FROM THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR’S DESK….
August 2008
As the fifth year of our elementary and the second full year of our middle after school enrichment programs begin, I am delighted with our continuing success and equally excited about our future.
To all the parents of children who are continuing in our program: Thank you! We appreciate your ongoing participation, support and feedback. And to all the parents of children who are beginning our program for the first time: Welcome! We look forward to meeting you and your children. We’re glad you’re joining our program and confident that your children will have fun learning new skills, exploring different activities and developing relationships with our staff and other children.
In my visits to each WPC site, I am always impressed with our site directors’ and staff members’ energy and creativity, and the children’s enthusiasm. Our programs are in collaboration with the Westford Public School System and provide a safe, intellectually and physically stimulating environment. Our curriculum is dynamic. It reinforces and enriches skills and concepts your children learn during their day in school. It stimulates students to explore new horizons, expand creativity, broaden their base of knowledge and increase their repertoire of learned skills. There is also room for children to do homework and play. We are all committed to providing you and your children with a top-notch, flexible program.
Let me share with you now some of our plans for the 2008-09 school year:
Come and meet with your children’s Site Directors and me.
We know you have questions, so we would like to get together with you and provide answers.
- Ongoing curriculum enhancements …
Starting this fall, “Introduction to the Chinese Language for Kids” is offered for Grades K-5 children. New and exciting activities planned for future sessions include puppetry, nutrition, sign language, poetry and origami.
Middle school students can spend time building a model airplane, learning how to fly a remote-controlled plane (with a computer) and flying it this fall. Hiking & Orienteering, Calligraphy & Art and Jammin’/Poetry are just some of the other activities also available.
The middle school principals have asked us to offer the annual field trip to Salem, Massachusetts, as they are they are no longer able to provide it. We will work with your children’s teachers to ensure the pertinent highlights are included in the trip.
- Administrative changes to provide a more efficient program …
The structure and operation of our programs basically remain the same.
For your convenience, there are separate enrollment forms for each elementary school program, as activities are offered on different days for each site. As always, the selection of activities for grades K-2 and 3-5 is the same at each school.
Starting this fall, Full Time participants in both middle and elementary school programs will be able to register for WPC Program Sessions and Special Programs for the entire 2008-09 school year. Signing up in advance will guarantee your child's place in the program and avoid late fees.
You will still need to complete a registration form for each session, as our curriculum changes throughout the year. This will ensure your child is enrolled in the appropriate activities each session and provide an early opportunity to sign up for limited-space activities.
Please note: If you decide to enroll in WPC in advance, you may post-date your checks. Your checks will not be deposited until the check's date. Please contact our office for more details.
- Effective this fall, our first price increase …
For our elementary school program: Each activity, or time block, is $9.50.
For our middle school program: The first activity block is $8. The second, and longest time block, is $15. The third, and shortest block, is $6.
For both programs: The materials fees (for those activities requiring a fee) remain the same, $15. The discounted, per session fee is $850.
Complete information for the Fall 2008 session, including an updated Parent Handbook and August 26/October 17 enrollment forms are available on our website www.westfordma.gov/wpc and at the Recreation Department office, 35 Town Farm Road. If you have questions, you may contact us at 978-692-5532. I also strongly encourage you to visit our website regularly for updated information.
Again, thank you for contributing to our success. We look forward to seeing and working with your children.
Sincerely,
Sandra Habe
WPC Program Director
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