Principal's Newsletter
September 25, 2020
Greetings Titan Community!
We have completed our first two full weeks of school, and I hope that all of our families are beginning to settle into some new routines. Speaking for myself and my own family, it has been an adjustment juggling a secondary and elementary schedule. We're making it work!! All of our staff are appreciative of the challenges families face I want to thank our parents and students for rising to the occasion. I am sure we will have some bumps in the road over the course of the year, but we will monitor and adjust as needed.
In the midst of all this change, our community and our country continue to engage in tremendous social and political issues. Some parents have reached out to me with concerns that there is a political bias or agenda in our classrooms at Thomas. I appreciate the conversations I have had this week and I welcome the feedback. I want you to know that it is our goal to create a school where the classroom is a safe pace to share thoughts and ideas and students can learn and grow. We will continue to be inclusive, to celebrate diversity, and to strive for equity for all of our students, staff, and families. We will strive to allow for discussion and debate without keeping our thumbs on the scale.
A particular issue this week was a current events unit that is being done in all high school social studies classrooms. The three day unit covers some of the history of systemic racism in the Rochester area through the use of primary sources (newspaper, real estate documents, etc). I have included a video below which contains much of the information if you are interested in learning more about our history as a region. It is eye opening to say the least and will be sure to spark meaningful conversations about not only where the Rochester area has been, but where we need to go as a community.
I know this is an uncomfortable topic for many and one that I don't usually include in a weekly newsletter. In our school, we have families active in the military, law enforcement, education, black lives matter, democrats, republicans, and all or none of the above. Often times, news is presented in a manner that makes it seem like issues can only be seen as good OR bad, right OR wrong, “us” VS. “them”. Our position is that the classroom needs to be a safe place where students can learn how to learn about these issues and begin to form their own opinions . As a school and a district, we take one side - the side of our students. We know that this includes celebrating diversity, inclusion, and striving for equity.
Titan Updates
Join or Renew Your PTSA Membership Today!
Memberships for 20-21 are live! Help us continue to support Webster Central Schools families and staff through education, advocacy, and more. Building PTSAs receive $6 of adult memberships and $1 of student memberships so please consider designating Thomas as your school of choice! Distribution of discount cards and calendars will start on 9/19 for all members who join by 9/17. Pick-up will be held Saturdays at Webster's Joe Obbie Farmers Market in the Webster Towne Plaza. Look for the PTSA table near Old Navy. Additional distribution dates and locations TBD. Calendars FREE w/ membership purchase while supplies last. Check out our local discounts and monthly prize drawings at the join page: http://WebsterPTSA.org/Join Thank you!
Titan Wear!
PSAT Registration
Attention Juniors - The PSAT is a practice SAT exam that is offered at Thomas on Saturday, October 17th. Pick up your registration form and a study guide in the student center and return it with payment by October 13th.
Colleges on campus...
AP Exam Information
AP Exams:
Information about exams, registration and payment were sent home this week and you should be receiving it soon. Here are some important notes:
Exam registration is now open, with full payment of $95 per exam due NO LATER than October 30th, 2020.
Registration and payment for exams is online via MySchoolBucks: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home. See instructions below
For this year only, there will be NO CANCELLATION FEE for any cancelled exam after ordering
Students receiving free and reduced lunch at school are eligible for a reduced rate of $10. Please stop in the Gold House Office or call us at 670-0802 for details.
A copy of the letter and directions are available on our website under the AP Exam Info link. https://www.websterschools.org/districtpage.cfm?pageid=1593
Dual Enrollment:
Dual credit courses are offered through Monroe Community College. Teachers have been discussing with students what it means to be a dual enrolled student and letters were sent home late this week. A copy of the letter is below. Here are some important notes:
The deadline for registration has been moved to October 9th. This is a strict enrollment deadline. Students will not be able to enroll after this date for any reason.
Registration is through MCC at: https://www.monroecc.edu/apps/dual-enrollment-registration/
Additional information can be found on MCC’s Dual Enrollment website: https://www.monroecc.edu/depts/dualenrollment/for-students-parents/
2020 Fall Sports Season
The Fall season begins Monday September 28th for athletes in grades 9-12 for the following Fall Sports:
Varsity and JV Girls Soccer
Varsity and JV Boys Soccer
Varsity and JV Boys and Girls XC
Varsity and JV Girls Tennis
Varsity and JV Girls Swim and Dive
Varsity Girls Golf
Varsity and JV Field Hockey
It is not too late to register
If you have not already registered, and your child is interested in trying out for any of these sports,....
Please register them at Family ID by Sunday September 27th.
Covid-19 Health Screening For ALL Fall Athletes -
***ATTENTION PARENTS OF FALL ATHLETES***
Please complete the health screen for your student athletes everyday (Monday- Friday) through the PikMyKid APP Even on the days they are not in school for learning.
We will provide a different screening tool for the weekends through your coach.
It is important that we continue to do our part in order to keep the Fall Sports Season going.
- Wear a mask
- Wash your hands
- Practice social distancing