WHS Weekly Principal's Update
May 11, 2020
Hello again WHS Staff and Families!
Shirley Lundberg, Principal WHS
AP Exam Reminders!
Dear AP Students and Families,
AP Exams begin on Monday, May 11. Last week, many students joined me for a brief AP Exam refresher. I have attached the slides here for those who were unable to attend or who would like to review them. A few reminders:
1. Students should try the Exam Demo now to make sure it works with their device.
2. Students will receive an exam ticket 2 days before each exam. This will be emailed to them and will be available in MyAP. Students should check to make sure they've received this prior to exam day.
3. Students need to access the test (click the yellow rectangle on the exam ticket) 30 MINUTES before the exam is scheduled to begin. They should not wait until the exam start time to log in to the test. Note: the submission deadline for Art portfolios is May 26 at 11:59PM EST.
4. Students should prepare the response pages ahead of time - either as documents on their device or on sheets of paper. They will need to write their AP ID and their initials only. They should also have their AP ID (accessible in MyAP and on the exam ticket) handy.
5. If technical difficulties arise during the exam, students may submit a request to take the makeup exam in June. These requests must be submitted by the student within 48 hours of the exam time.
As always, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Good luck, students! You've got this!
Adrienne Eaton, AP Coordinator
Adrienne Eaton
Lead Guidance Counselor
Watertown High School
50 Columbia Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Guidance News: https://sites.google.com/a/watertown.k12.ma.us/whs-guidance/
Course Selection Update for Parents/Guardians
On April 28, 8th-11th grade students should have received an email from Shirley Lundberg via SchoolMessenger with information about accessing their course requests for the 20-21 school year. (Students should search "SchoolMessenger" in their email if they are having trouble finding it.) Students were also asked to complete an Elective Selection form by April 29 indicating their elective choices.
In the next several days, those elective choices, as well as teacher recommendations, will be visible in PowerSchool. When all of these requests are visible, we will send an email to students asking them to:
1. Log in to PowerSchool to view their course requests.
2. Complete a form confirming that they have: 1) reviewed their course requests and 2) shared those requests with a parent/guardian. Within this form, students will have the opportunity to request changes to electives, note that they are in the process of appealing a course recommendation, or complete the elective selection form if they had not completed it by April 29.
Rest assured that if your student missed the April 29 deadline they will be able to request their electives in this new form. Thank you for your patience as we work through this process differently this year!
Adrienne Eaton
Lead Guidance Counselor
Watertown High School
50 Columbia Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Guidance News: https://sites.google.com/a/watertown.k12.ma.us/whs-guidance/
Progress report comments are available!
Shirley Lundberg, Principal
Picture Collages, Yearbooks and PTSO news
Seniors: We want to celebrate everybody's plans for next year, be they the military, college, or career. Please send a picture of you to the class Instagram and visit the page for more details.
It's not too late for seniors to order a yearbook. Here are the steps to do so:
1. Go to jostens.com
2. In the pop-up window, make sure you select the Watertown High School in MA and not one in CT or NY
3. Select 2020 Yearbook
4. Select "Order now"
5. Fill out the info
Seniors received a celebratory yard sign, delivered to their homes last Tuesday evening. Thanks to all of the volunteers and donors who made this possible! The PTSO is creating a photo collage of students posing with their yard signs. Please take a picture of yourself with your sign, and send it to: watertownptso@gmail.com.
Also from the PTSO: If you are interested in donating to the PTSO's fund for recognitions for the Class of 2020, please click here: https://go.rallyup.com/whs2020
Do you or anyone you know need help or support?
A Message from the Counseling Team: We know these are extremely difficult times for kids and families as well as staff, and we are here to support you and your students. During quarantine, we are working with teachers, students, and families to help students develop schedules, organize their work, manage their sleep, and communicate with the larger WHS community. We see many students struggling with isolation, low motivation, depression, and feelings of disconnection. If you need support during this time or if you are worried about any student, we encourage you to reach out to any of us as well as guidance anytime, by phone, e-mail, or zoom. Becket, Teresa, Teddy, John, Felicia and Bethany (Community Outreach Social Worker)
The Hope Squad is a club focused on mental health education, student support, and reducing stigma in accessing mental health services. Hope Squad has been meeting weekly on Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. For more information contact rebecca.rhodes@watertown.k12.ma.us or teresa.malone@watertown.k12.ma.us
Need Community Service Hours?
The Watertown Boys and Girls Club needs volunteers to tutor students through Zoom. Please contact Rhode Moise at moise@watertownbgc.org for additional information.
The Class of 2022 has created a great opportunity to gain community service hours, as well as put a smile on the faces of the young children of Watertown. We ask that you film a video of yourself reading a picture book and send it to Carly MacCormack, Emma Fallon, or Ms. Glencross to be uploaded on a website that has been made. It is not mandatory, but this is a great way to get community service hours from home! Feel free to read more than one story, as this will be shared with all of the elementary school teachers and families once we have started compiling videos. You will be granted an hour of community service for every two books you read (please make them separate videos). The Class of 2022 officers will be happy to answer any questions that you have. We can’t wait to see your videos!
The Watertown Senior Center is looking for students to work remotely with senior citizens to give them technical assistance with Zoom, Facebook, and other online sites. Please contact the program director, Marina Kirsanova by email at mkirsanova@watertown-ma.gov or by phone at 617-972-6490.
Spring Athletic Fee Refunds
Refunds of fees paid for the Spring 2020 season are being processed and will be sent directly to the address of the person who initiated the payment. We are making every effort to expedite refunds.
We will post more information including senior athletic awards as it becomes available.
Need help with your homework?
The Freshmen Physics Tutor Group is back! If you are looking for some help with your physics work stop by on Zoom, Wednesdays 3:30pm-4:15pm. See your physics teachers for the Zoom link or email Caiden and Eli: Do you need help with a writing assignment or paper? You're in luck! The WHS Writing Lab is now available virtually. If you'd like some help, reach out to Ms. Adkanian (aryana.adkanian@watertown.k12.ma.us) and join her Google Classroom (join code: twgiol2). The Writing Lab's Classroom has a place for students to virtually submit a paper for feedback, a general discussion questions forum, and instructional materials on the writing process.
WHS Library/Media Center Newsletter
Digital Learning & Technology
Click here for the WPS Extended Learning Site
Join us for WHS Bi-weekly Family Technology Support Sessions
Upcoming Dates: May 21 and June 4
Time: 5:30 - 6
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/96322103140?pwd=anR4QXR4OWNSMXRjR0REcTBucTJhdz09 Meeting ID: 963 2210 3140 Password: 985579
Wellness Wednesday Newsletter
Guidance is hosting Office Hours, please check your student email for dates and times.
Several Clubs are still meeting!
The Deep and Meaningful Conversation Club will be meeting every Tuesday from 4-5 pm! If you are interested, contact Caiden Kiani at cakian120@watertown.k12.ma.us
No Place for Hate Club is going to meet every Friday at 3:00. Contact Ms. Bouhafs for more information at mona.bouhafs@watertown.k12.ma.us
Art Club will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 4-5pm on Zoom. Feel free to drop in, even if you've never come to our in person meetings! We will do fun and different activities. Please email Ms.Mann, angela.mann@watertown.k12.ma.us before the next meeting on 4/22 so I can let you know what materials we will be working with. Thanks! Hope to see you there.
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/91254665089?pwd=ZVA1dHp5RXlHT2VLdzJJNmVGaGQwQT09
Meeting ID: 912 5466 5089 Password: 045365
The Puzzle Club will have its weekly Zoom meeting on Thursday at 4 PM. The link to the Zoom Meeting is posted on the Puzzle Club Google Classroom.
The Comic Graphic Novel and Animation Club will meet virtually once a week. The club will meet on Thursdays at 2:30PM. https://zoom.us/j/97056742778?pwd=a1dqSGd5elBRdjVWOGFUalFhVzI5dz09 Meeting ID: 970 5674 2778 Password: 5zKfvV