Friday, August 16th, 2024

Dear South Row families,

We want to welcome you and your child(ren) back to South Row for the 2024-25 school year. The start of a new school year is always exciting with fresh supplies, interesting new curriculum and endless possibilities. We hope you are eager to continue your involvement in your child’s education. The elementary school years are truly special, and we invite you to join in the wonder and awe of the learning process alongside your child.

We will continue to communicate with you regularly. Weekly communication from the office comes through Connect Ed and/or X2 on Friday afternoons. The front page of the website will change monthly. We strongly encourage you to read the weekly home link, it is chock full of information and will be helpful in order to stay on top of updates, events, school resources, and information. Checking the website regularly will also keep you in the loop and provide additional information. Additionally, we encourage you to follow us on on Facebook @SouthRowElementary.

The first day of school for students in grades 1-4 is Tuesday, August 27th. Kindergarten visitation will take place on Tuesday, August 27th. Please see more information below pertaining to visitation. Kindergarten students join us for their first day of school on Wednesday, August 28th.

Additionally, we encourage you to mark your calendars for curriculum night scheduled for Thursday, September 19th. Individual teachers will review their forms of communication and information pertaining to the grade-level curriculum. The schedule for that evening is as follows:

• 5 – 5:25 pm: Principal/Assistant Principal Presentation- Cafeteria (3 and 4 families)
• 5:30 – 6:15pm: Grades 3 and 4 Teacher Presentations
• 6:15 – 7:00 pm: Specialists/ Reading/ support providers available in classrooms/offices
• 7 – 7:25pm: Principal/ Assistant Principal Presentation- Cafeteria (K, 1, and 2 families- same as the admin first presentation )
• 7:30 – 8:15pm: Grades K, 1, and 2 Teacher Presentations

South Row is very fortunate to have an active Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The PTO provides a great deal of support for our students and teachers through enrichment activities, supplies and materials for the school, community-building events, and volunteer support throughout the school year. The first PTO meeting for South Row will be held on the evening of Monday, September 9th at 7 pm in the cafeteria. If you are not currently active in our PTO, please consider becoming a part of this amazing team.

Please contact us with any questions or concerns. We are honored to serve as your Principal and Assistant Principal. We look forward to working with you.

Respectfully,

Mrs. Terri Gilbert, Principal

Mr. Jayson Ramalho, Assistant Principal

• Please be sure to read through first-day questions and the parent/caregiver resource guide below. These resources are action-packed with important beginning-of-the-year information.

Please read carefully all of the information within this guide. Specifically, pay close attention to the important dates section below.

Amanda Kellerman, Grade 4 Teacher:

• Please join us in welcoming Amanda Kellerman who will be joining the Grade 4 team this year. Mrs. Kellerman is a graduate of Providence College where she double majored in Elementary Education and Special Education. Mrs. Kellerman is transferring from Harrington Elementary where she taught Grade 4 for numerous years. Mrs. Kellerman comes highly recommended, was a teacher leader at Harrington, and is passionate about social emotional learning, restorative practices, and meeting the diverse needs of students. Please join us in giving Mrs. Kellerman a nice warm South Row welcome! We are beyond fortunate that Mrs. Kellerman is joining our team!

Samantha Onessimo, Special Education Teacher:

• Please join us in welcoming Samantha Onessimo who will be joining our team as a Special Education Teacher. Ms. Onessimo has been a Special Education Teacher in the Wilmington Public Schools and has been in this role since 2021. In her role, she was part of running the social emotional program (STAGES) in Wilmington. In addition to her role in running the social emotional program and supporting students social emotional needs, she also was instrumental in supporting students academically. Ms. Onessimo has her Bachelors of Education from Emmanuel College in Elementary Education and Masters of Education focusing on Moderate Special Needs from Boston College. She comes highly recommended from Wilmington. Please join us in giving Ms. Onessimo a warm South Row welcome!

Kerrie Bagni, Technology Instructor:

• Please join us in welcoming Kerrie Bagni as our Technology Instructor to the South Row Team. Kerrie has her Masters degree in Education from Merrimack College and also a background in technology from previous work experiences. Last year, Ms. Bagni completed her student teaching work at the elementary level at Center Elementary School in Chelmsford. Ms. Bagni is excited to continue her efforts to providing positive educational experiences to students in the Chelmsford Public Schools as she joins the South Row team. Ms. Bagni is excited and is committed to supporting students learning and celebrating all things technology. Please join us in giving Ms. Bagni a warm South Row welcome!

Erin Beals, Occupational Therapist:

• Please join us in welcoming Erin Beals to the South Row family who has been hired as an occupational therapist to service Center and South Row Elementary Schools. Ms. Beals earned her Bachelor's of Science in Occupational Science and later earned her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of New Hampshire. Ms. Beals worked at Whittier Rehabilitation as a staff occupational therapist. She also has worked for New England Pediatric Services and Northeast Rehabilitation as a staff occupational therapist. Through the interview process, Ms. Beals highlighted her desire to work with pediatrics and follow in her mother's footsteps in providing occupational therapy supports to children in schools. Please join us in giving Ms. Beals a warm South Row welcome.

Julie Durkin, English Language Learner Teacher

• Please join us in welcoming Julie Durkin as our new full time EL teacher. Ms. Durkin has her Masters in Arts in Teaching from Simmons College and her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) from Salem State College. Ms. Durkin has been a teacher at Chelmsford High School since 2010 and is passionate about meeting the diverse needs of students, particularly EL students. Ms. Durkin recently completed an internship within the Lowell Public Schools and has obtained her ELL licensure, where she worked with students at the elementary level. Ms. Durkin comes highly recommended from the high school, and is excited to join our community. Please join us in giving Ms. Durkin a warm South Row welcome.

Victoria Carnavale, Shared Elementary EL Teacher:

• Please join us in welcoming Victoria Carnevale as a new EL teacher who will be working with South Row and also the other three elementary schools in the district. Ms. Carnevale has been the EL teacher at Parker for the last six years and has eleven years of experience working with multilingual learners. Ms. Carnavale also holds a mathematics and elementary certification (1-6) . She is looking forward to utilizing her expertise at the elementary level. Please join us in welcoming Victoria a warm South Row welcome. Ms. Carnevale will be at South Row one day a week.

Please click on the black button (link) below to view our 2024-25. Parent/Caregiver Resource Guide. This guide is action-packed on all things South Row! We encourage families to take the time to review it, especially those new to South Row!

Please click on the black button (link) to view the frequently asked questions document we prepare for opening day. All families are encouraged to review this document carefully.

Please be sure to fill out this transportation form for your child(ren). If you have multiple children please fill it out for each child. This information is VERY important for our office team as it is CRITICAL to know how students are being dismissed daily. Should you have any questions on transportation, please contact Debbie O'Neill (oneilld@chelmsford.k12.ma.us) or Kim Sepe (sepek@chelmsford.k12.ma.us).

Should a change have to occur in your child's dismissal on a particular day please email their classroom teacher and both Mrs. O'Neill and Mrs. Sepe by 2:30 if at all possible. EMAIL IS THE BEST WAY TO GET THIS INFORMATION TO OUR STAFF.

Please click on the button below to view the districts family/student handbook for the 2024-25 school year. This handbook can also be found on the CPS Website.

We encourage families to review the CPS Empowered Digital Use Guidelines within the handbook as we have seen an uptick in technology violations as children continue to become more tech savvy. The CPS Empowered Digital Use Guidelines begins on page 47 within the handbook. Adhering to district and school expectations is essential when engaging with technology.

Tuesday, August 13th

• Main office secretarial staff return to South Row. Main office hours are 8:00AM-4:00PM

Friday, August 16th

• Student Class Assignments: Students who attended South Row last year received class placements prior to leaving for summer vacation. Rising kindergarten placement information was also sent to families via the mail and should have been received by the beginning of July. Students who registered after we completed our internal process in the Spring will receive placement information on or before August 16th, 2024.
  

Week of Monday, August 19th

• Starting Tuesday, August 20th - Car Numbers/Display Cards: We will use the same car pick-up/drop-off system as last year.
• Students will be assigned the SAME NUMBER for all years as elementary students at South Row, please keep these cards for the duration of your student elementary careers.
• If you misplaced or need a new one, and plan to use our drop-off system daily, please contact the main office to pick up a new display card for your car the week of August 21st from 8 am-4 pm Tuesday-Friday.
• If you are a new family to South Row (grades 1-4), and you plan to pick up your child by car, you are encouraged to pick up the display number for your car beginning the Week of August 19th between 8 am-4 pm Tuesday-Friday. Please contact the office prior to coming.
• If your child is entering kindergarten, car display number cards will be passed out at kindergarten visitation. If you do not plan to attend the visitation, and your child plans to be picked up daily, please plan to pick up the car display number the week of August 19th between 8 am-4 pm Tuesday-Friday.
• If you are a new family and DO NOT plan to use the car drop-off/pick-up, do not feel obligated to come to pick up a number. They will go home with your child on the first day of school should you need to use the car drop-off system at another point during the school year.

• Correct Emails: Please be sure we have your up-to-date email to ensure you get all communication from the school this year. If your email address has changed, please contact Mrs. O'Neill (Secretary) at oneilld@chelmsford.k12.ma.us AND Mrs. Sepe (Clerk) at sepek@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

• Transportation Form: Please be sure you complete this transportation form (also linked below) and sent in separate cover.

Thursday, August 22nd

• Kindergarten Playdate: Our kindergarten playdate will occur on August 22nd on the South Row Elementary School playground (cafeteria if weather is inclement). This is a great opportunity for students to connect and begin to build friendships with classmates. In addition, our PTO plans to be present at the event. The times for each class are as follows:
• Mrs. Rigby's class - 10:00-10:30am
• Mrs. Cassidy's class - 10:30-11:00am
• Mrs. Patriquin's class - 11:00-11:30am
• Mrs. Richman's class - 11:30am-12:00pm

Friday, August 23rd

• We will host a tour for new students and families on Friday, August 23rd at 10:00 am. Mrs. Gilbert and Mr. Ramalho will facilitate this tour. We kindly ask families to complete this google form if you plan to attend. Please park at either the Tennis Court lot (front of the building) or the side parking lot, and meet the school admin in the front of the building. We look forward to welcoming our new families to our community.
  
• Medication Drop Off: Nurse Shannon Vandevoordt will hold medication drop-offs on Friday, August 23 from 9:00am-3:30pm. Please visit the health page for additional information and medication forms at https://chelmsfordschools.org/departments/health-services/health-forms/
  

Monday, August 26th

• All Staff Reports to School ~ Staff Professional Development & Set Up
• Medication Drop Off: Nurse Shannon Vandevoordt will hold medication drop-offs on Monday, August 26th from 1:30--3:30pm. Please visit the health page for additional information and medication forms at https://chelmsfordschools.org/departments/health-services/health-forms/. If you were unable to drop off on 8/23 or 8/26, please email Nurse Vandevoordt to schedule a time.
  

Tuesday, August 27th

• First Day of School for Students (Grades 1 -4)
• Kindergarten Visitation - Students will have an opportunity to meet their teacher, see the classroom, and receive reminders from teachers and administration for the first day of school. This visitation is no longer than an hour.

Details for Kindergarten Visitation:

• Last names A - L report at 10:00AM
• Last names M-Z report at 1:30PM
• Meet in the front of the building (by main office door - sign in at tables)
• Park in aldersgate church back parking lot
• Students must come with an adult to visitation (transportation NOT provided by CPS)
• The visitation will be approx. 1 hour
• **Students will be given South Row T-shirts compliments of the PTO at visitation.

Wednesday, August 28th

First Day for Kindergarten Students

• It is recommended that parents have students travel to school how they will be traveling throughout the year
• All kindergarten students will report to the gym on the first day
• Staff will be on site to get students to this location regardless on how they are arriving
• Parents that wish to say good bye or get pictures at the school may do so in the gymnasium

Friday, August 30th and Monday, September 2nd

• No School - Labor Day Weekend

Tuesday, September 3rd

• School Resumes K-4

Save the Date!

• FIRST PTO Meeting ~ SEPTEMBER 9th, 2024, 7:00pm, Cafeteria

• Curriculum Night: Curriculum Night will take place on Thursday, September 19th
• 5 – 5:25 pm: Principal/Assistant Principal Presentation- Cafeteria (3 and 4 families)
• 5:30 – 6:15pm: Grades 3 and 4 Teacher Presentations
• 6:15 – 7:00 pm: Specialists/ Reading/ support providers available in classrooms/offices
• 7 – 7:25pm: Principal/ Assistant Principal Presentation- Cafeteria (K, 1, and 2 families- same as the admin first presentation )
• 7:30 – 8:15pm: Grades K, 1, and 2 Teacher Presentations

Extended Day Information: Extended Day Registration opened this summer for students entering K-Grade 6. Please click here for more information and to find contact information for the program. https://chelmsfordma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30249. Please be advised that building administration does not run extended day.

Student Supplies: As a reminder, Dr. Lang has purchased student supplies for SY24-25 for all students. At this point, parents do not need to plan to purchase supplies. If you are interested in donating supplies to the classroom please reach out to your teacher(s).

Car Drop Off/Pick Up: This process will be the same as last year. Please view your arrival and pick-up times below. For those new to South Row, please review the visuals to help you understand the process below.

ARRIVAL:

• A-K - 8:45- 8:50 and L-Z- 8:50-8:55.

DISMISSAL:

• A-K - 3:05-3:10 and L-Z- 3:10-3:18.

Please note: These times could change slightly as we navigate the first few days of school.

Food Services: This year Massachusetts is offering all school lunch and breakfast at no charge to students. This year, families DO NOT need to register online for their child to enjoy breakfast. Students will be given the option each day. If you DO NOT want your child to participate in the breakfast program (OPT OUT), please be sure to communicate this information to your child's teacher. If you decide to opt out, please also have a conversation with your child. This will be a tremendous help.

Although breakfast and lunch is free, 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.

Bus Registration Information (From Transportation Department)

Information pertaining to school bus transportation may be found on the Chelmsford Public Schools website at the following link: https://www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/domain/90. Also, please see the attached flyer and registration directions for more details. It is very important that every student is registered to ride the bus regardless of if there is a fee. Registering now allows the transportation department to begin building routes for optimum efficiency, and if you are required to pay a fee, it saves you money by registering now.

A few reminders about student transportation:

• ALL STUDENTS who desire to ride the school bus to or from school MUST REGISTER EVERY YEAR, even if they are not required to pay a fee.
• ALL REGISTRATIONS AND PAYMENTS are processed ONLINE using MySchoolBucks.
• When registering, each student must be entered separately in MySchoolBucks. This means for families with more than one child riding the bus, a registrationmust be completed for each child.
• MySchoolBucks will provide assistance for using their on-line registration system if needed during the registration process. MySchoolBucks may be reached directly at (855) 832-5226.
• Registrations requesting financial assistance must also apply for and be approved for the free and reduced lunch program. Please email your award letter to the transportation department.

REGISTRATION PROCESS

You will need to look up each student in MySchoolBucks and add each student to your account. Looking each student up will require name and LASID or birthdate. Each student must be registered separately. New students to the district please allow 24 hours prior to registering on MySchoolBucks after completing the required school registration process.

Bus Passes: Please expect to receive bus passes in the mail the week of Monday, August 19th. Any questions on bus registration, please click on this link: https://chelmsfordschools.org/departments/transportation/

Bus Reminder: Students are not permitted to switch buses, and are only permitted to ride what is printed on their bus pass.

Visiting the Building:

• Late Arrivals and Dismissals: If your child is arriving late or being dismissed, we kindly ask you to buzz into the main office. A staff member will either come out to get your child or bring them to you. If you know you will be late or picking up early, we kindly ask you to inform the main office staff (Debbie and Kim) by email as well as the classroom teacher.
• If you have an appointment in the school, are volunteering, or are dropping off something your child, our secretarial staff will buzz you into the building. Please make sure you label any items you are dropping off with student first/last name and teacher, if possible.
• Please report changes in dismissal to the main office by 2:30pm

Student Expectations:

• During the first few weeks of school, our students will be learning about school-wide expectations based on our school-wide passport.
• Expectations will be taught for each location in the building
• During the first (2) weeks of school, students will travel with their assigned recess aide to various outdoor locations at recess time. This opportunity is designed for our aides to develop relationships with their students, teach expectations for all locations, and allow students to develop positive relationships with their classroom peers.

Volunteering: If you are interested in volunteering in our school (should an opportunity present itself) please be sure to contact Mrs. O'Neill or Mrs. Sepe to make an appointment to fill out a CORI form. All volunteers must have a CORI on file to volunteer.

Please click on the link below to view our TENTATIVE kind acts and spirit days for the 2024-25 school year. As always, kind acts and spirit days are subject to change. Additionally, additions may be added as the year progresses.

Mrs. Terri Gilbert

Principal

gilbertt@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Mr. Jayson Ramalho, M.Ed.

Assistant Principal

ramalhoj@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Email: gilbertt@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/Domain/15
Location: 250 Boston Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-251-5177
Facebook: facebook.com/SouthRowElementary
Twitter: @CPSSouthRow

• Mrs. Terri Gilbert, Principal: gilbertt@chelmsford.k12.ma.us, 978-251-5177 ext. 4
• Mr. Jayson Ramalho, Assistant Principal: ramalhoj@chelmsford.k12.ma.us, 978-251-5177 ext. 3
• Mrs. Shannon Vandevoordt, School Nurse: vandevoordts@chelmsford.k12.ma.us, 978-251-5177, ext.2
• Mrs. Debbie O'Neill, Secretary: oneilld@chelmsford.k12.ma.us, 978-251-5177, ext. 0
• Mrs. Kim Sepe, School Clerk: sepek@chelmsford.k12.ma.us, 978-251-5177, ext.0
• Absentee Line: 978-251-5177 ext. 1