WMS Connections Program

Our eighth graders had a great time touring parts of the Boston College campus and attending a Women's Basketball game featuring Boston College Eagles vs. Eastern Kentucky Colonels. Which ended with Boston College winning 76 to 65! For many of our students, this was the first time they have ever been on a college campus and it was a great experience for all of them.

When asked what they enjoyed most, these students said:

"I enjoyed the three pointers that they got in the basket."

"I enjoyed that I got snack and ate my own lunch, and watched the basketball game. It was loud and so exciting."

"I enjoyed the Boston College winning the game."

"I enjoyed most about getting autographs from three basketball players."

Connections did so great! Staff reported everyone was well-behaved and showed great sportsmanship! A few of our eighth graders were able to get a posters signed by a Boston College athlete. A great day for Connections, Boston College, and Watertown Middle School.

Something new we are trying this term is holding a Library class every other day for our 6th-grade students. Last Tuesday, was our first day, and it went very well. The students very much enjoyed the new environment and we were excited to see the many items Ms. Cole had prepared for us. Going forward this should be a great addition to our students everyday to get some much-needed reading time in.

Below are some of the books they are planning to reading this Quarter!

The program gives gifts to less fortunate children in Watertown in honor of former Watertown Police officer Sonny Whooley.

The Whooley Foundation is a non-profit organization that was founded in the memory of John “Sonny” Whooley, a Watertown Police Officer, resident, father and husband. He loved this community and served it for over thirty years as a Watertown Police Sergeant. He always had a special place in his heart for helping those less fortunate than himself. It was his mission to make children a little happier during the holiday season.

The Whooley Foundation committee is happy to continue his legacy; however, we could not do this without the continued support of our community. This legacy is generously supported by the following groups; Watertown Police Association, Watertown Police Supervisors Association, Watertown Firefighters Union, and many generous citizens of Watertown.

For those who would like to donate presents, money or time to our organization, please see detail below:

1) Unwrapped gifts can be deposited at the following locations:

- Watertown Police Station

- Watertown Fire Stations

2) Monetary donations can be dropped off at any Fire Station or the Police Station

Rather than taking i-Ready mid-year diagnostic assessments in ELA and math classes, we are going to try having a whole-school special schedule for i-Ready mid year diagnostics. We intend to have a special schedule on those first days back from Winter Break. In the afternoons on those days, we will have all classes for a shortened period of time. We will share a specific bell schedule in the coming weeks.

Our dates are a little earlier this year.

• i-Ready Reading: January 3

• i-Ready Math: January 4

• Students who need to finish: WIN block January 5-6

This test provides information about ELL students' English language abilities in school. Educators use this information to make decisions about students' education. ACCESS measures what students know and can do in English in the domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.

Our dates are a little earlier this year.

• ACCESS testing- January 18-19
  
• (make-ups and individual testing continued in the days after)

The MCAS testing schedule has been set. Please add these dates to your calendar. We have also scheduled an infrastructure trial, which will also give students a chance to practice navigating the MCAS platform including using the calculator for math.

• Infrastructure Trial: Friday, March 10
• ELA: Wednesday, April 12 and Thursday, April 13
• MATH: Monday, May 15 and Tuesday, May 16
• SCIENCE (Gr 8): Tuesday, May 23 and Wednesday, May 24

The tips and resources below will help you learn about actions you can take to protect yourself and others from getting sick and help stop the spread of illnesses.

1. Avoid close contact: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. Stay home when you are sick: If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
3. Cover your mouth and nose: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk.
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth: Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
   
5. Practice other good health habits: Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
6. Clean your hands: Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/actions-prevent-flu.htm

• December 26-January 2: Winter Recess - No School
  

• January 3: Advisory/i-Ready Reading - special schedule

• January 4: Advisory/i-Ready Math - special schedule

• January 11: PTO Meeting (7:00pm, virtual)
  

• January 13: PD Day - No School
  

• January 16: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School

• January 18-19: ACCESS testing for ELLs
  

• Watertown Public Schools Calendar 2022-2023

Please always email BOTH teachers when reaching out to the Connections Program:

Mr. S - alex.strongin@watertown.k12.ma.us

Ms. Kelly - erika.kelly@watertown.k12.ma.us

Alex and Erika can be reached between the hours of 8:00 - 3:30 on school days. Email is our preferred method of communication. In the event of an emergency, you can always contact the Main Office at 617- 926-7783.