THURSDAY EMAIL November 9, 2023

Good Afternoon,

Thursday email this week!  I think the short week was well timed for our students and community.  The end of the 1st quarter is always a rush with college applications, postseason competition and days off from school in November.  However,  I'm sure everyone can use the extra time off as we honor Veterans Day.  Also, thank you to any Veterans in our community for your service. I would also like to recognize our students and members of our school community that will celebrate Diwali this weekend.  Happy Diwali!

Grades will be released to grades 9-11 next week.  Seniors/Senior Parents please check your email this afternoon from the school counseling department about your grades.  There is one issue we are working through right now.  

Good luck to our Cheerleading program as they compete Sunday at Shrewsbury High School in the State Championship.

Lastly, be sure to check out the opening weekend of Little Shop of Horrors presented by Westford Academy Theater Arts.  WATA has put in an incredible amount of time this week putting the finishing touches on the production!  It will be a great show!

Enjoy the weekend.

Sincerely,

Dan Twomey

Principal

Westford Academy

Class of 2024

SENIORS: you have one last chance to get your senior photo taken on 12/6 and 12/7 in the Lecture Hall (room 144) from 2-8pm! https://seniors.legacystudios.com/westford-academy/

Class of 2024 Parent/Guardians

Graduation planning is underway!

We want to make sure that your student's name is printed correctly on their diploma.  Please review your student's name in PowerSchool and make sure that their first, middle (if applicable), and last names are spelled correctly.

To do this, you will need to use a web browser either on your phone, laptop, desktop, and use the following link:

https://westford.powerschool.com/public

(You will not be able to use the PowerSchool app because your student’s middle name will not be visible to you.)

Sign into PowerSchool

Click on your student's account

Click on “Demographic Info”

(Please note that if you student does not have a middle name, it will show as “NMN” - “no middle name”)

Please let Hilary Langille know by November 20th if we need to make any changes.

Please email Hilary at:   hlangille@westfordk12.us

The Class of 2025 - Holiday Pies

The Class of 2025 is partnering with Mann Orchards to bring you your holiday pies.  Each pie costs $15 with the exception of pecan, costing $18.  The last day to order and pay for your holiday pie through us will be 3 pm on December 2nd during Westford Academy's Holiday Bazaar.  Payment must be received by that date in order to secure your order.  We will accept cash, check, or myschoolbucks.  You should plan to pick up your pre-ordered pies Thursday, December 21st from 4pm-5:30pm at Westford Academy.  Click here to order your pie(s) and click here to pay via MySchoolBucks. Thank you for your support.

WA Relay for Life

In the month of November Relay for Life is raising money for the American Cancer Society.  Teachers have volunteered to forgo shaving for the month and take weekly pictures to document their facial hair progress.  Please consider donating to Relay for Life in the name of a participating teacher by sending in cash/check (made payable to Westford Academy) to Amanda Everett or by using Venmo @WARelay4Life.  Please write the teacher's name in the memo line or as a comment in venmo.  100% of funds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.  The teacher who raises the most money will have to wear a wacky mustache for a week.  Participating teachers include: Mr. Allen, Mr. A.Brown, Mr. Chris Brown, Mr. Claycomb, Mr. Connole, Mr. Greene, Mr. Kotary, Mr. Nidzgorski, Mr. Ruhmann, and Profe St. Denis.  Thank you!

News from the SEPAC - Q&A with Dr. Chris Chew and Gerard Coughlin

SEPAC Meeting November 15th @7pm, Millennium Building Conf Room B

Please join the Westford SEPAC at our November meeting.  Dr. Chris Chew, Superintendent of WPS and Gerard Coughlin, Director of Special Education and SEL, will speak on current topics regarding special education in Westford and answer any questions that attendees may have.  Please consider submitting your question in advance HERE.  You are welcome to submit a question even if you are unable to attend the meeting.

RSVP for this event is not necessary but is helpful for planning purposes.  

Virtual Option available if you are unable to attend in person:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86711405802

Please reach out to the SEPAC with questions at sepacwestford@gmail.com

SAT Math (in person) Prep Class - The Roudenbush Community Center

The Roudenbush Community Center is offering an in-person SAT Math Prep Cram Course  on Thursday, November 30th in preparation for the SAT on December 2nd.  Students will take actual SAT practice tests and will learn strategies for taking the SAT.  Please go to the Roudenbush website for more information.

SAT Math in person prep class

WA Athletic Boosters

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization run by parents who work to raise money to support all athletes & every athletic program at Westford Academy. Much of the money we raise goes towards scholarships for graduating seniors, needed equipment for the WA athletic program, and more!

Save the dates for our upcoming fundraisers:

• Holiday Bazaar- Sat. 12/2/23- Come check out our table for a great raffle, WA goods, & other treats too!
• Trivia Night- Sat. 3/2/24- Book your table to have some fun with friends, try your hand at trivia, and try to win some awesome raffles and auction items! This night sells out fast so keep an eye out soon for the sign up information.

There are many ways you can help our organization, so please consider:

• Joining our group! Our next meeting is Wed. 11/8 @ 7:00 in room 101 @ WA.
• Donating to Boosters via our Venmo: @WAABoosters

Check out our website for more information on our group and all the ways we support WA Athletics! Hope you can join us! https://westford.org/waboosters/

South Asian Student Association (SASA) - Second Annual Darba (Diwali + Garba) Celebration

As the Advisor of the Westford Academy South Asian Student Association (SASA), I am proud to announce that we are having our second annual Darba (Diwali + Garba) celebration on Friday, November 17th from 6:00 - 10:00 pm in the WA Cafeteria.  

Aiming to promote South Asian culture within the Westford Academy school environment and providing a sense of belonging for all our students, Darba celebrates the holiday of Diwali, the festival of lights, along with a traditional Indian folk dance, Garba. With food, dance, and other activities, we expect another enjoyable and fun night for all!  We hope that you will be able to attend the event, and also help us spread the word to your students, your neighbors, and your families!

Darba tickets are on sale now - you can purchase your tickets via Venmo (@wasasa).   Please see the attached FLYER for more details.

You can follow SASA on social media for news and updates: @westfordacademysasa (Instagram) and https://www.facebook.com/westfordacademysasa (Facebook).  WA students can join the SASA Google Classroom with the following code: t3jtbyn.

Please support my students and their club; we have all been working hard to get ready for this event.

Thank you!

Rashmi Kumar

Teacher - English Department

Advisor - South Asian Student Association (SASA)

Westford Academy

Email: rkumar@westfordk12.us

Phone: 978-692-5570 ext. 7339

​​Westford Academy Marching Band

Please join me in congratulating our Westford Academy Marching Band on a fantastic showing at NESBA Fall Finals which took place Sunday, November 5 at Lawrence Veterans Memorial Stadium.  Our students performed their best show of the season placing fifth overall in their division and celebrated the end of their 2023 competitive season.

Congratulations Adam Shekleton on an outstanding season!

Additionally, I would like to congratulate the following students on their acceptance to the MMEA Eastern District Senior Festival which took place on Saturday, November 4 traveling to Milton HS.  Students with an asterisk next to their name also received a recommendation to audition for All State ensembles and are in the top 50% of accepted students for their instrument or voice part:

Ang, Niklas, band

Binu, Sreya, chorus

Ditmars, Emma, orchestra

Engdahl, Daniel, jazz band*

Finney, Joanna, chorus

Hinkle, Grace, chorus

Kuo, Mia, orchestra*

Margetts, Amelia, orchestra*

O'Connell, Corleigh, chorus*

Patel, Rahi, chorus*

Pavkovic, Stephanie, orchestra*

Wang, Luke, (band), orchestra*

Yee, Helen, band*

Zhang, Tyler, band

Thank you to our Music Faculty for their support - Karen St. George, Adam Shekleton and Zach Sawyer.

Andrea Mejia

K-12 Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum Coordinator

Westford Public Schools

Twitter:  @andrea_mejia3

Westford Academy’s senior event, LAST NIGHT, is currently looking for more volunteers!

What is Last Night and why should YOU get involved? Last Night is an all-night event for graduating seniors at Westford Academy, allowing them a night of safe fun after graduation!  The event takes an army of 250+ volunteers to run each year and is a great opportunity to volunteer and support the community and specifically the graduating students of Westford!

If you have kids in grades 9-11, this is the PERFECT time to begin volunteering for this incredible culminating event for seniors.  This event has been in existence for more than 25 years and will ONLY continue if parents show up to volunteer their time.  Parents of graduating seniors cannot attend the event making it the perfect opportunity for parents of younger students to step up and pay it forward.

Do you work during the day and have a difficult time volunteering for school events and bookfairs?  Last Night runs 10pm-5am Friday to Saturday morning in June.  Perfect opportunity for day shift workers! Plan now! Do you have young children at home and cannot secure babysitters to allow you to volunteer more?  Alternate with your significant other or close friend and volunteer at Last Night each year until your children become seniors!

Do you have amazing ideas, traditions, or experiences that you can suggest making Last Night current, engaging and fun for students in 2024?  Bring your ideas, and cultural experiences to our upcoming Meet & Greet info night, or better yet, join our coordinators to help make the senior’s Last Night an event they will never forget!

The coordinators meet one hour a month over zoom, making it very easy to participate.

Please consider signing up for an open position and/or attending our upcoming meet & greet event to hear the many ways you can get involved.  The Meet & Greet will be held Tuesday, Nov. 14th, 7pm @ Tequila’s in Groton.  See details and RSVP HERE.

Our coordinator volunteer sign up is HERE.

Additional info and general/event volunteer signup can be found HERE.

Festival of Trees, Wreaths, Creative Gingerbread/Gnomes, and More!

The Westford Family FunFest* and Westford Rotary Club invites the public and organizations to participate in and visit the 13th Annual Festival of Trees, Wreaths, and Creative Holiday/Cultural & Gingerbread/Gnomes Celebration. The festival will be held at the Westford Regency Inn, 219 Littleton Rd., Westford, from December 8, 2023, to January 2, 2024. The Westford Regency Atrium and Lobby and selected other areas will be decorated with trees, wreaths, and creative holiday and gingerbread/gnome creations.

Opening Night Celebration on Friday, December 8 from 6:30–8:00 pm with music, cookies, and hot chocolate too. Clarks will be open too. Saturday and Sunday, December 16-17, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Brunch with Santa, including a craft area by Westford Girl Scouts. Music presented by the Westford Girl Scouts.  Free photos with Santa will be offered too (bring your own camera). For reservations for Breakfast with Santa, call 978-692-8200, ext. 520, or visit the Westford Regency website or Facebook page.

Visit www.westford.org/funfest  for details and an application to be part of the festival. Check out the Westford Family FunFest Facebook page. Open to individuals, groups, organizations, and schools, come join in the FUN!!!