Principal's Weekly Update
December 18, 2020
Dear Wamsutta Families,
Good afternoon.
I hope all in our community are dealing with the many weather- and COVID-related curveballs we are getting as well as can be expected. We are doing our best here at WMS to make things as clear for students and families as we can, and please let us know if you are confused about anything.
I have two big updates this week. The first is about what everyone should expect in light of the School Committee's vote last night to be fully remote for at least two weeks in January and the second is a notice for 5th graders about new Chromebooks. I also have flu clinic information as well.
I also want to let families know that bringing in an extra bag on their next in person day is a good idea. Teachers may wish to send students home with extra supplies for kids to use while we are fully remote. It may also help the 5th graders get their new Chromebooks home safely. I think a two-handled, reusable grocery bag should do the trick.
I hope everyone enjoyed the "traditional" snow day we had yesterday at least a bit, and your remote learning is going well today.
Joseph Connor, WMS
Principal
ALL STUDENTS REMOTE STARTING JANUARY 4
Just like today, all students in all Cohorts will be expected to log in to Homeroom for attendance and a brief morning meeting. Unlike today, all students in all Cohorts are expected to log in for their google meet classes every period. Attendance will be taken for each class period. After some synchronous, whole class instruction, teachers will break kids intro small groups, send them off to do asynchronous work, and so on. The schedule will mirror our daily in-person schedule with slight adjustments for lunchtimes, and the Wednesday schedule will be longer for students, with asynchronous time both shorted a bit and moved to the middle of the day.
I will send schedules for each student with times and links to the appropriate google classrooms and meets on Wednesday before break, and I will send them again so they are at the top of student and family inboxes on Sunday, January 3.
Attention 5th Graders (AVA too) and Their Families!
We have finally received the Chromebooks that all 5th graders should have received in September.
On Monday for Cohort A, and Tuesday for Cohort B, all students who already have a school issued Chromebook should bring the Chromebook and its charger to school to be swapped out for a brand new machine. Students who have a school-issued Chromebook will not be given a new one unless they return the one they have and its charger. Students who have been bringing their own devices will be given a new school issued one to take home. They will be sent home in the box they came in to make sure they get home undamaged.
5th Grade AVA students with school-issued Chromebooks can come to the office on Wednesday, December 23rd from 8-12 to swap out their old loaner for their new machine. If you can't make this time, just call our office and we will arrange another time.
These Chromebooks are for students to keep until the end of their time at WMS, and they will get a new one as they head into their first year at AHS.
Last Notice: Flu Clinic Info
In our efforts to provide the seasonal Flu vaccine to all APS families, we will be hosting a Flu Clinic on 12.19.2020 for all APS students and their families. Flyers are below in Spanish and English.
The State of Massachusetts Department of Public Health has mandated that the influenza immunization is required for all children 6 months of age or older who are attending Massachusetts child-care, pre-school, kindergarten, K-12, and colleges and universities. All students are required to have received a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020 for the 2020-2021 influenza season, unless either a medical or religious exemption is provided.
Attleboro Public Schools and the Health Lifestyle Alliance will be hosting a Flu Clinic on 12/19/2020 from 10am-1pm for all APS families and students. Those with health insurance and over 9 years old will receive the vaccine from a CVS pharmacist, free with most insurance. Those without insurance or under 9 years old will receive the vaccine free from an Attleboro City Health Nurse. Please see flyer attached for more information or register by clicking the appropriate link below.
For students under 9 years old or anyone without health insurance visit:
https://appt.link/family-support-desk/APSfluclinic
For students and families with health insurance and over 9 years old visit:
https://www.cvs.com/vaccine/intake/clinic/imz-select
Virtual After School Activities
The next Harry Potter Book Club will be January 12 at 3:30. Contact Ms. James at jjames@attleboroschools.com if interested.
Our friends at the SMARTS Collaborative are also offering after school activities for a fee in January. They will be holding a virtual version of Investigation Design which is the after-school club they = have held in Attleboro elementary schools since 2017. The other program is a new program for students in grades 4-8 called Design a Dream House which is an architecture based program taught by Jan Ham who is the executive director and master teacher of Children’s Design Studio. Click below for more information.
Running Notice: Yearbook Ordering Available
Yearbook ordering is open and can be found here.
DATES TO REMEMBER
December 24 - January 1
- Holiday Break
January 4-15 (at minimum)
- ALL STUDENTS FULLY REMOTE
Thursday, January 7
- Parent Conferences Rescheduled From 12.17 3-5 PM
Tuesday, January 12
- Virtual PTO @ 6:30 - Link provided soon
Monday, January 18
- No School - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
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