Center Community Chat #33

Dear Center Community,

Student Placement:

Our placement process for the upcoming 2026--2027 school year is beginning and will take place over several weeks. This process is truly a team effort that involves input from school personnel and student data gathered over time. We put great care into the decisions that are made. All information is reviewed by the present grade level teachers, reading teachers, special education teachers, counselors, principals and other appropriate personnel so that we can be confident that classroom make ups are conducive to learning.

Please read the letter (attached below) to families regarding PLACEMENT! All requests need to be placed by this Monday, May 4th.

Administrative Professional Day:

Thank you to Ms. O'Hearn & Ms. Ely for always supporting all students & staff! They are the best!!!

Nurse's Appreciation Day!

During Nurse Appreciation Week, we want to extend our sincere gratitude to Nurse Felzani for the exceptional care and compassion she shows every single day. Her dedication to supporting the health and well-being of both our students and staff does not go unnoticed. Thank you for being a steady, caring presence in our school community—we truly appreciate all that you do!

Principal Appreciation Day:

With National Principals Day upon us, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the heart and soul of our school: Mrs. Omobono.

While many of you see her smiling face during the morning rush at arrival, greeting students at dismissal, or cheering the loudest at our events, there is so much more happening behind the scenes. If you were to walk the halls during the school day, you’d see Mrs. O in her true element—which usually involves a lot of running!

Whether she’s popping into classrooms to lend teachers a hand, checking in with students to offer encouragement, or tackling the million tiny tasks that keep our school humming, her energy is absolutely infectious. She doesn't just manage our school; she lives and breathes its success, ensuring every student and staff member feels supported.

We are so incredibly lucky to have a leader who leads with such passion and pace. Thank you, Mrs. Omobono, for making this school a truly great place to be!

Student Council Reminders:

Friday, May 22nd - Students Dress like Teachers/Teachers Dress like Students Day

Fourth Grade Parents:

Please see the attached letter regarding a new "Clap In" procedure during the fourth grade finale.

Staffing:

• We are currently interviewing for one paraeducator role.. If you know anyone, please have them apply on School Spring.

Center Chirps:

• Please be patient and stay attentive in your cars at drop-off & parent pick-up...we have valuable cargo to load and unload! Please refrain from using your phone in our pick-up and drop-off lines, we serve as models for our children!

Enjoy a wonderful spring break!

Warm Regards,

Donna & Jenn

On SATURDAY, May 2nd from 8:00am – 12:00pm McCarthy & Center School PTOs are holding their very popular Recycle Day fundraiser, and they need volunteers!! Come help us greet drivers, unload donated items, and load those items into the recycle company's truck. All Middle & HS students are welcome to volunteer and earn up to 5 hours of community service. We also need parents to volunteer as well.

Sign up here.

*** Students 14 years and younger must have a parent/guardian with them***

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 on MCAS when using this valuable tool. Please press here for more information.

Math MCAS TESTING:

Grade 3:

Wednesday May 6th, 3rd Grade– Session 1

Thursday May 7th, 3rd Grade– Session 2

Grade 4:

Wednesday May 13th , 4th Grade – Session 1

Thursday May 14th, 4th Grade – Session 2

Links:

http://i-readycentral.com/familycenter/

https://www.curriculumassociates.com/research-and-efficacy

Prevention of tick-born illness begins with you!

1. The single most important thing you can do is check for ticks once a day. Favorite places ticks like to go on your body include areas between the toes, back of the knees, groin, armpits, and neck, along the hairline, and behind the ears. Remove any attached tick as soon as possible and call your doctor if you have concerns about tick-born illness.

2. Use repellents that contain DEET on your exposed skin, and those that contain permethrin on your clothes.

3. Stick to main pathways and the center of trails when hiking to avoid ticks.

4. Wear long-sleeved, light colored shirts and long pants tucked into your socks. This may be difficult to do when the weather is hot, but it will help keep ticks away from your skin and make it easier to spot a tick on your clothing.

NOTE: There is currently no human vaccine available to protect against Lyme disease or any other tick-borne disease found in Massachusetts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4vpi1L3nIY

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Head lice can happen to anyone.

• It is not a sign of poor hygiene habits or of being dirty. Even though they do not jump or fly, lice can spread from one person to another by sharing personal items and by being in close contact with a person who has live lice.

• Unfortunately, there is no proven head lice deterrent that will prevent your child from getting head lice. The best you can do is stay alert for suspicious head scratching. Itching is an allergic reaction to chemicals in a head louse’s saliva. Not all kids will experience itching right away but catching this behavior early and treating it will help you stop a head lice problem at its roots.

• If you should discover a case of head lice, please call your pediatrician for treatment recommendations, notify the health office, as well as the parents of your child’s close contacts. This is the best way to protect your family and community.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact me via email or phone call.

Please find the CPS academic calendar below.

Please note that parents/adults are not allowed to escort their child(ren) to their classroom on school days. Staff members will be in the main lobby to assist all students and guide them to their classrooms. We appreciate your assistance with this.

This year Massachusetts is offering all school lunch and breakfast at no charge to students. 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.

Please visit our school nutrition website at https://cpsnutrition.com/index.php?sid=1478035692058 for more information about our program and also a link to the free and reduced lunch application.

Bus Safety:

Parents and caregivers, please support our bus drivers and reinforce expectations for bus safety. Administration has been actively working with NRT and riding buses to reinforce expectations with all students. The link below reviews expectations that are reviewed with all students. Thank you for your continued collaboration.

May
• Sat, May 2: Recycle Day 8am-12pm School Administration building
• May 6 & 7- Grade 3 Math MCAS
• Fri, May 8: Animal Adventures visits 1st Grade
• Mon, May 11: Roller Kingdom Night 6-8pm
• Wed, May 13: Plantmobile visits 2nd Grade
• Thurs, May 14: Plantmobile visits 2nd Grade
• Thurs., May 14: Grade 3 Boston Tea Party Field Trip
• May 13 & 14- Math 4th Grade MCAS
• Friday, May 15th- Wear Chelmsford PRIDE
• Monday, May 18th- 4th Grade State House
• May 18-22: Teacher Appreciation Week
• Friday May 22- Student Council Spirit Day- Students dress like Teachers / Teachers dress like Students Day
• Mon, May 25: No school
• Wed, May 27: PTO meeting 7pm in the library
• Wed., May 27-June 1- Book Fair

Center is not only a wonderful place to attend and learn but also a wonderful place to work, as many of our parents/grandparents can attest to.

Substitutes in all areas are always in high demand. Please look at the CPS district website if interested.

The first Monday of the month will be a "Let Your Kind Shine" spirit day. You are invited to wear tops that promote kindness.

The third Friday of the month is Chelmsford/Center Pride spirit day. Sport our district colors, maroon, white, and black.

* Dates may be adjusted due to holidays or breaks. Please look at the weekly calendar of events for specific dates.

A picture speaks a thousand words as they say, and we love to include these in our weekly updates and on the website through our Twitter feed. Please let email Ms. O’Hearn at ohearnc@chelmsford.k12.ma.us. if you do not want your child’s picture included in these forums.