The Wildcat Chat
What's Happening at Willard? | November 13, 2020
Virtual Town Hall Update
On Thursday, November 12, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., we held a Virtual Town Hall to discuss the implementation of the Hybrid Model at the start of the second semester for our scholars. Families will need to decide on their return to school plan, by Friday, November 20 (see story below for guidance). To support you with your decision, please review the following:
(1) Town Hall Video;
(3) Implementation of Hybrid Model in Stages Documentation ;
(4) Instructional Guide for Return to School; and
(5) Engaging Secondary Students in the Concurrent Hybrid/DL Environment Sheet
If questions still remain, please feel free to complete this Virtual Town Hall Follow Up Form by Monday, November 16. We will be sharing with our community a list of frequently asked questions and the associated answers, prior to the need to make a final decision.
Semester 2 Selection Process in ParentVUE
Our Wildcat families must select their return to school choice for the second semester. Families have from now until Friday, November 20. To complete this process, you may either visit ParentVUE Online or the ParentVUE App. It is imperative that all of our families complete this, even if they want to keep a previous selection. Please follow the steps below:
ParentVUE Online: Login > Click on Student Info > Click on Edit Information (under STUDENT INFO heading) > Scroll down to Return-to-school options for S2 > Make selection > Scroll back up and click Save Changes
ParentVUE App: Login > Click on Student > Click on Student Info > Click on Edit Information (top right) > Scroll down to Return-to-school options for S2 > Make selections > Click on Save Changes
LCPS Covid-19 Case Data
Yearbook Portraits Opportunity
Did you miss picture day? We’d still love to include you in our Into the Wild yearbook. Click here to submit your scholar’s portrait using eShare. Portraits are due no later than Friday, December 18. If the link does not work for you, you may go to HJeShare.com and enter code willard (all lower case). You will see portrait guidelines as you submit, or you can view them by clicking here. For an informational video on how to use the eShare portal, please click here. Thank you for your submission!
Yearbook Purchasing
Haven’t purchased a yearbook yet? More than 300 copies have been sold; however, limited quantities are still available! To get your gem today, go to www.yearbookordercenter.com and enter school code 17606 to purchase. The cost of the yearbook is $30, and you may add the personalization option for $35! We look forward to showcasing the great work of our Yearbook Staff, as they have been working on crafting a fantastic book for their friends and family!
Celebrating our Veterans
Calling All Spellers
This year, Willard is participating in the Scripps Spelling Bee. Interested students need to complete this form by Tuesday, December 1 to receive additional details. Interested scholars would need to be available on Monday, December 14, for a virtual spelling test.The time(s) for the test will be finalized in the coming week. As a special note, parents would act as proctors and must be physically present at the time of the test administration. Each grade-level has a specific study sheet, please click the appropriate grade level sheet to get started: Grade 6, Grade 7, and Grade 8. For any additional questions, students should reach out directly to their English teacher.
World Kindness Day
Student Ambassador Program
Does your child want to be a voice for social change? Are they interested in amplifying the student voice of color? Do they want to represent their peers of color by sharing their experiences in LCPS?
As a part of our ongoing equity work across LCPS and at Willard Middle School, we will be selecting up to three students to represent our school to serve in the role of Student Equity Ambassadors. The goal is to provide a forum to amplify the voice of Students of Color and those who have experienced or witnessed injustices, marginalization, or discrimination. Student Equity Ambassadors will meet regularly with the Supervisor of Equity and other LCPS leaders during the Share, Speak-up, Speak-out meetings. To read more about this program, please click here. If your child is interested in this opportunity, please email jazlynn.moody@lcps.org.
Upcoming Teamsgiving
Scholastic Virtual Book Fair
Excitedly, starting today until Wednesday, November 18, students will be able to purchase books in our Scholastic Virtual Book Fair. The Librarians, Mrs. Casey and Mrs. Yalavarthi, have crafted rich book fair resources to support students. Students may join the Willard Library Schoology page in order to access a book fair scavenger hunt, book fair trailers, and to begin their shopping experience. For detailed information for students click here, and to access the book fair details click here.
At the end of the book fair, we will draw names and provide those students with a literacy goody bag which may include: a book, bookmark, pen, laptop sticker, and more! The winners will be emailed and they may pick up their prizes during the library curbside pickup time. Please feel free to reach out to our librarians with any questions.
BLAST STEM Program
Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST) is a FREE educational program of the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, designed to ignite a passion in students who already show an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Our hope is that the BLAST three-day residential, on-campus experience, which is packed with demonstrations and collaborative activities led by college faculty, will inspire students to envision a career in a STEM field and motivate them to expand the number of STEM-related classes they take in higher grade levels.
Many students who attend BLAST go on to participate in our advanced educational programs, two of which offer free college credits through dual enrollment with Thomas Nelson Community College. Participating students in these competitive programs develop advanced skills related to the 5 C's of the Profile of a Virginia Graduate: critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and citizenship, in addition to building STEM-specific knowledge and skills. Applications for the Summer 2021 BLAST sessions will open online Friday, November 13.
Teacher Shout Outs
This past week, our community recognized many of our amazing Willard teachers. We wanted to spotlight a few. Sixth grade scholar, Rayna Rahman, thoughtfully shared how Ms.Gore is incredibly helpful when it comes to understanding assignments and figuring out complex information. Sixth grader Shipra Shukla highlighted Mr. Carroll, who has made him love the violin because he is always encouraging his students to be their best selves! Daniyal Faisal shared how Ms. Hoffman has helped him be a strong math student, as she is compassionate, patient, and kind. To add to our close to 300 recognitions, please feel free to spotlight a teacher by completing this shout out form.
The Wonder Newsletter & Schedule
As a reminder, our second quarter has brought changes to our schedule as well as the way in which we communicate student assignments. Please note the following:
- LCPS secondary schools will move to an ABAB Schedule, with "A" Days on Tuesday and Thursday and "B" Days on Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Parents and students will receive the weekly newsletters about the upcoming week via our new communication known as The Wonder. This will be sent electronically on Monday afternoons, by Principal Rounsley, to highlight the upcoming activities of the week. The third edition will be delivered on Monday, November 16.
Grateful Gobbler Virtual Fun Run
Join Willard's Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for the first-ever Grateful Gobbler, a Virtual 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run, on November 14 and 15. This PTA fundraiser and charity event will benefit our local Dulles South Food Pantry. Registration details for this family fun event may be found at the WMS PTA Facebook page. In addition, sign up information may be found here. If you have any questions, please reach out to PTA President Rebecca Giron at: giron5111@gmail.com. Happy Trotting!
NJROTC Application Opens Soon
The NJROTC Admissions Application for the 2021-2022 school year will open on Monday, November 30, 2020, at 8:00 a.m., and be available until Friday, January 22, 2021. It is open to all current LCPS Grade 8 students. Interested students may visit www.lcps.org/cte to complete the online application. In addition, more information may be found at: http://bit.ly/NJROTCAdmissions. Lastly, please feel free to reach out to our counselors with any additional questions—they are here to help!
Loudoun Library's 1 Book, 1 Community
The Loudoun County Public Library is pleased to announce that this year’s 1 book, 1 community selection is Front Desk by Kelly Yang. This title is an award-winning debut middle grade novel about a 10-year-old Chinese American immigrant girl who manages the front desk of a motel while her parents clean the rooms. Front Desk was awarded the 2018 Asian Pacific American Award for Literature, the Parents' Choice Gold Medal, is the 2019 Global Read Aloud, and has earned numerous other honors.
- Loudoun County Public Library will offer free, simultaneous eBook access to Front Desk from their LCPL OverDrive portal from Sunday, November 1 through Saturday, December 12. You must have an LCPL library card to access it, you can obtain one online or at any branch location.
- Loudoun County Public Library branches will also have free print copies available beginning in early November and additional copies in their collection.
- Kelly Yang will be providing an online program Saturday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m. More information regarding that effort will be coming soon!
Curbside Library Book Pick Up
Students can now check out books from the Willard Library. To get started, place a book on hold in Destiny Discover (click here to learn how to do this). You and your parents will receive an email when the book is ready to be picked up at Willard. Pick up times are Mondays, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more detailed information, please click here and to watch the associated interactive video click here as well.