• Front Doors open @ 7:55 a.m.
• Warning Bell to go to class @ 8:08 a.m.
• First Period bell rings @ 8:10 a.m. (students should be in First period Class at this time)
  

• Dismissal is @ 2:30 p.m.

Email: mccarthy_attendance@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Please Send Email: Prior to 9am on the day of the absence (same as current voicemail option) Please Include: Child’s name, Grade, and Reason for absence.

We encourage you to use the email option when reporting an absence, dismissal, etc. Parents are still free to use the phone system to report absences, but you are encouraged to use email for greater office efficiency.

If you prefer, you can certainly call the attendance line prior to 9:00am, at 978-251-5122, please press 1.

**PLEASE READ**

We will continue to send automated emails home when students are absent. You will receive the email whether you notified the school or not. In order for an absence to be marked as "Excused", families will need to provide medical documentation.

Thank you for your understanding.

McCarthy Middle School

Attendance Matters

For an absence to be “excused” families need to provide medical documentation. This includes dismissals from the health office, unless your school nurse is requiring the dismissal based on the “Illness Policy” (ie: temperature over 100, vomiting, etc.) set by the Chelmsford School District or nursing judgment based on concerning symptoms that require further assessment or monitoring. Any absences over 3 days require medical documentation to be considered excused.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Early Release Thanksgiving Recess Begins - Wednesday November 27 @ 11:00

No School Thanksgiving Day - Thursday November 28

No School Day After Thanksgiving - Friday November 29

School Re-Opens - Monday December 2

Vision & Hearing Screening - Dec 9-11

Early Release - December 12th @ 11am

No School December Recess - December 23 -January 3

School Reopens - January 6

All visitors who come to McCarthy during the school day will ring the bell outside of our new vestibule area. This is located to the left as you are approaching the main entrance of the school. This area is staffed by one of our office members, who interacts with the guests. This new safety measure also includes a kiosk where guests will scan their license and receive a printed badge before entering. Families who are dropping off items or dismissing students do not need to use the kiosk. However, any guests who plan to enter the building have to scan their license/ID before being allowed inside. Guests will also scan their badge in order to "sign out" when they leave.

*Please remember to bring your license or state issued ID card (for those who do not drive) if you plan to enter the school.

Jeffery D. Parks, Ed.D.

Principal

McCarthy Middle School

Dear parents,

School pictures are ready!

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number.

All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.

More about the Smilesafe program here.

Thank you!

Happy Friday McCarthy Families!

McCarthy PTO is working on creating community building events for our students and families. Check out a few upcoming activities below:

🎁 Gift of Giving Annual Charity Event- November 25th - December 1st

The Chelmsford Council of Schools has partnered once again with the Paper Store at Drumhill for the Annual Gift of Giving Event. Purchase a Gift of Giving snowman ornament and $1 of the sale will be donated to the Chelmsford Council of Schools or make a $3.99 donation and you will receive 20% off your entire purchase. Proceeds raised will go towards scholarship programs.

❄️☃️ Parker Craft Fair- Sunday, December 8th 10:00 am-2:00 pm:

Parker PTO is proud to present our 4th Annual Craft Fair on Sunday, December 8th 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM. Stop by Parker and shop local vendors. This is a GREAT opportunity to get a jump start on your holiday shopping and support local businesses. We have over 30 vendors signed up including some Parker & McCarthy student vendors! Adult and student vendors are welcome to join the fun. Table spaces are $30 + one raffle donation for adult vendors and $10 + one raffle donation for student vendors. Click link to sign up: 2024 Parker Middle School Craft Fair

🍬🥣🧑‍🍳 Gingerbread House Decorating Contest

Sign up to join the fun at the Parker Craft Fair for our 1st Annual Middle School Gingerbread House Decorating Contest. This contest is FREE to enter and open to all. Four fabulous prizes will be awarded (1st-3rd place and "Fan Favorite"). Gingerbread creations will be on display during the craft fair and winners will be announced at 12 pm on Sunday, December 8th. You do not need to be present to win. Click link for more information and to enter the contest: 2024 Gingerbread House Decorating Contest Good luck and happy decorating!

🗓️ PTO Meeting Thursday, December 12th @ 6:30 in McCarthy Library:

Join us for our monthly PTO meeting! Parker & McCarthy PTOs work collaboratively to provide community building activities, provide enrichment programs for our students and families and support our teachers. We encourage any middle school parent/guardian to join us to learn about upcoming events and activities throughout the school year.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to McCarthy PTO at PTO.McCarthy@gmail.com As always, thank you for your continued support of our school!

Dear McCarthy Families,

Please send in non-glass, non-breakable storage containers and/or water bottles with your students. We've had several instances of broken glass, creating a safety issue. Plastic or aluminum is preferred.

~Thank you for your help.

TUESDAY

American Sign Language Ms. Fitzgibbons Bi-weekly Virtual Meetings 2:30-4:30

Invite Link: https://classroom.google.com/c/MjA5MjE3MDU3MzEz?cjc=yqtuwha

Class Code: yqtuwha

Yearbook Ms. Egan Room 104

Backstage Crew Ms. Richardson Chorus Room

Cross fit Ms. Suchecki Fitness room

Homework Club Ms. Sousa Library

Jazz Band Mr. DeStefano Band room

Select Chorus Ms. Richardson Chorus room

TV Club Ms. Martin Meets @ Parker School *Students must take the bus to Parker after school to use the television studio.

Stand-Up McCarthy (GSA) Ms. Briand Room 209

Wednesday

7th Grade Art Club Ms. Morton Art Room 120

Community Service Org. Ms. Isaacs Bi-weekly Room 233

Festival Band ATWE Mr. DeStefano 6pm-8pm Band room

Festival Orchestra Mr. Miller Room 124

Game “D&D” Ms. Carter & Ms. Sorrows Room 130 As soon as you are interested in joining, 1) join Google Class https://classroom.google.com/c/NTU5MTkxODM0ODc3?cjc=plj2ho2 with the code “plj2ho2”

Project 300 Mr. Gallagher Room 109

Thursday

8th Grade Art Club Ms. Kiley Room 122

Magic Gathering Club Mr. Warnock Room 230

Running Club Ms. Hughes Fall- (Spring TBD) Outside Café Starts Oct. 24

Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday

Drama club Ms. Richardson Chorus room Join the Drama club google classroom : qslajac to stay informed of your opportunities to get involved. You can participate

Intramurals Ms. Suchecki, Mr. Sherlock, Mr. Graham, Mr. Johnson Gym

Wednesday-Thursday

Fitness Room Mr. Graham Fitness room

Please be aware all activity times/days are subject to change

As of October 28th, if you haven't signed your student up for after school activities through My School Bucks or turned in your Health directive, your student will be ineligible to participate.

You Science

Students will participate in brain-game exercises and activities to uncover personal aptitudes, then connect these aptitudes to careers and educational pathways designed to help students find relevance in school and confidence in making future educational and career related decisions.

Lunch/Cafeteria Reminder:

Our school is considered to be "nut aware" and not nut free. Although nuts are allowed, no students are permitted to share food in the building. It is also considered best practice not to have students bring in shelled peanuts for the safety of others. It is important for students to understand that if they are bringing in nut products, they cannot share them regardless of whether the other student is allergic or not. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that no student experiences an anaphylactic response and we can help prevent those events together.

While we have these discussions with students throughout the day, it would be helpful and appreciated if you would address this at home as well.

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, student’s name should appear on page.

How to order meals

1. School Menu-select online lunch ordering (all schools)
2. Scroll to week of half day/early release date (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. Middle/high school pick up location cafeteria.
8. Place order

For the upcoming half day Wednesday 9/18/24 orders must be received by Friday 9/13/24.

2024-2025 CPS Upcoming Half Day/Early Release dates

● 11/27/24

● 12/12/24

● 1/14/25

● 2/6/25

● 3/12/25

● 4/1/25

November 8, 2024

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We have received reports that several middle school aged students are bringing energy drinks, such as Red Bull, Blue Gatorade, and Celsius to school and drinking them.

We are concerned about this behavior, as these drinks can have significant negative impacts on a child's health and development. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control energy drinks can cause a variety of side effects, including:

· Increased heart rate and blood pressure

· Anxiety and jitters

· Difficulty sleeping

· Upset stomach

· Dehydration

· Headaches

Furthermore, some students skip meals after drinking these drinks which can lead to poor concentration, fatigue, and other health problems. We encourage you to talk to your child about healthy eating and drinking habits. If you have any concerns about your child's health or behavior, please don't hesitate to contact us.

For more information click on the CDC link below: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/nutrition/energy.htm#:~:text=How%20Much%20Caffeine%20Is%20Okay,diet%20of%20children%20and%20adolescents.

Sincerely,

Gina Clancy, LPN

School Nurse

McCarthy Middle School

978-251-5122 x 7406

INJURY POLICY

Parent(s)/guardian must notify the school nurse of all surgeries and injuries (i.e., concussions, fractures, sprains, stitches, etc.) Parents shall notify the school nurse when a student has sustained a concussion outside of school activities. Guidelines regarding injuries and non-participation in physical education (P.E.) classes and recess are as follows:

Students with casts, stitches, or splints may not participate in Physical Education class or outdoor recess without written consent from both the parent/guardian and the attending physician.

*All injury notes from the doctor should include the type of injury, any limitations or allowance to participate in such activities, and the date the child may return to full physical activities. Parent/guardian wishes may not supersede this medical prescription.

FOOD FROM HOME

Please remind your students that any food brought from home should not be shared with peers to avoid any undisclosed allergies

COVID GUIDELINES:

CDC updated Covid guidelines in the spring 2024. No quarantine is required. Stay home up to 3 days with symptoms if appropriate, but not required. Any absences longer than 3 days will require a doctor’s note to excuse absences. It is recommended as best practice to wear a mask if you are symptomatic and covid positive while at school.

EXCUSED DISMISSALS FROM HEALTH OFFICE:

If your student is dismissed from the Health Office it is not automatically excused. Excused dismissals include students with fever, vomiting, injuries requiring immediate care or follow up with MD. Parent prerogative to dismiss does not equate to an excused absence.

Emails are not monitored outside of school hours. If this communication is regarding a health emergency:

• Call 9-1-1; or

• Contact your nearest Emergency Room

For emergency mental health support:

• Please call 9-1-1, go to the Emergency Department or contact our local community crisis center: 866-388-2242 Vinfen Community Behavioral Health Center

• Mass Mental Health Help Line: Support 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Call or Text: 833-773-2445 or chat online at masshelpline.com

  
  

• Non-Emergency Mental Health and Substance Use: Care Solace will quickly and confidentially find available providers matched to your needs: Call 888-515-0595 (available 24/7/365) or visit caresolace.com/chelmsford

I've invited you to fill out a form:McCarthy Family Resources

McCarthy wants to offer support and assistance to your family if you are in need. Please complete this form if your family would benefit from our resources that we offer.

With the resources available, we will do our best to meet the needs of all families.

If you do not feel comfortable completing this form, please contact our school counselors, 978-251-5122

Moya Charig Covers students A-G @ charigm@chelmsford.k12.ma.us ext.7478

Elyse Seero Covers students H-N @ seeroe@chelmsford.k12.ma.us ext.7465

Jessica Weaver Covers students O-Z @ weaverj@chelmsford.k12.ma.us ext. 7477

They will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

TERM 1-- 8/27/2024-10/31/2024

TERM 2-- 11/1/2024-- 1/22/2025

TERM 3-- 1/23/2025 -- 4/3/2025

TERM 4-- 4/4/2025 -- 4/4/2025- 6/25/2025

Email: mannioni@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Website: https://mccarthy.chelmsfordschools.org/
Location: 250 North Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-251-5122