Willett Whaler
Week of May 2, 2021
Principal's Corner - Mr. Jeffrey Cateon
We are planning and preparing for MCAS beginning the week of May 10th. In next week's Whaler, we will provide some tips for grades 3 and 4 families to use with their children to be ready each testing day.
ELA MCAS
May 11th - Grade 4
May 13th - Grade 3
Math MCAS
May 18th - Grade 4
May 20th - Grade 3
If your child is absent for an extended period of time (COVID reasons), the time away is not coded as an absence. Students are expected to complete work assigned on google classroom, use Lexia and ST Math during the days they are out.
Willett Wednesdays (wear Willett gear or blue/white) will continue every week. Please join us in school spirit.
May 31: Memorial Day
If you haven't already, please join us on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter , Instagram) and on our Website.
Pooled testing results - Monday, April 26th and Tuesday, April 27th
Hello Families,
We would like to share the results from the pooled surveillance testing conducted on Monday, April 26th and Tuesday, April 27th. The results indicate that all pools tested negative.
We thank you for your ongoing adherence and encouragement of health and safety guidelines as it has clearly made a difference. We will continue to follow our protocols and be vigilant about our guidelines.
Please remember that you may use the Aspen parent portal to make adjustments to your current consent document at any time.
APS COVID-19 Testing Consent forms
Consent Directions
http://www.attleboroschools.com/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=24983647
How to using cell phone
Instructions for Completing the Informed Consent Workflow in Aspen Using a Cellphone
Have a good day!
Instrucciones para el consentimiento
APS COVID-19 Formularios de consentimiento para las pruebas
Instrucciones para el consentimiento
http://www.attleboroschools.com/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=24983647
Assistant Principal's Corner- Mrs. Christine Brierly
Willett Student Council Update
Student Council members, led by Ms. O'Boyle, discussed the upcoming Boosterthon and ways to help learn our new hallway names at our first in-person Student Council meeting of the year. Representatives enjoyed safely meeting together. We are so lucky to have such bright, civic minded students who are willing to help make important decisions at Willett. Future leaders, for sure!!!
A Message from the Health Office - New Covid 19 Close Contact Guidance
Students or staff members who were within 3-6 feet of a covid 19 positive individual for at least fifteen minutes while both parties were masked in a classroom or on the bus are considered close contacts but do not have to quarantine.
Based on guidance from the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, developed in collaboration with the Department of Public Health and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, this means your child does not have to quarantine and can return to school, as long as they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19. We encourage you to have your child tested, on day 5 after exposure. As always, COVID-19 test results should be reported to the school nurse. We are also following all Department of Health protocols, including collaborating with our local board of health to complete contact tracing. Your school nurse will contact you if your child was exposed.
*Please note that if your child was closer than 3 feet of a covid 19 positive individual for at least 15min while in a classroom or on the bus, they will have to quarantine. Also remember that outside of the classroom and bus, if your child is found to have been withing 6 feet of a Covid 19 positive individual, they are required to quarantine.
Boosterthon Information
Willett Parents and Families,
We are less than TWO WEEKS away from kicking off our Fun Run program on May 12th! Funrun.com will be OPEN SOON (5/5) to start registering your students. Here, you can access the character content for this year, as well as support our school!
Be sure to check out all of our sharing functions on FUNRUN.COM to let others know how they can help support our school.
- Make a Student Star Video to share with Facebook friends!
- Copy and paste the email template and then send to family, friends, and local businesses.
- Log to FUNRUN.COM from your mobile device, click share, and send texts to friends and family.
Please Note: There is NO obligation to give! Sharing with friends and family can help our school and all students can participate, regardless of financial participation.
More information to come over the next few weeks!
ST Math Family Night
Gather around the computer screen for a family evening of math, puzzles, and fun! From diving deep into the neuroscience of spatial-temporal learning to playing a couple of practice puzzles with our penguin mascot, JiJi, your community won't want to miss out. There are four dates and times available to register for.
Return to In Person Expectations
Please read the information below regarding our full return to school.
- School hours will remain the same
- Arrival 8:30
- School day begins at 8:45
- Dismissal is at 3:20
- Masks need to be worn on the school grounds at all times
- Remote learning will no longer be provided
- All APS chromebooks and tablets need to be returned to school on April 5th for use in classrooms and technology class.
- To create safe spaces for eating some children will be eating in the room and some in the cafeteria based on location of desks in the classroom.
- Check information from teacher for PE/ Health days to wear sneakers
Safety Guidance
Per the guidance from the Department of Education, student desks will be placed three feet apart.
Students and staff will need to wash or sanitize hands regularly during our day.
All students must wear a mask at all points during the day unless on a mask break or while eating. When worn properly, the mask needs to cover both the mouth and nose. Please practice with your children. A reminder that gaiters and vented masks are not permitted.
Please check your child’s current mask(s) for proper sizing. If it slides down over their nose or does not stay flush against their face (gaps), it is too big. If it does not fully cover both their nose and mouth, it is too small.
While on a mask break or eating, students may take the mask off, but must maintain a minimum of 6 feet of distance from one another.
Arrival to School (Car line)
Drive your car as far up as possible to drop off and pick up. This allows for more cars to be next to the sidewalk at once so we can load/unload the students more fluidly.
Before your child gets out of the car, please make sure they have a mask on.
Do not exit your car to help your child out. We will help, if needed.
Dismissal from School (Car line)
When we load your children into your vehicle, please do not get out of the car. If you have a unique circumstance, move up to the large tree and we will have your child report there so that the car line flow is not disrupted.
Please remember that your child needs to enter your vehicle from the sidewalk. They may not go to the other side of the car (road side) to get into the vehicle. This is to ensure your child’s safety.
Snack/Water Breaks
Please provide your child with an easy to access snack they can open and eat in just a few minutes.
Please provide your child with a straw daily so they can easily drink through the bottom of the mask.
Due to spacing issues, distancing requirements, number of students and weather restrictions, it is possible that your child may be limited with snacks on certain days. We will do our best to maintain normal snack routines though.
COVID Pool Testing
All students whose parents have consented to them pool testing, will continue to be tested on either Monday or Tuesday. However, the day they are being tested may change due to being full in person. A new schedule is being created.
Kindergarteners with consent will begin being pool tested the week of April 12.
COVID Pooled Testing Information
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.
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.
Willett Garden - We need your help!
Spring has sprung and the Willett Garden needs you to help us keep it going and growing strong for our children and families in our school and city community. For the past 9 years, we have been creating an outdoor living and learning space for all of our students and families. If you would like to be a part of our volunteer team, simply send an email to: willettgarden@gmail.com. Please type “volunteer” in the subject line and we will be sure to contact you.
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.