CPS Superintendent's Update

Dear CPS Community,

I hope you had a great vacation week and transition back to school. It certainly was a busy week with some interesting weather patterns to keep us on our toes, preparing us for the transition to March. March is coming in like a lamb, and although we are the Chelmsford Lions, hopefully do not see the month end like a lion.

Each year, March is designated as Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to commemorate and encourage the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. Beginning as woman’s history week, with a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women planned a full week of events in 1978 and later in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter issued the first proclamation. Now celebrated as a full month, there is a collaboration through The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to honor women’s contributions in American history. Each year has a dedicated theme for the month; this year’s theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” Please use the following link to learn more about Woman’s History Month and upcoming events.

With no holidays or vacations, March is what we call in education a “long month” as it gives us a long stretch of uninterrupted days of learning. It is also a full month of events and kicking us off is the Parker Middle School production of “Annie KIDS” next weekend on March 8th and 9th. Tickets for the production, which features a cast and crew made up of fifth and sixth grade students, are on sale now. There will be four performances; Friday’s shows will feature fifth grade leads, while Saturday’s shows will feature sixth grade leads. Also happening next week, I will be hosting another Community Coffee on Tuesday, March 5th from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. at the Java Room, located at 14 Littleton Road. Please join me to hear more about CPS or to just say, “hello.” I look forward to seeing you.

Please enjoy this week’s highlights and have a wonderful weekend.

Yours truly,

Jay Lang, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

• Athletics Schedule
• METG Preliminary Round, 3/2, All Day
• Early Release Day, 3/5, See School Release Times
• Presidential Primary Election Day, 3/5, 8:00 a.m.
• CHS Wellness Fair, 3/6, All Day
• Junior Career Exploration Breakfast, 3/6, 9:15 a.m.
• K-12 Youth Art Month Exhibit Opening Reception, 3/6, 5:00 p.m.
• SATs, 3/9, 8:00 a.m.
• METG Semifinal Round, 3/9, TBD

Every year, the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) Program brings international secondary-level educators to the United States for a six-week professional learning opportunity at a host university. Dr. Linda Hirsch, assistant superintendent for Chelmsford Public Schools, said UMass Lowell is hosting 20 Fulbright TEA educators this year, and three of them have been placed with instructors at Chelmsford High School. “They are learning about the American education system and they work closely with our teachers,” she said. “Our teachers are learning from them, and our students are benefitting from them.” Chelmsford High world language teacher Veronica Gadbois said this is her sixth year being involved in hosting participants of the TEA program. “It’s been a wonderful experience getting to know all of these scholars,” she said. “This experience doesn’t only help us in our teaching, but it also helps our students.”

During their time in the program, Fulbright TEA participants attend academic seminars that focus on topics such as new teaching methodologies, student-centered learning, instructional technology and content-based instruction. Please visit our website to read more about the TEA Fulbright Scholars.

South Row Elementary School held its 2024 Science Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 28. The event featured an array of fascinating projects, ranging from erupting volcanoes and candy chromatography to magnetic slime and electric playdough. Please visit our website to view the gallery of pictures from the event.

As his team wrapped up a recent practice, Chelmsford High girls basketball coach Mike Crowley was treated to an impromptu shooting clinic. Junior Charlotte Buckley took the court, grabbing a basketball for the first time since tearing her ACL in October, an injury that has sidelined her the past two seasons. The hobbled hoop star promptly buried seven consecutive shots from three-point land before missing on her eighth and final attempt. Buckley is one of Chelmsford’s walking wounded, an elite class of four varsity starters shelved with season-ending injuries. But despite all the adversity the team has faced, the Lions have managed to remain highly competitive by going 11-8, earning a spot in the MIAA State Tournament. Please visit the Lowell Sun to read more about the CHS team.

Thomas Brown took care of business Saturday at Newton South High School. The Chelmsford High heavyweight dominated the 285-pound bracket, shutting down Saint John’s Prep’s Alex Bajoras, 1-0, in a thrilling victory. Haverhill (141) nipped St. John’s Prep (139) for the Division 1 team title, with Shawsheen Tech (115.5) grabbing the third spot. It was a sweet return for Brown, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound giant who missed last weekend’s D1 North Sectional due to MIAA realignment, with Bajoras taking the title a week ago in Methuen. Continue reading about Thomas at the Lowell Sun.

The CHS School Counseling Department would like to send a friendly reminder to seniors and the families of seniors about the importance of scholarships. Town of Chelmsford Scholarships and the are still available. The deadline is March 15th. For more information, including application deadlines, please refer to the handout provided; it contains all the necessary details to help you navigate the application process smoothly. Remember, scholarships can make a significant difference in your educational journey! Please take advantage of the opportunity to apply, and don't hesitate to reach out to your school counselor for support.

Make plans to celebrate the end of the school year: Take the family out to the ballgame! Your kids can join fellow students from both McCarthy and Parker to enjoy watching the Boston Red Sox play the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, May 30th at 7:10pm. Tickets are $40 per person with a portion of the proceeds benefiting both PTOs. Tickets are expected to sell out like last year so act fast to get in on the action! See the directions to get your tickets for this event.

Go to: https://givebutter.com/gMsmi9 to place your order.

Or, use the QR code below on the attached flyer.

Print out our flyer as your reminder!

NOTE: Tickets will be emailed to your MLB app directly in May!

Please see our list of open positions at the Chelmsford Public Schools. We would love for you to join our team.

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
Twitter: @ChelmsfordPS