Willett Whaler
Week of March 14, 2021
Principal's Corner - Mr. Jeffrey Cateon
Attleboro Public Schools, Grades K-6, will be reopening full in person on Monday, April 5, 2021. We look forward to seeing all our students together again. We will be sending out any additional updates as we move closer to the opening date. If you have any questions regarding full in-person learning, please contact us.
Pooled testing continues to go well. We are so proud of the students and staff that are participating. If you are interested in having your child take part, information can be found below on the process of providing consent. Grade 1 students that have consented will begin on Monday and Tuesday this week.
We have interviewed and selected a Speech and Language Assistant to replace Ms. Cook-Yotts. Once the candidate has been fully vetted and onboarded, we will let families know.
If you haven't already, please join us on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter , Instagram) and on our Website.
COVID Pooled Testing Information
There has been a great deal of discussion regarding the upcoming pooled testing being offered within the school. We will be moving forward with the process and will begin next Monday, February 1. Students who we have received updated consent for will be tested in the morning and the day will resume as normal.
If you have already provided consent for the Pooled Surveillance Testing prior to 1/26/21, you will need to complete the updated consent which now includes the individual antigen testing through your Parent Aspen Portal. Completion of the updated online consent is required to be able to participate on Monday. Students cannot participate if they only have the first/original consent.
A few helpful pieces of information:
- All parents or guardians should complete the documents with a yes or no for consent
- The school cannot complete the form on your behalf
- Parents and guardians can change the consent forms at any time
Please find a short video here on what your student will be doing to collect the sample along with written directions. Staff will be present to support, supervise and guide. Some families have practiced at home using a cotton swab to reduce any anxieties that students may have.
When students arrive at the school, they will settle in and begin their normal routines. Students will be called to exit the room in small groups. Just outside the classroom door, they will self-collect their samples and place them in the vial. Students will sanitize before and after the sample is taken. They will then resume their typical day.
For frequently asked questions and additional information please go here:
We encourage you to read through the latest message from Superintendent Sawyer (http://www.attleboroschools.com/c_o_v_i_d-19) and we will keep you updated as we move forward.
Assistant Principal's Corner- Mrs. Christine Brierly
Fairy Tale STEM Challenge
We are still accepting submissions for the Willett Community Challenge below. You have until this Thursday to submit photos to Cbrierly@attleboroschools.com. If we get at least 10 submissions, Mrs. Brierly will dress up as a sweet little pig from the story. 🐷
** Your challenge is to use toothpicks and glue or tape to build the strongest "little piggy" house that you can. Test out your new construction's strength by trying to blow it down with a hair dryer or fan. If you have a stuffed animal or plastic toy pig to add to your house, that's even more fun! If you decide to use something other than toothpicks, that's OK too! Legos? Q-tips? Sticks and leaves from outside? Dried pasta? Graham crackers with frosting? Whatever you can come up with will be AMAZING!
Can you make a house that won't collapse?
Practice using your creativity and engineering mind to help a few pigs out.
Take a picture or a video of your creation and show us how YOU would outsmart the wolf!
Please send submissions to Mrs. Brierly at cbrierly@attleboroschools.com by March 18 to have the chance to be spotlighted in an upcoming Whaler newsletter. Make sure to include the student's name and grade.
If I get at least 10 submissions, I'll dress up as a cute pig for a whole school day! :-)
You may also enjoy listening to the story of The Three Little Pigs ( link above ) OR The TRUE Story of the Three Little Pigs as told from the wolf's perspective. (link below)
Willett Yearbook
Families of K-3 students may now order the 2020-2021 Willett Yearbook online.
Please visit the Willett PTO Online Store to order.
A Message from the Health Office
Breakfast Update- Potential Allergy Alert
Specialist Make-Up Work
P-EBT Information
REMIND Information
Cohort A - https://www.remind.com/join/ab44878
Cohort B - https://www.remind.com/join/cohortbf
AVA - https://www.remind.com/join/avafam
We are unable to make changes in existing REMIND accounts. Please refer to the document below that provides directions to make any changes to your account.
Clever Family Information
Norms and Tips for Remote Learning.
Norms:
- Be on time for the daily morning check-in. Attendance will be taken, and your child will be marked absent if they are not present for the check-in.
- Select an appropriate learning space to allow your child to be present in the lesson and ready to learn.
- Ensure that your child's device is charged for daily use.
- During a live learning session, your child should be visible to the teacher with the camera on. Virtual backgrounds included in the Google environment can be used.
- Complete and submit work assignments on time through Google Classroom.
- Use all applications in the Google Suite appropriately.
- Adhere to all Attleboro Public Schools policies.
Google Meet Tips:
GOOGLE MEET TIPS
Before the meeting:
- Find a comfortable spot to sit. It is best to keep your device on a steady surface if possible.
- Make sure your background is school-friendly.
- Try your best to be on time.
- Enjoy a snack before the meeting begins.
When the meeting starts:
- Mute your device by clicking the microphone button.
- Be sure that your camera is on.
During the meeting:
- Be patient, this is a learning experience for everyone.
- Be engaged - looking, listening, and thinking.
- Unmute your microphone when your teacher asks you to talk. Mute your device again when you are finished speaking.
- Even though we are not in our school building, our school rules and expectations still apply.
- Families please be considerate and allow the children the opportunity to work with the teacher.