Principal's Newsletter
March 26, 2021
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Early Release on Friday, April 2, 2021
School Reopening Q&A Session
16 Year Olds & Up: Eligible for Covid Vaccine on April 19th
Individuals who are 16 years old and older are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine on April 19, 2021. You will need to preregister for the vaccine using this website.
MCAS Spring 2021
Important information about the MCAS for students in the classes of 2022 and 2023:
Achieving a passing score on the English, Math, and Science MCAS is one of many requirements for earning a Watertown High School diploma. Due to the emergency closure last spring, students in the Class of 2022 were unable to take the MCAS in English and Math and will need to take the exam this school year. The Class of 2023 is also required to take the exam this school year as previously planned.
In accordance with the guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, we have scheduled test dates for these two exams during the testing window in May. Below are the dates for the English and Math MCAS:
ELA: Tuesday, May 4 & Wednesday, May 5
Math: Wednesday, May 19 & Thursday, May 20
All students in grades 10 and 11 are expected to participate in the testing administration in-person at Watertown High School. Testing will take place in person ONLY. Fully remote students are expected to participate in person on these days. If you are not comfortable with your student participating in in-person testing, please reach out to your student’s guidance counselor to discuss options. We will continue to follow our health and safety protocols and will only be allowing 10th and 11th grade students into the building on these test days. All other students will be fully remote.
Students must bring their Watertown Public Schools issued Chromebook on testing day to take the test. If there is a conflict on any testing date (ex: AP exam, doctor’s appointment, etc.), the Guidance department will work with your student to arrange a makeup exam (typically the day following the 2nd day of testing, dates to be determined).
This administration may qualify students for the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Master and/or John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, as well as meet the graduation requirement. More information about these awards can be found here.
Students in the 11th grade who do not earn a passing score will have 2 additional opportunities to take the test (Fall 2021, Spring 2022). Students in the 10th grade who do not earn a passing score will have 4 additional opportunities to take the test (Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023).
Science:
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has determined that students in the classes of 2022 and 2023 who have been awarded credit in a relevant subject area (Physics, Biology, or Chemistry) will have demonstrated competency in Science and will NOT need to take the Science MCAS.
We are confident that students are well-prepared for these upcoming administrations; despite the pandemic, students and teachers have worked incredibly hard to ensure that essential content is mastered. Should you have questions about the test content, please contact Dr. Susanne Dunn, 8-12 ELA curriculum coordinator, or Mr. Daniel Wulf, 8-12 math coordinator. If you have questions about the test administrations, please reach out to your student’s guidance counselor.
Details of how tests will be administered, given COVID guidelines and other considerations, will be shared as testing dates approach.
Equity Team Announcement
I have formed a WHS Equity Team composed of faculty members that represent and celebrate our diverse student body. This group of 12 amazing staff members will meet regularly to discuss issues of equity as they pertain to WHS and the community at large. We are excited for this group to plan educational events, advise on WHS and district policy, and most importantly, advocate on behalf of and listen to our students to ensure that nobody ever feels marginalized in their student experience.
Please welcome the following team members:
- Bianca Jones - School Nurse
- Caitrin Zellers - Special Educator/History
- Fabian Rivera - School Counselor
- Ian Ward - Special Educator/English
- Ingrid Wolfson - Community Partner
- James Buck - History Teacher
- Joel Giacobozzi - Principal
- John Bresnihan - Social Worker
- Kacie Kirkpatrick - Special Educator/Theater Teacher
- Laura Licuanan - Speech and Language
- Pat Ferdinand - Instructional Assistant/Head Coach
- Sadye Vogel - Special Educator/English
- Sean Morris - Special Educator/Math/GSA Advisor
We have already begun the work, and look forward to continuing!
WHS Guidance Update
Please review the WHS Guidance Newsletter for information about:
- Understanding Financial Aid Awards - An Evening Event
- PSAT Scores
- SAT School Day Registration
- Scholarships
- Course Selection
- Special Opportunities
- Guidance Night
PE, Health & Wellness Update
WPS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Webpage
This section of our website highlights earlier, ongoing, and upcoming work across the Watertown Public Schools in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI & B). These are central tenets in the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support of our students and staff. All of our work supports our WPS District Strategic Initiative - To engage all WPS faculty and staff in embracing anti-bias and inclusive practices that promote equity and ensure all students feel valued and supported in their learning. We will be adding items to it throughout the spring at Watertown High School, for Black History Month and beyond.
Weekly Covid Pool Testing
Thank you to all who have signed up for weekly Covid pool testing thus far. Testing is the best way of keeping everyone safe. Please use this form to sign up.
Only positive pools and close contacts will be alerted as soon as possible with the weekly testing results. If you do not receive an update 24-48 hours after your child participates in pool testing, it means their pool tested negative. If your student's pool tests positive, it is highly recommended that family members quarantine until individual test results are available (usually within 24 hours).
Testing takes place in the main lobby as students arrive to school. During school, lunch, and after school the testing location is in the hallway by the gymnasium.
For more detailed information on the testing, click here.
Previous Communications
March 19th Return to School
March 15th Newsletter
March 8th Newsletter
February 12th 2020 WHS Report Card
February 8th Newsletter
January 31st Early Release
January 25th Newsletter
January 25th Change in Learning Model
January 21st Zoom Intrusion
January 19th Newsletter
January 11th Newsletter
January 7th PSAT Testing
December 29th Covid Pool Testing
December 21st Newsletter
December 14th Newsletter
December 4th Newsletter
November 24th Newsletter
November 19th Newsletter
November 12th Newsletter
November 4th Newsletter
Bridge to Return Plan for Watertown Public Schools (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RnyRvhYE1h17FjUj0wrkA1so-N5W-UhC7xn-ObczgcE/edit)