Superintendent's Weekly Updates
November 26, 2025
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🎉 Scroll to read information and news from the school district, our individual schools, and information from our community partners! 🎉
If you are viewing this as an email and can't see the entire newsletter, click "view entire message" at the bottom or "view in browser" at the top.
In this issue ...
- District Updates
- Athletic Department Updates
- Extended Learning Updates
- Early Learning Center Updates
- Berkowitz School Updates
- Hooks School Updates
- Kelly School Updates
- Clark Ave. Middle School Updates
- Wright Science & Technology Academy Updates
- Chelsea High School Updates
- Chelsea Opportunity Academy Updates
- Messages from Community Partners
DISTRICT UPDATES
Happy Thanksgiving
Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to our CPS Community! We hope you enjoy time today with family and loved ones.
Students will not have the school the rest of the week. School resumes on Monday, December 1st.
2025 Winter Concerts
The month of December means a multitude of Winter Concerts at our schools! Check out the image below for our upcoming concerts. Contact your child's school for more information.
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Winter Sports Try Outs.
To be eligible to participate, every student MUST have completed their registration and have a copy of their most recent physical (within 13 months). If you have not registered your student yet, please register them here
For more information email: atheletics@chelseaschools.com
J. Barry Dwyer Turkey Trot Success
Thank you to everyone who came out to the 11th J. Barry Dwyer Red Devil Turkey Trot - the walkers, the runners, community members, Chelsea Schools staff, alumni, volunteers, and the Dwyer family. It's always great to get the community together for this tradition honoring a Chelsea legend. We raised over $3,500 that will go towards the J. Barry Dwyer Memorial Scholarship. Congrats to the Hooks School who took home the trophy this year for highest participation numbers!
We hope for an even bigger turn out next year. Happy Thanksgiving!
EXTENDED LEARNING UPDATES
FKO/CPS Enrichment at the Complex
Our after-school crew had an awesome week! Students jumped into soccer activities, worked together, and stayed active. In STEM, they made predictions about sinking and floating and had a blast exploring static electricity with balloons. FKO and CPS continue to keep learning hands-on and fun every afternoon!
EARLY LEARNING CENTER UPDATES
Friendship Quilts
Our ELC Extended day students created a friendship quilt in honor of Thanksgiving.
BERKOWITZ SCHOOL UPDATES
Balloons Over Broadway
First graders at the Berkowitz had an exciting week diving into the story Balloons Over Broadway! After reading about the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Tony Sarg’s creativity, students brought the book to life by designing and showcasing their very own Thanksgiving parade balloons. Classes headed outside for a festive parade where students proudly marched with their creations, celebrating literacy, art, and community.
Berkowitz Art Updates
Grade one Berkowitz students are completing an autumn still- life in art class with Ms Mambuca. They used oil pastels, watercolor paint and collage to complete their project.
Students in grade 2 are working in collaborative teams with Ms Mambuca to paint a snowy scene for the Winter Concert in December.
Thanksgiving Themed Graphing Activity
Berkowitz second graders enjoyed a Thanksgiving themed graphing activity! Students were given a data set on favorite Thanksgiving foods. Students then collaborated with classmates to construct a picture or bar graph. Lastly students completed a gallery walk to give their peers feedback on their graphs.
MCAS Achievement Celebration
Students were honored for their outstanding accomplishments on the MCAS exam.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
The Berkowitz School held a Thanksgiving food drive for students and families.
HOOKS SCHOOL UPDATES
Hooks Pride!
Staff from the Hooks School participated in the Turkey Trot last Saturday and won the trophy for highest participation among CPS schools!
Popcorn Experts in Second Grade
Hooks School students are popcorn experts!
Second graders have been working hard to become experts on popcorn for the last four weeks, reading and writing about this delicious snack. They shared their writing and expertise in an event at school this week, dressing up for the occassion!
School Assembly
Our November assembly took place today as we celebrated all of our students of the month! Families attended and were very proud of their children's accomplishments.
KELLY SCHOOL UPDATES
Bilingual Turkeys
Kelly School 1st graders in Miss Houdeshell's class created Bilingual Turkeys to share the things they are grateful for this Thanksgiving. They included their family, pets, food, toys, and also "The Kelly School for helping them grow their brains!"
Celebrating Language and Literacy Growth!
Some of our Grade 4 students have been working hard on Imagine Learning before school to grow their language and literacy skills!
They received certificates recognizing their progress in literacy and their commitment to learning. Super proud of their effort and the growth they’re achieving—this is just the beginning! Keep shining, scholars!
Staff Professional Development
Caminos Biliteracy Professional Learning
MORRIS H. SEIGAL CLARK AVENUE MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
Happy Thanksgiving from the CAMS Social Communications Department!
Led by social communication and 'chef' teacher Ms. Kenney, the social communications department at the Clark Avenue Middle School welcomed students from all grade levels and their parents to their Thanksgiving feast held today. Students and parents all had a wonderful time celebrating and eating together and thank you to Dr. Abeyta for the surprise visit. We wish all of you a happy and healthy (and stuffed!) Thanksgiving!
Scholastic Book Fair at the Clark Avenue Middle School
A huge shout out goes to Ms. Lauren Redding, librarian at the Clark Avenue Middle School for another successful, yearly Scholastic Book Fair! Students were in and out all week buying new reading materials, journals, fidgets, and many other things that Ms. Redding ordered!
WRIGHT SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY UPDATES
Quarterly Awards Ceremony
WSTA held its quarterly award ceremonies to celebrate students who exemplify our Wolfpack values! We’re proud of our students’ achievements and were excited to recognize their accomplishments during the first quarter. Congrats to all the award winners and the teachers for all of their hard work!
We also want to shout out the incredible enthusiasm and camaraderie our students showed throughout the ceremonies. We appreciate how the Wolpack community celebrates each other’s hard work and academic achievement!
CHELSEA HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
A Thanksgiving Message from CHS Staff
As we enter Thanksgiving break, we share a video of our staff at Chelsea High School who expressed what they are grateful for this Thanksgiving.
Friendsgiving
On Thursday (11/20), the Young Parenting Program hosted a Friendsgiving event at CHS for our students. The goal was to bring students together to connect, build community, and feel supported.
We partnered with LifeScene to make the event special. Students enjoyed refreshments, participated in a “Thankful Three” activity, spent time engaging with one another, and received a small Thanksgiving gift from the Young Parenting Program.
Overall, it was a wonderful success. Students left feeling connected and part of a supportive community.
Family Enrichment Café
Building community and learning together at the Aspen Parent portal Workshop led and organized by CHS family liaisons.
CHS Alumni Spotlight
Sonyangelie Del Valle, a C.H.S. alumni, with her music teachers Shannon (High School) and Andrea (Elementary School) during her graduation recital at Gordon College. She thanks her teachers for their unconditional support throughout her musical career and for always being willing to go the extra mile and for loving their work with such dedication.
Relay For Life
We are excited to announce that Chelsea High School will host its first-ever Relay For Life on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in partnership with the American Cancer Society.
Relay For Life is a powerful and inspiring community event where participants come together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember the memories of loved ones lost, and raise funds to fight back in support of cancer research and essential patient services. This marks a meaningful milestone for our district as students, families, staff, and community members unite for a cause that touches the lives of so many.
The event will feature:
A community walk around the track
Student and community member-led activities, performances, and entertainment
Food, games, and family-friendly fun
The Survivor Lap, which recognizes those who face cancer
The Luminaria Ceremony, a moving tribute to loved ones
Local organizations, businesses, school clubs, and families are invited to form teams and participate in this special event. Opportunities to volunteer or sponsor are also available!
More information can be found at: relayforlife.org/chsma
We look forward to coming together as a district and community to bring hope, support, and strength to those affected by cancer!!
CHS Drama Club Play
The Chelsea High School Drama Club will be presenting our first production of the year, the farcical comedy Rumors by Neil. The play will go up December 4, 5 and 6, in the CHS auditorium at 7pm. Ticket prices are $8 at the door, and $5 if purchased in advance.-grab yours now! We hope to see you there!
Please contact our Drama Club advisor and director, Iliana Valentin, or producer, Bryan Pinales, with any questions and to purchase tickets in advance.
Here is a list of students involved in the production you will be supporting by coming to see the play:
Aimee Hernandez
Karla Anzora
Amy (Ronnie) Padilla
Joslany Peters
Adriann Best
Sheyly Fajardo
Jaylannie Hunter
Natali (Yuki) Sanches
Khadijatou (Girlie) Bajinka
Arwa Ait-Chaib
Jadiel Canelas Nunez
Melanie Soto
Sofia Guerrero
Kenneth Corado
Ny'Jala Cheek-Cooper
Eliel Canelas Nunez
Aleena Rivera
Andrea Pascual
CHELSEA OPPORTUNITY ACADEMY UPDATES
COA Happenings
COA staff and students prepared food for the COA Thanksgiving dinner. Students prepped the turkey and collaborated on best preparation methods! Thank you everyone for a fantastic COA Thanksgiving Celebration!"
COA Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
MESSAGES FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
BU Upward Bound Tutoring & Mentoring
Boston University Upward Bound Math Science has openings for 9th, 10th and 11th grade students who want to go to college
Support the Chelsea Kiwanis Club MicroPantry!
The Chelsea Kiwanis Club has proudly adopted the Healthy Chelsea MicroPantry at Iglesia La Luz De Cristo/SELAH (738 Broadway) — helping ensure local families have access to essential items year-round.
Community members can support this effort by donating shelf-stable food and hygiene products.
Donations may also be dropped off at the Chelsea School Department, 500 Broadway, Room #216.
Chelsea Eats Food Drive
The Chelsea Eats Food Drive is collecting non-perishable food items to help feed more than 10,000 residents at risk of losing SNAP benefits this November.
Donations can be dropped off at Chelsea City Hall (basement level, 500 Broadway) during regular hours. Items most needed include canned vegetables, proteins, soups, pasta, grains, boxed milk, tomato sauce, and other shelf-stable foods.
Learn more at www.chelsea.gov/food or call (617) 466-4209.
Chelsea’s Annual Santa Parade & Holiday Tree Lighting – December 6
Kick off the holiday season in Chelsea on Saturday, December 6, 2025! The celebration begins with the Santa Parade from 2–4 p.m., as Santa travels across the city on a fire truck spreading cheer. Then head to Chelsea Square for a festive Holiday Marketplace & Festival from 3–6 p.m., featuring visits with Santa, pony rides, a bouncy house, face painting, caroling, hot cocoa and cookies, and a special screening of The Polar Express. The evening will culminate with the community Holiday Tree Lighting at 4:30 p.m.. This free, family-friendly event is hosted by the City of Chelsea.
For more information, visit chelseama.gov/annualevents
Chelsea Youth Basketball Winter Leagues
Registration is open for Winter Leagues with the Chelsea Youth Basketball League! Students and families can visit their website below to see information about all the CYBL programs and to register. CYBL offers programs for youth as young as four and through 10th grade