Principal's Weekly Update
December 4, 2020
Dear Wamsutta Families,
I just have a few new things this week.
On Monday and Tuesday, we will be sending home information on paper for a new Middle School ABACUS program possibly starting in January. Please keep an eye out for it if it could benefit you and your family. I scanned the paper going home next week and I included it at the bottom of this newsletter for your convenience.
By now, you should have received a notice from the teacher content area teams to sign up for conferences. I've included the specialist sign-ups again in case you missed it Wednesday.
We also have a notice for City flu clinics that are by appointment only this year.
Lastly, thank you to all families who were able to help out for our canned food drive. We had over 550 cans and they will be sent over to Hebron Food Pantry today.
I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.
Joseph Connor, WMS
Principal
Second Notice: Specialist Conference Sign Up
Virtual After School Activities
Our after school help program will begin next week. We are targeting students who are struggling with specific invitations from Mr. Heal. There will be two virtual help sessions offered per grade per week. If you feel your child should participate and are not contacted by Mr. Heal next week, please contact me.
Ms. James will be hosting a monthly Harry Potter Book Club on Tuesday, Dec 10 at 3:30. Contact Ms. James at jjames@attleboroschools.com if interested.
PTO Meeting on Tuesday, December 8
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2883614320?pwd=a08vR29GOEpjUEtISEJ1VUdUenplUT09
Meeting ID: 288 361 4320
Passcode: 4XaeNE
Last Weekend of Online Spirit Wear Store!
Our Wamsutta Middle School Store will be running until December 7th. 10% of all proceeds benefit the school, and the PTO has worked hard to create a contactless experience for those interested in purchasing Spirit Wear. We will close the store on the 7th to ensure things arrive for the holidays.
Flu Clinic Information
The Attleboro Health Department flu clinics will be scheduled by appointment only this flu season due to COVID 19. Please call Judy Mendes at 508-223-2222 ext. 3244 or email healthnurse2@cityofattleboro.us to schedule your appointment. Paperwork can picked up in the Health Department if you do not have a printer or we can email the appropriate vaccine administration form to you. Paperwork must be completed prior to the appointment (front and back).
Currently, flu clinics will be held at Attleboro City Hall, 77 Park Street, Second Floor Health Department, Attleboro, MA 02703. We are able to schedule individuals 6 months and older. Flu “shots” are available. There is only a small amount of FluMist (nasal formulation) left in inventory (for healthy individuals 2 years- 18 years) and a small amount of FluBlok for individuals with severe egg allergies (18 years and older). The Attleboro Health Department does not have any high dose flu vaccine (for individuals 65 years and older).
Any one receiving the flu vaccine for the first time will be asked to stay for observation for 10-15 minutes. To help clinic staff, please wear loose clothing or short sleeves to provide easy access to your arm.
Flu vaccine is also available across the state at other locations, including health care provider offices, pharmacies, school and workplace vaccination clinics, and flu vaccine clinics sponsored by local boards of health. A list of flu vaccine availability, based on zip code, can be found at https://vaccinefinder.org/.
Second Notice: Snow Day and Short-Term Emergency Closures
EMERGENCY CLOSURES
There may be a time in the next months where we have to close the school for weather (snow days are a thing of the past) or for a few days because of COVID concerns. Whether the physical building is open or not, schooling will continue. These are the expectations for students:
CLOSURE OCCURS ON A COHORT A IN-PERSON DAY (Mondays and Thursdays)
- All students login for attendance purposes in Homeroom.
- Cohort A students follow their normal schedule, and check in virtually at the beginning of each scheduled class. The teacher will lead Cohort A students through a virtual class session.
- Cohort B students complete their regularly assigned remote work, and can check in with teachers during office hours.
CLOSURE OCCURS ON A COHORT B IN-PERSON DAY (Tuesdays and Fridays)
- All students login for attendance purposes in Homeroom.
- Cohort B students follow their normal schedule, and check in virtually at the beginning of each scheduled class. The teacher will lead Cohort A students through a virtual class session.
- Cohort A students complete their regularly assigned remote work, and can check in with teachers during office hours.
CLOSURE OCCURS ON A WEDNESDAY
- All students follow their regular Wednesday schedule.
Please note, the expectations for students if conditions forced a switch to fully remote learning for a longer period of time would be different, with all students logging in virtually to each class daily, and I will have more info on this if we have to go this route. I hope we do not.
Third Notice: 8th Grade Baby Pictures for Yearbook
Yearbook is looking for 8th graders to submit their baby picture for inclusion in this year’s yearbook. Please submit by December 9th. It can be done via email or the old-fashioned way, and directions are included in the flyer below.
Running Notice: Yearbook Ordering Available
Yearbook ordering is open and can be found here.
DATES TO REMEMBER
December 8
- PTO Meeting at 6:30
December 9
- End of Trimester 1
December 16
- Virtual Half Day for Students / Report Cards Posted in Aspen
- Session 1 Parent Conference 12:20 - 2:20
- Session 2 Parent Conference: 6:00-8:00
December 17
- Session 3 Parent Conference 3:00 - 5:00
December 24 - January 1
- Holiday Break
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