Principal's Weekly Update
November 20, 2020
Dear Wamsutta Families,
Barring any emergency notices from me, my next weekly update will be December 4th. I hope everyone enjoys the weather this weekend and can make the best of the restricted Thanksgiving we are all recommended to celebrate.
I had earlier stated that parent conference sign-ups would be sent this month. We are going to wait until December 2nd to send these invites. I will send all the specialists' invites on that day, and teacher teams will send their own in the core content areas. All sign-ups will be through Sign Up Genius, and I think you will find it very easy to use. Once the appointments are booked, you will receive a follow-up email with the Google Meet codes to join the conferences virtually.
The only other new items this week are a note about snow days and short-term, emergency closures, and purchasing yearbooks. Other items are just updates of previous information.
Thank you for your time,
Joseph Connor, WMS
Principal
Snow Day and Short-Term Emergency Closures
EMERGENCY CLOSURES
There may be a time in the next months where we have to close the school for weather (snow days are a thing of the past) or for a few days because of COVID concerns. Whether the physical building is open or not, schooling will continue. These are the expectations for students:
CLOSURE OCCURS ON A COHORT A IN-PERSON DAY (Mondays and Thursdays)
- All students login for attendance purposes in Homeroom.
- Cohort A students follow their normal schedule, and check in virtually at the beginning of each scheduled class. The teacher will lead Cohort A students through a virtual class session.
- Cohort B students complete their regularly assigned remote work, and can check in with teachers during office hours.
CLOSURE OCCURS ON A COHORT B IN-PERSON DAY (Tuesdays and Fridays)
- All students login for attendance purposes in Homeroom.
- Cohort B students follow their normal schedule, and check in virtually at the beginning of each scheduled class. The teacher will lead Cohort A students through a virtual class session.
- Cohort A students complete their regularly assigned remote work, and can check in with teachers during office hours.
CLOSURE OCCURS ON A WEDNESDAY
- All students follow their regular Wednesday schedule.
Please note, the expectations for students if conditions forced a switch to fully remote learning for a longer period of time would be different, with all students logging in virtually to each class daily, and I will have more info on this if we have to go this route. I hope we do not.
Yearbook Ordering Available
Yearbook ordering is open and can be found here.
Second Notice: 8th Grade Baby Pictures for Yearbook
Yearbook is looking for 8th graders to submit their baby picture for inclusion in this year’s yearbook. Please submit by December 9th. It can be done via email or the old-fashioned way, and directions are included in the flyer below.
Last Week of PTO Fundraising and Two More Weeks of Online Spirit Wear Store!
We continue on with our Meadowfarms fundraiser through November. Click here to register to support our efforts. The school code is MF1030645.
Our Wamsutta Middle School Store will be running until December 7th. 10% of all proceeds benefit the school, and the PTO has worked hard to create a contactless experience for those interested in purchasing Spirit Wear. We will close the store on the 7th to ensure things arrive for the holidays.
Third Notice: Holiday Food Drive
Third Notice: Virtual Parent Conferences
Dec 16th
Session 1: 12:20-2:20 PM
Session 2: 6-8 PM
Dec 17th:
Session 3: 3-5 PM
Sign-ups for the conferences will be sent in next week.
Third Notice: Required Influenza Vaccine
According to the State of Massachusetts Immunization Guidelines, ALL Students, hybrid and virtual (AVA) are required to have the influenza vaccine or mist by December 31, 2020. This vaccine requirement is an important step in reducing flu-related illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please make an appointment with your child's doctor or if your child meets the qualifications you may take them to a local CVS, Walgreens or Urgent Care. Make sure to call before you go! Please send in the written documentation to the school nurse. Please call the school nurse with any questions. Thank you.
Robin Deshowitz RN, BSN, NCSN
rdeshowitz@attleboroschools.com
T- 508-223-1544 Fax- 508-223-1594
Virtual After School Activities
There is still time to join Chorus! If your student is interested please fill out the Wamsutta Chorus Interest Form. They will then be added to the Chorus Google Classroom. We rehearse on Thursdays virtually after school from 3:30-4:30.
Ms. James will be hosting a monthly Harry Potter Book Club on Tuesday, Dec 10 at 3:30. Contact Ms. James at jjames@attleboroschools.com if interested.
DATES TO REMEMBER
November 25-27
- Thanksgiving Break
December 9
- End of Trimester 1
December 16
- Virtual Half Day for Students / Report Cards Posted in Aspen
- Session 1 Parent Conference 12:20 - 2:20
- Session 2 Parent Conference: 6:00-8:00
December 17
- Session 3 Parent Conference 3:00 - 5:00
December 24 - January 1
- Holiday Break
Wamsutta Middle School
Email: jconnor@attleboroschools.com
Website: http://wms.attleboroschools.com/
Location: 300 Locust Street, Attleboro, MA
Phone: (508)223-1540
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wamsuttamiddleschool
Twitter: @WamsuttaMS