
Center Community Chat
April 16, 2023
Dear Center Community,
If you happen to be at Center after break, be sure to check out the beautiful bulletin board above that Ms. Glennon created with a little help from her colleagues. We certainly had our third and fourth graders under our wings this week as we supported them through this first round of MCAS. They worked hard and all students were respectful of the assessment environment.
Placement Process
Our placement process for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year is beginning and will take place over several weeks. This process is truly a team effort that involves input from school personnel and student data gathered over time. We put great care into the decisions that are made. All information is reviewed by the present grade level teachers, reading teachers, special education teachers, guidance counselor, principal and other appropriate personnel so that we can be confident that classroom make ups are conducive to learning.
When creating classrooms, it is important that we are mindful of the needs of our students across grade levels. Individual classes need to strike the delicate balance between overall range of abilities, learning styles, special needs, conduct and appropriate combinations of students. Final lists are reviewed very carefully to ensure we have used our collective professional judgment to place each child appropriately in a well-balanced class. Our goal at Center is to provide a learning environment that meets the needs of the whole child and placement is a key factor in realizing this goal. Your input in the process is gladly accepted. If you feel that there is additional information of which we should be aware in placing your child for next year, please inform me ( fulreaderd@chelsmford.k12.ma.us )by letter or email, by Monday, May 8. Please submit this to the principal even if you have discussed your preferences or concerns with the teacher. Please keep in mind that we are unable to honor requests for individual teachers. Letters containing such requests will be returned to you.
Thank you for your involvement and continued partnership in your child's education at Center.
Kindergarten Registration
The second round of Kindergarten Registration is on April 27th from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. If you have not registered your child for the upcoming 2023/24 school year, please be sure to make an appointment to register. All registration appointments are held at our Central Administration Offices located at 230 North Road. For more information and required documents, please visit the registration page on our website.
Outside of School Music Education
Please click here to view Mr. McGillicuddy’s recent communication regarding Music Education opportunities students can participate in.
Reach out to Mr. McGillicuddy if you have questions or would like help getting involved.
mcgillicuddyc@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Center Chirps
- Title I and Intervention support will end on Friday, May 26th for the school year.
- With the warmer weather, please apply sunscreen before students come to school.
Enjoy the upcoming break! Our next update will be April 30th.
Warm Regards,
Dianna and Donna
Notes from the Nurse- Sunny days and Sunscreen
The upcoming weather is bringing more sunny days for Center Students. Yay! The rays from the sun are stronger than ever, and protecting skin helps keep kids healthy. It is advisable to apply sunscreen at home before school starts, keeping it away from the eye area. If sunscreen is to be applied in school, a doctor's order is required per the Department of Public Health with a statement of permission from the student's parent/ guardian as sunscreen is considered an "Over-The - Counter" medication by this state.
-Weather changes quickly and often in New England. Have your child bring a jacket each day, so they are prepared and comfortable for daily outdoor recess.
-Accidents happen with food, body fluids or clothing tears. Please have a spare pair of pants/ underwear packed with students each day as this helps your child feel less embarrassed when they can be in a familiar outfit.
- A daily break time is offered in each class for students to power up with a healthy snack. The school does not provide snacks. While some children don't normally eat a midday snack, they may want to feel like part of a group who do. Putting a handful of dry cereal, or a piece of fruit in their backpack the night before school helps not to forget.
-Covid-19 virus still are showing up at Center. Those tricky viruses present a lot like colds and Spring allergies. Please continue to test as free Covid kits are available at the Chelmsford Library and Town Hall Health Department.
Thank you!
Kathy Rossman BSN RN NCSN
Happy Sculptor
Spreading kindness to a new K friend!
Spring has sprung
Showing Pride by helping in the cafe
Staff loving the teeter totter as well
Spring Fun
“Instrument Test Drive” for All Current 4th Grade Students! Saturday, April 29 at Chelmsford High School
On behalf of the Fine and Performing Arts Department, I am excited to welcome our incoming fifth graders to our middle school art and music programs! This spring, students will select the program in which they will participate in grade five. In the meantime, we know that you may have questions about the programs we offer, and one of the biggest ones is “Should my child participate in an instrumental ensemble like band or orchestra?” To help answer this question, we are very excited to offer the opportunity for these children to “Test Drive” all of the instruments offered in the 5th grade beginning instrument programs in their ensembles. This event is for ALL current grade 4 students in the Chelmsford Public Schools.
This event will be held on Saturday, April 29 from 9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. at Chelmsford High School, 200 Richardson Road. Please use the main high school entrance (NOT the Carl J. Rondina Performing Arts Center entrance).
We hope this program will help to ease the transition for students entering the 5th grade by helping them decide if they may want to participate in band or orchestra, and which instrument may be most appealing to them. At the Test Drive event, students will be given a brief overview of each instrument, and then will be given a chance to play all instruments offered in grade 5 ensembles:
Band instruments offered in grade 5 are flute, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone.
Orchestra instruments offered in grade 5 are violin, viola, cello, and bass.
Music teachers from all grades will be there to help facilitate this free event. We will also provide information about options for instrument rentals at the event.
In order to help keep the day moving smoothly, students from our four elementary schools are scheduled at the following times:
Byam: 9:00
Harrington 9:30
South Row: 10:15
Center: 11:00
We are looking forward to working with you to facilitate a successful experience in your child’s middle school art and music program. If you have any questions about this event, please email me at whittleseyc@chelmsford.k12.ma.us. See you on April 29!
Sincerely,
Dr. Christy Whittlesey
Earth Week Town Wide Clean Up
Good Things
Mr. L'Abbe's class earned an art and creation day
Classroom rotation fun for 4th grade students
Upcoming Events
APRIL
April 17 - 21: April Recess
Wednesday, April 26: National Administrative professionals day
MAY
Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month
May 1-5: Teacher Appreciation week
Monday, May 1: Kindness spirit day
Tuesday May 2: Principal Appreciation Day
Tuesday, May 2: Roller Kingdom family event, 6-8
May 3 - 7: Staff Appreciation
May 8- Last date to share placement information for consideration
Wednesday, May 10: School Nurse appreciation day
Wednesday, May 10: Kindergarten Parent Orientation 6:30 PM in the Center cafeteria
Friday, May 12: PTO Co-Pres Mtg 9:30 - 10:15 am
Monday, May 15: Grade 4 Math MCAS -S1
Tuesday, May 16: Grade 4 Math MCAS - S2
Wednesday, May 17: Grade 3 Math MCAS- S1
Thursday, May 18: Grade 3 Math MCAS - S2
Wednesday, May 17: Team Leader Meeting, 8-8:45
Wednesday, May 17: CSPTO Meeting, 7PM at Center Library
Wednesday, May 17: Plantmobile Enrichment- 2nd grade
Friday, May 19: Chelmsford Pride Spirit day
Monday, May 22: Gr 1 Enrichment - Animal Adventures (Classrooms)
Tuesday, May 23: PBIS Meeting 8:00 am in Room 25
May 22, 24, 25, 26 and 31st- Kindergarten screening
Wednesday, May 24: Culture night. 4:30-6:30
Wednesday, May 24: Gr 2 Enrichment - Plantmobile (classrooms)
Monday, May 29: No School - Memorial Day
Wednesday, May 31: Family Sing-a-long in the gym, 6:30PM
JUNE
Friday, June 2: PTO Co-Pres Mtg 9:30 - 10:15 am
Friday, June 2: Fire Safe Program , K-2 times TBD(alternate date Monday, June 5)
Monday, June 5: Kindness spirit wear day
Tuesday, *June 6: Term 3 (Gr K-4) End of marking period
Wednesday, June 7: CSPTO meeting at 7PM in the Center Library
Thursday, June 8, Field Day
Friday, June 9: Rain Date Field Day
Monday, June 12: 4th grade Finale
Thursday, June 15: Last day of school for students, full day
Thursday, June 15: Move Up Day, Students in K-3
Friday, *June 16: Term 3 (Gr 1-4) Teacher deadline for posting grades
Wednesday, *June 21: Term 3 (Gr 1-4) Grades available online
Resources
MCAS Dates
Save the dates for MCAS, strategies for preparation (iReady) in the new year for grades 1-4
This year, students across the Commonwealth will be taking The Next- Generation MCAS for our annual standardized state testing. All students in Chelmsford will be taking the computer-based assessment using Chromebooks. Please mark your calendars for the important dates below. We strongly encourage all students to be present and on time these days. If your child is sick, we will have make-up sessions so that they are able to take the assessments when they are able to show their personal best work.
Chelmsford is fortunate to have access to iReady to support student learning. Students have access to this learning tool at home. Please reach out to your teacher if you have difficulty logging on. There is much research to support enhanced student achievement with use of this valuable tool. Please press the buttons below for more information.
*****Students are asked to leave phones and smart watches at home on assessment days.****
May 15 & 16- 4th grade
May 17, &18- 3rd grade
Chelmsford SEPAC
Need support in understanding your child's basic rights and the laws that support them?
Looking for parent training on navigating the special education system or supporting your child?
Join the SEPAC. See a link to the SEPAC website below.
Center Elementary School
Email: fulreaderd@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us/Domain/9
Location: 84 Billerica Road, Chelmsford, MA, United States
Phone: 978-251-5155
Twitter: @Center_CCS