WMS Community Bulletin 02-12-21
EXCELLENCE*EQUITY*COMMUNITY
If you are on a computer, open this in a new page. Then to translate this newsletter, click on the link to the right.
If you are on a phone, touch the person in the black circle to get the translate button.
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Se você estiver em um computador, abra uma nova página. Em seguida, para traduzir esta newsletter, clique no link à direita. Se você estiver em um telefone, toque na pessoa no círculo preto para obter o botão de tradução.
(Portuguese)
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(Spanish)
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إذا كنت تستخدم جهاز كمبيوتر ، فافتح هذا في صفحة جديدة. بعد ذلك ، لترجمة هذه النشرة الإخبارية ، انقر فوق الارتباط الموجود على اليمين.
إذا كنت تستخدم الهاتف ، فالمس الشخص الموجود في الدائرة السوداء للحصول على زر الترجمة. (Arabic)
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Եթե համակարգիչ եք, բացեք սա նոր էջում: Ապա, այս տեղեկագիրը թարգմանելու համար կտտացրեք աջ հղմանը: Եթե հեռախոսով եք, դիպչեք սև շրջանի անձին ՝ թարգմանության կոճակը ստանալու համար: (Armenian)
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Bilgisayar kullanıyorsanız, bunu yeni bir sayfada açın. Ardından, bu bülteni çevirmek için sağdaki bağlantıya tıklayın. Telefonda iseniz, çevir düğmesini almak için siyah daire içindeki kişiye dokunun. (Turkish)
Watertown Middle School 2020-2021
Happy Lunar New Year! And Happy Valentine's Day on Sunday!
Black History Month continued this week with Part 2 of the MLK Assembly! Great discussions were heard in Community Meetings all week after the viewing of Part 2 as well, and we look forward to viewing and discussing the third and final part during the week after vacation.
Grab and Go Lunch
If you would like to pick up a Grab & Go lunch for your student next week, the distribution will take place on Wednesday, February 17 from 12:00 - 2:00 PM at the Watertown High School location.
I hope you all have a wonderful February break!
As a reminder regarding TRAVEL:
The Massachusetts Travel Order states that in order to return to school in-person, your family must quarantine for 14 days if you travel outside of the state to high-risk states. At this time, all states - with the exception of Hawaii - are considered high-risk states, unless your child(ren)
has/have a negative PCR test. This order applies to day trips outside of the state as well.
Respectfully yours,
Donna Martin
Principal
Here are some important upcoming dates:
Friday, February 12 - Term 2 report cards will be mailed home
Monday, February 15 - Friday, February 19 - NO SCHOOL - February Vacation
Monday, February 22 - Anti-Bias Coalition 5:00-6:30 pm
Join Zoom Meeting https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/96683897149
Events to mark your calendars with - More info to come ASAP
Monday, March 1 - i-Ready ELA kickoff
Monday, March 8 - i-Ready Math kickoff
Monday, March 15 - Grade 7/8 Assembly with Mykee Fowlin 10:45 am
“Mykee's programs combine both his professional acting talents and his psychological training. His mission is to create an atmosphere of worldwide inclusion, not just tolerance, towards all people. He has worked extensively with all age groups in the United States and in other countries. His work has included peer mediation, diversity trainings, gender equity workshops, and violence prevention seminars.”
“You Don’t Know Me Until You Know Me” is the show he will be sharing with us:
“To varying degrees, we all wear masks. We are conditioned to hide our true selves, out of fear of being rejected and/or judged. We are taught to devalue or ignore our pain, as if its utility is better served hidden than exposed.”
Thursday, April 1 - Parent Conferences 1:00-3:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm
Tuesday, April 6 - Parent Conferences 1:00-3:00 pm and 5:00-7:00 pm
Thursday, April 8 and Friday, April 9 - MCAS Infrastructure Trial/Practice Days
ELA MCAS
Monday, April 26th - remote students
Tuesday, April 27th - Cohort A
Wednesday, April 28th - Cohort B
Math MCAS
Thursday, May 6th - Cohort A
Friday, May 7th - Cohort B
Monday, May 10th - remote students
Science MCAS (grade 8 only)
Tuesday, May 18th - Cohort A
Wednesday, May 19th - Cohort B
Monday, May 24th - remote students
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Winter Clubs: Winter Club sign-ups are currently taking place. Here is the flyer with all of the offerings.
Yearbooks: The deadline to order yearbooks is April 23rd, and flyers will be coming home soon with additional information. We are excited that school pictures will be included in this year's yearbook as usual!
Please email me with any questions, concerns, or input you may have. As always, we will work together as a community! #wmsstrong
Take good care of each other,
All my best,
Donna
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE UPDATE
Building for the Future Update: Watertown High School
The School Building Committee met on Feb 3rd to discuss feedback from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA, Watertown's grant partner) on the preferred design option for the new Watertown High School.
Currently, the preferred option involves a new academic building on the Phillips site with significant programming on the current site, connected by a pedestrian bridge. The MSBA has asked for more study regarding efficiency in square footage for the educational programming plan, and more on a one-site option including swing space, cost, and construction implications.
Discussion about design updates and progress on the response to the MBSA feedback will continue at the next School Building Committee meeting on Wednesday Feb 17th, 6:00 pm. Go to the project website for more information, including the Zoom link for the upcoming meeting. Have a question? Send it to highschoolproject@watertown.k12.ma.us
FALL 2 ATHLETICS INFORMATION
REVIEW - CHANGES TO REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Dear Families and Watertown Schools Athletes,
We are pleased to inform you the Subcommittee on Athletics voted 3 to 0 on Monday, February 8th, to recommend our plan to the full School Committee for Fall 2 athletics for Watertown students. Although the plan is not a perfect season, we believe we will provide some athletic training and games in a safe environment.
Due to COVID and indoor space availability, we cannot hold any Middle School sports during the Fall 2 season. Middle School students' only opportunities to participate in athletics are by a special waiver of the MIAA to participate on a High School team and are outlined below.
Please join our parent/athlete information session on ZOOM:
Tuesday, February 16th, 7:00 pm (CLICK) LINK TO ZOOM MEETING
The session's link will also be posted and available on our Athletics at the Watertown Public Schools website before the meeting. If you cannot attend this session, we will be recording and posting this on our Athletics webpage.
SEASONS/SPORTS – FALL 2 - 02/22/21 - 04/25/2021
- CHEERLEADING - COED 6th, 7th, & 8th grade boys and girls are eligible.
- FOOTBALL - Boys H.S. only
- INDOOR TRACK - Boys and Girls Teams 6th, 7th & 8th-grade boys and girls are eligible.
- VOLLEYBALL - Girls H.S. only
PRACTICES/GAMES - 4 practices and 1 contest per week for a total game schedule of 10 contests Varsity Volleyball, 6 games Varsity Football and the number of virtual meets for track TBD. Sub-varsity will be 3 practices and not to exceed 10 contests. All game schedules are being finalized and posted on our Athletics tab at the Watertown Public Schools website.
SPECTATORS – Due to challenges related to crowd control and safety concerns, there will be NO spectators allowed at any practices, meets, games, or contests for INDOOR SPORTS including family members. OUTDOOR SPORTS, athletes will be allowed 2 spectators with Watertown Spectator Badges only.
FEES – Annual fees are due at the time of registration, and you should follow the link to the online payment system at the end of the registration.
H.S. Athletes $200. for 1st sport / $175. for 2nd sport / $0. for 3rd sport / $0. for 4th sport.
M.S. Athletes $50. per year.
FAMILY CAP $750.00
There are considerations for athletic fee reductions for High School students only. If you are NOT presently or not SURE if you are presently under a Free or Reduced Meals Application Plan and feel you are eligible, you should
Follow the link to the application and submit it IMMEDIATELY. MEALS APPLICATION.
TRANSPORTATION - Transportation will not be included in the Fall 2 season. All families of student-athletes will be required to provide any transports to and from away games/contests.
FALL 2 ATHLETIC REGISTRATION - Follow the link below to be directed to the Athletics Registration Form NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021 be cleared to participate in the first day of sports, Monday, February 22ND.
TO REGISTER: Go to watertown.k12.ma.us. Choose Athletics under About Our School and follow the link to FALL 2 REGISTRATION
NOTE TO PARENTS – PLEASE REVIEW YOUR STUDENTS PROFILE TO MAKE SURE THEIR NAME IS Upper/Lower Case (ie John Doe). ALSO, PLEASE MAKE SURE THE INFORMATION IN YOUR STUDENTS EMAIL ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER ARE THEIR INFORMATION FOR THEIR COACHES AND TEAM CAPTAINS.
There are places to put the parent’s emails and phone numbers. It is important that BOTH sets of information.
PHYSICALS – Please note: All student-athletes must have a current physical on file. The MIAA (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association that governs school sports) requires that the student have seen a doctor in-person visit within the last 13 months and must contain a section that says the student may participate in school sports with no restrictions (or with the following restrictions). NO STUDENT CAN PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICES OR CONTESTS WITHOUT THIS.
DUE TO THE REGISTRATION TAKING PLACE OVER FEBRUARY BREAK, WE REQUEST THAT ALL REGISTRANTS ATTACH THEIR CURRENT PHYSICAL EVEN IF YOU THOUGHT YOU HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED IT. IT WILL ALLOW THE SCHOOL NURSES TO APPROVE REGISTRATIONS REMOTELY, THEREFORE CLEARING STUDENTS TO START ON THE MONDAY WE RETURN TO SCHOOL, FEBRUARY 22ND .
COVID POOL TESTING - All Fall 2 athletes will be required to participate in the WPS COVID-19 surveillance testing. Student-athlete testing will maximize the longevity of participation in interscholastic athletics by quickly detecting, tracing, and isolating COVID-19-positive individuals—whether or not they become symptomatic. The current safety measures in place combined with testing for student-athletes will lower the risk of transmission and allow more consistent access to athletics for our students. You will be prompted to read and sign the consent agreement during registration.
Ryan Murphy
Athletic Director
ryan.murphy@watertown.k12.ma.us
Jae Smith
Athletic Administrative Assistant
YARD ART 2021!
Need inspiration or help? Hatch Makerspace offers ideas and assistance and free YardArt materials kits for contactless curbside pickup. Kits include recycled plastic yard signs and lumber, hardware, a screwdriver, 2 brushes, a cord, and 4 metal stakes. To reserve yours, email Hatch Coordinator Liz at ehelfer@watertown-ma.gov.
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH : STUDENT VOICE "EXPRESSIONS" SHOWCASE
We are very excited to collaborate with you and share the WPS Black History Month Student Voice "Impressions" Showcase. The submission form is open from January 22 - March 1, 2021.
Here is the link to our 2021 WPS Black History Month Student Voice "Expressions" Showcase" that hosts the submission details, some student work examples for inspiration, few guidelines, and the student work submission form.
The theme for this year is " We Stand Together"
Student COVID testing (for students attending in-person) continues this week!
Student COVID testing will continue this week on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Update on the testing: New Massachusetts mandates are allowing students of any age to self swab under supervision. Nurse Michelle will still be helping all of our students and making sure samples are collected correctly, but the process will be much quicker with even less interference to learning time. She said it's going very smoothly!
**A note from the nurses:
Thank you to all who have signed up for pool testing thus far. It is not too late to enroll your children in weekly pool testing, if you are interested please fill out the google form below. Moving forward, only positive pools and close contacts will be alerted 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. Positive pools will be contacted as soon as possible and given further information and instructions at that time.
Again, if you wish for your student to be testing, please fill out the google form below. Please note that pool testing is only offered to hybrid students who participate in IN PERSON learning, we are not currently able to test remote students.
If you have signed your child(ren) up to be tested, please remind them that they will be tested every week, and that it is not a one-time occurrence. Student testing will occur during grade level mask breaks.
From Dr. Galdston:
WMS COVID-19 testing will continue into the new year. If you have already signed up your child, there is no need to fill out the form again. If you would like to sign up your child, please read the message below and fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/9gqu867ae6TB2ULf6. You only need to sign up once for the ongoing weekly testing.
Please consider being part of the testing! Testing prevents the spread of COVID-19 and it's free for families at this time as we using grant funding to cover the costs.
Best,
Dede Galdston
***Here is the SMORE Newsletter which was sent out originally with all of the details of the testing.***
Thank you!
Technology Information for WPS Families
We look forward to supporting you with your educational technology questions.
Here is a link to the Weekly 02/06 Family Ed-Tech for All Newsletter, LIVE Ed-Tech Support Sessions & WPS Family Ed-Tech Website with resources, just for you.
Do you need help with Ed-Tech? Please complete the WPS Ed-Tech Support Request Form. A member of the WPS Ed-Tech team will reach out to you within a school day.
Celebrating WPS Black History Month Student Voice "Impressions" Showcase
We are very excited to collaborate with you the 2021 WPS Black History Month Student Voice "Impressions" Showcase which hosts some student work examples for inspiration, few guidelines and the student submission form.The student work submission form is open from January 22 - March 1, 2021. Please email me if you have any questions.
The theme for this year is " We Stand Together"
Few additional resources:
1. Link to Common Sense Media Resources about Race and Racism
2. Link to BrainPOP Black History Month Resources
Thank you and have a terrific day,
Rashmi Pimprikar (District Ed-Tech Coordinator), Digital Learning Team and IT Team
LUNCH/MEALS PROGRAM UPDATES
School meals are free for ALL students for the entire school year.
Students can order a lunch in Community Meeting each morning and will be given out at the end of the day.
Lunches should be eaten after you leave school at 12:30
The meals will be packaged in easy to carry bags and will contain multiple breakfasts and lunches.
If a student requests meals on both of their in-person days they will receive breakfast and lunch for 7 days.
SEE SCHOOL NUTRITION WEBSITE FOR MENU.
GRAB & GO MEAL SITE WILL BE OPEN:
EVERY MONDAY
12 - 1:30PM
&
4:30 - 6PM
WMS Attendance Policy and Procedures
From the Handbook (with some Remote Learning updates):
Attendance is the most important aspect of educating our students. When students are not here, they do not have access to instruction.
At Watertown Middle School, we pride ourselves in maintaining a very high attendance rate throughout the year. Understandably, there will be times when our students will need to take time away from school for a variety of excused reasons. The following procedure is in place to ensure good attendance, support our families, and follow state and federal laws.
Students are expected to be present and punctual for all classes. All students must be in Homeroom/Community Meeting (in-person or Zoom) by 8:30 a.m.
If you are having trouble with your Chromebook or have any Tech Difficulties (computer, camera, charging cord, hot spot)...
Call 617-926-7783 and let Ms. Cardillo or Ms. Brackett know.
“My name is (your name) and I have (teacher name) right now and I am having Tech Trouble. Can you please let my teacher know?”
Tardiness
A student is considered tardy if he or she is not in homeroom by 8:30 a.m. Teachers will mark students tardy when they are late to homeroom and/or late to class.
Absences
In the event that a student is tardy or absent, a parent or guardian must call the absence hotline at 617-926-7783 before 8:30 a.m. Please state the name, grade, and homeroom of the student. In the event that the absence is not reported, the school will call the student’s home or the place of employment of the parent or guardian to verify the absence.
Please see the Handbook for further details describing Excused Absences versus Unexcused Absences.
Resulting Actions:
● After 3 days of unexcused absences with no contact to the school from the parent, the Assistant Principal will be notified.
● After 5 days of absences (both excused & unexcused) per quarter, a letter of concern will be sent to parents/guardians. At ten absences, a support meeting will be scheduled with parents/guardians, guidance, and administration to create an Attendance Plan, which clearly outlines the school, parent, and student obligations to improve the problem. If absenteeism continues, further action will be taken, up to and including petitioning the Juvenile Courts with a Child Requiring Assistance, (C.R.A.).
**EMERGENCY ALERTS**
Watertown Middle School
Email: donna.martin@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: https://wms.watertown.k12.ma.us/
Location: 68 Waverley Avenue, Watertown, MA, USA
Phone: 617-926-7783
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watertownms/