First Key to Success in Middle School: Being Present!

Attendance is critical for success for all students.  Please click HERE see the letter and information from District Attorney Marion Ryan regarding attendance. Students gain much information and make sense of the material presented through the activities and discussions that take place in the classroom.  When a student is absent, sure the work can be given and made up, but the richness of the discussions and activities cannot be replicated.  Often that is when students make the connections that helps them truly understand what they are learning as well as give them the ability to apply what they are learning.  Being at school on time daily is critical as well.  In all grade levels academic instruction begins immediately after homeroom in the morning.  However, being in HR on time (8:19) allows student the time they need to organize themselves and their materials for the morning’s lessons.  If we can assist in any way helping to have your child present and ready for learning, we are happy to help.  

If your child will be home from school, please call us at 251-5122 and select option 1 or email us at mccarthy_attendance@chelmsford.k12.ma.us to report your child absent.  Right now the system is set up in this way:  If you do not call in, our office will issue a ConnectEd automatic message to the families of all absent students whose parent has not called in.  It will be a generic message indicating that your child is absent and to please call back or send in a note the next day.  The last part of the message urges you to contact the school immediately if you believe our call to be an error.  The reality is that, in a school this size, sometimes mistakes are made.

Please contact your child’s guidance counselor if you have any overarching concerns whether it is attendance related or not.  Specific class/assignment related questions or concerns should be directed to the particular teacher involved.  Our counselor assignments are as follows:

• Mrs. Charig: Grade 8 & Teams 5-2 & 5-3
• Mrs. Seero: Grade 6 & Team 5-4
• Mrs. Vining: Grade 7 & Team 5-1

Student Council Chelmsford Clothing Sale

Have Chelmsford PRIDE and want to display it for all to see?  Order your very own Chelmsford clothing by using the order form and turn it into the Main Office by October 1.

 GRADE 7 & 8 CURRICULUM NIGHT AT MCCARTHY

Thursday, September 26 from 6-7:30 pm

This evening is intended for Parents/Guardians to hear about the curriculum and classroom expectations for the upcoming school year.

Upcoming School-Based Flu Clinic

Tuesday October 22, 2019

Online Consent Form

September 5^th, 2019

Dear Parent/Guardian:

 The Chelmsford Board of Health will be administering influenza vaccines during school hours to Middle School students on Tuesday October 22, 2019.  Please read the attached VIS (Vaccine Information Sheet) as well as the information on the MIIS (Massachusetts Immunization Information System). There is an online consent form that needs to be filled out electronically. You may access the consent form through this link: https://fs27.formsite.com/2YIw7U/wdaf4w3aae/index.html.  All required fields of this consent form must be completed. Uploading a copy of your insurance card as indicated in the link is also required prior to submitting the form. 

DEADLINE TO COMPLETE ONLINE CONSENT FORM:

TUESDAY October 15, 2019

REMINDERS TO BE COMPLETED FOR EVERY CHILD:

#1   Consent Form with parent electronic signature

#2   Screening questions must be answered

#3   Upload your child’s Health Insurance Card:

No student will be given an influenza vaccine without an electronically signed parental consent, an uploaded copy of health insurance card, and completed screening questionnaire.

Forms can be found at the following link: https://fs27.formsite.com/2YIw7U/wdaf4w3aae/index.html.  

We will not be having school-based clinics at the elementary school level. Those in the elementary school should receive their vaccine at their primary care physician or at a public clinic with their parent present.

The Chelmsford Board of Health has worked closely with the secondary schools to coordinate this school-based seasonal influenza clinic.  The vaccines will be administered by me as well as other Massachusetts licensed nurses. We will be administering influenza vaccine either by injection into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm, or nasally if Flumist is chosen.

I need the forms completed in advance in order to arrange for an adequate number of registered nurses to assist me.  

If you prefer to have your child receive the influenza vaccine at their primary care physician’s office, call your physician directly to schedule an appointment.

Sincerely,

Kerry Sorrentino, MSN, RN                                          Sue Rosa, BSN, RN

Kerry Sorrentino, MSN, RN                                          Sue Rosa, BSN, RN

Public Health Nurse                                                     Public Health Director

Chelmsford Board of Health    (978) 250-5241              Chelmsford Board of Health    (978) 250-5243

Supply Lists for 2019-20

Click HERE to access the school supply lists.

DROP OFF/PICKUP/DISMISSAL REMINDERS

I wanted to reach out to the whole community to remind you of some of our standard procedures.

DROP OFF FOR STUDENTS MEETING WITH A TEACHER OR ATTENDING A MORNING CLUB: Students should not arrive to school before 8am unless they have a prearranged meeting with a teacher or are attending a club.  Those students arriving before 8am must enter through the front door any time after 7:30 and sign in at the main office unless the club has an alternate sign in procedure. 

REGULAR MORNING DROP OFF: This still occurs on the police station side of the school.  The side doors open at 8am.  Students go directly to the Lobby/Lecture Hall where there is supervision until HR begins at 8:10.  Students should exit the vehicle ASAP directly onto the sidewalk.  They should not wait until they are at the door.  Multiple cars should be able to allow students to dismount simultaneously. Once buses are clear from the front, we begin sending cars to the front door as well to alleviate congestion.  Students should not be waiting to exit right at the door.  That slows the process down.  We want to makes sure students get to HR on time (8:19).

AFTER SCHOOL PICK-UP (2:40): Pick-ups at the end of the school day (2:40) are in the parking lot near the tennis courts/football field.  Please note that busses block the driveway next to the school next to the police station during dismissal.  If you are arriving close to or after 2:30, you will probably have to enter the pick-up area using the entrance on Old Westford Road.  For children's safety, please back into a parking spot before the dismissal time as it is much safer pulling forward out of a parking spot once school is dismissed.  Thanks for keeping our children safe.

PICK UP AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES (activities will begin early October):  Pick-up after activities (3:45) is different from pick-up immediately at the end of the day (2:40). If you are picking up your child after activities, the designated pick-up area is near the cafeteria on the School Administration side of the building.  Our late buses come to the front of the school and block the driveway.  Please remember, you cannot pass a bus with flashing lights even when it is in our parking lot/driveway.

DISMISSALS: Please try to remember to send in a note with your child when you know your child will need to be dismissed.  Please try to avoid dismissals during recess.  This is to help you avoid a possibly lengthy wait as we would have to radio out to the recess aides to locate your child who then has to go to their locker/class.  Often I know dismissals are for appointments and we would hate to see you potentially be late.  Therefore, err on the side of caution and dismiss before the following recess times:

• Grade 5 (12:40-1:00)
• Grade 6 (12:05-12:25)

Thanks for helping us keep children safe and get them to HR & important appointments on time.