WMS Community Bulletin 11-21-19
EXCELLENCE*EQUITY*COMMUNITY
Watertown Middle School 2019-2020
Happy November! It certainly is more consistently chilly out! I know middle schoolers have strong opinions about their clothing choices, but I do recommend warm clothes (i.e. no shorts) and layers throughout the winter. There are a few instances when we may need to go outside, like yesterday's practice fire drill.
Speaking of being outside, we had a wonderful walk over to WHS last Friday to see their production of the play, "Peter and the Starcatchers". Thank you to Kacie Kirkpatrick for putting on and inviting us to the play, Megan DiDuca for organizing the trip perfectly, and the weather for being so cooperative!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends (and less screen time). :) I know I am very thankful to be part of the Watertown Middle School community!
Here are some important upcoming dates:
November 25 - Coffee with the Principal - Title I topic 8:30-9:30 am
November 27 - Early Release - 12:30 pm dismissal
November 28 - Happy Thanksgiving - Go Raiders!
November 29 - No School
December 4 - School Site Council meeting
December 6 - School Dance
December 12 - Evening Winter Music Concert
December 13 - Geography Bee preliminaries / Hour of Code
December 20 - Geography Bee Finals
December 23 - January 1 - Winter Vacation - No School
January 2 - School Resumes - Welcome Back!
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Friday, Nov. 22 - B day
Monday, Nov. 25 - A day
Tuesday, Nov. 26 - B day
Wednesday, Nov. 27 - A day - EARLY RELEASE
Thursday, Nov. 28 - NO SCHOOL - Happy Thanksgiving! GO RAIDERS!
Friday, Nov. 29 - NO SCHOOL
Monday, Dec. 2 - B day
Tuesday, Dec. 3 - A day
Wednesday, Dec. 4 - B day
Thursday, Dec. 5 - A day
Friday, Dec. 6 - B day
Monday, Dec. 9 - A day
Tuesday, Dec. 10 - B day
Wednesday, Dec. 11 - A day
Thursday, Dec. 12 - B day
Friday, Dec. 13 - A day
Monday, Dec. 16 - B day
Tuesday, Dec. 17 - A day
Wednesday, Dec. 18 - B day
Thursday, Dec. 19 - A day
Friday, Dec. 20 - B day
Monday, Dec. 23 - Wednesday, Jan. 1 - Winter Vacation
Thursday, Jan. 2 - A day
Friday, Jan 3 - B day
Parent's Coffee - 2019-2020 Title I Schoolwide Program at WMS
The Watertown Public School System and its Title I Schoolwide Program, K - 8, are committed to continuously improving the opportunities for parents to be actively involved in their child's learning at home and in school. We have found this general education support to be highly valuable in helping students improve their math and literacy skills. Title I is the largest Federally funded supplemental education program. It does not replace what the school does; instead, Title I gives schools and students additional resources and instruction in math and reading. Title I partially funds our math and reading support and after school tutoring. Our tutors work closely with the classroom teachers to help improve students’ skills in reading and writing.
This district Parent Involvement Plan serves to outline overall expectations for parent involvement activities and programs, establish an environment for parental participation in Watertown's Title I programs at the school level, and identify the support which the Title I program can provide to assist schools in achieving their goals of supporting student learning. The Title I Home/School Compact outlines school, parent/guardian, and student responsibilities.
We welcome you to join us for an informal meeting for parents at our upcoming Parent Coffee where we can talk in more detail around the Title I Schoolwide Program in grades K - 8 and answer any questions you may have, which will be held Monday, November 25th in the Cafeteria from 8:30-9:30 am. If you have any questions, please contact the school at 617-926-7783. Coffee and pastry will be served.
Community Service - Get Involved! :)
The link will also be posted on the WMS website.
Thanksgiving Baskets are coming!
Watertown Middle School Pride Alliance!
November Volleyball!
Join us for some volleyball fun! Registration forms are in the main office.
Winter Sports Information
Hello Fellow Raiders and Raider Families,
Registration is now open for High School and Middle School Winter Athletics. There will be a meeting on Tuesday, November 19th at 6:30 PM at the High School Auditorium. This is an excellent opportunity to meet the Coaches, receive schedules and important information regarding changes in Athletics on the High School and Middle School levels.
IMPORTANT NOTICES
1) Do not create a new account. If you cannot remember your login name or password, please follow the information to recover your account through FamilyID. Creating a new account erases your student’s athletic history.
2) Student Information – Please make sure the information for your student (ie phone number and email address) is “their” information. There is a section for parent’s email and phone information. However, coach will need your student’s email address and cell phone to get out information and updates.
Please observe Upper/lower case rules on students Name and Address. This helps us on awards and mailings.
3) Grade - Please make sure your student’s grade is correct. This is important to make sure we have them on the correct teams.
4) New - Please see new section headed CONCUSSION BASELINE TESTING INFORMATION. This is an excellent opportunity to have baseline testing done on your student for a low price and will provide invaluable information in the event your student suffers any head trauma in the future from any incident.
5) Fees are due at the time of registration - (unless submitting a request for reduced fees; see section below regarding Reduced Fees.
6) Refunds - Make sure you understand the refund policy before committing your student to a sport.
7) Permissions - Please be sure to read and understand the permissions you are signing off on. If you have any questions, you should feel free to contact us at the number below.
8) Sports – Please be sure to read each section and register your student for the correct sport/level appropriate form them.
FEES – HS STUDENTS
The current fee structure is:
$200.00 for the first sport played in 2019-2020 school year
$175.00 for the second sport played in the 2019-2020 school year
$0.00 for the third sport played in the 2019-2020 school year.
See section below regarding requesting Reduced Fees
FEES – MS STUDENTS
The current fee structure is:
$50.00 Annual Fee for athletics during 2019-2020 school year
There are no reduced fees for Middle School students and all students are required to pay the $50 to participate in athletics annually.
LINK: 2019-2020 WINTER ATHLETIC REGISTRATION
If your student previously participated in a sport, you do NOT need to start from scratch. Login to FamilyID using your account name and password. You then pull up your student from the family list and apply them to the Fall Sport they will participate in. However, you will need to re-sign all permissions areas as well.
If you already have a FamilyID account but can't remember the login information, please contact FamilyID (their contact info is on the login page) for your account information. Please do not setup a new account as we will lose your/your student's family history.
You are not yet cleared to participate in that sport. In order to be cleared, you will need to have a current physical on file, be a student in good academic standing and have made financial arrangements to submit athletic fees.
REDUCED FEES
There are reduced fees available to students included in the *Free or Reduced Meal Plan Application. In order for us to qualify your student for a reduced athletic fee you will need to complete the permission by checking the 'Yes I Do' box and sign the electronic signature box in FamilyID. You will be notified via email of your fee contribution.
Fees are due at the time of registration unless you are requesting a reduction under the
Free and Reduced Meal Plan Application.
* Present Free and Reduced Meal Plan Applications from last school year are valid for fall Athletic Only. You must have a current form on file with the School Cafeteria in order to be considered for a reduced athletic fee. If you think you are eligible but do NOT have a meal plan in place, follow this link to the form to apply for Free or Reduced Lunch: Free/Reduced Lunch Application
If you do not want to use the online payment system and you can submit a MONEY ORDER in person or via mail to the Athletics Office at:
Watertown High School
Attn: Athletics Jae Smith
50 Columbia Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Please put the name of the athlete and the sport in the memo section of the money order. This fee is due at the time of registration. Unfortunately no student may participate or receive a uniforms with an outstanding balance.
PHYSICAL
All student-athletes must have a physical examination from their doctor on file. The physical examination must have taken place within 13 months in order to practice or play and should be turned in to the Nurse's office. This is a MIAA requirement and will be strictly enforced. If your student’s physical has expired or is about to expire during the season, PLEASE ATTACH A COPY OF YOUR CURRENT PHYSICAL when prompted in FamilyID. It will save a lot of time clearing you to participate. Hard copies can be submitted to the school’s Nurse.
Physicals must have a section that says the student is able to participate in activities including school sports.
The School Nurse will be the contact person in having your son or daughter cleared medically with the processing of the annual physical examination or other medical conditions. Please check the renewal date of your physical examination now and make appointments in advance so your son or daughter does not miss any athletic time.
High School Nurse, Mr. Joie Mara may be reached at 617-926-7758 or by email at joie.mara@watertown.12k.ma.us.
Middle School Nurse, Ms. Michelle Laracy may be reached at 617-926-7783 or by email michelle.laracy@waterotwn.k12.ma.us.
ACADEMICS
High School students with 2 failing grades from the last academic period are not eligible to participate in games/matches. Student's need to demonstrate improved academics in order to resume participation.
I hope you/your student has a successful year in the classroom and an enjoyable experience at Watertown High or Middle School.
Ms. Jae Smith is the Athletic Administrative Assistant. She will assist with questions you may have about athletic issues. She will be able to assist you in online registration and online payments and she may be reached at 617-926-7748 or via email at judith.smith@watertown.k12.ma.us.
GO RAIDERS
Ryan Murphy Jae Smith
Athletics Director Athletic Administrative Assistant
ryan.murphy@watertown.k12.ma.us jsmith@watertown.k12.ma.us
Watertown Public Schools
50 Columbia Street, RM 181A
Watertown, MA 02472
617-926-7748 phone, 617-673-6848 fax
Jae Smith
Athletics Administrative Assistant
Watertown Public Schools
Watertown, MA 02472
617-926-7748 phone
617-673-6848 fax
36401 ext