Dear Center Community,

Another action packed week at Center. Bingo night was a huge success (we'll be exploring ways to accommodate more people next year), students were treated to enrichment presentations in their classrooms, we celebrated 100 days of learning, and of course our CSPTO found yet another way to surprise us and make the staff at Center feel valued. Thank you for our sweet treats!

Thank you to our 4th graders who participated in Choralfest yesterday. You certainly made us proud.

New Year Backpack Cleanout

Please sit with your child and clean out their backpack. Students should refrain from bringing toys or items from home, unless specifically asked to do so by the teacher. They frequently cause a distraction and can cause social conflicts as students are trading cards, lose items, or get into disagreements about sharing items.

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. Yost and Ms. Tassinari are currently reading Ronnie and His Grit. Being this is Super Bowl Sunday and Black History Month, it is a timely read. It is based on a true story, and reminds us "It's never to late to call up your grit, it's the tiny voice that says, don't quit!" 🙂 The character makes it into the NFL Hall of Fame! Check out this book and some other children's books below.

FEBRUARY

• 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

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- 3rd grade

April 12,&13 - 4th grade

May 15 & 16- 4th grade

May 17, &18- 3rd grade

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has published the 2022 district and school report cards. Every year, each public school and district in Massachusetts receives a report card from DESE. Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the school and district report cards are designed to show families how our schools and district are doing in different areas. The report card includes multiple measures of a school and district performance – more than just MCAS scores. It represents a new way of looking at school performance, by providing information on student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities, and more. Click here.

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.

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!"

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