Abbot Update
May 8, 2020
Thank you all so much for the heartwarming student slideshow and the beautiful flowers that were left in front of Abbot along with the adorable sidewalk messages. On behalf of everyone at Abbot, we thank you for all of the appreciation shown to us throughout the school year and especially this week. Your kindness and support make Abbot an extra special place to work!
Have a great weekend!
Please see important updates below.
Sincerely,
Lori McDermott
Happy Mother's Day!
Student Belongings Pick-Up
Staff will continue to pack student belongings and prepare the classrooms for summer maintenance through May 13. During this time, remote learning will continue as it has, but you may notice that responses to your emails may be a bit delayed as staff members are working away from their computers to prepare their classrooms for summer cleaning. If there are any changes to your child’s Google Meet or Office Hour schedules, the teacher will let you know.
On Tuesday, May 19, we invite families to come to the school to pick up student belongings. The schedule of times can be found below.
Please enter on Fisher Way and take your first right into the Abbot School parking lot. Proceed around the perimeter of the parking lot toward the side of the building until you come to the cones in front of the gymnasium. Staff members will be there to assist you.
We ask that you display a card on the passenger side window with your child’s last name, first name, grade and teacher name. Runners will gather the bags (organized alphabetically by last name in the gym). Please pop open your trunk and the runner will place the bag inside. We ask that you remain in your car so social distancing guidelines and safety protocols are followed.
At this time, we will also be collecting library books and any classroom materials, such as vocabulary books, books and book bags. Please have those in your trunk in a bag labeled with either “library”, or the name of your child’s teacher. Runners will collect these items from the trunks of cars.
If you have medications at school, Mrs. Grassi will be in touch. Epipens will be in the bag with other student belongings.
In addition, there are many student belongings in our Lost & Found. We will display the items on a table in front of the old main entrance. Please pull over to the side to take a look. Please maintain the appropriate distance when accessing the table. After May 19, all items will be donated to charity.
Should you have any questions or are unable to leave your home, please send me an email for alternative options.
May 19 Student Belonging Pick-Up Schedule - Mrs. DuBois and I coordinated our times for those who have students in both schools, so you can gather from both schools in one trip. Hope this helps.
Last Name
A-F - 9:00-9:45
G-L - 10:00-10:45
M-R - 11:00-11:45
S-Z - 12:00-12:45
Virtual Band Concert
I'm excited to announce we will be having a virtual spring recital on Wednesday, June 3rd at 7:00pm. This would have been the night of our Spring Concert and since we are unable to be together in person I thought we could show some support for our student musicians virtually via google meet. Students will perform solo songs if they would like. Unfortunately due to lag time in sound we are unable to do group performances in real time on google meet.
4th and 5th grade band students can sign up HERE.
Please see the attached invitation for more details and information. All students, parents/families, as well as Abbot teachers/staff will be invited to join us on google meet on June 3rd.
Thank You,
Trish Gately
Daily Challenges
This week's Daily Challenges:
Day 31 - Design the Abbot School Yearbook Cover
Day 32 - Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Day
Day 33 - Celebrate Nurse Appreciation Day
Day 34 - Collect things in your yard to create a picture
Day 33 - Make a tissue paper flower
More to come next week!
PTO Messages
Square 1 Art
Thank you for your responses concerning delivery preference for your Square 1 Art orders.
We wanted to provide an update to let you know that due to the "extremely limited workforce and more safety measures" being enacted at Square 1 Art due to COVID-19, headquartered in Georgia, production time is taking a little longer than originally anticipated. The new ship date for the items is 5/15. Once we receive the items here in Westford, we will be in touch to let you know when you can expect delivery to your home.
Thank you for your understanding.
Please stay well!
Sincerely,
PTO Elections
Our next PTO meeting will be held remotely on May 27, and we will be holding elections for the PTO Board for next year. Please consider attending the meeting, and please contact us for more information or check out the link below if you are interested in one of the following open positions: Secretary, School Store Committee, Spring Social Committee, Mini Grant Coordinator.
In addition, we are always looking for volunteers to get involved as general board members, or to help with any of our many events. Serving on the PTO board is a wonderful way to get involved at Abbot. The board sets the priorities for fundraising, community building activities, student enrichment, grants to Abbot teachers and staff and more. We are very flexible, and we can work with your schedule and interests! Please contact us at abbotschoolpto@gmail.com if you are interested in getting involved and we would love to discuss in more detail.
reminders from previous updates
5th Grade Transition to Stony Brook
Dr. Chew, the principal of Stony Brook, has communicated that he will be sharing a letter regarding the overall transition process and Middle School structure within the next week or so.
In terms of placement decisions for 6th grade, this is handled at Stony Brook. Our 5th grade teachers share general information with the Stony Brook guidance counselors to support the transition, but specifics around placement are determined at Stony Brook.
I will continue to keep you informed as the middle school transition process unfolds.
Yearbook Cover Contest
- The deadline is May 15
- E-mail entries to kknapp@westfordk12.us
- Entries need to be on 8.5x11" white paper
- Student name/email/teacher needs to be written with pencil on back of paper (so it doesn’t show through)
- Design needs to include “Abbot School 2019-2020”
Hello Families!
We hope this message finds you all healthy and well. If you have not yet accessed your child's Remote Learning Platform for Wellness, please follow directions included here in this slideshow. We look forward to seeing and hearing about your adventures in Wellness.
Thank you!
K-5 PE/Health and Wellness
Choice Board Information
Please use this link to access the updated Grades 3-5 Choice Boards for May 4 - May 15, 2020. As a reminder, these Choice Boards provide lessons and activities in the following areas: Physical Education & Wellness; Mindfulness & Emotional Well-Being; Science & Engineering; Social Studies; and Visual & Performing Arts. Please note that the Choice Boards will be “refreshed” every two weeks.
The link can also be found under the For Students Tab on the Abbot School website.
Morning Announcements
Social Emotional Support/Resources
A Message from our Abbot School Counselors
Did you know that Ms. Wendler and Ms. Newton have a Counseling Blog? During this time that we are not in school, it will be updated weekly with a few strategies for students and families, including some "mindfulness moment" ideas and some activities your child might want to try at home.
Please check out the link below:
Social Emotional Health and Well Being Website
The WPS School Psychologists, have created a terrific website for tips and resources during this challenging time. Click Here to check it out.
additional MESSAGES FROM WPS
A Message From WPS Food Service
Westford Public Schools remains dedicated to offering lunches to our students. Parents may order lunches on a weekly basis via an online sign-up sheet found on the district website via this LINK.
Every Monday, through the end of the 2020/2021 school year (Governor's Stay At Home Advisory), a week's supply of lunch items will be available for pick-up at the side entrance of the WA cafeteria. Pick-up times are from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon.
Lunch orders need to be placed weekly, by Sunday night at 6:00, for the upcoming week.
Regards,
Colleen
Food Service Director
cwallace@westfordk12.us
Community News
Westford Summer Music Program
Due to school closure through the end of FY 20, unfortunately there will be no Westford Summer Music program this July.
COVID-19 INFORMATION
WPS COVID-19 Website
The district will be sharing information regarding COVID-19 on the WPS website that will be updated regularly. Please click HERE to check it out.
Abbot School
Email: lmcdermott@westfordk12.us
Website: https://www.westfordk12.us/as
Location: 25 Depot Street, Westford, MA, USA
Phone: 978-692-5580
Twitter: @AbbotElementary