This week's sun and relatively warm temperatures provided a welcome relief to students and staff. With Daylight Savings Time beginning this weekend, we will soon enjoy the longer days of spring. One of the annual rites of spring for students in Massachusetts is MCAS. Students in grades 3 -5 will participate in the English Language Arts portion of MCAS later this month. Letters have been sent to parents outlining the specific dates and some general guidelines about the test. Included in the letter are some basic suggestions for helping students approach the test in a positive manner by ensuring that students are well rested and eat a good breakfast on test days. The MCAS schedule is posted on the Willard website (at willard.colonial.net/MCAS).

Our school counselor, Julee Vitello will launch the Annual Willard Food Drive next week. As is the tradition at Willard, Ms. Vitello has enlisted the assistance of our 5th grade students to help facilitate this important community service project. Students will participate in a variety of ways. There are many tasks that need to be completed during the Food Drive. Some students will advertise the project by making posters. Other students will go into classrooms and promote the food drive. Some students will collect the contributions of non-perishable foods and other contributions and bring the items to the collection point in the gym hallway. Other students will sort and box the items, by category. Others will help to deliver the contributions to Open Table. Based on feedback from Open Table staff, the Willard Food Drive was rescheduled from December to March since this is the time of year when food supplies are depleted and the need is great. Historically, Willard families have contributed to the Food Drive quite generously in the past. We ask for your generosity again this year.

Plans are underway for a special parent training on Internet Safety later this month. The training will be led by Library Media Specialist Erica Chicco, Tech Specialist Genoveva Matheus, and School Resource Officer Scott Camilleri. During this workshop, we will discuss web-based tools and how students are using these tools. The topic of cyberbullying and the legal ramifications of cyberbullying will also be discussed. This workshop is designed for parents of 4th and 5th graders. Pease mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 24th at 7:00 PM in the Library.

This week, letters will be mailed to parents of incoming kindergarten students. Our 2010 Kindergarten Registration is scheduled for April 27th and April 29th. Please contact the Willard office if you have a child who is eligible to enter kindergarten in September and you have not received Registration information yet. In addition, if you know of any family who has a child who is eligible for kindergarten in September, and they have not received a kindergarten mailing, please ask them to call the Willard office. Thank you for your help.

The Willard School Advisory Council is planning to hold a meeting in Boston with METCO families on March 18th at 6:30 PM. Transportation will be provided by the district. Members of the Family Friends program and members of the PTG Board will also attend. This is an opportunity to provide outreach to our METCO families by scheduling a meeting in Boston for the convenience of our Boston parents. This is an opportunity to promote enhanced collaboration among all Willard families.

March is a very busy month at Willard. Family Math Night is scheduled for this Friday evening. This year's event is designed around an Olympic theme. I am looking forward to seeing many families at this very popular event. The Willard Talent Show will be held next Friday, March 19th, at CCHS and will promote our "Green School Theme". The Talent Show provides a great venue for children to share their special talents. It is always a wonderful evening of entertainment and fun.

Spring Conference day for elementary students is April 8th. There will be no school for students. Teachers will contact parents to arrange a conference time.

As always, thank you for all you do for Willard School.
- Pat Fernandes