Dear Center Community,

Another short week at Center. We are looking forward to a full week ahead. Please be sure students have the necessary gear for recess outside. The weather can change dramatically from the time they get dropped off until they go out for recess. Students go out as long as it is 20 degrees or above and can play in the snow as long as they have snow pants and boots. Please let Ms. Lallas know if you need help getting these clothing items.

February 8th Professional Development- Volunteers Needed

We are busy planning for our February 8th building-based PD and could use your help. We have several parent and staff volunteers to have agreed to have informal conversations with staff about their cultural backgrounds and experiences. We will pair up volunteers so no one has to be alone. Please press here for sample conversation questions. We would ask the following:

• Meet with 5 groups of staff members(approximately 10-12 people per group) for 20 minutes each, starting at 12:45 and ending at 3:15, at Center school

• Lunch will be provided to all volunteers at noon.

• Please email Dianna mailto:fulreaderd@chelmsford.k12.ma.us or call 978-251-5155 if you are interested or have any questions.

Kindergarten Registration

Please note that kindergarten registration begins this month for the 2024/25 school year on Tuesday, January 30th and Wednesday, January 31st. Registration is by appointment only using the following link. Anyone registering will be contacted to confirm the date and time to come to our Central Administration Building located at 230 North Road to meet with a secretary from your child’s designated elementary school to complete the registration process. Additional information about required paperwork for this appointment may be found here. Please spread the word to any family, friends, and neighbors that may have a kindergarten-aged child entering the school district for the first time.

Taste of Chelmsford Raffle Tickets on Sale

Taste of Chelmsford is the CSPTO's largest and most successful fundraiser, and the primary contributor to funding our student enrichment programs.

This year we are running our raffle in February and ticket sales start NOW for Center friends and family. Each ticket is $25 and offers 29 chances to win over $5K in amazing prizes from Chelmsford area restaurants and small businesses (YES, we've had repeat winners!). As always, only 1000 tickets will be sold-- you can purchase as many as you like--so get yours now before they sell out.

Questions? Email pto.center@gmail.com

Warm Regards,

Dianna and Donna

Dear Center Families,

I want to share with you an article called, “How to Discipline Your Child: 6 Ways That Work”, from Dr Becky Kennedy, Clinical Psychologist and her Good Enough blog/website. Dr. Becky believes that effective discipline isn’t about punishing kids to correct “bad” behavior. It’s about teaching kids the skills they need to improve behavior in the first place. She offers realistic tips for teaching our children skills to better self-regulate and manage big feelings while staying connected. I hope you find her article interesting and helpful!

https://www.goodinside.com/blog/how-to-discipline-your-child-6-ways-that-work/

Best,

Ms. Lallas, M.S., Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Center School Counselor

Pronouns – She/Her/Hers

Lallasc@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

(978) 251-5155, X) 6027

Dear Caregivers,

The winter cold/flu/covid season is a good time for us all to review the CPS illness policy. School health policies are in place to help keep the whole school community safe and healthy, while limiting interruptions to routines and learning as much as possible. These policies are all available on the CPS website: https://chelmsfordschools.org/departments/health-services/health-policies/

Illness Policy for Chelmsford Public Schools

We recommend that children not come to school if they appear to be ill. We advise caregivers to keep students' home if they have a sore throat, severe cold, rash, fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Students need to stay home if they have any of the following:

• Strep Throat: If strep throat is suspected, students may return to school after they have had a negative throat culture or have been on antibiotics and fever free for a full 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication.

• A fever over 100: May return to school when he/she is fever free for 24 hours without medication (e.g. Tylenol or Advil).

• Vomiting and/or diarrhea: May return to school 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea.

• Red or pink itchy eyes with crusty and or green/yellow drainage: May return to school the day after completing 24 hours of treatment and do not have further eye discharge.

• Head Lice or nits (eggs): The nurse will assess the student for the presence of head lice or nits. If head lice or nits are detected, the nurse will contact the parent/guardian and provide education on lice treatment. Based on the discretion of the school nurse, some situations may warrant a dismissal from school.

• A rash of unknown cause: May require MD/Clinician clearance at the discretion of the school nurse.

If a child is too ill to remain in school, the nurse will call the parent/guardian and/or emergency contact numbers for dismissal and they will need to be picked up within 30 minutes. The student should not place the call from a school phone or mobile phone.

Parents/guardians are required to notify the school if a child contracts any contagious diseases (e.g. Covid-19, Chicken Pox, Strep Throat, Whooping Cough, Fifth’s Disease, Conjunctivitis, Scabies, Impetigo, Ringworm or Head Lice, etc.). If a child has been absent due to a communicable disease, a physician’s release may be required before returning to school.

Thank you all for working with us to follow our group plan. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns about your child's heath or returning to school after an illness.

Rose Remmetter Felzani, MSN, RN

Center School Nurse

January

• Wednesday, January 24: Grades available for parents online - Kindergarten

February

• Thursday, February 1: co-president’s meeting; 9:15-10:15

• Monday, February 5: Be Kind Spirit Wear day

• Tuesday, February 6: Binglow- 6:30-8:00

• Thursday, February 8: Half day/Professional day

• February 19 - 23: February Recess

• Friday, February 16: Chelmsford Spirit Day

• Friday, February 16: 4th grade trip to Parker for Music Offerings Presentation

Ordering Breakfast and Lunch on Half days

Our nutrition website has information and the link for families re: online ELEMENTARY BREAKFAST and ALL STUDENTS HALF DAY LUNCH ordering. This information is on the main page of our website. Please contact Holley Ready if you have difficulty: readyh@chelmsford.k12.ma.us.

https://cpsnutrition.com/