Good afternoon,
I hope that everyone had a good week. Westford Academy has been a very busy place with MIAA Tournaments and the fall musical, Chicago. Last evening I had the pleasure of taking in Chicago; an event that showcased the work of over one hundred students. The performance was magnificent. The music and lighting architecture was extraordinary. The acting and singing was compelling and tight. Congratulations to the entire production team.
Tonight will be very busy as well at W.A. The Varsity Football Team will host Waltham in a DCL showdown with the kickoff at 7:00 PM. At 7:30 PM this evening the musical Chicago will take place in the Performing Arts Center. Extra parking will be available on the fields behind the school. The bus lobby in the back of the school will be open for those that had to park in the back athletic fields. I would suggest to everyone planning to visit the high school this evening to arrive early. I would like to thank the Highway Department for providing additional lighting behind the school.
Good luck to everyone this evening!!!
A reminder to all parents/guardians that report cards were distributed during homerooms today.
An update regarding the Community Fields Project
The objective of the Community Fields Project is to construct artificial turf fields at two sites in Westford ñ Westford Academy and at Nutting Road, which is part of the East Boston Camps parcel. These fields are needed to support the townís recreational population as well as the high school sports program. Such fields have clear advantages in the New England climate as well as having environmental and long-term cost benefits. The initiative is supported by the Community Preservation Committee who recommended that $960,000 be allocated to the project from the Community Preservation Act (CPA). This recommendation was approved at the Westford Town Meeting in May 2007. This particular contribution can only be used for the Nutting Road site. A Steering Committee was formed in 2007, which is
comprised of people from different youth sports organizations, Westford Academy, the Westford Recreation Department, and others who are working towards the completion of both phases of the project. It is hoped that some synergies can be achieved by combining the efforts for both sites into a single project. The main focus of the fund-raising is on the Westford Academy site as it is shovel ready. As of mid-November 2009, approximately $200,000 has been raised for the WA site and $1.3 million for the Nutting Road site. Please visit www.westfordturf.com for more information on upcoming events and donating.
Ken Hanly, Westford Youth Soccer Association
Chair, Community Fields Project Committee
Other Items:
Here's some good news from the world of Student Council:
Westford Academy Student Council ran a successful spirit week during the last week of October - besides enjoying themselves in some friendly interclass competition -the seniors won fair and square. Westford Academy students also demonstrated their generosity.~ Between admission for Powder Puff football and a penny war during school lunches throughout the week, Student Council collected 165 cans of food and raised$650.~ All canned goods were delivered to the Lowell Open Pantry, and 100% of the monetary donations collected is being sent to Cradles to Crayons, an organization based in Boston which provides clothing, school supplies, and birthday gifts to children in need.
Art News
A selection of drawings,photographs and paintings by Lizzy Britton, Noah Covell, Emma Fitch, Mindy Zhang, Sarah Goode, Jennifer Raichek, Theresa Yuan, Andrew Mullins, Anna Swanson, Katie Russell, Kylie Niemand, Andrea Motyl, Sierra Chew-Chin, Mary Boutet, Jordan Dalessio, Emily Raczelowski, Randi Medley, Ouda Senethavy,Michelle Martin and Tracy Caldwell will be on display at Central Office through the end of December.
Paintings by Westford Academy art students Alice Chan, Manning Lui, Irene Yuan and Lizzy Briton will be displayed at Central Office in Conference Room A through the end of December.
Attention Senior Parents:~ Work for the 2010 WA Yearbook is underway.~The next deadline is for those Parent Displays of Affection - the baby picture and tribute section at end the yearbook.~ All ads are due to Mrs. Mustoe on or before Dec 4, 2009.~ If you have any questions -please feel free to contact Mrs. Mustoe directly at gmustoe@westfordk12.us.Thanks so much for your contributions to the 2010 Yearbook!
Ghost Post Holiday Hours
Our school store will be open extended holiday hours from 6-8:00 pm for your shopping convenience.
Tuesdays - Thursdays
12/1 12/3
12/8
12/15 12/17
New this year is a maroon UnderArmour sweatshirt, a grey Champion sweatshirt, long and short sleeve UnderArmour T-shirts as well.~ We also have a fleece full-zipper jacket, a 1/4zip-pullover, a long sleeve polo shirt, a variety of T-shirts and much more.~ So take advantage of the holiday hours and show off your Westford Academy pride with some new apparel. See you at the Ghost Post!
Antoní' Cleaners & Coats for Kids
The Coats for Kid drive for gently used, quality coats for kids, adults and babies will begin the week of November 16, 2009.~ Drop off coats in the Main Office at Westford Academy.~ The drive will be ongoing through the week of December 14, 2009.
Westford Academy Theater Art Goes Vaudeville, CHICAGO-Style!
The1920s are roaring with Hot Jazz and Cold-Blooded Killers in CHICAGO The Musical, presented by the award-winning Westford Academy Theater Arts Department.~ Shows will be November 12,13 & 14 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are also on line at wa.westfordk12.us/wata.
Westford Academy Holiday Bazaar
The holiday bazaar is in full swing at Westford Academy.~ As many may already know, this has been a town wide tradition for some 38 years.~ The Student Council has been working diligently on trying to make this yearís event just as enjoyable in years past!~ Come on down on December 5th and support the Westford Academy Clubs and outside vendors who are dedicated in making this event a success!~
Date:Saturday December 5, 2009
Place:Westford Academy
Time:9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Admission:$1.00
If you have any questions please contact the Customer and Vendor Relationship Specialist Chris at (978) 692-5570 X200
Performing Arts Showcase
Jim Antonelli, along with the faculty of 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 p.m. The concert will be preceded by a dinner hosted by Principal Antonelli and catered by Fihloís Cucina.
Tickets for the dinner and show are $50. Tickets for the concert alone are $5 for students and senior citizens, $15 for adults.The concert is free for children 8th grade and under. Free supervision will be provided for children from 6 to 7:30. Supervised children can sign-up for pizza and a drink for $5.
Dinner tickets must be purchased in advance and will be available at mvarts.info or can be purchased at the Main Office. Concert tickets will be available online or at the door.
Are Your Kids Pushing Your Buttons?
Our children know how to push our buttons better than anyone else. Itís hard for parents to stay calm when weíre angry and feeling as though our kids are provoking us. Yelling is often non-productive, and can cause misbehavior to escalate. So whatís a parent to do?
Come to a talk entitled Respondingvs. Reacting To Your Kids: Key Principles And Techniques For EffectiveParenting, given by Charlie Appelstein, MSW. An engaging, upbeat, and humorous speaker, Charlie is also the author of three critically acclaimed books on young people and a new, innovative CD that helps kids self-manage their behavior. In his Responding vs. Reacting presentation, parents will learn how to stay calm under pressure, understand the importance of developmental stages, build self-esteem in our kids, and communicate effectively to help young people self-regulate their behavior.
Charlie's presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at 7:00 p.m. at the Stony Brook Middle School. Tickets for the event are $5 in advance and available at the Roudenbush Community Center until noon on November 17. Exact change or check is appreciated. Tickets may also be purchased that evening at the door for $8.Charlieís presentation is geared toward parents of kids of all ages. For more information about Charlie, check out his website at www.charliea.com. For a complete list of Westford
Parent Connection events, go to www.westford.com/wpc/ or contact Mary Anne Seraphin at mseraphin@comcast.net.
A Note from Nurseís Office
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 childís BMI screening by submitting a written request to their childís school nurse. Please feel free to contact your school nurse with any questions or concerns.
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 are offering a "Messages of Support" section for the parents, relatives & friends of the football team and cheerleading team to write messages to encourage the players and cheerleaders in this huge rivalry!!~~~~ The program will include (for both teams) team rosters, team photos, cheerleader photos,etc.~
Prices are $20 for a 25 word or less message in the program booklet.~~ Please email you rmessages of support to WABoosters@msn.com and mail payment to Julie Reid,~8 Fernwood Drive, Westford, MA.~ Please make checks payable to WA Athletic Boosters.~Visit our website for examples of what the messages looked like in the 2007 program**.~~~
**Depending on the number of messages purchased this year, the messages may be smaller in the 2009 book.
National Honor Society Food Drive
The National Honor Society will be collecting food at the Westford Academy football game on Friday, November 13. All the food will be donated to the Westford Food Pantry. Items should be in their original packaging. Those donating food at the game will receive a $1 discount off admission to the game. During these trying economic times, your generosity is appreciated.
Best Buddies Clothing Exchange Outlet
The Best Buddies Clothing Exchange Outlet in room 125 will be opening for business on Tuesdays from 2:00 to 3:00.On Nov. 3rd, in honor of our opening day, students may bring in an item of clothing that they no longer wear, and swap it for one at our clothing exchange. Donations of clothing are aways welcome-coats, jeans, T-shirts, sweatshirts, formal and concert wears.All proceeds go to support Best Buddies at WA. For more information please email epietras@westfordk12.us or clyman@westfordk12.us or call 978-692-5570-Ext.2143.~
AfterSchool Thursday Drop-in Tutoring
WA National Honor Society students will be available to tutor Westford Academy students after school on Thursdays from 2-3:00 PM in room 244.~ All WA students are free to drop-in for extra help in any subject or may schedule ahead of time for tutoring in a specific subject area.~If you would like more information or to sign up for tutoring for a specific subject please contact National Honor Society advisors Amy Short at ashort@westfordk12.us or 978-692-5570 x2143 or Elizabeth Taylor at etaylor@westfordk12.us
Call for Artists -First Annual ëArtists for Artistsí Gala and Fundraiser
The Westford Academy Visual Art Department in partnership with students from the 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 student 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. All work can be dropped off at Westford Academy, in the Main Office on Tuesday, and Wednesday, March 16, 17, 2010 from 3:00-5:00 PM. If you should have any questions, please contact Donna Pobuk,
78-692-5560, X2141. Please note your donation is tax deductible. Thank you in advance for your support!
Have a great weekend!
Jim Antonelli
| 
