Tuesday, September 4, 2012
School's almost back in session, but were you aware of these state laws on school buses?
Nobody's as good as six-year-old Meggie Norton when it comes to knowing all the "Rules of the Bus", but here are a few Massachusetts' state laws about school buses you might not have known. #1. Everyone knows to stop when a school bus is loading and unloading passengers, but what you may not know is that if you don’t stop, you could get a ticket of up to $250. That fine can go up to $2,000 and a suspended license of up to a year for subsequent offenses (MGL 90-14) #2. Oh, speaking of stopping behind a stopped bus, even fire trucks, police cars and ambulances with their sirens on have to stop until the passengers have been loaded or unloaded. (MGL 89-7B) #3. Tell your kids to sit down, because bus drivers can be fined up to $500 if they …
Thursday, August 30, 2012
This Everett-based charter school has filed an application to create three new schools, one of which would serve Chelmsford students.
The Pioneer Charter School of Science (PCSS) in Everett recently filed applications with the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to open three new charter public schools, one of which would serve Chelmsford students, according to a press statement. In an email to Melrose Patch, PCSS spokesperson Katie Fryman said a location for the school to serve Melrose students has yet to be determined and won't be until the school receives state approval. "Charters either lease or buy an existing facility (there is no school building assistance from the state)," Fryman wrote. "The location is unknown because you can't get a facility until a charter is approved." The new schools, if approved by the state, would serve students …
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Accuweather believes its likely, but what do you think?
Recently Accuweather's long-range meteorologists reported that they are projecting a weak to moderate El Niño effect as we head from summer to autumn. Why is that important? Well, they go on to say that weak El Niños, or fluctuations of warmer sea temperatures in the Pacific, generally have led to more snow, and more snow days, particularly in the Northeastern United States. So, today we ask you, what does this mean for Chelmsford? Will the forecasts be wrong? Will we see another mild winter? Or, will last year's lack of snow days for the kids seem like a distant memory this year? Take part in our poll and tell us what you think in the comments section.
Chelmsford area grocery prices for the week of Aug. 29
In our third and final installment of the back to school grocery guide, we try to help out Vivian Merrill with three items she mentioned. With the Folgers, all of them are 12 oz. versions of the crystals, except for at Donelan's, which is a 10.3 oz. can of ground Folgers. All prices may change without notice, prices were checked on Aug. 24 and may include additional taxes or fees not indicates on labeling.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
With the new school year upon us, help get your kids’ brains working again with this fun, free daily email newsletter.
As Chelmsford students go back to school, it’s time for an abundance of expensive school supplies, backpacks full of complicated text books and dreaded questions about math homework. With back-to-school stresses piling up, Laura Overdeck wants to let children and parents in on a little secret: math can be fun. Really. Overdeck is on a mission to change the way Americans think about math — especially given that math anxiety has been tracked in kids as young as age 5. This is what inspired her to create Bedtime Math, a nonprofit that sends out a daily email with a math problem tailored to “wee ones,” little and big kids. Overdeck is a Westfield native who now lives in Short Hills, NJ. She is an astrophysics graduate and MBA, but her love…
Friday, August 17, 2012
Here's our first entry in our back-to-school grocery guides all this month.
School is almost back in session here in Chelmsford, and all this month we're using the grocery hunt to take a look at some items local Patch users have asked us to take a look at. Today's items come from Chelmsford's Andrew Weiner, who is a fan of Lunchables, Fruit2O and Peanut Butter Sandwiches. For folks looking for these items in local stores, Lunchables are generally in fridge cases near the bacon, peanut butter and bread are almost always in the same aisle and Fruit2O is usually, but not always, near the water. All Fruit2O prices were for six packs of 16 ounce bottles. All other weights are noted. Prices were taken on Aug. 14, prices may change without notice and may not necessarily reflect taxes and fees not indicated on labeling.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
On Tuesday night, the Chelmsford School Committee learned that only water vending machines will soon be allowed in Chelmsford's schools and that there will be a ban on caffeinated drinks.
On Tuesday, new Chelmsford Public School Food Service director April Laskey infored the Chelmsford School Committee is looking to remove all vending machines, with the exception of machines that sell water. There was also discussion on banning less nutritious foods from being on school grounds, even for fundraising activities and private use by adult employees, during the school day and for an hour before and after the school day as well. Today, we want your thoughts. Is this a good move to set a positive example for children in schools or does it go too far?
Monday, August 6, 2012
Do you remember your favorite lunch box? Today's kids have as many options as ever but nothing will take the place of the Partridge Family or Scooby-Doo.
Lunch boxes have changed in design and shape over the years, but the basic idea is the same. Along with space inside for a cold drink, sandwich and snack, the cover is devoted to a favorite cartoon, character, TV show or movie. That's why Justin Bieber and Darth Vader and Japanese cartoon characters are staring out at shoppers from the shelves of Target. Back in the '70s, the lunch boxes were aluminum. In the '80s, they gave way to plastic. Vintage lunch boxes now are highly collectible. They are displayed as collections in people's homes, and sometimes they get their own art gallery shows. (Yes, I've gone to one.) Do you remember a favorite lunch box? What was it? Have a picture handy? Share it with Chelmsford Patch!
Friday, August 3, 2012
Freshman year is a tough year - what advice would you give?
- BACK TO SCHOOL
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Friday, August 3, 2012
As the calendar flips to August, thoughts start to turn to the first day o the new school year. When Chelmsford High opens its doors for the school year, a brand new crop of freshmen will begin the wild, four-year (in most cases) journey that is high school. So we pose the question -- What advice would you offer to the incoming Class of 2016?
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
The town received two bids to do the work.
Chelmsford High School will get new seating in the gym after a company out of Somerset, N.H. agreed to do the job for $95,300. The low bid - one out of two the town received for the work - falls within the budget for the job, Town Manager Paul Cohen said. Cohen said the work will be done in November. "The seating will be in before the winter sports season," he said.
Anna Bucciarelli
6:58 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Lordie, I sure hope not! The snows of 2010-2011 shivered my timbers enough so that I thoroughly enjoyed and was grateful for the respite from it this past winter. Fingers crossed for a repeat performance. more ›