Dear Center Community,

We were remiss in not mentioning School Counselor Appreciation Week in our last update. We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sarah West and Jaelithe Brodeur for their dedication and support. Their impact on students is felt every day. Thank you for all you do for our students and school community, Ms. Brodeur and Ms. West!

I am sorry to miss the fun tomorrow as I will be out of state but will be sure to include pictures from the dress as your favorite book character next week.

We have a busy week ahead. We look forward to seeing many of you at the sold old BINGLOW event on Tuesday. On Wednesday, we will will have a whole school assembly focused on RESPECT. We will also be sharing information about our new emergency alert system. This is a visual and auditory alert located in parts of the building that are more difficult to hear, such as the gym and cafeteria. It is a welcomed safety measure .

A Valentine's Day reminder:No food or candy is allowed at classroom parties or on Valentine's cards, per the health policy.

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.

Enjoy the weekend.

Warm Regards,

Dianna and Donna

Black History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Black people throughout history. This month is particularly important as it allows us to highlight the contributions of individuals who may not be as well-known but have made significant impacts in various fields. By learning about their stories, we can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the richness of Black culture and history.

Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1831-1895) was the first African American woman to earn a medical degree in the United States. Out of over 54,000 doctors at the time, only approximately 300 were women, and one of these was Dr. Crumpler, was the only Black woman among them.

Dr. Crumpler dedicated her life to caring for others, especially those who were poor and had little access to medical care. After the Civil War, she moved to Richmond, Virginia, to provide medical assistance to freed African Americans, working with the Freedmen's Bureau and other organizations.

Dr. Crumpler's story teaches us that with determination and a caring heart, we can overcome challenges and make a difference in the world. She showed that helping others is one of the most important things we can do, inspiring us all to be kind and persistent in achieving our dreams.

Sources

The cold/flu season is upon us at Chelmsford Public Schools. We want to keep your children and our teachers healthy. Here are some ways we can work together to decrease the spread of illness.

• Wash hands frequently, especially before eating. If handwashing is not available, use hand sanitizer instead.

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or cough into sleeve not your hand. If you can't control when/where you cough/sneeze, wear a mask instead.
• Keep your child home when sick (Symptoms such as fever cough, sore throat, bad headache, body aches, or chills)

• Keep your child home with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher. Your child can return to school after their temp is < 100 for 24 hours without any fever reducing medicine AND when your child is feeling well enough to participate in normal activities.

• Keep your child home from school if they have vomiting and/or diarrhea. Your child can return to school 24 hours after his/her last vomiting and/or diarrhea episode and they are feeling well enough to participate in normal activities.

Any symptoms that persist or worsen should be evaluated by a primary care physician. Please notify our offices if your student is diagnosed with the flu by their doctor.

In addition to academics, we know students are very busy with sports and activities. Please do not send your student to school sick! This is for your child’s benefit and for the benefit of other students, teammates, and staff.

**** It is not too late to get the Flu Vaccine****

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/

https://www.curriculumassociates.com/research-and-efficacy

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.”

February

• Taste of Chelmsford- tickets on sale for a March draw

• 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

At Center School, there are a number of free and reduced cost programs and donations, offered throughout the year, for example, free backpacks and school supplies, gift cards, holiday support, Thanksgiving meals etc. If these resources would be helpful, please fill out the attached 2 question form This information is confidential and will remain exclusively with the administration. You will not need to provide any additional documentation and we will reach out as options arise. Please contact Mrs. Fulreader if you have any questions.

https://forms.gle/zotYEnqVWCjcuuii8

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.