Dear Center Community,

Another action packed week at Center. Please check out the pictures below to see all of the happenings.

Staffing Update

We are sad to share that Deborah Ross Myers will be retiring from her position as a paraeducator on February 3rd. Ms. Myers has been a paraeducator for 10 years and was a substitute for 10 years prior to that. We thank her for her many years of service and support of students.

Christine Conatser has been hired to fill this role. Ms. Conatser is a familiar face, as she is currently a lunch and recess aide. We are now looking to hire another lunch and recess aide.

MCAS Dates!

Save the dates for MCAS, strategies for preparation (iReady) in the new year for grades 1-4

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 with use of this valuable tool. Please press the buttons below for more information.

ELA: April 10,11,12,&13

May 15, 16, 17, &18

Kindergarten Registration - Additional day added

Due to the inclement weather on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 25th, we have added a third kindergarten registration day on Wednesday, February 1st, which will run from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the CPS central administration offices, located at 230 North Road in Chelmsford. Kindergarten registration for the 2023-24 academic year must be made by appointment. Please use the appointment link to schedule your time. You may visit our registration page on the CPS website to find all the information and forms needed to register your child. Families who are not able to schedule an appointment next week may complete the registration packet from the website and drop it off at the school administration offices located at 230 North Road. Office hours are Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. There will also be a spring registration period in April. Once the dates become available, we will make the announcement.

Lunch and Recess Aide Needed

Looking to get back into the work field and enjoy some quality time with children? Please consider joining the lunch and recess aide team at Center. The hours are 10:50-1:50, the benefits include lots of exercise and smiles! Please call Dianna or Donna if you want more information about the position or apply on SchoolSpring https://www.schoolspring.com/jobs/job.cfm?jid=4115115&&iframe=1&employer=10764

Change in 2022-2023 School Calendar

The professional development for staff and half-day for students in April will be on the 4th instead of April 13th. Please make note of this. Please press the button below for he adjusted calendar.

Invitations

Please refrain from sending invitations in to school with your student to distribute. This causes a disruption to learning and also some hard feelings for those students who may not be able to attend or who are not invited. You can find student information in the CSPTO sponsored student directory.

Have a good week.

Warm Regards,

Dianna and Donna

The Center School PTO is excited to announce the 24th annual Taste of Chelmsford!

This year’s Taste continues the new tradition of Taste as a month-long raffle in March, with amazing prizes offered daily from area restaurants and businesses. Funds raised from the Taste directly support enrichment programs for students at Center.

Tickets are $25 and each ticket can win 31 times in March! All prizes are valued at $100 or more. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold, so get yours now before they sell out!

Purchase your raffle tickets today at: www.tasteofchelmsford.com

Ms. Antolini, Director of Nutrition Services, came out to meet with students after receiving a letter from them advocating for more non-beef options. They were surprised to learn that some lunch options, like tacos and corn dogs, were chicken or plant based. This information will now be posted in the cafeteria. Click here https://cpsnutrition.com/?page=NutritionInformation for nutritional information of what is offered. We are so proud of our students for taking the time to write such a thoughtful letter and thank Ms. Antolini for her response.

FEBRUARY

• February 2, 6:30-8:30 SEPAC Basic Rights Workshop

• Feb 6 - 10: National School Counseling Week

• Wednesday, February 8: Half day (Professional day)

• Thursday, February 9: BINGLO, Center Cafeteria, 6:30-8:00

• Thursday, February 9: Gr 1 - High touch High Tech (2 classes)

• Friday, February 10: Gr 1 - High touch High Tech (3 classes)

• Monday, February 13: Dining to Donate- The Establishment
  

• Friday, February 17:Chelmsford Pride Spirit Day

• Wednesday, February 22: School Bus Driver Appreciation day

• Mon - Fri, February 20-24: February recess

MARCH

• Monday, March 6: Kindness Spirit wear day

• Tuesday, March 7: Term 2 (Gr 1-4) End of Marking period

• Wednesday, March 8: Gr K - Discovery Museum (in classes)

• Thursday, March 9: Gr K - Discovery Museum (in classes)

• Thursday, March 9: School Council Meeting 4:00 - 5:00pm

• Friday, March 10: PTO Co-Pres Mtg 9:30 - 10:15 am

• Wednesday, March 15: CSPTO Meeting at 7 PM in the library

• Thursday, March 16: Science Fair, 6:30-8:00 PM

• Friday, March 17: Term 2 (Gr 1-4) Teacher Deadline for posting grades

• Friday, March 17: Chelmsford Pride Spirit Day

• Tuesday, March 21: Down Syndrome Awareness Day

• Wednesday, March 22: Term 2 (Gr 1-4) Grades available online

• Wednesday, March 22: Gr 1 - ***Still confirming*** Brian Lies, Author

Reminder from the Nurse

It is very important, if your child(ren) will be out due to illness, that you call the absence line, and leave a detailed message including the symptom(s) your child is experiencing. Some situations need follow up, due to an infectious nature or other times information helps determine trends so preventive measures can be considered. You can email the main office (Elyc@chelmsford.k12.ma.us) or the school nurse (Rossmank@chelmsford.k12.ma.us) with your message as well. Thank you!"

A reminder to pre-order breakfast for your student(s) if you want them to have breakfast at school:

Directions to set up your account and order:URL Link: family.onlineordering.linq.com

1. Sign up now: Email, create password.
2. School District: Chelmsford Public Schools
3. Student ID: This can be found on x2- Child’s student ID number
4. Last Name: (You can also search and add siblings/family members at this time). Once this is completed, student’s name should appear on page
5. How to order meals
   

1. School Menu-breakfast online ordering
2. Scroll to day/week you are selecting breakfast (top right of page)
3. Find date, select meal option
4. Add item to cart/Select Add to order
5. Click on shopping cart icon at top right of page
6. Click Check out
7. Select pick up location: Elementary pick-up location classroom
8. Place order

If school is delayed or canceled this winter, a message will be communicated consistently with past practice as follows:

• An e-mail and telephone message will be sent to the primary contact number of each student and staff member in the district. This is a great time to verify your primary contact number in X2, our student/staff database, at which you desire to be contacted is accurate. If no message is received, school is being conducted as usual that day;

• A message will be displayed on the Chelmsford Public Schools webpage notifying the public of the status of school for the day. If no message is displayed, school is being conducted as usual that day;

• A message will be displayed on local television channels 4, 5, 7, and 25. If no message is displayed, school is being conducted as usual that day.

To allow parents and staff a little extra time to plan and prepare for a school closure, whenever possible, I attempt to make an announcement the night before when it is evident from the forecast that school will be impacted. This is not always possible and many times I need to wait until the early morning hours to make a decision for the district. Under these circumstances, I will endeavor to make and announce a decision by 5:30 a.m. on the day school will be impacted.

Are you looking for more information about special education services?
Need support in understanding your child's basic rights and the laws that support them?
Looking for parent training on navigating the special education system or supporting your child?
Join the SEPAC. See a link to the SEPAC website below.

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