
CPS Superintendent's Update
PERSEVERANCE * RESPECT * INTEGRITY * DEDICATION * EMPATHY
Superintendent's Update - 2.7.2025
Dear CPS Community,
It has been a busy start to the month, as today marks the 100th day of school with learning activities at the elementary level created to emphasize the day. Students engaged in a variety of counting activities and artwork centered around the number 100, and yes, even dressed up as if they were 100 years old. This day is always a treat for our students and a fun way to reinforce early math skills.
This past week was National School Counseling Week (NSCW), a time to recognize the important role that school counselors play in students' lives. We have an incredible team of counselors at CPS who go above and beyond for our children, helping them plan for their future academic and career goals and guiding their social and personal development. So please join me in thanking them for all they do!
The Thursdays took first place and The Crescendos were the runners up during last weekend’s International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA) quarterfinal in Danvers. That means both of our outstanding a cappella groups will be moving on to the semifinals. In addition, senior Jocelyn Pica was named Outstanding Soloist, The Thursdays won Outstanding Arrangement and Shreya Madhu and Lily Rogers took home Outstanding Choreography honors. Congratulations to all these incredibly talented singers and good luck at semis next month in Worcester!
Every year, each public school and district in Massachusetts receives a report card from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the school’s report card is designed to show families how our schools are doing in different areas. The report card includes multiple measures of a school and district performance – more than just MCAS scores. It represents a new way of looking at school performance, by providing information on student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities and more. To view the 2024 report cards and for additional information, please visit our website.
And if you’re looking for some entertainment this weekend, CHS Theatre Guild is putting on their 10-minute plays tonight and tomorrow evening. Please be advised these performances are not intended for younger audiences. And Choralfest will be held Saturday afternoon. This event brings together some amazingly talented students in grades 4-12 for an afternoon of song.
I hope you all have a great weekend!
Yours truly,
Jay Lang, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Upcoming Events
- Athletics Schedule
- CHS Theatre Guild's 10-Minute Plays: Friday, Feb. 7, and Saturday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m., Chelmsford High School PAC
- Choralfest: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2 p.m., Chelmsford High School PAC
- Harrington Multicultural Festival: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 6:30 p.m., Harrington Elementary School
- February Recess: Feb. 17-21, No School
- School Committee Meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 6 p.m., Central Administration Offices
School Committee Meeting - Feb. 4
If you missed the Feb. 4 School Committee meeting, watch it here:
Today in History
CPS Bus Registration
All students riding the school bus must be registered regardless if a fee is required.
Please keep in mind the following:
- All riders must be registered online.
- INCOMPLETE REGISTRATION: Anyone who has received an e-mail message regarding an incomplete bus registration and/or has not completed the registration will not receive a bus pass or be on the driver’s passenger roster.
- ALTERNATE ADDRESS: Any student using an alternate address must contact the transportation department immediately. All riders' addresses are automatically reset to the home address each year. Alternate addresses must be for all 5 days of the week.
- FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Anyone who has chosen the 'seeking financial assistance' option during registration must apply and be approved for the free and reduced lunch program.
For more information, contact the Transportation Office at 978-251-5100 or by e-mail at brekalisp@chelmsford.k12.ma.us.
Mark Your Calendars: Community Read-In
CHS Robotics Team at VEX Competition
Global School Play Day at South Row
Wednesday, Feb. 5, was Global School Play Day, an annual event that allows children to explore their creativity, problem-solving skills and social interactions in an unstructured and spontaneous environment. View more photos on our website.
Dress as Your Favorite Book Character at Center
CHS Students of the Month - January 2025
Six seniors were recently honored as Chelmsford High School named its Lions Pride/Rotary Student of the Month recipients for January. They are Shalini Manchi and Justin Buckley from Emerson House, Abigail LoPresti and Lana Freije of Hawthorne House and Elizabeth Kelliher and Klara Vaskova from Whittier House.
Read more about these students and their successes on our website.
Jump Rope Enrichment Program at Byam
South Row Students Decipher Binary Code
CHS A Capella at ICHSA Quarterfinals
Chelmsford High School's two a cappella groups, The Thursdays and The Crescendos, performed at the ICHSA Quarterfinals last weekend in Danvers. The Thursdays took first, while The Crescendos placed second, with both earning spots in the ICHSA Semifinals next month.
Save the Dates: 10-Minute Plays
Join the February Sketchbook Spectacular
Sketchbook Spectacular is a FREE art initiative open to artists of all ages in the Chelmsford community and beyond. All mediums are welcome, including drawing, watercolor and collage. Participants are encouraged to explore prompts in their sketchbooks, but the prompts can also inspire free-standing artwork. Developed by Parker Middle School artist-educator Ashley Norman, this project is perfect for starting or maintaining an art practice throughout the year. Want to share your work? Email your art to normana@chelmsford.k12.ma.us.
WATCH: Superintendent Dr. Jay Lang on The Current Buzz
Guest Speakers Wanted
Chelmsford High School is seeking guest speakers to discuss their career journey with a group of Innovation Career Pathway students. CHS is looking for guest speakers in the following fields: Information Technology/Computer Science, Business & Finance, Life Science and Engineering/Manufacturing. If you have experience in any of these fields and are interested in sharing your career and career path with high school students, please reach out to Career and College Readiness Facilitator, Alex Cunningham at cunninghamalex@chelmsford.k12.ma.us.
Upcoming School & PTO Fundraisers
* Click on image above for link to purchase tickets *
Taste of Chelmsford
The Center School PTO is excited to announce the Taste of Chelmsford calendar raffle!
This year’s raffle will run in March, and has amazing prizes offered daily from area restaurants and businesses. Funds raised from the Taste directly support enrichment programs for students at Center.
Tickets are $25 and each ticket can win 31 times in March! All prizes are valued at $100 or more. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold, so get yours now before they sell out!
Purchase your raffle tickets today at: www.tasteofchelmsford.com.
This year, Massachusetts is offering all school lunch and breakfast at no charge to students. This does not automatically make families eligible for any other benefits. Families that feel they are eligible for transportation or extended day reduced tuition are strongly encouraged to fill out the online free and reduced meal application.
In The News
CPS Employment Opportunities
The Chelmsford Public Schools utilizes SchoolSpring to advertise job postings and the online application process. To apply for any of our positions, please visit our website.
CPS Health Services
The CPS Health Services Department is committed to providing evidence-based/ best practice holistic nursing care to the unique, culturally diverse students of Chelmsford Public Schools. In collaboration with all stakeholders, we advocate for their safety and healthcare needs. We are dedicated professionals who are committed to bridging health care with education and making a positive impact on the present and future wellness of Chelmsford’s school community. Please visit the Health Services page on the website for all your health services needs.
Cold & Flu Information From the School Nurses
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.
- Use good hand hygiene and wash hands frequently.
- Cover coughs with a tissue or cough into sleeve not your hand.
- 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 able 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.
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****
College Visit Information
2024-25 Career & College Events at Chelmsford High School
Follow the CHS Career and College Readiness Center on Instagram: @chs.careercenter
Around Town
Here are some noteworthy events and activities taking place around Chelmsford in the coming weeks:
Community Organizations & Events
There are a plethora of local youth sports and scouting organizations that hold fundraisers and recruiting events throughout the school year. Some may also be seeking volunteers. If you're a parent looking for social and skill-building opportunities for your child or children, we have launched a new webpage devoted to just that. In addition to event information, this resource page will also feature links to all the websites or social media accounts for youth sports leagues and scouting troops. So head on over there and check it out!
Parker Middle School Building Project
Looking for information about the ongoing Parker Middle School Building Project? Visit our website to learn more and stay updated. And if you missed the public information session that was held in the spring, during which Superintendent Dr. Jay Lang shared a plethora of information, view it here:
CHS Athletics
Purchase Tickets
Chelmsford High School has a cashless system for admittance to its regular season home athletic events. To get your tickets, CHS has partnered with GoFan.co, a digital, cashless ticketing app used by more than 10,000 schools, for fast and convenient payments for regular season home games. CHS fans are encouraged to download the GoFan app. For Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association postseason tournaments, the MIAA also utilizes GoFan.co as its own ticketing system. Visit the MIAA Ticket Information page.
Important Links & Resources
CHELMSFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS MISSION
The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners who PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential.
Chelmsford Public Schools
Email: information@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://chelmsfordschools.org
Location: 230 North Road, Chelmsford, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 251-5100
Facebook: facebook.com/chelmsfordpublicschools
Instagram: @chelmsfordpublicschools X: @CPSchoolsMA
Communications & Media Director