Spry Newsletter
October 30th. 2020
SUPERINTENDENT NEWS
10:15 a.m.
Dear Webster CSD Parents/Guardians,
You only need to watch a news report or pull up your Twitter feed to see the phrase “COVID fatigue.” It doesn’t spare superintendents, by the way. As we approach winter, I am definitely trying to remain diligent and not tire of taking the necessary health and safety precautions. I know it’s something we all need to do in order to keep our area’s infection rate one of the lowest in the entire country. Masks + Distance + Clean Hands = Open Schools!!!
I know this is particularly difficult with the upcoming holiday season and the colder weather meaning more indoor time, but we all must be careful in order to keep each other healthy. My large Italian family will not be getting together for the first time since… well, since I don’t know when. I keep telling myself that it’s only temporary, and it’s the best thing for many of my family members who are immunocompromised or have underlying issues. But, to be honest, it is still going to be pretty tough to wrap our heads around. I’m sure our Google Meet will be just as loud and obnoxious as our in-person celebration would be (note: most of my family members were born without mute buttons or volume control).
And let me put one really interesting rumor to bed (gotta love what arises from Facebook): we are not planning on closing down for Thanksgiving through Christmas. I know that nearly all colleges are doing this, but it is not something that has been discussed at all. That decision would not come from me, but rather, I would rely on the Monroe County Department of Public Health and Dr. Mendoza and it would be tied to our area’s infection rates. I’m planning on seeing your children each and every school day from now through June. (Just leave my pie at the end of your driveway for my physically distanced visit… I really miss my mom’s pies!)
Lastly, as we receive word of COVID cases in our schools, I have gotten some questions about our district’s cleaning protocol. When we have a confirmed COVID case, additional cleaning and disinfecting measures are added following the typical daily deep-clean. Those measures include using an electrostatic sprayer with Oxivir Tb in the impacted classrooms (including spraying the HVAC units), along with changing those HVAC filters. To watch our buildings and grounds team in action and learn even more about our cleaning protocols, be sure to check out the video below this letter.
Have a good weekend, everyone. Please rest up, stay healthy, and keep up all the good work you are doing with your kids!
Sincerely,
Carmen Gumina
Superintendent of Schools
important dates
Nov. 11 Veterans Day NO School K-12
Nov. 25-27 Thanksgiving Recess NO School K-12
News from the Board of education
sharing pictures making connections
As a part of our initiative to continue building on the positive culture and climate at Spry, we are looking for students to submit pictures of themselves with their pet or their favorite hobby. We will use these pictures to create a collage on a bulletin board that reminds us that even though we may be learning in separate spaces, we are still ONE Spry family.
Please encourage your child to submit a picture of themselves with either a pet or a favorite hobby. We would love to get a picture from as many students as possible! Students will be able to upload their pictures through Google Classroom.
Kindness Matters
School 17 Donations
halloween
After School Clubs/Activities/Support
WCSD Equity and Diversity Webpage
WCSD Equity and Diversity Webpage -
https://www.websterschools.org/districtpage.cfm?pageid=1874
Hispanic Heritage Committee site -
https://sites.google.com/webstercsd.org/hhc/home?authuser=0
Includes a calendar with live links for community events (virtual, asynchronous)
Link directly to the calendar - https://sites.google.com/webstercsd.org/hhc/events/calendar?authuser=0
drama club
Spry Library
Washington DC Trip-7th Grade Students
Our first fundraiser for the Washington DC trip started this week for our 7th graders. Students received information in homeroom about the upcoming fundraisers. Attached below is further information for the trip. Please contact the White House Office if you have any questions.
School Pictures - Retakes Nov. 5th and 6th during lunches.
Attendance
PTSA
WebsterPTSA.org/Join (join/renew),
WebsterPTSA.org/eNews (newsletter sub)
WebsterPTSA.org/Social (social media links by building)
Reminder PTSA is a very important group please consider joining!
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
HOMEWORK HELP
Math Lab
Math Lab is OPEN virtually
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 11:00 to 2:00
Monday evening from 7:00 to 8:00
Wednesday from 9:00 to 11:00
You can visit for one question, get your homework checked or we can work on your classwork or homework together.
Mrs. Hunt
Math Lab google classroom for students who want to use the math lab.
The code is: s7czkn3.
Jostens' Yearbooks
Here is the link: https://images.jostens.com/415603996
Good Afternoon Partner in Positive Youth Development!
As the autumn leaves continue to fall, our programming starts to ratchet up available events for our youth. The next available event is the annual Intergenerational Fall Clean-up on Saturday, November 14th. In an effort to practice safe social distancing we will be welcoming groups of volunteers in different time slots beginning at 9am.
The annual Intergenerational Fall Clean-up is coming November 14th!
This is a great opportunity for youth to serve our community and gain needed service hours as we help housebound seniors rake leaves and clear their yards of fall debris. Groups are welcome to join and serve together, or meet new youth from around the community and work together helping those in need. We will meet at Monroe Community Hospital at 9 am and then go into the community to help our registered seniors. We will also provide a FREE shirt, refreshments, and the necessary tools for the job.
Have your youth register to volunteer at: tinyurl.com/MonroeCountyFallCleanUp
Please contact me if you have any questions by email at haliradecker@monroecounty.gov, or by phone at 753-6953. Thank you for your time and cooperation!
Hali R. Radecker | YAR & Special Events Coordinator | RMCYB
435 East Henrietta Road, 3rd Floor-Faith Wing
Rochester, New York 14620
585-753-6953
Make sure your Chromebook is working and ready!
The Chromebook Repair Center will reopen at Webster Schroeder High School in the main entrance vestibule on:
Tuesday, September 8th
Hours will be
Monday 7:30-3:30
Tuesday 7:30-3:30
Wednesday 11:00-7:00
Thursday 7:30-3:30
Friday 8:00- 2:00
Families may also call 265-6400, extension 2 for device support
Spry Chromebook Assistance
Students may come down Periods 1,4,5,6 to Sam Bell in Tech room 120.
Chromebook policy prohibits loaners being given to students who forget their Chromebooks at home or do not charge the battery. Loaners are provided for students whose Chromebook is physically damaged, lost or not functioning properly. For those students with dead batteries, there are several chargers on site for their use, but they have to leave their Chromebook for at least two class periods to charge.
Medication/Nurse
Dispensing Medications
The District strongly recommends that all medication be administered to students under the supervision of the nurse. If you must take any prescription or over-the-counter medication during school hours and/or at school-related events, State Law requires the following:
1. A written request from your health care provider
2. A written request from your parent/guardian
3. Medication in a pharmacy- labeled container for prescription medications and original manufacturer’s container for over-the counter medications
4. Medication delivered to the nurse by an adult, unless required documentation for Independent Use and Carry of Medication is on file and approved by the nurse
*You may not store medication in your locker nor carry and/or take medication in school or at school-sponsored events unless the required documentation is submitted to the Health Office. This includes prescription and over-the counter medication, dietary pills, supplements and vitamins. If you carry or use unauthorized medication or share medication with other students, you will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the District’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy, including suspension from school and referral to the CAP program.
F.I.R.E.
Equity and diversity are catching F.I.R.E. in the Webster community!
Families Igniting Racial Equity (F.I.R.E.) is a vibrant, parent-led organization whose mission is to build a racially- and economically-just community. Spearheaded by the school district, the group includes members from throughout our community -- parents, concerned family members, and allies passionate about One Webster!
Watch district social media for upcoming meeting notices. For further information on being a part of this growing organization, please contact Terry McCarthy, Webster CSD Director of Humanities, at terrance_mccarthy@webstercsd.org or (585) 216-0080.
Together we can help Webster blaze a trail in creating a more equitable and inclusive community!
F.I.R.E. meetings for 2020-21. These will occur virtually.
Here is the schedule -
9/15, 10/20, 11/17, 12/15, 1/19, 2/23, 3/16, 4/20, 5/11, 6/15
All meetings will run from 6:30-8:00.
You can email Terry McCarthy if you would like info about FIRE and/or would like to be on our distribution list.
Early Dismissal
• If you need to leave school early, an email (Preferably) from your parent or guardian must be sent to your house office prior to first period. Notes are still allowed, but discouraged to avoid crowding in the House Offices to start the day. You will be given a formal "school excuse" to leave, and your parent must sign you out at the front entrance.
• If you return to school, you must report back to the front entrance and get a pass to class.
• Only the School Nurse can excuse a student early from school due to illness. Students leaving school because of illness must be picked up from the Main Entrance by a parent or guardian.
• No one is allowed to leave during the school day without signing “out”. Any pupil leaving without permission will be considered truant. Parents and Police will be notified.
• Transportation to and from school is provided by school bus, parent, or guardian listed in Infinite Campus ONLY.
Safe Schools Helpline
Safe Schools Helpline Link
Follow Spry Links
Twitter: Webster Spry MS (@SpryMS Warriors)
Webpage: http://www.websterschools.org/spry
Morning Show: http://www.websterschools.org/districtpage.cfm?pageid=1321