provides a great deal of support for our students and teachers through enrichment activities, supplies and materials for the school, community-building events, and volunteer support throughout the school year. The first PTO meeting for South Row will be held on the evening of September 12th at 7 pm in the cafeteria. If you are not currently active in our PTO please consider becoming a part of this amazing team.
Please contact us with any questions or concerns. We are honored to serve as your Principal and Assistant Principal. We look forward to working with you.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Terri Gilbert, Principal
Mr. Jayson Ramalho, Assistant Principal
Please be sure to read through first-day questions and the parent resource guide below. These resources are action-packed with important beginning-of-the-year information.
*** First Day of School Grades 1-4: Tuesday, August 30th
*** First Day of School for Kindergarten: Wednesday, August 31st
Please read carefully the important dates section below.
Parent Resource Guide
First Day Questions FAQ
Arrival and Dismissal Quick Facts & Visual
Important Transportation Form - PLEASE FILL OUT!
Should a change have to occur in your child's dismissal on a particular day please email their classroom teacher and both Mrs. O'Neill and Mrs. Sepe by 2:30 if at all possible. EMAIL IS THE BEST WAY TO GET THIS INFORMATION TO OUR STAFF.
Important Dates - Please review carefully!
Tuesday, August 16th
- Main office secretarial staff return to South Row. Main office hours are 8:00AM-4:00PM
By Friday, August 19th
- Student Class Assignments: Students who attended South Row last year received class placements prior to leaving for summer vacation. Rising kindergarten placement information was also sent to families via the mail and should have been received by the beginning of July. Students who registered after we completed our internal process in the Spring will receive placement information on or before August 19th, 2022.
Week of Monday, August 22nd
- Starting Tuesday, August 23rd - Car Numbers/Display Cards: As mentioned in our newsletter at the end of the year, we will be using the same car pick-up/drop-off system as last year.
- Students will be assigned the SAME NUMBER for all years as elementary students at South Row, please keep these cards for the duration of your student elementary careers.
- If you misplaced or need a new one, and plan to use our drop-off system daily, please contact the main office to pick up a new display card for your car the week of August 22nd from 8 am-4 pm Tuesday-Friday.
- If you are a new family to South Row (grades 1-4), and you plan to pick up your child by car, you are encouraged to pick up the display number for your car the week of August 22nd between 8 am-4 pm Monday-Friday. Please contact the office prior to coming.
- If your child is entering kindergarten, car display number cards will be passed out at the kindergarten playdate. If you do not plan to attend the playdate, and your child plans to be picked up daily please plan to pick up the car display number the week of August 22nd between 8 am-4 pm Tuesday-Friday.
- If you are a new family and DO NOT plan to use the car drop-off/pick-up, do not feel obligated to come to pick up a number. They will go home with your child on the first day of school should you need to use the car drop-off system at another point during the school year.
Correct Emails: Please be sure we have your up-to-date email to ensure you get all communication from the school this year. If your email address has changed, please contact Mrs. O'Neill (Secretary) at oneilld@chelmsford.k12.ma.us AND Mrs. Sepe (Clerk) at sepek@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Transportation Form: Please be sure you complete this transportation form (also linked below) and sent in separate cover.
Tuesday, August 23rd
- Kindergarten Playdate - We are excited to host Kindergarten Playdates for our rising kindergarten students on Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022 on the South Row playground. Please see the time slots below. Our PTO Board will also be on-site with information for the year. Additionally, they will have a limited amount of South Row shirts for sale (similar styles to past years) for families that are interested. There will be additional opportunities to purchase spirit gear once school starts. Classroom teachers will be present at the playdate. Kindergarten student car dismissal cards will be given out at the playdate.
- Kindergarten Playdate Times (by class)
- 9:00 – 9:30 – Ms. Dossin
- 9:30 – 10:00 – Ms. Sbordy
- 10:00 – 10:30 – Mrs. Patriquin
- 10:30 – 11:00 – Mrs. Rigby
- Medication Drop Off Opportunity - Nurse Shannon Vandevoordt will be conducting a medication drop-off on Tuesday, August 23rd from 1-4 pm. She will also be available on August 29th, 2022 from 1- 4 pm. Here is a link to health forms should you need to review/complete any information. Please also bring a completed medication plan to accompany the medication. Medication plans can be printed from this link.https://chelmsfordschools.org/departments/health-services/health-forms/. Please reach out to her directly with any questions at: vandevoordts@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Friday, August 26th
- New Families to South Row Tour: If you and your child(ren) are new to South Row and would like to receive a tour from the Principal and Assistant Principal prior to the beginning of the school we will be conducting a Tour on August 26th at 10:00 am. Please click on this link to sign up for the tour if you plan to attend to assist us with our planning.
Monday, August 29th
- All Staff Reports to School ~ Staff Professional Development & Set Up
- Medication Drop Off: Nurse Shannon Vandevoordt will be conducting a medication drop-off on August 29th, 2022 from 1- 4 pm. Here is a link to health forms should you need to review/complete any information.Please also bring a completed medication plan to accompany the medication. Medication plans can be printed from this link. https://chelmsfordschools.org/departments/health-services/health-forms/. Please reach out to her directly with any questions at: vandevoordts@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Tuesday, August 30th
- First Day of School for Students (Grades 1 -4)
- Kindergarten Visitation - Students will have an opportunity to meet their teacher, see the classroom, and receive reminders from teachers and administration for the first day of school. This visitation is no longer than an hour.
- Last names A - L report at 10:00AM
- Last names M-Z report at 1:30PM
- Meet in the front of the building (by main office door - sign in at tables)
- Park in aldersgate church back parking lot
- Students must come with an adult to visitation (transportation NOT provided by CPS)
Wednesday, August 31st
First Day for Kindergarten Students
- It is recommended that parents have students travel to school how they will be traveling throughout the year
- All kindergarten students will report to the gym on the first day
- Staff will be on site to get students to this location regardless on how they are arriving
- Parents that wish to say good bye or get pictures at the school may do so in the gymnasium
Friday, September 2nd and Monday, September 5th
- No School - Labor Day Weekend
Tuesday, September 6th
- School Resumes K-4
Save the Date!
FIRST PTO Meeting ~ September 12th ~ more information will be shared soon!
- Curriculum Night: Curriculum Night will take place on Wednesday, September 21st
5 – 5:25 pm: Principal/Assistant Principal Presentation- Cafeteria (3 and 4 families)
5:30 – 6:15pm: Grades 3 & 4 Teacher Presentations
6:15 – 7:00 pm: Specialists/ Reading/ support providers available in classrooms/offices
7 – 7:25pm: Principal/ Assistant Principal Presentation- Cafeteria (K,1,2 families - same as first presentation)
7:30 – 8:15pm: Grades K, 1 & 2 Teacher Presentations
- Ice Cream Social: September 27th
- Pumpkin Fair: October 15th
Reminders & Information
Extended Day Information: Extended Day Registration opened Thursday, July 28 at 10 a.m. for students entering K-Grade 6. Register here: https://chelmsfordma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30249
Student Supplies: As a reminder, Dr. Lang has purchased student supplies for SY22-23 for all students. At this point, parents do not need to plan to purchase supplies. If you are interested in donating supplies to the classroom please reach out to your teacher(s).
Car Drop Off/Pick Up: This process will be the same as last year. Please view your arrival and pick-up times below. For those new to South Row, please review the visuals to help you understand the process below.
ARRIVAL:
- A-K - 8:45- 8:50 and L-Z- 8:50-8:55.
DISMISSAL:
- A-K - 3:05-3:10 and L-Z- 3:10-3:18.
Please note: These times could change slightly as we navigate the first few days of school.
Food Services: This year both breakfast and lunch will be free to all children. Please click on the link below in this guide to access the food services website to view the menu. We do encourage families to fill out the free and reduced lunch form if you are in need of financial support. Completing this application could support your family with bus transportation (bus) benefits and more. Here is the link to the food services.
Bus Registration Information (From Transportation Department):
- Bus registration is required even if you're not required to pay a fee.
- We have started creating bus routes and our registration numbers are currently lower than what we project will be the final registration count. Please take the time to register all bus riders now to help limit eventual overcrowding and confusion as the school year approaches.
- Register Now
- All information pertaining to school bus transportation may be found on the Transportation page on the Chelmsford Public Schools website and the attached flyers.
- It is very important that every student is registered to ride the bus regardless of if there is a fee. Prompt registration allows the transportation department to finalize our routes for optimum efficiency.
A few reminders about student transportation:
- ALL REGISTRATIONS AND PAYMENTS are processed ON-LINE using MySchoolBucks.
- When registering, each student must be entered separately.
- MySchoolBucks customer support can be accessed by calling (855) 832-5226.
- You will need to look up each student in MySchoolBucks and add each to your account, which requires name and LASID or birthdate. Each student must be registered separately. New students to the district please allow 24 hours prior to registering on MySchoolBucks.
Bus Passes: Please expect to receive bus passes in the mail the week of Monday, August 22nd. Any questions on bus registration, please click on this link: https://chelmsfordschools.org/departments/transportation/
Visiting the Building:
- Late Arrivals and Dismissals: If your child is arriving late or being dismissed, we kindly ask you to buzz into the main office. A staff member will either come out to get your child or bring them to you. If you know you will be late or picking up early, we kindly ask you to inform the main office staff (Debbie and Kim) by email as well as the classroom teacher.
- If you have an appointment in the school, are volunteering, or are dropping off something your child, our secretarial staff will buzz you into the building. If you are dropping off and would prefer to use the bin outside the main office, you may. Please expect our secretarial staff to ask you your preference.
- Please report changes in dismissal to the main office by 2:30
Student Expectations:
- During the first few weeks of school, our students will be learning about school-wide expectations based on our school-wide passport.
- Expectations will be taught for each location in the building
- During the first (2) weeks of school, students will travel with their assigned recess aide to various outdoor locations at recess time. This opportunity is designed for our aides to develop relationships with their students, teach expectations for all locations, and allow students to develop positive relationships with their classroom peers.
Volunteering: If you are interested in volunteering in our school (should an opportunity present itself) please be sure to contact Mrs. O'Neill or Mrs. Sepe to make an appointment to fill out a CORI form. All volunteers must have a CORI on file to volunteer.
Latest School Committee Meeting: Click here to review the school committee meeting recording from August 16th.
Health Protocols
COVID-19 Protocol Updates
No mask requirement- except when in the Health Offices and/or returning to school after testing positive- wear a mask Day 6-10 (unless test negative on Day 5 or after)
Individuals who wish to continue to wear a mask will be supported
Discontinued Pool Testing, At-Home Rapid Antigen Testing, Test to Stay and Contract Tracing
Quarantine for close contacts is no longer required, regardless of vaccination status or where the exposure occurred.
- Exposed individuals may attend school as long as they remain symptom-free.
COVID-19 Symptoms
Fever 100.0/chills, shaking chills
Difficulty breathing or Shortness of breath
New loss of taste or smell,
Muscle aches/body aches
Cough (not due to other known cause such as chronic cough)
Sore throat when in combination with other symptoms
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms
Headache when in combination with other symptoms
Fatigue when in combination with other symptoms
- Nasal congestion/runny nose (not due to other known cause such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms
COVID-19: Positive Case
Protocol for individuals who test positive:
- Duration: 5 Day isolation
- Day 0- onset of symptoms or positive test date if asymptomatic
- Return to School on Day 6 if:
- fever free for 24 hrs. without fever-reducing medication
- improvement of symptoms
- wear a mask Day 6-10
- no mask required Day 6-10 if the individual tests negative on Day 5 or after
- Quarantine for close contacts is no longer required, regardless of vaccination status or where the exposure occurred.
- All exposed individuals may attend school as long as they remain symptom-free.
- Inform school nurse of a positive test
Mitigation Strategies
Encourage good hand hygiene
Ask Staff/Students stay home if not feeling well
Advise testing if experiencing s/s COVID-19
Cleaning and Disinfecting
Encourage COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster
- Encourage Flu Vaccine
- Masks available in Health Offices
2022-23 Kind Acts and Spirit Days
SY22-23 CPS District Calendar
PTO Corner
Save the Date:
*More information will be shared in future newsletters.
- First PTO Meeting ~ September 12th
- Ice Cream Social ~ September 27th
- Pumpkin Fair ~ October 15th
Food Services Website (to view menus)
FOLLOW SOUTH ROW ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Contact the South Row Administrative Team!
Principal
Mr. Jayson Ramalho, M.Ed.
Assistant Principal
Email: gilbertt@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/Domain/15
Location: 250 Boston Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-251-5177
Facebook: facebook.com/SouthRowElementary
Twitter: @CPSSouthRow