Spry Newsletter
October 16th. 2020
Principal News
Spry families,
Thank you for your ongoing communication and teamwork. We are in this together! This is a school year like no other. We continue to have restrictions and limitations that we must follow for safety reasons. Safety of our students and staff will always be our first priority. What we believe is that our students, teachers, and parents/guardians are trying their best to figure all of this out. There may be times when your child has questions and/or needs support.
Please first reach out to your child’s teacher and counselor if you have any questions or need support. If you need further support from administration, please contact your child’s house assistant principal or me. We will also reach out to you, to work together to support your child, when needed. We will also reach out to tell you the wonderful things that are working well and the fantastic things your child is doing. There are way more positive things happening than anything else. Our Spry MS staff, students and families are wonderful.
We continue to maintain strict policies and procedures for safety precautions. Please continue to reinforce and follow these general procedures and precautions:
Wear a face mask over the mouth and nose, do not pull it down to speak to others. When removing it, pull it off from the band that goes around the ears, not from touching the front of it.
Try to refrain from touching the outside of your mask.
Do not pull your face mask off if within 6 feet of others.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a 60% or higher alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
Clean and disinfect shared surfaces before and after using them.
Thank you for all you do to support your child and Spry MS.
Sincerely,
Jackie Saunders
Interim Principal
SUPERINTENDENT NEWS
3:00 p.m.
Dear Webster CSD Parents/Guardians,
As I shared with all district families earlier this week, we were notified by the Monroe
County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) that a few members of our district community have recently tested positive for COVID-19. While not unexpected, I do understand that hearing this news can be unsettling. I think it is realistic to expect that we will see additional cases in the foreseeable future. However, I would suspect that based on the science behind infection, contact tracing results (not only here in Webster, but throughout our region), and Dr. Mendoza’s guidance, these cases are occurring outside of our buildings.
Our district’s masking, physical distancing, and hand sanitizing safety protocols have kept the incidence of exposure low within our schools, and that means that typically there is no further need to quarantine additional people (other than immediate family members) even when a student or staff member tests positive. As a reminder, exposure is defined by the CDC as being in the presence of someone with COVID-19 for a period of time greater than 15 minutes, without a mask, and closer than six feet.
I am grateful to all of you for stressing to your child(ren) how important our safety protocols are to not only keep your child(ren) healthy, but to help keep all of those around them healthy too! I believe that the safety protocols we have in place for our hybrid learning model make it sustainable and one that I can see carrying us to June. I also continue to be thankful to our 100% remote students for practicing these safety protocols when they are out and about in our community. We all need to do this together, especially as we head into flu season.
Lastly, I’m asking all of our parents/guardians to complete the LINKED SURVEY regarding the first seven weeks of school. We are eager to hear your thoughts on how asynchronous days are going for your child(ren) and how technology is running in your households. Most importantly, we want to get a sense of how we can be more helpful to you. We'll share those survey results at some point in the near future. Thank you in advance for taking a few minutes to complete it.
Thank you for your continued vigilance when it comes to keeping our child(ren) and our entire community safe and healthy. As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Sincerely,
Carmen Gumina
Superintendent of Schools
After School Clubs/Activities/Support
WCSD Equity and Diversity Webpage
WCSD Equity and Diversity Webpage -
https://www.websterschools.org/districtpage.cfm?pageid=1874
Hispanic Heritage Committee site -
https://sites.google.com/webstercsd.org/hhc/home?authuser=0
Includes a calendar with live links for community events (virtual, asynchronous)
Link directly to the calendar - https://sites.google.com/webstercsd.org/hhc/events/calendar?authuser=0
DRAMA CLUB NEWS
Great news! Drama Club is starting! We have some exciting acting and singing opportunities that we will be explaining at our Information Meeting on Wednesday October 21st at 4:30. The meeting will take place by Google Meet. The link to the Google Meeting is on the Drama Club Google Classroom. Please join as soon as possible using code tpalbaf. See you soon!
Spry Library
Washington DC Trip-7th Grade Students
Attention 7th Grade Students and Families:
We are in the initial stages of planning the 8th grade Washington DC trip for the Class of 2026. Please be on the lookout for an email over the next few weeks with fundraising information.
PARENT DROP OFF AND PICK UP
Please see the maps attached to see where the drop off zone starts, just past the gym doors. Since drop off has gone pretty smoothly, we have moved the drop off area closer to the gym doors. This will get students closer to the doors they need to go in. We will still be asking if you have completed the PikMyKid app each morning. If not, the child will go into the red/white house doors to be screened.
At dismissal, students who are getting picked up are directed to exit the red/white house or gym doors. Pick up will be two lanes to help keep the cars off of Sanford Street and in the parking lot, as well as to help us load quicker. We will now have a loading area that starts at the front of the line and goes up until the gym doors. Students will not be allowed to get into cars beyond this area. With that said, it is important that parents/guardians look out for children and each other, being cautious while pulling into the passing lane after picking up your child/children. Students are also partners in this safety measure by only loading and crossing in the designated area, looking both ways when crossing, and waiting for adults to direct them.
There are many students who walk, ride their scooters and bikes to school too. Students need to use crosswalks and wait for the light to signal to cross, and stay on the sidewalks or side of the road. On some side roads, there are no sidewalks, drivers please remember to drive slowly and stop at stop signs, and always look out for pedestrians.
Bus riders will exit the blue house doors. This will make the flow of students go more smoothly, as well as keep students inside as much as possible on rainy and snowy days.
Maps of drops off and pick up. We have ordered signage for the loop, as well.
Thank you for working together to make this process run smoothly and keeping everyone safe.
Drop off ends @ 8:45 am. After 8:45 am please go the the MAIN ENTRANCE.
School Pictures - Retakes Nov. 5th and 6th during lunches.
Attendance
PTSA
WebsterPTSA.org/Join (join/renew),
WebsterPTSA.org/eNews (newsletter sub)
WebsterPTSA.org/Social (social media links by building)
Reminder PTSA is a very important group please consider joining!
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
HOMEWORK HELP
Math Lab
Math Lab is OPEN virtually
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 11:00 to 2:00
Monday evening from 7:00 to 8:00
Wednesday from 9:00 to 11:00
You can visit for one question, get your homework checked or we can work on your classwork or homework together.
Mrs. Hunt
Math Lab google classroom for students who want to use the math lab.
The code is: s7czkn3.
VIRTUAL LEARNING EXPECTATIONS
Masks
Jostens' Yearbooks
Here is the link: https://images.jostens.com/415603996
Good Afternoon Partner in Positive Youth Development!
As the autumn leaves continue to fall, our programming starts to ratchet up available events for our youth. The next available event is the annual Intergenerational Fall Clean-up on Saturday, November 14th. In an effort to practice safe social distancing we will be welcoming groups of volunteers in different time slots beginning at 9am.
The annual Intergenerational Fall Clean-up is coming November 14th!
This is a great opportunity for youth to serve our community and gain needed service hours as we help housebound seniors rake leaves and clear their yards of fall debris. Groups are welcome to join and serve together, or meet new youth from around the community and work together helping those in need. We will meet at Monroe Community Hospital at 9 am and then go into the community to help our registered seniors. We will also provide a FREE shirt, refreshments, and the necessary tools for the job.
Have your youth register to volunteer at: tinyurl.com/MonroeCountyFallCleanUp
Please contact me if you have any questions by email at haliradecker@monroecounty.gov, or by phone at 753-6953. Thank you for your time and cooperation!
Hali R. Radecker | YAR & Special Events Coordinator | RMCYB
435 East Henrietta Road, 3rd Floor-Faith Wing
Rochester, New York 14620
585-753-6953
Make sure your Chromebook is working and ready!
The Chromebook Repair Center will reopen at Webster Schroeder High School in the main entrance vestibule on:
Tuesday, September 8th
Hours will be
Monday 7:30-3:30
Tuesday 7:30-3:30
Wednesday 11:00-7:00
Thursday 7:30-3:30
Friday 8:00- 2:00
Families may also call 265-6400, extension 2 for device support
Spry Chromebook Assistance
Students may come down Periods 1,4,5,6 to Sam Bell in Tech room 120.
Chromebook policy prohibits loaners being given to students who forget their Chromebooks at home or do not charge the battery. Loaners are provided for students whose Chromebook is physically damaged, lost or not functioning properly. For those students with dead batteries, there are several chargers on site for their use, but they have to leave their Chromebook for at least two class periods to charge.
FOOD SERVICE
Your child can check into Homeroom and then head to the cafeteria for a free breakfast of their choice.
Medication/Nurse
Dispensing Medications
The District strongly recommends that all medication be administered to students under the supervision of the nurse. If you must take any prescription or over-the-counter medication during school hours and/or at school-related events, State Law requires the following:
1. A written request from your health care provider
2. A written request from your parent/guardian
3. Medication in a pharmacy- labeled container for prescription medications and original manufacturer’s container for over-the counter medications
4. Medication delivered to the nurse by an adult, unless required documentation for Independent Use and Carry of Medication is on file and approved by the nurse
*You may not store medication in your locker nor carry and/or take medication in school or at school-sponsored events unless the required documentation is submitted to the Health Office. This includes prescription and over-the counter medication, dietary pills, supplements and vitamins. If you carry or use unauthorized medication or share medication with other students, you will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the District’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy, including suspension from school and referral to the CAP program.
F.I.R.E.
Equity and diversity are catching F.I.R.E. in the Webster community!
Families Igniting Racial Equity (F.I.R.E.) is a vibrant, parent-led organization whose mission is to build a racially- and economically-just community. Spearheaded by the school district, the group includes members from throughout our community -- parents, concerned family members, and allies passionate about One Webster!
Watch district social media for upcoming meeting notices. For further information on being a part of this growing organization, please contact Terry McCarthy, Webster CSD Director of Humanities, at terrance_mccarthy@webstercsd.org or (585) 216-0080.
Together we can help Webster blaze a trail in creating a more equitable and inclusive community!
F.I.R.E. meetings for 2020-21. These will occur virtually.
Here is the schedule -
9/15, 10/20, 11/17, 12/15, 1/19, 2/23, 3/16, 4/20, 5/11, 6/15
All meetings will run from 6:30-8:00.
You can email Terry McCarthy if you would like info about FIRE and/or would like to be on our distribution list.
Early Dismissal
• If you need to leave school early, an email (Preferably) from your parent or guardian must be sent to your house office prior to first period. Notes are still allowed, but discouraged to avoid crowding in the House Offices to start the day. You will be given a formal "school excuse" to leave, and your parent must sign you out at the front entrance.
• If you return to school, you must report back to the front entrance and get a pass to class.
• Only the School Nurse can excuse a student early from school due to illness. Students leaving school because of illness must be picked up from the Main Entrance by a parent or guardian.
• No one is allowed to leave during the school day without signing “out”. Any pupil leaving without permission will be considered truant. Parents and Police will be notified.
• Transportation to and from school is provided by school bus, parent, or guardian listed in Infinite Campus ONLY.
Safe Schools Helpline
Safe Schools Helpline Link
Follow Spry Links
Twitter: Webster Spry MS (@SpryMS Warriors)
Webpage: http://www.websterschools.org/spry
Morning Show: http://www.websterschools.org/districtpage.cfm?pageid=1321