CPS Superintendent's Update

Dear CPS Community,

The final weekend before Halloween, our annual celebration of the scary, is here, and notorious for being a showcase for ghost costumes and vampire teeth. Halloween has had many references over the centuries such as “Hallowe’en”, “Allhalloween”, “All Saints”, or “All Hallows’ Eve”. Many of these references happen to be a bit more outdated than Halloween, so you might get some odd looks if you refer to this holiday of costumes and jack-o’-lanterns as one of them! In our modern times, Halloween is celebrated with activities such as trick-or-treating, costume parties, pumpkin carving, and haunted attractions. Each year, trick-or-treating in Chelmsford takes place on Halloween (October 31) between 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Please be aware many families will be walking from house to house and be extra vigilant while traveling on October 31st.

The events unfolding in Lewiston, Maine have created more unrest for communities, especially with it happening so close to home. Although the Massachusetts State Police communicated the person of interest does not have any ties to Massachusetts, it is still unsettling to many families as community members may have relatives affected by this horrific tragedy. It is unfathomable how such a tragedy can occur, and it may be a topic that your children bring up at home. Our school counseling department has provided resources below to help families facilitate conversations around active shooting situations to support children who may be affected by hearing about or viewing the news of the events on television. Many of our middle and high school students have access to social media and television – it is important to be mindful that these events may impact them, as they are developing into young adults.

Whether rain or shine, many outdoor events were held this past week, with many more to follow. The Byam Boo Bash was a hit with everyone making the best of a soggy situation. I saw some great costumes, and the students looked like they were having a blast. Fortunately, for the Parker Middle School Pizza, Pumpkins, and Paperbacks event, the weather was cooperative, and their carvings were displayed for all to see. The Center School Trunk-or-Treat and CHS LIME Club Drive-Thru Trick-or-Treat events are this Saturday along with the CHS Senior Halloween Dance that evening. Saturday’s events are followed by Harrington’s Trunk-or-Treat on Sunday. This month continues to be a “treat” as it comes to a close.

I wish everyone a wonderful weekend, and if you are celebrating Halloween next Tuesday, be safe and courteous while visiting each home.

Yours truly,

Jay Lang, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

• Athletics Schedule
• CHS LIME Drive-Thru Trick-Or-Treating, 10/28, 10:00 a.m.
• CHS Senior Dance, 10/28, 6:00 p.m.
• Center School Trunk-Or-Treat (Rescheduled), 10/28, 1:00 p.m.
• Harrington School Trunk-Or-Treat, 10/29, 2:00 p.m.
• Halloween, 10/31, All Day
• Title I/Intervention Family Night, 11/1, 6:30 p.m.
• E-Waste & Junk Recycle Day, 11/4, 8:00 a.m.

Please see the following documents for families to review and support discussions around school shootings from our counseling department.

• What to say to kids when the news is scary (NPR)
• Talking with children about difficult things in the news (Fred Rogers Institute)
• Helping Children with Tragic Events in the News (PBS)
• Helping Children Cope with Frightening News (Child Mind Institute)
• Coping in the Aftermath of a Shooting (American Counseling Association)

  
  

The CHS Leadership in Motion Everywhere (LIME) club is hosting its annual drive-thru trick-or-treat this Saturday, October 28th from 10:00 a.m. to noon and the weather looks promising! Feel free to wear your costume (not required) and come out to enjoy this fun, family-friendly event

Six seniors were recently honored as Chelmsford High School named its Lions Pride/Rotary Student of the Month recipients for October, announced CHS Principal Stephen Murray. Seniors receiving recognition were Ayushi Tripathi and Sara DeHaan from Emerson House, Ashrit Ram Anala and Amelia Normington from Hawthorne House, and Rachel Moore and Saja Khalifeh from Whittier House.

Sponsored by the Chelmsford Rotary Club for more than 30 years, the Student of the Month program recognizes outstanding students from each of CHS’s three academic houses – Emerson House, Hawthorne House, and Whittier House – for their achievements in and out of the classroom.

To read more about the CHS students, please visit our website.

If you haven't already, we hope you'll register and join Cartwheel and guest speaker Lori Getz to learn strategies and specific language you can use that will help break down walls and get everyone in your family to have meaningful conversations about the role technology plays in emotional, mental, physical and relational health and wellness. In this interactive session, you will learn how to get your whole family on the same page and even stop the screen time conflicts. REGISTER HERE

We'll discuss:

• Online privacy and personal safety
• Dealing with digital drama
• Gaming and physical fitness
• Social media dilemmas
• The role technology plays in relationships

CHS Science National Honor Society students took advantage of the great weather and cleaned out the raised beds at South Row this week. They also planted bulbs that will link to the elementary science curriculum—fingers crossed on when they bloom in spring 2024!

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