Center Community Chat #6

Thank you so much for attending Curriculum Night! It was wonderful to see so many of you there, taking this important first step in partnering with us to support your child's education. Your involvement and collaboration are key to ensuring a successful and enriching school year, and we look forward to working together to help your children thrive.

Back Bus Evacuations:

On Wednesday, all students on buses practiced a back bus evacuation in order to know what to do during an emergency. All students did an amazing job and evacuated quickly!

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 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. All pertinent information will be shared next week and sent home with families. We are striving to begin the new dismissal procedures on September 29, 2025.

Center Chirps:

• Please have students to school no later than 9:00 AM
• Please pick up students by no later than 3:20
• Our schools are a smoking free environment, thank you for refraining while on school property!

Warm Regards,

Donna & Jenn

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

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.