Weddington Middle School Newsletter
September 18, 2020
Notes from the Principal
I know we are all watching our State and local leaders as we prepare for the possibility of increasing our face-to-face attendance here at the middle school, and parent-related preparations for that include some considerations for morning and afternoon traffic.
If/when we increase our face-to-face physical attendance during school each day, we will update you on arrival and dismissal procedures so as to maintain safe and effective flows. In particular, we will look to explore more use of our Weddington Elementary Loop during dismissal. We will likely change to an alphabetical division in attempts to balance our vehicular traffic, and to keep students socially distanced. We will communicate this more definitively as we approach possible target dates for more students, and NO changes are necessary at this time.
As our school district leaders evaluate local information and process new developments out of Raleigh, we will keep you informed about how things affect your students here at Weddington Middle School. We’re getting a groove, but we’re ready to gear up or gear down as the elevation changes. Regardless of terrain, we’re committed to serving our students the best way we know how. Thanks to our teachers for another outstanding week of instructional output, and expect to hear from us again very soon.
Parents and Teachers agree--Live classes help students learn!
Students find their workload manageable and their Canvas courses easy to navigate.
Next Week's Menu
Through December 31, 2020 all student lunches will be free (a-la-carte items must be paid for).
Beta Club Invitations were emailed to parents whose students met the academic requirement to join Beta Club on Thursday evening. Students have through September 24th to accept the invitation and pay the $30 membership dues. The Beta Club Induction Ceremony will be on Friday, October 2nd at 1 pm with the first Beta Club meeting immediately afterwards at 1:45 pm. More information will be shared with parents and students after September 24th. If you have any questions, please contact one of the Beta Club sponsoring teachers via email.
Casey Forbes – casandra.forbes@ucps.k12.nc.us
Chris Sullivan – chris.sullivan@ucps.k12.nc.us
If your camera won't take on-demand photos, here's a solution!
The county has released the following county for middle school sports. You will also see
other important dates for when practice starts, first games and last games.
A few things that should be noted.
This is based on us continuing to move forward as a state and we get to PHASE 3 by Nov 4th.
We need coaches for the following sports - Swimming, Tennis and Girls Lacrosse.
If interested please send an email to Joe.leach@ucps.k12.nc.us
Looking for Grades?
PowerSchool should be the main resource used to check your child’s grades. Canvas is utilized to complete assignments and lessons throughout the course. Teachers will often times make lessons completion grades rather than accuracy grades. This adjustment can be seen through PowerSchool and not always through Canvas. Therefore, please be sure that you are regularly checking PowerSchool for grades. Canvas can be checked to determine complete and incomplete assignments. Don't have your Parent PowerSchool account set up? Email amy.rogeres@ucps.k12.nc.us
Let's go Live!
Counselor Page: https://ucps.instructure.com/courses/198892
You can still email amy.rogers@ucps.k12.nc.us for assistance throughout the day.
Problems going live? Try these steps:
- Go to the Student Startup Page and click on the OFFICE 365 app.
- Then, go to the far right to the small circle with your initials in it.
- Click on that and sign out.
- Then sign back in with STUDENT #@ucps.k12.nc.us and the regular password. DO NOT RELY ON AUTO-FILLED INFO!
The Schedule Setup
Our school schedule and suggested schedule for Mon-Thurs
Friday's Live Schedule
The Scoop on Staying Safe
● Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater will not be allowed to enter the school building or facility. Parents of students with temperatures will be notified and should arrange pick-up for their child.
● Students will be placed six feet apart in the classroom.
● There will be signage and floor markings to remind students of social distancing expectations in all public locations. This includes hallways, the cafeteria, and the gym.
● Lockers will not be used.
● Students will not change for PE.
● Classrooms will be wiped down between each class change by staff.
● Masks are required for all staff and students.
● Social distancing measures will be in place in the hallways, cafeteria, classrooms, gymnasium, and bus.
- Students cannot be dropped off prior to 8:20.
- No student should exit the car until a staff member has completed the screening and temperature check. Students should not be dropped off and left unattended. Staff will be strategically positioned in and around the building to ensure social distancing.
- Bus riders will be screened and have temperatures taken as students exit the bus
- Bus riders: Parents/guardians must complete a Bus Attestation form. Please sign and return to bus driver.
- If entering the building before school begins, 6th grade will go to the cafeteria; 7th/8th will go to the gym. Students will be required to wear masks and will be socially distanced.
- School will begin at 9:05
Dismissal: - School will conclude at 4:05, due to transportation changes.
- Buses may need to complete double runs, which could cause your child to be home later than anticipated.
- Car riders can be picked up on the middle school or the elementary school car line. The area has been marked to keep students distanced, and masks must remain on. Please have your child's name on a sign in your car window.
We have a NEW phone number!
COVID Q&A
All UCPS Schools and Facilities will:
· Temperature check any student, staff, or essential visitor entering the building or facility. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater will not be allowed to enter the school building or facility.
· Screening for COVID-19 symptoms anyone entering a building or facility utilizing the screening tool provided by NCDHHS/NCDPI.
· Limit non-essential visitors entering the building or facility.
Guidance for Student and Staff COVID-19 cases:
Students and staff:
· who test positive for COVID-19
· show symptoms of COVID-19
· had contact with a person with COVID-19
should stay home and not come to school or report to work in the school facility until certain criteria(criteria is below) has been met.
Criteria for Returning to School or to Work at the School Facility (Adhere to the following process for allowing a student or staff member to return to school.)
· If a person has had a negative COVID-19 test, they can return to school once there is no fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines and they have felt well for 24 hours.
· If a person is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical professional based on a test or their symptoms or does not get a COVID-19 test but has had symptoms, they should not be at school and should stay at home until they (or a family member if younger child) can answer YES to the following three questions:
1. Has it been at least 10 days since the child first had symptoms?
2. Has it been at least 3 days since the child had a fever (without using fever-reducing medicine)?
3. Has it been at least 3 days since the child's symptoms have improved, including cough and shortness of breath?
· A person can return to school, following normal school policies if they receive confirmation of an alternative diagnosis form a health care provider that would explain the COVID-19 symptoms, once there is no fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines and they have felt well for 24 hours.
· If a student/employee has been diagnosed with COVID-19 but does not have symptoms, they must remain out of school until 10 days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test, assuming they have not subsequently developed symptoms since their positive test.
· If a student/employee that has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or has been presumed positive by a medical professional due to symptoms, they are not required to have documentation of a negative test in order to return to school.
· If a student/employee has been determined to have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, they must remain out of school for 14 days since the last date of exposure unless they test positive. In which case, exclusion criteria above would apply. They must complete the full 14 days of quarantine, even if they test negative.
Potential Closure of a UCPS School or Facility due to COVID-19
· UCPS will work closely with the Union County Health Department in response to positive case(s) of COVID-19.
· UCPS will follow any guidance issued by the Union County Health Department and/or NCDHHS in response to positive case(s) of COVID-19.
· UCPS is working with the Union County Health Department on guidance for potential closure of classrooms, schools, or facilities in response to positive case(s) of COVID-19.
· The UCPS Facilities Department (custodial team) will follow cleaning guidelines and procedures for school classrooms, buildings, and facilities in response to positive COVID-19 cases.
Is there a certain number of positive case(s) of COVID-19 that will result in closure of a school building or facility? No. We work with the Union County Health Department on each case(s) to determine the appropriate response. UCPS is currently working with UCHD to develop a guideline when school buildings or facilities may be closed. (This will be in place before the first day of school on August 17, 2019) Currently five positive cases of COVID-19 at a location is considered a cluster and reportable to the State of North Carolina, but this does not automatically result in closure of a school building or facility.
Take care of Chromebook issues now!
About Us
Email: amy.rogers@ucps.k12.nc.us
Website: https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/Domain/56
Location: 5903 Deal Road, Matthews, NC, USA
Phone: 704.296.6318
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeddingtonMS.NC/
Twitter: @WMSINFO