WMS Community Bulletin 11-22-20
EXCELLENCE*EQUITY*COMMUNITY
If you are on a computer, open this in a new page. Then to translate this newsletter, click on the link to the right.
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Se você estiver em um computador, abra uma nova página. Em seguida, para traduzir esta newsletter, clique no link à direita. Se você estiver em um telefone, toque na pessoa no círculo preto para obter o botão de tradução.
(Portuguese)
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Si está en una computadora, abra esto en una nueva página. Luego, para traducir este boletín, haga clic en el enlace a la derecha. Si está en un teléfono, toque a la persona en el círculo negro para obtener el botón de traducción.
(Spanish)
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إذا كنت تستخدم جهاز كمبيوتر ، فافتح هذا في صفحة جديدة. بعد ذلك ، لترجمة هذه النشرة الإخبارية ، انقر فوق الارتباط الموجود على اليمين.
إذا كنت تستخدم الهاتف ، فالمس الشخص الموجود في الدائرة السوداء للحصول على زر الترجمة. (Arabic)
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Եթե համակարգիչ եք, բացեք սա նոր էջում: Ապա, այս տեղեկագիրը թարգմանելու համար կտտացրեք աջ հղմանը: Եթե հեռախոսով եք, դիպչեք սև շրջանի անձին ՝ թարգմանության կոճակը ստանալու համար: (Armenian)
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Bilgisayar kullanıyorsanız, bunu yeni bir sayfada açın. Ardından, bu bülteni çevirmek için sağdaki bağlantıya tıklayın. Telefonda iseniz, çevir düğmesini almak için siyah daire içindeki kişiye dokunun. (Turkish)
Watertown Middle School 2020-2021
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! We have a short week this week and extra Remote Learning days next week. Please see details below.
Here are some important upcoming dates:
Tuesday, November 24 - Anti-Bias Coalition 6:00-7:30 pm
Zoom meeting:
https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/97911397347
Wednesday, November 25 - Early Release Day - Regular Classes and Dismissal at 12:30 pm
No classes at all after 12:30 pm
Wednesday, November 25 - Last Day of Term 1
Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 30 - First Day of Term 2
Monday, November 30 and Tuesday, December 1 - Remote Learning for ALL students
Wednesday, December 2 - School Site Council meeting 6:30-8:00 pm
Thursday, December 3 - Virtual Parent/Guardian Conferences - 1-3 pm and 6-8 pm
Thursday, December 3 - Community Forum with Dr. Galdston at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
Tuesday, December 8 - Virtual Parent/Guardian Conferences - 1-3 pm and 5-7 pm
Wednesday, December 9 - PTO meeting 7:00 pm
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Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all will have an excellent Thanksgiving and a restful long weekend. As a reminder, dismissal is at the regular time of 12:30 on Wednesday, 11/25, but there will be NO classes or meetings at all after 12:30 pm on that day.
For the holiday, please remember that it is important to follow state and CDC guidelines regarding social distancing and limitations on gatherings in order to keep you, your family members, and your children’s educators safe and healthy. If you do elect to travel to areas affected by the Massachusetts Travel Ban, MA guidelines require a PCR test prior to your child’s return to school, or they must quarantine for 14 days. Please note that out of an abundance of caution and to ensure appropriate staffing after the break, all students and staff, including our high-needs populations, will engage in remote learning on Monday, November 30, and Tuesday, December 1. This will allow WPS families and staff who traveled to high-risk states ample time to obtain PCR test results prior to returning to the school buildings on Wednesday, December 2, and still maintain teaching and learning. Please see Dr. Galdston's Smore Newsletter for all of the details.
Hybrid Learning - Hybrid Learning continued to go well this past week with a full four days. There are occasional technology issues, and we are working diligently to remedy these issues. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to the classroom teacher, Mr. Del Porto, or me regarding the situation.
As a reminder, here is the WMS Hybrid Family Guide 2020-2021. In it, you and your child(ren) will find a lot of helpful information to be ready for in-person learning. Teachers will went over much of it during Community Meeting time. Please email me any questions you may have regarding the guide.
Flu Shots Needed! As per state mandates, in-person students will need proof of the influenza vaccine by December 31, 2020. Please email (michelle.laracy@watertown.k12.ma.us) or fax (617 924-4125) paperwork to Nurse Michelle at WMS.
Parent/Guardian/Teacher/Student Conferences are coming in early December. The cluster teachers will send out more information regarding how to sign up soon.
Please email me with any questions, concerns, or input you may have. As always, we will work together as a community! #wmsstrong
Take good care of each other,
All my best,
Donna
COMMUNITY SERVICE!
Community service is up and running at WMS! Please see the attached document to view information on safety, tracking hours, and opportunities. Just as a reminder, it is recommended that 6th-grade students complete 10 hours of community service, 7th-grade students 15, and 8th-grade students 20.
PTO Update!
Please help us as we embark on new ways of fundraising for the WMS PTO for what will definitely be a new and challenging year! Click the campaign below to see our fundraising goals this year and what we are hoping to support.
Stop and Shop Program:
Our school, Watertown Middle School, ID#: 10628 has the opportunity to participate in and earn CASH from A+ School Rewards, a great fundraising program run through your local Stop & Shop! See the letter attached below for more information. It's an easy way to earn money for the students of the school!
Weekly Learning Plans
Grade 6 Website and e-Learning Plans - click here
Grade 7 Website and e-Learning Plans - click here
Grade 8 Website and e-Learning Plans - click here
If you have any questions, please email (or have your student email) the teacher.
Thank you!
WHS OPEN HOUSE for 7th and 8th grade students and families
Watertown High School hosted an Open House for 7th and 8th-grade students and families on Thursday, November 19, 2020.
In case you were unable to attend, or you are interested in viewing the information in more detail, here is the SLIDESHOW that was presented during the evening.
Title 1 Schoolwide Program, K-8
The Watertown Public School System and its Title I Schoolwide Program, K - 8 are committed to continuously improving the opportunities for parents to be actively involved in their child's learning at home and in school. We have found this general education support to be highly valuable in helping students improve their math and literacy skills. Title I is the largest Federally funded supplemental education program. It does not replace what the school does; instead, Title I gives schools and students additional resources and instruction in math and reading. Title I partially funds our math and reading support and after school tutoring. Our tutors work closely with the classroom teachers to help improve students’ skills in reading and writing.
This district Parent Involvement Plan serves to outline overall expectations for parent involvement activities and programs, establish an environment for parental participation in Watertown's Title I programs at the school level, and identify the support which the Title I program can provide to assist schools in achieving their goals of supporting student learning. The Title I Home/School Compact outlines school, parent/guardian, and student responsibilities.
We welcome you to join us for an informal meeting for parents at our upcoming Parent Coffee on Zoom where we can talk in more detail around the Title I Schoolwide Program in grades K - 8 and answer any questions you may have, which will be held Friday, December 4th at 10 am. If you have any questions, please contact the school at 617-926-7783.
Title 1 Parent Coffee Zoom Meeting https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/95357574694
LUNCH/MEALS PROGRAM UPDATES
School meals are free for ALL students for the entire school year.
Students can order a lunch in Community Meeting each morning and will be given out at the end of the day.
Lunches should be eaten after you leave school at 12:30
The meals will be packaged in easy to carry bags and will contain multiple breakfasts and lunches.
If a student requests meals on both of their in-person days they will receive breakfast and lunch for 7 days.
SEE SCHOOL NUTRITION WEBSITE FOR MENU.
GRAB & GO MEAL SITE WILL BE OPEN:
EVERY MONDAY
12 - 1:30PM
&
4:30 - 6PM
Technology Information for WPS Families
We look forward to supporting you with your educational technology questions.
Please visit the WPS Family Ed-Tech for ALL websites for updated resources.
Here is a link to the weekly 11/15 Family Ed-Tech for All Newsletter, LIVE Ed-Tech Family Support Sessions, Resources, Tutorials & tips that are curated and created, just for you.
Need support! Please complete the WPS Ed-Tech Support Request Form if you need support with Ed-Tech. A member of the WPS Ed-Tech team will reach out to you asap.
Additional Resources: Link to WPS BrainPOP Resources Hub Link to WPS SeeSaw Resources Hub
Below is a curated collection from the extensive PBS LearningMedia and Early Childhood education Libraries hosted on WGBH’s Distance Learning Center. You can use these resources in school or at home as needed.
Thank you and have a terrific day,
Rashmi Pimprikar (District Ed-Tech Coordinator), Digital Learning Team and IT Team
WMS Attendance Policy and Procedures
From the Handbook (with some Remote Learning updates):
Attendance is the most important aspect of educating our students. When students are not here, they do not have access to instruction.
At Watertown Middle School, we pride ourselves in maintaining a very high attendance rate throughout the year. Understandably, there will be times when our students will need to take time away from school for a variety of excused reasons. The following procedure is in place to ensure good attendance, support our families, and follow state and federal laws.
Students are expected to be present and punctual for all classes. All students must be in Homeroom/Community Meeting (in-person or Zoom) by 8:30 a.m.
If you are having trouble with your Chromebook or have any Tech Difficulties (computer, camera, charging cord, hot spot)...
Call 617-926-7783 and let Ms. Cardillo or Ms. Brackett know.
“My name is (your name) and I have (teacher name) right now and I am having Tech Trouble. Can you please let my teacher know?”
Tardiness
A student is considered tardy if he or she is not in homeroom by 8:30 a.m. Teachers will mark students tardy when they are late to homeroom and/or late to class.
Absences
In the event that a student is tardy or absent, a parent or guardian must call the absence hotline at 617-926-7783 before 8:30 a.m. Please state the name, grade, and homeroom of the student. In the event that the absence is not reported, the school will call the student’s home or the place of employment of the parent or guardian to verify the absence.
Please see the Handbook for further details describing Excused Absences versus Unexcused Absences.
Resulting Actions:
● After 3 days of unexcused absences with no contact to the school from the parent, the Assistant Principal will be notified.
● After 5 days of absences (both excused & unexcused) per quarter, a letter of concern will be sent to parents/guardians. At ten absences, a support meeting will be scheduled with parents/guardians, guidance, and administration to create an Attendance Plan, which clearly outlines the school, parent, and student obligations to improve the problem. If absenteeism continues, further action will be taken, up to and including petitioning the Juvenile Courts with a Child Requiring Assistance, (C.R.A.).
**EMERGENCY ALERTS**
Watertown Middle School
Email: donna.martin@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: https://wms.watertown.k12.ma.us/
Location: 68 Waverley Avenue, Watertown, MA, USA
Phone: 617-926-7783
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watertownms/