Dear Center Community,

Thank you to Ellen Ellis and the many volunteers who contributed to make our Trunk or Treat event a huge success. The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful turnout. Thank you for the many donations to the Chelmsford Food Pantry as well!! Just a reminder for Tuesday, students can wear festive fall colors , no costumes please. One exception to this is our K students will wear their paper bags for the parade.

ALICE drills

On Thursday we will present grade level meetings to explain to students the ALICE protocols and principles in a developmentally appropriate way.

As part of our meetings we will share a social story and show students a video to explain the ALICE options. We hope you will take some time to view these yourself and talk with your child about them following our presentations.

Here are the links: CPS ALICE Elementary Video, Elementary Social Story

Our first drills will be held the week of November 6th. We will notify families once the drills have been completed.

Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any questions or concerns.

Ordering Breakfast and Lunch on Half days

Our nutrition website has information and the link for families re: online ELEMENTARY BREAKFAST and ALL STUDENTS HALF DAY LUNCH ordering. This information is on the main page of our website. Please contact Holley Ready if you have difficulty: readyh@chelmsford.k12.ma.us.

https://cpsnutrition.com/

Have a good week.

Warm Regards,

Dianna and Donna

Dear Caregivers,

There are times when it is necessary for students to receive medications during the school day and the nursing staff is here to help with that. The CPS yearly health forms include a list of the medications that are available and supplied by the school health office. If at any time, your student needs to take any additional medicine at school (either over the counter or by prescription) the following are required by the health office on a yearly basis:

• Medication in the original and/or pharmacy-labeled container delivered to the school (and picked up from the school) by a responsible adult

• Written and signed medication order from a licensed clinician

• CPS Medication administration form (both sides completed). Some medical conditions may also require additional forms. CPS health forms can be found on the district website or by clicking this link: Health Forms

I hope this information will be helpful to you. Please reach out with any questions or concerns. Thank you for all that you do to partner with us to keep all our students healthy and safe!

Nurse Rose

The Center School Fourth-Grade Student Council is organizing a fundraiser for The Chelmsford Food Pantry, click here to learn more about this organization. The Student Council will collect the items listed below beginning November 1st, through November 14th. Donated items can be sent to school with your child(ren). There will also be a collection box left outside the school’s main entrance. The Student Council and The Chelmsford Food Pantry appreciate your support.

Food Items Requested by The Chelmsford Food Pantry:

• Children’s snacks
• Juice boxes
• Cooking oil or spray
• Small flour
• Vinegar (white and cider)
• Mayonnaise
• Taco kits
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Jelly
• Salad dressing
• Tomato /spaghetti sauce
• Instant coffee
• Coffee creamer (powder)
• Small sugar boxes
• Shelf stable milk
• Crackers
• Baby food (pouches are popular)
• Boxed cereal
• Mac + Cheese
• Pasta variety (Shells, bow, etc.)
• Soup and canned corn

Personal Products Requested by The Chelmsford Food Pantry:

• Shampoo/conditioner
• Soap
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Body wash
• Toilet tissue
• Body Lotion
• Shaving cream

Dear Center Families,

Children of all ages can have big feelings and difficulty managing their emotions. For some kids this can show up as tantrums and outbursts. We call this “emotional dysregulation”. There are lots of calming techniques parents and caregivers can model and teach kids to help them better regulate their emotions. Below I am sharing a link to an article for parents and caregivers from the Child Mind Institute called, “How to Help Children Calm Down,

Techniques for helping kids regulate their emotions and avoid explosive behavior”, by Caroline Miller. I hope this article may offer some insights and ideas for supporting your children at home.

https://childmind.org/article/how-to-help-children-calm-down/

Best wishes,

Ms. Lallas, Center School Counselor

Dear Center Families,

As we approach the holiday season the Center Cares program at Center School is accepting gift card donations to help our families that need some extra support. Gift cards in $20-$25 increments (or any amount) from Target or Walmart would be most welcome! Please, if you are able to make a donation gift cards will be accepted at the front office.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and care.

Warm regards,

Ms. Lallas, Center School Counselor

This virtual workshop is part of Cartwheel's free webinar series for parents, caregivers, and school staff in our community. Please feel free to share this email broadly and access English, Spanish, and Portuguese flyers here.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Recycle Day!

On SATURDAY, November 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/qAFOrSX

We appreciate your support!!

November

• Thursday, November 2: CSPTO co-president’s meeting 9:15-10:15

• Saturday, November 4: Recycle day; 8:00-12:00

• Monday, November 6: Be Kind Spirit Wear day

• Monday, November 6: Garrison House Make up day, grade 3

• Tuesday, November 7: No School - Professional development day

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

• Friday, November 10: No School (Veteran’s day)

• Wednesday, November 15: Half day (Elementary and MS only)

• Friday, November 17: Chelmsford Spirit Day

• Wednesday, November 22: Early release - Thanksgiving recess

• Thursday, November 23: No School (Thanksgiving)

• Friday, November 24: No School