Dear Center Community,

What an exciting week we've had at Center School! Our kindergarten students took their first field trip and went apple picking, which was a huge success. Our first-grade students visited the Discovery Museum in Acton. We want to express our gratitude to our CSPTO for their enduring generosity. This year, all field trips are fully funded by our CSPTO, eliminating any financial burden for families and providing wonderful enrichment opportunities for our students. We are so thankful to partner with such a generous community.

The weather smiled upon us for our first social and fundraising event of the year. Once again, the raffle baskets were amazing, thanks to everyone who donated items and prepared them. A big thank you to all who helped organize the event, sell tickets, and scoop ice cream. It was wonderful to see the smiles as everyone enjoyed their sundaes, knowing the joy will continue as the proceeds go towards supporting future enrichment events.

We ended the week with a whole-school PRIDE assembly, focusing on the importance of good manners and following assembly expectations. These included showing respect by listening to the speaker and expressing appreciation through calm clapping, being ready by using the bathroom before the assembly begins, sitting down flat so everyone can see, and staying safe by keeping hands, feet, and objects to yourself. Please ask your student about this assembly and see if they can share these expectations with you.

On Monday there will be no school in recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day. Is a time to honor and celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples in our country.

Restoring Rainbows Project

Restoring Rainbows is a global initiative whose goals are to provide educational supplies to children, contribute to environmental cleanup, and foster creativity within our community. We gather used school supplies (such as markers, pencils, crayons, rulers, scissors, etc.) that we can restore and distribute appropriately.

We will be placing a donation box at Center Elementary, where people can leave items to donate. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at restoringrainbows.chelmsford@gmail.com and we will provide you with the details!"

Volunteers Needed

• *** The CSPTO needs a few more people to assist with picture day on October 21st. Even an hour or two would be helpful.Sign up here if you'd like to participate.
• Looking for a way to help out but have limited time and can't make it into the school? Katie LaRochelle needs some assistance preparing some project folders for students. Please email her at larochellek@chelmsford.k12.ma.us if you are able to donate a couple of hours of your time.

Enjoy the long weekend.

Warm Regards,

Dianna and Donna

On SATURDAY, November 2nd (8am – 12pm) McCarthy & Center School PTOs are holding their very popular Recycle Day fundraiser, and they need volunteers!! Come help us greet drivers, unload donated items, and load those items into the recycle company's truck . All Middle & HS students are welcome to volunteer and earn up to 5 hours of community service. We also need parents to volunteer as well.

Signup at: https://signup.com/go/tJJQfMx

** Students 14 years and younger must have a parent/guardian volunteer with them**

We appreciate your support!!

October

• Monday, October 14: No School (Columbus day/Indigenous peoples day)

• Friday, October 18: Chelmsford Spirit Day

• Saturday, October 19: Trunk-or-Treat; 1:00-3:00 PM (rain date Oct. 26th)

• Monday, October 21, Picture Day

• Thursday, October 24: Half day/Professional day

• Thursday, October 24: Help needed after school to spread mulch, please see details in the Pulse
  

• Thursday, October 24: Lunch and Recess Aide mtg: 9:15 - 10:15

• Thursday, October 24: Read for the Record Day, Piper Chen SIngs

• October 29 & 30th : 3rd grade field trips to Garrison House

• Thursday, October 31: K Paperbag parade

November

• Friday, November 1: PTO co-president’s meeting 9:15-10:15

• Friday, November 1: Natasha Lowe author visit- 3rd grade
  

• Saturday, November 2: Recycle day; 8:00-12:00

• Monday, November 4: Be Kind Spirit Wear day

• Tuesday, November 5: No School - Professional development day

• Monday, November 11: No School (Veteran’s day)

• Wednesday, November 13: CSPTO meeting; 6:30-7:30 PM

• Friday, November 15: Picture retake day

• Wednesday, November 20: Half day (Elementary and MS only)

• Friday, November 22: Chelmsford Spirit Day

• Wednesday, November 27: Early release - Thanksgiving recess

• Thursday, November 28: No School (Thanksgiving)

• Friday, November 29: No School

Fall has arrived and the start of the respiratory virus season will begin soon, including flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). COVID-19 continues to circulate as well.

We encourage all eligible staff, students and community members to get updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Getting these vaccines increases your chances of staying healthy this year and by extension, keeping our Center community healthier too!

Why should I get the vaccines?
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent illness and reduce the risk of severe disease and hospitalization. When you get vaccinated, you also protect the people around you, including those who are at higher risk of complications for respiratory illnesses.

Who should get the Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines?

• Flu - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get a flu shot every fall before the start of flu season. You can find more information about the flu and flu vaccine on the CDC website.

• COVID-19

• The CDC recommends that EVERYONE ages 6 months and older get a dose of the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. This is especially important if you are 65 years or older, at high risk for COVID-19, or have never been vaccinated.

• RSV

• The CDC recommends everyone aged 75 years or older receive an RSV vaccine.

• It is also recommended for people aged 60 or older with certain medical conditions. Please see the CDC website for a complete list of conditions.

• It is recommended for pregnant people who are 32 to 36 weeks during the months of September through January.

• The CDC recommends a one-time vaccine for RSV. You can find more information about RSV and the RSV vaccination on the CDC website.

Where can I get these vaccines?

We encourage patients to contact your PCP or local pharmacy to get vaccinated.

To find a local pharmacy for flu, RSV, or COVID-19 vaccines, you can go to vaccines.gov or, call 1-800-232-0233.

COVID-19 Tests & Updated Guidelines

Starting at the end of September, residential households in the U.S. can order four home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests for free at COVIDTests.gov.

The CPS Covid-19 protocols can be found on the CPS website: CPS COVID Health Protocols

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.