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Westford News November 2009

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:56:48 +0000

MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANDATE

The state’s BMI Screening mandate (M.G.L. c.71 s.57) requires that all schools collect height and weight measurements of students in grades 1, 4, 7, and 10. The measurements will be used to calculate BMI and the results will be reported to students’ parents or guardians and to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Over the next couple of months, the school nurses will be conducting height, weight and BMI screenings on the students in grades 1, 4, 7, and 10. Parents and guardians may waive their child’s BMI screening by submitting a written request to their child’s school nurse. Please feel free to contact your school nurse with any questions or concerns.

H1N1 information may be found at www.westfordma.gov/publichealth/flu. This website will continue to be updated as information becomes available.

NEW EVENTS:

ROUDENBUSH COMMUNITY CENTER AUCTION & CASINO NIGHT 2009

Saturday, November 7, 2009 6:30pm – 10:30pm

The Roudenbush Community Center is holding a bi-annual fundraiser on Saturday, November 7th. Roudenbush has proudly served as Westford’s community center since 1975 and hosts a community fundraiser every other year. This year, the event will benefit the Roudenbush Adult Social Day Program for our elderly community. “The Club” provides its members with a supportive environment where they can maintain independence, make new friends and remain active. Please visit our web site www.roudenbush.org for more information and tickets. Join us for a fun evening out with friends and support your community center!

FLETCHER LIBRARY Teen and Tween Programs

Fletcher Shutter Bugs: Teen Photo Club @ the Library for Grades 6 – 12: Love to take pictures? Want to share them with other kids and learn some tips and tricks for taking better shots? Learn how to look at things in a new and creative way. New topics will be chosen and discussed each month. Meetings will take place the first Wednesday of the month. The next meeting will be held on November 4 at 3:30 p.m. A digital camera and flash key are necessary for participation. Sign up in the Youth Services Dept. Email Judy Heron with any questions at jheron@westfordma.gov.
Mess About with Clay and create a Spirit Animal with Ann McCrae: Saturday, November 14 at 1:00 p.m. Come and celebrate our countries Native American culture this Thanksgiving by sculpting your own Spirit Animal. Native Americans have always believed that their handmade clay spirit animals connect the humans who carry them to the spirit world and to the spirit of the animal it represents. Spirit Animals have helped Native Americans meditate and face challenges wisely. This program is open to Tweens and Teens in 5 to 12 grade. Seasonal Refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is required starting Monday, November 2, 2009. So sign up in person or call the Youth Services Department at 978-399-2302. Event is free.
Join the Library’s Young Adult Advisory Board. We are looking for teens grades 6-12 to meet monthly to discuss programming ideas and make materials recommendations. New members are welcome. No prior experience needed, just bring your enthusiasm. Feel free to attend a one hour long meeting on Saturday, November 28 at 3:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served!

WESTFORD ELEMENTARY PTO: Toy Shop of Westford and Papa Gino’s Fundraiser

On Thursday, November 12th the WEPTO will be running fundraisers at both the Toy Shop of Westford (9am – 8pm) and Papa Gino’s (11am – 9pm). Both establishments will donate a percentage of the sales that day to the PTO. Get some Christmas shopping done and have lunch or dinner all to benefit the PTO! Please remember to bring your flyer with you to Papa Gino’s. Any questions contact Robin Doherty (robinldoherty@gmail.com).

‘A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE FROM SEX OFFENDERS‘

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM@ J.V. Fletcher Library Meeting Room

The community is invited to attend a panel discussion sponsored by the Westford Police Dept that will include speakers from the community including; State Representative, Jim Arciero and Laurie Myers, a ‘Community Voices’advocate.Please join us as we begin discussing what we need to do to keep our children safe sex offenders. Are you interested in finding out…The definition of a sex offender?What the difference is between a Level 2 and Level 3 sex offender?What the SORB is? (Sex Offender Registry Board) What information you need to keep your child safe?What role our police dept plays in keeping our community safe? What can I do to change the laws and make a difference? We encourage you to come, listen and learn…

For more information, pleasevisitwww.communityvoices.netor sendanemailto info@communityvoices.net

REMINDERS…

WESTFORD PARENT CONNECTION PRESENTS:

The Westford Parent Connection is grateful for the support of the Westford Public School system, the Westford Board of Health, the Roudenbush Community Center, the Westford Elementary and Middle School PTOs, Corporate Coach & Limo, Nashoba Valley Auto School, the Westford Charitable Foundation, Emerson Hospital, and other local sponsors. For more information about the organization, check out the WPC’s website at www.westford.com/wpc/

Talking To Your Kids About Sex – November 4

If you’re like most parents, you may be dreading the so-called “big talk” with your kids about sex. When’s the best time? How much should you say? Are you concerned that they’re getting the wrong information on the school bus or playground? Help is on the way.

The Westford Parent Connection (WPC) and the Westford Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) have teamed up to bring Sally Fogel, M.Ed., to Westford. Ms. Fogel, an AASECT-certified sexuality educator,will give parents the right words to use to start an ongoing conversation with their children about sexuality, relationships, values, and more. Her talk is appropriate for parents of children of all ages and abilities.

Ms. Fogel’s talk is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the Blanchard Middle School Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public. For more information about the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), go to http://www.aasect.org/default.asp. For questions about the Westford SEPAC, contact Nadine Briggs at nadinebriggs@comcast.net, and for questions about the WPC, contact Mary Anne Seraphin at mseraphin@comcast.net.

Concerned About The Role Technology Plays In Your Kids’ Lives? – November 12

The Internet offers almost limitless opportunities to gain knowledge and make social connections. When used appropriately, the Internet is a powerful and positive tool. However, parents and school staff members need to be aware of the inherent risks technology presents. The community is invited to a special talk, Cyber Safety, on Thursday, November 12, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at the Stony Brook Middle School.

The presentation is a collaboration between the Westford Parent Connection and the Westford Police Department. Steve Hoctor, Appeals Assistant District Attorney with the Middlesex Partnership For Youth, is the key speaker. Attendees with learn about online issues impacting young people, such as social networking sites, predators, and sexting. The discussion will outline prevention and intervention strategies for parents, teachers, and other school staff members. Mr. Hoctor will go over the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Cyber Protection Program, created in 2007 by District Attorney Gerry Leone. In addition, Westford Police Officer Michael Croteau will be on hand that evening to provide the law enforcement perspective.

The talk is free and open to the public, and is geared primarily to parents and teachers of middle school students. However, the information may be helpful for parents of upper elementary and high school students, as well. For more information, please contact Mary Anne Seraphin at mseraphin@comcast.net or go to the Westford Parent Connection’s website at www.westford.com/wpc/.

WESTFORD ACADEMY THEATER ARTS GOES VAUDEVILLE, CHICAGO-STYLE!

The 1920s are roaring with Hot Jazz and Cold-Blooded Killers in CHICAGO The Musical, presented by the award-winning Westford Academy Theater Arts Department. CHICAGO features eye-popping, show-stopping hits including “All That Jazz” and “Razzle Dazzle.” How far would you go for fame and fortune? Plucked from the headlines, this hit Broadway musical is based on real-life crimes from the 1920’s. An edge-of-your-seat thriller, CHICAGO examines how the American justice system and our news media turn criminals into celebrities – as the audience cheers them on…And that’s showbiz, kid!

Shows will be Nov 6 (1/2 price for students with an ID),7,12,13 & 14 at 7:30 PM and Nov 8 at 5PM. Box office hours are Tuesday and Thursday starting Oct 20 from 6:30PM to 8:30PM. Tickets are also online: http://wa.westfordk12.us/pages/westfordWA_TheaterArts/index

RONAN MCELLIGOTT MEMORIAL PLAYGROUND

Dedication and Grand Opening Celebration

Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM @ Edwards Beach, 55 Williams Avenue

Free and open to the public – Refreshments and fun will be served!

Thanks to you … it’s time to play!

Please join us as we open the first and only fully accessible, barrier-free playground in our area. Designed for children of all abilities, Ronan’s Playground was made possible with the help and support of many people in this community, and in honor of a special little boy. For more on the event, contact Stephanie McElligott at ssmcelligott@comcast.net or

(978) 692-9065. http://westford.com/ronansplayground/

Parking is limited at the playground. We strongly encourage everyone attending the opening to use our FREE shuttle. A bus will run continuously between the Nabnasset School, 99 Plain Road, and Edwards Beach, from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.

FAME MUSIC CAFÉ

Friday, November 20th, at 7:30 PM at the Parish Center for the Arts

Talents of many Westford residents will be showcased in a cabaret style setting in this F.A.M.E. Fall fundraiser. A variety of music styles including classical, folk, blues, jazz and light rock will be performed. Refreshments will be complimentary, Wine, Beer and non-alcoholic beverages will be sold. It should be a fun evening for all. See you there.

Tickets are $20.00 per person, all profits benefit Westford Schools Music programs and purchase of musical equipment. For tickets call Nancy Wimberg at 978-692-2250 or email fame_westford@yahoo.com

1ST ANNUAL WESTFORD ACADEMY PERFORMING ARTS SHOWCASE

The Art, Music, and Theater Arts departments proudly announce the 1st annual Westford Academy Performing Arts Showcase. Please join us for an evening of music and theater featuring performances by faculty with special student and alumni and guests. There will also be a display of student art works in the Performing Arts Center lobby. This benefit concert will be held on November 24th in the Westford Academy Performing Arts Center at 7:30 PM. The concert will be preceded by a dinner hosted by Principal Antonelli and catered by Fihlo’s Cucina.

ATTENTION SUPPORTERS OF WESTFORD ACADEMY FOOTBALL PLAYERS & CHEERLEADERS!!

Thanksgiving Day Football Game Westford Academy vs. Acton-Boxborough

Westford Academy is hosting the annual Thanksgiving Day Football game between the WA Grey Ghosts and the Acton-Boxborough Colonials.The WA Athletic Boosters will be providing a program for the game and offering a “Messages of Support” section for the parents, relatives & friends of the football team and cheerleading team. You may write a message of encouragement to players and cheerleaders at a cost of $20 for a 25 word or less message.

Programs will include team rosters, team photos, cheerleader photos and more for both teams.

Please email your messages of support to WABoosters@msn.com and mail payment to Julie Reid,8 Fernwood Drive, Westford, MA with a check payable to WA Athletic Boosters.Visit our website at www.westford.com/waboosters for examples of what the messages looked like in the 2007 program.

THANKSGIVING DAY BREAKFAST to benefit Community Fields Project

Westford Academy will host a Thanksgiving Day breakfast from 7:00 to 10:00 AM. Pancakes, bacon, and assorted pastries will be available, as well as hot coffee, apple cider and orange juice. All proceeds will go the Community Fields Project. With your help we hope to provide a safe field with synthetic turf for ALL of our athletes to enjoy. If you are interested in making a donation to help support this breakfast, please send your check to Westford Academy, 30 Patten Rd. Westford, MA 01886. Make your check out to Westford Academy, but in the memo please write in: Pancake Breakfast. Any contribution will be greatly appreciated.

WESTFORD YOUTH SOCCER

Springsoccer registration is open!

It’s that time of year already to start thinking about registration for spring soccer!

Travel registration (U10, U12, U14, U16, and U19) closes November 15th.

In-Town Registration (U6, U7, U8) closes March 15th.

Note:U9 / U10 all play travel in the spring season.

General Information my be found at www.westfordyouthsoccer.com (Click on the “Registration Info” or “Register On-line“)

CALL FOR ARTISTS FIRST ANNUAL ‘ARTISTS FOR ARTISTS’ GALA AND FUNDRAISER

It’s not too early to plan ahead…The Westford Academy Visual Art Department in partnership with students from the Westford Academy Chapter of the National Art Honor Society is seeking artists to donate artwork to be sold at a silent auction. The silent auction will be held at the Parish Center for the Arts in Westford on March 19, 2010 from 7:00-9:00 PM. Proceeds from this event will benefit art students at Westford Academy to help defray the cost of Advanced Placement Studio Art exams, cover entrance fees to art competitions such as Art All State and the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards Competition and to establish an art scholarship for students considering post secondary study in the visual arts. Artwork can be either two- or three-dimensional. Two-dimensional work should be matted, but not necessarily framed.

Westford Happenings Around Town

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:32:27 +0000

WESTFORD PARENT CONNECTION PRESENTS:

Underage Drinking and Marijuana Discussed October 22

Think underage drinking is merely an inevitable rite of passage? Think marijuana is basically harmless? Think again. Underage drinking is a common and pervasive problem not only in Westford, but in many surrounding towns. Marijuana use is common, too. In fact, just last spring, a number of Westford middle school students were caught with marijuana. Unfortunately, the age at which many kids start drinking and taking drugs is getting younger and younger. What can parents do?

Come to the Westford Parent Connection’s next presentation, Double Jeopardy: Underage Drinking And Marijuana. Marilyn Belmonte, a favorite speaker here in town, brings her vast knowledge and experience to the issue of young kids doing drugs. She will share with parents the signs of use and abuse and tell them what their next steps should be. Even if parents do not suspect their kids of drug use, Marilyn’s presentation is eye-opening and practical in terms of keeping the lines of communication open between family members. Marilyn’s talk is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the Stony Brook Middle School Auditorium. Tickets for the event are $5 in advance and available at the Roudenbush Community Center, 65 Main Street, Westford, until noon on October 22. After 12:00 p.m., tickets may be purchased at the door for $8.

1ST ANNUAL WESTFORD ACADEMY PERFORMING ARTS SHOWCASE

WESTFORD ACADEMY THEATER ARTS GOES VAUDEVILLE, CHICAGO-STYLE!

BOY SCOUT TROOP 437 ORIENTEERING INVITATIONAL

Open to all boys ages 12-18 on Sunday, October 18^th from 2-5 PM at Kennedy Pond in Westford – parking at the end of Trailside Way. Come and take advantage of the 5 orienteering courses at the pond as well as the outdoor setting to introduce you to the Troop, Scouting skills, back country survival techniques and, of course, refreshments. Bring a compass if you have one. Contact Sue Thomas at susanlavignethomas@comcast.net or call 979-692-1027 to RSVP, ask questions or for further information.

Boy Scout Troop 437 meets on Thursday nights from 7:00 to 8:30 PM when school is in session at the American Legion at 114 Dunstable Road. It is an enthusiastic, outdoors-focused Troop with a dedicated group of adult leaders and alumni. Troop 437 has a full calendar, with one weekend adventure per month, in addition to other events and service projects. Fundraising is limited to once a year so that the boys may dedicate their efforts to offering the boys opportunities of their choosing.

WESTFORD YOUTH SOCCER

Springsoccer registration is open!

It’s that time of year already to start thinking about registration for spring soccer!

Travel registration (U10, U12, U14, U16, and U19) closes November 15th.

In-Town Registration (U6, U7, U8) closes March 15th.

Note:U9 / U10 all play travel in the spring season.

General Information my be found at www.westfordyouthsoccer.com (Click on the “Registration Info” or “Register On-line“)

WYSA Night at the Revolution! New England Revolution vs. Chicago Fire

THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 AT 6:00 P.M.

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE!!

$26 per ticket (regularly $30) – free parking

A portion of each ticket goes to the Westford Community Fields Project.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.westfordyouthsoccer.com or at the Jack Walsh Snack Shack this Friday, 10/16, between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. OR Saturday, 10/17, between 9:00 and 3:00 p.m. (if fields are closed the snack shack will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 PM) If tickets are purchased online, youmay pick up your tickets at the snack shack on Friday and Saturday.

Crowning the 2008 Westford Apple Blossom Queen

admin — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:10:35 +0000

Westford’s annual Apple Blossom Parade was held on May 17th. This year’s Queen was T.C. Vu with runners up Lindsay D’angelo, Natalie Sullivan and Chelsea Duggan.

Theater Review: Into The Woods

admin — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 01:33:52 +0000

Two weeks ago the talented kids from Westford Academy Theater Arts performed a play called Into The Woods. Into The Woods is a musical with lyrics and songs written by Stephen Sondheim and a book written by James Lapine.

Here is what one sixth grader had to say about the performance:

“Into The Woods” is an immensely funny play with a beautiful talented cast. The hilarious show made up from Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Cinderella will make the whole family laugh out loud. It may sound a little young, but it’s a bed time story recommended for the young, the old and everyone in between.

More theater reviews and pictures in our video podcast:

Westford Academy Student Calendar

admin — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:37:21 +0000

If you haven’t gotten your 2008 Calendar yet, this is a perfect time to do so! The Westford Academy Fine Arts Department has done an incredible job of putting this year’s calendar together! Click to view all 12 months drawings of these talented students or to order your calendar. Only $10 each with $1.75 for shipping and handling.