ABBOT PRESS

Abbot Press
Vito Umbro – Interim Principal
Joanna Perron – Interim Assistant Principal
25 Depot Road – Westford – MA – 10886
978-692-5580
February 27, 2012
During
our
last
SPIRIT
Assembly
I
spoke
to
the
students
about
how
loud
transitions
were
becoming
in
the
hallways.
Students
returning
to
class
from
specialist
or
lunch
were
very
loud
and
disturbing
other
classrooms
in
session.
I
spoke
to
the
student
body
about
how
their
loud
behavior
in
the
hallways
is
disrespectful
to
those
students
who
are
in
class
listening
to
their
teacher
or
working
on
an
assignment.
As
a
school
community,
we
need
to
work
together
to
help
make
our
transitions
quieter
so
that
others
can
continue
to
learn.
I
stressed
our
Q.R.S
rule.
Students
should
walk
Quietly,
to
the
Right
side
of
the
hallway
and
in
a
Straight
line.
I
then
challenged
the
students
of
the
Abbot
School
to
become
“Silent
Stars”
in
the
hallways
during
transition
times.
Any
Abbot
Staff
who
witnesses
a
class
walking
Quietly,
on
the
right,
and
in
a
Straight
line,
can
nominate
the
classroom
for
a
Silent
Star.
Classrooms
that
receive
a
Silent
Star
will
be
mentioned
at
the
end
of
the
day
prior
to
dismissal.
As
of
today,
three
Silent
Stars
have
been
awarded.
Scientist’s and Inventor’s Fair – Friday, March 2nd
The Abbot Scientist’s and Inventor’s Fair will take place on Friday March 2nd in the gym.
All projects may be dropped off before school and can be picked up at the end of the day. More
information about the fair (such as viewing times and judging times) will be sent home this week.
Grade Five Parents – Save The Date
Wednesday, March 14th - 9:30AM
Peter Cohen, Principal of the Stony Brook School will visit the Abbot School to meet with parents of
current 5th Grade students. Mr. Cohen and a few staff members from Stony Brook School will present
the middle school programs and provide parents an opportunity to ask questions.
Heart Walk
In celebration of Heart Health month, the Community Service Group has organized a Heart Walk
during the week of February 27th-March 2nd - students and staff are encouraged to take time and walk
during the recess period. A track will be marked off in the field behind the Abbot School.
American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart
Students at the Abbot School will participate in the America Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart
event this year. This event will begin February 27th. Mrs. DeVarney will review the heart in Wellness
class and will have the students jumping in PE. Mrs. DeVarney also handed out jump rope for heart
forms to students who wanted to be part of the fundraiser. These forms were distributed during the
week of February 13th and can be brought back after our event the week of 2/27 or early March.
Car Arrival & Dismissal
Our dismissal procedure is continuing to flow very smoothly. Please remember to not pass cars on the
left. Students may be getting out or getting into a car. Your continued attention to the safety
procedures helps make arrival and dismissal time move along more quickly and helps ensure
everyone’s safety.
Elevator Update
The elevator is complete! The last step in the process is to have all inspections completed - we hope
that the final inspections will be done this week and we will have an operational elevator by Friday.
Your child may have mentioned that on Wednesday, February 22nd the fire alarms went off several
times. We had some inspections scheduled for Wednesday and unfortunately we ran into some minor
problems. As they attempted to remedy the issues, we had to keep setting off the alarm to see if a
damper would open. We again will need to set off the fire alarms next week when the inspector
arrives. I have asked that these final inspections with the alarms be completed prior to the beginning
of the school day. This is all dependent on the schedule of the inspectors.
W.O.W.
Abbot Elementary is walking to Fenway!!!!!!
The
Abbot
School
will
be
sponsoring
our
first
W.O.W
Program
(Wildcat
Outdoor
Walking).
This
health
initiative
has
been
successfully
used
by
Nabnasset
School
as
well
as
the
Day
School.
It
is
intended
to
encourage
students
to
increase
physical
activity
by
walking.
A
pre‐measured
course
will
be
indicated
around
the
schoolyard.
During
recess,
children
will
be
encouraged
to
participate
by
walking
(or
jogging)
as
many
laps
in
the
schoolyard
as
possible.
Upon
completion
of
each
lap
of
the
course,
they
will
receive
a
wrist
bracelet.
At
the
end
of
each
recess
period,
bracelets
will
be
gathered
and
counted.
Mileage
will
be
calculated
by
grade
level,
and
tracked
on
a
bulletin
board
showing
total
mileage
walked
by
each
grade.
Our
destination…..Fenway
Park
!
Let’s
see
which
grade
will
be
the
first
to
walk
the
equivalent
mileage
it
would
take
to
get
from
Abbot
Elementary
to
Boston’s
favorite
baseball
mecca.
Walking
is
an
easy
and
healthy
way
to
increase
physical
activity,
especially
during
our
winter
months.
The
W.O.W.
Program
also
provides
a
great
alternative
recess
activity
for
students
who
typically
choose
not
to
participate
in
sports
at
recess.
We
hope
to
bring
all
the
children
together
aiming
for
the
same
fun
goal.
W.O.W.
Program
will
begin
Tuesday,
March
6th.
It
will
be
held
each
Tuesday
and
Thursday
through
Thursday,
April
12th.
Grade 3 Tour of Westford - Field Trip
 March 8th
Mrs. Kelly - 8:50am-11:10am
Ms. Anderson - 11:20am-1:40pm
Mrs. Conlin - 11:20am-1:40pm
 March 9th
Mrs. Breen - 8:50am-11:10am
Mrs. McKenna - 8:50am-11:10am
Mrs. Koski - 11:20am-1:40pm
Mrs. Martinson - 11:20am-1:40pm
Grade 3 String Performance – March 6th, 8th and March 9th
Since the beginning of the school year Mr. Hamelin has been working with many of our third grade
students helping them learn to play the violin, viola or the cello. Each year, Mr. Hamelin hosts a
recital for parents and guardians. This provides the students the opportunity to demonstrate what they
have learned. We hope you can join us in celebrating their hard work. Below is the schedule of each
classroom’s performance date and time. If you have any questions please contact Mr. Hamelin at
[email protected]
March 6th




Ms. Anderson’s and Mrs. Kelly’s
Mrs. Koski’s
Mrs. Conlin’s class
Mrs. Martinson’s class
- 9:00 AM
- 10:25 AM
- 11:10 AM
- 12:30 PM

Mrs. Breen’s class
- 2:00 PM
March 8th
March 9th

Mrs. McKenna’s class
March MCAS Testing Dates
- 12:30 PM
March 20th – Grade 4 English Language Arts Long Composition
March 21st and 22nd – Grade 3 English Language Arts
March 23rd – English Language Arts - Make-Up
March 26th and 27th – Grade 4 English Language Arts
March 28th and 29th – Grade 5 English Language Arts
March 29 – Grade 4 English Language Arts Long Composition Make-Up
Field Day Ad for Volunteers
Abbot School’s annual Field Day will take place on Wednesday, May 23rd. We are changing the
format this year and will have a school wide Field Day for all grades. We are starting our planning
early. We are currently looking for parent volunteers to join the Field Day Committee and help plan
the day as well as looking for volunteers for the day.
Want to join the Field Day Committee – Contact Mr. Umbro? – [email protected]
Want to volunteer to help with the activities on Field Day? – Contact Mrs. DeVarney –
[email protected]
A Note for the Westford PTO
Our newsletter, the PTO INFO TO KNOW, is designed to bring you the latest news on our town-wide
activities, as well as your site-based team's initiatives. This will complement the principal's school
newsletter. Note: always verify the dates listed on the calendar. Also, look for information in the
Westford Eagle, the PTO bulletin board at each school, on Cable Channel 8, and on our web site.
Additionally, your school coordinator is a resource for you, so don't hesitate to introduce yourself!
You can visit http://www.westford.com/westelmpto/westford_elem_pto_newsletter.html to read
issues of the PTO INFO TO KNOW newsletter.
Flower Power
Spring is right around the corner! WEPTO is thrilled to announce a new fundraiser launching on
Monday, February 27th called Flower Power. It is the perfect time to order colorful perennial flower
bulbs to plant in your garden, for enjoyment this season and in years to come through this new and
exciting fundraiser.
Be on the look out for brochures and order forms in your child’s backpack on Monday, February 27th.
To get a sneak peek at the beautiful flowers offered and to place an order, follow this link:
http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/campaign?campaign_id=9611
Grade 3 and 4 Math and Science Nights
Thank you to all of the volunteers and participants who made our annual Math and Science Nights
such a success. It is great to see so many student and parents come back to the school after hours to
enjoy some educational investigation and fun.
Get Your Dancing Shoes Ready!
Fabulous Footloose Friday Dance –
April 27th
The P.T.O continues to seek volunteers to help with the dance. If you are able to volunteer please
contact our Site Based Coordinator, Lori Pestana, [email protected]
Box Tops for Education News
The total Box Tops submissions for the Abbot School for the 2011-2012 school year is $840.90! That
is over 8000 box tops! This money is distributed by the PTO to fund wonderful enrichment
opportunities for our children, including the Arts & Education Program. Although the final submission
for this school year has occurred, the collection box is always in the lobby waiting for your box tops.
Please keep sending them in, they really add up. Please check out the WEPTO website at:
http://www.westford.com/westelmpto/ for more information about the Box Tops program and other
ways to help the PTO. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s program a huge success!
As my youngest child is moving up to Stony Brook next fall, this has been my last submission on
behalf of our school. In the four years that I have served in this position, I have processed over 20,000
box tops and we have collected well over $2,000 (and counting)! It is time to look for someone to
replace me as Box Top Coordinator for the Abbot School. It would be great to start transitioning as
soon as possible. It is a wonderful opportunity and my kids and friends have been very helpful. If you
would like to find out more about this position, please contact me at [email protected] and I would be
happy to answer any questions you have. Margaret Carlson, PTO President, [email protected]
and Cheryl Carpenter, Townwide Box Top Coordinator, [email protected] are also happy to
help you. It has been a pleasure to serve our school and the PTO in this way. Thanks again and keep
those box tops coming!
Thank you,
Leslie Schroder
2012 Apple Blossom Festival
The Westford Kiwanis will Sponsor the 44th annual Apple Blossom Festival the week of May 16-20
2012 with the parade and crowning of this year’s Apple Blossom Queen on Saturday May 19th 2012.
The Parade will kick off at 10:00 AM sharp rain or shine.
If you are interested in creating a float for the parade that represents the Abbot School please contact
me via email, [email protected] or by phone, 978-692-5580. If you have any other questions
call Rick McNeil at 978-692-8077 or [email protected]
A Look Ahead
Mon.,
Feb.
27
Abbot
School
Heart
Walk
–
Recess
Period
(all
week)
Tues.,
Feb.
28
Safety
Patrol
Meeting
–
2:45pm
Abbot
School
Advisory
Council
Meeting
–
4:30PM
Wed.,
Feb.
29
Wee
Deliver
Delivery
Newspaper
Club
–
2:45pm
Thur.,
Mar.
1
Yoga
Club‐
2:45PM
Community
Service
Group
–
2:45pm
Fri.,
Mar.
2
Inventor’s
Fair
Week
of
3/1/12
Mon.,
Mar.
5
Tues.,
Mar.
6
Wed.,
Mar.
7
Thur.,
Mar.
8
Fri.,
Mar.
9
MEPA
Testing
Gr.
5
Meteorologist
Visit
P.T.O
Meeting
–
2:45PM
MEPA
Testing
Primary
Election
Day
Grade
3
Strings
Performance
Ms.
Anderson’s,
Mrs.
Kelly’s,
Mrs.
Conlin’s
and
Mrs.
Martinson’s
Class
(Schedule
above)
Grade
3
Tour
of
Westford
Grade
3
Strings
Performance
–
Mrs.
Breen’s
Class
‐
(Schedule
above)
Grade
3
Tour
of
Westford
Grade
4
Lowell
Mills
Field
Trip
–
Ms.
Traywick’s
and
Mrs.
Britko’s
class
Grade
3
Strings
Performance
–
Mrs.
McKenna’s
Class
–
(Schedule
above)
Absentee Line: 978-692-5580 extension 40
Please notify the office before 8:20AM each day if your child will be absent from school or tardy. We
maintain a separate line for this purpose.