Principal's Weekly Update
February 4, 2021
Dear Wamsutta Families,
Good morning.
I have extremely important information regarding 9th grade course selection for all 8th grade families below. We will be working with the guidance department at AHS virtually to complete this process on Monday and Tuesday of next week. You should have received an email from the AHS Principal, Mr. Runey, earlier this week. If you haven't received it or haven't read it, it is important that you read the below information.
For all our families, please know that we had our first day of pool testing yesterday and it was successful. You can expect to receive updates about the results of the testing in a timely manner. We were able to test over 85% of staff and 33% of Cohort A students. We hope to get greater participation in the program over the coming weeks. The "how-to" consent guide is below. If any pools return as positive, family notifications and follow-up individual testing will happen Monday.
I also have the new out-of-state travel guidance for families, news for families that qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch which may be helpful, a PTO Zoom meeting link, and a second notice from the APL about their tutoring program below.
Joseph Connor, WMS
Principal
ATTENTION 8th GRADE FAMILIES! COURSE SELECTION INFORMATION BELOW
February 4, 2021
Dear Grade 8 Students and Families,
As promised, it’s now time to start the Course Selection process for freshman year at AHS! I just wanted to take the opportunity to provide an overview and some resources.
The process will be coordinated by the AHS Guidance Team who will connect virtually with each of our three middle schools. The process will take place during school time next week (primarily February 8 & 9).
Here are three links to better familiarize you with the course selection process:
- The Grade 9 Course Offerings Booklet. This document includes courses and their descriptions. Scroll to the last two pages for the very helpful Course Request Worksheet.
- Screencastify Video. Got 5 minutes? Watch this tutorial to learn more selecting courses. It also previews what you’ll be doing at school on February 8 and 9.
- Questions and Answers. Use this form to ask questions. AHS Guidance Counselors will either answer your questions when they present to you next week or will email a response to you.
Some additional information to consider:
- All Course Requests are exported at the same time. No middle school has an advantage over the other.
- We schedule all 8th graders, no matter where they plan to attend high school. This prevents any student from being shut out of classes should plans change.
For any questions, please use the Google form listed in #3 above.
Please follow us on Facebook; Instagram; and Twitter for the latest happenings at AHS! Have a wonderful day!
In the strongest sense of Blue Pride, I remain,
Bill Runey
Principal
Consent for Testing
Although we have started testing and will continue next week, we still have many families who have not done the consent workflow in Aspen. Whether responding yes or no to the testing, I would appreciate it if every family would complete the process. Again, I welcome any questions.
The directions on how to complete this process in Aspen is below.
Free and Reduced Lunch Benefits
Click here for more information in multiple languages.
Student and Family Travel Policy: Revised
PTO
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77860329765?pwd=YnF3RWxiSGx5eFp1RUhiQTVDRHA0UT09
Meeting ID: 778 6032 9765
Passcode: Yj8iLa
Second Notice: Attleboro Public Library Tutoring Opportunity
We are deeply indebted to Meghan Witherell, the Tween/Teen Librarian at the APL for the following information:
There is a new resource that the Attleboro Public Library is offering: they now subscribe to Brainfuse HelpNow, which offers FREE online live tutoring to youth and adults, as well as many other amazing learning supports. We know that this year has been a trying one so found a service that will hopefully help support students at home during this time.
Please see below for more information on Brainfuse HelpNow. It can be easily accessed through the APL's website in several locations, under the "elibrary," "children's," and "teens" tabs. Here is the direct link to the Brainfuse HelpNow site where a student would log in using their library card information. This link is to a YouTube video we created that briefly explains how to find the links on our website, log in, and some of the services offered by Brainfuse HelpNow. One important thing to note, live tutoring and other services are offered in English AND Spanish, students have the option to choose which of the two languages they would like their tutor to communicate in.
Below is the press release from Ms. Witherell and the APL.
Running Notice: Yearbook Ordering Available
Yearbook ordering is open and can be found here.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, February 8
- Cohort A Pool Testing
- Cohort A Reflex Testing for any individuals in positive pools
Tuesday, February 9
- Cohort B Pool Testing
- PTO Meeting at 6:30
Thursday, February 11
- Cohort A Reflex Testing for any individuals in positive pools
Friday, February 12
- Cohort B Reflex Testing for any individuals in positive pools
February 15-19
- Winter Break / No school
Wamsutta Middle School
Email: jconnor@attleboroschools.com
Website: http://wms.attleboroschools.com/
Location: 300 Locust Street, Attleboro, MA
Phone: (508)223-1540
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wamsuttamiddleschool
Twitter: @WamsuttaMS