I hope this message finds you well as we look forward to some consistent spring weather! There is no doubt that we are having a more traditional New England winter with snow and ice all over. There is something about St. Patrick's Day which makes me feel like winter is over...but time will tell. This McCarthy Family Update contains additional information beyond our Weekly Bulletin, and will help ensure we are on the same page as we move through term 3 (wow!).

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this message and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Stay well,

Jeff

We will begin the annual MCAS assessment in early April. We will be testing on/off for several weeks, and I am completely confident that the students will continue to excel, thanks to their diligence, your support, and our exceptional staff. April and May will be occupied with testing, which includes both grades taking ELA and Math, and the 8th graders also participating in Science and Civics assessments.

Please see the 2025 MCAS CALENDAR here and reach out with any questions.

In order to start the transition for our 8th graders to the high school, we hosted Dean MacIsaac, Dean MacNeil, Dean Mitza, and Career and College Readiness Facilitator, Alex Cunningham. They brought a long a stellar group of student representatives who spoke with our 8th graders about all-things-CHS. Course recommendations have been made, and our counselors are actively working with 8th grade students on their selections and schedules for the 2025-2026 school year.

We will begin this same process with our 7th grade students very soon as we prep for next year, and I will continue to work with Principal Blagg at Parker on welcoming the 6th graders to McCarthy.

Thanks to our incredibly supportive PTO, our 8th grade students will participate in a virtual visit from author Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals on Thursday, March 6th. Dr. Beals wrote the book March Forward, Girl which was read by our 8th grade students. This should be a fun and rewarding experience for all students and staff who get to work with Dr. Beals. Thank you PTO!

• Thursday, March 6th: District wide Pajama Day - celebrating “Breakfast for Lunch”!

• ALL CPS Staff and students are encouraged to participate - our students (and staff) will enjoy some great breakfast treats at lunch time!

Please see the March Menu below:

Arrival:

Our morning procedure is working well and we do not intend to make any changes. We have been opening the doors for students (buses & drop-offs) at 7:55. This is giving our students some extra time to get breakfast, go to their lockers, and get to class on time. Despite the extra time, some students are

still choosing to be late to 1st period (due to socializing, etc.). Please encourage them to balance both, and we will continue to do the same.

Dismissal:

We have enlisted the support of our teachers in order to help ensure student safety at dismissal. The new structure of having the buses in front of the building has been working well and seems to be more efficient than last year's procedure. Many thanks to our SRO Officer Linstad, for helping to keep order in the rear lot where students (who do not ride the bus) are picked up.

We have noticed a few students being dropped off in the teachers parking lot. It is important for the safety of our students and staff that people follow the established traffic plans. I have reached out to a few families directly who are circumventing the system, but wanted to send a general reminder here as well.

If your child is going to be absent from school, you can either email or call to let us know.

Email: mccarthy_attendance@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Please Send Email: Prior to 9am on the day of the absence (same as current voicemail option)

Please Include:Child’s name, Grade, Reason for absence

I encourage you to use the email option when reporting an absence, dismissal, etc. Parents are still free to use the phone system to report absences, but you are encouraged to use email for greater office efficiency.

If you prefer, you can certainly call the attendance line prior to 9:00am, at 978-251-5122, choose Option 1.

In order for an absence to be marked as "Excused", families will need to provide medical documentation.

Thank you for your understanding.

March 5th: Youth Art Month Display - 5-6:30PM - Adams Library (Chelmsford Center)

March 7th: Grade 7 BlackLight Dance - 7-9PM

March 13th: PTO Meeting - 6:30PM in McCarthy Library

March 17th: Happy St. Patrick's Day!

April 4th: Term 3 Ends

April 7th: Term 4 Begins

April 10th:PTO Meeting - 6:30PM in McCarthy Library

April 21st - 25th: April Vacation

Email: parksj@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://mccarthy.chelmsfordschools.org/
Location: 250 North Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-251-5122
Instagram & X : @principal_parks