CPS Superintendent's Update

Dear CPS Community,

Spooky season may not officially be here yet, but it just so happens to be Friday the 13th, which some consider to be an unlucky day. Personally, I don’t see how a Friday can be unlucky. Not only does it mark the start of the weekend, but this always fun and informative newsletter also arrives in your inbox.

This week, we were pleased to welcome Bionic Project representatives to Parker Middle School for some informative assembles. This fantastic organization promotes inclusion and accessibility for all while highlighting the abilities that every individual possesses. Students were also able to participate in soccer clinics using adaptive gear for amputees, an experience that truly helps to foster understanding, appreciation and empathy for one another.

At the start of the year, McCarthy Middle School began testing out a new bus pick-up and drop-off procedure, with parents/guardians entering and exiting off Old Westford Road, and buses coming in from North Road. So far, it has been going very smooth, and I appreciate everyone’s patience in making that transition.

With safety and security at the forefront of all our minds these days, Chelmsford Public Schools has implemented a new visitor management and screening service at every school building. The system is called Visitor Aware, and it is designed to ensure that only safe visitors are allowed access to our buildings. A great addition to our already well secured buildings, Visitor Aware will further assist us in keeping all our schools as safe as possible.

In addition to all the wonderful things happening in the district, I want to make you aware of a couple initiatives being undertaken by the town, for which your input will be incredibly valuable. Creating Chelmsford’s Future, the town’s strategic planning process, kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 18, with a community event at the Elks Lodge; there will be free ice cream, snacks and craft activities for the kids, so bring the whole family. That event will also be a good time to learn more about the two fire station construction projects the town will be seeking funding for on the Nov. 5 ballot. Please see the flyers included in this newsletter for more information.

Have a great weekend!

Yours truly,

Jay Lang, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

• Athletics Schedule
• School Committee Meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m., Central Administration Office
• Creating Chelmsford's Future Community Kickoff Event: Wednesday, Sept. 18, 5:30 p.m., Chelmsford Elks Lodge
• Friends of the Chelmsford Public Library Book Sale: Sept. 27-29
• Chelmsford Health Department's Fall Festival: Saturday, Sept. 28, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Town Common

The Chelmsford Public School Committee will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m. at the Central Administration Offices, 230 North Road. The meeting can be viewed on Comcast channel 22 or Verizon channel 36. It will also be livestreamed by Chelmsford Telemedia here.

The agenda for Tuesday's meeting can be found here.

And if you missed this past Tuesday's School Committee meeting, watch it below:

As our schools reopen, this is a final reminder that all students riding the school bus must be registered regardless if a fee is required.

Register Now

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.

McCarthy Middle School Assistant Principal Kerry Calobrisi stands beside the bus board outside the school at dismissal. The board displays how all the buses are lined up in the new procedure that is being tested out this year.

Each year, the schools hold an open house for families to visit and learn more about what students are learning at school. Please mark your calendars with these dates to visit your child(ren)'s schools!

Beginning band students in fifth grade at Parker Middle School start exploring their instruments for the first time. It's always amazing to hear how far they've come once the winter concert rolls around!

Every single student at Byam Elementary School created a piece of this incredible bulletin board. A beautiful patchwork of colors showcases their interests, hobbies, beliefs and what they love. It's a work of art for which they can all be proud.

To begin the Earth and Sun unit, fifth grade students are learning about shadow science. For a recent experiment, they traced shadows onto the pavement with chalk and made observations about how they changed as the sun moved across the sky throughout the day.

For every home football game this season, each Chelmsford High senior will give their jersey to a staff member at CHS who has made an impact on that player's life.

Developed by Parker Middle School artist-educator Ashley Norman, the 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. See the flyer below for more information.

The CHS World Language Department is excited to announce a trip to Panama and Costa Rica for April vacation 2025. High school students interested in traveling abroad and seeing some incredible sights should plan to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m. in the Learning Commons. Please see Ms. Sanchez in Room 243 for more information.

Constitution and Citizenship Day is celebrated annually on Sept. 17 to mark the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Each year, since 1952, the President of the United States proclaims the day as Constitution and Citizenship Day and, since 1956, has proclaimed the week of Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week.
The Constitution is a living and active document that both establishes a foundation for our governmental structure and protects our rights and liberties as citizens of this great country. It is our duty as educators to teach the younger generation about the history and contents of the document and the protections it accords us today. Education of the constitution is essential to retain the vitality and strength of our democracy.
For more information about how teachers are encouraged to commemorate this day in the classroom, visit our website.

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.

Seventeen Chelmsford High School Class of 2024 graduates have been recognized for either completing the Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Certificate program or earning their AP Capstone Diploma during the 2023-24 academic year. To receive the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional AP Exams of their choice. To receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. To learn more about these incredible accomplishments, please visit our website.

A recent guest on Chasing the Facts, hosted by Sam Chase, Superintendent Dr. Jay Lang discusses embarking on his 10th year at CPS, rising enrollment and the Parker Middle School building project. Watch the full episode at the link below.

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.

More than 60 colleges and universities will be sending representatives to Chelmsford High School this fall to meet with students interested in continuing their education at a post-secondary institution. Please see the College Visit Schedule for more details.

Follow the CHS Career and College Readiness Center on Instagram: @chs.careercenter

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.

Here are just a few noteworthy events and activities taking place around Chelmsford in the coming weeks:

Register Here!

RSVP Here!

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!

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:

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.

With the 2024-25 CHS athletic season now underway, please take some time to review the Spectator Guidelines below if you plan on attending any of the Lions sporting events.

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.

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