WMS Community Bulletin 6-7-20
EXCELLENCE*EQUITY*COMMUNITY
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Watertown Middle School 2019-2020
Happy Sunday! I hope this community bulletin finds you and your family, near and far, healthy and well. Welcome to the final full week of school for the year!
Before the general information sections of this community bulletin, I want to personally echo the words of the letter from the WPS Administration earlier this week. We at Watertown Middle School are committed to confronting racism in our school community, as well as creating and ensuring welcoming, affirming, and supportive learning spaces for every single one of our students and their families. We will work to confront our own biases and dismantle institutional racism. The Watertown Kingian community, led by Ruth and Eva Henry, is meeting weekly to strategize the immediate steps and actions which need to be taken. It is difficult to not be able to meet together in person to strategize, but it will not slow down the work.
Please continue to support one another, and we will support each other as a community. Please reach out if you need anything at all; we have many mental health providers who will help our students and families during these difficult times. Together we will feel anger, sadness, frustration, and loss, and we will build on those feelings to work together to bring meaningful and lasting change to the Watertown community and beyond.
Peace,
Donna
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GENERAL INFORMATION:
Upcoming Surveys: Surveys to Students, Staff, and Parents/Families will be sent out midweek this week. They are designed to gather information for our fall planning purposes. I will send out more information when available, but please be on the lookout for them; your feedback is invaluable to us!
Progress Reports: Updated teacher comments for Progress Reports were available May 29 in PowerSchool. I resent the Username/Password for each account, and they are the same as the last Progress Report, but please email me if you have trouble accessing the teacher comments.
**Please let us know you have seen the PROGRESS REPORT.**
Please fill out this BRIEF SURVEY to let us know you were able to access and have seen the Progress Report. Your feedback is very important to us. Thank you!
The Last Day of School is June 16. Time is flying! Please see below the plan for collecting all personal items from the school, and for returning any items that belong to the school. As a reminder, there is a bin for WMS library books at the front of the school each day M-F.
Summer slide is here for many! As happens every year, thoughts of summer vacation sometimes interfere with motivation to complete school work. Please encourage your children to continue with their assignments and Zoom meetings through the end of school. As always, if they need any support or have questions, please contact their teachers or guidance counselor.
I hope you all have a beautiful weekend and a wonderful week.
Take good care of each other,
All my best,
Donna
PTO - Final Meeting and Parent "Coffee"
Wednesday, June 10, 2020 7:00 pm
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/98990636889
We especially would like to welcome any parents/guardians of Grade 5 students who would like to say hi and meet a few current WMS parents/guardians. Please bring all of your questions - we will be happy to answer them! :)
GRADE 8 INFORMATION
Hello WMS Grade 8 Families,
Here are the plans and information:
A graduation video is being created and will be shared with all students on Monday, June 15th.
***NOTE*** This video will be shared virtually, and will NOT be shown live, so there is no need to rearrange any schedules. Students and families will be able to watch it at their leisure after it is released.
The video will include:
Graduation remarks from Ms. Martin, Mr. Del Porto, Dr. Galdston, the new WHS Principal Mr. Giacobozzi, and Class President Tommy Dicker.
Award recipients will be named by Ms. Brackett and Ms. Martin.
Pictures of each student will be displayed while their name is being read by Ms. Brackett - please see the below information which was given to each student:
Other details will be included in the video, but some of it needs to be a surprise! :)
All students will receive envelopes with their graduation certificates, awards won, and a t-shirt designed specifically for them.
On June 16th, we are planning a Drive-Through Event on Bemis Street to pick up envelopes and awards and wave to WMS staff! If you are unable to drive-by on this day, we will mail or deliver your 8th-grade envelope/awards.
Schedule for Grade 8 Drive-Through Event on June 16th:
Please enter Bemis Street from Waverley Avenue only. It will be one-way as it is during school hours.
Please do not get out of the cars. WMS staff members will bring your envelopes and t-shirts to you.
We will be waving and cheering for you - please wave and cheer back! :)
The event on June 16th will be from 9 am - 12 pm - broken down by student last name below to prevent extra traffic:
9:00 - 10:00 am - Students' last names A-F
10:00 - 11:00 am - Students' last names G-M
11:00 am - 12:00 pm - Students' last names N-Z
We look forward to seeing you!
For those who ordered yearbooks, unfortunately, they are delayed due to the pandemic. As soon as they are in, we will send them out.
Locker cleanout for Grade 8 will occur on Wednesday, June 10th. Students should consult their Google Classroom pages for the exact time based on cluster and last name.
Toward the end of the summer, if guidelines allow, we would like to look into having a semi or some other event for this 8th-grade class. We hope to know more about the guidelines in July.
Thank you again! We miss your students and are looking forward to celebrating them as much as possible virtually and at the Drive-Through on the 16th!
Weekly Cluster Schedules / Links to Schedules
Cluster 2: Here is the link to the Cluster 2 weekly schedule/Smore:
https://www.smore.com/752c8-cluster-2-weekly-newsletter?ref=email-content#w-5410494166
Cluster 3: Here is the LINK to the Cluster 3 weekly schedule and the link to the Cluster 3 Smore newsletter: https://www.smore.com/s1wr3
Cluster 4: Here is the link to the Cluster 4 assignments and information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UFZ3vtTrGSC6f38mKHPAYIGNH6mImvtzbemFoYpr-rc/edit
Cluster 5: Here is the link to the Cluster 5 weekly schedule/Smore:
SMORE and Weekly Schedule and Assignments
Cluster 6: This link: Cluster 6 Week of June 8 has all of the Cluster 6 assignments for next week. We will also be posting this doc to the Cluster Google Classroom.
Here is the link to the Specialist Zoom Schedule for all grades:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qvtrWi-puKctgIHPznOrl3qk_ZdxSJkCoiM_aNdNyRY/edit
VIRTUAL ART SHOW!
The Watertown Public Schools Visual Art Department is proud to present our first ever Virtual Art Show!
Connecting Through Creativity - WPS Virtual Art Show 2020
When looking at visual art, we are often looking at the beautiful end product. And rest assured, you will see lots of beautiful pieces in this show. Yet while we are extremely proud of the work our students have produced and continue to create, our intention is not to celebrate the end products, but the artistic process itself.
Our community is struggling with fear, loneliness and isolation.
We are yearning to find meaningful ways to reconnect, to support one another and to find joy in unprecedented times.
Artists everywhere are piercing through the darkness with their light, as they make connections, boost one another up, and create a sense of community that can't be contained within the walls of quarantine.
They find joy, strength and solace within themselves and are sharing it with others through visual art.
The Watertown Public Schools Fine, Applied and Performing Arts Department believes in the power of art to heal, to empower, and to inspire. We invite you to join us as we connect with and celebrate one another.
You will see a mix of work in this show, some created in our traditional format before schools closed and some created during quarantine, using whatever materials and inspiration could be found on hand. During this period of remote learning, our students have used visual art to center themselves, express themselves and connect with one another and their community.
In this spirit, we offer you our first ever Virtual Art Show!
***VIRTUAL MUSICFEST!!!***
Corona may be keeping us apart but it isn't keeping us silent.
The music lives within us, bringing us laughter, joy, strength and solace.
With so many of us feeling isolated, music invites connection. It provides us with solace and strength under extraordinary stress. As awash as we are in uncertainty, rumor and even anger during these trying times, music reminds us to listen and empathize. With both children and adults dealing with unprecedented pressure, music allows us to express powerful feelings responsibly and respectfully; amidst much confusion music gives us clarity, a vision of hope and affirmation. We hope that Watertown’s Virtual MusicFest bring these things to you and your families, highlighting the inspiration and comfort that our entire community finds in the arts.
And now, without further ado...
The Watertown Public Schools Fine, Applied and Performing Arts department, in collaboration with Friends of Watertown Music, invites all Watertown musicians, students, teachers, families, and community members to join us in this virtual musical celebration!
This website is the home of Watertown's first ever Virtual MusicFest.
You will find almost five full hours of music lovingly shared with you by musicians from the Watertown community - students, teachers, business owners, neighbors, families, all sharing their music with you in this virtual setting!
Just like the live MusicFest, all of the performances have been scheduled into different rooms. We invite you to move between the rooms just as you would if attending the live event, sampling the different musical offerings. You will want to come back to this site many times to see different performances - depending on the order in which you listen and where you are moved to stop and click, each new visit will be a unique experience!
https://sites.google.com/watertown.k12.ma.us/virtualmusicfest2020/home
***END OF YEAR INFORMATION***
Chromebooks and the Summer - UPDATE!
Please note the following:
- The Acceptable Use Policy that was signed in the Spring when the Chromebook was first checked out is still applicable through the summer. The updated version of the Summer Chromebook Contract may be found here: Summer 2020 Chromebook Contract
- Students are responsible for keeping their Chromebooks in good condition over the summer. WPS Chromebooks should only be used for learning and school-related activities, and they should be used in dry areas, and not at the beach, for instance. If there is an issue, please should contact the school.
- All 8th graders who have a Chromebook will be returning them to WHS in the fall. They will not receive an updated Chromebook until they turn in their WMS Chromebook.
LOCKER CLEAN OUT INFORMATION
Please follow this safety protocol:
- For Clusters 1-4, please park on Bemis Street and come in those doors.
- For Clusters 5-6, please park in the back parking lot off of Bemis Street and come in those doors.
- Everyone will be checked in upon arrival.
- Everyone must be wearing a mask at all times.
- We will have a limited amount of people in the building at one time, so we will have socially distanced areas for people to wait if there is a line.
- Please plan to come in and drop off/pick up items quickly. Although we miss everyone, there will not be an opportunity for lingering or chatting.
- If you are unable to come at your assigned day/time, please contact the main office and we will schedule you for a time on June 11.
- The chart below shows the one hour time periods and who should come during those times based on the first letter of the student's last name.
Updates from Ms. Maroni-Wagner in the WMS Library
For the latest information on digital literary resources and WMS Library happenings, read the weekly WMS Library Newsletter.
***We are now accepting library book returns from the WMS Library. If you have a library book to return, you may place your books in the touchless bin outside the main entrance of the school. The return bin will be outside 8 am-6 pm every weekday. Students will receive an email reminder Monday morning if they have any Library books.***
Digital Learning and IT Resources Links /Family Support
Greetings WMS Families:
Rashmi and George shared the following link to the 05/28/2020 Digital Learning/Technology Weekly Newsletter, which includes application updates, Famly and Educator Tech collaboration session information, and other helpful resources. This information is posted on our WPS Extended Learning Website.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Please use Applications that are “in progress or approved” in the WPS Online Applications Database
**Link to Weekly WPS Family Technology Support Sessions (May 28 - June 5). Please check for upcoming sessions
Please click on the links below to access resources
Link to Family Guide to Portuguese Zoom Tutorial | Family Guide to Spanish Zoom Tutorial
Link to Family Guide to Portuguese Google Classroom Tutorial | Family Guide Spanish Google Classroom Tutorial
Link to Family Guide to Spanish Khan Academy Tutorial | Family Guide to Portuguese Khan Academy Tutorial
IMP: Please review the WPS Tech Apps/Services Guidelines & Online Resources Database for apps/services and use the Digital Resource Request form to request applications and services.
Questions? Please email Library Media Specialists & Digital Learning Specialists at your school & CC Digital Learning Coordinator Rashmi Pimprikar (rashmi.pimprikar@watertown.k12.ma.us). Please contact ‘Computer Repairs’ for IT questions and/or if a Chromebook is broken or needs repair.
Thank you so much for all that you do!
-Rashmi & George
2020-2021 Middle School BUSING - REGISTER ONLINE NOW
Free Daily Support Groups for Parents
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Fg5EvfInKPNNjGTIbUpDOohvL9LCvgat_4SuTXUizA/edit
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Resources
Dr. Galdston's Update 6-4-20
Good afternoon,
I hope that this email finds you and your family well. As we wind down the school year, I have prepared my June newsletter for you, which features the following information:
- Looking Forward As Best We Can
- Photos of Our Remote Learners
- A Statement From the District Administration
- The 2020/2021 WPS School Calendar
- School Building Committee Updates
- Watertown Students Shine Remotely
- News from the Community
- Upcoming Events
I invite you to share your experiences and learn more about the Watertown Public Schools at my virtual coffees being held Monday, June 8. Information for attending the coffees can be found in the newsletter.
With appreciation,
Dede Galdston, Ed.D.
**EMERGENCY ALERTS**
Watertown Middle School
While we are out of school, please email with any questions, or text/call my work cell (617-631-6807)
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Thank you,
Donna Martin, Principal
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/