Willett Whaler
Week of March 21, 2021
Principal's Corner - Mr. Jeffrey Cateon
Attleboro Public Schools, Grades K-6, will be reopening full in person on Monday, April 5, 2021. We look forward to seeing all our students together again. We will be sending out any additional updates as we move closer to the opening date. If you have any questions regarding full in-person learning, please contact us.
We want to once again express our appreciation to our PTO for their continued support in purchasing needed items to prepare for the full in person return.
As a reminder to our incoming Kindergarten Families. In order to ensure your child is placed at Willett in the Fall, you must complete the registration process in full by May 1, 2021.
Please read the accompanying graphic which shares the reasons for pooled testing. If you are interested in having your child participate, information can be found below the graphic on the process of providing consent.
We have interviewed and selected a Speech and Language Assistant. Please welcome Fran Mercado to Willett. She will start on Monday, March 22nd.
Report Cards will be ready in the ASPEN portal at 3 PM on Wednesday, March 24th. If you need assistance with ASPEN, please email Mrs. Cerreto or Ms. Callahan:
(lcerreto@attleboroschools.com)
(bcallahan@attleboroschools.com)
Congratulations to our families, students and staff on their hard work and commitment to helping others. Thank you for participating in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Hero Squad program this year. We appreciate all of your efforts in our program, and have collectively raised $2,815.00 - far exceeding our goal of $1,000.00 Thank you for being part of our Hero Squad because every hero needs a squad!
Through our school’s support, we have helped LLS make break-through advancements in research, patient services, and advocacy efforts directly in our community. Have your student use these super-cool shields to send to those that helped support their Hero Squad program to say thank you for being part of our school squad!
If you haven't already, please join us on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter , Instagram) and on our Website.
COVID Pooled Testing Information
There has been a great deal of discussion regarding the upcoming pooled testing being offered within the school. We will be moving forward with the process and will begin next Monday, February 1. Students who we have received updated consent for will be tested in the morning and the day will resume as normal.
If you have already provided consent for the Pooled Surveillance Testing prior to 1/26/21, you will need to complete the updated consent which now includes the individual antigen testing through your Parent Aspen Portal. Completion of the updated online consent is required to be able to participate on Monday. Students cannot participate if they only have the first/original consent.
A few helpful pieces of information:
- All parents or guardians should complete the documents with a yes or no for consent
- The school cannot complete the form on your behalf
- Parents and guardians can change the consent forms at any time
Please find a short video here on what your student will be doing to collect the sample along with written directions. Staff will be present to support, supervise and guide. Some families have practiced at home using a cotton swab to reduce any anxieties that students may have.
When students arrive at the school, they will settle in and begin their normal routines. Students will be called to exit the room in small groups. Just outside the classroom door, they will self-collect their samples and place them in the vial. Students will sanitize before and after the sample is taken. They will then resume their typical day.
For frequently asked questions and additional information please go here:
We encourage you to read through the latest message from Superintendent Sawyer (http://www.attleboroschools.com/c_o_v_i_d-19) and we will keep you updated as we move forward.
Assistant Principal's Corner- Mrs. Christine Brierly
Fairy Tale STEM Challenge
Congratulations to Elijah Johnson, grade 2, for creating an amazing fairy tale house that proves to be strong and took a creative mind to build! Be on the lookout for our next challenge coming up in next week's Whaler.
A Message from the Health Office
Although Massachusetts DPH has changed some of the travel protocols, Attleboro school district has not yet changed its protocol. Check back for possible changes.
Willett Yearbook
Families of K-3 students may now order the 2020-2021 Willett Yearbook online.
Please visit the Willett PTO Online Store to order.
Breakfast Update- Potential Allergy Alert
Specialist Make-Up Work
P-EBT Information
REMIND Information
Cohort A - https://www.remind.com/join/ab44878
Cohort B - https://www.remind.com/join/cohortbf
AVA - https://www.remind.com/join/avafam
We are unable to make changes in existing REMIND accounts. Please refer to the document below that provides directions to make any changes to your account.
Clever Family Information
Norms and Tips for Remote Learning.
Norms:
- Be on time for the daily morning check-in. Attendance will be taken, and your child will be marked absent if they are not present for the check-in.
- Select an appropriate learning space to allow your child to be present in the lesson and ready to learn.
- Ensure that your child's device is charged for daily use.
- During a live learning session, your child should be visible to the teacher with the camera on. Virtual backgrounds included in the Google environment can be used.
- Complete and submit work assignments on time through Google Classroom.
- Use all applications in the Google Suite appropriately.
- Adhere to all Attleboro Public Schools policies.
Google Meet Tips:
GOOGLE MEET TIPS
Before the meeting:
- Find a comfortable spot to sit. It is best to keep your device on a steady surface if possible.
- Make sure your background is school-friendly.
- Try your best to be on time.
- Enjoy a snack before the meeting begins.
When the meeting starts:
- Mute your device by clicking the microphone button.
- Be sure that your camera is on.
During the meeting:
- Be patient, this is a learning experience for everyone.
- Be engaged - looking, listening, and thinking.
- Unmute your microphone when your teacher asks you to talk. Mute your device again when you are finished speaking.
- Even though we are not in our school building, our school rules and expectations still apply.
- Families please be considerate and allow the children the opportunity to work with the teacher.