Teaching & Learning ~ Early Winter
December, 2020
Welcome! To translate this newsletter, click on it then use the link at the top to the right.
Para traduzir este boletim, clique nele e use o link à direita.
Para traducir este boletín, haga clic en él y luego use el enlace a la derecha.
لترجمة هذه الرسالة من المدرسة ، اضغط عليها ثم استخدم الرابط الموجود على اليمين.
տեղեկագիրը թարգմանելու համար կտտացրեք այն, ապա օգտագործեք աջ կողմում գտնվող հղումը:
Чтобы перевести этот бюллетень, нажмите на него, затем воспользуйтесь ссылкой справа.
Bu bülteni çevirmek için üzerine tıklayın ve ardından sağdaki bağlantıyı kullanın.
Teaching & Learning Updates from the Assistant Superintendent's Office
As we look toward a winter break and holidays for some, I remain in awe of: (1) our students who continue to work hard adapting to a remote, hybrid or in-person setting with perseverance and grit; (2) our teachers/support staff that 'have their backs' by teaching and supporting their academic and social-emotional needs as best they can during this difficult year; (3) our principals/administrators who are moving mountains to clear the way for student/staff safety and success; and (4) our families who ensure their kids 'show up' while balancing work, health, and other family members' needs, often placing their own on the back burner. Just, thank you! We are in this together, sharing a common experience during a most uncommon time in history. And history will show us how well we focused on the care, safety, and love for one another as we move through this pandemic and forward to brighter days and years.
While our principals keep you well-informed with weekly newsletters, please enjoy these quarterly 'Teaching & Learning Updates' from our T & L Team.
Keep each other (and yourselves) well,
Dr. Theresa McGuinness, Assistant Superintendent
theresa.mcguinness@watertown.k12.ma.us
Every Child...Every Classroom...Every Day
WHS Classroom ~ Remote & In-District Learners
WHS ~ Completes our Phased-In Hybrid Approach
WMS Classroom ~ Remote & In-District Learners
...to all of our staff who are keeping us safe, especially our nurses. Our nurses at WMS, Bianca Jones and Michelle Laracy, are coordinating Covid testing for both students and staff members across the district. We are most fortunate to offer this safety measure as part of an integrated and extensive plan, in-district. Much appreciation to Dr. Galdston for leading these efforts, in advance of most other districts in MA and beyond!
K-12 English Language Arts Updates...
One aspect of ensuring our focus on equity in WPS is a commitment to utilizing instructional practices which: meet the needs of all learners, are inclusive, and culturally responsive. The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the research define culturally responsive teaching as practices that actively draw upon students’ diverse backgrounds, identities, strengths, and challenges as a strategy to deepen learning. The literature we use in grades K - 12 plays a central role.
This school year, the K-12 English Language Arts teachers and administrators are focusing on a few key instructional areas, with a primary focus on selecting more diverse texts to place into students’ hands, both through their core texts and their classroom libraries designed for independent reading and book clubs. The Middle- and High School English teachers are currently reading and reviewing several potential texts that could be exciting additions to their classrooms. At the high school level, four student representatives are assisting in this work that will better represent our student body and help lead us all to a deeper understanding of ourselves and each other. New books for independent reading and for book clubs will be available to students during the second half of this school year. Books for the core curriculum require more time before they are fully embedded so that teachers can develop meaningful and comprehensive units of instruction. In the meantime, teachers are providing students with extensive supplemental reading selections/assignments to bridge the gap. All of our educators continue to respect, value, and leverage students’ identities, backgrounds, and cultures through literature and instruction. The contacts for any questions: K-7 Literacy/SS Coordinator, Deb Opar deborah.opar@watertown.k12.ma.us or Grades 8 - 12 ELA, Susanne Dunn susanne.dunn@watertown.k12.ma.us
Science News, Grades 8-12
Notes from Lynsey Kraemer, Grades 8 - 12 Curriculum Coordinator
Students at the Middle School and High School started their science classes virtually this fall moving hybrid in November and December, respectively. The science teachers have worked tirelessly to plan and implement engaging lessons via Zoom and provide safe learning opportunities for our students. Below is a snapshot of science in grades 8-12 from October to December:
- WHS’s Intro to Medical Sciences class transitioned their simulation labs to a virtual environment. In this new set up, small groups of students continue to work together to diagnose a patient by requesting vital sign data, specific medical tests, and collaborating to treat the patient once a diagnosis has been determined. Students continue to look forward to these engaging, practical lessons.
- AP Chemistry students performed four different experiments since hybrid instruction began. Students work independently to collect data. Fully remote students Zoom with a peer to observe the lab in real-time. Students then work in groups of two or three to analyze their data and draw conclusions.
- The AP Environmental Science students have once again created holiday ornaments from recycled materials. Staff will vote for their favorite ones, and winning ornaments will be announced before vacation (See sample pic above).
The 8th-grade science teachers sent home a robust set of science materials for all of their students in October. Students are using these materials to perform experiments and build scientific models at home. This has been engaging and exciting for both the students and the teachers.
WMS Technology Ed Class Studying the Construction of the New Hosmer & Cunniff Schools
At the start of this year, I was brainstorming ways to augment my Technology Education courses to compensate for missed time in the classroom that normally would allow for students' design-oriented hands-on projects, as I would be teaching remotely.
One morning, I was driving by the Cunniff School and realized it would be a great opportunity for learning and relevant community engagement for my grade 6 and grade 8 classes. In grade 6, students' learn about structures and related forces and loads, and in grade 8 about the Engineering Design Process. So, I made connections with the Ai3 Architects and Hill International project managers on both the Cunniff and Hosmer school projects, and have since been collaboratively building content and curriculum that is shared with my students in near real-time. While, touring the sites with them we are documenting the progress through short weekly videos by the architects for the kids to see and discuss in our Zoom classes in addition to a number of lessons and assignments drawn from the videos, documents and drawings that have been provided by Ai3. The architects have even visited my zoom classes to chat with the students about their work and the school projects. We plan to continue this model through the progression of the projects, and are excited to be able to bring the WMS students into the world of architecture and construction through the development of our town's new school buildings.
World Languages Winter Updates
From Adam Silverberg, K - 12 World Language Coordinator...
This year, Spanish is being offered in grades K through 4. Present 4th graders have been in the program since day one, and we are excited to build out to the 5th grade in time for the next school year. Elementary students are enjoying their Zoom classes with excellent participation. Pictured here is a Kindergarten class practicing their colors by listening then creating an arco iris.
Our Middle School and High School students began the year learning Arabic, Armenian, Italian, and Spanish in a virtual world. In December at WHS, juniors and seniors are participating in taking assessments in order to earn the Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to those students who are able to show their proficiency in more than one language. This is the second year in which students can achieve this goal. So far this year, 16 seniors have already earned the Seal. There are 43 juniors and seniors who are ready for the challenge. We are hopeful to award these students with the Seal of Biliteracy in the spring of 2021.
ESL Updates from Kate Phillipson Our PreK-12 ESL Coordinator...
ACCESS Testing: WPS will be participating in state-mandated English testing from January - May. English Learners (ELs) will take tests in 4 domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. Hybrid students will take the tests on days that they normally come to school. Virtual students will be invited into school buildings on days or times that hybrid students are not in the buildings. Safety protocols will be followed in all cases. Currently, all of the schools plan on administering the tests mainly in January and February with a few sessions for virtual students running into early March. Test results will be made available in late July or early August and will be shared with parents in September. Please contact Kate Phillipson, preK-12 ESL Coordinator, (kathryn.phillipson@watertown.k12.ma.us) with any questions or concerns you may have about this testing.
Glimpses of New Hosmer & Cunniff Schools :)
WMS Student Poets
Lisa McDonagh's WMS students, Naomi Hammerschlag and Campbell Pelton-Cairns, wrote poems last school year that were selected to be published in a poetry anthology "Friends and Anemones, Ocean Poems for Children." The students attended a virtual book launch hosted by the Blue Bunny Book Store in Dedham on Sunday, Nov. 15 where Naomi presented a reading of her poem entitled, "Tug of War" and Campbell read her poem, "The Sea's Symphony." The Writer's Loft revealed beautiful artwork designed to accompany the students' poems.
Ms. McDonagh shared that, "Naomi and Campbell worked really hard to develop and revise their work, spending lunches with me to go through a workshop process. I am so proud of them both for their creativity and dedication. What an admirable achievement for Campbell and Naomi. It shows that our students' voices are valued and deserve to be heard."
Physical Education, Health, and Wellness
Physical Education classes in grades K-5 at the three elementary schools are being taught virtually on Zoom. Elementary students are enjoying these classes and are engaged, actively learning and participating in movement, fitness, throwing, rolling, football, and frisbee skills.The teachers and students are doing a great job!
The Physical Education classes in grades 6-8 are being taught virtually on Zoom with lessons focused on learning more in depth about the skills and knowledge of team sports and lifetime activities. In addition, students are engaging in fitness exercises by completing daily/weekly fitness logs and using FlipGrid to assess their exercises. The Middle School health classes studied the dimensions of wellness, the health triangle, healthy relationships, anti-bullying, growth and development, stress management, and smart goals.
WHS physical education department transitioned from remote learning to a hybrid environment, focused on socially-distanced activities such as: yoga, stretching, fitness, and/or cardio kickboxing. The wellness classes are focusing on such essential topics as: social and emotional health, stress management, sexuality, and healthy decision making, communication, and refusal skills. Here is their monthly newsletter for more information.
Above is a picture of a socially distanced and safe miniature golf course designed by HS PE teacher, Mr. Joyce, in his Reach Out PE class. The students did a great job participating in the creative and fun course while working on their putting skills!
WPS Teaching & Learning Administrator Team
Teaching & Learning Contact Information
Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Theresa McGuinness theresa.mcguinness@watertown.k12.ma.us
K-7 Math/Science Coordinator, Elizabeth Kaplan elizabeth.kaplan@watertown.k12.ma.us
K-7 Literacy/SS Coordinator, Deb Opar deborah.opar@watertown.k12.ma.us
8 - 12, Math, Dan Wulf daniel.wulf@watertown.k12.ma.us
8 - 12, ELA, Susanne Dunn susanne.dunn@watertown.k12.ma.us
8 - 12, Social Studies, Kraig Gustafson kraig.gustafson@watertown.k12.ma.us
8 - 12, Science, Lynsey Kraemer lynsey.kraemer@watertown.k12.ma.us
K - 12, Digital Learning & Library, Rashmi Pimprikar rashmi.primprikar@watertown.k12.ma.us
K - 12, World Languages, Adam Silverberg adam.silverberg@watertown.k12.ma.us
K - 12, English as a Second Language, Kate Phillipson kathryn.phillipson@watertown.k12.ma.us
K - 12, Applied & Performing Arts, Richard Saunders richard.saunders@watertown.k12.ma.us
K - 12, Health/PE/Wellness, Will Bertoni william.bertoni@watertown.k12.ma.us
9 - 12, Career/Tech Ed (CTE), Laura Alderson Rotondo laura.aldersonrotondo@watertown.k12.ma.us