WHS Weekly Update
April 27, 2020
Welcome to the last week of April!
There are signs of Spring and new life popping up everywhere. Crocuses are beginning to recede, and the daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips are up and blooming. Trees are leafing out and yards are turning green. Birds that went south for the winter are back building nests, and frequenting local feeders.
District and school leadership, together with our amazing Watertown teachers have done an awesome job of adapting to the change and keeping the core essence of our curriculum in a forward mode. We have met face-to-face over Zoom and Google hangouts. Teachers and administrators have continued to adapt, to plan, and students have continued to learn and grow.
We learned for certain last week, that all school buildings in Massachusetts would remain closed through the school year, and that we would continue to engage in teaching and learning in educational experiences and learning opportunities through a remote platform. Is it different? Yes. But you've got this and we are here for all of you!
Has any of your contact information changed?
Guidance Updates
Dear Watertown students and families,
First and foremost, I hope this email finds you and your family well during this challenging time. So much is changing, and all of it quite quickly. While it's possible that more will have changed by the time you read this email, the WHS Guidance Department wants to provide you with some information in regards to course selection, post-secondary planning, and resources for support. We also plan to share a brief video covering this information in the coming days.
Course Selection
All students should receive instructions via email for accessing Course Requests through PowerSchool by Tuesday, April 28. This email will include student user names and passwords for the PowerSchool portal as well as instructions for accessing their requests. There was a slight delay in our ability to distribute them. Please remember this is the preliminary list of courses for next year. Questions about recommendations, missing courses, or level changes can be directed to current teachers. Students are reminded to complete the Elective Selection Google Form by Wednesday, April 29. The link to the form was emailed to students previously and will be re-sent on Monday, April 27.
In about 2 weeks, students will receive another verification sheet that will list any changes in courses selected and the elective courses students’ have chosen. Guidance counselors will work with students and teachers to ensure that courses requested meet graduation requirements. They will also continue to be available for academic advising with students.
SAT/ACT Updates
The CollegeBoard (developer of the SAT, a test widely used for college admissions) has announced several new test dates to make up for the canceled March, May, and June test administrations. These dates can be found here. Registration for Fall tests will begin in May. Priority registration will be given to students in the class of 2021 who do not have any SAT scores yet. Details on the length of the priority registration and registration dates are forthcoming.
ACT (the other test widely used for college admissions) has rescheduled their April test date to June 13 and will have July, September, October, and December test dates. ACT also announced a test-at-home option. Additional details are forthcoming.
Many colleges and universities have announced that they will be "test-optional" (which means they will not require standardized test scores for admission) for the class of 2021. This list is changing frequently. We always recommend that students check with the colleges they are interested in for full details.
AP Updates
The CollegeBoard (developer of the Advanced Placement exams) announced previously that this year's AP exams will be taken online. AP students and their families have received separate communication from me with information about the exams and next steps.
College Planning
Over the past several weeks, many of the guidance counselors have attended webinars or meetings with college admissions counselors. The National Association for College Admission Counseling is frequently updating information about college admissions procedures here. While college admissions policies continue to be developed and adjusted, one piece of advice has remained consistent: Take care of yourself. The resounding themes from college admissions teams are that they: 1) understand that these are challenging times and students may be struggling; 2) will support high school grading policies and not penalize students for grading decisions their school has made; 3) want students to take care of themselves and their families and to stay healthy. The Dean of Admissions at WPI recently wrote this open letter to high school juniors, which reflects the things we heard during our meetings and webinars with colleges and universities around the country.
While much is still uncertain, there are many things students can be doing to think about the next steps including meeting with their guidance counselor, participating in online test prep activities (like Khan Academy), talking to teachers about teacher recommendations, and researching schools and programs they are interested in. Many schools and programs are offering extensive virtual opportunities so that students can continue to explore without having to leave home. Students may also want to explore Naviance and other post-secondary planning resources listed on this document.
Financial Aid for Seniors
We were unable to host MEFA's After the Acceptance Seminar earlier this month. MEFA has a variety of free, online resources including a tip sheet for seniors and a recorded After the Acceptance Seminar that can be watched at any time. We encourage students and families to access these resources.
Wellness Wednesday
Finally, we want to remind students and families that the WHS counselors are sending a short weekly newsletter with some wellness tips and resources. The newsletter is sent via email on Wednesdays. They can also be found on the WHS Guidance website and in Mrs. Lundberg's weekly emails.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the WHS counselors. We are available via email and are able to schedule meetings with students as needed. We miss seeing our students in our offices and wish you all safety and good health.
Be well,
Adrienne Eaton
Lead Guidance Counselor
Watertown High School
50 Columbia Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Guidance News: https://sites.google.com/a/watertown.k12.ma.us/whs-guidance/
A few announcements for the Class of 2020
- The last day of Remote Classes for the Class of 2020 will be May 28th (the same early end date that would have been in place, if we had been in the building)
- We want to celebrate everyone's plans for next year, be they military, college, or career. Please send a picture of yourself to the class Instagram account and visit the page for more details
- The senior class is putting together the annual senior slideshow. We are looking for photos of every student at any age. Please send them to Ms. Mundy (elizabeth.mundy@watertown.k12.ma.us) or Mia Z (mizark872@watertown.k12.ma.us) by Friday, May 1
- You have until June 15th to order a yearbook. Please see the Class of 2020 classroom page for information, or send an email to Ms. Mundy at elizabeth.mundy@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Please answer the survey about the end of the year, sent by your class officers and executive board.
- Please see the letter in your school email from Mrs. Lundberg. It was also sent by School Messenger to your parents and guardians.
- Stay tuned for more information about Awards and Graduation
Community Service Opportunities
- The Class of 2022 has created a great opportunity to gain community service hours, as well as put a smile on the faces of the young children of Watertown. We ask that you film a video of yourself reading a picture book and send it to Carly MacCormack, Emma Fallon, or Ms. Glencross to be uploaded on a website that has been made. It is not mandatory, but this is a great way to get community service hours from home! Feel free to read more than one story, as this will be shared with all of the elementary school teachers and families once we have started compiling videos. You will be granted an hour of community service for every two books you read (please make them separate videos). The Class of 2022 officers will be happy to answer any questions that you have. We can’t wait to see your videos!
- The Watertown Senior Center is looking for students to work remotely with senior citizens to give them technical assistance with Zoom, Facebook and other on-line sites. Please contact the program director, Marina Kirsanova by email at mkirsanova@watertown-ma.gov or by phone at 617-972-6490.
2020 Spring Sports canceled by MIAA
SPRING ATHLETIC FEE REFUNDS - Refunds of fees paid for the Spring 2020 season are being processed and will be sent directly to the address of the person who initiated the payment. We are making every effort to expedite refunds.
We will post more information including senior athletic awards as it becomes available.
Sports are canceled, but many Clubs are still meeting!
The Deep and Meaningful Conversation club will be meeting every Tuesday from 4-5 pm! If you are interested, contact Caiden Kiani at cakian120@watertown.k12.ma.us
No Place for Hate club is going to meet every Friday at 3:00.
Art Club will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 4-5pm on Zoom. Feel free to drop in, even if you've never come to our in person meetings! We will do fun and different activities. Please email Ms.Mann, angela.mann@watertown.k12.ma.us before the next meeting on 4/22 so I can let you know what materials we will be working with. Thanks! Hope to see you there. Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/91254665089?pwd=ZVA1dHp5RXlHT2VLdzJJNmVGaGQwQT09 Meeting ID: 912 5466 5089 Password: 045365
The Puzzle Club will have its weekly Zoom meeting on Thursday at 4 PM. The link to the Zoom Meeting is posted on the Puzzle Club Google Classroom.
The Comic Graphic Novel and Animation club will meet virtually once a week. The club will meet on Thursdays at 2:30PM. https://zoom.us/j/97056742778?pwd=a1dqSGd5elBRdjVWOGFUalFhVzI5dz09 Meeting ID: 970 5674 2778 Password: 5zKfvV
Homework help is available!
The Freshmen Physics Tutor Group is back! If you are looking for some help with your physics work stop by on Zoom, Wednesdays 3:30pm-4:15pm. See your physics teachers for the Zoom link or email Caiden and Eli:
Attention students: Do you need help with a writing assignment or paper? You're in luck! The WHS Writing Lab is now available virtually. If you'd like some help, reach out to Ms. Adkanian (aryana.adkanian@watertown.k12.ma.us) and join her Google Classroom (join code: twgiol2). The Writing Lab's Classroom has a place for students to virtually submit a paper for feedback, a general discussion questions forum, and instructional materials on the writing process.
How about help with Math? Mr. Nazarchuk. our Math Lab Aide, is ready, willing and able to help you out! Follow this smore like for s'more info: https://www.smore.com/924yx. The High School Math Lab is open!!
Some video programming from our WHS students!
Toni conceived, designed, produced, and hosted "Toni & Me" an education and fun short-series designed to reach and teach the youngest members of the Watertown community (episodes below).
Best of Reel (submitted to Boston/NE NATAS) - https://vimeo.com/396000709
Toni & Me Ep 1 - https://vimeo.com/368792662
Toni & Me Ep 2 - https://vimeo.com/370118155
Toni & Me Ep 3 - https://vimeo.com/377366903
Toni & Me Ep 4 - https://vimeo.com/384543588
Toni & Me Ep 5 - https://vimeo.com/384837643
This is Toni's second straight year receiving an "Honorable Mention". She was recognized for a news package called "A Musician in Math" https://vimeo.com/269933153#t=74s last year.
Here are some additional videos produced by Mr. Robbins' class, shared here for your viewing pleasure!
COVID-19 has shut down a lot of radio and television programming that we are all used to enjoying, but it has not slowed the great content our students are creating from home. The following is the first round of student-conceived and produced Radio & Television programming from WHSonWCATV since the COVID-19 Pandemic Shutdown, with a couple of bonuses thrown-in.
"Grilled Turkey & Cheese": https://vimeo.com/410726278
(Cavan Catalano)
"Hand Washing vs COVID19 Facts and Demo": https://vimeo.com/410726730
(Jasmine Affany)
"A Day In the Life of a WHS Senior in Quarantine": https://vimeo.com/410725032
(Vicken Meneshian)
"Covid 19 Report April 2020": https://vimeo.com/410725656
(Oliver Eason)
"Chocolate Chip Cookies": https://vimeo.com/385248566
(Mogi Virojanadul & Nelson Marquez)
"Staying Busy During Quarantine": https://vimeo.com/410727048
(Emma Fallon, Julian Reyes, Teddy DeRocher)
"Importance of Hand Washing": https://vimeo.com/410726833
(Robbie Ianetta)
"Conspiracy Corner" Episode 1: https://vimeo.com/410725105
(Toni Carton & Crew)
"COVID19 Hoops 1 v 1": https://vimeo.com/410725853
(Cam Carr)
"Video Game Side by Side - Madden 15 vs 20": https://vimeo.com/410725985
(Greg Venizelos)
"Winter Sports 2020 Highlights": https://vimeo.com/396007258
(Eva Kelleher, Anna Michaelidis, Matt Tuccinardi)
http://www.vimeo.com/whsonwcatv
Radio & Television Broadcasting Teacher
Watertown High School