Middle School Newsletter
January 2022
From the Principal:
Dear Parents,
We have reached January, the middle of the school year. Organization and time management can be challenging for many students. We appreciate family support. More and more is being asked of our students and many are rising up to the challenges. As you know our grading system reflects individual academic performance levels (APL) and work habits (WH) separately. As questions arise, please feel free to ask the faculty or me.
The primary method used at WMS to communicate student proficiency and progress is Schoology. Parents are able to see their child’s grades and assignment in real time. Contact our main office at 315-589-9665 to sign up for a Schoology account. In addition, we encourage students to use their SAB’s as a tool to support their learning and communication from school to home. Of course, phone calls, Schoology messaging and emails are other effective ways to communicate with teachers.
Parents, ask your children for details about what they learned in each of their classes each day and what they have due. What books are they currently reading? What writing pieces are they working on? How does what they are doing in Math, Science and Technology relate to the real world?
Finally, continue to establish a routine for their classwork and completing homework. If your child is continuing to struggle, contact the teacher involved to see if we can further support them. I know time is precious, but try to set time to pleasure read 20 minutes per night. It can be a meaningful family event that promotes literacy.
We appreciate the continued support you are able to provide to your children. These collective efforts ensure your child’s continued growth throughout another challenging school year.
John E. Fulmer, Principal
Williamson Middle School
From the Assistant Principal:
Greetings from the Assistant Principal,
As 2021 draws to a close, the school and the community continue to face the challenges of the public health crisis. During the year, we have learned a lot about the resilience of our students. As students have returned to in-person learning, they have been able to make tremendous gains. The routine and interaction with friends and peers has improved their overall outlook.
As a parent, you can continue to support your child in learning at home. At 5th and 6th grade, ensuring they have their math facts (add, subtract, multiply, divide) learned will be critical to their future success in upper level math. As readers, it is critical they have the ability to decode and comprehend. As parents of 7th and 8th grade students, encourage your child to challenge themselves and explore all the extracurricular opportunities the Middle School offers.
It is our great hope that 2022 brings us all a measure of normalcy. We wish everyone a safe and healthy 2022.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email or call at (315) 589-9665.
Kathryn Taylor
Middle School Assistant Principal
From the Health Office:
Flu Season is here. The flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. You have the power to protect yourself and your family this season with these three actions to fight flu.
1. Get a flu vaccine. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible, but it can be given anytime during flu season. A yearly flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. As long as flu viruses are circulating, it is not too late to get vaccinated!
2. Take everyday actions to stop the spread of germs. Wash your hands often with soap and water and cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you become sick, limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them.
3. Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them. If you get the flu, medicine, called antiviral drugs, can be used to treat flu illness. Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
Learn more at: www.nfid.org/flu
A few things are different for the 2021-2022 influenza (flu) season, including:
- The composition of flu vaccines has been updated.
- All flu vaccines will be quadrivalent (four component), meaning designed to protect against four different flu viruses. For more information: Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine | CDC.
- Licensure on one flu vaccine has changed. Flucelvax Quadrivalent is now approved for people 6 months and older.
- Flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time.
- More detailed guidance about the recommended timing of flu vaccination for some groups of people is available.
- Guidance concerning contraindications and precautions for the use of two flu vaccines – Flucevax Quadrivalent and Flublok Quadrivalent – were updated.
- There were some changes to CDC’s flu surveillance systems.
Learn more at: www.cdc.gov
Please contact the Middle School Health Office at 315-589-9665 x 3520 if you have any questions or concerns.
Wishing you all a safe and Happy New Year!
Tammy A. LaBarr, RN
Middle School Nurse
Mega Arts Day
Paper Bag Journals
Paper Bag Journals
Shaving Cream Marble Paper
JANUARY CALENDAR
JANUARY LUNCH MENU
Student of the Month for December 2021
Adelyn Wing - For all PRIDE attributes!
Jakob Kramer - For all PRIDE attributes!
Matthew Casanzio - For all PRIDE attributes!
Lily Crawford - Perseverance and all other attributes!
6th Grade
Dennis Scuderi - Exhibiting PRIDE behaviors for the month!
Chase Shaver - Exhibiting PRIDE behaviors for the month!
Kayley Thornton - Exhibiting PRIDE behaviors for the month!
Georgie Alexander - Exhibiting PRIDE behaviors for the month!
Donovan Collar - Exhibiting PRIDE behaviors for the month!
7th Grade
Ellie Alexander - Excellence!
Madison Watson - Excellence!
Aurora Higbee - Perseverance!
Gavin Brooks - Integrity!
Travis Towne - Completing assignments in all areas!
8th Grade
Breanna Shaver - All PRIDE attributes!
Halle Verbridge - All PRIDE attributes!
Logan Igler - All PRIDE attributes!
Cohen Burggraaff - All PRIDE attributes!
YEARBOOK
District Communication
WILLIAMSON PTSA NEWS!
Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WilliamsonCSDPTSA OR click “PTSA” in the left-hand column at www.williamsoncentral.org
NEXT MEETING
We look forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting on Tuesday, January 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Elementary School library.
DISTRICT APPROVAL for VOLUNTEERING
Interested in helping with an event during the school year? Just complete an application to become a district-approved volunteer (unless you have been approved during a previous school year - then you’re all set!). There is a notary at the District Office who can assist you with finalizing your application - just call ahead (315-589-9661) to make sure the notary will be on-site when you plan to stop in! And don’t forget to bring your ID! It’s a quick process with years of payoff in being a part of your child’s school experiences.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dec 23rd - Jan 2nd - Winter break NO SCHOOL
January 17th - NO SCHOOL
Box Tops are changing to fit today's families. The new and improved Box Tops mobile app uses state-of-the-art technology to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to your school's earnings online. To get started, download the Box Tops for Education app onto your mobile device. It’s a free app! Create a new account or sign into your existing account. The app will guide through each step from there. No more clipping! Just scan your receipts!
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
If you are interested in keeping up on PTSA happenings and volunteer opportunities but can’t always attend meetings, please get in touch with us on our facebook page (www.facebook.com/WilliamsonCSDPTSA) or by e-mailing any of our officers (contact info below). Join us in continuing the tradition of commitment and service our PTSA has provided to our district’s students!
MEMBERSHIP
We are collecting PTSA membership renewals and new memberships!
Becoming a member is a very simple and quick way to support programming for our students! Download the Membership Brochure form from the PTSA page on the district website (click Community > PTSA at www.williamsoncentral.org).
DID YOU KNOW?
Amazon.com now helps raise money for our schools? Tens of millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for donations. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages. To get started, sign in to
smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone browser.
From your desktop, go to Your Account from the navigation at the top of any page, and then select the option to Change your Charity. Or, from your mobile browser, select Change your
Charity from the options at the bottom of the page.
Select a new charitable organization to support. Type in PTA New York Congress. Enter the code 07-217 and select WSPTSA. .5% of your purchase will automatically go towards the Williamson PTSA. It’s that easy!
REACH OUT TO US
President: Rachel Higbee
Vice President: Kristin Adams-Wangler
Treasurer: Stephen Adams
Secretary: Jen Manahan
Williamson Central School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education program or activities, including employment, as is required by Title IX. Furthermore, Williamson Central School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, marital status, age, sexual orientation, or disability in admissions, participation or employment. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX may be directed to the Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights of the Department of Education or to the District’s Title IX Coordinator, Kathryn Avery, who can be reached at Williamson Central School District, 5891 Route 21, P.O. Box 900, Williamson, NY 14589, via email at kavery@williamsoncentral.org, or via telephone at (315) 589-9661.