Dear Center Community,
Brrr, another cold week. Hopefully we can get students outside more next week. A reminder that Monday is a kind spirit day, so Let Your Kind Shine! Thursday, February 6th is a half-day for all students. Students will be released at 11:45. Please let your student's teacher know if this results in a change to their dismissal plans.
Taste of Chelmsford Raffle Tickets Now On Sale
The CSPTO is excited to announce the Taste of Chelmsford calendar raffle!
This February, tickets for the Taste of Chelmsford Calendar Raffle are on sale for $25, with only 1,000 tickets available! We're raffling off over $6,000 worth of prizes from Chelmsford-area restaurants and small businesses.
Drawings will take place every day in March, and each ticket can win multiple times! Purchase multiple tickets to increase your chances of winning
See prize details and purchase your raffle tickets today at: www.tasteofchelmsford.com
Arrival Procedures Reminder
We kindly ask for your cooperation in following the school's drop-off procedures. Please refrain from parking in staff parking areas to wait with students in your car. If you wish to wait with your child by the front door until school opens, you may park by the baseball fields near Town Hall and use the path to walk to the school. Your help ensures a smooth and safe arrival for everyone.
Thank you for your understanding!
Arrival Procedures
Drop-off
Drive through drop-off begins at 8:45 and ends at 8:59, please do not arrive prior to 8:40 to avoid creating a back-up on Billerica Road. If you arrive before 8:40 you will be asked to leave campus and return later. Staff are not available to supervise or let students out of their cars until 8:45.
Please enter from Billerica road and turn right, either into the upper parking lot or the drive in front of the kindergarten wing, when approaching the school. Please drive up to the cone before stopping your vehicle. Please wait for a staff member to greet your child and indicate that your student should exit the vehicle. For the first 5 minutes of drop off, we will create two lines of cars on the lower level. All students will be assisted out of their cars and when all cars are empty of students, cars will exit campus at the same time.
Students should exit from the driver’s side so they do not cross in front or behind cars. Students can enter the building and go directly to their classrooms at 8:50. Please do not drive to the front of the building to drop off.
Please note that students will be marked tardy if they arrive in their classroom later than 8:59.
Spirit Day on February 7th
Calling all characters! On Friday, February 7th, come to Center School dressed as your favorite storybook characters. Students and staff are both welcome to come to school dressed (appropriately- no face coverings, please!).
Technology Assistance for Families
Parents have their own incident IQ request form located on the district website under the parent drop down menu where they can ask for help with any type of question they have. Look for the lions head followed by IIQ helpdesk. Here is the direct link: https://chelmsford.incidentiq.com/guest/TKHNDKXH/parent-support#top .
Enjoy the weekend.
Warm Regards,
Dianna and Donna
MCAS - Save the dates
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.
ELA MCAS TESTING:
Grade 3
Monday, April 7th, 3rd Grade – Session 1
Tuesday, April 8th, 3rd Grade– Session 2
Grade 4:
Wednesday, April 9th, 4th Grade – Session 1
Thursday April 10th, 4th Grade– Session 2
Math MCAS TESTING:
Grade 4:
Monday May 12th, 4th Grade– Session 1
Tuesday May 13th, 4th Grade– Session 2
Grade 3:
Wednesday May 14th , 3rd Grade – Session 1
Thursday May 15th, 3rd Grade – Session 2
Links:
http://i-readycentral.com/familycenter/
Start your engine, but don’t idle too long
During the cold winter months, many drivers turn on their cars to let them warm up.
2/06/2015
However, be aware of a Massachusetts law that limits the amount of time a car engine can legally be idling. (Mass. General Laws, chapter 90 sec. 16A)
The law states that a car cannot be idling more than 5 minutes unless it is being serviced or it is being used to deliver or accept goods where engine assisted power is necessary. If someone is caught, they can be levied with a $100 fine for the first offense and up to $500 for subsequent offenses. A regulation from the Department of Environmental Protection at 310 CMR 7.11(1)(b) mirrors the language in the statute.
Section 16B of Chapter 90 of the Mass. General Laws prohibits extended idling on school grounds with the same penalties. The Registry of Motor Vehicles has issued regulations (540 CMR 27) that provide more information on limitations to idling on school grounds. These regulations provide that “No motor vehicle operator shall cause or allow the engine of any motor vehicle operated by him or her on school grounds to idle unnecessarily.” Idling that is permissible is outlined in the same regulation, which includes very detailed provisions for idling in specific circumstances, such as: “If the exterior temperature is less than 35° F, then idling is allowed to heat the interior of any motor vehicle other than a school bus for a period or periods aggregating not more than one minute in any 15 minute period during which the motor vehicle is waiting to accept or discharge passengers.”
Calendar of Events
February
Taste of Chelmsford- tickets on sale for a March draw
Monday, February 3: Be Kind Spirit Wear day
Wednesday, February 6th :dental presentation by Dr. Gupta for all kindergarten and 1st grade classes from 2:30-3:00 in the cafeteria.
Thursday, February 6: Half day/Professional day
Friday, February 7 : Dress up as your favorite book character
Saturday, February 8 Grade 4-12 Choralfest
Tuesday, February 11: BINGLO- 5:30 - 6:30 pm and 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Wednesday, February 12: RESPECT PBIS assembly at 2:20 in the gym
Friday, February 14: Chelmsford Spirit Day
Friday, February 14: Gr 4 Assembly to Watch Gr 5 Ensembles at PAC
February 17 - 21: February Recess
March Saturday, March 1: Grade 4 Instrument Test Drive, 9-11 Monday, March 3: Be Kind Spirit Wear day March 3- 7: Community Read-In -to be confirmed Wednesday, March 5, Annual K-12 Youth Art Month Exhibit Reception, CPL 5-6 PM Tuesday, March 11: Gr 1-4 Term 2 End of Marking period Wednesday, March 12: Half day/Professional day Wednesday, March 12: Lunch and Recess Aide mtg: 9:15 - 10:15 Wednesday, March 12: Science Fair; 6:30-8:00 Friday, March 14: Chelmsford Spirit Day Wednesday, March 19, CSPTO mtg Center Library, 6:30-7:30 Friday, March 21: World Down Syndrome Day Friday, March 21: Gr 1-4 T2 Teacher deadline for posting grades Wednesday, March 26: Gr 1-4 T2 Grades available online for parent/guardian
Food Services Information
This year, and moving forward, 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.