Dear Families,

Thank you for bringing a touch of spring into our staff room this week as well as bookmarks to remind us how much we are appreciated. We are grateful for our thoughtful parent community.

Get Your Ziti Supper Tickets

Join us on Wed, April 10 in the Center Cafeteria for the annual Ziti Supper!

In this fun annual tradition, the Center School community is invited to come together for a delicious Italian meal, served up in the Center cafe by our very own 4th graders. Funds raised from this event support end-of-year activities for our 4th grade class.

Tickets are available for our 4:15 and 6:45 seatings.

Get yours now before they sell out at: givebutter.com/ZitiSupper24

Solar Eclipse Information

We will not be taking students out to see the eclipse on Monday. Please read this piece from the district update:

There have been inquiries regarding dismissal and viewing events for our schools based on the timing of the eclipse. We will be holding regular school hours on Monday April 8th. The eclipse will begin shortly after 2:00 p.m. and will last approximately two and a half hours until about 4:30 p.m. The timing of the event coincides with our school dismissal times and there will be no scheduled viewing events at the schools. We will remind students at the end of the day that they should avoid looking directly at the eclipse without specialized viewing eyewear when leaving school grounds. Please be sure to have a conversation with your child(ren) about the dangers of looking directly at the eclipse without proper eye protection. Please see the following Eclipse Safety Sheet developed by NASA on how to safely view the eclipse. To learn more about the upcoming eclipse, please visit the NASA website for additional comprehensive information.

Using Scratch to learn more about the eclipse in technology class

By Ms. Pappert

With the upcoming Solar Eclipse on Monday, I thought it would be a perfect time to experiment in our Scratch program to have the students get a first-hand look at what is actually happening! A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, thereby obscuring the view of the Sun from a small part of Earth, totally or partially. Scratch/Scratch jr. is a visual programming language that allows students to create their own interactive stories, games and animation. As students design Scratch projects, they learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively with one another.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Recycle Day!

On SATURDAY, May 4th (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/FYfDhZp

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

We appreciate your support!!

We begin MCAS for 3rd and 4th grade. We ask that students leave smart watches at home.

Have a good week.

Warm Regards,

Dianna and Donna

Tips for Sailing Through the MCAS Testing

• Get a good night’s sleep, so you feel well rested on the days of testing (better yet, for two nights before). Stay away from colas and desserts like “Death by Chocolate” to avoid caffeine which will make it hard to fall asleep.

• Plan ahead for a calm morning on the days of testing (and honestly, this helps all year long!). The night before: lay out clothes, pack lunches and snacks (don’t forget water), pack your backpack with food, homework/books/instruments/sport gear so you are not running around trying to find your belongings at the last minute.

• Feed your brain in the morning! For optimal performance, your brain would like some protein to get it up and running. Some breakfast ideas: any kind of eggs, Canadian bacon, turkey sausages, yogurt smoothies, ham and melted cheese on an English muffin, cottage cheese and fresh berries or (even if you’re picky) a tall glass of chocolate or vanilla soy milk.

• Leave for school a few minutes earlier than usual so you are not rushing or worrying about being late. If you can and the weather is cooperative, walk to school. Your brain will love the fresh air, and will stay alert longer after you’ve arrived at school.

• During the testing, focus on staying calm, relaxed and positive! No negative self-talk! Keep an optimistic and cheerful attitude. Say things to yourself like: “I know this – I’ve practiced this and I know how to do it – I am a good student – I can do my best – I’m learning more each day – My mind is clear and alert – I can do this.” If you begin to feel tense, use a slow, deep breathing exercise to calm yourself.

• Do not spend too much time on any one question. Skip the harder ones and go back to them later as your confidence builds. Many students do well by starting with the easiest questions first and then working their way on to the more difficult ones as their confidence level increases.

• Go back and proofread. After finishing the test, go back and look over your answers. Does the answer make sense? Have you answered all the parts of the questions? Are the answers in the right place?

• Use as much time as you need to finish the test. Do not allow those who finish early bother you. They often are not the ones who do best.

• When you are finished reward yourself for a job well done!

Relaxation Exercises

• The Big Sponge: Imagine that you are a sponge. To squeeze out all the stress and tension, tighten all your muscles (without hurting yourself) and silently count to five. Then relax all your muscles for a count of five. Repeat this 4-5 times. As you tense and relax your muscles you will ring out more stress.

• Lemon Squeezing: Imagine that you are making lemonade by squeezing out fresh lemons. You can use a couple of stress balls or imaginary lemons and tightly squeeze both fists. Squeeze to a count of three or so and then stretch and relax your hands for five seconds. As you squeeze your fists tightly again, imagine that the lemon juice is dripping out and taking all your tension with it. Repeat several times.

• The Big Balloon: Imagine that your stomach is a balloon. Breathe in slowly through your nose and watch your stomach (balloon) expand. Hold that breath for the count of three, then breath out slowly through your mouth. Do this several times and watch your tension blow away.

• One Minute Vacation: Give yourself a minute or two to daydream a bit. Imagine a quiet place you like to be that is relaxing and enjoyable. Some examples might be playing at the beach, walking in the woods, relaxing in a hammock. Pretend you are there and imagine what it looks like, smells like, feels like and sounds like. Enjoy a few moments there before returning to the classroom.

• Sit Tight: Sit at your desk and put your feet flat on the floor. With your hands, grab underneath your chair on the sides. Push down with your feet and pull up on your chair at the same time for a slow count of five seconds. Then relax for 5-10 seconds. Repeat three or four times.

• Yoga Breathing: stand with your feet slightly apart. Let your arms hang loosely at your sides. As you inhale, raise your arms slowly out to the sides, palms up and over your head. Exhaling, clasp you fingers and turn your palms up toward the ceiling. Now inhale slowly again, stretching up and tilting your head slightly back. As you exhale, drop you head down to your chest and let your arm slowly return to your sides. Repeat several times.

• Power Breathing: Take a deep breath in through your nose. Hold it for 3 seconds and imagine pushing that breath into the extremities of your body, such as to your hand, feet and head. Slowly breathe out through your mouth. Repeat a few times, smoothing out the inhalation and the exhalation so there is seamless inflow and outflow of air. As you breathe in feel calm energy entering your body and as you breath out feel the tension flowing out of your body.

References:

Nolting, Paul D. (1997). Winning at Math. Academic Success Press, Inc.Arem, Cynthia. Conquering math Anxiety: A Self-Help Workbook. Brooks Cole Publishing Company.Frank, Kim. (2008). The Hnadbook for Helping Kids with Anxiety and Stress. Youth Light Inc.

Chelmsford ranks among nation’s top communities

for support of music education

for TWELVE consecutive years!

Chelmsford Public Schools has once again been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education! This is Chelmsford’s TWELFTH consecutive year receiving NAMM’s Best Communities for Music Education designation.

Now in its 25th year, NAMM’s Best Communities for Music Education award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education.

The BCME survey requires districts to answer detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

The announcement of this year’s Best Communities for Music Education designation brings attention to the importance of keeping music education part of school’s core education and music’s vital role in student success in school. Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music: After two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers and that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school but also to attend college as well. In addition, everyday listening skills are stronger in musically trained children than in those without music training. Significantly, listening skills are closely tied to the ability to: perceive speech in a noisy background, pay attention, and keep sounds in memory. Later in life, individuals who took music lessons as children show stronger neural processing of sound: young adults and even older adults who have not played an instrument for up to 50 years show enhanced neural processing compared to their peers. Not to mention, social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills, and how to give and receive constructive criticism.

“CPS music teachers and students deserve this recognition for their creativity, dedication, and effort,” commented Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator Dr. Christy Whittlesey. “We should all take pride in contributing to a community that values music-making in schools and beyond!”

For more information about the Chelmsford music programs, please contact Fine and Performing Arts Department Coordinator Dr. Christy Whittlesey at whittleseyc@chelmsford.k12.ma.us.

The third annual Center School Community Sing-Along will take place on Tuesday, April 23rd, at 6:00 PM in the Center School Gym. This is a fun opportunity for the community to gather and make music together. This event is open to all students and community members.

Please complete this short Google Form to help me gauge interest and plan appropriately. https://forms.gle/2HbcouKKaEtH6dED8

Mr. McGillicuddy

April

• Monday, April 8: Grade 4 ELA MCAS

• Tuesday, April 9: Grade 4 ELA MCAS

• Tuesday, April 9: Center school presentation at school committee

• Wednesday, April 10: 4th Grade Ziti Supper

• Wednesday, April 10: Grade 3 ELA MCAS

• Thursday, April 11: Grade 3 ELA MCAS

• Friday, April 12: Gr. 3 and 4 ELA MCAS makeup day

• Friday, April 12: Chelmsford Spirit Day

• April 15 - 19: April Recess

• Monday, April 22: Earth Day

• Tuesday, April 23: Family Sing-A-Long 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm

May

• Wednesday, May 1: National Principal Appreciation day

• Thursday, May 2: co-president’s meeting; 9:15-10:15

• Friday, May 3: Twin Day - Student Council spirit day

• Saturday, May 4: Recycle Day; 8:00-12:00

• Monday, May 6: National Nurse Appreciation Day

• Monday, May 6: Be Kind Spirit Wear day

• Tuesday, May 7: 6:00 PM- Roller Kingdom

• Wednesday, May 8: Kindergarten Orientation 6:30 in Cafeteria

• Thursday, May 9: Center Students singing at Benchmark Senior Center, 4:30

• Monday, May 13: Grade 3 Math MCAS

• Tuesday, May 14: Grade 3 Math MCAS

• Wednesday, May 15: Grade 4 Math MCAS

• Thursday, May 16: Grade 4 Math MCAS

• Friday, May 17: Gr 3 and 4 Math MCAS Makeup

• Friday, May 17: Chelmsford Spirit Day

• Monday, May 20: Kindergarten screening 9:00-12:00

• Wednesday, May 22: Kindergarten Screening 9:00-12:00

• Wednesday, May 22: PTO meeting; 7:00-8:00 PM

• Thursday, May 23: Kindergarten Screening

• Thursday, May 23rd: 4th Grade State House performance 10:30

• Friday, May 24: Kindergarten Screening

• Monday, May 27: No School - Memorial Day

• Wednesday, May 29- June 4 - Book fair

• Wednesday, May 29: Kindergarten Screening 9:00-12:00

• Friday, May 31: PJ day - Student Council spirit day

June

• Monday, June 3: Be Kind Spirit Wear day

• Tuesday, June 4: End of marking period - All grades

• Tuesday, June 4: Unified Game Day, 11:30 -1:30

• Tuesday, June 4: Art & Culture Night, Wednesday, June 5: Team Leader 8:00 - 8:45 in Conference room

• Wednesday, June 5: ******Extra PTO if needed; 7:00-8:00 PM

• Thursday, June 6: field day

• Friday, June 7: rain date for field day

• Monday, June 10: Wingmasters- 3rd Grade- 9:30-10:30 in the cafeteria

• Monday, June 10: 4th grade Finale, Gym/cafeteria 12:00-3:00

• Monday, June 10: co-president’s meeting; 9:15-10:15

• Friday, June 14: Teacher Deadline for Posting Grades - All

• Friday, June 14: Chelmsford Spirit Day

• Wednesday, June 19: Grades available online for Parents - All

• Wednesday, June 19: No School - Juneteenth