Update for English Learner Families
Snow Days, ELPAC, and Upcoming Testing
How to translate this document
1. Open the newsletter in your email.
2. Click on the image so that the newsletter opens in a BROWSER.
3. Scroll to the very bottom of the newsletter (see below), click where it says "translate" and then choose a language.
How do I know if there is school when there's snow?
We have 180 days of instruction and also requires that any school closures (“snow days”) have to be made up before June 30th.
- Check your email. You will also get a phone call.
- Check the District’s website (www.watertown.k12.ma.us), the WPS Facebook page (@watertownpublicschools) and the WPS Twitter feed (@watertownschool) to see if there is school.
- Check the TV - WCVB Television (Channel 5), WHDH Television (Channel 7), WFXT Television (Channel 25), WBZ Television (Channel 4), NBC Boston (Channel 10)
- Listen to the Radion WBZ Radio (AM 1030)
Some television stations provide a free text alert service notifying of closures and delays (e.g., www.fox25boston.com/weather/closing-login).
Usually, you will know between 5:30 and 6:00 AM. Rarely, we know it the night before and broadcast on the 11:00 PM news.
Additionally, the District will call households once a decision has been made about school cancellation or delay.
Please DO NOT CALL the School Department, Police Department, or Fire Department for school cancellation information as these lines must remain open for emergency situations.
Delayed Openings
Delayed openings will be for one (1) hour to two (2) hours after the schools’ regular scheduled start times.
Before-school programs are canceled on days with delayed openings. Lunch will be served at the regular time and school will close at the regular time.
Preschool
Preschool classes are canceled on days of school closure. On days with delayed school openings, AM preschool will be canceled and PM preschool will begin at the usual time.
Extended Day
Extended Day programs are canceled on days of school closure. On days with delayed openings, before-school Extended Day programs are canceled and after-school Extended Day programs begin as usual.
On occasion, the District may call for an early release or cancel PM and evening activities including after-school Extended Day programs. Please stay attuned to the aforementioned television and radio stations for notifications of PM closures.
English Learner Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC)
Please join us at our next ELPAC meeting (parent meeting) on Wednesday, February 12th from 7-8 pm in Room 204 at the Phillips Building located at 30 Common St.
Parking is off Marshall Street behind the building. Enter the door on the right and go up one flight of stairs. The room is right in front of you.
Bring your student’s report card as we will go over how to read it and understand how your student is doing in school. We will have childcare, light snacks and interpreters.
Please fill out the survey below to help us know what topics parents are interested in.
Wednesday, Feb 12, 2020, 07:00 PM
Watertown Public Schools, 30 Common St, Watertown, Massachusetts, USA
Upcoming Testing
MCAS, the state tests for English Language Arts, Math, and Science, begin in April and go through the end of May.
If you have any questions about the testing please reach out to the ESL teachers at your school.
Verifying Your Information
You will have gotten an email with a snap code link for each student you have in Watertown Public Schools and you have to fill out the forms for each child. You may have to create an account when you go to the site or just log in if you already have an account.
Complete all the questions with a red asterisk (*) and then hit submit and you are done! You can do this on a cell phone or a computer.
If you don't have an email, or need help completing the process, please email terri.stafford@watertown.k12.ma.us and she will make an appointment with you to help you.
Kate Phillipson, ESL Coordinator
Email: kathryn.phillipson@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: http://watertown.ss19.sharpschool.com/resources/english_as_a_second_language_program
Location: 30 Phillips St, Watertown, MA, USA, Room 208
Phone: 617-972-4297