Principal's Newsletter
November 12, 2020
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Grade Level schedule discussions
Parent-teacher conferences - 12/3 & 12/8
Sign-ups for the conferences will be sent closer to the date. Families of our English Language Learners will receive communication of an alternative date to allow for the extra time necessary to provide interpretation services.
Half Day on Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Covid testing for students
WHS School Nurse Update
The following requirements are needed as mandated by the State of Massachusetts:
- Medication Orders (including Epipen, Diastat, Insulin, inhalers, other prescription medications) and Parental Consents must be submitted on or before 11/30/2020.
- Emergency Action Plan from the student’s physician (e.g. Anaphylaxis, Seizure, Asthma) must accompany the medication order.
- Medication and other supplies must be submitted on or before 11/30/2020.
- A valid Physical Examination is required for all 10th grade students. Please submit it as soon as possible.
- A proof of Flu Vaccination for ALL students must be submitted on or before the first day of school in January 2021.
- A proof of Meningococcal Vaccination for 11th grade students must be submitted as soon as possible.
For information on when to stay at home, please click here. For any questions/concerns, please contact the school nurse, Joie Mara, MSN, RN: 617-926-7758 or joie.mara@watertown.k12.ma.us
9th Grade Building Tours
As the high school's hybrid return date approaches, we understand that some 9th-grade students may be feeling worried or anxious about entering an unfamiliar building. To help students get a building preview, we will be providing opportunities for 9th graders, or those new to the school to tour the building before classes begin.
These small group tours will be offered in the afternoons (between 12:30 and 3:05) on November 13 and November 20 and will be focused on helping students understand the layout of the building.
Students who have requested a tour were notified on Wednesday, November 11 of their tour date and time. At this point, if students are interested in a tour, please contact Ms. Eaton (adrienne.eaton@watertown.k12.ma.us) as soon as possible and we will do our best to accommodate you on the November 20 tour date.
PSAT for 10th & 11th Graders
We plan to offer the PSAT to all students in grades 10 and 11 on Tuesday, January 26, 2021.
CollegeBoard has provided this alternate date for testing due to COVID. This administration has the same benefits of the October administration including eligibility for the National Merit scholarship programs. This in-school test administration provides students with the opportunity to take a practice version of the SAT at no cost. Once students take the test, they have access to a number of free test prep resources to help prepare for the SAT tests.
More details about the test administration and the various resources available to students will be shared as we get closer to the test date. For more information on the PSAT, click here.
WHS Guidance Update
WHS Wellness/PE Update
Virtual Fall Play: The Crucible
This play is a dark and chilling story revolving around the events leading up to the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, focusing on the accused, the accusing, and their fates. More information on how to access this production will be available in the coming weeks. We are so excited to share our hard work with the Watertown community!
Meal Program Updates
The grab & go meal site is open every Monday:
- 12:00pm - 1:30pm
- 4:30 - 6:00pm
WHS Seeks Professionals for Two New Program Advisory Committees (PAC): Medical Assisting & Radio/TV Broadcasting
WHS is seeking parents, students, area professionals, and post-secondary representatives to participate in an advisory capacity in regards to the design and development of curriculum for the implementation of two planned vocational/technical pathway programs - Medical Assisting and Radio/TV Broadcasting. These programs are designed to give high school students a jump start, developing career-focused skills and the option to earn industry certification(s) while still enrolled in high school.
Please see here for more information on these two new Program Advisory Committees.
Bridge to Return Translations
Here are two translated documents highlighting WPS's plan to return:
The English version of the document can be found on WPS's website, linked here.
English Learner Parent advisory council information
The English Learner Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC) is a group organized by parent volunteers with the purpose of advocating for current and former English learners.
ELPAC is looking for parents and community members to join! To learn more, please contact Kate Phillipson, the ESL Coodinator - kathryn.phillipson@watertown.k12.ma.us or 617-581-8200
As a resource, the following links give instructions on how to receive interpretations on your computer or phone:
Tech help!
We look forward to supporting you with your educational technology questions!
Please visit the WPS Ed-Tech for ALL Website to access Ed Tech for all Faculty resources that are being created and curated for you:
Complete the WPS Ed-Tech Support Request Form if you need support with Ed-Tech. A member of the WPS Ed-Tech team will reach out to you ASAP.
Visit our WPS STEM Week 2020 Website that hosts diverse STEM offerings for different grade levels. You can print your school-specific WPS STEM Week 2020 student certificates from the website.
Following is a link to WGBH WORLD Channel which is created to serve students at home with no or limited internet access, or to augment online learning. This At-Home Learning Resources document provides an overall schedule of the broadcasts for this fall. Link to Mathematics broadcast Schedule and MA Standards alignment.