CPS Superintendent's Update

Dear CPS Community,

As December unfolds and the spirit of joy fills the air, we find ourselves immersed in the magic of the holiday season. The month of December brings with it special occasions that hold significant cultural and religious importance for many of our community members. It is a time when families gather and neighborhoods are adorned with festive decorations for the religious observances of the month, and the spirit of togetherness resonates throughout our community. Chelmsford Public Schools embraces the richness of our diverse community by acknowledging and celebrating various holiday traditions. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about and appreciate the customs and celebrations that make this season special for their peers. Yesterday marked the beginning of Hanukah - Festival of Lights, celebrated by the Jewish community. I would like to wish a Happy Hanukah to families celebrating this month and look forward to continued celebrations throughout the month.

It is also important to note that although December is associated with celebrations and joy, it is also a month of remembrance. Yesterday, December 7th, was the 82nd commemoration of Pearl Harbor Day, a day our nation faced an unprecedented attack that marked the beginning of the United States' involvement in World War II in 1941. Pearl Harbor Day serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who lost their lives or were injured during the attack. It is a day to honor the courage and resilience displayed by those who responded to the call of duty in the face of adversity. I encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the significance of this day in history and the impact it has made on our country.

Although winter is still officially two weeks away, colder weather is settling in and it is essential to keep students (and us!) comfortable and warm, especially with the chill in the air. Whether heading to school, work, or outdoor activities, dressing warmly is key to staying cozy and healthy. Outdoor recess and activities occur at all our schools throughout the colder months. Please take time to ensure your children are prepared for these events each day with the proper clothing to keep them warm while outside. Some tips to help you and your family brave the colder weather include wearing layers to help regulate body temperature, and do not forget the extremities! It is important to protect the head, hands, and feet during the cold weather. A hat will prevent heat from escaping through your head. Consider one that covers your ears for extra warmth. Insulated, waterproof gloves or mittens will help keep hands warm and dry. Remember that mittens provide more warmth than gloves. Insulated, waterproof boots and shoes help keep feet dry and warm. Ensure they have good traction to prevent slips on icy surfaces. A good pair of dry socks help keep the body warm throughout the day. An extra pair in the backpack will help on those sloshy days where at times a foot finds a large puddle, soaking the inside of a shoe. With the time change, there is less sunlight going to and from school. When choosing outdoor gear, consider reflective features to enhance visibility during these darker times of day. Incorporating these tips will help students navigate the winter weather with comfort and confidence. Our goal is to keep everyone warm and safe while attending school.

Please enjoy this week’s highlights and have a wonderful weekend.

Yours truly,

Jay Lang, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

• Athletics Schedule
• Parker/McCarthy Orchestra Dress Rehearsal, 12/11 & 12/12, 3:00 p.m.
• Gr. 9 Digital Citizenship Course, 12/13, 9:30 a.m.
• CHS Winter Concert, 12/13, 7:00 p.m.
• Parker MS School Grs. 5/6 Chorus Concert, 12/14, 6:30 p.m.
• McCarthy MS Grs. 7/8 Chorus Concert, 12/14, 7:30 p.m.

Registration for Chelmsford Community Education’s Winter/Spring 2024 class schedule opens on Friday, December 15th. Please use the following link to view all the programs we have to offer during our winter/spring session. Be sure to check our website often and like us on Facebook (Chelmsford Community Education) and Instagram (commedwestlands) for announcements as they happen.

Superintendent Lang sits down with Sam Chase from "Chasing the Facts" to discuss middle school realignment, increasing enrollment, the district's aging buildings and more.

Second graders at the Harrington School have created posters to promote the annual "Share the Warmth" collection of hats, mittens, gloves for The Wish Project.

Second grade students at the Harrington School have been learning about solids and liquids in science. At the end of the unit Sub Zero Ice Cream came to do a demonstration of how they make their ice cream with liquid nitrogen. Each student then was able to enjoy some ice cream.

The Chelmsford High School Ecology Club collaborated with National Honor Society students to carry out a school-wide clean-up yesterday after school. More than 50 students participated enthusiastically, going around with trash bags, grabbers and buckets, picking up trash. Thanks to these amazing students for helping to keep the CHS campus sparkling clean!

This past month students in Mr. Richard's Intro to Photography class finished up their black and white photography unit and moved into the repetition, pattern and line unit which explored photographing naturally occurring patterns and staged repetition. The next unit students studied was color theory and how the use of color schemes evokes emphasis and mood. Students also engaged in Photoshop assignments which explored adding pops of color to black and white photos, blending two photos to create an interesting composition, and many new filters. Please CLICK HERE to see this month's virtual gallery to view student artwork.

CHS Career Center hosted a panel of lawyers last week to provide students an opportunity to explore the career field. Thank you for the time from our panelist and Chris Mitchell for putting together this opportunity for his fellow classmates. Please see the list of panelist below.

Defense Attorney Bryant
Attorney Eliopoulos
Attorney Kajko
Judge Hillman
Assistant District Attorney Haspel

The South Row PTO dedicated funding for new playground equipment. Thank you to Courtney Cooper, PTO Treasurer, for getting these amazing items ordered and dropped off at the school. No less than 12 new soccer balls, 12 new basketballs, 6 new kickballs, tons of chalk, and 36 tennis balls! Thank you to all parents, teachers, and others who support our fundraising efforts so we can continue giving things like this. What is your kids' favorite thing to play with at recess?

Chelmsford Community Education is seeking a long-term substitute childcare supervisor. To learn more and apply, please see the job posting using the following link.

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.

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 Health Services.

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
Twitter: @ChelmsfordPS