Message from Principal Costello
August 28, 2022
October 30, 2022
Good Afternoon Murphy Families,
I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful weekend. Please see below for some important updates and repeated information. We look forward to finishing up the month with Black and Orange Day tomorrow 10/31/22. We encourage students to wear black and orange if they would like. (No Costumes Please)
Weymouth Food Pantry - Thanksgiving Info
Thanksgiving:
- The Weymouth Food Pantry is in planning mode for Thanksgiving. If any of family needs help with Thanksgiving food, please sign up at the link below. This is open to all Weymouth residents in need of assistance, there are no requirements other than signing up in advance. https://www.weymouthfoodpantry.org/sign-up-for-a-meal
District Review Information
AIR will be conducting a virtual family focus group on Tuesday, 11/1/2022, from 6:00-
7:00pm EST to gather perspectives on communication with families, opportunities for family
involvement and leadership, opportunities for students within the district, and more. If you are
interested in joining, please register ahead of time at this LINK.
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has contracted with the
American Institutes for Research (AIR) to conduct a district review of Weymouth Public Schools. The
purpose of the district review is to provide formative and actionable feedback on district practices,
enabling district leaders to reflect on progress and strengthen staff and student performance.
PBIS - ROAR Assembly
We had 2 great assemblies on Friday (K-2, 3-5) to celebrate our amazing ROAR behavior throughout the school, to recognize some awesome ST Math accomplishments with our math coach and to discuss "emotion words" with our students at all grade levels. We also introduced a great extension activity (The Name Jar) that we invite families to explore with students at home.
Changing Weather / Warm Clothes
While the fall has treated us to many high temperature days, please remember to send in coats for the chilly days ahead (as we will continue to go outside for recess).
Family Conferences
Parent Council
Celtics tickets
All 75 tickets have been sold. Thank you to those who purchased - if you bought tickets Parent Council will be in touch in the coming weeks with additional ticket information. It should be a great night!
Bake Sale
Our annual bake sale is on Election Day (11/8) at Murphy. We are still looking for volunteers to bake and work the table that day. If you know of a former Murphy student who is now at the High School and needs community service hours, they are welcome to sign up to volunteer that day for community service hours.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CA9AF2BAAF49-special
Parent Council meeting
The next Parent Council meeting is 11/9 at 6:30 in the Murphy gym. We hope you will join us.
PBIS Weekly ROAR students
We are excited to continue our PBIS (positive behavior intervention and supports) program this year. As part of the program, we will continue our tradition of recognizing students from each room on a weekly basis for their demonstration of Respect, Owning actions, Achievement and Responsibility (ROAR).
A message from our Nurse
Please take a moment to read a message from our nurse.
Art Newsletter
Our amazing art teacher, Ms. Ratta, invites you to view her September Newsletter.
Important Reminders - Transportation, Food Services, Technology
Transportation:
Information regarding bus transportation can be found on our district website transportation page.
Bus routes are subject to change as we continue to add new riders and stops accordingly. Please email transportation questions to Transportation@weymouthps.org.
Food Service:
WPS will be providing free meals to all students once again this school year. Families who would normally apply for the free/reduced lunch program should still apply here to remain eligible for other district benefits, such as free bus and reduced user fees.
Technology:
If you require assistance or support with a technical issue this school year, please submit a request through the following links:
Family Technical Support - use any valid email address.
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Children may bring lunch or purchase lunch in our cafeteria. A child will never be left without lunch. If forgotten, we will provide lunch. Breakfast is available each morning from 8:50 - 9:05. For the 2022-2023 school year, breakfast and lunch will be free of charge.
Please note that even though meals will be free for all, it is very important for families to still complete the household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2022-2023 school year.
We encourage you to complete the online application, or a paper application, on the food services webpage: https://www.weymouthschools.org/district/food-services/pages/free-and-reduced-application-and-information
We strongly encourage all families to submit this application as it allows us to establish eligibility for P-EBT benefits, other fees within the district, and serve families most effectively.
ATTENDANCE
A child's successful growth (academic and socially) is greatly enhanced by consistent attendance in school. We enjoy working with our students and families to form and sustain these healthy habits that will firmly plant our students on the road to success.
When a child is absent, please call the school by 9:15 am and provide a note upon return.
Massachusetts law requires compulsory attendance for all students. Chapter 76, section 1 of the Massachusetts General Laws requires all children between the ages of six and sixteen to attend school. The school must uphold state laws relative to student attendance. We strongly discourage family vacations or trips abroad when school is in session. In addition to violating the attendance law, family vacations or trips abroad interrupt the educational process of each course in ways that make-up work cannot reverse. As such, WPS works with our School Resource Officers and outside agencies when there is cause for concern with attendance.
Dismissal / End of Day Procedures
EARLY DISMISSALS
Please send in a note when dismissing your child. This helps to remind the office and the teacher of the dismissal time. Please do not dismiss your child early to avoid the traffic. This is extremely disruptive to the classroom when teachers are assigning homework, passing out notices, or completing other necessary tasks. When a child is dismissed by someone other than a parent/guardian, we require identification and a signature for release.
REGULAR DISMISSAL
Please send a note to the school if your child is changing their regular routine of dismissal. This includes walkers, after-school care and the bus. Please do not leave this responsibility to your child. If a note is not received, your child will follow their routine for the specific day of the week.
MEDICATION POLICY
The Weymouth Public Schools Health Services Department encourages that medication is administered before and after school, if possible.
When medication is needed during school hours, there must be a physician’s order and a parental permission form with the medication in the prescribed container, or it cannot be given.
Medication must be delivered to the school in a pharmacy or manufacturer labeled container by the parent, guardian, or responsible adult. (Medications are not accepted in such things as plastic bags.) Children are not permitted to bring medication to school.
Please contact Ms. Boland, our school nurse, for the proper forms, which must accompany all medications.
Important District Information:
- Tech Support for Families
- Champions Before and After School Care - 781-812-8735 or lolee@discoverchampions.com
- Blackboard Communications - Opt In and Opt Out Instructions
- SEPAC - Click here for meeting schedule
- Town Wide Parent Council - Meets the Second Tuesday of Each Month
COVID Resources
- DESE/DPH School Guidance
- Video: How to Administer an At-Home COVID Test
- Text Guide: How Do I Administer an At-Home COVID test?
- Weymouth Public Schools Transportation Webpage
Arrival and Dismissal Updates - Please share with anyone who picks up for your family.
Please view this document and accompanying diagrams for our traffic flow and arrival / dismissal procedures.
Please remember:
(1) Our traffic flow is ONE WAY (see diagram). Please do not go "out through the in door" as this creates a safety hazard for pedestrians and a traffic hazard for our regular traffic line.
(2) Please remember that parking spaces on the left hand side (along the tree line) are for school staff and Champions staff. Please do not park there.
(3) Out back, please remain stationary until it is time for everyone to leave. "Moving up" in the line and driving between the 2 lanes of cars creates a potentially dangerous situation.
In the afternoon, please pull forward as far as possible (rather than stopping near a specific door). It is essential that we get all cars in off the street and when bottlenecks form in the line, it quickly becomes. a problem.
Thank you, everyone, for doing your part to help us maintain safe and smooth dismissal procedures.
District Links:
Additional Resources:
- Champions Before & After School Care
- Aspen Family Portal
- Family Engagement Center (Registration)
- Backpack Program - Food assistance for students in need