J. W. Leary Junior High School
March 5, 2022
Hello everyone,
We are 25 weeks into the school year-wow!!
This time of year is one of my favorites because we are really able to move forward with activities in classes.
This week was our first time without masks in school in nearly 2 years since the pandemic started and it was so refreshing to see all the smiling faces! As a reminder, we will continue to provide masks to any children who would like to wear one!
At the end of the next week please look for progress reports in your mailbox at home. If you have questions I encourage you to reach out to your child's teacher.
Friday March 18 Staff Development
School Number Days
Monday 3/7 Day 4
Tuesday 3/8 Day 5
Wednesday 3/9 Day 6
Thursday 3/10 Day 1
Friday 3/11 Day 2
All JH Events
DATES TO REMEMBER 2021-2022--this links the calendar that is regularly updated
Drop off and Pick Up
Cars are blocking their entrance and the space they have to turn out of the bus loop.
Respect our drivers and use the Parent Loop that is off of Highland Parkway.
Thank You for your help with this!
Masks
On Sunday, February 27th, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the statewide mask requirement in schools will be lifted on Wednesday, March 2nd. We have received confirmation that the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department will support this change in guidance.
Therefore, beginning Wednesday, March 2nd students, staff and visitors will no longer be required to wear masks in any of our school buildings or on buses. Mask wearing will be optional.
As with all decisions, there will be individuals who support the continuation of mask wearing and those who favor the removal of all mask mandates, and we understand and are respectful of both perspectives. Wearing a mask is a personal decision and, as such, we will not tolerate any teasing, harassment, or negative remarks regarding an individual's personal choice to continue to wear a mask in our schools or on a bus.
As always, we continue to work with our local county health officials as COVID-19 health and safety protocols evolve. If any additional changes to these protocols are made, we will communicate those to you.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and commitment to the health and safety of our students and staff.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school nurse or administrator.
Sincerely,
Patrick H. Brady
Superintendent of Schools
We were all smiles with the mask optional change!
New games in the library!
Last year our school librarian Mrs. Smith applied for a mini-grant. Mrs. Smith was awarded the grant and was able to get our school all of these awesome games!
Great job Mrs. Smith!!
Make it a point to get down to the library to enjoy the games!
School Attendance
Recognizing that this is the week before break I want to emphasize that your child's presence in school is fundamental to their success. While we work to accommodate certain situations we always need to do so in line with the Board of Education policy 7110.
As outlined in the 2021 Reopening Meetings; if children are absent for reasons relating to COVID they will have 5 days upon return to school (teachers have been great to support kids with this!) to make up work.
Excused absences are due to personal illness, illness or death in the family, religious observance, quarantine, required court appearances, attendance at health clinics, road test, approved college visits, approved cooperative work programs, military obligations or other such reasons as may be approved by the Board of Education.
Upon returning to school following an excused absence the student should consult with teacher(s) regarding arrangements to make up missed work, assignments, and/or tests.
Unexcused absences are if the reason for the lack of attendance does not fall into the above categories (e.g. family vacation, hunting, babysitting, haircut, obtaining a learners permit, oversleeping, work, missing a ride, appointment, sporting competitions).
Nurse Gilman calls the family of every child not present. If you know your child is not going to be present please call the school 315-764-3720 or enter the information into this form.
Please Bring a Refillable Water Bottle
The water bottles should have their names on them.
This will help reduce waste and will give kids access to water in classrooms.
Positivity Project Trait of next week is Social Intelligence
Social intelligence refers to a person’s ability to understand
and manage interpersonal relationships. It is distinct from a
person’s IQ or “book smarts.” It includes an individual’s
ability to understand, and act on, the feelings, thoughts,
and behaviors of other people. This type of intelligence can
take place “in the moment” of face-to-face conversations
but also appears during times of deliberate thinking. It
involves emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
Social intelligence helps individuals build relationships –
and is important to numerous aspects of a person’s life. It
allows an individual to form friendships and alliances. And,
it assists a person against being taken advantage of.
People with social intelligence can “read” other people’s
faces and know what motivates them. Social intelligence
builds over time and as a person ages. In this sense, it is
similar to the character strength of perspective.
All of the slide presentations are available in our Resources Library.
Massena CSD SchoolTool
JW Leary Junior High Website
Google Classroom
Register for SchoolTool
This is where your child's schedule, attendance, discipline and grades are located.
If you would like access to the MCSD Parent Portal, please send an email to the following address: parentportal@mcs.k12.ny.us with your child(ren)'s name(s) and date of birth(s).
Please also verify your email address in the body of the email. Please anticipate a minimum of 3 to 5 business days for you to receive an email verifying your account.
MCSD Parent Portal - https://schooltool8.neric.org/SchoolTool_MASS/Default.aspx
SchoolTool Mobile App for Parents
The Schooltool Mobile Application is now setup and available for Massena CSD parents and students.
This link provides instructions for configuring and using the Massena CSD Schooltool mobile application for iOS and Android devices.
Many more Gotcha Letters are heading home!
Outsiders Partner Boxes Represent Themes and Characters within the story!
Systems Models in Mrs. Goodrich's 7th Grade Science Class
Stay on the lookout for Raider Times! Mrs. Charleson's 8th grade Honors class is almost ready to share. So far things look great!
Mrs. Reyes reviewing with kids the first days after break!
Mrs. Theobald with nervous system review. Kids wrote in terms and a puzzle filled in when they were correct!
8th Grade Health Goal Setting
Music in Our Schools Month
We are grateful for Mr. Hunkins, Mr. Lincoln and all of the children that came over to Junior High and showed us what the select groups in the HS are working on.
This was our first assembly in 2 years. It was great to hear the awesome tunes. We also got out of our seats to dance!
Green Team Meeting
Thank You Stewarts!!
Thank you Stewarts for supporting our children!
Great job students and staff!
Over 25 students received notes home outlining their positive contributions to our school community.
The form to nominate those going above and beyond is on our website and posted below!
CFES Brilliant Pathways Programming
We are grateful to provide this opportunity to families.
Something is concerning-
If people see/hear something, say something.
The below form which is also linked on our website is one way to do that.
All concerns expressed to the school are thoroughly investigated and appropriate action is taken. We cannot do something if we do not know about it. It is a service to the entire community when items are shared.
We are all in this together and we all have the same goal. Thank you for your support!
Breakfast/Lunch
Doors open at 7:15 am for children getting breakfast.
Children do need their Schoolbucks account number to get breakfast and lunch.
This links to the current breakfast/lunch menu!
A big thank you to our amazing cafeteria staff who helps this to be possible!
Raider Academy for Grades 1-8
The Massena Central School District is excited to begin an afterschool program named Raider Academy for Grades 1-8. Please click the link to read more about the program and to enroll your child(ren). https://forms.gle/8MokfaQAeZuRWMd36
If you have any questions please email dchapman@mcs.k12.ny.us or call (315) 764-3700 x3024.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help your student or your family. We have so many great things happening at school.
If you have ideas, questions, or concerns please email azullo@mcs.k12.ny.us or call the school 315-764-3720.
Mrs. Zullo
J. William Leary Junior High School
Email: azullo@mcs.k12.ny.us
Website: https://jwjh.mcs.k12.ny.us/
Location: 1 School Street, Massena, NY, USA
Phone: 315-764-3720
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/812944242085434