Abbot Press Vito Umbro – Interim Principal Joanna Perron – Interim Assistant Principal 25 Depot Road – Westford – MA – 10886 978-692-5580 October 3, 2010

Principal’s Message

Project Wisdom October Theme: Making a Difference

Our Monthly Project Wisdom Theme for October is Making a Difference. School Groups are starting and this theme comes at just the right time. Students at the Abbot have volunteered help our school community by participating in Newspaper Club, Community Service Group, Wee Deliver, Safety Patrol and many others. This month we ask our students to reflect on how they can make a difference in their community and then act on it. Today’s message focused on taking action. Here is a sample. “There are three kinds of people in the world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who say ‘What happened?’ (Ann Landers) Today, remember this, you have the power to make good things happen for yourself and for others. Be powerful today, and make something special happen.”

Abbot Strings Program

Orchestra rehearsals begin this week on Tuesday morning before school. Students should arrive between 7:15 and 7:25. There will be no Orchestra rehearsal the following week, 10/12 due to the two- hour delay. Rehearsals resume Tuesday, 10/19. The Strings website can be found at www.westfordk12.us/strings. If you have any questions for Mr. Hamelin, he can be emailed at [email protected]. Abbot Band Program

Band lessons are in full swing and the students have learned their first few notes. They will be learning how to play songs like "Mary Had A Little Lamb" in the upcoming weeks. Lessons are on Tuesdays and the before-school band sectionals are Thursday mornings. The band will be performing in the holiday concert on Friday, December 17th.

Notes from the Nurse Vision and Hearing Screenings will start in October for all students. Fourth grade students will also be measured for height and weight. The Body Mass Index (BMI) will be calculated and the results will be mailed home. Please notify me in writing if you do not want your child measured. Please feel free to contact me with any health issues or concerns you may have about your child.

Thank You, Terry Grassi, RN,BSN,CPN Abbot School Nurse [email protected]

Wee Deliver Wee Deliver had a busy week. Wednesday was our first Wee Deliver Wednesday and students from all grades visited the Bell Lobby during their recess time to write letters to their friends in the school. Friday, October 1st was our first delivery; 104 pieces of mail were delivered to thirteen classrooms. Our next delivery will be October 29, 2010. There is a Wee Deliver basket in the Main Lobby for family members to put cards or letters they would like delivered.

Help Wanted! WEE Deliver Wednesday I am looking for parent volunteers to help with Wee Deliver Wednesday. Wee Deliver Wednesday is held once per month during lunch and recess times. Volunteers will set up the Wee Deliver table and help Wee Deliver Staff with customer service. If interested in volunteering, please contact me via email [email protected]

Lost and Found

Is your child missing a coat, sweatshirt, shoes, boots or lunch bag? It may have found its way to our Lost and Found Bucket in the cafeteria. If your child is missing something, please visit the Lost and Found Bucket before or afterschool.

Changes in Transportation It is imperative to inform teachers in writing of any changes to your child’s routine. Without a note outlining any change, we follow your original plan.

C.O.R.I Forms

There is now a deadline for all CORI forms. All CORI forms must be received by January 1, 2011 for the 2010-2011 academic school year. CORI forms will NOT be accepted after January 1, 2011. Please take a moment and stop by the Main Office and complete the form. The form must be completed at the school and we will take a copy of your license. C.O.R.I requests may take up to 2 weeks to process. You have to wait until your CORI form has been approved in order to volunteer. There are no exceptions to this policy. A Look Ahead

Week of 10/4/10 Tues., Oct. 5 Community Service Group Meeting 2:45PM Wed. Oct. 6 Abbot Times Meeting (Newspaper) 2:45PM Grade 4 Math Club 2:30PM Thur., Oct. 7 Grade 4 Classrooms Visit Living Lab Safety Patrol Meeting 2:45pm Fri., Oct. 8 Early Release 11:40AM (Professional Development Day)

Week of 10/11/10 Mon., Oct. 11 No School (Columbus Day) Tues., Oct. 12 Delayed Opening 10:25AM (Professional Development Day)

Wed., Oct. 13 Grade 3 Classrooms Visit Living Lab Abbot Times Meeting (Newspaper) 2:45PM Student Senate 2:30PM School Advisory Council Training at W.A 4:00PM

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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.