Willink Principal's Newsletter
Willink Titans CARE
Principal's Message
July 21, 2020
Dear Willink Families,
I hope this summer is finding you all remaining healthy and hopeful. I'm sending out a brief message today to answer a few FAQs that have come our way since the end of the school year. While we still don't know all the details of how the school year will look, we know for certain that there will be changes from the previous year. Our offices are open all summer, so please don't hesitate to call or email if you have any questions.
We will certainly be in regular contact in August once we have submitted our reopening plan and heard the governor's decision on schools. For now, we are preparing for the three possible scenarios: Fully Reopen, Hybrid School, or Fully Virtual.
Supply Lists for 2020-21
We have posted supply lists on the Willink Website and they are also included further down in this newsletter. As Mr. Gumina has continued to share each week, we are planning daily for the upcoming school year despite several unknowns. To help with this, our teachers have worked together to create common supply lists for each department - no matter what team or teacher you have. As a result, supply lists are labeled by grade level this year. In addition, we have looked to reduce the requested supplies wherever possible in each subject area. We hope this is helpful as our students and families prepare to return to school.
August Save the Dates (and beyond)
As we plan for the upcoming school year, we will continue to share out event dates to help for everyone's planning purposes. Please note that ALL dates are tentative and must be responsive to the evolving needs of reopening. August 26th is our next scheduled "in-person" event with orientation for our incoming 6th graders as well as 7th and 8th grade students who are new to Willink. More information to follow. Events can be viewed on the calendar by visiting the Willink Middle School Website.
House Placement Letters
For incoming 6th graders, house placement letters are scheduled to be mailed out August 7th.
Fall Sports
Please CLICK HERE for a letter from Steve Lamonica - Athletic Director for Thomas and Willink.
Ross J. Willink Award Winners
Although we were not able to recognize students this spring with our traditional award ceremonies, we wanted to do our best to celebrate the achievements of our 8th graders. As we shared in June - our Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards were sent out in recognition of outstanding academic achievement throughout each student's career at Willink.
We also wanted to make sure that our highest recognition, the Ross J. Willink Award, was able to happen as well.
The Ross J. Willink Award is given to one male and one female 8th grade student who:
Achieves Highest Academic and Character Standards
Participates in Extracurricular Activities on Multiple Levels and at High Degrees
Routinely Participates in School and Community Service
Provides Examples of Positive Family Contribution
Explores Hobbies and Interests to Exemplary Levels
Students are nominated for this award by a teacher and must submit an application to the award committee for review. Selected candidates then go through an interview process with the committee (which was on zoom this year). The committee is made up of teachers, students, school counselors, administrators and administrative assistants.
While we want to celebrate our two winners today, we also want to recognize the outstanding middle school career of all of those who were nominated for this award. Congratulations to the following nominees:
Aaron Schauber
Abigail Rich
Alyssa Walsh
Ananya Bobbala
Andrew Syracusa
Carli Santoleri
Catherine Magaw
Christina Newman
Emily Lowenguth
Emily Scheirer
Jagger Altieri
Joseph Damico
Kyle Saia
Ryan Carlin
Shane Talbot
And Congratulations to our 2020 Ross J. Willink Award Winners
Maxwell Braithwaite and
Catherine Rogers!
You make us all proud and we look forward to watching all of you continue your journey in high school and beyond.
Take care,
-Brian.
Ross J. Willink Award Winners
Maxwell Braithwaite
Catherine Rogers
August Save The Dates - (All Dates are Tentative)
August 2020
Friday, August 7 ~ 6th Grade House Placement Letters Mailed
Wednesday, August 26, 8:00 am - 11:30 am ~ 6th Grade Web Orientation
Wednesday, August 26, 9:15 am - 10:15 am ~ New 7th and 8th Grade Orientation