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Good afternoon,
This week and the past month have been difficult for this community as a whole and for the Westford Public Schools family. Though the events in the past month are tragic, we should find comfort in the outpouring of support for one another that has been evident each day. I am proud to be a member of this community that is full of talented and caring individuals. Tomorrow, we have the opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate the life of Olivia Marchand. The WPS Billboard has information regarding the two events planned. Because of expected high turnouts, those attending
are encouraged to carpool and arrive early.
In a time when we are hurting as a community, our participation in Random Acts of Kindness Week could not be better timed. Sponsored by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, this week is a time to remind all of us how good others feel when we do random acts of kindness for them not to mention how it makes us feel when we do good for others. The hope of the foundation is that the week will inspire people to internalize the idea and spread kindness throughout the entire year.
At Community Meeting this week, we introduced the concept to students. They brainstormed together concrete ideas that they could do next week in school, at home and in the community. Next week we will be creating a Peace Tree in the Cafeteria. Children and staff will fill out peace signs with their random acts of kindness, how they felt and how the other person felt. All peace signs will be added to the Peace Tree - a visual reminder that we are striving for a peaceful community at JAC each and every day. The next time you are in school, please stop by the Cafeteria to check out the tree. Thank you to Lori McKinney, Principal Aide, for putting this together. It looks awesome and caused the Cafeteria to be a-buzz with talks of ideas of random acts of kindness!
As we continue our focus on building and sustaining a safe and peaceful school community, we are looking forward to participating in the second annual day of awareness for the Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign. "Spread the Word to End the Word is a campaign created by youth, in an on-going effort with Special Olympics and Best Buddies International, to engage schools, organizations and communities by raising the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word "retard(ed)" and encouraging everyone to stop using the R-word." Though we have not yet
introduced this to all students, I encourage you to spend some time exploring this website with your child as a preview to the work we will be doing in school. Our hope is to give children at Crisafulli an understanding of why this word will not be tolerated in school and should not be accepted in the world outside our doors either. On Sunday, Special Olympics Massachusetts will be sponsoring a basketball tournament in Marlborough to spread awareness about this important world-wide movement. Check out their website for more information.
Have a safe and enjoyable rest of your weekend,
Julie A. Vincentsen
Principal
Crisafulli Elementary School
Tel. 978-392-4483
"Let us come together to see what future we will create for our children." Iontanks (Sitting Bull)
Monday, February 8: 3rd Grade Math & Science Night, 6:30-7:15 (Last name A-L) 7:15-8:00 (Last name M-Z)
Monday, February 8: Star Reader begins!!!
Week of February 8: 5th Grade Play Auditions (Monday and Thursday)
New Date Tuesday, February 9: Student Council, 7:30
Tuesday, February 9: School Advisory Council, 6:00
Wednesday, February 10: Grade 4 Wingmasters Enrichment Program
Friday, February 12: Superintendent's Open House, 9:30 am
Week of February 15: No School, Winter Vacation
Monday, February 22: 5th Grade Play Cast List posted
Week of February 22: 4th Grade Living Lab - check the web calendar for your child's class schedule
Wednesday, February 24: SEPAC meeting on ADD
Friday, February 26: Marking Period ends
Saturday, February 27: Principal Office hours, 10:00-1:00
**New** Star Reader Program: Information was sent home with students today regarding this ever-popular program run by the PTO. The first drawing is Friday, February 12. Drawings will take place each Friday through March 27. Be a reader! Be a star! We have more books than ever so keep reading and start sending in those coupons!
**New** An interesting article: At School Council recently, we have had many discussions regarding lunch and recess specifically surrounding the amount of time allotted and the order. I wanted to share with you an interesting article from the New York Times that shows that the WPS Elementary Schools are ahead of a new trend!
**New** Talent Show: At yesterday's Community Meeting we announced a Talent Show to benefit Haiti relief. A group of students approached me with ideas to raise money and this was their favorite idea. We will be holding auditions the week after vacation. Children will have to be performance ready for their audition - as though they were ready for the big night : ) We will then hold two dress rehearsals prior to the big night which is tentatively set for Saturday, March 20th at 7:00, in the Blanchard Auditorium. If you are interested in volunteering your time to help coordinate this event, please let me know via email.
WA Softball Clinic: The WYBSL and the Westford Academy Softball Program are teaming up to offer a 3 week softball clinic at Westford Academy, for girls ages 3-15. Click here for more information.
**Updated** WPS STREAMS and Explore! Summer Programs: Brochures are now available for the STREAMS Summer Program as well as the Explore! Summer Program.
3rd Grade Math & Science Night: The annual 3rd grade Math and Science Night will be Monday, February 8th. We are asking parent volunteers to help with set up (5 - 6:30pm) and break down (8:30 -?). We would also like a couple of 4th or 5th grade parents and/or High School students at the event to help the 3rd graders with the stations. Please contact Maribeth Cherry (maelimom@yahoo.com) or Susan Kreithen (slgkreithen@comcast.net). Details will be coming home with the students soon.
SAC Suggestion Box: Our next SAC meeting will be on Tuesday, February 9 at 6:00. Do you have an idea or a concern you would like School Council to consider? If so, click here to visit our web page and fill out an electronic form to add to our Suggestion Box. The purpose of the Suggestion Box is for general concerns or questions you would like the School Advisory Council to discuss during the Open Forum section of our monthly agenda. If you have a specific concern or question regarding an individual contact your child's teacher, Ms. Kennelly or Ms. Vincentsen directly.
**Updated** School Spirit Wear items from Lands' End: We are excited to announce that we have once again partnered with Lands' End to provide Crisafulli School spirit wear! Clothing items are available now in all colors! Click here for an instruction sheet directly from Lands' End. Though this is not a major fundraiser, we do receive a minimal 3% of the total sales which will be put towards our Student Activities Account. Happy
shopping : )
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