Willett Whaler
April 26, 2024
Principal's Corner - Jeffrey Cateon
Welcome back from April break. We hope everyone enjoyed some time to rest and relax. Students have returned ready to learn.
PTO Elections will be held on Thursday, May 2nd in the Library Media Center (See below)
Our Annual Fun Run fundraiser will take place on Thursday, May 23rd (see below)
We are excited for the growing season to begin again at the Willett Garden. Please consider volunteering (see the link below) to help in making our garden successful for the entire Willett Community.
On April 30th, author Dr. Rudy Moseley will be here on a book tour (see the link below).
The Willett Fun Run | Save the Dates!
Our Willett Fun Run fundraiser is kicking off soon! Lookout for more information in the coming weeks. For now, mark your calendars with these key dates!
● REGISTRATION OPENS - 04/30/2024
Register on MYBOOSTER.COM
● Willett Fun Run Kickoff - 05/14/2024
● Event Day - 05/23/2024
Thanks for your support, Willett families!
Message from PTO - Elections - May 2nd
Willett Community!
PTO Officer Elections will take place in person on May 2nd in our Library Media Center. Please see the flyer below for more information.
Attleboro Career Fair
Attleboro Public Schools and the City of Attleboro are pleased to host the second annual Attleboro Career Fair, being held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 4:30-6:30 PM at Attleboro High School.
The Attleboro Career Fair welcomes anyone interested in engaging with staff from the Attleboro School Department, the City of Attleboro, and Attleboro-based businesses. Opportunities to learn more about licensing/training and career building resources will be available. For more details on the career opportunities and hosts available at the fair please see the flier attached.
Screening interviews for school-based positions and free childcare can be scheduled by completing the registration form. All interested applicants should bring an updated resume.
Please register to let us know you’re coming! https://forms.gle/JHuaVHiLuWNExKXY7
Respiratory Viral Illnesses
Updated Guidance for Respiratory Viral Illnesses
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has updated recommendations for schools and the general public to prevent the spread of any respiratory viruses. There are no longer any statewide isolation or quarantine requirements for those who test positive for COVID-19. This aligns with the March 1, 2024, updated guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The new guidance applies to any respiratory viral illness such as Covid, Flu or RSV. Symptoms of a viral illness include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache.
The new guidance states that even with a positive Covid test, individuals may return to school/work and resume normal activities when:
● they have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) AND
● symptoms are improving.
For additional information – please refer to the student handbook under “School and Illness: When your Child Should Stay Home.”
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school nurse.
AHS Student Council Kids Night Out Event
. Student Council is hosting another Kids Night Out on May 11, 2024, from 5pm-9pm. We are providing parents/guardians with another night out without children. Attached is our letter explaining our event and the cost. It is for kids ages 4-11.
Calendar of Events
May
2 - PTO Elections
6, 7 - Grade 4 Mathematics MCAS
8, 9 - Grade 3 Mathematics MCAS
10 - Early Release Day (12:25 PM)
20 - Specialists Showcase (Grades 1-4)
23 - Booster Fun Run
27 - No School - Memorial Day
Thomas Willett Elementary School Report Card 2023-2024
Please enjoy reading this year's Annual Report Card for the 2023-2024 school year.
William James College INTERFACE Referral Service.
Any resident of Attleboro or student attending the Attleboro Public Schools (through a guardian) can access the William James College INTERFACE Referral Service. The INTERFACE Helpline helps individuals in subscribing communities become connected with outpatient mental health and wellness resources.
Through the Helpline that operates from 9 AM- 5 PM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 8 AM- 6 PM on Tuesday and Thursday, callers will complete an intake which takes about 15-20 minutes and then within a day or so of their call will be assigned to work with a Resource and Referral Counselor who will help them navigate the challenges of finding mental health services, including obtaining a referral match to an outpatient provider, as well as information and resources related to mental health and wellness. Please see What to Expect When You Call the Helpline or visit interface.williamjames.edu for more information.
The INTERFACE Helpline is not an emergency service. If you or the person you are seeking to assist requires a crisis response to meet immediate safety needs, please call 988, 911, go to your local emergency room, or find your local crisis services by calling 833-773-2445 and asking for crisis support.
ST Math - Century Club
Autumn, Ishak, Enzo, Jameson, Isabella, Ryan, Michael
Project Connect Workshops
Parenting Toolbox Series on Tuesdays starting April 30th and ending on June 4th from 12:15-1:15pm
Please Join Ms. Sarah and Ms. Dana for this 6 week parenting class. They will be discussing common parenting topics and concerns like meltdowns, routines and sleeping habits. Childcare will be provided. Space is limited.
Guilt Free Parenthood with Jill Vetstein on Tuesday May 7th from 7:00-8:30pm on Zoom
Jill Vetstein is a licensed clinical social worker with a background in early childhood education. This class is designed for parents and caregivers of children birth to adolescence. This training helps parents see why their innate guilt is not necessary.
This training dispels some concepts so that parents can feel
good about their limit setting, their mistakes and their self-care.
Getting Ready for Kindergarten on Tuesday, May 14th from 7:00-8:00 pm on Zoom
Ms. Sarah will be focusing on the 6 important aspects of development (language, social emotional, self-help, fine motor, reading readiness and math readiness) and help you provide a smooth transition for your child.
From the Office of Mrs. O'Malley
The Mobile Dentist will be coming to Willett on May 2nd and 3rd. If you have given consent for your child to participate in the program back in the Fall, there is no further consent needed. If you have not given consent and wish for your child to be seen, please contact me for a consent form. Please make sure your child(ren) are present at school on May 1 or May 3rd.
Title I Programming
Please see these important newsletters for information about our Title I programming.
Electronic Devices - Phones
Students have begun wearing smart watches in school. What follows below is the language from page 27 of the Student Handbook.
Students are not allowed to capture photos, voice recordings, or video images of any person(s) in the school building at anytime. This includes film and digital cameras, laptops, the video component of a video phone, photo, or video recorders, or through the use of any other technology used to capture photos or record video images. Exceptions can be made for students fulfilling the requirements of an activity assigned by a teacher.
The secret use of sound or videotaping devices is illegal (MA General Law Chapter 272 section 99). Videotaping or sound recording a class or individual without the permission of everyone involved is a criminal offense with severe penalties. Students engaging in such activities will be subject to disciplinary action. The inappropriate use of a video or picture cell phone is prohibited at all times; and may also be subject to the Cyber Harassment Policy.
All personal devices must be stored in backpacks and accessed only with permission of the educator for educational purposes. Personal devices are the responsibility of the student to keep safe and operational.
Student Handbook Workflow
Applications for Free/Reduced Lunch
Please note that even though meals will be free for all students this school year, it remains essential for families who believe they qualify to complete the household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2023-2024 school year. Visit our Food Services page to learn more and Apply Online: https://www.attleboroschools.com/o/aps/page/food-services2
Community Flyers
New School Year Updates
New School Year Information
Please check out this highly informative back to school information from the district.
https://www.attleboroschools.com/o/apswc/page/for-families-aps-welcome
Free / Reduced Lunch Applications
Much like the transportation application process, we will not be sending home paper copies of the SY 23-24 Free/Reduced Lunch applications this year. We will be sending out a series of notifications to families with this information and it is included in the New School Year Information document above. We will send a small number of paper applications to each building so that you have them available if they are requested. Lunch applications can be completed online and are found on the Food Services webpage here: https://attleboropsma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/aps/page/food-services2