Willett Whaler
Week of January 31, 2021
Principal's Corner - Mr. Jeffrey Cateon
February is now here! Please make sure your children are dressed for the cold winter days.
Spring 2021 MCAS Dates have been set for our grades 3 and 4 students. There is only one testing date for each subject area this year.
Please mark your calendar:
PTO Meeting - Wednesday, February 10th at 6:00 PM
February 15 (No School) - Presidents' Day
February 16-19 - Winter Break
If you haven't already, please join us on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter , Instagram) and on our Website.
COVID Pooled Testing Information
There has been a great deal of discussion regarding the upcoming pooled testing being offered within the school. We will be moving forward with the process and will begin next Monday, February 1. Students who we have received updated consent for will be tested in the morning and the day will resume as normal.
If you have already provided consent for the Pooled Surveillance Testing prior to 1/26/21, you will need to complete the updated consent which now includes the individual antigen testing through your Parent Aspen Portal. Completion of the updated online consent is required to be able to participate on Monday. Students cannot participate if they only have the first/original consent.
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.
Our Spring 2021 MCAS Dates are shown below:
ELA
Grade 3 (Hybrid)
Cohort A: Thursday, April 15, 2021
Cohort B: April 16, 2021
AVA
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Grade 4 (Hybrid)
Cohort A: Monday, April 12, 2021
Cohort B: Tuesday, April 13, 2021
AVA
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Math
Grade 3 (Hybrid)
Cohort A: Thursday, May 6, 2021
Cohort B: May 7, 2021
AVA
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Grade 4 (Hybrid)
Cohort A: Monday, May 3, 2021
Cohort B: Tuesday, May 4, 2021
AVA
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
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.
A Message from the Health Office
Please contact the school nurse if your child has traveled outside of MA recently as it may affect their ability to return to school.
Clever Family Information
Norms and Tips for Remote Learning.
Norms:
- Be on time for the daily morning check-in. Attendance will be taken, and your child will be marked absent if they are not present for the check-in.
- Select an appropriate learning space to allow your child to be present in the lesson and ready to learn.
- Ensure that your child's device is charged for daily use.
- During a live learning session, your child should be visible to the teacher with the camera on. Virtual backgrounds included in the Google environment can be used.
- Complete and submit work assignments on time through Google Classroom.
- Use all applications in the Google Suite appropriately.
- Adhere to all Attleboro Public Schools policies.
Google Meet Tips:
GOOGLE MEET TIPS
Before the meeting:
- Find a comfortable spot to sit. It is best to keep your device on a steady surface if possible.
- Make sure your background is school-friendly.
- Try your best to be on time.
- Enjoy a snack before the meeting begins.
When the meeting starts:
- Mute your device by clicking the microphone button.
- Be sure that your camera is on.
During the meeting:
- Be patient, this is a learning experience for everyone.
- Be engaged - looking, listening, and thinking.
- Unmute your microphone when your teacher asks you to talk. Mute your device again when you are finished speaking.
- Even though we are not in our school building, our school rules and expectations still apply.
- Families please be considerate and allow the children the opportunity to work with the teacher.