Hello Families,

We are ready to begin the new year and hope you are too! Staff have been preparing throughout the week so we can start the year off with a welcoming atmosphere. As always we look forward to partnering with you this year and encourage your to get involved and attend events when possible.

If you haven't already, please take a peek at the guide below to make sure you are up-to-date on all things South Row.

Beginning of the Year Resource Guide

Enjoy your weekend!!

Respectfully,

Terri and Jayson

Monday, August 28th

• All Staff Reports to School ~ Staff Professional Development & Set Up
• Medication Drop Off: Nurse Shannon Vandevoordt will hold medication drop-offs on Monday, August 28th from 1:00-4:00pm. Please visit the health page for additional information and medication forms at https://chelmsfordschools.org/departments/health-services/health-forms/
  

Tuesday, August 29th

• First Day of School for Students (Grades 1 -4)
• Kindergarten Visitation - Students will have an opportunity to meet their teacher, see the classroom, and receive reminders from teachers and administration for the first day of school. This visitation is no longer than an hour.

Details for Kindergarten Visitation:

• Last names A - K report at 10:00AM
• Last names L-Z report at 1:30PM
• Meet in the front of the building (by main office door - sign in at tables)
• Park in aldersgate church back parking lot
• Students must come with an adult to visitation (transportation NOT provided by CPS)
• The visitation will be approx. 1 hour

Wednesday, August 30th

First Day for Kindergarten Students

• It is recommended that parents have students travel to school how they will be traveling throughout the year
• All kindergarten students will report to the gym on the first day
• Staff will be on site to get students to this location regardless on how they are arriving
• Parents that wish to say good bye or get pictures at the school may do so in the gymnasium

Friday, September 1st

• No School - Labor Day Weekend

Monday, September 4th

• No School - Labor Day Weekend

Tuesday, September 5th

• School Resumes K-4

Save the Date!

• FIRST PTO Meeting ~ September 11th ~ more information will be shared soon!

• Curriculum Night: Curriculum Night will take place on Wednesday, September 20th

5 – 5:25 pm: Principal/Assistant Principal Presentation- Cafeteria (K,1,2 families)

5:30 – 6:15pm: Grades K, 1, 2 Teacher Presentations

6:15 – 7:00 pm: Specialists/ Reading/ support providers available in classrooms/offices

7 – 7:25pm: Principal/ Assistant Principal Presentation- Cafeteria -Gr. 3 and 4 families (same as first presentation)

7:30 – 8:15pm: Grades 3 and 4 Teacher Presentations

Important Documents to Review:

• First Day FAQ
• Parent/Caregiver Resource Guide
• Arrival/Dismissal Visuals

Open Positions: We have a few recent openings for support staff at South Row. If you or someone you know would be interested in finding out more about these opportunities please reach to Mrs. Gilbert or complete the application accessed through the links below. Thank you for your consideration.

• Paraprofessional Openings (2)
• ABA Paraprofessional Openings (2)

Snacks/Water Bottles: Please remember to send your child to school with a snack and a water bottle. All classrooms have snack scheduled into their day.

From the Art Room: If your family eats Talenti gelato or sorbet Mrs. C is asking that you save the containers for her and send the clean containers into school for use in the Art Room.

Transportation Form: Please be sure to fill out this transportation form for your child(ren) if you have not done so already. If you have multiple children please fill it out for each child. This information is VERY important for our office team as it is CRITICAL to know how students are being dismissed daily. Should you have any questions on transportation, please contact Debbie O'Neill (oneilld@chelmsford.k12.ma.us) or Kim Sepe (sepek@chelmsford.k12.ma.us).

Should a change have to occur in your child's dismissal on a particular day please email their classroom teacher and both Mrs. O'Neill and Mrs. Sepe by 2:30 if at all possible. EMAIL IS THE BEST WAY TO GET THIS INFORMATION TO OUR STAFF.

Transportation Reminder: As our bus drivers get acclimated to their schedule routes, please allow extra time (approx. 10 minutes) the first few weeks of school.

Food Services: You will notice menus below. Please be advised that items are subject to change. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

CORI Forms: To volunteer in your child's classroom, field trip, etc. a CORI form must be completed. After completion, they are valid for up to 3 years. CORI forms must be completed in person with our main office staff during business hours, no appointment is needed. A valid drivers license is needed at the time of completion.

Pictures Opt Out - Classroom/Building Based/Social Media: If you would like to opt out of having your child's picture shared via our family newsletter, classroom communication or on South Row social media please contact Mrs. Gilbert, Mr. Ramalho or Ms. O'Neill. Please specify what you are opting out of with regards to picture sharing.

Hi families! We are excited to start a new school year and hope you can find a way to join us as a volunteer or make a donation at some point this year. Any amount of help is always appreciated.

Please bookmark our website SouthRowPTO.com to make sure you are ready to find our Mabel's Labels and Box Tops Fundraiser information as well as meeting dates and events throughout the year. And you can email us with questions anytime at southrowpto@gmail.com. Watch your child's backpack, weekly homelink emails, and Facebook as well for our updates and events through the year. Hope to see you in person at our first meeting on Monday September 11th. Best wishes for a smooth start to the year!

Please find below:

• Tentative Breakfast & Lunch Menu
• Breakfast Sign Up Information
• Early Release Day Lunch Sign Up Information
• Direct Link to Food Services webpage

Dear Parents and Families --

Chelmsford Public Schools is utilizing on-line breakfast ordering again this year for ELEMENTARY STUDENTS ONLY.

Orders must be placed the Thursday prior to the week you are selecting. Orders for the first day of school need to be placed by Thursday 8/24/23.

Instructions on how to set up an account are below. If you need any help, please reach out to the school nutrition department at: (978) 251-5111

Set Up Your Account Now

Directions to set up your account and order:

1. URL Link: family.onlineordering.linq.com
2. Sign up now: Email, create password.
3. School District: Chelmsford Public Schools
4. Student ID: This can be found on x2- Child’s Student ID Number
5. Last Name: (You can also search and add siblings/family members at this time). Once this is completed, the student’s name should appear on page.

How to order meals

1. School Menu-breakfast online ordering
2. Scroll to day/week you are selecting breakfast (top right of page)
3. Find date, select meal option
4. Add item to cart/Select Add to order
5. Click on shopping cart icon at top right of page
6. Click Check out
7. Select pick up location: Elementary pick-up location classroom
8. Place order

Mrs. Terri Gilbert

Principal

gilbertt@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Mr. Jayson Ramalho, M.Ed.

Assistant Principal

ramalhoj@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Email: gilbertt@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/Domain/15
Location: 250 Boston Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-251-5177
Facebook: facebook.com/SouthRowElementary
Twitter: @CPSSouthRow

• Mrs. Terri Gilbert, Principal: gilbertt@chelmsford.k12.ma.us, 978-251-5177 ext. 4
• Mr. Jayson Ramalho, Assistant Principal: ramalhoj@chelmsford.k12.ma.us, 978-251-5177 ext. 3
• Mrs. Shannon Vandevoordt, School Nurse: vandevoordts@chelmsford.k12.ma.us, 978-251-5177, ext.2
• Mrs. Debbie O'Neill, Secretary: oneilld@chelmsford.k12.ma.us, 978-251-5177, ext. 0
• Mrs. Kim Sepe, School Clerk: sepek@chelmsford.k12.ma.us, 978-251-5177, ext.0
• Absentee Line: 978-251-5177 ext. 1