February 2019

Elementary Progress Reports:  Classroom progress reports will be published through the Aspen Portal in the Published Reports section on the front page of the portal by 4:00 PM this afternoon. If you have multiple children attending Concord Public Schools or Concord-Carlisle High School, each child’s name will appear next to any available reports. Reports can be downloaded and saved as .pdf files if you wish. With the exception of specialized reports (Special Education or English Language Learner), reports will no longer be mailed.

To access the portal, login from the Parent menu of your child’s school website. (A link to request a password reset can also be found at this website or email parentportal@concordps.org.) If you have not already done so, please set a security question upon logging into the portal, so that you can self-recover if you forget your password in the future; password resets are addressed during business hours only.

Community-wide Film Screening of On The Line: Where Sacrifice Begins:  February is Black History Month. As we reflect on the impact of prominent African American leaders, and activists, it is important to also highlight the impact of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and vision for racial integration, and a more just society. The Concord and Concord-Carlisle METCO Department cordially invite you to a the film screening of On the line: Where Sacrifice Begins. On The Line is “a fresh examination of the impact of busing for school integration, the historical and social conditions that launched the METCO program, and the participants who continue to assess the benefits and hardships of crossing racial, and class lines on their way to school.” The film screening will take place on Tuesday, February 12 in the CCHS auditorium from 6:30pm – 8pm. the following days and times.  The film is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Follow http://evite.me/dgXEjCJQ9H to RSVP. If any questions arise, please contact Andrew K. Nyamekye, Director of METCO at anyamekye@concordps.org.

Presentation for 4th and 5th Grade Families:
On February 27th, at 7:00 PM, CMS is inviting current and future middle school families to learn about Concord Middle School’s reconfiguration.  The event will offer an overview of the reconfiguration of Concord Middle School from two 6th, 7th, and 8th grade buildings to one all 6th grade building (Peabody) and one 7th and 8th grade building (Sanborn).

Part of this presentation will be how the district’s strategic plan and the Concord Middle School’s school improvement plan are informing a new configuration and new master schedule. The evening will focus a little more on Peabody and the entry point for all 5th graders into one building, with a focus on the middle school transition.

Information Session: Planning for a new Concord Middle School Building:  The Concord School Committee invites you to an information session regarding proposed plans for a new middle school building. Join us to learn about the recommendations, ask questions, and provide feedback.
Funding for a Feasibility Study and Schematic Design of a new building will be up for a vote at Town Meeting, beginning April 8. Between now and then, the School Committee will host a series of Information Sessions and Public Forums to ensure that everyone has a chance to become familiar with the options for moving forward. The full schedule will be announced soon and will include daytime, evening, and weekend options.
To get educated early, join us Thursday, February 14, 9:30 AM-11:00 AM at the Ripley Administration Building, Conference Room 4.
Questions? Email the Concord School Committee at concordschoolcommittee@concordps.org. We hope to see you there!

Absence Reporting: Please report all absences/illnesses to the school office before the start of the school day via our new attendance form posted on our school website: https://thoreau.concordps.org/report-attendance-form/. The absence phone line is no longer in service.

Bundle Up: We go outside each and every day, unless we have a frigid wind chill or it is raining.  On those cold winter days, the warmest part of the day is mid-day. Please send your child dressed to play outside.  If we have snow on the ground, your child will need to wear snow pants and boots to play in the snow.

Upcoming Events: 
2/8    PTG Meeting, 9:00 AM
2/13  Teen Buddies
2/18  Presidents’ Day
2/18-2/22  Winter Break:  No School
2/27  CMS Informational Night, 7:00 PM

Forgotten Lunches, Instruments, Homework, Books, Sneakers, Etc.:
In an effort to keep interruptions to learning to a minimum, we seek your support in reducing the number of students who need to leave class to call home to request that items be brought to school.  Please help students learn to be responsible (especially in our upper grades) by reminding them to check to be sure they leave home with any necessary items.  If it is absolutely necessary to drop something off, please leave it in the main office.

Changes to Dismissal Plans:
Please send in a note to your child’s teacher if you need to change his/her dismissal plans for that day. If possible, all play dates should be arranged prior to your child’s arrival at school. If you need to change your child’s dismissal plan unexpectedly, please notify the office by 2:30 PM.  Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

Dismissal/Arrival Parking:
During dismissal, please be sure not to block the crosswalk or fire lanes.  Because the back parking lot is reserved for faculty, parents are encouraged to park along both sides of West Street and on the right side of Pleasant Street or Chase Road.  If it’s not raining or snowing, parents picking up their students should meet them behind the building near the basketball court.  In the case of inclement weather, pick up is in the cafeteria.  Thank you!