CPS Superintendent's Update

Dear CPS Community,

The turn of the monthly calendar is here with November on our doorstep. This 11th month of the year holds great importance for a variety of reasons. One event celebrated annually in November is National American Indian Heritage Month where tribute is given to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. In a collaborative effort to include The Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Gallery of Art, the National Parks Service, the Smithsonian Institute, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the National Archives and Records Administration a website of events highlights this month and available resources. There are other great resources and information about this year’s celebration available through the US Department of the Interior - Indian Affairs. I encourage you to visit these sites to expand your knowledge and celebrate the culture and heritage of these remarkable Americans.

You should be able to celebrate National American Indian Month and more this weekend as we will be turning back the clocks. That’s right, we are already at daylight savings for 2023 on Sunday, November 5th at 2:00 a.m., as we “fall back” gaining an extra hour to sleep, play, or get more done during the day. The practice of "falling back" has been observed in New England for decades. So why do we fall back? Daylight savings time was introduced in the United States in 1918 with the Standard Time Act, created to lower fuel costs during the First World War. The law established a standard time and permitted the federal government to create five time zones. Daylight savings has gone through many iterations of stopping at the end of World War I and beginning again at the start of World War II, including the passing of the Unified Time Act in 1966. However, the dates we use today were established in 2005 when Congress amended the Act. To many, gaining an extra hour this time of year is typically welcomed. Be sure to mark this Sunday on your calendar. You do not want to be “too early” for any of your scheduled events next week!

November goes by quickly at CPS with early release and full days off, along with the start of the holidays that affect when school is in session. Please take note that next week, there will be no school on Tuesday, November 7th, as it is our district’s scheduled full professional development day where teachers collaborate with their colleagues to expand their professional knowledge to continue to support students in school. Additionally, although Veteran’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, the holiday is observed on Friday November 10th, and there will be no school for students and staff on this day. On the heels of these two days off is the addition of another early release day on Wednesday, November 15th, for students in grades K-8 only, for teachers to hold conferences with families. Please note that November 15th is a full day of school for all Chelmsford High School students, so please plan accordingly.

We are back to more seasonable weather this weekend and into next week after having received a chill this past week. Hopefully, you have outdoor plans this weekend while the weather holds without rain in the forecast. And remember, set your clocks back an hour for daylight savings this Sunday. You do not want to miss a chance to gain an extra hour of sleep!

Yours truly,

Jay Lang, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

• Athletics Schedule
• E-Waste & Junk Recycle Day, 11/4, 8:00 a.m.
• Professional Development Day No School Students 11/7, All Day
• No School, 11/10, All Day
• Veterans Day, 11/11, All Day

Students in Señora Bethel´s 8th grade Spanish Classes at McCarthy made Sugar Skulls while learning about El Dia delos Muertos - the Day of the Dead.

A little bit about El Dia de los Muertos:

Beginning the week of October 31st and running through November 2nd & 3rd, Mexicans celebrate their ancestors. It’s a tradition that dates back to the Aztecs when people believed that spirits returned as butterflies. Today they build ofrendas (altars) in their homes. These altars include some very specific items: favorite foods that the deceased enjoyed while on this earth, fruit, water, candles, flowers, and incense, for example. It’s also important to include Pan de muerto, too – a special loaf of bread made only at this time of year.

On or before October 31st, Mexican families clean, paint, and generally prepare the graves of deceased family members. On the night of November 1st and into November 2nd, Mexican families have a picnic in the graveyard – complete with more flowers, music, and special foods!

The celebration is more of a happy one, it is a time to honor that person and cherish the life and time that was spent with them. Mexicans don´t fear death. They see it as part of the circle of life and they believe the afterlife is better than the one they lived on earth.

Want to make your own Pan de Muerto? Please use the following link for the recipe.

Studio 1 students in Mr. Richard's classes have worked very hard and have learned about art concepts such as the Elements of Art and Principles of Design, and many different art techniques, and have been inspired by famous artists and art movements. CLICK HERE to see a virtual gallery of your students’ class artwork. Please enjoy the wonderful artwork that your students and their classmates have made.

One of the CHS PRIDE Block offers an American Sign Language (ASL) Practice Circle, where students practice their ASL expressive and receptive skills through casual conversation and activities. Last week, they painted pumpkins to celebrate the season!

Harrington Elementary School students are experiencing a special lunch treat as part of its lunch/recess initiative. Students who show the 3 rs - Respect, Responsible, and Ready behaviors at school are chosen at random to invite someone special to eat lunch with that student during their designated lunch period. All grades are able to participate in the event with a total of 4 students per grade chosen.

Students in Ms. Durkin's and Mr. Richter's civics classes are participating in virtual Senate Simulation activities led by staff from the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston, MA. Students participate in a simulated U.S. Senate session and a live floor debate on an actual piece of legislation pending before the Senate. Students consider the issue from multiple perspectives, share their own ideas, and then cast their votes. Ms. Durkin's class engaged in a lively discussion on voting rights today.

Students in Mrs. Courtney’s 8the grade ELA class at the McCarthy Middle School showcased their presentations for their independent reading project. Students self-selected novels and after reading them, they had to creatively present a summary and also talk about the involvement of main and supportive characters.

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.

Apply now for free and reduced lunch.

The Chelmsford Public Schools utilizes School Spring 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.

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