IMPORTANT DATES:

Postural Screening - February 10-12

Harlem Globetrotters: February 11th @ 7pm

February Recess: February 17-21 No School

School Reopens: February 24

Calendar Raffle Fundraiser - Calendars will be sold February 3rd- February 26th

Rock n' Roll Bingo - February 28th 7-11pm

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.

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****

Dear McCarthy families,

As we attempt to keep communications current and available throughout the district, we need to inform you that there has been a confirmed case of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) in one of our district schools. Pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial infection that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

What to look for:

• A cough that gradually worsens, often with severe coughing fits

• A “whooping’ sound after a cough

• Runny nose, sneezing and mild fever may also occur initially

Important Actions:

• Monitor for symptoms: any exhibited symptoms from above, contact your healthcare provider immediately

• Practice good hygiene: Encourage frequent hand washing and proper cough etiquette

• Confirm complete vaccination status: Ensure your family are up to date on their pertussis vaccine, including the Tdap booster for adolescents.

If there is a positive diagnosis;

• Stay home from school/work until they have completed the prescribed course of antibiotics

• Inform the school nurse of the diagnosis

• Follow the doctor’s instructions completely

In collaboration with the Chelmsford Board of Health, we continue to take the necessary precautions to prevent further spread. Students who were identified as close contacts will be notified. For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/index.html

Postural Screening for Scoliosis:

We will conduct our postural screenings on February 10th-12th. Please read more about what to expect and why we perform in school scoliosis screenings HERE.

Generally, these screens are part of your child's annual physical examination with the pediatrician. If you would like to opt out of this screening, if your child has had this screening with their healthcare provider, please let us know in writing, no later than February 6th. OPT OUT HERE.

Gina Clancy- clancyg@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

Meaghan Hughes - hughesm@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

There is a ton of clothing in the lost and found. If your child is missing a coat or sweatshirt have them go through the collection and look threw the clothing. All clothing will be donated to a charity after February break.

For Eye glasses and other valuables check with the office.

Thank You

McCarthy PTO is working hard to create community building events for our students, families and staff members. Check out a few upcoming activities below:

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!

McCarthy PTO is working hard to create community building events for our students, families and staff members. Check out a few upcoming activities below:

Calendar Raffle Fundraiser: Parker and McCarthy PTOs collaborated to create an awesome calendar raffle offering over 30 amazing prizes. We even added extra student prize days to our calendar! Our theme is: More Teen Time, Less Screen Time. Raffle tickets are $10 per calendar. Winners will be drawn every day in March. Hard copies of calendars will be sent home with students on Monday, Feb. 10th. Extra raffle tickets will be available at the main office. Calendar sales are due back to school by February 26th. Open the calendar raffle packet attached to get a sneak peak and start your sales early! Don't forget to check out the grand prize for student participation 😁

Rock & Roll Bingo: Join your friends for a night of singing, dancing, bingo, raffle baskets and 50/50 as we raise money to support enrichment programs for our school. Please save the date: Friday, February 28th 7-11pm. Tickets are available for $35 each or buy a table of 10 for $350. Tickets will go on sale on February 6th at 6PM. Be on the lookout for an email with a link to purchase tickets. The Rock & Roll Bingo committee is currently seeking donations for raffle basket items. Please click here for more information: Rock & Roll Bingo donations

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 please place your order a week before

2024-2025 CPS Upcoming Half Day/Early Release dates

● 2/6/25

● 3/12/25

● 4/1/25

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.

Postural Screening for Scoliosis:

We will conduct our postural screenings on February 10th-12th. Please read more about what to expect and why we perform in school scoliosis screenings HERE.

Generally, these screens are part of your child's annual physical examination with the pediatrician. If you would like to opt out of this screening, if your child has had this screening with their healthcare provider, please let us know in writing, no later than February 6th. OPT OUT HERE.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-isolation-and-exposure-guidance-for-children-and-staff-in-child-care-k-12-out-of-school-time-ost-and-recreational-campprogram-settings

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

• 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: mannioni@chelmsford.k12.ma.us

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