CPS Superintendent's Update

Dear CPS Community,

I hope you all had a great week and are making the most of the recent rainy and unseasonably cold weather we’ve been having.

We are heading into the home stretch with a little over three weeks remaining in the school year – unless, of course, you are a Chelmsford High senior and are graduating in just a couple weeks. As you mark your calendars for upcoming events, I would like to highlight a significant milestone for CHS seniors. On Saturday, June 7, members of the Class of 2025 will cross the stage at the Tsongas Center in Lowell as part of the 108th commencement exercises. Preparations are already underway for the ceremony, and we look forward to the speeches and presentation of diplomas in celebration of all the achievements of our graduates.

Speaking of our seniors, today was their last instructional day, which was capped off with an incredible BBQ lunch. Please join me in wishing them all good luck as they finish off their high school careers by taking final exams and celebrating all of the senior week events leading up to graduation.

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind with concerts, art and talent shows and other school-sponsored events that mark the final countdown to summer vacation. There is a palpable buzz of energy in the air with students trying to wrap up final projects, complete last-minute assignments, and prepare for exams. Amidst all the hustle and bustle are also moments of celebration, including end-of-year parties and award ceremonies. There are even more events on the horizon as the end of the school year rapidly approaches, and I hope you are able attend as many as your schedule will allow. I would also like to thank the many students, staff and parent volunteers who have worked so hard to make these memorable events possible.

As we close out the week, don’t forget that Monday, May 26, is Memorial Day, a time to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Our schools will be closed on Monday in honor of this day. The Town of Chelmsford, in partnership with the Merrimack Valley Vietnam Veterans, Inc. (MVVV), will host a parade, followed by a brief ceremony at the Town Common. Please see the Town Manager’s Newsletter for more information about Monday’s events.

Have a wonderful, long weekend!

Yours truly,

Jay Lang, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

• Athletics Schedule
• Last Day for Seniors: Friday, May 23
• CHS Dance Team Recital: Friday, May 23, 6:30 p.m., CHS PAC
• Memorial Day: Monday, May 26 - No School
• All-Town Wind Ensemble Concert: Wednesday, May 28, 7 p.m., CHS PAC
• Council of Chelmsford Schools Meeting: Wednesday, May 28, 7 p.m., McCarthy Library
• Senior Awards Night: Thursday, May 29, 6 p.m. CHS PAC
• Aca-Pocalypse: Friday and Saturday, May 30-31, 7 p.m., CHS PAC

If you missed the May 20 School Committee meeting, watch it here:

Our district values your feedback! We are currently surveying the Chelmsford Public Schools families in order to gain insight into your perception of our school and district's effectiveness. We also want to better understand barriers to families accessing our schools and programs.

To ensure we continue to provide high quality, rigorous learning experiences that meet the needs of our learners and prepare them for college and career, we need your feedback. We want to know what you think.

You may complete the survey online between now and Friday, June 13, using a computer, tablet or smartphone by visiting this website: https://surveys.panoramaed.com/chelmsfordma/family25/surveys.

Fourth grade students from Center Elementary School, along with music teacher Chris McGillicuddy, made the trip into Boston to perform during the MMEA's Hill Day for Music Education at the State House on Monday, May 19. Center School was selected as one of nine schools to perform during the event.

Parker Middle School held a school-wide assembly on Friday, May 23, in honor of the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. The moving and meaningful ceremony featured student readings, as well as a National Anthem performance by the Select Chorus, Festival Band and Festival Orchestra.

The Byam kindergarten technology class explored the PLTW (Project Lead The Way) Structure and Function unit with a fun, hands-on project inspired by Jack and the Beanstalk. Students learned about different structures and their functions, then followed the Engineering Design Process—ask, imagine, plan, create and improve—to build their own beanstalks using pipe cleaners. This activity helped students understand how materials and shapes affect the strength and stability of a structure.

To view more photos of South Row student art, please visit our website.

The MassHire Greater Lowell Workforce Board recently recognized Chelmsford High School for its partnership with their Connecting Activities Program. Connecting Activities allows MassHire Workforce Boards to provide a system of support for high schools and high school students, to engage in career immersion learning opportunities for Career Readiness. This Programming exposes students to a variety of career opportunities based on labor market research and allows for targeted workforce and career skills development, career counseling and elements of experimental and work- based learning.

This year (2025) the program has supported:

• 405 Chelmsford High School students through events and workshops
  
• 90 Chelmsford High School students served in Job Search Support
  

Center Elementary students, under the direction of music teacher Chris McGillicuddy, perform various tunes during the school’s annual family sing-along event on Thursday, May 22.

CHS senior Xavier May, a student in Mr. Sousa’s Entrepreneurship class, shared his team’s Shark Tank proposal design for a cleat cleaner at DECA. He created a prototype, repurposing a wood and wire brush and then took it to the next level working with Liam McCall, an engineering student in Mr. Steeves’ PLTW Computer Integrated Manufacturing class, to create a 3D printed version.

The Town of Chelmsford is in the process of working with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) in order to construct a new school for the community. The project has been accepted into the feasibility study phase, with the School Building Committee currently focused on selecting an Owners Project Manager.

If you're looking for more information about the ongoing Parker Middle School Building Project, please visit our website to learn more and stay updated:

Watch the most recent Parker School Building Committee meeting here:

Sketchbook Spectacular is a FREE art initiative open to artists of all ages in the Chelmsford community and beyond. All mediums are welcome, including drawing, watercolor and collage. Participants are encouraged to explore prompts in their sketchbooks, but the prompts can also inspire free-standing artwork. Developed by Parker Middle School artist-educator Ashley Norman, this project is perfect for starting or maintaining an art practice throughout the year. Want to share your work? Email your art to normana@chelmsford.k12.ma.us.

To redeem School Dollars, all shoppers need to do is enter the unique printout code and store number on the Hannaford Helps Schools program website and select their school. Each School Dollar printout has a QR code that will bring shoppers directly to this link, ensuring that redeeming School Dollars is as easy as possible. Please note that the in-store collection tower has been eliminated. However, schools will be able to turn in School Dollar printouts.

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. Families that feel they are eligible for transportation or extended day reduced tuition are strongly encouraged to fill out the online free and reduced meal application.

Chelmsford High School has been offering its seniors the opportunity to gain hands-on job training through its Workplace Experience Internship program for the past several years. This year, five members of the Class of 2025 – Madison Climo, Evan DiTavi, Nate Cowell, Aidan Dowd and Jake Brooks – were given the chance to don helmets and turnout gear and work alongside members of the Chelmsford Fire Department.

Learn more about the internship being offered by CFD by visiting our website.

The Chelmsford Public Schools utilizes SchoolSpring to advertise job postings and the online application process. To apply for any of our positions, please visit our website.

The CPS Health Services Department is committed to providing evidence-based/ best practice holistic nursing care to the unique, culturally diverse students of Chelmsford Public Schools. In collaboration with all stakeholders, we advocate for their safety and healthcare needs. We are dedicated professionals who are committed to bridging health care with education and making a positive impact on the present and future wellness of Chelmsford’s school community. Please visit the Health Services page on the website for all your health services needs.

How can you show up best for your LGBTQ+ child or teen?

Join Cartwheel and guest speaker Dr. Jessica Fish for a free live webinar which will provide strategies on how to foster meaningful connection and show support in ways that are authentic to you, while being affirming to your child or teen and their experience.

WHEN: Thursday, June 5, 7-8 p.m.

REGISTER HERE

More than 75 colleges and universities sent representatives to Chelmsford High School this fall to meet with students interested in continuing their education at a post-secondary institution. To learn more, check out the College Visit Schedule.

Follow the CHS Career and College Readiness Center on Instagram: @chs.careercenter

Here are some noteworthy events and activities taking place around Chelmsford in the coming weeks:

There are a plethora of local youth sports and scouting organizations that hold fundraisers and recruiting events throughout the school year. Some may also be seeking volunteers. If you're a parent looking for social and skill-building opportunities for your child or children, we have launched a new webpage devoted to just that. In addition to event information, this resource page will also feature links to all the websites or social media accounts for youth sports leagues and scouting troops. So head on over there and check it out!

Chelmsford High School has a cashless system for admittance to its regular season home athletic events. To get your tickets, CHS has partnered with GoFan.co, a digital, cashless ticketing app used by more than 10,000 schools, for fast and convenient payments for regular season home games. CHS fans are encouraged to download the GoFan app. For Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association postseason tournaments, the MIAA also utilizes GoFan.co as its own ticketing system. Visit the MIAA Ticket Information page.

The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners who PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential.

Email: information@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://chelmsfordschools.org
Location: 230 North Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 251-5100
Facebook: facebook.com/chelmsfordpublicschools

Instagram: @chelmsfordpublicschools X: @CPSchoolsMA